//------------------------------// // Ponies can dance, and apparently so can I // Story: Gong Yi Tem Ponies // by TrombonePlayingPony //------------------------------// I stood outside Carousel Boutique, tugging at the collar of my suit not out of nervousness but because I hated the fancy thing. Despite it being form fitted for me I still felt like it was tight and uncomfortable, overall giving me a sense of unbalance that unnerved my combat senses. I wouldn’t be listening to its desires for the suit to be destroyed however, at least not until the night was over. Unfortunately for the event I was left without my scroll, something I would have normally been highly against but all six ponies tried to convince me nothing would go wrong. I’m a rather hardcore believer of Murphy’s Law though, so the moment they said that I knew I needed to be prepared. I couldn’t do much without them getting pissy and I really didn’t want to deal with that so I hid the Eye of Dashi in my coat pocket and managed to make the Third Arm Sash into a belt of sorts. Spike had managed to get himself inside the girls’ dressing room, though why Rarity was so against it I will never know. I was fine with just sitting outside with Dojo. If anything I was happy Spike had managed to get in as he still seemed to have issues with me. Dojo suddenly snorted and sat up, apparently having fallen asleep. “Wha? What year is it?” “Same year buddy.” Dojo leapt onto my shoulder before stretching and scratching his back. “Can you blame me? Those girls are taking forever to get ready.” I shrugged. “That’s girls for you. Seems whether you are a pony, human, or anything else, the female takes forever to get out of the dressing room.” We stood there for a few more minutes before Dojo spoke up again. “So why are you going to this thing anyway? You don’t seem to be the suit kind of guy.” “You hit the nail on the head there. I’m just going because the princesses invited me and it’s polite.” I paused for a moment before adding. “Plus seeing Luna again would be worth pushing through all the fancy mierda.” “Ooooo! Getting sweet on the princess huh?” Dojo nudged me with an elbow. I could feel my face heat up before I swatted the dragon off my shoulder. “It ain’t nothing like that. She’s just… fun to hang out with.” Not to mention kind of hot. I hit myself upside the head. Dios mio, whatever got to Ben is getting to me now. “Whatever you say, lover boy.” Dojo teased, returning to my shoulder. “Hope there’s a nice buffet there at least.” “If not, Applejack will have some food for sale. Don’t expect me to pay though. I know how you eat.” Dojo gave me a full on puppy dog face complete with lip quiver. “You taking lessons with Sweetie Belle? You’ve gotten better. Answer’s still no by the way.” Dojo sulked, though before he can reply the door opened and out stepped the girls wearing their various dresses. They all headed to the apple carriage Twilight had prepared with magic, Spike taking the front seat. As the last pony stepped into the carriage, Rarity realized just what I had. “There isn’t anymore room in here, is there? Maybe Allan should sit with Spike at the front.” I glanced up at the dragon to see him giving me a stare that told me sitting with him wasn’t going to end well. Dojo must have seen it as well as he gave me a way out. “No need.” He leapt off my shoulder and grew to his full size. “All aboard the Dojo Express. Next stop, the Grand Galloping Gala.” “Are you sure you’ll be alright Allan?” Rarity asked as I leapt up on Dojo’s back. “I’m riding into Canterlot on a dragon. I think I’ll be alright senorita.” I grinned back. “We’ll see you there!” Dojo took off before any of the ponies could say anything else, leveling off a few seconds later. “Yesh. That little guy is not a fan of you, is he?” Dojo turned his head slightly as we floated toward Canterlot. “Ya. I think it has to do with his crush on Rarity, though I don’t get why he’s still mad. I haven’t lived with her in months.” “You get around for a dragon warrior.” He teased, my reply being a swift kick in the sides. *     *     * Dojo made it to the gala way before the pony drawn carriage could even get close so we just circled about for awhile. Guess a giant serpent-like dragon attracts some attention as after a few minutes some pegasi in gold armor flew up next to us. “What is this beast, and who are you?” One of the guard approached. “He’s a dragon, and I’m the Xiaolin Dragon.” I spoke back to him from my laid back position on Dojo’s back. The guard gave me a weird look. “Neither of you look like any dragon I have ever seen. Why are you flying above Canterlot?” “We’re here for the gala. We just got here way before our friends.” I reached into my suit jacket and pulled out the badge Celestia gave me. “Here. This enough to get you to believe we aren’t threatening you?” The guard was surprised by the badge, glancing between it and myself before huffing. “Fine. You are off the hook. Enjoy the gala.” He spoke flatly before turning around, his friends following him. I shoved the badge back in my jacket before throwing my hands behind my head. “You’d think after all the stuff I’ve done they would have at least heard of me.” Dojo scanned the city below before sticking his tongue out. “Blegh. I think I found why. It’s a city full of ‘nobles’ and other ‘high society members’.” He gave actual air quotes around each descriptor. “Bueno.” I groaned. “So they haven’t heard of Shen Gong Wu and such because they have their heads too far up their own culos.” Dojo nodded. “If culo is what I think it is, you’ve got it.” He looked around some more before halting in air. “Woah, what is going on down there?” I looked over to see the carriage the girls had come in. They had jumped out and were currently dancing and singing, though what about I couldn’t hear from our spot up in the sky. “A musical?” I questioned. “When did they get the time to learn all of this? And why are they doing it anyway? Who’s watching?” “Other than us? No one by the looks of it.” Dojo scratched his head. “Maybe they’re cursed?” I shook my head. “Nah. If it was a curse, then it’s on the world. Besides, we both know just how impossible it is to break those kinds of things with the Shen Gong Wu laws we’ve got.” “Good point. Looks like they’ve finished up though. Shall we make our entrance?” “Lets.” Dojo angled down toward the entrance to the castle, heading straight toward the ground at full speed. Just before we hit, Dojo began to shrink and I leapt off, flipping in the air before landing on the top step with a skid. Dojo, now his tiny serpent self, landed on my shoulder and wrapped around while I stood up straight. I gave the two gawking guards a smirk before heading inside after the ponies. All of the ponies quickly dispersed before I could even say hi, though one certain dressmaker stayed around to speak with me. “Allan! Oh just look at what riding on that dragon did to your hair.” I looked into a mirror on the wall next to me to see my hair was just like it always was. I turned and gave her a raised eyebrow before I felt her magic flatten it down. “There. Now shall we head inside?” She turned around toward the stairs, Celestia standing at the top of them with Twilight next to her. The princess was rather busy speaking with other guests though so I just passed with a wave which she returned with a quick smile. I catched up to Rarity standing in front of a door, looking at me as if she expected something. I glanced between her and the door for a few moments before realizing what she wanted and opened the door for her. She walked in with a smile while Dojo muttered into my ear. “What’s her problem?” “Don’t know.” I ran a hand through my hair, it returning to its normal shape. “Maybe she’s actually worried about what the other party goers think of her.” “Why in the world would she care what these uptight snobs think?” I stepped inside, glancing around at the ballroom. It was everything you expect from a dance: chandelier, tables with food, a couple sculptures. Some ponies were dancing in pairs, doing an awkward four legged version of ballroom dancing. Pretty dull overall. “She’s a seamstress. Maybe she’s looking for new clients.” “Oh Allan!” Rarity waved a hoof. “Could you get me some punch from the refreshments table?” I rose an eyebrow at her before shrugging. “Sure.” I headed over to the table as Dojo grumbled. “Still think it’s about her job?” When we reached the table, Dojo looked over the small pieces of food there was with a scowl. “Of course. These rich types always have the most unappetizing of snacks. Just tiny fruit slices and leaves as far as the eye can see.” “At least I don’t have to worry about you eating everything than.” I chuckled, grabbing a cup of punch. As I turned around I came face first with a night blue muzzle with sapphire eyes behind it. “You make a habit of meeting all of the people here like this Luna?” She giggled before taking a step back. She was wearing a dress with many different shades of blue and purple, silver versions of her usual hoof shoes and tiara added to it. Her hair wasn’t free flowing as it usually was, instead being done up in a bun of sorts with silver beads running through it. “Are you there?” She waved a hoof in front of my face as I realized I had been staring. “I asked you a question but you seemed rather distracted.” “Oh.” I shook my head quick. “Sorry Luna. Kind of zoned out there for a second.” I could practically feel Dojo’s smirk before I reached up and flicked him on the nose. “I was just wondering if you were busy. If not, I would like to take this opportunity to show you the gardens.” I glanced down at the punch in my hand and then over at Rarity. She seemed content speaking with a few ponies about who knows what. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a bit before handing it and the glass to Dojo. “Bring this to Rarity and you can get something from Applejack’s cart right after.” With the promise of Applejack’s delicious treats he zoomed off, leaving me with Luna. I waved a hand and said “Lead the way.” I followed her outside, my eyes falling upon her rear for longer than I’ll ever admit. Ben, you’ve given me some kind of disease. I just know it! Despite it being the beginning of November it was rather warm in the gardens. I imagine that had something to do with magic or other Twilight stuff that I would never understand. “I wish I have had more time to visit you, but you understand my duties as princess must come first.” She spoke as we walked amongst some trees. A few animals watched from their respective homes, oddly shy compared to the ones I had met in Ponyville. “I get it. It’s kind of like why Twilight and the others are always wondering why I’m busy training despite coming so far. Always more work to be done. Besides, I can’t expect you to put all of your time toward visiting your favorite agent.” She gave me a smirk. “You’re my only agent.” “That means I win by default.” She giggled some more before we both stopped, a small group of animals running by with a crazy looking Fluttershy right behind. “Was that Kindness? What was she-” “I have no idea princesa, and I don’t really want to know.” We continued walking as Luna rose an eyebrow at me. “Are you not worried for your friends?” “Well ya I’m worried. But they’ve all proven time and again that they can handle themselves rather well. And when they can’t, the others are there to help. I’m the guy you call when Wu is the problem, not normal Ponyvillian disasters.” “So you just ignore the problems that don’t concern you?” I put my hands up defensively. “Woah. I never said that. I just let them fix it themselves so they can grow just as I have. It was actually something Master Gongniu suggested. After all, just how many letters about friendship would your sister have gotten from Twilight had I stepped in and fixed everything?” Luna seemed to ponder this seriously before sighing. “I suppose that makes sense. You seek to let them learn from their mistakes rather than making their lives easy.” She smiled. “Forgive me. I thought for a moment your intentions were not as well placed as I originally believed.” I rose an eyebrow with a smile. “So you know my intentions, do you? Just what else do you think you know about me?” She rolled her eyes before she began slowly trotting around me. “Well, I know you are doing surprisingly well for one who went from a simple life to one filled with things you don’t understand and being expected to deal with some of them.” She walked behind me, her head appearing in the corner of my eye on the other side soon after. “I also know you still miss what you loss, but do your best to not let these emotions control you. You look to the future instead of the past, a trait we both share as you might imagine.” She flicked a wing out, brushing the tip of my nose and causing my face to scrunch up. “I also know that you have been taking glances at my flank this entire time.” Oh mierda! I’m so dead! Her smirk said otherwise though. “As flattering as that is, I would prefer less shady actions if you wish to show attraction. Preferably ones that more involve myself.” So dead, so dead, so- wait, did she just say what I thought she said?! I didn’t get time to ask Luna just what she had meant as the sound of screams and breaking glass could be heard back in the castle. Both of us immediately darted toward the sounds, coming upon a scene of nobles running for their lives from those annoying barrel bots. The brothers quickly made themselves known as they took the stage the musicians had abandoned. “Looks like finding the Falcon’s Eye will be easy pickings Flam.” Said brother turned and saw Luna and I by the entrance. “I wouldn’t say that Flim.” He pointed a hoof at me. “Cider bots! Attack!” “Of course.” I grumbled as I pulled the eye out of my pocket. “I told them that something would happen and that I would need my Wu but noooooo! Eye of Dashi!” I fired at a few of the incoming bots, destroying them before they were too close to shoot. “Third Arm Sash!” The arm came to life, swatting away any robots that were about to slam into me. “Allan! You brought Wu despite us specifically asking for you not to?!” Twilight screamed from the sidelines. “You can thank me later!” I called back before twisting out of the way of a bot, its claws tearing the tail of my coat. I heard Rarity gasp at the destruction of her work but I wasn’t about to deal with her drama. I turned to defend Luna only to find she was holding out well on her own, blasting bot after bot out of the air with her magic. I looked back to see the brothers heading for one of the statues, the familiar golden metal of a Wu strapped over the stone pony’s eye. How did I even miss that? Luna noticed as well as she leapt next to me. “Jump on my back.” I was quick to do, though I was left wondering why until she took off toward the statue. What a sight we must have been, magic, lightning, and sash arm going this way and that as robots fell from the sky. Luna dived toward the statue as I leapt off her back, the brothers and us all reaching the Wu at the same time. “Flim and Flam, we challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown.” Flim groaned. “Fine, if you insist on making a fool of yourself in front of everyone we will do so. We wager our Fist of Tebigong and Mantis Flip Coin against your Eye of Dashi and Third Arm Sash. What do you challenge us to?” I hummed in thought for a moment before Luna answered. “The game shall be a dance competition.” “Wait, what?!” I turned to Luna. “I can’t dance!” The brothers chuckled to themselves. “Too late. The showdown has been declared.” I growled at them. “Let’s go! Xiaolin Showdown!” The ballroom seemed to stretch out in all directions, the walls disappearing into darkness. The chandelier still floated above, though it no longer appeared attached to anything. The statue the Falcon’s Eye sat on grew, the pony rearing up so that its hooves seemed to hug the now glowing glass decoration. A digital meter appeared above both teams’ heads. “Gong Yi Tan Pai!” On the brother’s side of the dance floor, a giant sound system appeared, a turntable in the center. A mare with electric blue hair and red glasses sat behind it. She placed the needle ever so gently on the record… only for the loudest dubstep ever to suddenly blast out of the speakers. Flim and Flam started dancing like maniacs, Flam using the Mantis Flip Coin to do a couple of back flips and such. I glanced up at the meter they had to see it slowly rising. I then turned to Luna. “So you got a plan?” She stood up on two hooves, placing her front ones around my shoulders. “Just try to follow my lead.” She started taking small steps with her hooves that I mirrored, though it was incredibly awkward. As we did this a string quartet appeared out of nowhere and started playing, though they didn’t get to play very long as the music fell apart with our dancing. I heard Flim shout “Fist of Tebigong” before the ground shook and we both fell. I growled at Flim before firing the eye in his direction, except they only used it as a laser light show accompaniment to their horrible dance. I was about to swing at them with the Third Arm Sash as well when I felt something tug at my collar. I turned to see Luna’s horn lit up before she nodded above us. Guess the showdown was willing to take quantity over quality as Flim and Flam were already half way there while Luna and I had barely gotten off the ground. “Well what do we do? I can barely dance without Flim getting in the way.” Luna seemed to think for a moment before an idea came to her. She placed her hooves back on my shoulders. “Your training requires grace and balance, correct? Use it.” I rose an eyebrow at her before she groaned. “Just do it.” The string quartet started again, and our pony/human hybrid of ballroom dancing began just as awkwardly as before. Use my training? That makes no sense. It’s not like I can go through martial arts forms in dance… right? Curious, I tried a stance with my legs before going through the motions, though my hands did not move from holding Luna. Oddly enough things started to feel natural, the two of us spinning about the floor. “See?” she smirked. “Not that hard is it?” I opened my mouth to speak but Flim got to it first. “Fist of Tebigong!” I was quicker to react this time, throwing Luna into the air before I flipped away from the crack created in the ground. I landed just in time to catch Luna before dipping her below me. She seemed kind of shocked at my reaction time but recovered with a small smile. “You learn quickly.” I just smirked as I pulled her back up to our original position. We both glanced at the meters to see that our little flip move had caught us up big time. “Think we can wrap this up quickly?” I asked as we looked back at each other. “Perhaps. Depends if that stumbling boy I first met is still in there.” “I guess we’ll see.” We spun about a bit more before calling “Third Arm Sash.” The belt moved up and grabbed one of Luna’s hooves, twirling her clockwise before coming back the other way. I wrapped my arms around her barrel with her back to me, holding her there for a moment before letting her go to twirl again. This time though I dropped the Eye of Dashi, calling its name so as to add to our final move. When Luna twirled back to me this time, I reached down and swept her off her hooves, holding her bridal style as lightning sprayed behind us. Luna and I looked at each other as the meter above us rang out. The room changed back to the ballroom it once was, the brothers now Wu-less and fleeing. I was too distracted to notice any of this though, my focus on the sapphire eyes locked on me in return. Luna cleared her throat, snapping me from my daze. “Ahem, Allan. You can put me down now.” I immediately snapped out of my Xiaolin Dragon zone and blushed hard, nearly dropping Luna before I could put her down. I looked around to see the Ponyville girls, the nobles, Dojo, Spike, and even Celestia all looking at us with varying expressions. That did not help my cool at all, the feeling of wanting to hide my face increasing ten fold as Luna giggled. “So that boy is still there under all the training and muscle.” Those words only made me shrink further as she began to walk away. “Good. I rather liked that boy.” I felt a little of my courage return, just enough to look back at the crowd. The girls were mainly wearing faces of shock except for… Rarity? Where was she? I could have sworn I just saw her. Anyway, Spike seemed happy about something while Dojo was making kissy faces at me which I returned with a growl. The nobles I couldn’t care less about, but Celestia was the one I was confused about. She was giving me a simple smile, though in her case I couldn’t help but feel it was more than that. I rose an eyebrow at her before she turned and addressed nobles about the mess. I could already hear a few of them grumbling about ‘their’ event being ruined by me. How they made that leap in logic I will never know. Dojo slithered over to me before taking his spot on my shoulder. “Still gonna tell me you aren’t sweet on the princess?” I rose a hand to swat at him before dropping it with a sigh. “What? Don’t think it will work? She’s clearly into you as well.” “It’s not that. I just don’t want to make her job worse. Anyway, we need to get all this Wu in my scroll pronto.” I made sure the Eye of Dashi, Mantis Flip Coin, and Falcon’s Eye were put away in various pockets before letting the Third Arm Sash grab the Fist of Tebigong, now changed to fit a human rather than a pony. As we stepped outside, Dojo leapt off my shoulder and grew to full size. “Make her job worse? How would you do that?” I jumped on Dojo’s back and we took off, heading toward Ponyville. “You saw how the nobles reacted to me. Most of them ignored me at first, and now all of them blame me for what Flim and Flam did. They see me as the root of all the Shen Gong Wu problems. Luna already said she was getting a lot of basura from them because of her sudden reinstatement as princess. Add dating me into the mix and you’ve got a storm of mierda no one would want to weather through.” “You sure she wouldn’t try? She doesn’t seem to really care about the nobles either way.” I glanced back at the castle before sighing and laying back, hands behind my head. “No. She would. That’s what I’m afraid of though.” We let the conversation die off there as I watched the night sky fly by.