//------------------------------// // Grand Galloping Gala - WOP // Story: World of Ponies: A Collection of Days // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// Castus took slow breathes as he paced back and forth between the line of people before him in the entrance hall of Canterlot's Royal Ball Room of the Grand Galloping Gala. In a few short moments, they would be entering into unknown waters that would be navigated carefully and with delicate skill. He turned to the four other people waiting beside him as they waited for the couriers to announce their presence. "Okay. One more time." He said, giving his best smile. All four of the others groaned. "Castus. You are worrying too much." Marcus, Emperor of the Empire of Man, said calmly to his friend as he moved to place a hand on his shoulder, "We went over this seventy three times already." "One more can't hurt!" Castus snapped, eye twitching before taking a calming breath, "Sorry." "Very well." Marcus said. "Now," Castus started, "Remember, when we get in there. Act polite. Don't cause any fights. And please, for the love of god, don't kill anyone!" He addressed the last sentence to two individuals in particular. "So long as no ponies try to stab me, I won't." Garrick, a young Lord Hunter elected to lead his clan after the war, and one of the youngest ever put into that position, said with a puff of air blowing up to his hair. He fidgeted in his clothes, adorn in the white, gold colors of the empire in a overcoat, vest and pants. "No promises." Hana, another young lord hunter, or in this case Lady Huntress. In fact, she was the first woman ever to hold that position and had proven herself worthy of it to any doubters both in her skills as a warrior and in the number of jaws she had broken. Valen sighed, "I'll try to keep them in my sights." "Don't kill anyone. This has to go perfect, because if we can show to these stick up their asses nobles and dignitaries that we are more then just the barbarians they see us as, we secure our position as a sovereign power. So behave!" Castus growled, giving them all a hard look. All four nodded. Castus sighed and rubbed his head, trying to banish the headache. At least he hadn't had to worry about the clothes, but having a rising star in the fashion industry of Equestria had its advantages. Though after the work that Rarity had gone through to get Garrick and Sara's measurements he was sure that he owed the unicorn mare at least seventy new favors. 'I'm never getting out of debt to her am I?' He thought somewhat grimly. "Announcing the Emperor Marcus of the Empire of Man and his entourage!" A voice of a court courier called. "There's a signal. As we practiced." Castus whispered and all five of them got into place. Marcus and Castus went first, with Garrick and Sara following with Valen at the rear, so he could keep his eyes on the two young Lords and help keep them out of trouble. Castus hoped he had confiscated every knife those two had. At least Valen had willingly given up his, but he had to force Garrick and Sara. Still, all doubts and fears aside, Castus and Marcus entered into the entrance hall to the castle, looking grand in their formal wear. Their group ascended the stairs, where Princess Celestia, Luna and Twilight stood to greet them. "Welcome Emperor Marcus. Ambassador Castus. We are glad you and yours could attend this Gala." Celestia greeted them with a small smile. "Indeed. We are glad to repay the hospitality you once showed us." Luna said, offering her hoof out. Marcus took it and gentle placed a kiss on the hoof, before letting it go. "It is an honor to be here Princesses." Marcus said with a bow of his head. "Indeed." Castus said, bowing his head to Celestia and Luna, before offering his hand out to Twilight. Twilight smiled, a faint blush on her cheeks and offered her hoof out to Castus, who took it and placed a kiss upon it as well. Along with a slight flow of the Wind, making Twilight shiver slightly ad blush harder. She pulled her hoof back, and gave him a look that made Castus smirk a bit. Valen, Garrick and Sara, all bowed their heads to the princesses, before following Castus and Marcus into the central hall. As he passed, Castus leaned in to whisper to Twilight, "See you in there soon?" Twilight smiled and nodded before whispering, "The girls are already inside. Go say hello, I know Fluttershy will be glad to dance with you. You look very handsome." "And you look gorgeous. I hope to dance with you as well." Castus whispered back before giving Twilight a wink and moving off to the central hall. "Okay. That went well." Castus whispered with a sigh of relief. "See. Relax." Marcus said with a nod. "I'll relax when we are all home." Castus said, looking around as they entered the hall and all eyes turned on them. Despite the confidence in his voice, even Marcus wilted slightly against the stares before remembering words that Luna had shared with him and straightened and did his best to look confident. Castus also cleared his throat and straightened as he cast a glance about. While Castus and Marcus were more adapet in dealing with the pressures of such a gathering, it was Garrick and Sara who tensed up, hands sliding to weapons they did not have on instinct. Even Valen felt like prey suddenly, but he took a calming breath and used the calming practices that Castus had showed him during his first days of learning to use the Wind. Valen placed a hand on Sara and Garrick's shoulders and shook his head. The two young lord hunters looked at Valen before frowning and nodding, their bodies loosening up...if only by the slightest fraction. "Remember. Don't kill anyone." Castus whispered behind him. Sara and Garrick merely huffed. "Castus! Over here!" Castus looked, as did all others, and to his not at all surprised eyes, he saw Pinkie Pie at a table with the others girls. She was practically standing on the table, waving him over. Leave it to Pinkie to have no sense of grace at an event like this. Then his eyes made out Fluttershy at the table, and he smiled. A push against his shoulder made him look to Marcus, who merely smirked and nodded toward the table. Castus looked around, then at Valen who nodded, and Castus nodded back. "Just remember-" He started. "We know." Marcus, Valen, Sara and Garrick all whispered. Castus blushed slightly, before moving off from the group to head to the table where his wife and friends were. Marcus smiled and watched, before looking around. "I suppose we should....what do they call it? Mingling?" He asked. Sara, Valen and Garrick merely shrugged. 'Something's going to happen. Something's going to happen. Oh I know something bad is going to happen.' Castus thought, casting glances to Marcus and the others. Each step further away making him feel he had less control over a delicate situation. He hated not having control. But as he grew closer to Fluttershy and the others, his mind went from worry to wonder. There, standing to greet him, Fluttershy looked radiant like a star standing in her ball gown. A forest green color shoulder less dress, that helped make her seem a forest sprite or dryad queen. His eyes were glued to her, and a soft blush came to her face as he drew closer. "You look lovely." He said softly to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her to a kiss. Fluttershy met his lips with a delicate, shy eagerness. And it was only a slight cough from the other girls that ended the kiss. "Hey, keep your shirt on big boy." Rainbow Dash chuckled. Fluttershy and Castus both blushed and Castus chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "S-sorry. It's good to see you all. You all look great." Castus said, as Fluttershy motioned for a seat between hers and an empty seat. Twilight's Castus guessed. Castus sat on the chair between the two, and he slid his hand across Fluttershy's leg to hold her hoof. "Oh thank you Castus. I think these are some of my best this year," Rarity said with a smile, even as she let her eyes roam appreciatively over Castus "And I must say, you really wear your ensemble well." Castus chuckled uneasily, "Well I do owe you for making it, and for the others you made." "Oh think nothing of it." Rarity smiled. "So, whats the plan for tonight?" Castus asked. "Eh, I'm just waiting till Spitfire finds me for the show later tonight. I think Gilda is suppose to be here, so I might try to find her and talk a bit. Still can't believe she went through with it." Rainbow Dash said. "I think she'll be a great queen of Griffonstone," Pinkie said, "Sure she can be a grouchy pants, but anyone who can make scones like that has got to be good." Pinkie rubbed her stomach as she licked her lips, remembering those scones. "Eh, I never know what ta do at this hoity toity parties. I'll probably keep an eye on Applebloom and her friends. Last time she almost drowned in goo, and if this Gala's gonna be like any other then something bad is sure ta 'appen." Applejack said, chuckling slightly at the thoughts of the last few Gala's they had been too. From total chaos, to goo floods it seemed that anything that could happen here did. "Oh don't be such a bore Applejack," Rarity said, "I think I saw a certain military stallion about who might like a dance." Applejack looked at Rarity in shock before blushing, and Rarity and the others all giggled. "What about you Castus?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Well, I don't know really," Castus said, rubbing his chin in thought, before smiling and offering his hand to Fluttershy as he stood, "But perhaps I will see if a lovely mare will be willing to dance with me this evening." Fluttershy giggled and placed her hoof in Castus' hand, "I think she would." "Ugh, get a room you two." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes with a chuckle. Castus only smiled as he escorted Fluttershy out to the dance floor, slowly moving with her to the tone of a ball room song. "How are the girls?" Castus whispered as he danced with his wife. "I just hope mom will give them back when we get back home." Fluttershy giggled softly. The two kept up their dance till the song ended, and the two of them moved off for a drink. As they moved to the drinks table, Castus looked around. "Looking for someone?" Fluttershy asked. "Eh, I just want to try to keep an eye out for trouble. Two of the Lord hunters with me and Marcus are somewhat relatively new to the floor of politics." Castus said, "I want to avoid any...distrubances." "Why didn't you bring along people that were older?" Fluttershy asked. "They were the only ones willing to come." Castus sighed. "Oh." Fluttershy said, and the two cut the conversation off. "And maybe I'm just watching out for Discord." Castus said as they reached the drinks table and Castus took two glasses of wine and offered one to Fluttershy. "Hmm, I haven't seen Disord here yet. I know he was invited, but so far he hasn't even said hi." Fluttershy said, looking around curiously with a frown. "Probably up to some mischief." Castus said with a shrug. "Now is that anything to say about a friend." Two voice said, one Discords but the other more....feminine. Castus and Fluttershy gasped, and Castus wrapped an arm around Flutterhy as she clung to him, as something long slithered around their bodies. It was Discord's body, extended and stretched like a snakes to wrap around the two of them in some sort of hug. "Oh its so good to see you two." The duel voices of Discord and a female counterpart said, as his head appeared between the two. Or was it two heads. "Discord?" Castus said, confused, as he looked at one of the two heads that stared down at him and Fluttershy. One was Discord's head, but the other looked like a female version of Discord. As if one wasn't bad enough. "D-Discord, what happened to your head?" Fluttershy asked. "Oh this?" The two Discord heads said in unison, "Oh well you know how they say two heads are better then one. It certainly makes greeting ponies a lot easier." "Well cut it out. It's freaking me out." Castus said, not sure which head he was suppose to talk to. "You know, ponies have been telling me that all night." The Discord heads said, before fusing back into one. "Oh it's just so good to see you two. You look absolutely adorable." Discord said, hugging the two. "It's good to see you as well Discord." Fluttershy smiled, giving him a hug. Discord smiled, before releasing the two, "Well I would love to chat but I have something's to do." "What sort of things?" Castus asked. "Oh this. That. You know." Discord said dismissively as he walked off. Emperor Marcus, First of his name, Emperor of the Empire of Man, Protector of the Realm, The Hero of the Battle of Three Armies, walked amongst the halls of Canterlot Castle, surrounded by nobles of all sorts. Boars. Zebras. Griffons. Ponies. And even an odd creature called a kirin. He felt constricted, and an outsider despite the well made clothes and golden circlet upon his head. He was, to these creatures, not even an equal. He could tell by their cast sideway glances, the sniffing of their noses and the quick turn of their glances away and the general ignorance of his presence. He could not stand it. He was past youthful pride, but even he felt insulted by this. But he ignored it and kept walking, seeking only a place that he could relax. Every step had to be precise. Every movement of his body straight yet fluid like. He had to radiate power and authority even if he did not feel it. Eventually, he found himself standing at the railing of a balcony over looking the royal gardens of Canterlot. Below, he saw more ponies and other creatures mingling amongst the wide opening in the gardens. But on this balcony, Marcus saw that he was alone and he sighed in relief as he finally was able to escape the eyes of others. Despite what he had promised, Marcus could not bring himself to mingle long with these ponies. These Zebras. These Griffons. All of them nobles. All of them looking down upon him and his kind. Marcus held no doubts that while he wore a crown and robes, they saw only animal. He could not stay out here on this balcony forever though, he would have to mingle as it were eventually. Still, he could at least prepare himself for the indignity he was sure to face. He could only trust Valen could keep Garrick and Sara from lashing out, for they would all be feeling such shames. "Emperor Marcus. We are glad to see you could come." Marcus turned, hands reaching for a blade he did not have, but he softened and smiled as he saw the figure before him. Standing between the door leading out to the balcony, stood dressed in a midnight blue gown of glittering lights like stars, was the princess of the night herself. Princess Luna. Marcus felt a soothing air about her. He could trust Luna, to not look at him in a lesser eye. They understood each other in a way. "It is a honor to be here Princess Luna," Marcus said with a deep bow, "Know that I and my fellows nobles from the Empire are gracious to attend this Gala." Luna smiled and curtsied, "And it is an honor to have you here. Though you need not be so formal with us out here." "I don't think that would be proper." Marcus said, hesitant. Luna chuckled and stepped up to stand beside him, looking up at the night sky. "It is alright. It us just us two out here." Luna said with a smile as she looked at Marcus, "Besides, we shall both surely be given our fill of flattering social speech from shallow nobles. We can at least be plain spoken with each other. We are friends yes?" Marcus blinked, before smiling lightly, "Yes. If you do not mind being friends with a human." "Only if you do not mind being friends with a pony." Luna answered. The two chuckled, before looking out to the gardens. "Do you deal with this like all the time?" Marcus asked, looking down at the assortment of nobles. It was nothing like to the gatherings in the Empire. Here he could see whispered conversations and sometimes hear shaded language, hiding insult behind flattery. Flirtation and intrigue. Nothing at all like back home. They were plain spoken and open. Though the Lord Hunters always bowed and held him in regard, they were not afraid to call him a fool on policy. He did the same in kind, and not too often fights would break out among the younger members before either he or an older Lord Hunter had to smack their heads together. Sometimes warriors or people from the city would also stand in attendance in the Assembly Hall to listen, or call out their opinions on matters to their Lord Hunters. It was more simple. Though perhaps to others also barbaric. Perhaps it was, but Marcus felt he preferred it to this...duplicity of speech. "We deal with much like it. Though mostly it is our sister who faces the day to day chores of such pandering foolish ponies with too much money in their pockets." Luna said with a sigh, "To be honest, normally we do not attend these Gala's." "You don't?" Marcus asked, looking at Luna confused. "No," Luna said with a shake of her head, "The night is our time to see to our duties. Dreams that must be watched over and nightmares faced. As well, there are monsters that become more active at night and wander out of the Everfree. I and my Night Guard often must face them down least they pillage unsuspecting villages." "Hmmm, a noble pursuit and a thrilling hunt. I must say I envy you. I have not been able to hunt since I became emperor." Marcus said, sighing as he remembered the days when he hunted with his clan. The danger. The excitement. The line between life and death held by his spear and his reflexes. "Yes well...at least you think so." Luna frowned, "Though most do not understand or care for the roles we play. Some ponies I might contact in their sleep, if they need special help with a nightmare. But mostly I am just an invisible guardian. And many of the beasts I have slain in the physical world, must often be kept confidential from the public." Luna sighed, but smiled, "But, I think I prefer it. It is hard to find my place within society, but when I see my sister and the bags under her eyes some days her popularity amongst ponies can cause I feel I lucked out." Marcus chuckled, "I did notice she seemed slightly tired." Luna smiled, but spoke in a serious tone, "Yes. You know of the Changeling situation." "Which one? The rouge Hive or the Chrysalis Compact?" Marcus asked The Chrysalis Compact was a recent agreement between all nations, even the Empire that had taken Marcus by surprise and even Castus when he brought it to him to sign. Apparently there was a changeling queen that Celestia had kept as a captive, but now sought to use to hunt down the rogue hive. She would also be placed under magical lock and tracking, to prevent her from moving against Equestria or the other nations. In return, Chrysalis and her hive would be allowed to live in the tunnels in the mountains near Canterlot. Marcus and Castus did not ask on what they would eat, but Castus had said that there were some nations who had too much in terms of prisoner population that this accord would help....deal with. "Yes. Chrysalis, despite her word and the magic upon her, still continues to be her infuriating self. She refuses to work with us, unless Shining Armor or Cadence or both are with her. For what reason we cannot say, but she seems intent on driving my poor niece mad with jealousy." Luna huffed, shaking her head. "Can we trust a changeling?" Marcus asked. "No. Deceit is their nature. But Chrysalis is also a mother to her hive, and she will seek what is best to keep them safe and fed. The agreement is that way. We can at least trust her to do that much." Luna said. Marcus frowned, but nodded. Then he and Luna both turned from the night sky to the dance hall, as the low sounds of music began to play. He turned to Luna and bowed, offering his hand. "This talk should be saved for later. If we must attend this gala both, let us at least try to enjoy it," Marcus said, "If you wish Princess Luna, will you dance with me?" Luna blinked, looking at Marcus hand in surprise, before smiling and placing her hoof in his hand. "We accept Emperor Marcus." Luna said with a smile. Marcus smiled and the two walked to join others on the dance floor. Their presence catching all nobles in shock, as they watched the two dance, the light of the moon outside seeming to follow them as they moved. Valen looked left and right, where were they? "Marcus and Castus are going to kill me." He whispered to himself, as he tried to find his missing charges. Lord Hunter Garrick and Lady Huntress Sara. He did not know how he had lost them, they had been by the food table, trying to find something that looked like food. Or at least something with meat on it. He thought he had spotted Scootaloo and the other girls for a moment, but if he had they were lost in the crowd. But in that moment when he had looked away, Sara and Garrick were gone. 'If I don't find them quick...' Valen didn't finish that thought. He didn't want to think what might happen if Garrick or Sara felt insulted. He knew Garrick and Sara personally, being they were the same age and had sometimes hunted together back when the clans still wandered during the Moots. Since then, they had also begun sparring on the practice fields set up for the army's training regiments. He was sure they wouldn't do anything crazy, but being that both had a temper, he didn't want to risk failing Castus and Marcus by not keeping an eye on them. If he didn't find them soon, who knew what sort of trouble they could get into. "Hmmm. This stuff is good." Garrick said, as he pulled back on the strange glass cups with the thin stem handle on the bottom. The red liquid in the cup draining down his throat in a hearty gulp. When Garrick had first tried the liquid, he was sure some pony called it wine, it had been a surprising taste. Nothing like the drink back home in the empire. It didn't even make him feel dizzy. Still, it tasted good. Somewhat. Sadly, the glass cups didn't seem to hold much at all, so he would have to go back through that damn crowd of ponies to get more. Garrick sighed and turned to walk back down the hall toward the main ball room, when he felt someone grab his arm. Garrick turned, ready for a fight. But he blinked in confusion as he saw a pony gripping his arm. Normally Garrick would be giving this pony a glare to send her running, he could tell it was a mare by the low cut of her dress revealing the line of her ample cleavage. She had no horn or wings, and by the few lines on her face she must have been about middle age? This pony only confused him further as she leaned against him, looking slightly tipsy. He went stiff when she leaned further, placing her breasts against his arm. "Well, what have we here. You must be one of those humans right?" The pony woman said, tipping back a glass of wine to her lips, "I can't say I believed it when I first saw ya. How did a bunch of smelly brutes like you even manage to clean up?" Garrick growled and yanked his arm back, causing the pony woman to laugh. Garrick growled, fighting an urge to slap this pony woman but restrained himself and turned to walk away. "Oh don't be like that." The pony said, wrapping a hoof around Garricks waist and pulling him close with surprising strength, "Its a party. Have a drink." Garrick looked at the wine glass offered to him that the pony woman had. He looked at her confused, her face flushed as she continued to press the wine to his lips. Sighing, Garrick let himself drink from the glass; if only to make her go away before he decided to slap her. Besides, not that he would say it, but she was starting to freak him out. He had only intended to sip a little of the wine, but as soon as his lips touched it, the pony woman dipped the glass back and nearly choked him as he swallowed the entire glass. He shoved her away and coughed viciously. "Try that again and I will personally...!" Garrick growled, turning on the pony woman when something felt...off. He felt warm. It felt like his blood was running faster and he was sure that his heart was beating faster. "What did you do to me?" Garrick growled, looking around for any help. He would be loathed to ask a pony for help, but if this woman dared to poison him... "Ooh, rough. I like that." The middle aged pony woman purred as she got up and straightened her dress, fixing the top that covered her chest, or maybe lowered it. For some reason Garrick could not help but stare at those luminous, lush, mounds. 'What am I thinking?!' Garrick thought in horror as he tore his eyes from the pony woman's chest and turned to run and find Valen or Castus. Something was in that wine, and he needed to get it fixed. Then he would kill this pony. "Oh, what's the matter little man. Afraid of a strong, mature mare?" The pony woman said, giggling. Garrick stopped, his heart racing and his whole body feeling like it was on fire. He glared at the pony woman, "I fear nothing wench!" He snapped. "Oooh, such a foul mouth on you. I always figured you humans were animals." The mare giggled, "Why don't you show me how much of an animal." Garrick wasn't sure he liked how this pony was talking to him, but for some reason he couldn't really focus on it. He was too busy staring at her assets and her hips. Was she pushing him towards a door, yes she was. Her chest pressed against his, with a challenging smirk on her mouth as her scent filled his nostrils. "Animal? I'll show you animal." Garrick snarled, kicking the door behind him open even as the middle aged mare grabbed his hair and yanked him down to a kiss. Garrick lost all control then, grabbing the mares shoulders and turning to push her into the room. A part of his brain was telling him something was wrong, but whatever was wrong with him was making it hard to focus on that thought. All he could think right now was ravaging this pony woman in every way possible. He slammed the door, the room the two of them in a small closet, and get to work. Outside a passing maid, would pause a moment and place her ear up to the door when she thought she heard a noise. A sudden blush erupting to her face a few moments later and she fled, trying to cover her face. Sara, First Lady Huntress of the Empire, looked around as she left a hall and stepped out to a wide staircase leading into a garden party portion of this Grand Galloping Gala thing, with a wide porch area nearby with tables to sit at. 'Ugh, where am I?' Sara thought, frowning. She had just taken a step out of the main ball room to use the bathroom, something that had been difficult to find at first but a somewhat helpful pony maid was able to help. But now she was utterly lost, the wide, twisting halls of this castle leaving her confused. Maybe she should have gone left down that fork in the hall instead. She wanted to find the main hall cause that was where the food and drink was, and where Garrick, Valen and the others were. She had no desire to be alone amongst ponies and other such creatures. Sara sighed and decided to sit down at one of the tables, and kick off these blasted heel shoes that she was required to wear. How did any creature walk in something like this? It was hard to stay balanced and they were horrible for running down prey. She would take a good pair of fur boots or no shoes at all any day. And worse this skirt almost tripped her at least seven times this night, the only way Sara could walk was taking slow small steps to avoid stepping on the fabric. She still couldn't understand why she couldn't wear her hunting furs, they would have been more comfortable. Sitting down, Sara groaned as she kicked off the heels and reached down to rub her feet; and half way considered just leaving them under this table when she left, but it would be rude to leave something that was given to her as a gift from the pony who also made her this dress. Sara didn't understand dresses, but she understood gifts. You never tossed aside a gift, even if it was from a pony, it would be rude. And well...okay so maybe the pony Rarity wasn't so bad. Once she was fully rested, Sara went to put on her heels again, leaning down and lifting aside the table cloth to reach for them when she heard the sound of footsteps, or in this case hoofsteps, coming closer. A hunting instinct came to mind and Sara ducked low, peeking from cover. It seemed foolish, but years of hunting had placed this reaction into her, especially when she was in alien territory such as this castle. Still it was foolish, and Sara sighed and was going to stand up, but she went stiff as she saw someone or somepony she thought she would never see. White fur and blond hair. Those eyes. That face. It was the pony man who had led the attack at the Moot during the war. The one who was responsible for killing her sister! The pony looked miserable, hunched over with a glass of wine in his hooves as he walked up the stairs to the upper balcony. He did not seem to have noticed her, and Sara slowly disregarded her heels and pulled up the skirt of her dress and tied it up. It was probably going to, what had Rarity worried about, wrinkle it? Sara didn't care. She was hunting now. Valen sat in a chair at a table and rubbed his head. He hadn't been able to find Sara or Garrick. He was going to be in so much trouble. Valen pulled at his hair, groaning. "Valen?" Valen's head shot up, and his mouth nearly dropped at who he saw before him. It was Scootaloo and Tiara and their friends. And they. Looked. Gorgeous. Valen just stared, though he didn't realize he was staring till Tiara reached over and pushed his mouth closed. "Valen dear, your drooling" Tiara giggled. Valen blinked, then blushed, "Uh, s-sorry. I-I just... wow. you all look. Wow." The girls all giggled, and Valen blushed. He then remembered his manners and stood up. "Uh, wh-what brings you here?" He asked, somewhat nervous. "Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack brought us as their plus ones." Scootaloo said. "Mine and Silver Spoon's parents were invited by some business friends of theirs." Tiara said, "I'm just glad Scootaloo and the others are here as well. Though from what they've told me, I'm half expecting something bad to happen." The girls all giggled. "Yeah," Applebloom said, "I still remember last time with the Smooze." "The what?" Valen asked "Oh that was fun. Did you see your sister when Discord vacuumed her clothes off." Scootaloo laughed, elbowing Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle covered her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh. Valen felt sure he was missing something, but he didn't think on it much as Scootaloo and Tiara both pulled him up from his chair and hugged him. "Oh don't worry about it. Why don't you come dance with me." Scootaloo said. "Hey, I'm first." Tiara whined to Scootaloo and the two shared a competitive look. "There's only one way." Scootaloo said, smirking. "Bring it." Tiara smirked. "Uh girls?" Valen said, looking between the two confused and worried. Scootaloo and Tiara ignored him, as Tiara reached into blouse of her dress, between her breasts and pulled out what Valen was sure was a very warm, coin. Tiara then flipped the coin, and all the girls and Valen watched it almost on instinct. "Tails." Scootaloo called. Scootaloo caught the coin and pressed it over her hoof. When she pulled back her hoof it showed an image of Celestia's head. "D'oh!' Scootaloo grumbled. "Yes." Tiara cheered, spinning on her hoof and grabbing Valen's arm and pulling him onto the dance floor. "I get him next and this means I get him first next heat cycle." Scootaloo said, pouting. "Fine." Tiara sighed, but smiled again once she and Valen were out on the dance floor. "Uh T-Tiara I don't...." Valen started. "Don't worry. I'll show you how to dance. Just follow my lead okay." Tiara assured him with a smile. Valen gulped, looking around as ponies, griffons, Zebras and other foreign dignitaries about stared at him and Tiara, some of them whispering. "But ponies are staring. And I have to find some people." Valen started, feeling a bit embarrassed. Tiara looked around, then looked back at Valen. "Let them look. And I'm sure you can dance one song with me. Can't you?" Tiara looked up at Valen with wide, almost sad eyes now. 'Not the look. Not the look.' Valen thought as he looked into those luminous eyes and felt his confidence shaking. "W-well...I guess one dance can't hurt." He said, smiling uncertain. "Oh your the best." Tiara said, standing on her tip hooves and planting a kiss right on Valen's lips. A shocked gasp coming from all other party attendants alike. Valen sort of lost his focus when that kiss came. His whole body melted and he allowed Tiara to show him the steps as the music started. He was soon dancing with her, or at least no longer stepping on her dress or hooves, with Tiara resting her head against his chest. As he danced, Valen thought that perhaps he was worrying over nothing. Reckless as Sara and Garrick could be, they knew they had to behave. How much trouble could they get at a fancy party like this anyway? Garrick shoved the door to the closet he was in open, and gripped the sides as he tried to pull himself out. His hair was a mess, his shirt unbuttoned and torn. In fact some of the buttons had been lost when the pony woman behind him, who was now wrapping her hooves around his waist to drag him back in, had ripped his shirt open. His face was covered in lipstick kisses and his neck and shoulders were looking bruised and dotted with hickies. "Get back in here. I'm not done yet. I'm soooo close. I need more!" The pony woman hissed, with an almost insatiable need. "He-mmph!" Garrick went to scream, but the pony clamped a hoof over his mouth and with strength beyond him yanked him back in and threw him to the ground. "If you got strength to scream, you can use that to put your mouth to better work. Don't worry, I'll give you the same treatment." The mare hissed the first, before saying the last part in a husky, hungry voice. The mare then slammed the door shut, leaving a maid standing dumb struck and blushing madly. Sara crouched low, as she approached the pony who had taken her sister from her. He sat, hunched over the rail of the balcony sighing, an untouched glass of wine beside him. Sara knew that she should stop, that she would be risking any number of consequences if she killed this pony. But the sheer sight of him, disgusted and infuriated her that she could barely think. It would be so easy to shove him over, make it seem like an accident. But she was a warrior at heart. She would not kill him from behind; much as she wanted. Snarling, she stood and approached the pony and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Wh-" The pony stated, before Sara turned him around and slugged him across the face. The blow sent the pony staggering and hitting the ground. "What!? How dare you strike me! I will have the guards on you!" The pony said, "Is this how you humans act in public." Sara growled and looked down at the pony, "You don't recognize me do you." The pony blinked, nursing his cheek, "Am I suppose to?" Sara growled and moved on the pony, causing him to cringe and back away like a coward. That only made Sara angrier, didn't he have the balls to even stand up to her? "If you strike me again I will shout for the guards. They will have you and your emperor and ambassador in chains before you can blink." The pony threatened, though his voice was shaky and scared. "So you can kill a bunch of children, but when a full grown warrior faces you you grovel like a coward. You're pathetic." Sara snapped. "Children? What do you mean?" The pony asked "The children at the Moot. The ones you and your army killed during the war," Sara growled, "You killed my sister." The pony's eyes widened as some sort of realization came to mind. "Wh-wait, th-that was in the past. We have a peace agreement. I was already punished for my crimes." The pony said as he scrambled to his feet and held his hooves up. "I don't care. Words on paper won't give me back my sister. Now fight me. I could have thrown you over the railing, but I will fight you like a warrior." Sara said, taking a step toward the pony. "W-wait you can't do that." The pony said, looking around. Sara didn't say anything, sending a kick into the pony's gut and sending him staggering back. She didn't give him time to adjust, rushing and slamming a left hook across his jaw. Then she grabbed him by the mane and yanked him and threw him to the ground, into a table. The table tilted over, sending the cloth and the chairs about. Sara moved on the pony, who was curled up and crying. "P-please please I'm sorry. Don't kill me. Don't hurt me please." The pony sobbed. Sara looked down at this pony, anger bubbling up. Didn't he have any guts or bravery? Sara looked at her hands, stained slightly with some blood. The she looked at the cowering form of the pony before her. "You're pathetic." she snapped, and walked off, snatching the wine glass and downing the contents before shattering it on the ground. Behind her the pony watched her as she went. Above, looking down from an upper balcony, two guards watched the events unfold. "Uh, shouldn't we arrest her or something. She was assaulting royalty." One guard asked. "Maybe. But being able to watch Prince Pain in my ass get his flank kicked in was totally worth it. Besides, she didn't kill him and we are on break." The other guard said. "If you're sure." The other said and the two of them went back to their drinks. It was well into the night, as the festives of the Gala started to end. Nobles and dignitaries alike began to leave. Celestia and Luna of course bid them all farewell. But as the party from the Empire of Man began to leave, did Celestia and Luna join with their niece Cadence and her husband and Twilight and her friends as they all bid the humans farewell. "We were glad to have you at this Gala Emperor Marcus. I hope that this can be a sign of better relations between our two nations." Celestia said to Marcus, offering a curtsy. Luna did the same, though she gave Marcus a friendly smile. Marcus returned the smile and gave a polite bow, "The pleasure is mine and I too hope that our two nations can put aside our past and move forward." "Under your guidance, I think that will be truth." Luna offered, again a shared smile between her and Marcus. "I hope you will be able to attend the Crystal Fair this year as well. It would be an honor to have you." Cadence said. "We would be honored." Castus put in, bowing. "Oh this was such a lovely night. For once we could attend the Gala and not have some sort of crazy disaster occur." Rarity said, with a smile. "Ugh not so loud." Dash groaned, resting against Fluttershy's shoulder and nursing her head. "I told you to not drink so much after your performance." Fluttershy whispered to her friend, before giving a smile to Castus. "Hey Castus, can't you fix this." Dash asked. "Nope." Castus smirked. He could, but he wouldn't. Some pains had to be endured in order to be learned. "Say, anyone seen my sister and her friends?" Applejack asked. "I think they went with Valen to help him find someone." Twilight said. "Oh I hope they didn't get into any trouble." Castus sighed, rubbing his head. "We found them." Everyone turned, and saw the CMC and their friends alongside Valen escorting two humans. Sara and Garrick. Sara looked....well drunk, leaning against Silver Spoon who seemed somewhat burdened by the human woman's weight. And Garrick looked bruised along his neck with kiss marks all over his face. He seemed trying to hold his torn and loose shirt from falling off. Beside him, the CMC giggled at his expanse. Even Valen would look at Garrick and smirk, causing Garrick to blush even harder. "Whoa? What happened to you?" Castus asked, as Garrick walked past without saying anything. Celestia giggled, "I think your young Lord Hunter ran afoul of a Lady Neighstasia. She is somewhat known for her appetites for young stallions. Or humans in this case." Celsetia then burst into a laugh. Castus blinked, and then laughed as well. Cougars. They lived in every world. "Well, I better make sure everyone gets home safe. It was good to see you all." Castus said to them. Then Castus turned to Twilight and Fluttershy, and whispered. "And I will see you two at home in a bit." He whispered, causing the two to blush. The Princesses and the girls waved good bye. With Valen getting two last minute kisses from Scootaloo and Tiara. As the party of humans passed through the Waygate, with Marcus helping carry Sara through, who was now mumbling. Castus and Valen walked beside Garrick, who had a look of irritation and shock on his face. "So..." Valen started, chuckling. "Don't." Garrick snapped. "Was it fun?" Castus asked, snickering. "Shut it." Garrick snapped again. Castus and Valen looked at each other, before bursting into a laugh. "Uuuugh, Noth so loudth." Sara slurred.