//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: Through the Eyes of Nightmare // by Mister E-Nonymous //------------------------------// Chapter 19 Carousel Boutique... Ponyville... Equestria... August 15th... 1:00 PM... This was it. The big night. The night of the Grand Galloping Gala. Things have been quite eventful since the Sonic Rainboom in Canterlot. After that, Rarity asked Spike to help her find gems for dresses to make for Sapphire Shores, the pony of pop. But Rarity was taken by creatures known as the Diamond Dogs so they could use her to find gems. But, she had the Diamond Dogs wrapped around her hoof. Then there was when Photo Finish was searching for model worthy ponies. Rarity was hoping that she would be picked, but Photo Finish chose Fluttershy instead. Which was a problem for both ponies. Rarity was jealous that Fluttershy was getting all the attention and Fluttershy was overwhelmed by all of the attention. But then, the two of them told each other how they felt, and promised each other to not let something silly like that get in the way of their friendship. And today, the Mane 6, Spike and Moonlight were at Carousel Boutique, getting ready for the Grand Galloping Gala. Twilight wanted to try out transfiguration magic. She turned an apple into a carriage to get them. She then transfigured four mice into full size horses. But their faces were still mouse like. Which wasn't that helpful when Opal, Rarity's cat, chased them away. So, Rarity got a couple of local stallions to help pull the carriage. The Mane 6 and Moonlight then got into their dresses for the gala. Moonlight still wasn't happy with that dress looking at her reflection. "I can't believe I'm in this dress again," Moonlight grumbled. Then her mane was taken in a light blue aura, being styled up before the headband was placed on her. "Oh, don't be like that, Moonlight," Rarity said. "Besides, it's just for tonight. After tonight, you won't have to wear it again. That was the deal." "I guess," Moonlight said. She then sighed, looked back at her reflection, and said, "Just for tonight." Then the group went outside and gotten into the carriage. The two stallions got hooked up to the carriage, and Spike got into the driver's seat. After the girls all got in, the two stallions started moving, heading towards Canterlot. Road to Canterlot... Equestria... August 15th... 7:30 PM... The girls were all sitting in the carriage, talking about what they were going to do when they get to the gala. Not Moonlight. She was looking out the window, looking out at the view. She was giving a bored expression. Twilight then put her hoof on Moonlight's back, making the filly look back at Twilight. Twilight then asked, "What's wrong, Moonlight? Aren't you excited?" "Not really," Moonlight said. "In my world, on TV, I've seen fancy parties like that. And it was all so... boring. I once fell asleep watching one." "I bet I can make it less boring!" Pinkie said, coming up to Moonlight. "I can make it so you won't fall asleep." "I doubt that," Moonlight said. She sighed. "Just for tonight." Canterlot Castle... Canterlot... Equestria... August 15th... 7:45 PM... As soon as they finished their song, the group split up. Twilight took Moonlight with her, to make sure that nothing bad happens to her. Especially with Princess Celestia being there. "Just stay with me, Moonlight," Twilight said. "There are a lot of ponies here who don't see ponies for who they really are. So, if you stay with me and Princess Celestia, you won't be judged horribly." "Okay, Mom," Moonlight said. Then the two of them headed into the Gala. But them walking in caught the attention of one unicorn stallion. The same stallion that Rarity was talking about in her portion of the song. Prince Blueblood. He was not happy to see Moonlight walking into the castle. "Nightmare Moon, you might have most of Equestria fooled," Prince Blueblood said, angrily, "but not me. I'm gonna give you the proper punishment that you truly deserve." He then headed down to the gala.