“Ah! I – can’t – believe – the Grand – Galloping –Gala – is – tonight!”
Pinkie was happily bouncing on a trampoline she’d set up outside Carousel Boutique, Twilight and Midnight nearby pouring over a spell as Twilight said, “Pinkie! Please stop shouting, I need to concentrate!”
“So this spell is to provide us with a means of transportation to the gala?” Midnight asked.
“It will, if I can cast it,” Twilight muttered, still hearing the annoying springs of Pinkie’s trampoline.
“Pinkie! Stop that right now!”
They looked to see Rarity approach Pinkie, “It’s time to prepare for the gala, and I refuse to let you put on your new dress when you’re all sweaty.”
Pinkie screeched to a halt on the trampoline, once again defying the laws of physics, and giving Rarity an annoyed look and hopped over to Spike, as they looked at Twilight, her horn shining, Midnight sitting next to her patiently.
“What’re they doing?” she whispered to Spike.
“Twilight’s got an awesome new spell she’s been working on for the gala!”
“Where are the others, it’s getting late,” Rarity fussed.
“Hold yer horses, girl, we’re here!”
They looked to see Applejack, Big Mac, Thunderlane, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy approaching when Twilight announced, “I’m ready!”
“For what?” asked Rainbow as Spike walked up to Twilight and placed upon the ground…
“An apple!” Pinkie asked, “Are we having pie?”
Spike shushed her, “Watch!”
They watched as Twilight cast her spell, and the apple enlarged, transforming into a apple-shaped carriage, with fancy golden wheels, a little flag on top, and a seat for the driver.
Everypony awed and oohed, Twilight saying, “Thanks, but that’s just the start. Midnight?”
“Rrrright!” Midnight smirked as he cast another spell upon the carriage, and it glowed a light blue before dulling.
“What’d ya do?” Thunderlane asked.
“Cast a Substitutiary Locomotion spell,” Midnight explained, “Properly this time. The carriage will move by itself and take us to the gala!”
“Not bad, haystack,” Big Mac complimented, the two brothers hoof-bumping.
“Well then, everypony,” Rarity announced, “with that out of the way, it’s time to prepare ourselves!”
“Come on, girls, let us in!” Spike complained, the guys behind all annoyed too, as the little dragon pounded on the door.
A few moments later, Rarity gave in and opened it, “Sorry, gentlecolts, some of us do have standards.”
“I still can’t believe we’re gonna be in Canterlot tonight,” Spike commented as he and the guys walked in, seeing the mares all getting their manes done. “Our hometown, Twilight! And the best part is, we all get to hang out together all night long!”
“Eh, I dunno Spike."
They looked to Rainbow, sitting on a couch, her mane toweled up, Rarity putting on a fake eyelash, as she said, “We’ll just have to see.”
“We’re gonna be a might busy,” Applejack added as she did Fluttershy’s hooves while also giving them a spit-shine.
“Busy having fun!” Pinkie added as her mane was straightened out… for a second before it poofed out into its normal style.
“Oh, okay…” Spike sulked.
“Don’t worry, Spike,” Midnight said as he brushed his mane, “I’m sure we’ll all get to spend some time together, eh, guys?”
“Oh sure, no problem!” Thunderlane agreed as he preened his feathers, Big Mac saying, “Eeyup.”
Before long, the carriage pulled up to its stop, everypony spilling out, garbed in dress or suit, the ones Rarity made for them all and the one the girls made for her, Spike awing, “Whoa! You all look… amazing!”
But they didn’t hear Spike’s compliment, as their attention was what lay ahead of them all of them excited, all of them with high hopes, as Twilight said, “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!”
By the time they made it to the castle-gates and stepped into the entry-hall, Midnight was muttering, “I swear, whoever writes these songs oughta be horse-whipped…”
“Yeah!”
He looked and saw Spike, excited, “This is gonna be the best night ever, know why?! Cuz we’re gonna spend time at the gala to-”
His words were cut short as the girls all streaked off.
Something inside compelled Midnight to follow Twilight, and so he did. He followed her… right up to…
“Princess Celestia!” she gasped.
“Twilight! It is so lovely to see my star student,” Celestia greeted before noticing, “Midnight too!”
"Good evening, Your Highness,” Midnight said politely with a bow.
“Oh I’m so excited to be here!” Twilight butted in, “We have so much to catch up on!”
“Well, Twilight, why don’t you go on ahead and enjoy the gala for a little while?” Celestia suggested. “I’ll send somepony to find you and we can enjoy a nice long conversation!”
“Uh… ok!” Twilight had expected Celestia to make time for her immediately but then she realized that might’ve been expecting a tad too much. “Come on, Midnight, why don’t we go get a drink or something?”
“Oh sure!” Midnight agreed when all of a sudden, he felt a spell was cast and everything around seemed to come to a halt, and there was a spark in his mind as he gasped in realization.
He then smiled knowingly as he asked, “I take it you’ve followed my suggestions?”
“Indeed,” Celestia nodded impishly. “Your instructions were quite thorough, and I think the girls will get the evening they’re hoping for. Just not as they expected.”
“The animals in the Royal Garden?” Midnight inquired.
“Ready.”
“The catering?”
“Taken care of.”
“Your nephew?”
“We shared an… intriguing conversation, and his cousin assured us she would do her best.”
“The Wonderbolts?”
“They’ll have all the privacy their biggest fan needs with them.”
“The festivities?”
“I’m sure the rest of the guests will be quite surprised.”
“And Twilight?”
“I’ll keep my word to her.”
“The seal?”
“It will resume its work once the gala concludes,” Celestia promised.
“Which gives me all the time I need,” Midnight smiled, intending for this night to go in a different direction that from what he knew.