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// Act 3 chapter 13 
// Story: Diamonds are a girl's worst enemy 
// by Rarity Belle 
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	Finally was the time for the party upon the land of Equestria. Finally was the time to bring out the most beautiful dress out of the wardrobe, to listen to the most wonderful music that the land had to offer, or dance to it even. Finally had the event of events for everypony who was a bit of somepony come to a start. Finally, had the Grand Galloping Gala begun and everypony seemed to have been enjoying themselves so far.

        Even the five friends were present. Though all of them wore their original gala dress. They said that it was some sort of honor to Rarity. That, and they really didn't happen to have anything else in their own wardrobe that could even represent such an event. Each of the friends smiled when they entered the massive ballroom where the event was held. Lightly put was the fact that they were all just baffled by the sheer size.

        Their first gala was already enormous, but this one was about two, maybe even three times bigger. “The royals have literally spared no expenses, eh Twi?” said Applejack just before she let out a gentle chuckle.

        “No, they indeed didn't, makes me wonder for a bit why though,” replied Twilight to her. Though it seemed that she couldn't keep her augmented leg still. It constantly shifted over the floor. She was nervous for some reason, the mare couldn't explain it whatsoever but she just happened to be. Almost as if a life depending decision would fall upon her later that evening. It was a thought that she needed to get out of her system, rather sooner than later.

        “Well girls, what do you think about it?” Fluttershy spoke up before her was turned to their back and she spoke up to three, up until that point unseen, younger mares. Whether it was liked or not, they had to make their appearance next to the older mares and did so with a deep gulp coming from their throat. Neither of the three was actually being used to such events and they really didn't wanted to make themselves a laughing stock. 

        So next to Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie they appeared, the three members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders had finally arrived as well. All three of them wore an actual fixed gala dress that was started by Rarity but finished by Sweetie. Her knowledge was luckily big enough to finish what had been started, even though it didn't resemble the original design that much anymore.

        “It’s not what I expected from a party,” said Scootaloo at the sight. Though she listened to the classical music that entered her ears.

        “Last time you were here, it was a bit more lively, right?” Apple Bloom commented on it. She began to notice that everything seemed to have been rather dead. Sweetie Belle was the only one who remained silent and simply looked over the events as they took place.

        “While that is more than true, Apple Bloom, but we did cause it ourselves a little bit.” Twilight giggled when she remembered the events from their first gala. She couldn't help it but to shake her head during it before she gave the signal that the three of them were allowed to leave their company. “If you want to, that is.”

        The three younger mares nodded to the words and signaled one another to do something, if not anything to get out of the boring mess they have managed to get themselves into. It was everything but they had expected from the gala and most likely would be joining up with Fluttershy in the garden. There where the air wasn't polluted from all the party ponies.

        Pinkie on the other end began to hop over to the dance floor and before anyone could say anything, she was gone. “Well, Ah reckon that’s that, see you gals later. If yar need me, Ah’ll be over there, near the fountain,” said Applejack before she left the group as well. She was then followed by a silent Fluttershy who slid herself through the crowd in order to reach the gardens.

        Which then only left Rainbow Dash and Twilight together. Neither of the mares really had any plans for the evening and decided to just walk a bit over the floor and see what kind of interesting things would be coming their ways.


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Though the thing that they would be seeing was something that neither of them ever could have actually expected. For in another room they stumbled upon a crowd of ponies who were looking at one pony in particular. Neither Twilight nor Rainbow had a clue as of to whom they were looking and like the herd  mammals they were, they decided to follow.

        In their eyes came a mare who wore a wonderful crystalline dress and a coat as white as snow. The mind of Twilight let the alarm bells ring like never before. She knew almost right away just who that very mare happened to be. The clunking of her hoof against the ground was something easily heard and the ponies actually made steps aside to let the two mares pass.

        All of Twilight’s fears and horrors could becoming more than true in that one, single moment. If that one unicorn had even the audacity to come to the party after everything that was done, there would be live in the brewery without a doubt.

        Yet when the pony was revealed as a whole, both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were given perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire evening. For the mare in the dress wore a mask that made the entire face literally unrecognizable. Even though they knew it wasn't allowed, the two of them tried to discover whether or not there was a cutie mark of any kind.

        Much to their surprise, there wasn't any. “E-Excuse me miss, but who in the wide world of Equestria do you happen to be?” Twilight then spoke up as she wanted to know the finer details of everything.

        The mare in the crystalline dress didn't shy away from the question at all. Instead it almost seemed like she was embracing it to answer. If it was indeed Rarity who was under that mask, the motions wouldn't have been so smooth or refined. “The name, my dear lady, is miss Mystery, my identity I prefer to keep hidden from the folk around me as well as those higher up.”

        “Right, and I’m going to become the princess of friendship one day,” muttered Twilight as an insult towards the other mare. A mare who made the wise decision to not continue upon the subject. “But, I thought you were somepony else. Somepony who recently got out of my life.”

        “It’s understandable, when one we loved goes missing, we might think to see him or her in the strangest of places. Milady, may you enjoy the evening.” Mystery spoke up before she turned her body back around to speak with a couple of other guests.

        Twilight and Rainbow walked away from the mare. Though they continued to speak about it for a little while longer. That was up until another pony who was rather unexpected stood before them. Both of the mares looked at the shiny golden horseshoes before their heads went up the legs, body and eventually met the eye. “Princess Celestia!” Twilight quickly acknowledged before they both made a polite bow before her.

        “My faithful student Twilight and Wonderbolt trainee Rainbow, it’s such a pleasure to meet you two here. Although, if I may miss Dash, could I speak to Twilight in private for a moment?” the princess spoke to them after she had come up from her bow. Rainbow nodded and left the two in peace. She wanted to find out where the Wonderbolts themselves could be found.

        Suspicion had raised itself within the body of Twilight. Though not because of the fact that Celestia wanted to talk to her. But more on the matter that she seemed to be knowing just who happened to be this little ‘miss Mystery’. She knew it almost for certain. Though to confirm her thoughts, there was little to know proof. “What do you wish to discuss with me, princess?” Twilight then asked as the two of them walked over the floor of the event in the hope to find a quiet little spot.

        “Something that requires, your intellect. But also something that will change things up quite the bit,” were the only words the princess spoke about it at first. Naturally was Twilight’s curiosity taken by them.