It was a bright sunny day in Ponyville and the Mane Seven were getting ready over at Carousel Boutique, for that very night was the Grand Galloping Gala. At the moment, Pinkie was outside the shop and she was bouncing on a trampoline while Twilight was trying to memorize a new spell from a book.

"Ahh!" Pinkie squealed, bouncing up and down. "I… can't… believe… the Grand… Galloping… Gala… is… tonight!"

“Pinkie, please stop shouting! I’m trying to concentrate!” Twilight requested. Rarity then stepped out of her boutique.

“Pinkie pie!” She called as she ran out to the trampoline. Stop that right now! It’s time to prepare for the Gala, and I refuse to let you put on your new dress if you’re all sweaty.” Rarity told her.

Pinkie skidded to a stop mid-air to land on the trampoline without bouncing before hopping off, landing next to Chad, who was eating an apple, and Spike, who was holding one. Twilight was still reading the book, now levitating it in front of her.

“Working on a spell for the gala.” Chad answered as he finished eating the apple.

"Where are the others?" Rarity asked, beginning to worry that they wouldn't have time to get ready before the Gala. "It's getting late."

“Hold your horses girl.” Applejack was heard saying as she, Lightning Sprint, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Bandit walked over.

"Shh! Watch." Spike said with a smile. Twilight began sparking her horn, aiming her magic at the fruit, which began to bulge and swell before finally turning into a carriage ready for a team of horses. Retaining its apple shape, and gaining an appropriately decorated pennant is attached to the stem on top.

“Thanks. But that’s just the start. Fluttershy, did you bring your friends?” Twilight asked as she looked in Fluttershy’s direction.

“Yes.” Fluttershy said as four white mice came out of her mane. She lowered her head, allowing the mice to scamper out onto the ground. “Will they be safe, Twilight?”

“You have my word.” Twilight reassured as she lit up her horn. With a flash of magic, she transformed the four mice into four white stallions. However, their heads and faces retained their distinctly mouse-like appearances, including the long whiskers. She was met with all sorts of confusion. "Neat, huh? And don't worry. They'll be mice again at midnight."

Looking from the bushes, Opal’s eyes went wide upon seeing the horse-mice before smirking and wiggling to pounce.

“Opalescence, no!” Fluttershy called out for. It was too late, The white cat latched onto the mouse horse, startling them into running, which Bandit used his magic to grab Opal before she could be carried off by them, or hurt by them. Twilight could only look in horror.

“Wait! Come back!" Twilight shouted after them, it was no use. She turned back to the others. "Those horses were supposed to pull our carriage she complained. "How will we get to the Gala?"

“Oh no, now we have no one to pull the carriage.” Bandit said in an overly dramatic tone. “Where ever will we find a way to get to the gala with no one to pull the carriage.” Bandit added with a very rarity-like hoof to the forehead before smirking. Lightning Sprint snickered a little. Twilight laughed sheepishly, realizing what he was getting at.

“Pulling it where? To Manehattan? Las Pegasus? Los Pegaso?” Bandit teased. Twilight puffed her cheeks with slight annoyance before giving in.

“Would you mind pulling our carriage to the grand galloping gala in canterlot?” Twilight asked him.

“Of course, why didn’t you say so?” Bandit asked. Twilight groaned, but Bandit nudging her made her smile again. “That was payback for the beard.”

“Always holding a grudge.” Twilight giggled before walking into the boutique.

My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?

Later on, 7 of the 8 members of the Mane 8 were inside the changing room of Rarity’s boutique, Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy reading a magazine, were sitting under hair-salon dryers over their heads. Pinkie was standing in front of one, observing it before pushing a button, which caused the dryer to blow with enough force to blow her away.

Outside, Spike was knocking on the door as Bandit was reading a magazine while loafed next to the wall, and Chad was playing with Opal, being very careful not to get fur on him.

“Rarity, you’re aware that Chad and I wear more clothing than you girls right?” Bandit asked from the other side of the door. Rarity sighed and opened the door.

“I’m sorry, Spike. Some of us do have standards.” Rarity said as she walked inside. Chad, Spike, and Bandit followed in that order.

“Ridiculously high standards.” Lightning Sprint muttered. Rarity came back and glared at her.

"I still can't believe we're gonna be at Canterlot tonight." Spike said, excited at the thought. "Our hometown, guys!” Spike said to Twilight, Bandit, and Chad. “And the best part is that we all get to hang out together all night long!" He said to everyone.

“Uh—I don’t know, Spike.” Rainbow Dash said, currently under a hairdryer.

Rarity magically applied fake eyelashes to her own eyes. "We'll just have to see."

Lightning Sprint took her towel off her head, revealing how messy her mane was. “We might not have that much time.”

Applejack was polishing Fluttershy’s hooves, giving it a good spit-shine, even adding the spit. "We're gonna be a mite busy.”

Pinkie’s dryer lifted, showing her mane looking like it did when she assumed her friends were ditching her. “Busy having fun!”

“Don’t worry Spike, you can still spend time with Chad and I, once we meet up with Night Ace, it’ll be like our very first guys night. Until the girls decide they wanna be with us.” Bandit reassured.

Hours later after sundown, Bandit was pulling the carriage with the girls inside and Chad and Spike seated in the front of the carriage where the reins were. Bandit was wearing a red suit jacket with gold outlines on the edges and buttons, a white dress shirt, and his bandana still around his neck. Spike and Chad were wearing the matching black jackets, a dark purple button-up undershirts Rarity made for them. With their appropriate handkerchiefs (Chad with a red and blue handkerchief, and Spike with green gems sewn in his).

“Before our guys night, I gotta show Rarity the crown jewels, and Applejack the Princess's golden apple tree. And Pinkie, we gotta go to my favorite donut shop.” Spike said.

“Spike, I’ve been to the gala three times. That’s usually where I go after meeting up with Octavia and Night Ace.” Bandit reminded.

“Do you think you’ll actually think this year’s gala is more than nice for once?” Chad asked.

“That all depends on which cousin I end up seeing first.” Bandit answered before looking back at them. “But since I got you guys here, my time at the gala will be way more than nice.”

“Spike, if you say that was cheesy I’ll kick you off.” Chad said right as Spike opened his mouth, making him close it.

After some time, Bandit parked the carriage and unharnessed himself. Chad trotted over and opened the door. Spike bowed as the mares came out. All donning their outfits Rarity made for them. Bandit walked around and smiled at them.

“Whoa, you all like a million bits.” Bandit said. The seven were more fixated on the castle and city.

"I can't believe we're finally here." Twilight began happily. "With all that we've imagined, the reality of this night is sure to make this… The Best Night Ever!"

In the garden
I'm going to see them all
All the creatures
I'll befriend them at the Gala

All the birdies
And the critters
They will love me big and small
We'll become good friends forever
Right here at the Gala!

[Applejack]
At the Gala (It's amazing)
I will sell them (Better hurry)
All my appletastic treats (Yummy yummy)
Hungry ponies (They'll be snacking)
They will buy them (Bring your money)
Caramel apples, apple sweets (Gimme some)
And I'll earn a lot of money
for the Apple family!

All our dreams and our hopes from now until hereafter
All that we've been wishing for will happen at the Gala
At the Gala

At the Gala
All the royals
They will meet fair Rarity
They will see I'm just as regal at the Gala

I will find him
My Prince Charming
And how gallant he will be
He will treat me like a lady
Tonight at the Gala!

This is what we've waited for to have the best night
ever
Each of us will live our dreams
Tonight at the Gala
At the Gala

All we've longed for
All we've dreamed
Our happy ever after
Finally will all come true
Right here at the Grand Gala
At the Gala

I am here at the Grand Gala
For it is the best party
But the one thing it was missing was a pony named Pinkie
For I am the best at parties, all the ponies will agree
Ponies playing
Ponies dancing
With me at the Grand Gala!

At the Gala (At the Gala)
With the Princess (With the Princess)
Is where I'm going to be (She will be)
We will talk all about magic and what I've learned and seen (She will see)
It is going to be so special
As she takes time just for me (This will be the best night ever!)

Into the Gala we must go
We're ready now, we're all aglow
Into the Gala, let's go in and have the best night ever
Into the Gala, now's the time
We're ready and we look divine!

At the end of the song, as the Mane 8 plus Chad were now inside the gala, Spike slid over to the group on his knees.

“Yeah!" he cheered. "This is gonna be the best night ever. You know why? 'Cause we're all gonna spend time at the Gala to-" He began when the seven ponies bolted in different directions, causing him to spin. Bandit kept him from falling to the ground. Spike looked around and looked down disappointed.

“Come on Spike, we can still have a good time.” Bandit said. Chad offered Spike a hoof bump, which he smiled and accepted.

Inside the castle, it didn't take Twilight very long to find Princess Celestia, who was greeting the ponies at the doorway that lead into the grand ballroom, and there was a very long line. However, it wasn't long before Twilight reached the Princess and she was able to greet her teacher.

"Twilight!" said Princess Celestia with a delighted smile. "It is so lovely to see my star student."

“Hi mother.” Bandit was heard saying as he approached. Celestia looked up and saw Bandit trotting her way. He flew up next to Twilight and hugged Celestia, who wasted no time hugging back.

“Oh, I’m so excited to be here! We have so much to catch up on.” Twilight told her. Celestia giggled at her excitement.

“If you want, you can be right by my side so we have plenty of time.” Celestia offered. Twilight zipped around to be next to Celestia.

“That’s just what I was hoping you’d say.” Twilight said happily. Celestia then looked at Bandit.

“Tailor coat did a wonderful job on your suit Bandit. Like always, you’re the most handsome stallion in the gala.” Celestia told him. Bandit blushed a bit before turning to show Spike and Chad.

“My little chadikins, you look so adorable in your matching twin suits.” Celestia said. Chad smiled happily, while Spike slightly pouted, blushing just a bit.

“Have you seen Night Ace? He’s been awfully quiet since I left. He hasn’t responded to my letters.” Bandit said. Celestia pointed her hoof towards the ballroom.

“In the ballroom. Night Ace said there’s a surprise for you.” Celestia said. Bandit nodded and walked off.

As Bandit walked to the ballroom, Rarity walked in through the doors to the right of the staircase, just in time to see Prince Blueblood, the same stallion from her dreams, walk out of the room. Luckily, He and Bandit didn’t see one another. Rarity gasped happily before making her pursuit.

"Hurry, Rarity.” She ran. “Oh, but not too fast." she advised herself, slowing a little to not draw so much attention to herself just yet. "But don't wanna lose him…" She started to speed up and then slowed herself again. "Wait! Have to play it cool. Oh, but don't be cold! I can't lose him, I can't! He's everything I imagined!" She went outside and she let out another squeal when she saw the Prince standing next to the rose bushes, with a perfect red rose in his mouth, looking in her direction and raising his eyebrows. Safe to say, Rarity was hooked. "Even better than I imagined."

As she walked to Prince Blueblood, A bird looped its way past a stretch of bushes, where Fluttershy looked up to gaze at the bird.

“Oh my! A meadowlark!" Fluttershy silently said happily before following the bird deeper into the garden, where she heard whistling. "I think she's calling to me.” She guessed excitedly. "It's exactly what I wished for!" She hummed the exact same tune and was met with the same whistling.

Pushing along a cart to an open area. Applejack opened it up to reveal her baked goods in the main hallway, and she soon was greeting one of the Wonderbolts. "Howdy, partner! You hungry?" She asked.

"As a horse!" The white pegasus, Soarin from the Best Young flyers competition, answered rather proudly

"Well, what'cha hankering for?" Applejack inquired, gesturing to the baked goods. "Caramel apple? Apple pie? Apple fritter? Apple fries?"

Soarin pointed to one of the large apple pies on the shelves. "I'll take that big apple pie!" he said and dropped a number of bits into the basket before accepting the apple pie and walking away happily.

"Well, thank you kindly, sir!" Applejack called after him, thrilled. "Yee-haw! In the first minute, I made my first sale. Just like I expected."

Soarin carried the apple pie in his mouth to the roped-off VIP section of the ballroom, where he was greeted by his fellow Wonderbolt, Spitfire.

"Heh. Yeah!" Soarin agreed and accidentally dropped his pie. "My pie!" He called out as he watched it fall. Lightning Sprint sprang into action. She grabbed the pie and tossed it up so she could rebalance herself. Rainbow Dash flew over her and caught the pie, landing with it in her hoof.

"You saved it. Thanks." Soarin said gratefully to the both of them, taking his pie back.

"Hey! I remember you.” Spitfire said, recognizing the pair of blues. "Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint. The ones who saved us at the Best young flyers competition. Bandit speaks real highly of you guys."

“Yep! That’s us!” Lightning Sprint said, trying hard to keep herself from fangirling.

"Well you two. Looks like your skills saved us again. Oh, well, at least they saved Soarin's apple pie."

Soarin was in the middle of eating said pie before he let out a ‘Yeah.’ It was hard to tell whether he was agreeing with Spitfire or the pie was that good. Perhaps it was both, not even the one typing this story was sure.

"Wanna come hang out with us?" Spitfire offered as the guard pony opened the way to let them in.

“We got loads of time.” Lightning Sprint played it cool. As the wonderbolts walked in, the two blue pegasuses stopped at the entrance.

"We’re… hanging… with the… Wonderbolts!" They both squealed. They ran inside, excitedly.

In the ballroom, Bandit was looking around for Night Ace, with Chad and Spike still on his back.

“I don’t see him.” Bandit answered. He sighed and walked over to the punch bowl, as he walked over, Pinkie walked in.

Pinkie was exploring until she found where the dancing was supposed to take place, only none of the ponies were dancing to the formal music being played, instead, they were merely chatting. The pink pony, however, was too focused on the location itself. "The shiny dance floor…" she said, her excitement growing. "The pretty party ponies… Ooh, the fancy band… Shiny! Pretty! Fancy!" She made an anxious noise. "Gotta dance!"

Pinkie leaped onto the dance floor, startling the ponies. Dancing and singing to the tune of ‘Jolly Good Fellow’.

[Pinkie]
I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala,
I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala,
I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala,

It's all I ever dreamed.
It's all I ever dreamed, woohoo!
It's all I ever dreamed, yippee!
I'm at the Grand Galloping GalaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAA!

She suddenly paused when she saw the disapproving looks that the ponies were giving her. "It's all I've ever… dreamed?" she finished discouraged, as the ponies went back to their conversations. Bandit looked on and felt bad.

Chad grabbed a cup of punch and took a sip. He looked to his left and right before grabbing another cup, filling it with punch. He opened his shirt and held the drink close. Ace’s head popped out and he began licking the drink as Chad drank his own cup.

Bandit was still looking around, and upon not seeing who he was looking for, he sighed.

“Looking for someone?” A mare’s voice asked from beside him, Ace zipped right back into Chad’s shirt. Bandit turned and saw a Keppel-colored mare with a grey mane and tail, added with dark grey streaks in, with a blue bandana around her neck, worn the opposite way Bandit wore his. She had magenta eyes and her cutie mark was a white shield with a crown in the middle of it.

“Yeah I-” Bandit looked away and then back at the mare in the form of a double-take. “I am.” He sounded unsure.

“Wait a minute.” Bandit said. A thought bubble popped up for Bandit. In that said thought bubble was a Keppel-colored Stallion with a grey mane and tail, magenta eyes, and a white shield with a crown in the middle for a cutie mark. The gears turned for less than a second before his jaw dropped.

“Mmhmm.” Night Ace nodded. Bandit was still in shock for a few more seconds before going back to compose himself.

“That’s all I care about.” Bandit smiled, noogieing her mane. She giggled before shoving his hoof off.

“Very much. You and I have got to catch up.” Bandit answered. Chad was still drinking his punch as Spike just looked plain confused.

Outside, Rarity was sniffing a rose in a bush when Prince Blueblood walked over.

“Well, hello.” He called. Rarity looked up and was a bit shocked to see him approach her. “I am Prince Blueblood.”

“I am… Rarity.” Rarity greeted, charmed by his suave voice. “Oh my, what a lovely rose.” She attempted to hint at.

“You mean… this rose?" Prince Blueblood asked, gently picking the rose, much to the delight of Rarity, who was then instantly disappointed when he inserted it into the buttonhole of his own suit. "Thank you. It goes with my eyes."

That one sentence made Rarity remember the interaction between Chad and Bandit when she talked about her dream to go to the gala.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy was still humming and following the whistling through the garden. "My little meadowlark is right around this bend!" She said excitedly. She ran around a corner, but instead of the meadowlark, she found an old brown pony, whose name was Mr. Greenhooves, whistling instead.

"Yep!" Mr. Greenhooves confirmed as he racked up leaves. "I love whistlin' while I work." And as he went back to work, he resumed whistling.

Fluttershy flushed and flew away. "Oh! Yes… Well… Excuse me." As she left the gardener, she brightened when she saw all kinds of animals just ahead. "Oh! I see a toco toucan! And a spider monkey! And, oh! Is that a wallaroo?" She attempted to get close, but the animals panicked and fled.

Inside the castle, the VIP section was filled with ponies chattering. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash were trying to get the attention of both Spitfire and Soarin, but it wasn't easy, and both were getting frustrated.

"Hey, Spitfire! You ever done a rain cloud double backflip?" Rainbow Dash asked eagerly, but she couldn't be heard over all the talking. Gritting her teeth, she turned to see Lightning Sprint trying to talk to Soarin.

"You ever soared past lightning?" She asked, trying to be heard. "It's awesome!"

In the main hallway, Princess Celestia was greeting all the newly arrived ponies with Twilight at her side.

"Yes. Me too, Twi…" Celestia unintentionally interrupted, as another pony arrived.

"Oh, good evening! Welcome to the Gala.” She tried to talk to Twilight. “Which is why I-” She was interrupted when she saw a pair of ponies walk to greet the princess. “Ladies! Lovely to see you again."

Twilight let out a sigh as she looked down the line and saw how long it was getting.

“Looks like getting a chance to talk to the Princess is gonna be a magic trick in itself.” She said to herself.

Meanwhile, the excitement that Applejack had felt when Soarin bought the apple pie earlier was slowly starting to die out.

“First Minute, First sale.” She said while motivated. But as more and more ponies ignored her backed goods, she slowly lost the motivation she had left.

“Second… Fourth… Sixth… Sixtieth minute… no sales she complained and sighed. "This ain't what I expected at all."

Outside, Prince Blueblood positioned a pillow on the grass, but when Rarity went to sit on it, he sat on it instead, and she pouted.

In the main entrance, Celestia was still greeting the ponies as they kept coming, Twilight's smile didn't take long to fade, as she had been standing there for a long time, and still hadn't been a good chance to speak with Princess Celestia.

In the VIP section, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were disappointed that the Wonderbolts they were trying so hard to meet, were surrounded by other fans, so they couldn't get a word within earshot of any of them.

Out in the garden, Fluttershy was still trying to see the animals, but they kept fleeing every time she got close to any of them, and she was becoming upset. "This isn't what I wished for.”

It was then that the seven were filled with the determination to keep the night from being ruined.

Prince Blueblood had gone to the bathroom during Rarity’s speech of motivation, however, when he came out, a stallion ran towards him. Said Stallion was white with a pale yellow mane, a red tie on, and a purple diamond cutie mark. Beside him was a light green mare with a purple sun hat with pink feathers and a pink ribbon, a grey tippet, and a pumpkin orange mane and tail, with a white diamond cutie mark.

“You’ll never believe who showed up.” He said. Prince Blueblood raised an eyebrow waiting for him to spill the beans. Solar pointed to Bandit, who was currently talking with Night Ace.

“Oh, this is gonna be good.” The mare, River Lilly, said as she and Solar Comet walked with him. As they walked, Rarity herself took a trip to the Mare’s room.

“Bone and River are getting along real well. Maybe they’ll have some cubs in the meantime.” Night Ace told Bandit.

“Those two tigers are made for each other if you ask me. I hope I can see the cubs if they have them.” Bandit responded. Night Ace looked past him, gasped, and then grabbed his hoof.

“Come on, let’s head inside.” She said attempting to pull him. Bandit started to walk with her. Chad turned around and went wide-eyed.

“Uh oh.” Chad said. Hearing this, Bandit turned to look at him to ask what was wrong, only to see Prince Blueblood trotting his way. Spike turned to look and leaned towards Chad.

“But what about-” Spike tried to ask, but Chad (and Pinkie) shook as he did on the day of the hydra encounter. Seeing the doozy sense go off, Spike nodded at Bandit and both hopped off, heading into the ballroom, but right as Bandit turned to look towards the incoming cousin, the two poked out to witness. Even Ace popped his head out of Chad’s dress shirt to bear witness.

“So lovely to see you both.” Prince Blueblood said with a bow. Bandit was caught off guard by this but bowed back.

“That’s awfully nice of you. For a second I thought-” Bandit began to voice his gratitude, only for Prince Blueblood to degrade him.

“Must be the most meaningful thing you’ve done in a long time.” Prince Blueblood started.

“That doesn’t guarantee he’d show up. After all, what would be the point? He’s only got, what? Two friends he hangs out with here. One of them is his cousin, quite sad if you ask me.” Prince Blueblood continued. Bandit’s eye twitched a bit.

“So….you don’t read my letters.” Bandit asked. Bandit had written a few letters to Prince Blueblood about his journey and his friends. They were usually after a letter to Celestia and sent the old-fashioned way.

“That explains it.” Bandit muttered before clearing his throat. “For your information, I made six new friends when Twily and I moved to Ponyville.”

“Bet they only care about his status.” Solar Comet whispered to River Lilly, who chuckled a bit. Bandit looked right at him.

“They don’t actually, but next time have the guts to say it louder.” Bandit said. Solar gulped and backed up.

“Well you seem in like you’re in a pleasant mood.” Prince Blueblood sarcastically said.

“I was, but then you walked over with the intentions of agitating me. Like what always happens when I see you.” Bandit said.

“I’m not sure what you mean Night Ace. Surely this is the only time he’ll do something notable.”

“What’s the matter Bandit? Is something angering you?” Prince Blueblood asked.

“Why are you like this?” Bandit asked, an angered expression plastering onto his face. “Every single time I see you, you go out of your way to aggravate me.”

“Okay okay, let’s just go opposite ways and try to enjoy our time at the gala.” Night Ace tried to defuse the situation. Bandit used his magic to slide her behind him.

“Oh please, don’t tell me you’re angry about me picking on you a little bit. I thought you had some thick skin buggy boy. Or is it a tough exoskeleton.” Prince Blueblood taunted.

“Bandit, let’s just go.” Night Ace tried to pull him by the hoof, but Bandit snatched himself away.

“NOTHING about what you’ve done was little!” Bandit began to raise his voice.

“Everytime you and I were in the same building growing up, it turned out to be the one of the WORST days of my life!” Bandit exclaimed, his voice raised enough to start drawing attention.

“One time?! I can give you 1,981 times and that would just be scratching the surface!” Bandit began.

“I just asked for one you overgrown crybaby.” Prince Blueblood rolled his eyes, Bandit got nose to nose with him.

“Do not. Call. Me. A Crybaby!” Bandit gritted. “That’s number one! When you weren’t calling me ‘Buggy boy’, or ‘Creepy Critter’, you wouldn’t stop calling me that!”

“‘Breaking news, a newborn changeling cries, and thus deserves to be mocked because of something they couldn’t control!’! As if that wasn’t enough, it was your fault for crying! You did nothing but take, take, take! My favorite rattle when I was 2, my favorite stuffed tiger when I was 5, and because of you! I haven’t celebrated my own birthday since I was 7, all because YOU would hijack it!”

“And you’re any better? You wouldn’t even bother to come to my birthdays!” Prince Blueblood tried to shift the blame.

“You mean the birthdays you’d go out of your way not to invite me to? The birthdays where you’d tell me I shouldn’t have shown up?” Bandit gritted.

“Oh, and you’re just so perfect? The last time you and I were at the same party, you told me you hated me to my face.” Prince Blueblood studdered a bit, trying again to turn the tables.

“You stole Grandma Galaxia’s gift from me and chopped down the cherry tree momma gave me on my 4th birthday! Of course I did!” Bandit told him.

“W-what’s so special about that dumb little box and tree anyway?” He said.

“That ‘dumb little box’ was her last!” Bandit shouted at him. Prince Blueblood’s eyes widened. “You hijacked my birthdays, took all my favorite things, chopped down my cherry tree that took care of and loved dearly since I was four, and kept me from seeing my grandma’s last gift! Guess what, Lily-Diamond Daffodil Blueblood, when I told you I hated you and wished you weren’t my cousin, I meant every last word!”

As soon as those words left his lips, Bandit looked shocked. Prince Blueblood looked just as shocked at this, as did the crowd. Night Ace, Chad, Spike, and even Ace were all completely stunned.

“Bandit, please, let’s just go.” Night Ace said, tugging his wing. Bandit turned around and started walking off. Chad, Spike, and Ace looked at each other before Ace went back into Chad’s shirt. Chad and Spike began tailing Bandit. Night Ace looked at where he was heading and began writing something before she used her magic to send it. Straining a great deal to do so.

“Fine! Who needs you anyway? Now if you’ll excuse me, I got a date waiting for me anyway, so ha!” He said as he stomped off with his head held high.

Out in the garden, Fluttershy was determined to get the animals to come out of hiding, and she had an idea of how to do it. Working quickly, she set up a box with a stick keeping it open, tied a rope to the stick, and then she put a carrot under the box.

"I just have to be more bold, like Bandit and Twilight are." she whispered, and then she spoke loudly. "I'm so sorry to have scared you, my friends! But I'm leaving now, so you can all come out!" She then ducks behind a bush to wait, and it wasn't very long when she heard the sound of crunching. Yanking the rope, she heard the box fall, and she jumped out from her hiding place.

"Gotcha!” Fluttershy said happily. “It's okay.” She said, approaching the box. "I promise not to hurt you. I just wanna be your… friend?" She trailed off when she found Mr. Greenhooves eating the carrot with the box on his head.

"Mmm… Sounds good to me.” He said. Seeing the look on Fluttershy’s face, he chuckled a bit. “Sorry, Bandit used to do this all the time when he was a youngin, playing with the animals. Just wanted to humor ya a bit.”

Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were still trying to spend time with Soarin and Spitfire, but so far, every other pony was getting in their way.

“Okay Rainbow Dash. We want them to notice us, we have to make them notice us.” Lightning Sprint told her. Rainbow Dash looked at a grey Stallion talking with a pink mare next to him. The two looked at each other and smirked, nodding. They pretended to be casual, only to headbutt the grey stallion (Caesar) and the pink mare (North Star) in the rumps to send them flying into the air.

As they went flying, the duo crisscrossed and caught the opposite of who they sent into the air. As the North Star landed on Rainbow Dash’s back, and Caesar landed on Lightning’s, they both high hooved and looked over at Spitfire, and saw she was still talking with a fan, not even having looked their direction. They bucked them off, frustrated.

As they stormed off in a frown, Rarity and Prince Blueblood were walking in the ballroom.

“Nothing you should worry about.” Prince Blueblood brushed off. Rarity was gonna ask further but decided against it.

“Just give him a chance, Rarity." She whispered to herself. "His princely side is sure to come out if you're just patient."

"Miss Rarity! Stop!" Prince Blueblood said as he held out a foreleg and stopped her. Rarity blinked and then she saw the spilled drink on the floor.

"Oh, of course it will." She agreed, the two making eye contact for too long. Not too long later, it was not a chivalrous gentle stallion using his jacket to cover the slip, or the two simply going around it, but Rarity’s magenta cape going over it and Prince Blueblood walking over the puddle.

“Bandit and Blueblood can’t have been raised under the same roof.” She muttered as she snatched her cape back up.

In that same Ballroom, Pinkie tapped her chin watching the other ponies talk. She then got an idea and quickly went over to the musicians, whispering in their ears. Octavia looked at her and whispered back to her.

“This is a boring party anyway.” She whispered. Beauty Brass blew into the tuba for a single note. Pinkie tapped the microphone to test it.

“Come on, everypony! I know what’ll make you shake those groove thangs!” Pinkie announced. Some polka-like music began to play from the musicians, and Pinkie’s singing began. As she sang, Twilight, Applejack, Lightning Sprint, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and especially Fluttershy was having very poor luck.

“You reach your right hoof in
You reach your right hoof out
You reach your right hoof in
And you shake it all about
You do the Pony Pokey meeting lots of folks with clout
That's what I'm talking about.”

As Pinkie sang this verse, Celestia ended up getting the letter Night Ace sent. As Twilight shook hooves with the greeters and got lifted off the ground during one of them, Celestia read it, gasped, and whistled for a guard. A red unicorn guard with red and gold styled armor came with a salute. She whispered in his ear, and he nodded and teleported.

“You step your left hoof in
You pull it right back out
You step your left hoof in
But you better help him out
You do the Pony Pokey but should find a different route
That's what it's all about.”

During this verse, Applejack was trying to get somepony to buy her apples by having them slip on them as they walked by. This tactic didn’t work at all.

“You kick your back left in
You pull your back left out
You reach your back left in
Just be brave and have no doubt
You do the Pony Pokey feeling like you're gonna pout
That's what I'm singing about.”

Lightning Sprint kicked a coconut drink into the air, which Rainbow Dash was able to catch with her hind hoof, with her eyes closed. Spitfire and Soarin were impressed, but couldn’t give praise as they were pulled away to take pictures with fans. Neither Skittles nor Blueberry was happy that happened.

“You tilt your head in
You tilt your head out
You tilt your head in
Then you shake it all about
You do the Pony Pokey even though your date's a lout
You're better off without.”

Rarity was trying to get Blueblood to open the door for her, who was trying to get her to open the door for him. The two of them went back in forth with the head tilts, but Prince Blueblood turned his head away. Rarity grew frustrated and relented. Opening the door, she let Prince Blueblood through the door. As the door closed, it knocked her over as she wasn’t all the way through the door.

“You stomp your whole self in
You stomp your whole self out
You stomp your whole self in
And you stomp yourself about
You do the Pony Pokey and you give a little shout-”

“COME OUT!” Fluttershy shouted, once again missing the animals. Her more, directly pouncing to the animals approach helped her 0%, and it was breaking her.

“That's what I'm talking about.” Pinkie continued to sing, Pinkie was then caught up in the fun, so much so that she ended up making all but the piano player stop playing the music.

“You do the Pony Pokey
You do the Pony Pokey
You do the Pony Pokey
And that's what it's all about

Her enthusiasm was silently ill-received.
“Young lady." A mare began to scold. "This is not that kind of party."

“Ohhhhhh... they don't want a party. These ponies want a paaartay!” Pinkie misunderstood. Octavia got off the stage. Thinking she knew something they didn’t, the rest of the ensemble went off as well in quite a hurry.

Upstairs, Bandit was in his old room, looking out his window. The room had purple walls, one of which had a bunch of graded assignments, with the lowest being an A-. Sitting against that same wall was a trophy.

On the wall the head of the bed was placed, there were six pictures. One of Celestia, another of a young Bandit poking his head into frame, the third with Bandit’s entire head in the frame, blowing a raspberry into the camera. The fourth one was just Bandit, the fifth with Celestia poking her head into the frame, and the last frame was her blowing a raspberry into the camera.

Bandit was looking at a stump in the garden, where his cherry tree used to be. His ears twitched as he heard magic behind him. He turned to look and saw a large cosmic Sphinx, appear behind him. Said sphinx, had a red galactic body, a purple galactic face, an armband with a golden milky way on it, and interstellar clouds on her underbelly. She also had a long, light teal mane.

“Anubi?” He asked. The sphinx looked around and then looked at Bandit with a gasp.

“You got so big. Oh my goodness.” She said as she zipped over, she stopped right in front of him and looked at his face. “This is so exciting, how long has it been since you and I spoke. 4, 5, 6, 7-”

“6 years. It’s been a while.” Bandit said. Anubi ruffled his mane with her paw.

“And here I feared you outgrew your favorite imaginary friend.” Anubi said. Bandit’s face didn’t change as he fixed his mane. Anubi looked at him with her own ears flopping. “Oh no, looks like the grump goblin stole your joy again.”

“The grump goblin? Remember, whenever you were sad we’d imagine a goblin that carried a barrel of…” She trailed off as Bandit was not changing his expression, from his sad/angered state. “..your...You know what, that’s not important. What’s on your mind?”

“I got into it with Cousin Blueblood again. And this time I said something I really regretted.” Bandit said.

“Hold on.” Anubi said as she poked her head out of the room, she then walked out to check the halls before hopping back through the wall. “Sorry about that, just needed to make sure no one was in ear shot. If someone heard you talking to me they’d assume you’re a few apples short of a apples short of a bushel.”

“Sorry, new friends. Applejack uses them, anyway. I told him I meant it when I said I hated him and wished he was never my cousin.” Bandit said. Anubi gasped at this. “Yeah, I was shocked I said that too.”

“I’m guessing he tried to downplay his constant mistreatment of you?” Anubi asked.

“While purposely aggravating me.” Bandit added. He looked back out the window. “I didn’t mean what I said. I….I shouldn’t have said that.”

“I know what you’re going to say. ‘You shouldn’t let Blueblood get to you. He wants to drag you down, be the bigger changeling.’, and I get that. But-” Anubi covered his mouth.

“I wasn’t going to say that.” Anubi said, moving her paw. “Look, I know Prince Blueblood is rude, conceded, selfishly entitled, doesn’t acknowledge any of your accomplishments, takes a lot of things from you solely for the purpose of having them, possible contender for Narci-”

“Skipping the monologue. I know he gets on your nerves, and I know the hardest thing about being the bigger changeling is letting the one who’s wrong think that they’re right. I’m not gonna tell you what to do, but I am gonna tell you this. Prince Blueblood can pretend to be better, but he and you know that you're who's better. Never forget that. Emperor Ersatz, Starswirl the Bearded, Ling, even your own mother have had creatures pretending they're better. It never stopped them.” Anubi told him. Bandit looked at the stump.

“I still gotta apologize for what I said.” Bandit said. Anubi patted him on the back.

“Do your thing. By the way, I hear hoofsteps coming. Looks like this conversation’s over.” Anubi said.

“Imagine me again soon.” Anubi said as she faded away. As soon as she was gone, Chad and Spike poked their heads into the room.

“Bandit? Is this a bad time?” Spike asked. Bandit looked at them and smiled.

“We wanna help you feel better Bandit. Is there anything we can do?” Chad asked. Bandit ruffled his mane with a smile.

“Your presence is enough, now come on. We still have a guys night to attend to.” Bandit said as he placed them on his back. He started walking.

“You don’t have to hide Ace.” Bandit said. Squeed and pulled the top of his shirt and Ace came climbing out and placed himself on Chad’s shoulders as Bandit walked.

“I have a question. Lily-Diamond Daffodil Blueblood, why did-?” Spike asked.

“Blueblood’s parents thought he was a filly when they named him. Ever since, he’s only went by Prince Blueblood.” Bandit interrupted to answer. Both twins snickered just a little bit.

Outside, Applejack was resting her chin on her hoof as Rarity and Prince Blueblood approached.

"Two apple fritters comin' right up." said Applejack, putting two of the fritters on a tray and presented them. "That'll be four bits."

"Ahem." Prince Blueblood said, hinting that he was expecting her to pay for the food.

"Ahem!" Rarity said, shooting him a look that said she wanted him to pay for the food.

Rarity sighed, giving up. "I'm going to have to pay, aren't I?" She asked and reached for her money pouch.

"It's okay, Rarity." Applejack assured her friend, sensing the tension between the two ponies. "I got you covered."

"Thank you, Applejack." Rarity gratefully said while shooting Blueblood a very disapproving look. "At least somepony here has good manners."

Prince Blueblood took one of the fritters and took a bite from it. Seconds later, he spits it out and stared in horror at the baked goods on display.

"Oh! Fritters! Dumplings! Caramel apples!" he yelled and snatched up a cup of punch to wash the taste out of his mouth. "My royal lips have touched common carnival fare!”

He turned away and started walking with his head upright. “I'm going to the buffet for some… hors d'oeuvres.”

Rarity angrily followed. The meter of her tolerance was reaching its peak. Applejack watched them leave before narrowing her eyes, finally figuring out why no one was buying her food.

"Well, no wonder nopony wants my food." she complained. "They're fillin' up on those fancy-schmancy vittles. Well, my down-home apples are plenty good enough for this crowd. I'll just dress 'em up a bit and prove it to 'em.” She began pushing the cart.

In the garden, Fluttershy began to go crazy and resorted to setting a net trap so she could make herself a friend.

"I'll catch you yet, my pretties." She said, becoming more unhinged per word. Even one of her eyes began to twitch. "Oh yes. As soon as one of you little birds or monkeys or bears touches this net… you'll be mine! Mine!"

She let out an evil laugh, having full faith in this plan, that was until she slipped and fell directly into that net.

"Whoa!" She yelped as she set off the net trap. Dangling off the ground, a white rabbit hopped over and looked up at her. She let out a defeated sigh.

In the dance hall, Pinkie was still determined to liven up the party, and she set up a DJ table, playing some dance music.

“Come on, everypony!” She started as she jumped down to the floor. “You wanted a par-tay? Now let’s par-tay!”

As she danced, trying to encourage some unhappy, rather frightened, and flat-out uncomfortable ponies to dance with her, Applejack came through the door pushing the cart. On the cart was an eight-tier cake with an apple on the top.

“Okay, all you high-class ponies. Here’s a highfalutin apple cake for all your hoity-toity taste buds!” Applejack said.

“STAGE DIVE!” Pinkie exclaimed, diving off the stage. Not only did she shook mid-air, making her go a few extra feet before landing right onto the cart, sending the cake flying.

Rarity had the door opened for Blueblood, and as he walked through the door, and Rarity closed the door, both of them looked up to see the cake coming down. Both let out a yelp, and Prince Blueblood acted fast, buy positioning Rarity in front of him. The cake hit her, ruining her gown and not a single crumb landed on the cowering Blueblood. Rarity. Was. Ferocious. And when she turned around, she gave Blueblood a piece of her mind.

“You, sir, are the most un-charming prince I have ever met!” Rarity exclaimed, backing him into a wall. “In fact, the only thing royal about you is that you are a royal pain!”

“Ewww! Stay back! I just had myself groomed!” Blueblood said, cowering against the wall.

“Afraid to get DIRTY?!?” Rarity asked. She shook her body and Prince Blueblood was soon covered in his share of the cake. He stumbled and knocked himself against a pedestal. A pedestal that had an alicorn statue on it, which promptly began to topple over.

“Now’s our chance!” Lightning Sprint exclaimed. She zipped over and dove under the statue, catching it before it could hit the ground.

“Yeah!” She said. However, her balance wasn’t good thanks to the weight. “Whoa! Rainbow, a little help!”

By the time that sentence left her mouth, Rainbow Dash was there, flying and pulling the head of the statue, only to break it off by mistake. Rainbow went flying into a wall, and the statue dragged Lightning Sprint towards a pillar and knocked it over. Bandit walked in and saw the pillars begin to domino the surrounding area. Luckily almost everyone was away from the falling debris. Unluckily, Prince Blueblood wasn’t almost everyone. Quickly taking Chad, Spike, and Ace off his back, Bandit ran over and quickly tackled Blueblood out of the way. The pillar falls and both princes were unscathed.

Celestia and Twilight walk in and seeing Bandit next to the rubble, she quickly ran over to him.

“Well, it can’t get any worse.” Twilight said. Ace faceclawed after she said that.

“Three….two….one.” Chad counted down. As soon as he hit one, a rumbling was heard. The rumbling got louder, and closer until a bunch of animals was seen running through the door. A certain, deranged yellow pegasus at the door, the reason for them running.

“You’re…going to LOVE ME!!” She shouted. Panic soon erupted, and ponies and animals were scattered around.

“Run.” Celestia whispered to him. Bandit whistled, getting the attention of his friends. He pointed to the door, and they ran out accordingly. Twilight grabbed Spike and Chad as she ran, Ace still on Chad’s shoulders. Bandit looked back at Prince Blueblood and sighed. He reached into his Bandana and pulled out some napkins.

“Hmph, took you long a-” Prince Blueblood was gonna say before Bandit shoved his hoof in his mouth.

“Do NOT make me take it back.” Bandit said as forced the napkins into his hooves before running out the door. As he ran, Prince Blueblood looked at the napkins and then at the door.

As the mares ran down the stairs, one of Rarity’s glass slippers fell off. Spike saw this and hopped off to grab it.

“Rarity! You’re glass slipper! I grabbed it for you!” Spike called out. Getting horrid memories of her disaster date with Blueblood, she zipped to Spike, knocked the slipper out of his hands, and broke it with one single stomp.

“Let’s go!” She exclaimed as she ran back down. Spike looked at the broken slipper, so Rarity went back up and grabbed him. The group all ran outside and Chad looked at Twilight.

Later, the 10 were all in Donut Joe’s donut shop, sitting at a table and just got done talking about their night.

“I just hope Princess Celestia isn’t upset with us for ruining the Gala.” Twilight said sadly.

“As far as Galas go, that was definitely one of the most exciting one.” Bandit said.

“I couldn’t have said it better my self.” Celestia said from the door. They all turned and saw Celestia at the doorway, with a gift box on her back and two guards to her left. Both red guards, but one pegasus and the other a unicorn.

“Princess Celestia!” The ponies, plus Spike said, quite surprised. The changelings both waved, however.

“Hi mom/Hi mother.” The two said as she walked over. Bandit looked at the two guards and smiled, giving them both crushing hugs.

“Pardon me Princess, but tonight was just...awful.” Twilight said as Bandit walked back over.

“Oh Twilight, Twilight, the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful.” Celestia told them. Night Ace walked in as well.

“Things sure got livened up with all of you around, that’s for sure.” Night Ace said.

“This evening didn’t go according to plan at all.” Bandit said before smiling at his friends. “But with friends like these, bad days hold no lasting effects.”

“You’re both right. Friends have a way of making even the worst of times into something pretty great.” Twilight said.

“Looks like everyone did in fact do what you wanted Spike.” Bandit nudged him. Spike beamed up at him.

“You earned it, go right ahead.” Bandit said. Spike climbed on his head and looked at the others.

"In fact, it's made it…" Pinkie began and the others joined in."…the best night ever!

“Bandit? Night Ace?” Octavia’s voice called. Both of them looked up. “I’m not late am I?”

“You’re right on time Ms. Tavi. Join us.” Bandit offered as he looked at Donut Joe.

Some time passed by, and everyone was talking to each other, Celestia whispered for Bandit to meet her outside. Bandit nodded and walked out with her.

“Here, I got you a little something before you leave.” She said as she gave him the present off her back and gave it to him.

“What is it?” Bandit asked as he began to open it. As soon he did, Bandit’s eyes widened with surprise. “Is this-”

“When Blueblood chopped down your tree, I spent the last six years making you this. I know it’s no Morello, but I hope you like it.” Celestia said. Bandit took out the gift, a small, bonsai cherry blossom tree. He looked at Celestia and hugged her tight.

The gala was over and the group was beginning to head back home, Bandit was heading over to get the carriage when he saw a small box by the on the front of the carriage, where the reins were. Bandit looked at it and saw a note on it.

Chad and Spike were both asleep on Twilight’s back. Ace was circling her from the ground, trying to get on her back. Twilight picked him up and placed him on Chad’s back. The girls all waited for Bandit to show up with the carriage. After a few moments, he did, and the girls looked surprised.

“Carriage is here, ready to head home?” Bandit asked. They were silent for a moment, so he spoke again. “Something wrong?”

“New look?” Twilight asked. Bandit’s white ponytail scrunchie was replaced with a red scrunchie with two streamers attached. One of them, white with Celestia’s cutie mark, the other dark blue with Luna’s cutie mark. Bandit smiled and nodded.

“How do I look?” Bandit asked. The mares walked to him and then began entering the carriage.

“Like a million bits.” All of them said. Bandit smiled and began to pull the carriage back to ponyville.

My Little Pony: Friendships and Magic [Season 1]

by Alpha Wolf 4500

The Best Night Ever