In the end, Ponyville School was closed for four days.
Teams of ponies-trained and knowledgeable in how to handle mordite cleanup-searched the entire area with a fine tooth comb. Probably the only fortunate thing was that you just had to remove the mordite itself, and not any surrounding soil or plant life. However, you had to be very, very thorough-as plutonium oxide would have been safer to have around anypony.
They did the last bits of cleanup, checked again, and departed. Mayor Mare had gotten their bill-twenty second after a stipend notice had come from Canterlot with the Royal Seal attached.
The weekend was soon thereafter, and a different team made one more sweep, just to be sure.
Notices went out that the school would reopen on Monday. Many parents kept their kids at home for one more day, just to be sure.
One of the ones that didn’t was Filthy Rich, whom was splitting his time between a sanitarium in Manehattan and his house in Ponyville. Diamond Tiara, drugged unconscious and strapped to a carrying tray, was taken there after the initial intake psychiatrist and Princess Luna both stated that her psychotic break was complete. Her mind was so chaotic inside that Princess Luna had come out of the Dream Realm in a cold sweat, fearful of entering that vortex again. Removing her from Ponyville and the possible source of what caused her break was the first thing they should do.
Silver Spoon left the hospital the day after, one day before school restarted. It was a short trot to her house, and Silver Spoon spent the remaining Sunday packing up Diamond Tiara’s stuff “for the duration.” Filthy Rich offered to find a school in Manehattan for her, but Silver Spoon refused. She wanted to go back to Ponyville. She wanted…
What did I want? she asked herself, as she walked into class on Monday. She would have been laughing and talking with Diamond Tiara and planning out pranks and japes at this time, normally…
The thud as her hooves connected with her head, waking up with the doctor peering over her and his panic-stricken face and the pain in her head and her scalp and the pain in her heart as her friend has bucked her so hard…
She shivered as the thought passed, but managed to keep trotting into the classroom, and found her chair. About half the chairs were empty, mostly pegasui and unicorn students. Miss Cheerlee called the roll, and when they got to Diamond Tiara, there was a general sort of raspberry sound from the students. “Children!” Miss Cheerlee snapped. “Diamond Tiara is sick, and she needs our help-and our thoughts to her recovery.”
The class settled into a sullen sort of silence, and Silver Spoon couldn’t blame them. Diamond Tiara was her friend, and her feelings about her were mixed at best. She had come with her from Manehattan so that Diamond Tiara would have a friend. Filthy Rich had her live in Ponyville after the last incident with the boarding school, and Silver Spoon had to look at that critically. Who, exactly, was Diamond Tiara?
Silver Spoon was fearful that she was a star orbiting a destructive black hole named Diamond Tiara, and she wanted to break free.
These thought carried Silver Spoon through until morning recess, when she trotted out…
And every other pony looked at her. Silently.
Judging her.
Making her feel like a blank flank, alone in the crowd.
Then, a ball clocked Silver Spoon upside the head. She fell onto her belly with a moan, her head hurting from the impact.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” a young female voice said, and Silver Spoon saw that it was Twist, running up to her...then, skidding to a stop a few steps away when Twist saw who she had hit. There was a pregnant pause as everypony looked at the two, wondering what was going to happen next.
Silver Spoon leveled herself onto her hooves, then looked at the ball. No blood on it, she thought, and picked it up. Twist held her breath, not knowing what was going to happen next.
Silver Spoon considered the ball, then gave it a good bouncing toss back to Twist. “Nice throw, good spin on it. Just...warn me next time you want to play with me, so I don’t get hit by a ball, please?” Silver Spoon asked.
Twist’s jaw dropped. Then, she picked up the ball, and tossed it back at Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon caught it deftly-if a bit wobbly-in her hooves. “I know a spot where we can play ball,” Twist said in reply.
“Lead the way,” Silver Spoon said, and she followed, as the sound of a normal day’s recess began to sound across the playground.
Twist was about to make a new friend that day.
Rarity was in a panic.
No, Sweetie Belle thought, she’s merely in a tizzy. Not a panic yet, but getting very close.
Between the call to Canterlot Castle, the disaster of the past few weeks, and a whole run of orders, Rarity realized that she was short at least five dresses for the upcoming White Elephant Ball in Canterlot. She was pacing around the Carousel Boutique, pulling fabric swatches, and going, “This cannot be the worst possible thing! I know what the worst possible thing is! This is not the worst! Possible! Thing!”
And variations on that theme.
“Rarity,” Sweetie Belle asked, “are you all right?”
Rarity realized that Sweetie Belle was there, and smiled raggedly. “Oh, no, I’m sorry. It’s just that I have five dresses-well, four dresses and a suit-left to fit, and have to do that in a week to make it for the White Elephant Ball! And, I’m glad you’re here, because…”
Rarity used her telekinesis to pick up Sweetie Belle and levitated her into her Inspiration Room, taking measurements all the time. “And, all my measurements of you are off, oh I know why, dear, but between that and the wings…,” Rarity began to chatter as she got to work.
“I’ve fitted the Princesses before, so I have an idea of how to do it properly for three alicorns, but this will be your first big event and I want your dress to be perfect,” Rarity continued, taking more measurements. The tape measure snapped and the pencil scratched across the clipboard while Rarity took the measurements. “But, between your dress, your friend’s dresses, Applejack’s dress, and Spike’s suit...I don’t know where I’ll have the time, let alone anything else…”
“Um, what am I going to?” Sweetie Belle asked. Sweetie Belle loved her sister, but sometimes she forgot important steps, like telling ponies what they were going to do.
Rarity looked at her for a second, then sighed. “Oh dear, I forgot! The White Elephant Ball-it’s the unofficial open to the Spring season for court, an auction for several charitable causes, and one of the places for any pony to be seen and known. The Princess sent you an invitation, and I must assume that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo have one as well. And, also I need you’re help running interference for Fluttershy…”
“Oh?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Poor dear, shy as she is, she has to be at this event. Because Fluttershy is one of the Elements of Harmony and because it’s one of those sorts of events,” Rarity shook her head in annoyance. “So, the rest of us run interference for her-somepony starts to make her uncomfortable, we find a way to peel them off. Or, somepony is bad for her to be around, we intercept them and keep her out of trouble. I mean, we didn’t do that for the Grand Galloping Gala and look how that turned out! So, if I could…”
“Help?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Certainly! Fluttershy is a good friend, and keeping the social vultures off of her would be a pleasure. I’ve got an idea to help, if you’re interested.”
“Dear, I’m willing to try just about anything except that tacky Alicorn Amulet at this point,” Rarity noted. “What are your ideas?”
“What is Coco Pommel up to these days?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Rarity stopped, then contemplated with a hoof under her chin. “Well, yes, she would want to help if she has the time...I’ll ask.”
“And,” Sweetie Belle continued, “there’s a pony who works at Canterlot Castle by the name of Shining Button, and she’s a pretty good fashion designer as well. Did the dress for Duchess Twopenny for last year’s Grand Galloping Gala pre-party. I think she’d be honored to work with you, too.”
Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle with a shocked expression, “So, she was the one that did that dress. Sweetheart neckline, the pearls were daring, but perfect. That, my dear, is something to consider, seriously. I’ll be seeing Spike this afternoon, so I can get the letters off. But, until then...more measurements!”
A week later, Rarity stood back and admired the work.
Coco Pommel was busy that week (Countess Hayfeather needed a new dress, and she was paying premium rates), but Shining Button made the first train from Canterlot the moment she got the letter. And, the two of them had worked wonders. Shining Button had thrown herself into the work on Applejack and Apple Bloom’s dress, sharing stories of her times working on various gardening projects to keep the two of them interested in what she was doing. One thing that Applejack had insisted on suprised Rarity when she heard it.
“Mother and daughter, if you can do it,” Applejack said firmly as Rarity walked by with some silk for Scootaloo’s dress. “Still a bit upset with her, but Apple Bloom’s ma daughter and I want every pony to know it.”
Rarity had to stop long enough to blow her nose and wipe the tears away.
Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Spike were Rarity’s responsibility and Spike was easy. Jacket, top hat, and he was ready to go. Scootaloo...she was definitely taking after her pegasus mother and developing the long-bodied, long-limbed form that was going to be positively lanky when she fully grew up. And, well-defined with muscle. That made most dress styles tricky.
But, if it was easy, Rarity would be out of a job.
Sweetie Belle...Rarity knew she was having difficulty with getting her dress done because there were so many images of Sweetie Belle in her mind, the one that she was now was difficult to find. Even her usual trick of merely considering her at that point right now, tabula rasa, was almost impossible. But, Rarity took a long, deep breath, and started to lay out white silk and satin.
The finished product was spectacular for Sweetie Belle. Sweetheart neckline, a daring mid-length skirt in silk, brocaded vest in patterned satin with perfect articulation for the wings, and Rarity splurged for the Lotus Spa to do up Sweetie Belle’s hair and makeup in a stunningly understated style. When she was finished, Rarity had gotten as many photos as she could of Sweetie Belle, to make sure this day was burned into memory.
Scootaloo was a careful blend of taffeta and lace, designed to emphasize her long limbs and athletic nature. At Scootaloo’s insistence (and testing), the dress had to be able to allow her to fly, and she could in it.
And, when Shining Button had finished with Apple Jack’s and Applebloom’s dresses, Rarity was impressed. She had taken Rarity’s original fitted corset-and-saddle design, and added a daring blend of satin to emphasize the firm muscles on both ponies. And, somehow managed to find a brocade pattern in apples for the corset panels, which had to cost a pretty bit. But, it suited the two of them perfectly-mother and daughter, but neither overwhelmed each other.
Rarity sighed and checked the clock. There was enough time to go to the Lotus Spa, get a sensible meal, and put on her dress before they caught the chariots to head to Canterlot for the Ball. So, happy with her results, Rarity put everything away, and trotted swiftly towards to the Lotus Spa to get ready.
Fully cleaned, polished, brushed, fed, groomed, and attired in a stunning white silk sheath dress, Rarity trotted up to where the chariots were waiting. Captain Flash Sentry, in a newly fitted dress uniform, was pulling inspection on several ponies that were members of the Guard and Night Watch that were going to the party with dates. Following behind him was Sergeant Major Soarin, making notes on any deficiencies in dress or deportment, and found none. Lieutenant Sunrise Smiles was making extra certain of his thestrals, especially those that were assigned to guard duty. Their Night Watch armor was polished to a fine obsidian mirror shine, and they were as ready as could be.
Flash Sentry stopped, turned to face the soldiers, and said, “Tonight is the White Elephant Ball. For those of us that are unfortunate enough to have gotten tickets,” and here a chuckle went through the troops, “command’s intention is as follows-we’re going to have a good, dignified time at the party and demonstrate that the Guard and Watch are able to be presented in public.
“Execution of this intent,” Flash Sentry continued, looking at Midnight Blossom and Cloud Skipper, standing perhaps half a trot too close together in their dress uniforms. “Be polite. Keep all comments within the Articles of War and obedient to ranks and good discipline. Politely ask other ponies to dance, respect any rejections and demonstrate skill and ability. Alcohol consumption is either abstinence or one glass of wine, cider, or mixed drinks per hour, after which juice or water consumption is mandatory. Any pony that is found intoxicated will be brought back to the Canterlot barracks and I will be very unhappy.
“Continuing-the White Elephant Ball history is in your briefing papers. If you haven’t read them yet, read them, somepony might try to trip you up with the history. Event schedule is polite mingling until 1800 hours, then dinner. There will be toasts-one glass of wine or champagne only, juice the rest of the time. After dinner is the dance and mingling from 1900 hours to 2300 hours. Remain with your date except when they are asked to dance by other ponies. Single ponies that have passes will cycle to check in with their unit NCOs at about every hour, barring specific events and/or dancing. Ponies on security detail will maintain their bearing and will remember to guard their protectees.
“The official end of the dance and party is 2300 hours with a small speech by Princess Celestia. We will have reveille and physical training at 0600 hours tomorrow morning, so if any of you are involved in the horizontal tango, make sure you have enough time to make it back to barracks,” and here, Flash Sentry smiled. “Also, note that any partners in the horizontal tango have to be of age of consent, sober, and willing. Any pony involved in a Article 120 offence will only die tired if they try to run. Don’t forget your VD classes as well-if you’re short on supplies, draw some now.”
“Any questions?” Flash Sentry waited a minute, then said, “Dismissed to your officers. See you all tomorrow,” and trotted off as the lieutenants came to command their platoons. Sweetie Belle could hear out of the side of her ear Sunrise Smile’s distinct Trottingham brogue saying, “And, if any of ya gobs screw this pooch, you’ll be lucky if the Captain gets his hooves on you first.”
Sweetie Belle saw the rest of her friends, Big Macintosh, and the rest of the Elements come up to her. “Wow,” Rainbow Dash said, smiling. “You look great, Sweetie Belle.”
“You do too, Rainbow Dash,” and Sweetie Belle smiled. Rainbow Dash’s dress was a simple rainbow silk sheath and it fitted her lines perfectly. “Waiting for Soarin?”
“Have to,” Rainbow Dash said, “it’s now as much military protocol as social protocol. Was reading up on this when I learned that I had to go to this thing.”
“But,” Pinkie Pie, in a hazy cloud of pink lace and satin, “why the formality of this? It’s a party! We should be having fun!”
“Contrast, dear,” Rarity replied. “The formality is like plain crackers between cheese plates-to clean your palate for the next dose of excitement.”
“Oh! I get it, sort of like having water and such between cookies,” Pinkie Pie said, smiling.
“Yep,” Big Macintosh said. He looked uncomfortable in his suit, but it seemed more “not used to wearing a suit” uncomfortable. “It’s a whole formal dance in itself right now.”
“I just hope you all have a good time,” Fluttershy, in a simple skirt and vest of green and gold, said softly. “I want to have a quiet time, myself.”
Sweetie Belle looked around, and realized, “Hey, where’s Twilight?”
“She’ll be here shortly,” Rarity said, “her dress takes a bit to put on, and…”
There was a sudden, hushed silence as everypony looked off to the side, to see Twilight Sparkle coming. She was in a intricate ball gown of white silk and velvet with a sweetheart neckline, her hair done in gold and purple velvet ribbons to symbolize the link between her and the Princesses of the Diarchic Throne. Her own crown rested on her head-simple gold with emeralds and a ruby star of the Element of Magic in the center, resting softly on her head. Captain Flash Sentry stood in front of the assembled ponies, uniform hat in his right front hoof, and Twilight Sparkle stood in front of the assembled ponies.
Twilight Sparkle offered Flash Sentry her right front hoof.
Flash Sentry took it and bowed. Rarity gasped softly at the exchange, and Sweetie Belle could almost feel the mixed envy and lust at the action. After all, Flash Sentry was being courted by a Princess…
Princess Twilight Sparkle and Captain Flash Sentry climbed into the first chariot, and the chariot lept for the skies, heading for Canterlot. As soon as they were out of sight and hearing, the call of “load up!” came from the officers and NCOs of the various Guard and Watch units. Before they were to leave, Sunrise Smiles trotted over and adjusted his dress uniform cap, saluting when he finished. “Ladies, gentlemen, if you would grant me the honor of riding with the Night Watch?”
“Certainly,” Rarity replied. Rainbow Dash made a small huffing sound, but she knew that Soarin would be busy until they arrived at Canterlot.
The chariot that they were to ride in was a massive one, easily able to carry two dozen ponies. The members of the Night Watch that had invitations (twice as many as last year) filled up the space that the Elements, Big Macintosh, and the three alicorn foals didn’t take up. The twelve thestral team pulling the chariot lept skywards, and the flight towards Canterlot began.
Sweetie Belle watched as Midnight Blossom and Cloud Skipper edged closer to each other, trying so hard to not look like they were together. Meanwhile, Sunrise Smiles trotted up to the Elements and said, “Thank you. Going to be a long night, lots of little children,” he gestured with his wing towards Midnight Blossom and Cloud Skipper, “to keep out of trouble.”
“Oh dear, is that…,” Rarity was asking.
“No, I’m glad she found somepony that she likes,” Sunrise Smiles shrugged. “Good pony, bit of a goof but a good pony, otherwise. And, thank you, Applejack-turns out the cavern was perfect for a caern, and we’re getting settled in nicely.”
“Not a problem,” Applejack smiled back. “Y’going to meet up with somepony in Canterlot tonight?”
“Not me,” Sunrise Smiles said sadly. “I have to keep my ring of this three-ring pony circus going right, and...well, I’m not seeing anypony right now.”
“Oh,” Applejack said, not sure what to say next.
“But, if you’ll look over that way, you can see Canterlot,” Sunrise Smiles changed the subject smoothly. “And, tonight, it’s going to be a show piece. Even more so than usual.”
With that invitation, everypony was looking over the rail of the chariot to see Canterlot.