//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 "Fall Formal Part 1" // Story: Equestria Guardians // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Chapter 10 “Fall Formal Part 1” Or “Dancing through High School Life” Private drove nervously up to Twilight’s home. He drove his rather simple black car into the driveway. He then stepped out of it, adjusting the tie he was wearing on his simple suit. He silently thanked the heavens that he didn’t go with his mom’s option of wearing a flashy suit straight out of the 80s. He took a deep breath, took the small bouquet of flowers in his hands, walked up to the doorbell and pushed it. The door was thrown open and an older woman with a strong resemblance to Twilight, but with blue and very light blue two-toned hair, stood there beaming at him. “Why hello, there!” she said. never losing her smile. “You must be Private. You’re just as handsome as she’d been saying. Twilight’s upstairs taking care of a few finishing touches, and be down in a minute. Please, do come in.” “Uh, thanks, Mrs. Sparkle.” He replied politely, stepping inside with Velvet. The pair stood by the stairs awaiting Twilight to come down. “You... raised an amazing daughter if you don’t mind me saying…” “Oh, she could be a handful, sometimes, but the smart ones can be, you know. Oh, It seems like only yester-” Velvet started, when a shout from upstairs interrupted her. “MOM! The last thing Private wants to hear about is my babyish shenanigans!” Twilight yelled, as she came rushing down the stairs to prevent any matronly stories. She was dressed on a fuchsia strapless dress that had two white stripes and one lavender stripe in between them, close to her waist, with a white bow. The dress had three ruffled layers that weren’t overdone at all, unlike Rarity’s earlier works and earlier designs for a ‘princess dress’. The top ruffle was decorated with a trio of six pointed stars in white and purple. The middle ruffle was decorated with a pair of thin stripes, one in lavender, and one in white. The bottom ruffle was simply plain. Twilight wore matching high-heeled lace-up boots to go with the dress. Private ended up looking like a deer in headlights as Twilight walked down the stairs. He tried to muster up some speech filled with flattery and adoring words. But all he could come up with in the end was…”Wow…” “Uhm… Hi,” Twilight said, blushing. “Oh! Oh! Stand beside each other! I must get pictures!” Velvet gushed, grabbing her nearby camera. Twilight came down and stood by Private demurely, still kind of apprehensive about wearing such a nice dress. Rarity had really gone all out, even though she had heroically held herself back from adding too much ruffles and lace. Private was just as apprehensive for a different reason. But he simply put the flowers in Twilight’s hands and pulled her in close for the many pictures Velvet had them take. The first few were a little awkward but after a while a familiar sort of comfort came between them. They learned to relax and enjoy one another’s company. “Oooooh… This is such a beautiful moment,” Velvet gushed. “Where’s Spike? I was going to offer him a ride too,” Private commented after some pictures. “He’s already asleep, poor dear. He’s been doing all sorts of odd jobs around town, because he got this fire in him all of the sudden, and he needed to earn a lot of money for something very special,” Velvet said looking upstairs. “I know he really wanted to go to the Fall Formal, too. Should I go and see if he’s awake enough to go?” “Mom, it’s okay I can go,” Spike said, coming down in a suit of his own. “I wouldn’t want to miss it.” “Okay, I’ll take them in my car, Mrs. Sparkle,” Private offered. “Thank you, dear,” Velvet said with a smile. “Have fun, you three.” “Uh, Spike what’s with those notes?” Twilight said, seeing some notes coming out of Spike’s pockets. “Oh, when I told Shining Armor you guys were going to the fall formal, he left me some suggestions on what to do if I catch any ‘funny business’,” Spike said with a smirk. “Ugh…” Twilight groaned. “Overprotective brother is overprotective…” “Let’s get going then,” Private said as Twilight left the flowers with Velvet. The trio went out to Private’s car, Private politely opened the door for Twilight. He smirked and said, “After you Milady…” “Why thank you, kind sir,” Twilight said with a small curtsey, before getting in. “Geez,” Spike groans. “I’d tell you two to get a room, but Shining classifies that as funny business.” ___________________________________________________________________ The whole of Canterlot High was celebrating the Fall Formal. The gym had been decorated to the nines with streamers, balloons, and small arrangements of harvest-styled vegetables such as pumpkins and multicolored ears of corn with the shucks decoratively tied together. High above, a disco ball sent little motes of light dancing across the floor and walls. Students were out on the gym floor dancing or at the refreshment table getting snacks or punch. Off to the side, dressed in a severe looking purple top and blue slacks was the new Vice Principal, Luna. She was chaperoning the Formal, and making sure that no shenanigans occurred on her watch. Luna, herself, was not quite sure what Celestia meant when she told her to watch for “shenanigans”, but she would put a stop anything that seemed even remotely suspicious. Speaking of suspicious… Luna quickly went over to the two girls in the middle of the dance floor. They were dancing so close they may as well be one person. “Ahem,” Luna said, tapping shoulder of the girl with the mint and white hair. “Don’t you two think you’re dancing a bit too close?” Lyra and Bon Bon quickly separated from one another. “Oh! Vice Principal Luna!” Lyra said. “We’re totally sorry,” Bon Bon said. “We both just got caught up in the music and...well…” “Well be more careful, next time. Also… I’m sure your dates wouldn’t appreciate how… close the two of you were dancing, either,” Luna chastised. “Dates?” Bon Bon said. “Oh, we didn’t actually get dates, Vice Principal Luna,” Lyra explained. “Every guy we asked either had a date, wasn’t going, or for some reason suggested we should go together.” “We’ve been best friends since forever,” Bon Bon said happily, “so we ended up going together. I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Fall Formal than with my best friend.” “Right with ya, Bonnie,” Lyra added with a giggle. “‘Best friend’. Of course… Just… watch it, you two. There are Freshmen here, after all. You have to set a good example,” Luna said, before going back to her station, rolling her eyes at how painfully obvious yet completely oblivious those two were. Meanwhile at the turntables, Vinyl Scratch was dropping some sick beats for the school. The aspiring DJ was so in the zone it took somebody taking her glasses off to pull her out of it. She looked up and saw another girl holding her shades, looking quite cross. She was… rather pretty, with violet eyes, and long straight black hair. Her dress was a light pink, with a flowing skirt. Sleeveless, but with a Peter Pan collar that provided a nice backdrop for the slightly darker pink bow tie she wore around her neck. “Heeey, sup Tavi.” Vinyl said with a grin. “Come to watch me drop some awesome bass like there’s no tomorrow?” “I am not here to see the dropping of any bass.” Octavia said, crossing her arms. “I had hoped you took my suggestion of adding some class to this soiree!” “If that means add those songs that put me to sleep, then I just want ya to know I tossed them out.” Vinyl said casually. “WHAT?! Why would you DO that?! I would not have minded if you had added… ugh… beats to them!” Octavia uttered. “Yeah, like I’m really going to add beats to stuff my grandma used to listen to,” Vinyl said with a laugh. “Look Val Genie, will you give me my shades back?” “Ugh… Fine,” Octavia uttered, handing them over. “Seriously, Vinyl, would it hurt you to step out of your comfort zone? There are cello covers of rock and metal songs, I don’t see why there can’t be dubstep remixes of classical music.” “Out of my comfort zone...well I could always try…” Vinyl began. “For the last time you are not streaking during a performance!” Octavia yelled. “I never felt so free....” Vinyl said longingly. “Yes, and you would also feel so expelled if you tried it,” Octavia quipped. “And I would be terribly terribly bored if you weren’t here…” “If I didn’t know any better Octy, I’d say you actually like having me around…” Vinyl said with a grin. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Octavia declared, glaring at Vinyl. “As if I’d care for an uncouth ruffian like you!” She growled, and stomped off. Vinyl laid back and grinned. “Oh yeah, she digs me.” ______________________________________________________ Sunset kneeled backstage behind the school’s stage, pouring over one of the books she stole from Celestia’s private stores. She furiously moved through the pages. “I can’t lose to her...no I can’t...there has to be something in here!” She turned to a page, and grinned. “Yes...oh Twilight Sparkle, you and your pathetic friends will pay for trying to challenge me…” _________________________________________________________ Twilight was obviously quite awkward when it came to dancing. She was very self-conscious about where she put her feet, and came close to stepping on Private’s toes several times during the night. “Yeah, this? So not a good idea,” Twilight observed, blushing. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I could barely dance.” “I think it’s just cause you’re thinking too hard about it,” Private said, patiently dancing with her. “Dancing isn’t something you should think too hard about, you gotta just let the music grip you and let your body do the rest.” “Since when did you become a dance instructor?” Twilight asked, laughing a little. “I had to suffer through my fair share of dancing classes back when I was a kid. Had to make an impression at big fancy parties,” Private said, rolling his eyes at the memories. “Haven’t seen Sunset all night,” Twilight observed worriedly. “I haven’t either, maybe she’s off facing a witching hour? She’s a guardian like us after all…” Private said thoughtfully. “I doubt it… She… was pretty intent upon winning this crown,” Twilight said apprehensively. “So I’m a bit worried.” Private looked on Twilight’s apprehension, then simply pulled her into a dip. “Hey, don’t worry about all that, for now it’s just you and me so let’s have a good time okay?” “Whoa! Private,” Twilight laughed. “I guess… I just worry that she’s going to try something drastic.” “Don’t forget, we’ve faced drastic before…” “I know I know,” Twilight said, shaking her head. “But we’re talking an entitled brat who thinks she can hold the entire set of Elements, herself. She only wants the power, and not the responsibility. Never mind thinking she deserves to rule the school because she is oh-so-much better than everybody else. Ugh. Okay I’ll stop talking about her for now, and try to have a good time… I just hope nothing happens.” Private smiled, and looked to make sure Luna wasn’t looking when he laid a kiss on Twilight. He kept his smile afterwards. “That help a little?” “Wow you were bold!” Twilight gasped, blushing. “And... yeah, it did.” “Glad to be of service…” He said, “Milady...” Off to the side Luna was smiling to herself at just how cute a couple Private and Twilight made. She had seen the kiss, but she had chosen not to see it. Overt things like dancing too close, bumping, grinding, and that sort of thing she’d call people out on. A cute kiss between a sweet couple that was otherwise following the rules? That she could let slide. _______________________________________________________ Big Mac walked in with Fluttershy at his side. The big guy was on cloud nine just being here with the girl of his dreams, and was about to walk out onto the dance floor when he felt Fluttershy hesitate. “O-oh m-my,” she uttered, clinging close to him, staring out at the crowded dance floor. “Shy are you alright?” Big Mac said, stopping to look back at her. “So m-many people,” Fluttershy murmured. “I-I don’t like being…” He smiled in understanding, and simply took Fluttershy off to the side, far away from the crowds of dancers. He held her tenderly, dancing with her as the perfect gentleman. “Ah got’cha Shy, ya don’t need tah be ‘fraid no more…” “Oh… thank you so much, Mackey,” Fluttershy murmured, smiling up at him happily. Sitting by herself at a table nearby was Rainbow. She watched Fluttershy having a great time with Big Mac. She smirked as she thought it was about time they got together. She was also totally not imagining herself and Raiden dancing with each other no sir... She sighed though. “But why is it that Fluttershy and Twilight get the dependable ones, and I get…” “Sup babe.” “That…” Rainbow grumbled. Raiden did not take Private’s route of just wearing a sensible suit. He wore a black and yellow suit that was designed to get attention. He looked over at Rainbow as she was about to take off. “Wait! Babe hold on! About that jam session…” “What about it? I’ll admit it was fun, sure,” Rainbow said with a shrug. “But you totally stole my first kiss…” “Hey I have to take what shots I can,” Raiden said with his grin. “So, whaddya say to a dance?” “You going to NOT try and grab my butt?” Rainbow asked, eyeing him with a frown. “Well, unless you want me too,” He said, shrugging. “It is a nice butt.” “Thanks, but not on the first date, pal,” Rainbow snarked, getting up. “Fine. One dance.” Raiden grinned, and took Rainbow’s hand as they headed out to the dance floor. On the other side, Pinkie and Swarm just stepped into the gym. Swarm looked around at the chaotic scene before him. “I can... smell joy, adrenaline, ecstasy, and love all in one spot...it’s like a cocktail of emotions…” He looked over at Pinkie. “Is this some sort of human mating ritual?” “It’s a dance, silly billy. A kind of big party the school holds during certain times of the year,” Pinkie explained with a giggle. “Dancing...the art of moving one's body to music and rhythm,” Swarm said, recalling the words he absorbed from Pinkie’s memory. “I’m afraid I have no idea how to do it…” He said, and then watched as Pinkie gently took his hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you,” Pinkie said smiling at him, and pulling him out onto the floor. “Nevermind the memories will be coming to you… All the ambient emotion should fill you right up, too.” Swarm went onto the dance floor and was soon caught in the wonderful art known as dance. He would end up very full after tonight. Spike was sitting at a nearby chair, watching Private and Twilight dancing. “Well, beyond a kiss I don’t think Shining has anything to worry about,” He said to himself. “Spikey-wikey, what are you doing?” Rarity said as she walked up to Spike. “I was just uuuuuuhhhh…” Spike’s brain stopped upon seeing Rarity in her own blue ruffled Fall Formal dress. He blushed brightly at the sight of her, unable to even formulate words. Rarity had done quite a good job on her dress. She had taken inspiration from everybody else’s dresses, and had gone for elegant simplicity. It was a single-shoulder baby blue dress with two layers of ruffles, and a half ruffle between them. The material, however, had the barest dusting of shimmery sparkles, like barely visible gemstones. Rarity’s boots, on the other hand, were simply white with baby pink trim, and decorated with a pair of blue diamond shaped gemstones. “Why don’t you leave those two alone and come dance with me, Spikey Wikey?” Rarity asked, holding out her hand to the younger man. “M-me..?” He said, “But I’m shorter and I’d be an inconvenience and I’d be face to face with your um...neckline.” “Thank you for being so considerate, Spikey Wikey, but I don’t mind. I would enjoy dancing with you, darling,” Rarity said smiling warmly. Spike was about to protest but found his hand being taken by Rarity as she took him out to the dance floor. They did get their fair share of looks, but Rarity didn’t care anymore. She wanted to dance with this remarkable young man, social stigma or no. Spike was just too busy trying to comprehend the fact Rarity was holding his hand. Rarity guided his hand to her waist, and she put her hand in his shoulder, taking his hand. She then began to dance with him to the music. Spike danced along with her, trying desperately not to freak out, step on her toes, or look anywhere but up at those gorgeous sapphire eye she adored so much. Aj sat alone at a table, casually sipping punch as she watched the pair. “Even you, huh Rares? Ah knew Ah shouldn't've gotten mah hopes up...just how thangs are Ah guess..” “May I sit here?” came a rather stern-sounding masculine voice. Applejack looked up and saw a young man. He was tall, muscular, with short auburn hair, and a face that looked like it would crack if he changed expression. He held himself stiffly, as if unable to do anything but be at attention. Aj stared back at him, suddenly feeling all shy and flustered, “Oh uh, go right ahead, partner. Ah dun mind.” “Thank you,” he said, and sat down. Upon getting a good look at her, however, he did a double take and stared, his expression slightly awed. “Uh, name’s Applejack,” Aj said rather awkwardly. “Ah ain’t seen you round ere, ya new?” “Yes. Just transferred. Canterlot High, apparently, has an excellent ROTC program,” He replied. “... And… I am called Applesnack…” Aj just smiled. “Well it wouldn’t be right neighborly of me not to welcome ya…” She said, and then rubbed her hands nervously. “Listen, could ya, do me a favor? See mah friend near threw a fit about me bein’ dateless tonight. Wouldja..mind fillin tha role, ifin ya don’t have one already?” “Nobody asked you?” Applesnack asked. “Nah, tween me workin’ mah tail off and bein rather, well homely,” Aj admitted. “Ah’m jus by mahself tahnight..” “You’re not homely,” Applesnack said simply. “Come again?” Aj said, caught off guard. “You are not homely,” Snack said again. “Whoever said you was a damn fool.” Aj chuckled. “Rather blunt aint’cha?” “Yes,” Snack said. That was, apparently, all he felt needed to be said. “Well then, if Ah ain’t homely then what am Ah, sug?” Aj asked, a little bit of pink coming to her freckled cheeks. “You’re beautiful,” Applesnack said. “It isn’t your fault if some people are too dumb to appreciate it.” Aj blushed brightly, playing with her hair a little. “Now, yer jus sayin’ thangs tah sweet talk me into dancin’…” She chuckled a little in embarrassment. She then remembered something similar that a dear friend had said to her: “However, the one thing that makes me positively green with envy is your natural beauty. You are beautiful, both inside and out.” “I would like to dance with you,” Applesnack said with a smile that looked like it was in very unfamiliar territory. “Would you like to dance?” Aj smiled back, and stood up alongside him. “Only if ya can keep up, sug…” “Challenge accepted.” For the first time in Canterlot High History...Aj took a feller onto the dance floor… ____________________________________________________ The dance eventually wound down. The music stopped at one point and on the stage stood Principal Celestia. She smiled as she spoke into the mike. “Thank you all for helping make this evening a night to remember. First off let’s give a round of applause to Vinyl Scratch who was generous enough to provide the music for tonight!” There was a polite round of applause, though there was always someone in every crowd that just had to go: “WHOOOOOOOOO!” “You might want to dial it back a little, Hans,” Celestia said amused. “Whooooo…” “Anyways, now is the moment we have all been waiting for,” Celestia said, holding up an envelope. “We have finished tallying all the votes for this year’s Fall Formal Princess.” The crowd hushed in quiet anticipation. Rainbow crossed her fingers. Twilight shifted nervously...nobody knew where Sunset was. “This year’s Fall Formal Princess is…” Celestia slowly opened the envelope, and looked at the contents, trying to hide a huge grin. “TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” There was an explosion of cheering from the crowd, and of course the unseen Hans just had to go: “WHOOOOOOO!” Rainbow threw a fist into the air shouting “YEAH!” “Yeeee-HAAAAAA!” Applejack whooped, swinging her hat around, before planting it back on her head, and clapping like crazy. Twilight just stood there, stunned, a hand over her heart and a huge smile on her face, before she made her way onstage to accept the crown from Principal Celestia. “Well… Twilight just proved that the students, here, wanted someone other than a bully to win the crown,” Rarity said to Spike, an arm around his shoulders. Before Twilight could take the crown however, a punch bowl was knocked over. The startling sound silencing the entire room. There stood Sunset Shimmer glaring at Twilight. “You dare...take what’s mine again!?” She yelled, stomping through the crowd towards the stage. “I didn’t take it. I didn’t steal it. I won it. By not being a bully, by not using threats. I gave the people an alternative to you, and they chose me. Not you,” Twilight retorted. “No...you won’t win...you can’t win...I’m the only one who’s supposed to have it…” Sunset said, a touch unhinged. “I’ll prove it...I’ll make everything right…” Her hands suddenly glowed brightly, almost singeing passersby. “SUNSET, DON’T!” Celestia yelled. “I’m done with you holding me back from my glory, you relic…” Sunset growled. “I will make everything the way it should be…” She raised her hands and a complicated magical circle appeared below her feet. “ULTIMATE ELEMENT HOUR SPELL!!!” “NO!!!” Celestia yelled, as a bright light consumed everything…. BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG!