Chapter 1

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The Grand Galloping Gala. The most superiffic, wonder-mazing, party this side of equestria! The parties, balloons, and streamers would make any super duper party pony proud. So, how is it that I walk through the ornate doors of the Canterlot Palace to find a sophisticated, snobbish, and downright BORING gathering in its place? I’m Crimson Gala, this year’s Gala director… and it’s all my fault.

Chapter 1

“ Apple Fritter, get those pastries on the table before you drop ‘em! We all know how clumsy ya are-”
CRASH!
“Gosh darnit Fritter,” I facehoof, “Go and get some more food from the kitchen! We’re on a tight schedule here, ponies! The Gala starts in approximately 3 hours!”
As a frazzled Apple Fritter rushes off to find a fresh tray of apple sweets, I take a quick glance at the metal clipboard in my hooves.

“Drinks...check! Entertainment...check! Decorations…?” I look up from my checklist to examine the white stone walls of the Palace and discover a horrifying sight! I scream, “The decor!”, the clipboard flies out of my hooves . “Hurry, someone call the interior decorator!”
I grab the shoulders of a passerby and shake them senseless. “ Did the party supplies arrive from Manehattan? Where’s the Gala banner? Why are the castle walls still absolutely, positively, undisputedly bare?” The pony slips from my grasp as I sink to the floor in despair. The pink earth pony shakes her head, eyes still spinning from the shaking. “ I don’t know about the party supplies, but I know somepony who can help you find the banner.” she squeaks in a nasally voice. “ Twinkleshine was on the phone with the Las Pegasus Art Depo earlier this morning. If anypony were to know the answers to your questions it would be her!” I rocket to my hooves and gallop off in search of Twinkleshine without another word. “A ‘thankyou’ would be nice!” the worker hollers, shaking a hoof in the air as I recede from view.

Right, left, right, right. The castle corridors seem endless. I rush by door after door, bumping into a Royal Guard along the way.
BAM! BANG! CLANG!
The impact leaves him sprawling on the floor, his heavy armor scraping along the tile. I fly through the air and head face first into a stairwell. A noise barely escapes my muzzle before I am sent tumbling down flights of seemingly endless stairs. I roll into a hallway as a pink and green blur. Ponies in tall white hats dive out of the way as I barrel through a set of double doors leading into the kitchen. The chefs jump in alarm as I, Crimson Gala, plow through the room! “Watch out! The cake!” somepony screams as I ram straight into the 5 foot tall Gala cake being prepared for this evening. I slide to a stop, covered in frosted flowers and sticky sweetness! “What in the world happened,” I thought. I tried to stand on shaky legs only to slip on the white icing smeared across the flooring. “Ze MMMM!” a griffin baker shouts! “Ze Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness has been destroyed!” He points a threatening talon at me before snatching back his claws and storming off in a wild rage! “No one destroys ze delectable delicacies of ze magnificent Gustave le Grand! Not even you Gala director!”
The other cake splattered chefs gawk at me in silence, but I know we’re all thinking the same thing. Can there be a Gala without a cake? And how could I be careless enough to let that happen?

I slowly collect my bearings and stumble out of the kitchen, the heat of stares searing into my back. I couldn’t look anypony in the eye, especially not looking like a pony pastry myself! Gustave left a trail of overturned tables and smashed food platters in the wake of his anger. That means i’m back to square one on food. I don’t know how i’m going to pull off the gala. I have NO food, no decorations, and WORST OF ALL there is no MMMM for the guests to enjoy! I sigh, “But before I get back to work I need to get the stickiness out of my mane.” I head up a set of stairs and make my way outside. I exit the castle and followed a grey cobblestone path to the Royal Bath. The cobbles lead through the Gardens and I trotted along to the tune of cheerful birds chirping in the treetops. “Howdy do, Miss Gala!” an old brown pony yells from behind a set of hedges. I wave hello to Mr. Greenhooves, the gardener, and continue on my way. As I pass under a cluster of trees I feel something tugging in my mane. I shake my head and a cuddly squirrel plops onto the soft grass near my hooves. “I’m sorry little squirrel,” I whisper” I didn’t mean ta scare ya.” Despite my gentle tone the creature scampers off into a flower bed. I shrug. “These lil’ beasts were always a mite shy. The varmint did get some cake out of my mane ,though,” I think with a smile. I reach the entrance to the Royal Bath and take a moment to soak it all in.

No matter how many times I visit, the Royal Bath takes my breath away each time. Large doors with golden handles that stretch the length of the doorframe stand out in the front of the round building. Large colored windows that ring the outside filter light to give the inside a soft amber glow. I open the doors and step into the luxurious retreat. White and gold accents soothe my senses as a pair of blue and pink ponies rush to guide me towards a tub. Together, they each take a hoof and I ease into the warm, bubbling water. I sink in up to my eyes and I feel Aloe and Lotus massaging the sugary mess out of my coat. It’s time for the worries to melt away....

After an hour rest at the Royal Bath, I leave rejuvenated and ready to take on the Gala planning. I walk along the path to the castle and rejoin the hustle and bustle of the Gala prep teams. It seems operations have run smoothly since I left, even Apple Fritter has the few remaining food trays in a neat row on a table. Two gruff looking stallions tote an extravagant ice statue on their backs and I just barely skirt around them. I weave through a cluster of pegasi and nearly collide with a blue mare. At that moment, I spot somepony I didn’t expect to see. It was none other than Twinkleshine in all her pink maned glory!
“Twinkleshine!” I called, “Twinkleshine, wait!”
The unicorn continued in the opposite direction as I struggled against an ever increasing crowd. The castle grounds were becoming more crowded as the Gala drew closer and I barely had room to breathe, much less chase after Twinkleshine. I watched the mare canter away, along with my hopes of a successful Gala...but wait! I can’t let this setback beat me! In a burst of pride, I buck my back legs out and charge dead ahead! Ponies swerve to avoid a collision as I dash past. “Twinkleshine!” I put on an extra burst of speed.
I’m no more than three pony’s lengths away from Twinkleshine when the Ice statue stallions cross my path. I immediately slam my rump onto the cold tile to slow myself, but it’s not enough! My hooves skid along the floor and I slide straight into the stallions. They try to protect the statue, an elegant alicorn, most likely to be Celestia, as it launches upwards. The colossal structure spirals through the air until--- KRA-CRACK!
The once beautiful art sticks the landing and sends shattered shards flying like a million icy darts.

The entire hall went silent. I felt as though the entire world was boring their eyes into my embarrassing, clumsy soul. I blushed and stood still, as though I were trying to replace the frozen alicorn statue with that of a meek earth pony. That moment stretched on until a call broke the deadly quiet.
“Special delivery for Crimson Gala!”
I followed the sound of the voice to a grey pegasus mail carrier with a large cardboard box. “Your Manehattan party supplies have arrived ma’am,” the pegasus states, as her eyes wander off in opposite directions. “but there’s a slight problem…”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, “Nothing could make this day any worse.”
The mailmare gestures behind her and my eyes widen in shock! The Gala banner has also arrived and was in the process of being hung by a pegasus, but a range of holes perforated the fabric.
“ The ice shards must have pierced the banner when it shattered on the ground,” I concluded.

The mailmare passed me the box of party supplies and flew out of sight...and speaking of out of sight, i’ve lost my visual on Twinkleshine. I guess it doesn’t really matter anymore anyway.
I load the heavy container onto my back and head towards the ballroom to begin the decorating process. As I go along, I grab some of the castle staff from their tasks to assist. A pegasus, two earth ponies, and a unicorn. Upon entering the ballroom, I dump the cardboard box onto the floor and bust it open with my forehooves. I’m stunned to see a single blue party cannon within. I look closer and discover a note which reads:
To Pinkie Pie, I hope you’ll enjoy this token of my appreciation. Sincerely, Berry Pinch

“Oh, come on!” I facehoof for the second time that day, “They sent our decorations to the wrong address! Where in Equestria is OUR package?”
A unicorn leans in and examines the letter, which I place in her minty green hooves. “I know Pinkie Pie,” she says, flashing her lyre cutie mark. “Pinkie lives in Ponyville.”
“Then get out there to...Ponyville...and bring back our stuff!”
I shout, my volume levels almost matching that of Princess Luna. The mare, obviously stunned, flattens her ears and gallops away as fast as her legs can carry her. I give a sly look to the remaining pegasus and earth ponies. “For now, lets see what this baby can do,” I declare, laying a hoof on the shiny blue finish of Pinkie’s cannon.

Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

The four of us gaze at the bright metal cannon resting inside the box.
“Come on and help me lift this thing!”
The earth ponies, twins, widen the box opening, while the pegasus lifts from above. He flaps his wings, ruffling our manes, as he struggles to hoist the hefty object up and over the edge of its container. The cannon thuds onto the tile and I swear I saw more than a few cracks spread like spider webs.
“I don’t know how that mailmare got this package through the door.” he pants, wings drooping limply at his sides.
“What does it matter,” snaps one of the twins, “ Let’s see if it’s loaded!”

The pony studies the instrument of total party awesomeness, before noticing a small engraving on the underbelly: The Party Maker. Use with caution.
Curiously enough, she sticks her head near the rim of the cannon before plunging it inside!
“Daisy no!”
The green-maned mare is already neck deep down the barrel and inching further by the second.
The pegasus stallion leans over to me, and whispers in my ear.
“Was that really necessary? It’s not that big of a cannon.”
I shrug and continue to watch Daisy’s twins’ feeble attempt at pulling her sister from the bowels of The Party Maker.
“I need help Gala! Daisy is stuck! We need you too, Red!” Petunia screeches. Her eyes dart from me to the pegasus apparently named Red.

I wrap my forehooves around Petunia’s waist and brace my legs. I pull with all my might. Red hooks onto me and I can feel his powerful wings sending gusts of wind from behind me. We tug as a unit to no avail. Daisy’s head is just about as stuck as before. I let go of Petunia, without warning, and Red sends us flying backwards into the wall on the opposite side of the room.
“Ooof!”
The air gets knocked out of us, as we lay on the ground. I tilt my head just slightly and take a glimpse at a nearby clock, hanging a few feet away. 1 hour left.

Will I be able to get everything done in time or will this Gala be a disaster?

I lie on the cold floor, the chill barely registering in my mind. My thoughts are racing and time slips by. This Gala is a disaster. How will I fix this in time? What can I do?

I can do nothing. To think, today started out on such a light note. Just look at me now.

Slowly, I tuck my hooves under me and steadily rise. Red is already up and stretching his wings.
“Tell me before you do something crazy like that again, eh?”
“Ok.”
The word barely manages to slip out from between my lips. I lock my gaze on the stallion infront of me.
“Will you come with me to Ponyville? I guess we better return that cannon to its rightful owner. This year’s party is ruined anyway.”
I kick my hoof and avert my gaze. Red stares at me for a bit before turning around and trotting back to the twins, where Petunia is still battling The Party Maker for possession of her sister.
“Let’s get Thing #1 free and then we can head on out of Canterlot.” he says. “We can’t give Pinkie a cannon with a mare attached!”

Red, at the far end of the ballroom by now, strikes his hoof against the fuse on The Party Maker. The fuse lights and a small flame sizzles down the rope before disappearing at the base of the cannon. Wait...that means…
BOOM!
The cannon fires and a shower of pink and blue confetti comes bursting out, leaving two completely covered ponies in its wake! I gallop to the two mares laying on their sides, entirely covered in confetti like multicolored mummies!
“Red! Look what you did!”
“Well, I got Daisy out, didn’t I?” he retorts.
One of the mummies blinks and a muffled voice comes from inside.
“Come on. Let’s just tell the cleaning crew about this and head to the train station. They’ll be fine without us.” Red says.
The mummified mares protest and a cacophony of grunts and shrieks ensues. One even manages to roll towards me, coming to a rest at my hooves as if saying, “Please! Take me with you!”
I step over the pony and glance at Red. The stallion is about my height and has a deep crimson coat. His black mane hangs low over his eyes. I quickly look away, hoping he hasn’t noticed. We hoist the cannon back into the box and Red loads it onto my back with a grunt.
“We really need a cart for this thing, Gala.”

I grimace and head towards the open doorway leading out onto the Main Room. Unsurprisingly, the room remains as crowded as when I first entered during my search for Twinkleshine. I groan and cover my eyes with a foreleg. How in Equestria are we going to work our way through this?
“Red, fly overhead and guide me through the mob of ponies out here. I think it’s our only option.”
“Ok, see ya in the skies!”
The pegasus flaps upward and is airborne. I steel my nerves before making the plunge into the fray.
“Alright Crimson Gala! You can do this” I silently cheer.

I take a couple hoofsteps and keep trotting forward. There’s barely any breathing room with all the activity going on. A team of unicorns levitate several food platters through the air as I pass. I crane my neck upwards and spot a glimpse of Red in the packed space above the crowd. Not only is there no room down here for us terrestrial ponies, but the pegasi are having a bad time with traffic too!
Red weaves between a pair of pegasi sharing the burden of Princess Celestia’s royal gauntlets. They must be on their way to be polished. I follow the trail of red and black as we trace through the packed room. Red swoops low to avoid a collision with a scrawny pegasus toting a camera.
“ How ya doing CG?” he asks.
I start to feel the pressures of the box on my back and it’s getting heavier with each step.
“Red! I think I need some help down here!”
Red glides down to my level, but stops to hover above my head.
“There’s no room to land, Crimson! I’ll have to take the box!”
Oh, there is no way that is happening. I remember the last time he flew with our package.
“How close are we to the other end?” I question.
“We’re about halfway. Do you think you could make it?”

Could I make it? I lower my neck and focus on the path in front of me. My vision swims with the mess of ponies in varying colors as they dart to and fro. I shake my head in an attempt to clear it and continue forward.
“I can make it Red!” I say, my voice wavering slightly.
I watch as Red slowly rises up into the sky and leads on. Sweat starts to bead on my brow, but I can’t stop to wipe it away. I notice other ponies struggling as well. Three earth ponies are dragging tables to be arranged in the Dining Hall. A lone, purple pegasus is barely managing to hold a jumble of lights meant to be strung around the Canterlot Gardens. I watch old Mr. Greenhooves tote a cart filled with garden tools in the same direction as the pegasus. They must be sprucing up the outdoors.

As I trudge onward, I start thinking about my options for the Gala. Everyone seems so busy, but is it really worth it? I doubt the chefs can make another Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness in time for the guests. That minty unicorn hasn’t even returned with our decor yet. There isn’t enough food and with only one hour left, there isn’t much we can do. The Princess will be so disappointed. This would have been her first Gala with Luna after her return from the moon. I can’t believe i’m letting her down.

I snap awake from my thoughts.
“Focus, Gala, focus!”
The exit doors are in sight, along with a place to dump this heavy box. I strain against the the thinning crowd, each hoofstep heavier than the next. Finally I feel the sweet relief of open air as I break from the mass of ponies and pause in the doorframe. My pegasus companion beat me to our destination and stood next to me to allow me to bump the package over onto his backside. I couldn’t help but collapse after being released from all the pressure weighing down on me! My knees wobbled and I felt like a pony sized glob of gelatin.
“Come on CG! This box is every bit as heavy as it looks! Let’s get goin’!” calls Red from quite a ways down an empty corridor. I didn’t realize he had gotten so far! I rise with a smile and trot after him as fast as my jelly legs can manage.

The Grand Crimson Gala

by MagentaBloom

Chapter 1

Chapter 2