//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: The Preparations // Story: The Hidden Adventure // by viscolorus //------------------------------// -TWO MONTHS LATER- It was the morning of the Grand Galloping Gala and there was not a single pony that was not excited in any way. Oracle was excited as she loved free food that was served at parties. Cliff was shifting around as he had always wanted to the opportunity to ask Oracle for a dance. Storm was even more hyper than usual, not only delivering his tasked items twice as fast, but also helping with setting up streamers and the like. Ashley was excited as she would be able to experience a party. Dusk was extremely excited, so much that his usually calm composure was a slightly happy one, and the cause being the fact that Twilight Sparkle would be attending the event. “You look awful chipper today Dusk,” Oracle commented as Dusk entered the library. “I guess,” Dusk said, placing a couple of books on the counter. Oracle came and registered the returned books. “Where’s Ashley?” Oracle asked. “She’s receiving a spa from the Royal masseuse,” Dusk explained, “She said her muscles were a bit tense from helping out with the decorations.” “I see,” Oracle said, “Speaking of which, how are the preparations going?” “Good,” Dusk replied, “Although Princess Luna will not be attending due to her recovery, she told us that she would make it the most beautiful night possible.” “I hope you can meet her tonight,” Oracle said, turning to return to her duties. Dusk nodded in appreciation. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The wind whistled past Storm’s ears as he tore through the air in front of him. He loved this feeling, one of true speed. Although the packages of streamers and such in his hooves weighed him down, the speed that he was going at made their weight negligible. He ducked through the low arches and flew over the other castle personnel as they milled about the castle. His feather tips drew blue lines of electricity as he glided through the castle. He was flying low when a pony suddenly entered his path, unable to dodge fast enough, they collided. There was a loud crash as streamers and bags of miscellaneous items flew all over the place. “Oof!” Storm said, keeling over and clutching his right wing. Then he yelled at the pony he had crashed into, “Watch where you’re going!” “You should take your own advice!” The other pony yelled back. Looking at him a second time, Storm recognized the pony as Cliff. He grinned sheepishly at him. Cliff stood up and sighed as he packed the decorative ornaments back into their respective containers. “Luckily nothing was damaged beyond repair,” Cliff said, stuffing a marble rose into a box. “Sorry,” Storm apologized, rolling some streamers into a ball, “I was going too fast for me to react.” “Then go slower next time,” Cliff spat back as folded a gold tapestry, “You’re lucky you crashed into me. Can you imagine what would happen if you crashed into one of the kitchen staff?” Storm shuddered at the thought. “Anyways, how are you going to ask Oracle to a dance later?” Storm asked. “W-What?” Cliff said, dropping a crystal ornament. His cheeks flushed red, revealing his embarrassment. Storm burst into laughter. “It’s not funny!” Cliff protested as he picked up the dropped item and put it back into another box. “Alright, alright,” Storm replied, wiping tears from his eyes. “So what are you going to be doing?” Cliff asked, stacking up three boxes, “I know what the rest of us are, but not you.” “I’ll just linger around the place in general,” Storm answered, “I am under patrol duty after all.” “I see,” Cliff responded as he put the boxes on his back, “Well see you later, I have to deliver these to the decorations committee.” “Bye!” Storm said cheerfully as he grabbed his bags and took off. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “So how are you going to talk to her?” Ashley asked, “She’ll treat you like a stranger if what Storm said is correct.” “I know,” Dusk replied to the dragon sitting on his back, “But I’m not too sure myself.” He trotted down the hallway quickly, as he received a summons from Princess Celestia via dragon message. He soon came upon the royal chambers and entered. “Ah hello Dusk,” Princess Celestia greeted, “I have some orders for you.” “What would they be your majesty?” Dusk asked. “They are a set of royal duties that I need you to carry out during the gala,” Princess Celestia said, a tone of importance in her voice, “Are you willing to accept them?” Dusk gulped back his anxiety. The orders he was about to receive may decide if he does or does not get to meet Twilight during the gala. “Y… Yes, your majesty,” Dusk said. He knew that is duties to Princess Celestia were more important than his infatuation with a filly that does not even remember him. “Well then,” Princess Celestia continued, smiling, “I hereby relieve you of your royal duties for the duration of the gala with the exception of an emergency.” Dusk’s jaw dropped. He could not believe his ears, the princess was relieving him of his duties. He bowed reverently and thanked her profusely. “Alright,” Princess Celestia said, “Your welcome.” “Anything else your majesty?” Ashley asked as Dusk was still thanking the sun princess. “No, Ashley,” Princess Celestia replied, “You are dismissed.” _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Later that night, the group gathered in the mess hall to have a sumptuous lunch… At least by canteen standards. “So how were your days?” Oracle asked, tucking into her asparagus soup. “Kinda boring,” Storm replied frankly, taking a bite out of his eggplant casserole, “Though anypony can sense the high spirits of all the soldiers.” “Well it is the most awaited event of the year,” Ashley pointed out as she ate her hay fries. “Aside from the Summer Sun Celebration,” Cliff corrected, munching on a stick of celery. He turned towards Dusk and asked, “What do you think?” “I agree,” Dusk said. “Dusk, why are you not eating your food?” Storm asked. Dusk looked down at his untouched apple pie. “Also, I thought you hated apples?” Storm continued. “Well… umm…” Dusk murmured. “Leave him be,” Oracle said, taking another sip of her soup, “He’s obviously thinking of you-know-who.” “I see,” Storm replied, raising his eyebrows. Dusk rolled his eyes, he was indeed thinking of her. To be perfectly honest though, why would he not be? This is the pony that got him through the war mentally. The pony that he first fell in love with. He was called back to reality by Princess Celestia’s voice. “Attention all ponies,” She began, “I am here to thank you all for your hard work in preparing for the gala and in your duties.” This was met by loud applause and cheering. “Although it is my pleasure to welcome all of you to the gala, I am afraid that something has cropped up and as a result, captain Shining Armor and a few select ponies must go to resolve the matter.” Gasps could be heard from the mess hall as well as plenty of small chatter. “I will now read out the names of the ponies selected,” Princess Celestia continued. Every time a name was called out, there were hooves being slammed on tables, gasps of despair or sighs of defeat. “Cloud Hopper, Bright Boast, Cliff Hanger,” Princess Celestia said, finishing the listing, “All of the called ponies are to assemble in the courtyard after lunch, that is all.” The mess hall burst into small conversations as most ponies griped about their plans being destroyed. Cliff sat in his chair, not saying a word. “Cheer up Cliff,” Storm said as happily as he could, “It can’t be too long of a mission. Can it?” “I guess so,” Cliff agreed, disheartened. He had made many plans of what he and Oracle were going to do during the gala. Now his plans were the equivalent of mud. “I’ll miss you,” Oracle said sadly, putting a hoof on Cliff’s shoulder. An air of sadness fell over the table until Dusk spoke up. “Tell you what. I’ll go in your stead.” “Huh?” All of them said, turning to Dusk and looking at him as if he was crazy. “I said I’ll go instead,” Dusk repeated, “That is, only if Shining Armor allows it.” “But I thought that you wanted to see Twilight?” Storm asked. “Yeah but not as much as Cliff wants to spend time with Oracle,” Dusk replied calmly, “Besides, if what you said is true and she really did forget me, I probably have less of chance with her than the anypony else.” “Are you okay with this?” Ashley asked worriedly. Dusk was the closest thing to an elder brother she had and treated him as such. As a result, she was as concerned about him as any normal younger sister would be of their older brother. “Yeah I’m fine,” Dusk answered, smiling weakly. Then turning to Cliff said, “Enjoy your time at the gala.” _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shining Armor made his way to the castle courtyard sluggishly. He had a headache as a result of not getting enough sleep due to the preparations. In addition, he had to take care of an uproar in the Everfree forest. In order to contain the damage and leave the gala and Ponyville unaffected, a strong core force was necessary. “Captain!” Came a voice from behind Shining Armor. He turned around and saw his reliable lieutenant, Dusk, standing behind him at attention in full armor. “Hey Dusk,” Shining Armor said, rubbing his head with a hoof, “What do you need?” “I’m here to replace Cliff,” Dusk replied briskly, “I hope that is fine with you.” “Really?” Shining Armor asked, brightening up, “If so, thank you so much for helping out.” “Hey, no problem,” Dusk said, “You don’t look too good.” “Yeah, I guess so,” Shining Armor replied, putting on his helmet, “I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Anyways, lets go, we have a platoon to address.” After the moral of the troops were raised from an inspiring speech from their captain, they were quickly filed into a mass military transport chariot and sent off towards the Everfree Forest. When it arrived in at its destination, the soldiers quickly dashed out and got into formation. “Alright, listen up!” Shining Armor commanded, “Force one and three follow me, force two stay and prevent the creature from passing beyond this point and group four follow Lieutenant Dusk. Are we clear?!” “Sir yes sir!” Everypony replied crisply. “Then let’s move!” Shining armor yelled, leading two groups of soldiers into the forest. Dusk led his group around the right side of Shining Armor’s coalition into the forest as well. Force two spread out, forming a wall of soldiers. Dusk charged into the dense undergrowth, using his magic to clear a somewhat traversable path for him and his platoon. He soon heard the sound of magic bolts being fired and the clanging of armor. He led his troops further on for a while, then gave them the signal. Dusk and his group burst forth from the forest into a sun lit clearing. In the clearing were ponies fighting all sorts of creatures; timberwolves, cragadiles, manticores and even a hydra. Dusk’s troops took many of them by surprise, allowing them to be dispatched swiftly. “Alright, let’s give them hell!” Dusk shouted as he shot a magic bolt at a timberwolf.