//------------------------------// // Getting Ready // Story: Sunset's Locked-On Love // by 00RaiserGundam //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer was already getting excited for the Grand Galloping Gala, which was just two weeks away. On her way back to the train station in Canterlot, she made a quick stop by Moondancer's house to give her two of the fifteen tickets she had just received from Princess Celestia. Moondancer was only happy to receive one for herself and one for her coltfriend Flash Sentry. The next morning, Sunset gathered the Mane Six, Spike, Lightning Dust, Lyra Heartstrings, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts together in Sugarcube Corner to give them their tickets. The Mane Six still had their dresses from the last gala they went to so they were all set. The others however were not so lucky. Luckily for them, Rarity eagerly volunteered to make a dress for each of them for no charge at all, which they all eagerly accepted. In a day's time, Rarity had finished all six dresses and had brought Sunset and the others to the Carousel Boutique to show them all. "Well, girls," Rarity said to them as she pulled up the curtain to reveal her finished work, "what do you think?" Needless to say, they were all beyond amazed. Sunset's dress was the exact same shape as Twilight's dress. However, instead of being blue with white stars on it, the design made her look like a roaring fire against the most beautiful sunset one could ever hope to see in their life. The main part of the dress was the most passionate shade of crimson red, with tiny flecks of gold and amber running all across it. The hoof pieces were a sunset orange in color with a small yellow sun on the front two hoof shoes. And of course there were slips to allow Sunset to place her wings through. Lyra's dress just spoke music. The main part of the dress itself was amber yellow with a brown border and white lines going down the main part of the dress all over it making it look like she was wearing a lyre. There was even a lyre shaped clip to hold it in place at the front of the neck and a matching hair clip to go with it. Lightning Dust's dress was very much based on the same design Rarity used for Rainbow Dash's dress. The only difference was that instead of a rainbow pattern, the dress itself was mainly black with lightning bolt patterns going down all over it. Minuette's dress was pretty elegant to say the least. The main part of the dress was silver with gray ribbons held in place by a blue teardrop shaped sapphire. The accessories included a necklace that looked like it was made entirely out of sapphire, as well as earrings and hoof shoes that were made to look like hourglasses. Twinkleshine's dress was very interesting to say the least. It was a dark sapphire blue with billions of little glittery stars all over the design. There were so many stars on the back; a foal could probably draw constellations using their imaginations using it. Lemon Hearts's dress was simple yet elegant at the same time. The main part was the same color of magenta as her eyes while a bunch of blue and green heart shapes adorned the patterns. The finishing touch was a pair of heart shaped earrings. "Wow, Rarity." Sunset said in amazement. "You have really outdone yourself." "Mine looks awesome!" Lightning Dust agreed. "I can't wait to try on mine." Lyra giggled excitedly. "I love it." Minuette added. "Same here." Twinkleshine voiced her agreement. "Ditto." Lemon Hearts concluded. "Splendid!" Rarity exclaimed. "I can't wait to see how we all look at the gala." "Are you sure you don't want us to pay for our dresses, Rarity?" Sunset asked her. "I am more than willing to pay you for mine." "Nonsense, darling." Rarity politely turned down. "You are all my friends. It's the least I can do." "Well thanks, Rarity." Lyra said before turning to leave. "See you at the gala." Sunset and the others bid their goodbyes to Rarity and thanked her for their dresses before leaving as well. "I just hope Lockon will like my dress." Sunset said to the others as they walked away from the boutique. "Are you kidding?" Lightning Dust said. "He already thinks you're beautiful as you are." "Yeah," Lyra continued, "once he sees you in that dress, I won't be surprised if his jaw literally hits the floor." "I bet Flash Sentry will have the exact same reaction when sees Moondancer in her gown." Twinkleshine added. "That'd be pretty hilarious to see." Lemon Hearts giggled with the others joining her. Before they all headed their separate ways. Meanwhile with Lockon… The adopted son of Celestia was currently wearing his best tuxedo to make sure that it still fit him. Luckily for him, it fit and the slips allowed easy movement of his wings. "Looking sharp there, pal." Said a familiar voice. Lockon turned around and saw Flash Sentry outside the open doorway to his private chambers with a smirk on his face. "Thanks, Flash." Lockon replied. "How are things going with Moondancer?" "Great. Thanks for asking." Flash answered him. "She gave me a ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala so I could go with her. Apparently Sunset Shimmer gave them to her." "That sounds about right." Lockon nodded in understanding. "Mom and I had just given her fifteen tickets not that long ago. Looks like she wanted to see you and Moondancer at the Gala as well as her Ponyville friends." "Wel,l Moondancer and I are definitely going to be there." Flash said as he was turning to leave before leaning his head back in one last time. "By the way, you might want to hide that little surprise you have for your marefriend somewhere safer until the big moment. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Later." "How does he do that?" Lockon silently said to himself. Then he put his big surprise in the safe under his bed. 'This will surely make that night of the gala the best night ever.' He thought to himself with his beloved in mind all the while. 'For the both of us.'