//------------------------------// // Before the performance // Story: The Gala Rocks // by CrossRedstone //------------------------------// Teleportation sickness is something about half the participants who teleport for the first time experience. You get used to it, but as long as you're not, chances are, you're going to throw up after the first time. Such was the case of two of Sunset's friends, namely Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Since they couldn't exactly move around Ponyville without being noticed by somepony, Twilight long beforehand decided to teleport all of them to the train station. "Urgh, next time we take a cab." Rainbow commented. "Sorry, I should have warned you beforehoof. I just assumed it would be no problem, since my other friends didn't get teleportation sickness during their first time." Sunset and Rarity helped Fluttershy up to her hooves, while Pinkie Pie and Applejack did the same with Rainbow Dash. All five were still unstable when it came to more than just standing around, but at least Twilight would soon put them all back into their regular bodies. "Wouldn't a chariot be faster?" Sunset asked. "Normally yes, but Princess Celestia spends the rest of the evening in her garden, before going to the Gala. And we can't exactly spoil the surprise, now can we?" "Wait a minute. She doesn't KNOW we're coming?!" Calming down the frightened unicorn was no easy task. The others thought it would go away over time, but Sunset was still cowering in a corner of Twilight's private wagon, while the princess explained to the rest how the evening would proceed. At least she tried, but the gnashing of Sunset's teeth was very loud and thus very distracting. "Seriously are she and Celestia in that bad terms?" Rainbow Dash asked in a whisper, so that Sunset wouldn't hear it. "I don't know, since I never saw it my place to ask something like this. And I think we should respect Sunset's wishes. If she wants to share the story with us, she will do it when she is ready and if not, then not." Twilight replied. The others nodded in agreement, turning towards the mare. "I'm sorry, but I really need to go now. Take care of her, alright? I'll get you, when it's time. Ask the staff if you need anything." with those words, Twilight. Fluttershy couldn't bear seeing her cute friend trembling anymore and decided to walk over to Sunset. The quivering mare didn't look up. Gently the high school pony placed herself next to Sunset and put a wing over the unicorn's back. Instinctively the mare flinched a little, until she could feel the comfortable warmth radiating off the pegasus' body. Sunset wrapped her forelegs around her friend's body, still trembling. "I can't do this Fluttershy. She's going to throw me into the dungeon! Send me to the moon! Or worse! She's going to send you with me to the moon, because she thinks I'm trying to replace Twilight and her friends with you guys!" The other four gave each other a look, while Fluttershy held Sunset's head in her forelegs. "Ah never thought ah'd see her lose it." AJ commented dryly. "Oh dear, maybe we should give her our support. The poor darling looks like she's ready to burst into tears." Rarity trotted over to her friend and rather awkwardly wrapped her left foreleg around her friend. "There, there, darling. Everything is going to be alright. If your princess Celestia is anything like our principal Celestia, then she will have forgiven you already. Especially since Twilight most likely told her about the important role YOU took, when we faced off against the sirens." Sunset looked up, a little hope appearing on her face. Pinkie jumped from behind, hugging Sunset from the back. Rolling their eyes, AJ and Rainbow followed their friends, a smile gracing their faces. Secretly all of them thought that this was very comfortable, with their fur rubbing off each others bodies. Maybe being a pony wasn't so bad. The moment was interrupted by somepony knocking at the door. One of the hoofmaidens at the castle stepped into the room, looking non-plussed at the display in front of her, while the others blushed furiously. "Greetings, travelers. My name is Honey Due. Princess Twilight asked me to be your hoofmaiden for this evening. I have been briefed about the special circumstances you came to visit the castle of the royal pony sisters. I hope you will enjoy your stay at this wonderful place and wish you all the best of luck for the evening performance." The maid bowed to the six. "Damn, it's almost like she's a robot." Dash whispered to the others. "It just shows her professionalism." Rarity replied. "Now then, is there any way I can help you?" Honey Due asked. "Perhaps you wish for some refreshments? Maybe something from the banquet?" "Sounds awesome! I'm starved!" Rainbow exclaimed, hovering in mid-air and rubbing her belly. The others gave her a disapproving look. "Please excuse my friend's rather rude behavior." Rarity stepped forward, but Honey Due shook her head. "It is no problem, Miss Rarity. Our world's Rainbow Dash is simply the same. I will bring you a little selection of what our kitchens have to offer tonight. If you would excuse me." The maid bowed and left. "Huh, guess Twilight briefed her personally." Sunset thought aloud. "Feeling better?" Fluttershy asked with a smile plastered on her face. "Yes, thank you girls. I don't know what I would do without you girls." "Aw, don't worry Sunny." Pinkie was still clinging on the mare from behind. For some reason Sunset didn't notice this until now. "Even if you get send to the moon, we'll help you settle in. We help you build a house, completely made of moon rocks, then we'll have a housewarming party, a goodbye Sunset Shimmer party, a Welcome Back Sunset Shimmer party, after we break you out of course and then-" Sunset put a hoof on Pinkie's mouth, before one of the guards possibly heard the crazy mare. They took their job very seriously, even if they were a little dense at times. Must be part of the job description. Honey Due came back five minutes later, with three of her colleagues and four trays filled with various foods and drinks. "I am very sorry for the rather small selection, but not all of the staff has been informed about you, since it is supposed to be a surprise. I hope you enjoy the meal never the less."