I nervously strolled into the Carousel Boutique. My big premiere had finally arrived. All the mares were busy prepping their makeup and fine tuning their gowns for opening night. Rainbow Dash slipped on some gladiator boots and tediously brushed her hair back. Rarity carefully adjusted her crown around her horn while checking herself for blemishes inside the mirror. Fluttershy happily sat next to Applejack, attentively braiding her tail on the floor. Twilight cheerfully carried a small cosmetics kit over to the mirror by the stool.
"Ready for the big event, Moonlight?" Twilight asked.
"Almost. I just need to suit up now." I approached the mirror by Rarity. "Do you happen to have it ready for me?"
"Yes, it's right over here." Rarity tread over to the closet in her glass slippers and unzipped the cover over my outfit on the clothesline. She pulled out the attire and slipped the sleeves over my hooves. The beautician then brushed my hair back with a comb from the counter and attached the vibrant tie around my shirt.
I comfortably straightened my tie around the collar and smiled at Rarity's reflection. "Thanks for the assist."
Pinkie Pie surprisingly jumped through the curtain. "I'm ready!"
"Already?" Fluttershy asked. "But we still won't leave for another hour or two."
Pinkie Pie declared, "Well yeah! I'm going with Moonlight to the Gala. I can't miss my debut."
Rainbow Dash tied a red hair band around the tip of her mane. "Your debut? Moonlight, do you know what she is talking about?"
Pinkie Pie probably didn't notice me rapidly shaking my head. I could actually feel the remnants of my plan crumbling in the wind right before my eyes. The pressure to evade telling the truth swelled inside me. All of my friends stared at me with their utmost curiosity. Unfortunately, my bouncing associate responded before I had time to think up what to say.
"You know, for the music show. I'm going to be hosting it!"
Twilight corrected, "You are hosting the show? The letter stated Moonlight was the host."
Applejack rose from her stool with a grin on her face. "That's funny. I don't remember you saying anything about Moonlight being the host."
"Me either," Rainbow Dash added.
Twilight put her hoof over her mouth. "Oops."
Shocked, Rarity exclaimed, "You are hosting the event? You should have told me sooner! Now I know you should have worn those diamond star cufflinks."
"Don't blame Twilight," I replied. "I was the one that wanted it to be a surprise."
Rainbow Dash glanced at Pinkie Pie. "Don't worry, Moonlight. We're not blaming you."
I shrugged my shoulders. There was nothing more I could do to salvage the pieces. At least they still didn't know who we enrolled into our little shindig. "Well, the event can still be a surprise. We cooked up quite a few things for you all."
Pinkie Pie blurted out, "It is going to be awesome. Moonlight is going to go up on stage and introduce-"
I quickly shoved my hoof in her mouth. "Quiet, Pinkie!"
Pinkie Pie smiled. As I slowly retracted my hoof, she whispered, " I gotcha'. That's part of the surprise."
I checked the current time from the clock on the wall. "Think we should get going, Pinkie?"
Pinkie Pie whipped her hair back. "Anytime you are ready, Moonlight."
Unbeknownst to my attention to detail, Rarity spotted something missing from our fervent pony's head. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Right." Pinkie Pie picked up the cutest little hat off from the counter. It was like a miniature chef's hat with a pink bow attached on the side. She plopped the adornment snuggly between the top of her mane and her left ear. "Can't forget that!"
"Wait, Moonlight," Twilight stated as we approached the door. "How are you two going to get over there?"
Outside were a couple pegasi standing ready with a chariot.
"Don't worry. Celestia already made the arrangements. We will see you down there."
I walked up to the chariot and bowed. "Ladies first."
Pinkie shouted, "Woho! Let's get this party started!"
The pegasi made their descent into the Canterlot Gardens.
"Look, Moonlight. It's Princess Celestia."
"I'm glad you could make it," she replied.
I walked off the cart. "I wouldn't let you down, Princess Celestia."
Pinkie Pie noticed the movers inside the ballroom. "I'll see if they need any help."
As soon as Pinkie Pie left, I saw Princess Celestia's face fill with discontent. "Is everything alright, princess?"
Celestia turned and looked towards the ballroom. "I hope everything does well tonight. I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something... important."
I followed Celestia into the ballroom. Pinkie Pie was jumping up and down next to the movers as they unloaded the equipment onto the stage. There was a large buffet table wrapping around the corner of the room. There were also a couple of smaller tables holding up Donut Joe's Donutopia and The Cake's Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness.
I said, "Looks like you have everything in order. How were you able to keep the cake in one piece?"
Princess Celestia pointed at Mrs. Cake exiting from the kitchen. "I had them come and make the cake down here."
Pinkie Pie hopped in front of me. "I think the movers got bored of me. They told me to come and entertain you instead."
Celestia pointed at the archway. "There she is."
Princess Luna landed inside the ballroom. "I hope I haven't missed anything."
Pinkie Pie rushed over to greet Princess Luna. "You arrived just in time."
I said, "Princess Luna! I didn't think you would come."
"You didn't think I would miss out on your big event now would you?"
At that moment, we were all startled by a loud sound from the stage.
"Sorry, princesses." Vinyl Scratch pulled off her headphones. "I was just testing the bass."
I said, "We better get into positions before the guests start arriving."
* * *
The stage was set. Pinkie Pie and I were waiting behind the curtain. I peaked my head out and looked around the room. The ponies were all gathered around in front of the stage. I pulled my head back behind the curtain. Sweat started pouring down my face.
"I don't think I can do this."
Pinkie replied, "Sure you can."
I looked at Pinkie Pie and saw her making all sorts of funny faces. "Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?"
"Warming up!"
I took a second look through the curtain. "I think they are ready for us to start."
I walked up to the microphone and tested to see if it was on.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, I would like to have your attention. Thank you all for coming. This year, you are in for a rare treat. It is my great pleasure to host the first annual Grand Galloping Gala music show."
The audience stomped their hooves in applause.
"First up in our event, I'd like to start things off with an act that will make you shake those groove-thangs. She is a silly filly who makes great cupcakes at Ponyville's very own Sugarcube Corner. Let's welcome, Pinkie Pie!"
As I returned back behind the curtain, I heard the audience whispering to each other. They were talking about what Pinkie Pie did last year. They are definitely going to be surprised by what Pinkie Pie has in store for them this year.
Pinkie Pie hopped up to the microphone and pulled it off the stand. "It is great to be here! First thing I'd like to do to start things off is to tell a joke."
I smacked my forehead.
"What kind of pony goes after dark?" Pinkie Pie paused for dramatic effect. "A nightmare!"
The audience wasn't too pleased.
"I guess you ponies were expecting something different. How about a song?"
Pinkie Pie pulled out her pig nose and tail and started singing.
First you jiggle your tail! Oink Oink Oink!
Then you wriggle your snout! Oink Oink Oink!
Then you wiggle your rump! Oink Oink Oink!
Then shout it out! Oink Oink Oink!
I smiled. Pinkie Pie was sticking to the original script I laid out for her.
Pinkie Pie stopped singing. The curtains pulled apart and revealed two large speakers. A platform flipped open on the stage. Vinyl Scratch and her DJ table rose from underneath. The crowd's eyes were glued on Vinyl.
"Let's spin this!"
Pinkie Pie started singing her song again. This time, electronic music poured out of the speakers. The ponies were astounded at how the music converged with Pinkie's singing.
Celestia walked up to me and shouted, "Do you think this is a bit much?"
A moment later, Luna walked up to Celestia and me. "Now this is a party."
After the music ended, the audience showed their appreciation in applauding. Pinkie Pie bowed and hopped over to Vinyl. As I approached the microphone, the curtain closed behind me.
"That was Pinkie Pie singing The Piggy Dance with our surprise guest, Vinyl Scratch. Please give us a few minutes to prepare for the next act. The buffet is to your right if any of you ponies get hungry."
I went behind the curtain and approached Pinkie Pie and Vinyl in mid-conversation.
Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "They loved it!"
"Awesome work, Pinkie." I raised my hoof into the air. "High one!"
Pinkie Pie tilted her head. "High what?"
Vinyl exclaimed, "High one!"
I slapped her hoof. "It was great for you to come, Vinyl."
"That was fun! My engineering really paid off. I knew they would love watching me come out from underneath the stage."
I said, "I love what you did to Pinkie's song."
"I call it Pinkie Wubs You."
"Nice."
I waited patiently until the band members gave me the sign to go back on stage.
I walked through the curtain and up to the microphone. "Thanks for being patient. The next act may have you shedding a tear. She is a professional when it comes to playing the cello and has a heart for the classics. Give it up for Octavia!"
The curtain was pulled as I turned around. On stage was a four-pony musical ensemble. They consisted of two cellists, a pianist, and a violinist.
While holding her cello, Octavia walked up to the microphone. "Our first song is dedicated to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
Octavia picked up her cello and carried it back to the other band members. The band played a nice smooth song.
After the song was over, Octavia announced her next song. "I would like to play this next song for our dear host, Moonlight Sonata."
Two of the band members rested their instruments. Octavia acknowledged to the pianist when she was ready. They surprised me by playing one of my favorite songs.
In the middle of the song, Pinkie Pie put her hoof over my shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Why?"
"You're crying."
I replied, "I always become emotional when it comes to a nice waltz."
After their song was over, the audience applauded. Octavia smiled and approached the microphone once again.
"Vinyl and I are good friends, but our taste in music couldn't be any more different. In her honor, I would like to try something a little different."
Vinyl watched carefully as Octavia and the other band members raised their instruments. The ensemble played a piece that was a little more upbeat in nature.
In the middle of the song, Pinkie Pie put her hoof over Vinyl's shoulder. "Are you crying?"
Vinyl wiped away a tear from her face. "No, I just had something in my eye."
When the song ended, the curtain closed, and I approached the microphone. "Wasn't Octavia great every pony? Coming up next, Princess Luna will be providing a little something special for you all, but first we are going to have a short recess."
I left the stage and walked over to the buffet table.
Before I could grab a donut, Twilight Sparkle interrupted me. "I have been enjoying the show you put together."
"Thanks, Twilight. I couldn't do it without..."
My thoughts drifted away as my eyes noticed a pegasus landing just outside the ballroom.
"Who is that?" I asked.
Twilight turned around and noticed the pegasus walking into the ballroom. "The one in the sky-blue dress? Don't recall ever seeing her before."
"She looks familiar."
The pegasus brushed back her green hair and tried to intermingle with the crowd.
"I still have a couple minutes," I said, "I'm going to go up to her and say hello."
I made my way through the crowd and tapped her on the back. "Tell me, have we met?"
She turned around and saw my face. She shrieked and launched herself out of the room.
"Wait!" I shouted, "I just wanted to know your name!"
I chased her to the garden area, but could only watch her fly off into the distance. My head dropped in disappointment. Before I could turn around and head back inside, I was distracted by a bright light coming from the library. Curious, I walked closer to get a better look. The light grew in intensity and blinded me. With my eyes closed, I felt a large gust of wind blow past me. I opened my eyes and noticed that the light had disappeared. Without turning my head, I slowly made my way back to the ballroom. When I turned my head, what I saw left me at a standstill.
"Nightmare Moon?"