//------------------------------//
// Best Night Ever 
// Story: A New Purpose in Life 
// by Tx Avenger 218 
//------------------------------//

Well, the past couple weeks have been fruitful with experiences and things we’ll never forget. Let’s recount on that shall we. I got to hear about the lives that my friends lived before they all met in Ponyville thanks to the Cutie Mark Crusaders crashing into my house via the window; it also didn’t help that they were covered in tree sap so getting that out of the furniture is going to be hell.
 
 With Pinkie Pie being the happy and extremely energetic pony she is, you never would have guessed she came from a boring as heck occupation as rock farming.
 
Applejack going away from the farm to try and live a better life that only led her to believe that life on the farm wasn’t as drab as she thought.
 
Fluttershy’s attitude and demeanor didn’t change all that much in the time I’ve known her and her days in flight school. The major change was of course nearly plummeting to your death only to be saved by a massive flock of butterfly. Strange I always thought they were kind of useless. But I’ve been wrong before.
 
Twilight being the ever faithful student, it’s didn’t come to a surprise for me on how she did on the exam she was explaining. The near failure and loss of a major exam that could make or break you for the rest of your whole life can definitely take a toll on person. I guess she never expected the legendary Sonic Rainboom would awaken a hidden power within her that would turn her parents into plants and grow Spike to being taller than the building they were in. Life works in mysterious ways.
 
Rarity’s was kinda cute. Just a simple little filly in school in charge of wardrobe for a school play. Seeing as how she wants to be the best fashionista pony she can possibly be, it didn’t seem like much as to how she found her love for gems. A rock splitting down the middle via a Sonic Rainboom that reveals it filled with enough gems to make jewelry store jealous.
 
And finally with Rainbow Dash, it was pretty amazing as how she was the first pony to ever pull off the Sonic Rainboom, but considering I already got a firsthand feel of it, I didn’t think much of it, but when you find out that that legendary move got your cutie mark and found out your purpose in life, that’s pretty amazing. Before they even met in person, they did something that helped them all. A fun story in the end.
 
On another note, Twilight got a new pet, leaving some complications between the egg-head Twilight, the long time and jealous assistant Spike, and the new nocturnal assistant known as Owlicious. But it all worked out in the end. Plus the meteor shower was pretty bad-ass. Only once every 100 hundred years huh? Should count myself lucky then.
 
Thirdly, I realized on just how things can get… complicated when Pinkie Pie thinks no one likes her parties. It was weird seeing her usual gravity defying fluffy mane all straight and let down like that. Seeing her eyes when I and Rainbow Dash walked in on her party with some rocks, a bucket of onions and a sack of flour, I thought Fluttershy’s stare was freaky. But after seeing the surprise party we all threw for her, the usual fluffy mane just popped right back up in an instant and the party went on without a hitch.
 
“Helllllllooooooo? Equestria to Swwwiiiiiffffffft?”
 
“Huh?! Wha-?!” I’m snapped out of my thoughts as I look up to see my friends standing on stage in their dresses. “Sorry. I was just thinking right now.”
 
“You sure you’re alright?” A concerned Twilight asks me.
 
“Yeah, yeah I’m good. Anyway what did you guys want me to do?” My friends brought me here for something and the reason I say something is because they regretted to tell me just what it is they wanted. A surprise I guess.
 
“We wanted your opinion on our dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala tomorrow.” Twilight says. Grand Galloping Gala?
 
“Uhhh, yeah sure.” Better just go with it. I and Spike stay seated and watch as one by one our friends give is their best poses in their stylish dresses.
 
 
“Well, what’d you think?” Twilight eagerly asks us. Judging from how Spike was acting during Rarity’s turn, I can already guess his answer. Me, they’re beyond anything I’ve seen in my world sooo…
 
“Honestly… they’re good. Really good. I just can’t choose. Being just how they are is one thing but considering they also tailor to your own… uniqueness. It’s beautiful.” I voice my opinion.
 
“Why thank you, deary.” Rarity replies to my compliment, especially since she’s the one that made the dresses.
 
“You’re welcome. I’m sure you’ll all look beautifully at this… grand gathering galla.”
 
“Um, it’s the Grand Galloping Gala.” Fluttershy corrects me.
 
“Yeah yeah that thing.”
 
“The Grand Galloping Gala. It’s a very important and highly prestigious gathering of the most important ponies from all over Equestria! Princess Celestia was nice and generous enough to send all of us an invitation to it.” Rarity decides to explain what exactly the Grand Galloping Gala is. She says the first parts in a bit of a swooning voice, clearly happy about the whole event while she just casually explained the last part. I look over at Spike to my left and he looks at me. After a few seconds he smiles and pulls out a gold colored ticket. “How could you not have heard about it?!” Rarity asks me in surprise.
 
“Ahhhh, that explains why I never heard about it. I wasn’t invited.”
 
“Yooouuuu weren’t invited?” Twilight says. I nod.
 
“Mmmhm. Wasn’t invited. When were you all invited?” I decide to press the subject onto them.
 
“Let’s see… it waaassss, about aaaaa… couple days after we dealt with the whole Nightmare Moon incident?” Twilight asks her friends. They think for a second and so does Spike.
 
“Ah’ remember.”
 
“How can we not? We all spent the entire day trying to get on Twilight’s good side so she can give us the other ticket!” Rainbow Dash tries to recollect on just what it is that happened.
 
“Other ticket? I thought all of you got invited?” I ask.
 
I feel a tug on my shirt and look over to Spike, “Actually, Princess Celestia sent Twilight two tickets to the Gala, one for me and Twilight. I didn’t want to go so it was supposed to be Twilight and one other. But since there is a total of six of them, the others did a bunch of stuff for her as a way tooo…” Spike trails off, thinking of what to say next that accurately explains what he’s talking about.
 
“Bribe her into taking that single pony with her to this important event?” I finish him up.
 
“That’s it! Anyway, after Twilight decided she didn’t want to play favorites with only one of her friends, she sent the tickets back with a letter saying how she doesn’t want to go with her and only one of her other friends while all five of her friends want to go.” Spike explains.
 
“Needless to say, I was more than contempt with staying home with my friends. Except we all weren’t expecting the Princess to send a letter right back with enough tickets for all of us to go.” Twilight finishes up. The look on all their faces says they are pretty happy to go to this event.
 
“That was nice of her. Buuuut I guess when you’re the only royal student to the Princess Celestia, there are bound to be some useful perks to it.” I comment with a smile. Twilight shys sheepishly from this. I guess she doesn’t like to fully flaunt her position with the Princess and all. “But either way, you girls look awesome. You’ll knock them dead at this Gala.” I compliment.
 
“Dead?!” Fluttershy squeaks in fear.
 
“It’s just an expression, Fluttershy. It doesn’t mean literally knock them dead. It’s a compliment.” I quickly explain to the shy Pegasus. Her face immediately begins to calm down.
 
“Ohhhh, that’s much better then! And thanks.”
 
“No problem.” I stand up and fully stretch myself a bit. “Anyway, I’m heading back to my place. I got some new stuff awhile ago so I’m gonna tinker a bit with my ride.” As I said, the new stuff I got is a set of auto mechanic equipment for doing repairs and retrofits to most vehicles. A torch and welding tools, buffering tools as well, along with air brushes so I can change the paint job as well. I got them around the time of when I was listening to the others about how they got their cutie marks. When the Crusaders crashed into my house, I was doing inventory on said equipment I found. I was going to immediately get started on my Hummer but then I realized, hey, I can work on my truck any other time I want. How often will my friends be kind enough to share their childhood stories without it being awkward? Since now I don’t have to worry about anything else coming up in Ponyville, no new parties, no sudden and town destroying attacks since the last one was a day ago, I think I should take this time to get some work done.
 
“Need some help?” Rainbow Dash asks me. I look back to her and shrug.
 
“Sure why not.”
 
“Can ah’ help too?” Applejack proposes. I nod yes.
 
“Sure, the more the merrier.”
 
“Then can I come?!” Suddenly Pinkie Pie asks me as she pops up in front of me when I turn around. I give her a meek smile.
 
“Sorry, Pinkie Pie. I’d love to, but I only have so many tools. Rainbow and Applejack will be enough to help me out.” I say patting her fluffy head.
 
“Oh. Okay!” She says sadly at first but is cool with it.
 
“What are we waiting for?! Let’s go!” Rainbow Dash says as she’s pumped to help me out. She immediately takes off into the air.
 
“Hold it!” Before Rainbow Dash can get far, Rarity bites Dashes tail and pulls her right back into the floor of the stage she was standing on.
 
“Ow. What is it Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asks the unicorn with annoyance.
 
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Dash looks around at us for a second, seeing if we have any idea what she means. But we are all as stumped as her.
 
“No. What?”
 
Rarity growls to herself in annoyance before looking up at the Rainbow colored Pegasus, “My dress. If you think I’m going to let you go help out Swift in something that took me hours to complete, in a task that is no doubt going to leave a horrible stain! You got another thing going you.” Rarity says while getting up in Rainbow’s face.
 
“Right, sorry.” She apologizes and begins taking off her dress. Same with Applejack and the others. Since the Gala is tomorrow, It would definitely not be wise as to do anything to get their dresses for tomorrow dirty and whatnot. Otherwise I’m sure Rarity would have the person responsible head on a platter.
 
Once the two are done changing, it’s time to get going. “Alright, now can we go?” I ask Rarity.
 
She gives a ‘humph’ sound. “Yes you can go.”
 
“Awesome!” Rainbow shouts before she jumps into the air and flies right out the doors.
 
“Rainbow! Wait up!” Applejack yells after her as she takes off after the fast Pegasus. I chuckle and begin making my way outside towards home.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
As soon as Swift leaves I look over to Spike, “Spike, take a letter.” My assistant quickly jumps up out of his seat and begins gathering a quill and scroll.
 
“What are you writing to the Princess, Twilight?” Spike asks me. I sigh and look at the doors.
 
“Something I should have done awhile ago.”
 
Spike soon after sits down and with the necessary equipment. “Ready?”
 
I take a deep breath, “Dear Princess Celestia…”
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
“So what are we doing today? Making this thing faster? Tougher? Go up mountains? Bust through buildings?” Rainbow asks with enthusiasm. With how my rides been performing so far, especially since when we first found it I was able to drive right over whole trunks of trees with ease, minus the stomach churning but still able to do so, I can tell she’s anxious on just how I can make this machine even more cooler for her. I chuckle and turn around and begin checking out on just what it is I’m going to use. I have some tools to buff out the scratches and some air spray brushes to touch up the paint. I grab one of each and hold them both up.
 
“We’re gonna fix it up, plain and simple.” I state. Applejack looks alright, but Rainbow’s excited smile and demeanor slowly goes down till her flank hits the ground and her wings go down as well.
 
“That’s no fun.”
 
“It’s not supposed to be. But the end progress is what matters.” I reply and I place the air brush down and grab a couple more buffering tools.
 
“C’mon. Enough slouching and more progress.” I sternly say. Applejack is more than happy to help me out but Rainbow Dash on the other hoof slowly walks over to me with a sad look. Either way her overreacting demeanor doesn’t stop her from helping me out.
 
Over the past two hours or so, we make good work on remaking the outer layer of my ride back to its normal self. Granted a good chunk of the paint was missing from how long before this thing had a good tune-up. Once that was done, we used plenty of water, courtesy of Rainbow Dash which she seemed pretty happy to do among the other stuff we did, to get off any grim and dirt still on it. Then we moved onto the air brushes. Standard procedure when working with something of this nature requires us to have some type of mask on our faces to make sure the air particles don’t get into our lungs and mess us up. Fortunately, the setup I got came with its own mask and we were able to use the doctor’s masks at the hospital as a substitute for the others.
 
As soon as the spraying is done we all stand back and admire our work. “Beautiful.” I say. The crisp freshly painted deep onyx black color reflecting the suns rays off it, and as smooth as it first came off the line just by looking at it.
 
“Tarnation. That’s a mighty fine contraption you got yourself there, Swift.” Applejack comments, making me smile.
 
“Hm, I still say we could have made it look cooler.” Dash grunts while leaning against my porch with her hooves crossed.
 
I look over at her, “How much cooler?”
 
“It could have been 20% cooler.” I chuckle at her words. 20% cooler… only you could have thought of something like that Dash.
 
“Thanks for the offer but I’ve got plans for this.”
 
“What type of plans?” The southern accented farm pony asks me. Instead of replying, I look up and barely notice the lowering of the sun, signifying the start of dusk.
 
“Sorry girls. It’s getting late. We should probably head on home and rest up for tomorrow. You girls got a big party to go to tomorrow.” I make them remember.
 
“That’s right. Ah’ gotta get my stand ready to set up tomorrow.” Applejack says.
 
“And I got to show my best if I’m going to impress the Wonderbolts!” Wonderbolts. How come I’m not surprised.
 
“What? You didn’t impress them enough at the competition. Because being the only pony able to have ever pulled off the legendary Sonic Rainboom can open dome doors for you. Literally.” I mutter the last part under my breath.
 
“Well, no. But I’m sure I can guarantee a position with them if I impress them at the Gala in person!” She quickly answers. She’ll try just about anything to try and get into the Wonderbolts, which worry’s me a bit.
 
“Yeah well, good luck with that.” I bluntly say and make my way onto my porch.
 
“See you tomorrow pardner.”
 
“Catch you later!” My two friends say their goodbyes for the day and with a wave. I wave back and begin gathering up my tools to place inside. After taking off my paint stained clothes and throwing them in the hamper, I make my way to bed. Not much happened today but the daydreaming in Rarity’s Boutique and working on my hummer really knocked me out more than I thought.
 
“Ahhhh well, let’s see what tomorrow brings.” With those last words, my eyes slowly drift down till their closed…
 
The next day…
 
“Firing one!” I yell as I load up one round into my .50 cal. My audiences are 6 of my friends, excluding Rarity who should be the seventh except she is preparing for the Gala in a few hours. My friends cover their ears because of the strict warning I gave them about how loud this thing is, not to mention I was able to scavenge some soundproof earmuffs from my friends and around town. Setting down my rifle on its bipod on a table I placed outside, I take aim at the old mannequin that Rarity provided me. Looking down the sights, I aim for the area that bridges the neck with the torso. I steady my breathing, firmly hold the rifle, and fire.
 
The gun jerks hard against my shoulder and in my hands, surprising the hell out of me on its recoil as the round leaves the barrel. After a few seconds to calm myself down, I gently place the rifle down, take off my earmuffs and look at my target. The distance is pretty far but I could still make out its form if it was standing… only… only it looks smaller than before. I go into a light jog and make my way over to my target with my friends following as well.
 
I slowly come to a halt at the image in front of me. The mannequin is on its side and the neck and up of it is completely gone, torn right off and laying a couple feet from the body. “Swift! How’d it go?” Twilight asks me as she comes to a stop.
 
I slowly bend down and pick up the head with my back to my friends. “I think it went pretty well.”
 
“Whoooaaaa!!” Rainbow Dash yells her surprise and swipes the head from me while in the air. She looks at it for a bit, examining it from all sides and then back at the majority of it still on the ground. “That thing did all this?!”
 
“It sure did.” I walk over to the main piece and stand it right back up on its stand. “Never judge a book by its cover…” I pat the stand, “Ever.”
 
The rest of my friends begin admiring the work that happened, although Fluttershy isn’t as excited as the others but I can’t really blame her. The head being blown off a mannequin like this is just a substitute to what really can happen to actual pony. As much as I don’t like the idea of practicing on pony shaped targets, I need to be prepared for anything. All the times I’ve kept my guard up back in my world has really taken a toll on me, now I can’t properly relax without jumping at any little thing that happens. Old habits die hard.
 
“Girls!? Girls where are you?!” All of our attention on my work is averted to the white mare we spot at the hill we were at just a short while ago.
 
“Over here Rarity!” Twilight shouts to the mare with a hoof wave as well. Rarity waves back and we all begin walking toward each other with Rainbow Dash and Applejack helping me carry the mannequin out of the field.
 
“There you all are! I’ve been looking everywhere foooorrr…” Rarity trails off. Following her gaze I can tell she’s looking at her now destroyed mannequin. Well, former hers. “What happ…?” She trails off again.
 
“I was testing out my stuff. You can’t get mad at me. You gave me this. Ergo, I can do whatever I want with this. And this…” I place the mannequin upright, “This happened.” She looks stunned for what happened but shakes her head.
 
“I don’t have time for this! Girls we must get back to my boutique this instant so I can make sure all of our dresses are up to our expectations.” Rarity explains. Twilight’s eyes suddenly widen.
 
“Oh no! I completely forgot that the Grand Galloping Gala is in a few hours! Ohhh what if we are late?! What will the Princess think? What if they won’t let us in? What if-“ Twilight starts to be hysterical whenever something like this happens.
 
“Twilight!!” I yell over her ranting. I suddenly feel all eyes on me. “You know it probably would be better if you would stop freaking out over the situation and get going. You just might make it.” Twilight returns to normal and gets a determined look on her face.
 
“Your right, Swift! Let’s go everypony! If we hurry we just might make it. Fluttershy, you know what to get.” Twilight tells Fluttershy and everyone else.
 
“Right.” The shy pony says before she begins flying off towards her cottage. Wonder what she’s going to get?
 
“Well, with all that done, I’ll be going.” I say and turn around to head back home.
 
“And just where do you think you are going, mister?” Rarity moves in front of me.
 
“Heading back home so I can put my rifle away. I can’t just leave it out here where someone can get hurt.” I explain.
 
“Very well. But once you do I want you to come back to my boutique.”
 
“Why?”
 
“We have a present for you!” Pinkie Pie shouts as she jumps up into the air.
 
“PINKIE PIE!!!” Everypony else shouts at the pink mare. She looks down and fiddles the grass a little with her hoof.
 
“A present? For me?” I repeat, not really sure if I heard her right.
 
“*sigh* Yes, we have something for you back at Carousal Boutique, Swift. It waaaasss supposed to be a surprise,” Twilight begins and looks at Pinkie, who still looks embarrassed at her own outburst. “But now that the cats out of the bag, can you come on by when you put away your stuff?” She asks me.
 
“Um, sure. I’ll be by as soon as I can!” I happily say. So far my friends haven’t disappointed at all with their presents so I should be anxious as hell, which I am.
 
“Great! Let’s get going!” Twilight says to everyone else. She floats Spike up onto her back and she and the others begin galloping off towards Rarity’s place.
 
“Better hurry.” I quickly say to myself as I grab what I can of the mannequin and begin dragging it up towards the firing place. Once I get up there, I drop my load and switch it for the .50 cal. and ammo box. The mannequin and table I don’t have to worry about but the rifle and ammo is clearly a different story.
 
Wasting no time, I place my rifle in one of my spare rooms, which has no windows and I fitted the door with a few deadbolts and locks to make sure no one curious enough or stupid enough is able to get it open and take all my weapons, ammo and explosives I have in there. Once I double check to make sure it’s properly locked, I get in my truck but notice my sword is in the passenger seat. “… Ahhhh screw it!” I don’t have time to go back inside and unlock all the locks. I take off towards Rarity’s place, making my way as fast but not as reckless to the Boutique. I managed to make it in a set time that I’m pretty sure Rarity would be alright with, hopefully. “Alright! I’m her-!”
 
The second I enter the building, instead of the usual bubbly happy forms of greeting I’m usually met with in this world, instead I’m met with the cold hard feeling of the stand of a mannequin against my forehead that makes me fall onto my back. “Swift!”
 
“Swift!”
 
“Swift!”
 
“Swift!
 
“Swift”
 
“Swift!”
 
“My dress!!”
 
All my friends voice their concern for me and rush over, except for Rarity who is more concern with her dress than me. “Ow.” I moan as I lay on the ground.
 
“Oh dear! I hope it isn’t worn or damaged.”
 
“Suuuurrrrreee, completely ignore the only human with a possible concussion!” I say in a sarcastic tone.
 
“Oh. Terribly sorry, dearie. I was rearranging my inventory a bit as a last minute thing and you just happened to run into the stand that was fitted with my dress for the Gala.” Rarity quickly explains. Spike helps me up into a sitting position where I rub my head a little.
 
“Oh well then that makes it allll better.” I sarcastically say again. I like Rarity and all, but sometimes she has those moments that really question her style of friendship. I managed to get onto my feet, my headache already beginning to subside. Thank god it wasn’t anything serious. “Alright. You guys had a present for me?”
 
“Yes we do. It’s right over there in that changing room.” Twilight points to a door. Changing room? Odd place for a present… unless it is something that involves that?
 
“Alright. Cool.” I say and begin walking over to my destination.
 
“Do hurry, dear. The Gala waits for nopony!”
 
“Whatever, Rarity.” From what I can hear, I think she just gave me one of her usual low growling noises. Sometimes, it’s fun making her mad.
 
I open and close the door behind me. “What the-?” I mutter to myself in amazement as I stare at my present. It’s clothes for one thing, but it’s the design of the clothes that got me surprised. If I had to say what was Equestria’s version of a tux from my people, this would be better. Not to make Rarity even madder than she already is, or the others on the time stamp we have for the Gala and all, I try to get dressed as quickly as I can, careful not to get caught or rip anything. Rarity would literally kill me if that happened. If not then the worst would be a maiming far worse than a Manticore’s.
 
Once I’m done dressing up, I get a better feel and description of my present. The main body of the suit is similar back home except the cuffs are slightly longer over the top of the hand and end in a slight point. The collar is longer up and curves just right around the head for it not to be annoying and give off a type of badass look towards it. What’s even more badass is that Rarity added something else to it didn’t expect: A Cape!
 
The cape is a deep dark black on the outside but has a deep shade of crimson lining the interior of it. The shoes I thought would be hard to work with but she surprised me with them as well. Instead of the usual dress shoes that sometimes don’t provide support and aren’t to the standards of the regular public, I have boots. Not combat boots mind you, or cowboy, their roughed at the bottom and supported like many are, but the outer lining of it and appearance at first glance is somewhat smooth and shiny, still giving off that dress shoes look. “Woooooooow.” I say to myself as I look in the mirror. Fault Rarity for her attitude when it comes to cleanliness, fault her for her strictness with formality, and you can fault her on just how she acts when making a first impression… but never, and I mean never! Fault her for her skill with a needle! “You know Rarity! Sometimes you can be a bit irritating at times…” I shout from the changing room and slowly walk out to present myself to all my friends currently here. “But you make some fiiinnnne dresses and suits.”
 
“Why thank you dear.” Rarity appreciates my comment. The others come close to me and begin examining my new wardrobe.
 
“Awesome.” Spike says from on top of Twilight’s back.
 
“Now that’s pretty cool.” Rainbow Dash says.
 
“Ohhhhh!” Pinkie is in awe.
 
“Phew-wew, pardner. Your looking mighty spiffy.” Applejack adds.
 
“Very good work Rarity!” Twilight states, seeing as how she seems more impressed than the others. There’s still one thing on my mind?
 
“How’d you make this?” Rarity’s horn lights up and pulls a magazine off from one of her workstations. She floats it over to me so I can get a closer look at it. It’s a catalog from my world. Torn a bit around the edges with some dirt here and there but it’s legible enough to see the pictures and measurements they have of the different formal special occasion clothing that most people would need at special parties and events. “Ahh, that explains it.” That answers one question, but now I have another. “What’s the occasion?”
 
“You’re coming with us to the Grand Galloping Gala.”
 
“Really? You want me to come with you guys?” I voice my disbelief. Don’t they already know that I didn’t get invited?
 
“Of course! What better way for you to get better acquainted in Equestria that with the most prestigious and highly regarded party in Canterlot!” Twilight points out with excitement in her voice. She does raise up a good point. I can’t expect the pony’s I know in Ponyville and Appaloosa to spread word of the only species in Equestria here in just a simple town known as Ponyville. Plus not many others would believe them.
 
“Hmmm,” I say, making them believe I’m contemplating the decision of going or not, but in truth I’ve already chosen, “I’ll go.”
 
“Really?” Rainbow Dash asks me, “I didn’t think you were into that type of stuff?”
 
I chuckle. She’s right. I didn’t like going to that party we had for the Princess coming to town, but I need to be smart and make myself know in case something happens and I have to go somewhere else. “I’m not, but then again, neither are you.” I reply to the rainbow maned pony with a smile. She looks away, knowing I got here there. “Just as you are going to impress the Wonderbolts and make yourself known, I need to go to make myself known as well to as many others as I can.”
 
“That’s very smart Swift.”
 
“Thank you, Twilight.” I reply and look down at my watch. The Gala is at 8:00pm, and it’s 4:30pm right now, plus the trains aren’t running today. “On another note, how are we getting to Canterlot?”
 
“Leave that to me.” Twilight answers and begins to trot out the boutique. “I’ll be back. I need to refresh my mind on the spell I’m going to use. Let’s go Spike.” Twilight says with the dragon on her back.
 
“Sure thing, Twilight!” And out the door the two are.
 
“Do hurry, dear!” Rarity shouts after her. Considering the distance of Canterlot from Ponyville, we’d better hurry.
 
“So what do we do now till egghead finishes up… whatever is it she’s doing?” Rainbow Dash asks no one in particular. Everyone just shrugs, no idea on what to do.
 
“I guess we should finish up anything we need.” I propose. “I’m gonna hang out in my truck.”
 
“Ah better go make sure the farm’ll be fine while ah’m gone.” Applejack says and walks out.
 
“I better go make sure the weather will stay on track till tonight.” Same Rainbow Dash as she flys out the door and off.
 
“And I’m going toooo…!” Pinkie Pie says while jumping into the air but freezes in the air. “Actually I don’t know what to do.”
 
“Why don’t you grab your trampoline and begin bouncing in preparation for the Grand Galloping Gala, hehehe.” I jokingly say.
 
“That’s a great idea!” The pink mare shouts suddenly from my side before whizzing off in a pink blur.
 
“I was just…!” I begin to yell after her but my words fall on deaf ears. “Kidding.” I finish up. “Ah forget it.” I disgustingly say, wave it off and make my way to my truck. Let’s hope I can find myself something to keep myself busy while the others are at the Gala…
 
A few minutes later…
 
“Ahhhhh!!” A loud happy giddy shout of laughter and happiness breaks me out of my thought. I was just thinking on just what it is I could find in the Everfree forest in future explorations. But the one and true Pinkie Pie shouted loud enough to rid me of that thought. “I… can’t… believe… Grand… Galloping… Gala… is… tonight!!” She says each word in the air between jumps.  Apparently the pink mare took my words to heart and is already doing what it is I proposed earlier: Jumping on a trampoline while voicing her admiration of the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala event… with great volume.
 
“Pinkie! Please stop shouting. I’m trying to concentrate.” Twilight grudgingly asks the hyperactive but happy mare to stop. She doesn’t. She just continues to jump doing some twists and turns in the air.
 
“Good luck with that.” I reply to her smugly.
 
“What? You don’t think I can stop her from being so loud like that?” She asks me. I chuckle and lean back against the tree we are both under.
 
“Trying to keep Pinkie Pie from being Pinkie Pie is like trying to keep you from studying.” It’s true. I’ve seen Twilight in some cases where she’s a rock, just sits there and does nothing but let her eyes glide over every single word that’s in front of her. She raises her hoof and opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. She pouts and goes back to reading. “I thought so.”
 
“Where are the others it’s getting late?”
 
“Hold yer’ horses’ girl, we’re here!” Looking up, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy finally meet up with us. Looking at my watch, it’s now 5:00 so if we are going to get to the Gala in time, we better leave soon.
 
Twilight looks at her book a little bit more before closing it. “Perfect! I’m ready!”
 
“For what?”
 
“Alright, Spike.” Said dragon walks up to Twilight and places an apple on the ground. Wonder what she’s got up her sleeve?
 
“An apple! Are we having pie?!” Pinkie says. How can you have a pie with only one apple... that’s not on the ground?
 
“Ssshhh! Watch.” Spike shushes everyone.
 
Twilights horn begins to glow and focuses it on the apple. I take a step back since I have no idea what it is that’s gonna happen. True Twilight wouldn’t do anything to hurt me or remotely hurt me, but considering I have absolutely no protection whatsoever against this barely visible force known as magic, I’m still cautious. The apple begins to bulge out and shift in different directions until finally it bursts forth. The once simple and nutritious apple has now been turned into a carriage, complete with windows, doors, gold colored wheels and decorations, and even a little flag on top with a picture of an apple on it. Why does this seem familiar?
 
“Wow!”
 
“Awesome!”
 
“Cool!” Everyone voices their opinion on the unicorn’s skill. In truth, that was pretty good.
 
“Thanks, but that’s just the start.” Twilight says and looks over to the shy Pegasus, “Fluttershy. Did you bring your friends?”
 
“Yes.” Suddenly four white mice appear from the top of her mane. “Will they be safe Twilight?” Fluttershy says as she leans down and the mice squeak as they run down her mane and onto the ground.
 
“You have my word.” The smart unicorn promises her friend. She uses her magic again and it surrounds the four mice Fluttershy brought. A few seconds of mild twitching until… “Ta-daaaaa!”
 
Standing before us all now, four giant white horses, not the small ponies that already inhabit Equestria, no these are like the regular horses back from my world… except they are full blown white, adorned with some clothing and decorations best suited for special occasions, and it completely blows off that they are full horses what with the pink noses, buck teeth and whiskers. “Wow.” Is all I have to say, same with the others.
 
“Neat huh! And don’t worry, they’ll be mice again at midnight!” Twilight casually tells us. I have to admit, it is a bit impressive, albeit creepy, but still so familiar. Where in the hell have I seen this before? Or heard it?
 
“Opalescence no!” Fluttershy suddenly shouts a bit. Instead of just looking at the mouse like stallions, I managed to spot at the last second of Opal screeching into the air and landing on one of the four mouse-horses, claws first.
 
The horses neigh loudly, buck off Opal and take off, straight at me.
 
“Whoa!” I jump at the last second to the side in a roll, narrowly avoiding the creatures before trampling me into a bloody pulp. They gallop off into the distance.
 
“Wait! Come back!” Twilight shouts after the fleeing horses but to no avail, they are gone. “Those horses were supposed to pull our carriage! How will we get to the Gala?!” Twilight voices the complication of the situation. I look at where the horses ran off to, then back at the carriage, and finally I twist around and spot my truck, noticing the hitch ball mount on the back.
 
“I have an idea…”
 
Half an hour later…
 
“*Honk*Honk* Hurry up already! We’re on a tight schedule as it is!” I shout out the window of the driver side door of my truck. I managed to fashion up a makeshift mount to my truck so I can pull the carriage. After all, what better way to make an entrance into this important event than with a one of kind vehicle that no pony’s ever seen before. Now if only we can hurry up and get on the road.
 
“Hold on a sec, Swift! Some of us can’t be ready on a moment’s notice without making sure we don’t have any imperfections on us!” Rarity, if it isn’t obvious, replies.
 
I groan loudly in frustration, “The Gala waits for no pony, remember?! And I figured you of all pony’s would be more worried about the consequences of being late! Whhhyyyyy what would your dear prince think if he saw you come later than all the other promising and important ponies!?” I shout back. Hopefully I got her with that. From what I’ve heard about all my friends talking about what they are going to do at the Gala, Rarity of course is looking for that special somepony to sweep her off her hooves. “He might even be… entranced by the first face he seeeeesss!” I egg her on.
 
A few seconds pass of complete silence. Dang, guess I didn’t get thro-.
 
“WE ARE LEAVING NOW!!” The sudden loud booming voice that could rival Luna’s Royal Canterlot voice makes me jump in my seat.
 
“But we’re not dressed yet!” Suddenly five of my friends are being pushed right out of Carousal Boutique through the front doors and crowded into the carriage with Rarity pushing them and carrying all of their dresses with her magic.
 
“We’ll get dressed in the carriage!” she answers them. Spike comes running out and witnesses the whole thing. Once all six ponies are in, the carriage door closes with a loud slam that even rocks up to me in my truck. The door opens once again with Rarity leaning out. “And I will be that first face!*Slam*”
 
Me and Spike just stare for a few seconds at the whole ordeal right now. We both look at each other. “C’mon Spike! Your ridin’ with me.” He smiles and runs up to me. I open the door and help him in through the driver’s side. “Alright. Let’s do this.”
 
“Uhhh, Swift?”
 
“Wha’?” I look at the dragon to see he’s a bit crowded with my sword. “Oh! Sorry about that. Lemme get that.” Grabbing the Katana and it’s sheathe, I stare at it, getting another idea. This suit of mine is pretty intimidating, and so is this sword. Maybe I can-
 
“Swift? You alright?” I look over at Spike.
 
“Huh? Oh right. Sorry. Just thinking.” I place the sword in the back where I can easily grab it when we make it to the Gala. “Now let’s go.”
 
With the humming rough sound of the engine starting up, our trip to this important event is under way.
 
For the next few hours the ride to Canterlot is pretty uneventful, just the breeze that moves past us and the eventual cricket noises when night begins to loom over, plus the chatting noises of the girls in the back. Considering how far Canterlot is and what it is I’m hauling, I have to be careful so as not to capsize or run off the road but I also have to book it so we can make it to Canterlot in time for the Gala. We eventually make it to the main entrance of Canterlot right on the dot with a line of other chariots. A bunch of the occupants, riders, pullers and civilians that are walking all give me and my truck a funny and confused look. “I just knew this thing would turn some heads.” I happily say while patting the steering wheel.
 
“Your right. Everypony’s looking at us the first chance they get!”
 
“Yep.” The chariots stop one by one at the entrance to the place, letting off their occupants so they can go enjoy the party while the chariots are being parked. At least I’ll be able to fully explore Canterlot without much trouble while my friends are occupied. The second it’s our turn, I stop the truck and turn it off. “We’re here!” I shout back to the others.
 
After hearing a few exited squeals from the back, it’s time to show the ladies out to the public. After getting out through the driver side door, I make my way to one side of the carriage door. Spike gets out through the passenger side door, goes around the front and takes place on the opposite side of me. I open the carriage door and me and Spike give a gentleman’s bow as the mares leave their vehicle. “Whooooaaa!” Spike says in awe at the six mares on front of us as he stands on his tail. “You all look… ammazziiinnnggg!”
 
You’re not far off little buddy.
 
Although it looks like the girls are more interested in the palace than Spike’s compliment. “I can’t believe we’re finally here! With all that we’ve imagined the reality of this night is sure to make this… The Best Night Ever!” Twilight says happily as fireworks begin to go off in the distance and the music begins to pick up. Weird, usually it’s Pinky that has something to do with that.
 
At the Gala! ‘At the Gala!’
 
A song. My friends are about to sing a song with random pony’s providing background singing. This is definitely much different from my world. “This world is truly something.” I say to myself while folding my arms.
 
“It sure is.”
 
“Wha!” I shout lightly from the mysterious voice behind me. I quickly turn around to be confronted with the large alicorn know as Princess Celestia. “P-Princess! I-I-I’m sorry I didn’t see you there.” I apologize quickly as I kneel before her.
 
“Please, Swift. You don’t have to be so formal around me.”
 
“I’m sorry, Princess.” I stand up and look around to see that no other pony has noticed Princess Celestia right next to me. They’re more focused on the singing and dancing that the Elements of Harmony are performing. Even Spikes moved on ahead to keep up with the girls.
 
“Enjoying yourself so far?”
 
“Hm. Well, the fireworks were good and it definitely was a privilege in being the limo driver for Elements of Harmony… plus it felt pretty cool on how many pony’s were surprised to see me and my truck driving right past them.”
 
“I see. I don’t think I have seen this contraption before… or that suit either.” I look down at my suit taking a better note of it.
 
“You like it? This truck I found in the Everfree forest thanks to Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Applejack helping, and this suit was ha-hoofmade by Rarity herself for the Gala.” I turn away from her to look at the Palace. “It’s a shame I won’t be able to show this off like Rarity wanted.”
 
“Why is that?”
 
“Umm, I wasn’t given an invitation to the Gala, so I can’t go in and… mingle.” I say, not able to come up with a better word.
 
“You weren’t were you?” The Princess says with a sly smile. What’s that supposed to mean?
 
“Nope.” I sadly say and watch my friends continue their song, which looks like it’s going to end soon. I sigh and turn towards my trucks door. “Well, I better get going. I wanted to explore Canterlot while I have the chance. No doubt you have to get back to your royal subjects back in the palace before they send out a search party for the missing Princess.” I say dryly and get in.
 
“You suuurre you weren’t invited?” she says again. Please Princess, I don’t need to be reminded.
 
“Yeah I’m sure, your majesty. I didn’t get an invitation.” I firmly say and grab my keys.
 
“You sure about that?” A golden ticket suddenly floats in front of my face in a yellow aura. The magic disappears and the ticket slowly floats through the air into my lap. I stare at it for a few seconds before turning back to the Princess, who just stands there with a smile on her face. Looking at the ticket again, I grab it and take a closer look.
 
GRAND GALLOPING GALA ADMISSION TICKET
This ticket hereby grants one Swift Wind entrance into the Grand Galloping Gala as well as entrance into the VIP areas.
 
That’s what it says. It has my name. I can go in. The Princess made me a ticket. Wow. I look back to her with my mouth slightly agape.
 
“Twilight sent me a letter asking if I can invite you. Well, I did some thinking and… well, there you go.” She says. I look back to the ticket.
 
“Wow. I mean, thank you Princess. Thank you so much!” I voice my appreciation for the god.
 
“Your very welcome, Mister Wind.” Mister? Sounds formal. I like it. “Now why don’t you go in and join your friends?” I smile at her and take my hand off the keys.
 
“I will!” I happily say and I slightly open the door before stopping. “But first I better go park this thing.” Closing the door, I ignite the engine again.
 
“Very well. I better get back to my subjects before they get too worried of my absence. Maybe we’ll see each other inside?”
 
“Maybe, Princess.” I shift the gears into drive. “Just maybe.” In a flash of yellow light, she’s gone. I look at the ticket again and smile. “Thank you, Princess Celestia. Thank you, Twilight.”
 
“Swwwiiiiiffftt!!” I hear somepony call out my name loudly. Looking to where I think it’s from, I see it came from my friends at the main entrance to the palace. “C’mon! We’re gonna be late!” Twilight shouts back.
 
I wave to her before replying: “Go on without me! I gotta park this thing!”
 
“Ohhh! Okay! See you inside!” The six mares zoom inside, leaving a sad little purple dragon on the floor.
 
Sorry man. Maybe later tonight. If I remember correctly, Spike wanted everyone to hang out together. But Fluttershy wanted to see the animals, Rainbow Dash the Wonderbolts, Applejack selling apples, Rarity her Prince, Pinky being the life of the party, and Twilight wanted to hangout with the Princess, all of which do not involve hanging out with each other. But one miracle happened tonight, maybe so will another. Looking around, I managed to spot a parking space that’s close to the entrance of the palace, that way we won’t have to go far once the party’s over. As soon as I park and shut off the truck, I sit up and look blankly ahead. “I have the strangest feeling something bad is going to happen.” I state. I don’t know what it is, but I just have that feeling. I shake my head of the thought. “Nawww, it’s probably just my imagination.”
 
I reach in the back and grab my katana. It’ll make a very nice peace to my outfit. Once I get out of my truck, I head towards the main entrance.
 
“Halt!” Two guards, one a black Pegasi and the other a white unicorn stop me by moving their spears in front of me in an X formation.
 
“I’ve been personally invited by Princess Celestia herself.” I explain and reach into my jacket to pull out the ticket. I show it to them where the unicorn takes the ticket with his magic, burning my hand a little but I suppress it.
 
The Unicorn looks at the ticket closely and examines it from all angles. Then his horn lights up even brighter and a low flash envelops the ticket. “He checks out.” He blankly says and floats me my ticket back. Both he and his partner move their spears. “Enjoy the party.”
 
“Thank you.” I say and gently bow to them. I walk inside to see the stairs that lead up to Twilight and Princess Celestia. I also look to see a long line of pony’s that lead up to the duo. Looks like Princess Celestia is personally inviting everypony that comes… and from the length of the line, it’s a lot. “Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle. Nice to see you two again.”
 
“Likewise Swift- Oh hey there. Wind. I hope you- Nice to see you again. Enjoy the Gala as much- Hello. As the next pony.” Celestia says between me and greeting the many different guests. I smile weakly and look over to Twilight who has a bit of a dead look in her eyes.
 
“I’m sure I will Princess.” I say while walking behind Twilight. “Was it everything you imagined?”
 
“*sigh* No. This is nothing like I imagined it would turn out.” She says in a depressed tone. From what I can tell, this is going to be a long night for her.
 
“Oh, well sorry to hear that, Twilight. I wish you luck on the rest of your night.” I say to her as formally as I can what with the passing nobles and all.
 
“Thank you, Swift. I wish the same to you.” With those last words from her, I make my way further into the palace. The walls are pretty as well as the decorations. The different carvings and paintings in the halls really catch your eyes from all directions. I also pass by double doors with some guards in front of it. Whatever’s back there must be important or off limits. Better not push my luck. This is only my second visit to Canterlot and it sure as hell isn’t going to be the last. I soon come across two massive doors that stretch out to the ceiling. Never been here before. I slowly push them open to find myself in the main ball area of the Gala. A massive room, not sure how big, with a few areas roped off in velvet ropes, statues in the shapes of an Alicorn in various positions, banners of different colors, mainly purple, an orchestra of four ponies, a piano player, a harp player, another using some type of tuba instrument wrapped around their body, and finally a cello player. Interesting enough, the cello player is probably more notable in my opinion because cellos are mostly played while sitting, except she’s standing. The pony playing has a coat of light gray, a mane and tail of dark gray with a slight light tint to it but I can’t get a good look at her eyes because their closed. I guess it’s because so she can concentrate more. She is also wearing a pink bow-tie with a white collar and her cutie mark is a purple treble clef. There are also tables filled with various and snacks.
 
“Cool.” I look around a bit, admiring some of the statues and works of art that adorn the walls and windows. The Stain glass windows in pictures of historic moments in Equestria are also a nice touch too. My eyes continue to loom over the crowds, many ponies still giving me odd looks, some don’t even care, while very few give me a nod and a wave. My vision comes to a stop at the sight of a rainbow colored mane and dress. She’s in the VIP area so I better find the entrance to it to see if her night is better than Twilight’s, and mine because this is boring.
 
“I’m sorry but thisss… isssss…” The bouncer I’m gonna say because I don’t have another word for it, a dark blue unicorn with a few twinkling stars for a cutie mark and dressed in formal suit that reminds me a bit of the ones nobles or important people back in the civil war era would wear, tries to tell me something but his gaze goes up when he actually gets a good look at me.
 
“The VIP area and only those with special permission may enter.” I finish up his sentence.
 
“Yes.”
 
“Good… because here is mine.” Pulling out my ticket in the same way I did with the guards at the front entrance, I show it to him.
 
He takes the ticket and shakes his head no. “This ticket gets you into the Gala itself, not the VIP area.” I roll my eyes.
 
“Look at it ‘carefully’.” I emphasize the ‘carefully’ part in annoyance. He grunts and looks at it again. I watch his eyes glide across the ticket a bit more before his eyes freezes up and he gets a look on his face. A look that basically says ‘oh crap’.
 
“Eh-hem. Sorry sir. You’re clear to enter.” He uses his magic to open up the velvety rope barrier for me to enter. I smile, grab the ticket from him and walk in.
 
“Thank you very much.” I walk in as elegantly as I can, getting some more stares yet again from the most important ponies that were able to gain entry into this area. No doubt some are surprised that I was able to gain entry into this place, some probably thinking I threatened the guy, bribed him, I don’t know. Nobles will come up with anything to try and get those who they think don’t deserve to be with them to not be there.
 
“Swift!!” A loud voice manages to overpower the rest of the commotion around me. Knowing full well who it is, I make my way through the crowds and groups of ponies to get to it.
 
“Rainbow Dash!” I say as soon as I make it to her. Not to my surprise, standing close to her, while having her flank to me, the familiar blue suit with yellow lightning bolt and fiery mane and tail is there. Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts if I’m not mistaken. “It’s good to see you my friend. How’s your night?”
 
“It’s going pretty well! Hey Spitfire?!” Rainbow tries to get the attention of the fiery Pegasi but she’s distracted by another pony talking to her. “Hey! Spitfire!” Rainbow tries to again. This time pushing her lightly.
 
“Huh?! Oh hey! Your that… thing that tried to save us back in the Best Young Fliers competition right?” Spitfire’s glance spots me and from her memory, she remembers me from the competition. Good.
 
“Yes I am. I am a human and it’s nice to meet you under better circumstances than from plummeting to our demise from thousands of feet in the air.” I extend my hand to shake,” Swift wind, at your service.”
 
“Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts.” She replies. She extends her hoof but stops from how my hands are and her hoofs. We exchange glances for a second before I fold my fingers into a fist. We bump and smile.
 
“How have you been since the competition?” I ask her.
 
“Well I’ve been-“
 
“Spitfire! You gotta see this!” A random pony grabs the Wonderbolt and pulls her away from both me and Rainbow. Rainbow’s mouth is open and her hoof is raised in way that she was going to say something.
 
Her hoof lowers and her mouth closes. She lowers her head in disappointment, “That’s been happening all night.”
 
“It has?”
 
“Yeah. I’ve been trying to get her and the other Wonderbolts attention as much as I can. So we can talk and tell them why I should become one of them.” She says sadly, then her sad demeanor turns angry. “But those snooty stuck up Canterlot ponies always manage to pull them away before I can even have a chance to talk to them! *Sigh*This is not how I wanted this night to turn out.”
 
“Well, sorry to hear that Rainbow. I’d love to stay and chat but I better find the others and see how their doing.” I say and turn around to walk.
 
“Good luck with that.” She replies.
 
“Same with you.” I say back to her without turning. With nothing to do in the VIP area, I make my way out of it and look around to find some more of my friends. I carefully pear over the crowds of pony’s to see if I can spot another one of my friends. My eyes stop as I see a slight pink blur at one of the tables. I begin making my way over to it. Once I get a clear view, it’s definitely Pinkie Pie. Only she looks a little… sad. She’s standing up but her head is slumped against the flat surface of the table in a sad pose. Wow. If this place got Pinkie sad, I can only imagine for the rest of my friends. “Hey Pinkie. You alright?”
 
“Huuuuuuu… haaaaaaaaa. Noooo.” She begins to say while not even looking at me, her head going up and down as she talks and doesn’t eve lift herself off the table.  “No pony wants to party! Anytime I try to get them all pumped up and having the time of their lives… they just look at me with these angry stares of anger, and hatred, and…”
 
“Annoyance?”
 
“Yeah!” she shouts right at my face, then goes back to the table. “I was hoping to be part of the biggest party in all of Equestria. Something massive and mind-blowing that would go down in history for centuries! Something that the Princesses will never forget!” She shouts while waving her hoofs around. Her happy and ecstatic demeanor suddenly turns sad as she falls flat on her flank, “But not this. It’s too…”
 
“Boring?”
 
“Yes!”
 
“Sorry to hear that, Pinkie Pie. Your night isn’t any better either.” She looks up at me.
 
“You’re not having fun?”
 
“Fun? I’d have more fun exploring the Everfree forest! Life threatening but worthwhile and useful. Not much going on here, although the music has a bit of sereneness to it, nothing’s really making my blood pump. Same with Twilight and Rainbow Dash.”
 
“Oh.”
 
“Well, I better go find the others and see how they are doing. Hopefully you’ll find something to keep you happy here.” She’s still a little sad, but then perks up at my words.
 
“Your right! There’s no party that can’t be changed by Pinkie Pie!” Awww, that’s the Pinkie Pie I know.
 
“Nice. Good luck.”
 
“Thanks! You too!” she zooms off to continue her exploits in making this the best night ever for her. Hopefully she can.
 
“Where to now?” I ask myself. I’ve pretty much covered the inside. Fluttershy was going to see the animals, and Applejack was setting up her apple stand as well. The best place for that would be outside so she wouldn’t be hassled by the guards inside. I see some windows that show the outside. Following them along the wall, I manage to find the doors that lead to the outside, double doors to be exact. What’s with that? I know its formal but you don’t want to be too formal. I open the doors and look around, there are some more well-dressed ponies walking around, enjoying Luna’s moonlight as they stroll through the gardens.
 
“Swift!” At the sound, I look in the direction I hear my name called and see Applejack waving to me not too far away from behind her stand.
 
“Hey Applejack. How’s the business?” I ask with a smile. Her happy smile at me turns to disappointment as she looks down.
 
“Not good. Ah’ve only made one sell the whole time ah’ve been here! No pony’s interested at all in my apples.” She says the last part a little more sadly.
 
“Well that sucks.” I reach into my pocket and feel around for my bits, “Here, let me be your next customer. One apple fritter and a regular apple please.” I politely ask her and hand her the bits. She perks up as she takes the money and hands me my food. I place the apple in my suit pocket and I take a bite out of the fritter.
 
“Thanks, pardner.”
 
“No problem. I’m gonna go find the others. Good luck with your business!” I shout back to her with a wave from my free hand.
 
“Thanks!” Four down, two to go.  The fritter also takes good, really good! But I shouldn’t be surprised. The apple family can pretty much make any apple taste just awesome. I walk deeper into the garden area in hopes of finding the shy animal loving Pegasi.
 
I have to admit, the gardens is pretty serene and a sense of calmness to it. The flowers something I’ve never seen before, the gazebos, and I also spot animals I’ve never seen before, not even ones back from my world. Badass. I stop as I hear a rustling sound behind me. I finish eating my fritter as I look to see if I can try and make out the source in the bushes. After a few seconds, a squirrel pops out and looks around. “Well hey little guy. How are you this-“ The kneel to get a closer look at the cute rodent but he just scurries right past me in some more bushes. “evening. That was weird.”
 
“Heeey!!” The sudden shout nearly makes me jump out of my boots. I turn back to the front to see Fluttershy. Before I can even smile, her appearance sort oooooof… freaks me out. Her mane and tail has strands poking out from the main body of her hair, giving her a bit of a crazy look, but what adds to it is that her coat has some Knicks, scratches and bruises, along with her dress having some slight tears here and there, mostly on the edges. It also didn’t help that her sudden outburst, coming from a pony as shy as Fluttershy, it seems weird. “Did you see a squirrel pass through here?” She asks me right in my face while hovering.
 
“Hey Fluttershy. How are-mff!” Before I can finish, she shoves her hoof against my lips.
 
“I will ask again: Did… you… see… a… squirrel… pass… through… here?” she says slowly, spacing out the time between words. She slowly removes her hoof.
 
“Uhhh yeah I saw him…” I turn around to point but I spot the squirrel. He has his tiny hands placed together like he’s praying and he’s mouthing the words ‘no no no no no no ‘ while shaking his head no. “Uhhhhhhh saw himmm gooooooo, that way!” I point to my left instead.
 
“Thank you.” She says quietly and hovers off. “Come out, come out wherever you are.” She sings in a somewhat caring but clearly freaky tone. I stare in the direction that she left in, not taking my eyes off it as I try to comprehend what just hand.
 
“Huh?” I look down to find the same squirrel tugging on my pants. He then hugs my leg. “Oh! Well… you’re welcome.” I nervously say. He pulls out an acorn and holds it up for me. I reach down and take it. “Oh. Why thank you.” I say nicely. The squirrel smiles before chittering as he scurries off in the opposite direction of where Fluttershy went. I look at the acorn, to my left, then my right, and finally back to the acorn. I look straight ahead. “What the hell just happened?” I ask no pony in particular. Sighing, I place the acorn in my pocket and walks back inside.
 
“Well that’s five down. Now where’s-?” I immediately spot Rarity, with a big white unicorn with a golden mane and wearing the top area of a suit, over near one of the table. I smile and walk over to the two. Looks like you finally hooked your prince, Rarity. “Well hello Miss Rarity. I see your looking wonderful this evening.” I play as my most cheesy and gentleman like voice I can think of.
 
“Ughhh, listen I- Oh! Swift! It’s so good to see you! I didn’t recognize you for a second there.”
 
I chuckle, “Well I do what I can. Is uhhh, is everything alright with you?” I ask. From her groan right now, looks like she’s not having any fun either, and her prince hasn’t even turned around yet to acknowledge my arrival. Weird.
 
“Ohhh, I’m fine. I’d like you to meet Prince Blueblood.” She gestures to the pony next to her. A prince. I knew it.
 
“Ahhh, so you must be-?” I begin to say as he turns around.
 
“Ahhhhhhh! What is that thing?! It’s hideous! Oh keep it away from me before it infects me with its horrific diseases! Here! Take her!” He pushes Rarity into me, where as I catch her and he takes off somewhere outside.
 
“The annoying jackass I’m plotting to kill.” I finish up and say the last part to myself. “You alright?” I ask the mare in my arms.
 
“I’m fine.” She says while I let her down. “I was hoping he would come around with his behavior… but it seems that’s not going to happen.”
 
“Gee, ya think.” I smugly say while staring in the direction that jerk took off to.
 
“Well, I better calm him down before he calls the-“
 
“That’s right. A hideous beast has entered the castle grounds and is ruining this event! You must find it and take it far away from us civilized ponies!”
 
“Don’t worry, your highness. We’ll find it.” My hearing picks up a particularly interesting conversation. I twist the top part of my body a full 180 degrees to spot that same jackass prince coming back in with three other guards. He holds his hoof up to point at me and Rarity.
 
I tense up, “Holy-!” I drop to the ground and roll under the table. I move to the other side of the table and stay low. I move along the table to get away from the spot where I was just at. I wait a couple minutes for the coast to clear. I duck back under the table the second I see white followed by gold and blue. Again, I wait a few minutes for the coast to clear.
 
When I’m satisfied with the time that’s gone by, I move out on the side of the table that wasn’t occupied by ponies and head back to where I was at when I came here. Well this sucks. I’m not even doing anything and that asshole immediately made me public enemy number one! When I find him I’m gonna-
 
“Swift?! Where are you?!” Rarity quietly calls out my name. I duck back under the tables and slowly push up the table cloth. Looking around at the different hoofs, I spot the familiar crystal heels worn by the fashionista pony. I reach out and tap her on the shin. She notices my hand, where I point up. I move out and meet Rarity face to face with each other on opposite sides of the table with only my head showing.
 
“Are they gone?” I say while looking side to side in hopes of finding that jerk and the guards. Nothing, good.
 
“For now but they’re still looking for you.” I look through the crowds to see if I can spot any guards, and yes I do.
 
“Dang it! Alright, see if you can find that asshole that convinced the guard I’m a rabid creature and see if you can convince him otherwise. I better find a way outta’ here.” I quietly but hastily say. Unfortunately, Rarity has that look on her face that shows unsureness for her.
 
“IIIIII don’t know if he’ll listen to me but I’ll do what I can.”
 
“Thanks, you’re a doll Rarity. Good luck.” I duck and make my way along the table again.
 
“You too!” she quietly shouts after me. I make it to the end of the table and peer around to spot some stairs that lead up the stage the Orchestra is playing on. Looking around some more, all the exits are monitored by guards very closely. If I was a pony, I might be able to blend my way out, but being a completely different species is out of the question as of this point. I have to make my way out without being seen. Looking along the walls, I spot an air vent that looks like I might just fit through. As of this moment, I can’t be picky. The wall the table I’m hiding behind is aligned against the south wall, the stage is on the east wall, and the air vent is on the west, but the door a came through is between the south wall and the vent, so that’s a no go, especially since there are no pony groups I can hide behind. Which leaves me with only one option: go all the way around. Making sure that no pony in particular is looking my way directly, especially the guards, I move towards the stairs. Hiding behind the curtain as I make it, I breathe a sigh of relief and look around again. The ponies are all conversing with each other and not even paying attention to the band. I guess with gentle orchestra music, you don’t really look at the players, you just listen.
 
Speaking of players, my heart stops as I spot the cello pony, Cellist I guess, looking right at me. Now that her eyes are open, she has grayish purple eyes. She’s also not missing a beat with her cello while looking at me. I slowly bring my finger up to my lips. “Shhhhh.” I hiss to myself but hopefully she heard me, and understood me. Her expression doesn’t change in the slightest; instead she just closes her eyes and continues playing. I crouch and make my way towards the other side of the stage. As soon as I pass the Cellist, I get a better hearing of her music. It’s gentle but slightly vibrant. It has a sense of calmness to it that would definitely go great for a couple watching the sunset. No pony’s are looking.
 
“You play beautifully.” I whisper to her, making sure she can hear me. I resume my movement and make it to the curtains. I look back to the Cellist to see her looking at me. Her mouth loses the bland expression and turns into a smile, the corners of her lips slowly curving up to make a slight smile.
 
“Thank you.” She mouths the words and returns to her playing. I smile and make my way down the stairs. Thankfully, there’s another row of tables filled with. The only problem is that half the row of tables split to make way for the door in the middle of the wall, with, no surprise there, two guard pony’s watching it. Luckily, a sizeable group of pony’s are standing together and having a good time. There’s my ticket through. Making it to the table, moving across it and towards the group of pony’s, I quickly move behind them so the guards don’t see me. See me they didn’t. I breathe a sigh of relief and move to the other side of the table and head towards the end of it. I look over the table to see some groups tightly pressed against the wall with some of the guards patrolling as well.
 
“Damn. Can’t make a straight shot.” I mutter.
 
“Straight shot to what?”
 
“I gotta go to that vent so I can escape the guards because their looking for me.”
 
“Ohhhhhhh.”
 
“Yeah.” ... Who the hell am I talking to? I turn around to my left to see something pink.
 
“Pinkie Pie!!” I shout loudly
 
“Hi!!” Without wasting a second, “Mmf!” I cover her mouth with my hand and drop to the ground just as some ponies and guards turn to our direction.
 
I roll us over until we are under the table. I hold her there with me on top as I stop my breathing to listen around. “Shhhhhh.” I make sure to shush the earth pony. She nods with me still covering her mouth. After about a minute, I relax… and finally realize what position we are in. “Gahhhh!” I lowly shout and get off her by rolling out from under the table.. “Ummmm! Hehe sorry about that.” I quickly apologize to the pink pony so she doesn’t take it the wrong way.
 
“Sorry about what?” she asks, poking her head out from under the table.
 
“For the… uhhhhh, never mind.” I nervously say, not really wanting to go into the subject. I look back around to continue to try and plot my way towards that vent. Yet I still feel that same familiar presence behind me.
 
“Whatcha’ doing’?”
 
“*Sigh* I need to get to that vent but I don’t see an easy way through to it.” I reply with annoyance.
 
“Can I help?” she says, moving her face in front of mine.
 
I groan and push her away. “No! … Wait, I think you can.” I quickly turn back to her. “Can you make some kind of distraction? Something to get everypony’s attention. Long enough for me to be able to get to that vent.” I point to it.
 
“A distraction? Hmmmmm…” she thinks for a bit, “Ahh! I got it!” Without another word, she zooms off. I go back to looking and ready myself for what the crazy pony has up her sleeve.
 
 A few minutes later, “C’mon everypony! I know what’ll make you shake those groove bags!” She shouts very loudly. I peak over the table to see Pinkie on stage talking into a microphone. Looking around, every head in the room has turned her way, including some of the ponies against the walls have moved away from it, although every single pony, minus the guards, are staring with wide-eyes and mouths agape. Now’s my chance! Without delay, I take off towards the vent while all the ponies are eyeing the pink pony on stage. I get to the vent in no time at all and I stand up so I can reach. To my relief, it’s open. Thank you Pinkie.
 
Yooooooouu 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 a cloooouud!
That’s whaaaat I’m talking aaabout!
 
I can’t help but slowly turn around and watch.
 
Yooooooouu stamp your left hoof in!
You pull it right back out!
You stamp your left hoof in but you better help him ooouuut!
You do the Pony Pokey but you find a different route!
That’s whaaaat its all aaabout!
 
Wow. I mean literally wow. I never thought I would hear something like this. A pony slightly turns his head. Oh-! I quickly squeeze myself into the vent, feeling a little snug, especially with the cape but I force it. I try to be as quiet as possible while crawling, especially since the vent echoes every so often but I make it work. I don’t crawl very far till I finally spot a light at the end of the vent. Cool. Once I make it, I look through to see if there is anypony nearby. To my relief, the room is a ghost. Opening the grate with a low creaking noise, I fall out and roll to soften my landing. I look up to my amazement to find that I am surrounded by pieces of the royal guard ponies armors on mannequin stands, shields that are small and easy to move around and some that are massive for bigger defense but slow movement, blades ranging from small knifes that can easily be concealed, not as intimidating as my combat knife but enough to get the job done, short swords, standard double-edged long swords, massive heavy long swords that resemble the claymore, and spears, some pointed at the end which means they are only good for thrusting or javelins, some with a blade,  and the rest are halberds. They also have other ranged weapons, like bows and arrows and even crossbows ranging from different sizes, some for firing quick shots and reloads fast but not a whole lot of damage behind every shot, and some that are completely the opposite, long range shooting crossbows that reload slow but packs one hell of a punch to it.
 
“Woooooooow!” I voice my amazement under my breath at the armament the guards have. I examine all the walls around me, seeing the different weapons, defenses and armors littered along them. My eyes stop at the only door in the room. I move over to it slowly and gently grasp the handle. I slowly but gently pull it open enough for me to peek through.
 
“Did you hear about that creature that’s got everypony riled up?”
 
“Hear about it? Prince Blueblood was practically screaming about it running down here. Whatever it was must have really spooked him.” Two guard ponies are right in front of me. And judging by how they look, along with the scenery around, I passed these two on my way to the main room.
 
“Or maybe he was just overreacting? You know how he always is. Wants everything to be done exactly how they are supposed to, to his standards.”Emphasis on ‘his’, the guard on the left says with annoyance in his tone. Sounds like I’m not the only one who doesn’t like a particular prince. Join the club.
 
“You’re probably right. Have you also heard about that new species that came up in Equestria?”
 
“Heard about it? I was one of the ponies guarding the door while Princess Celestia and… that… thing were talking. Although he wouldn’t exactly be known as a species with only one of them found, and alive. Either way,” I grip my chest. The memories of that day surfacing up again to the recesses of my mind. “After we heard that scream, we charged in and were surprised at the scene: that creature, I think the Princess called him a human, was lying on the ground with a hole in his chest and… blood everywhere *Shivers*. I still don’t know what happened, or how he survived. The Princess even made it clear that he isn’t a threat to her, or Equestria.”
 
“Soooooo, basically the next time we see a creature that we’ve never heard of or seen before… its alright?”
 
“As long as it stands only on two legs and wears clothes constantly, pretty much.”
 
“Alright then.” I slowly close the door so they don’t notice and I back away from the door. Well, good thing I’m known by some that are not from Ponyville. That’s… somewhat good. Well, that conversation was enlightening. The only thing else that’s sucks from this situation, I’m stuck. I don’t hear anything from the vent so it means that Pinkies done singing, the only door out of here is guarded…
 
“I’m trapped. That’s it, I’m trapped.” I groan and sit down on a crate. Minutes go by in utter silence for me with nothing to do, until I pull out my apple, take a bite out of it and shoot up, “Welp, better entertain myself…”
 
For about an hour, I’ve eaten the apple and began looking at the make and material of the weapons and armor, how the helmets and suits of armor are molded to accompany the unique, well unique to me, body’s of the ponies, and seeing how accurate the bows, arrows and crossbows are. It’s boring but at least I have something to do. I grab another spear off the wall and examine. “Awesome. Strong hard wood, finely crafted grip so it wouldn’t slip, and expertly grinded metal to get the fine point and blade across.” Throughout my admiration of the blade, I hear, in Rarity’s words, a ruckus coming from the next room. “The heck is going on?” I ask myself. From the noise, it seems they are going at it. Ehhh, probably Pinkie trying to liven the party up again. Yeah, its probably nothing…
 
*CRASH!!*
 
I was dead wrong. The wall collapses where the vent is and upon instinct I bring the spear up as a means to defend myself. I wait a little while till the crashing sounds of rubble and marble come to a silence. Regaining my composure, I’m now standing in the middle of a large gaping hole in the wall, along with everypony in the room staring right at me. I stare at them all, and just barely realize I am still holding the spear. “EE!” I fumble with the dangerous weapon and immediately drop it on a table. I reply with my best smile at the awkward situation.
 
*KEENG!* A loud noise interrupts the short silence. I look done to see that the spear fell off the table. I look back to everypony. “Ehehehe. Uhhhhheh.” I nervously chuckle. Looking around, Rarity is covered in cake, Pinkie is on the ground completely sprawled out on her stomach, Applejack is next to her destroyed cart, and Rainbow Dash is surrounded by pieces of a destroyed statue with a small chunk on her back. Wow. And I thought I was worried about making a scene.
 
“Well… it can’t get any worse.” I hear a small voice say. I lean forward and look to my right to see Twilight and Princess Celestia standing in the doorway. Twilight is right, at least it can’t get any worse… right? Right?!
 
The ground begins to shake underneath me, almost making me lose my balance as I dart my eyes around to spot the source. What now!? The doors to the outside suddenly burst open and animals of different kind begin trampling inside, with a very pissed off Fluttershy standing in the doorway. “You’re *sigh* going to LOVE MEEEEEE!!” she screams loudly. The animals freak and tear apart the place, everypony running and screaming in terror of the rampaging animals. I step out of the hole and onto the cracked marble floor.
 
“Whoa!” I duck as a monkey swings past my head using a torn banner. “Holy-!”
 
*Whistle!*
 
A loud whistle catches my attention. Me, Pinkie, Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy look towards the purple unicorn. She motions for us to go, and go we do. We all run past the Princess and into the hallway, me being the last one out. “Thanks for the party, Princess!!” I shout back and round the corner at the end of the hall, only to lose my footing on the rug and slamming into the wall. “Ow! Damnit!” I quickly get back up and bolt after my friends.
 
“Ohh! Rarity your glass slipper? Now your Prince is sure to find you!”
 
“Ahhhhhh!!” I hear a shriek just as I get down the first set of steps and see Rarity at the bottom and Pinkie in the middle, with Rarity’s slipper there as well. Okay, now THIS is familiar too. “Swift!” Rarity shouts at me. Seeing the slipper, if this is anything like Cinderella, I don’t think Rarity is looking for a Prince right this second.
 
“I’m on it!” I reply and jump down. I grab Pinkie and hoist her onto my left shoulder and kick the slipper. Unfortunately it was more durable than I thought, because it soared through the air and breaks a hole through the glass window. Crap! I quickly move down the rest of the stairs and bolt out the door.
 
“Where’s the carriage?!” Twilight shouts, looking everywhere frantically for it.
 
“Over there!!” I yell and point with my right hand to the side. Even in the short distance my ability kicked in, because I’m practically at my truck in the blink of an eye. I open the passenger door to the back and toss Pinkie in. “Let’s get the hell outta’ here!” I yell. I pull out my sword, head towards the back and cut the ropes off my truck. Everypony else jumps in except for Twilight.
 
“What about the carriage?!”
 
I grab Twilight, “Screw the carriage! It’s gonna turn into an apple anyway, right?” The others grab her and I slam the door. Opening the door and jumping in, I start the truck up and peel out on the concrete. Turning the truck slightly, we take off towards somewhere else, anywhere that’s not here…
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
“Hey! Pony Joe? Another donut.” I say with annoyance in my voice. I’m still mad the others all left me in the dust like that. The Gala is important yes but it would probably be better if we all were together to experience it, together!
 
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” Donut Joe tries to convince me.
 
“Another Donut! Extra sprinkles.” I angrily say while slamming my claw and hot cocoa onto the counter. I slump a bit. Well, it’s there night. Better wish them the best.
 
*Ding*Ding*
 
“Twilight Sparkle! Haha! Long time no see!” Donut Joe says. I turn around to see all my friends at the doorway. I smile and go over to them.
 
“Hey! How was the Gala? How was your best night ever?!” I ask them. I wanna know how it all went, especially since I was here practically all night. Swift gives me this stare that makes me cringe a little.
 
“Look at us.” Following his advice, their all pretty banged up. Even Swifts cape is ripped in half.
 
“C’mon, Spike. We have a lot to talk about.” Twilight leads me over to a nearby table. This can’t be good…

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“That sounds like the worst night ever!”
 
“Aannnnnnnnndd understatement of the year goes to Spike the dragon! Let’s give him a round of applause everypony!” I sarcastically say and begin clapping my hands. All my other friends laugh and join in, making the little dragon blush. After a minute of laughing, it dies down.
 
“I just hope Princess Celestia isn’t upset at us for ruining the Gala.” All of us appear nervous at Twilight words. You and me both girl. The Grand Galloping Gala is the most prestigious, important and renowned party in Equestria, to my knowledge anyway, and we busted it up… bad. Let’s hope Twilight is right.
 
“That was the BEST Grand Galloping Gala ever!” The mysterious voice is heard over everyone else’s. Looking over to the main door, the very Princess were talking about is standing before us.
 
"Princess Celestia?!” We all say in surprise. What’s she doing here? This can’t be good.
 
"Pardon me, Princess, but tonight was just awful.” Twilight points out.
 
“It was.” I agree.
 
"Oh, Twilight. The Grand Galloping Gala is always awful.” Wow, it was boring even for her? Interesting.

"It is?”

"That is why I was thrilled you were all attending. I was hoping you could liven things up a bit. And while the evening may not have gone as you planned, I'm sure you'll agree that in the end it didn't turn out so bad for this group of friends.”
 
“Even in the face of defeat and misery, a silver lining somehow always finds its way.”

“Wow that was well put Swift. You're right, Princess. Friends have a way of making even the worst of times into something pretty great.”

"Yeah! Hanging out with friends!” Rainbow says

"Talking!” Fluttershy adds.

"Laughing!” Then Pinkie.
 
“So basically what we wanted in the end was something that a certain little dragon wanted that we all practically ignored?” I point out. This was definitely what Spike wanted the whole time.

“Your right, Swift.” She looks at Spike, “You were right all along Spike.” The little purple dragon smiles happily.
 
“As horrible as our night was...” Applejack begins.
 
“...being together here has made it all better.”Rarity finishes the sentence.
 
“In fact, it's made it...” Pinkie begins and I just know something is gonna happen.
 
“...the best night ever!” Everypony shouts and begins laughing. I smile. I was right. A simultaneous phrase by everyone at the table. Pretty cool.
 
“It kinda was. Except when you’re being hunted and chased by the royal guards because of the massive ego of a particular noblepony… actually it was pretty exciting.” That is true. Being chased by the guards and having to sneak my way into an exit out of a room was fun, unlike everything else that happened, except at the end when everything came crashing down… literally.
 
“Yes, I heard of that. A rabid creature was in the Gala?” The Princess asks. It turns really awkward when I feel all eyes on me.
 
I groan loudly and look directly at the Princess, “Do you know a Prince Blueblood?” At my words, I hear a light shutter. Out of the corner of my eye, it’s Rarity.
 
“Yes. Yes I do.” I smile and grab a cup of hot cocoa that Donut Joe served us.
 
“That’s good.” Me and Rarity take a swig in order to try and drown our memories of that asshole.
 
“My Nephew.”
 
“Pfffffffffffff!! Cah! Ahaa! Cuh! Your Nephew?!?!” Me and Rarity spit, cough and shout at the same time. We look at each other before looking back at the Princess.
 
“Yes, Prince Blueblood is my Nephew. He can be a bit… over reactive at times. I assume he is the one that ordered the guards to find you and… evict you from the Gala?” She says casually. Looking at Rarity, I can’t tell if she’s mad at herself for not bearing the rudeness of the Prince and becoming an in-law to the Princess Celestia, or that how can some pony so rude, arrogant, self loathing, and overall a completely a-hole be related to one Princess Celestia. Me… the second.
 
“That would be correct your highness. While we are back in Ponyville, is there any way you can… you know?” I gently nudge the Princess, hopefully she catches my drift.
 
“Quell the rumors of the supposed rabid animal, stop the guards from searching for you, and make sure nothing like this happens again?”
 
“Yes, that would be very nice.”
 
“I’ll see what I can do.”
 
“Thank you, Princess.” Twilight chimes in. “So Swift, not quite exactly what you expected huh?”
 
I look all around at my friends. I can only imagine the property damage we did to that place, not to mention how many ponies are gonna be sore and mad as hell that ‘ruffians and common folk’ ruined this momentous night. All in all, there was no chaotic damage to anypony’s well-being, unlike back in Ponyville with the potential attacks from the Everfree forest. “In truth, this has been a pretty fun night. Like we all established a little while ago, this was the best night ever.”
 
All my friends agree again. This night turned out pretty hectic in the end.
 
Wonder what else Equestria has to offer…