//------------------------------// // Chapter 40: We're going to the Gala! // Story: New Beginnings // by Black Alicorn //------------------------------// 47 days later, Sweet Apple Acres. Wolf rushed his target, intent on giving it everything he had. As the adrenaline flooded his veins, he increased his speed. When Wolf got close enough, he jumped into the air. He rotated 360 degrees and extended his leg. He gave out a massive war cry as his kick landed exactly where he wanted it to. With his other leg, he kicked off his target and landed on his hands four feet away. Wolf quickly repulsed off the ground, landing on his feet another two feet away. Wolf raised his head to see the results of his furious attack. He smiled at the results. "Perfect..." The apples flew free from the tree Wolf kicked, filling the baskets resting on it's roots. One however, didn't intend to end up like it's brethren. It hit the rim of the basket, falling out. It bounced off the roots of it's former home and flew away from it, intent on escaping. The apple bounced off the ground a few times, it's bright red peel deflecting the impacts with the ground. Newton's first law of motion however, would put a stop to it's attempt. It rolled another foot, before finally stopping. Wolf eyed the defiant little fruit. A slight rumble from his stomach dictated his next action. He picked it up and took a bite out of it. It's sweet flavor was enough to cause him to close his eyes and give off a slight moan. He opened his eyes again and was greeted by the sight of Big Mac climbing up a hill in the distance, dragging a cart behind him. Wolf looked behind him, to see that the part of the orchard he was assigned to harvest was picked clean, thanks to him. Seeing as how he was done with his work, an idea popped into his head. He rushed a couple more bites, then threw the core to the ground. It wasn't a big deal. He knew it would make good fertilizer for the nearby trees. Big Macintosh just made it up to the top of the hill. Normally he'd drag the cart with ease, but the fairly steep hill made it harder. He took a few quick breaths. A rustle in the bushes nearby caught his attention. He thought it was just the wind, but another, more intense rustle proved him wrong. He unhitched the cart from his back and moved towards the bush slowly. It continued to rustle as he moved closer. Big Mac towered above the small bush. One final rustle, and an apple core rolled out. The voice following it made his blood run cold. "Boo." A loud yell caused Big Mac to snap out of it, but it was too late. A huge figure jumped out of the bushes and tackled him to the ground. Both him and the unknown figure rolled three times, before it jumped away. Big Mac quickly got on his hooves again, trying to find his attacker. A fit of cackling laughter made it all too easy. He looked to his right and there was Wolf, on the ground and rolling laughing. "You should have seen the look on your face! Priceless!" Big Macintosh was silent, as usual. He wasn't very happy at the moment, but while Wolf was still on the ground laughing, a golden opportunity to get back at him presented itself. One he would exploit immediately. Wolf's laughter was abruptly silenced as Big Macintosh sat on him. After his slight coughing fit was over, Wolf looked up to Big Mac. A massive smile was plastered on his face as he closed his eyes and looked up into the sky. A few minutes passed, and with Wolf's pride already cracked by his failed attempts to lift Big Mac off him, he finally made the decision that would shatter it, possibly forever. "Uncle! Uncle!" His revenge exacted, Big Macintosh lifted himself up off of Wolf, leaving him to gasp for air. "You've been eating too much..." Big Mac simply walked away, nose still high in the air, smile still on his face. "So what do I do now?" Wolf yelled to him. "Go home. We're done for the day." "Already?!" "Eeyup." Seeing as how he had nothing more to do, Wolf began the walk back to the library. The wind blew through Sweet Apple Acres, causing the leaves to errupt in a beautiful sound that would rival the greatest orchestras Equestria had to offer. The air was infused with the sweet, pleasing scent of apples. There was no rush, so Wolf decided to take it slow through the orchards, enjoying everything they had to offer. Acquiring a job here was a dream come true for him, although actually getting it was a bit hard, considering how stubborn Applejack was on the subject of his wages... Two weeks earlier... "WHAT am I going to do with that much money Applejack?!" Wolf yelled at her. "Ah don't know, and Ah don't care. You're getting your fair share, and that's final!" Wolf didn't care a bit about the money he would receive, as long as it was enough to cover his basic needs. No, he only wanted a job to keep himself occupied. And honestly, beating the crap out of trees was a perfect way to vent. It took him a few hours, but he finally managed to talk Applejack down. It was one of the toughest things he had ever done, but he managed. Wolf looked around. How did he get back to the library so fast?! He couldn't have walked that fast...could he? Dismissing the fact that he got there a lot faster than he wanted to, he opened the door. "WOLF! GET READY!!!" The voice sent him jumping into the ceiling. After the initial shock wore off, he asked. "What?" "GET READY!" Twilight zoomed back and forth between the library with speed that rivaled Pinkie Pie. He had no idea what she was doing. "For what?" Twilight stopped in front of him, and told him. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" And with a flash, she was gone again. "And what, pray tell, is that?" Without any warning, she presented herself in front of him again, her mane a frantic mess. "Only the biggest social event in Equestria! All the high class society, even the Princess will be there, and she sent us invitations!" As soon as he heard the words 'high class society', a little part of him died on the inside. "Oh no...not another big old party filled with rich snobs...I've had enough of those for a lifetime..." "And we're all going!" "Do I have to?" Twilight stopped in front of him, and shot him a look that scared the living daylight out of him. "Okay, okay!" "We're leaving in an hour and a half! If you're not ready by then...Oh you'll be in trouble..." Wolf got the message and walked right back out the door, heading to the Red Dawn in order to get ready for the occasion... One hour and twenty minutes later... Wolf walked back into the library, fresh out of the shower, wearing some expensive cologne ment for this type of...thing. Everyone was waiting in the living room in their Gala dresses, save for Rarity and Nyx. Twilight was levitating a checklist in front of her. "Where's Nyx?" Wolf asked. "Her, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle are stating in their treehouse tonight." "And Rarity?" "She's on her way." Twilight noticed the case he was carrying. "What's that?" "What I'm going to wear tonight." "Go upstairs and get it on!" Wolf went up the stairs and into Twilight's bedroom. Six minutes later, and Rarity finally came through the door. "Alright girls, I'm here! Let's go!" "Hold on Rarity, Wolf's still getting ready." "Oh, he's coming too? Where did you get his clothing for the Gala? I don't think they'd be able to make something in his size..." "He's going to wear his own clothes." A look of sheer dread appeared on Rarity's face. "His...own? This is the WORST. POSSIB-" The upstairs door opening interrupted Rarity. Everyone looked towards the stairs, while Rarity covered her eyes, expecting the worst. Five gasps only confirmed her fears. "It's horrible isn't it?!" "Rarity..." "Why didn't you ask me to design his clothes?!" "Rarity..." "Now we're going to be humilliated in front of all-" "Rarity!" "What?!" "Open your eyes!" She did so, and what she saw there caused her eyes to shoot open and her jaw to drop to the floor. Before her stood Wolf in a pure white suit, a very good looking hat on his head, and not one, not two, but three rows of medals pinned on his chest. She was flabbergasted. She expected a torn suit of camo gear, not...THIS. "Class-A's. What? This isn't the first time I've been to this kind of event." Wolf said, staightening his shirt collar. "I guess we're all ready then. Let's go." Twilight said. "Oh wait, I forgot one thing!" Wolf replied. He ran back up the stairs, into the bedroom, and looked into the case laid out onto the bed. He grabbed the pistol there, put the safety on, and tucked it into his pants, putting his shirt over it. "Ready!" He yelled as he went back down the stairs. "Good! Let's go!" Twilight replied, checking the final thing on her list. They all walked out the door, except Wolf, who wnet out last, closing the door behind him. It was going to be one hell of a night... End Chapter 40.