//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: At the Gala Part 2 // Story: Champion of Equestria // by Buddy Hooves //------------------------------// (*Special shout out to MadMaxtheBlack for his story, for it was what inspired my Gala chapters*) The roar was still echoing around the gardens as we both leapt to our hooves and glanced back towards the palace. A huge shadow covered the palace and garden, which caused my heart to skip a beat. Please don't be what I think that is. I thought, my eyes widened. I looked over at AJ to see she had the same surprised expression as she stared up at the palace. Another scream filled the air, followed by even more screams, all coming from inside the palace. Whatever was going on in there, it wasn't good. Then, outside and above the palace, through the screaming of ponies, another roar came from terrifying thing. The very sound sent shivers running down my spine. I immediately realized what the creature was. It was dragon. "Come on, Mark!" AJ yelled to me. And with that, she was off up the path, heading back towards the double doors that led back into the palace. With a gulp, I took off after her. Why did something have to happen now? I thought, trying to fight back my frustration and fear. My ears splayed back against my head as I ran. I was this close to kissing her! Shaking my head, I hurried to catch up with AJ. "Given the track record of things, shouldn't we be running away from the screams?" I asked as I caught up with her. "Shouldn't ah be asking you that? It seems like whenever there's trouble, you get hurt." She glanced at me as we continued running down the path. "No I don't." "Timberwolves, that rock monster, the griffon mercs..." She shot me a glare. "Face it Mark, when there's trouble, you get hurt. It's like ya have bad luck or something." "Our friends might be in trouble." I replied, not slowing down. "That's reason enough for me to take that risk!" "Okay, but don't say ah didn't warn you." She smiled slighty as she shook her head. As we approached the doors, the sound of screams and shrieks grew louder. What the hell is going on in there? Doing a quick turn, AJ bucked the door and flung them open. The screaming instantly grew louder, causing my ears to splay backwards as I winced in pain. As we both stumbled in, looking for the source of the screams, we paused, shocked at what we saw. The entire ballroom was in chaos, ponies running to and fro, terrified looks on their faces. Nobles were shoving and pushing each other, trying to be the first ones to get out of the doors that lead to the main part of the castle. Royal guards were trying to keep order, but were having a hard time making themselves heard over the shouts and screams. Luna's Lunar guards, who I noticed was sporting bat-like wings, were also mixed in with the royal guards, their lavender armor standing out against the golden ones. I could see the girls and Spike all grouped around Princess Celestia, trying their hardest to get the nobles to calm down, but to no avail. Rainbow Dash looked ready to buck somepony's lights out, but was restraining herself. Fluttershy and Spike was hiding behind Twilight and Rarity, who were using their magic to keep the nobles from trampling them in their panic. Pinkie Pie just looked hurt and confused, her normally poofy mane hanging limp. Princess Luna was hovering near the center of the room, shouting at the nobles to calm down, but even with her Royal Canterlot voice she could barely be heard above the wailing. "What the hay is going on?" AJ asked as we ran up to join the girls. "Applejack, Mark!" Twilight yelled excitedly as saw us. "Are you guys okay?" "Yeah. We was just outside in the garden when we saw a dragon fly over the palace." I said, looking around as the guards were working on getting the nobles out in a orderly fashion. "Sister! We must deal with the creature before it has a chance to destroy Canterlot!" Luna yelled to Celestia as she lowered herself closer to us. "Not yet, Luna. We must ensure that the citizens are evacuated safely first, then we shall deal with this rude dragon." Celestia replied to her sister as it roared once again. Causing us all to wince. "Mark, is this just like that dream you had with a dragon?" Twilight suddenly turned and asked me. "What?!" I asked in complete surprise. "How did you know about that?" "Cadence told me about your nightmares." She answered sheepishly. "Sorry." "So it was true." Celestia turned to look at me. "Then you did predict a dragon attacking." I suddenly found everypony looking at me with questioning looks. "You dreamed this would happen?" Dash asked, amazed by the concept. "Whoa.... do you have a thing like my Pinkie sense?" Pinkie asked. "A Mark sense." "Ummmm.... I..." I stammered. It was so strange to see everypony looking at me for answer. "So you were the one having the nightmares I couldn't observe." Luna landed in front of me, giving me a look that was making me feel very nervous. I need an adult... By now all the nobles had cleared out of the ballroom, leaving only us and the guards. But then a cackling laugh boomed across the ballroom, causing us all to turn our head towards it's source. Who we saw standing there infront of us made the fur stand up. I stared in both surprise and in excitement, because I was waiting for the chance to run into asshole again. "Dark Claw!" "Ahh....At last, we meet again, Mega Mark!" He grinned wickedly at me, while I was still battling between trying to look shocked and looked pissed. Thankfully, that's when the girls all gathered around me like a protective barrier while Celestia and Luna took point infront of me. "You've made a grave mistake coming here looking for trouble." Celestia said with ice in her voice. On cue, all the guards that were still with us stormed around him, trapping him in a circle of armored stallions. "I don't know what possessed you to attack the palace during the Grand Galloping Gala, but know that you will NOT be getting away with it." Dark Claw looked at her for a second, before busting out laughing. "Ha ha ha ha ho ho hooooooh..... that is rich." He continued to grin at us. That earned glares from just about everypony in the room. "I'm not here to attack the palace. I'm here for that worthless piece of stallion cowering behind you!" "Hey!" I yelled. "Then if your not here to attack the palace, explain the dragon flying around outside!" Luna demanded. As if to answer her, a another roar came from outside, followed by a booming voice. "RRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRR!!! CELESTIA! LUNA! COME OUT HERE AND FACE ME!!! "Maybe you should deal with him instead of worrying about me." Dark Claw replied after the booming voice. That got the sisters attention, as they stared at each other for moment before focusing at the emergency at hand. "Guards! I want a few of you to fly around Canterlot and made sure the civilians are safe at all cost! The rest of you, follow us!" Princess Luna yelled at the circle of guards surrounding Dark Claw. "Twilight, you and your friends stay here and deal with our "friend", while Luna and I deal with the dragon." Celestia said, turning to look at Twilight. "You can count on us, princess!" She nodded. "Yeah! We'll handle this jerk no problem!" Dash boasted, puffing her chest out. Celestia gave us all a small smile and confirming nod, before turning back into serious mode. "Come my sister, we have much to do." She said. With a quick nod between the two, the sisters spread their wings before taking to the air and flying outside throught the opened garden doors. The guards with wings followed suit, flying after the princesses, while the rest stormed out of the ballroom to follow their orders. Leaving the girls and me all alone with Dark Claw. "Phew! I thought those two would never leave." He said as he watched the last of the guards left the room. Turning his attention back at us, he began to slowly walk towards us. "Hold it right there!" Twilight warned, her wings spreading and her horn glowing. "Yeah! You ain't going anywhere!" Dash said taking to hovering in the air above us. The others re-doubled their defensive position next to me. "Unngh.... out of my way, you stupid ponies." Dark Claw scuffed in frustration. "I'm after him, not you girls." "No can do! If you think you're gonna lay your stinkin claws on Mark, ya got another thing comin!" AJ exclaimed. "Yeah, you big meanie! Mark is our friend!" Pinkie bounced in place. "And friends help each other no matter what." Rairty finished. I couldn't help but feel my heart fill with pride as I heard the girls. I'm so glad their my friends. Too bad Dark Claw didn't share my appreciation for their bravery. "Fine! You want to be part of the action?! I'll give you action!" He said as he snapped his claws. As if on cue, two green flashes of light erupted in the room, blinding us for a few seconds. When the light cleared and are eyes got back into focus, we all gasped in total surprise. There, standing beside Dark Claw was two rock golems. "Oh man! Not again!" Pinkie sighed. The others said nothing, but took defensive positions infront of me. Dark Claw just grinned as he looked pasted the girls, straight at me. "Now.....Mark! While the girls play with their new dance partners, what do you say we finish where we left off?" Well.....SHIT!