Author's note
Great reviews, everyone. To slyptlak, yes, that is in fact that big plan-o.

To DisneyPrincess, actually I got Cutler Beckett in that role. Discord will be in another role in this series of stories. Hint: it's a certain Tim Curry villain. As for Dusk Shine, I got his name from the MLP: FIM wikipedia site.

Chapter 5: Dinner for Three

As snow fell outside the castle, all appears to be quiet inside the castle right now. No one appears to be doing much of anything since Twilight refuses to leave her room.

However the guest room door opens as Nyx peeks out, looking around while saying quietly, "All right, mommy; the coast is clear. That Demon Pony is nowhere to be seen.

Twilight leaves the room with Nyx and Spike as they quietly head down the hall. Since the Demon Pony is elsewhere, may as well do some exploration of the castle...and maybe get some food in spite of what they insist before.

As Twilight's group passes a curtain, none of them can hear Rainbow's voice giggle, "Oh man, no!"

"Oh yes, Dashie." Soarin''s voice remark with a chucle.

"Oh, no way," Rainbow laughs as Soarin' chases her out of the curtain. The two were in there, having a certain type of fun while making out. Apparently, the male Pegasus pony has forgotten that he is supposed to be watching the guest room door.

"Oh yes, Dashie." Soarin' chuckles as he grabs Rainbow, dipping the female Pegasus pony while holding her.

"Come on, I've been 'burned' by you before, in a figure of speech; Ha ha ha ha!"

Soarin' smirks as he held Rainbow in his upper hooves. But before things could get seriously, Soarin' looks up and saw Twilight, Nyx and Spike going around the corner, much to his own alarm.

"Oh no, Twilight and her friends are out of their room!" Soarin' exclaims frantically, causing him to accidentally let go of Rainbow as she fell to the floor with a yelp, "Oh, sorry, Dashie."

As Twilight's group goes downstairs, Nyx sniffs a bit and smiles while saying, "I smell food. Hey, mommy, I know that creep doesn't want us to eat without him but..."

"Yes, what he doesn't know won't hurt him." Twilight said playfully as she, Nyx and Spike head to the direction of the kitchen. There must be something to eat that the foal servants haven't put away yet.

---

In the kitchen, Applejack was putting the CMC in cradles for baby foals near full ones with other baby foals. The Earth Pony said, "All right, all o' yew, 'inta bed wit' 'de other baby ponies."

"But we ain't sleepy." Apple Bloom protests to Applejack with a bit of a yawn.

"Sure yew are..."

"No we ain't..." Sweetie said tiredly but eventually she, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo fell asleep. Applejack giggles and smiles. Her sister and her friends are just angels when they're sleeping.

"Oh, all this hard work; I kept my eye out on the latest fashion and make the best reviews, especially on Rarity's; I even do some cooking on the side and slave all day to work on this meal. And what happened?" A voice complains. Applejack turns to see a young greenish bluish gray colt foal with a mixture of light gray and light greenish bluish gray mane, blue eyes, purple sunglasses and a paper fan cutie mark named Hoity-Toity, the castle's chef, groaning over the meal that he made for dinner. "I've made an amazing masterpiece and it's going to be wasted!"

"Aww, shucks, don't be like 'dat, Hoity Toity." Applejack said with a sigh as she put a teapot away. "It has been a long night fer all o' us. We all were disappointed by what happened."

"Well I think she's just being stubborn as a mule." Caramel snaps as he throws a napkin into the cupboard. "The master did ask nicely and offered her and her friends dinner."

"Look at it fro' her point of view, Caramel. 'De master made her prisoner. Not 'ta mention what he did 'ta her father. She has 'de right 'ta be mad."

"Hey, she volunteered to stay to take her father's place. And her friends chose to stay."

"Well, not 'ta bad-mouth 'de master but no way in Equestria would 'dat stubborn master o' ours would git anywhere if he doesn't stop being angry." Applejack said with a sigh, not noticing two familiar fillies and a familiar dragon entering the kitchen. "If 'de master does not control 'dat there temper o' his, he would never break 'de..."

"Splendid to see you all up and about at this hour," Caramel exclaims in alarm as he cut Applejack off upon seeing Twilight, Nyx and Spike coming into the kitchen. The Earth Pony can't let the trio know about the spell or the purple unicorn would never be able to break it.

"Hi there; Sorry if we came in unannounced," Twilight said with a smile.

"Oh, no problem, no problem at all."

"Uh, what were you talking about? Break what?" Nyx ask Caramel curiously, leaning her head down to one side in curiosity.

"Don't worry, there's nothing to be worried about." Caramel said nervously. He put one hoof into Twilight's while saying, "Ahem, my name is Caramel, the head of the household." Of course, he yelps as two familiar Pegasus ponies flew in front of him, the male one held the purple unicorn's hoof print. Caramel rolls his eyes while saying, "And these two are Soarin' and his girlfriend Rainbow Dash."

"Hey, a great pleasure in meeting you all." Soarin' said as he kisses Twilight on one of her upper hooves, "Just to be polite."

"Yeah, I know, Soarin'." Rainbow said with a chuckle before turning to the guests. "I know you all like it here so far. Having you trio here are 20% cooler!"

"Yeah, at least 20% cooler if you ignore what we have been through lately." Spike remarks with a shrug. What could be 20% cooler than going through the Demon Pony's bad temper problems?

"Yes, yes, we're ignoring that." Caramel said as he shoves Soarin' and Rainbow away from Twilight. The Earth Pony glares at them as he pushes the duo away while speaking to Twilight, Nyx and Spike, "Well then, if there's anything that we can do...for you. Just ask."

Of course, Soarin' then bit Caramel on the tail, causing him to yelp in pain before feeling it in alarm. That really hurts big time!

"Well...Nyx, Spike and I are kinda hungry." Twilight said to the foals with a thoughtful look.

"Yeah; I didn't eat much of anything before coming to this castle." Nyx said with a nod. "I'm hungry as...well...as a pony; Ha ha ha!"

"Wait, yew are; Yeehaw," Applejack exclaims excitedly. Forget the Demon Pony's orders, time to feed her new friends now! Turning to the other servants, she exclaims eagerly, "Yew ponies hear 'dat; 'Dey are honest! Come on, everypony, get dinner ready!" The kitchen staff eagerly gets to work as Hoity turns the stove on while smiling. His masterpiece is going to be served. "Yeah, git 'ta work! Come on!

"Come on, let's make this meal 20% cooler and 20% tastier!" Rainbow exclaims eagerly.

"Wait, hang on! Don't forget what the master said!" Caramel whispers to the other staff in concern. The Demon Pony has given a strict order that Twilight, Nyx and Spike are not to eat anything without him!

"Awww, horsefeathers," Applejack snaps to Caramel in defiance. "I ain't leaving these fillies an' their baby dragon hungry!"

"Fine, all right! They will each have a glass of water, crust of bread and then..."

"Caramel, I'm surprised at you!" Soarin' scolds Caramel with a frown. Water and a crust of bread aren't suitable for Twilight, Nyx and Spike! Not a chance! "Don't forget, they are not our prisoners, they are our guests! We should at least make them feel welcome here."

"Well, well, looks like everyone is not acting like the grumpy Demon Pony." Spike said with a chuckle. Soarin' smiles as he hold Twilight's hoof and lead her away.

"Come on, walk this way.

"If I walk that way, I would need powder for all of my hooves." Nyx jokes, making Twilight, Spike and some of the servants laugh at that little joke.

"Well, try to keep it down, okay?" Caramel asks in concern as he follow the group leaving the kitchen. "If the master finds out what we're doing, we would be lucky to age normally!"

"Sure, why not?" Soarin' ask with a chuckle as he is the last one to leave the kitchen. "But...what's dinner without a bit of...music?"

Soarin' quickly leaves the kitchen, causing the door to swing back at Caramel and hitting the foal, sending him flying into a pan that is making a cake. The Earth Pony screams in shock, "Music?"

---

In the dining room, Soarin' got onto the table as a spotlight appears on him. As Twilight, Nyx and Spike watch, the Pegasus pony grins as he announces, "Good evening, fillies and colts! I am giving the deepest pleasure and greatest pride that I welcome you all tonight."

Rainbow tosses a hat and stick to Soarin' before Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, both are awake once more, helps Twilight, Nyx and Spike into their seats. A performance is about to begin.

"Now I invite you all to relax, let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents...your dinner." Soarin' said with a nod as a meal is put nearby himself. Twilight, Nyx and Spike grin as the song begin.

Soarin': Be…Our…Guests
Be our guests
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin around your neck, my friends
And we'll provide the rest

A foal servant each put a napkin around Twilight, Nyx and Spike though they just put the things on their laps, making the said foals frown.

Soup du jour!
Hot hors d'oeuvres!
Well, we only live to serve
Try the gray stuff, it's delicious

Soarin' held out a tray as Twilight and Nyx tries the gray stuff, making them make an approving noise.

Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!

Some foal servants appearing, dancing and entertaining the guests.

They can sing, they can dance!
As if this was in France!
And the dinner here is never second best

Soarin' eagerly hands menus to Twilight, Nyx and Spike who took the things while reading them.

Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance, and then you'll
Be our guests
Ouí, our guests!
Be our guests!

Various of the foal servants brought a meal to Twilight, Nyx and Spike who tried each one eagerly.

Tofu Beef raout!
Cheese soufflé!
Pie and Pudding en flambé!

Caramel chose this time to poke his head out of a huge pie that is being passed to the guests but yelps Soarin' sets it and him on fire. Luckily, the young Earth Pony was only charred black so he ends up fainting instead.

We'll prepare and serve with flair
A culinary cabaret!

A few foals are lining up on the edge of a huge bowl that they dive into as if they themselves were singing.

You're alone and you're scared
But the banquet's all prepared
No one's gloomy or complaining
While the foals are entertaining

As the foals swim athletically in the bowl, a huge gusher came out, showing Soarin' juggling as he is singing.

We tell jokes, I do tricks
With my own juggling sticks

All (except Twilight, Nyx, Spike and Caramel): And it's all in perfect taste that you can bet!
Come on and lift your glass
You've won your own free pass to be our guests!

Soarin': If you're stressed
It's fine dining we suggest

All (except Twilight, Nyx, Spike and Caramel): Be our guests, be our guests, be our guests!
Be our guests, be our guests
Get your worries off your chest
Let's just say for your entrée
We've an array, may we suggest
Try the bread, try the soup
When the croutons loop de loop
It's a treat for any diner!
Don't believe me? Ask the china!
Singing pork, dancing tofu veal
What an entertaining meal
How can anyone be gloomy or depressed
We'll make you shout encore
And send us out for more
So be our guests, be our guests, be our guests!

Caramel, who got out of the pie and cleans himself off, rush over in hopes to try to quiet every one of the foals before the Demon Pony could hear them. As he tries to drag Pinkie away, a spotlight is fixed on him, stunning the foal as he is forced to let the baby filly away.

Soarin': Life is so unnerving
For a servant who's not serving

Caramel smile embarrassingly as he tries to leave, only to grabbed by Soarin' who hold him while his wings is almost squishing the foal.

He's not whole without a soul to wait upon.

"Will you get off?" Caramel hiss to Soarin' in annoyance as he tries to get free of the Pegasus pony's hold to no prevail.

Ah, those good old days when we were useful
Suddenly, those gold ol' days are gone

We see snow being poured onto Caramel, though it is actually flour being poured by Scootaloo and the other foal Pegasus ponies. This causes Caramel himself to sigh in annoyance.

A few years, things got rusty
Needed so much more than dusting
We needed exercise-a chance to use our skills

Caramel kept on getting freed but when Soarin' lets him go by accident, the Earth Pony is send flying into some jello, getting him stuck there...literally.

Most days, we just lay around the castle

Soarin' then smirks as he prepares to jump right onto a spoon that is in the jello itself.

Flabby, fat and lazy
You walked in and ups-a-daisy!

On the word 'daisy', Soarin' eagerly jumps onto the spoon, causing Caramel to go flying right out of it, causing the Earth Pony to scream. In the kitchen, Applejack and Sweetie happily help the staff while they sang as both are dancing.

Applejack: It's guests, it's guests
Sake's alive, well I'll blessed!
Wine's been poured an' thank 'de Lord
I've had 'de napkins freshly pressed

Sweetie: With dessert, they'll want tea,
And my dear, that's fine with me!
While the ponies do their soft shoeing,
The tea'll be bubbling, it'll be brewing!

As the performance continues, Applejack yelps upon seeing a spot right on the teapot.

Applejack: It'll get warm, piping hot
Heaven's sake, is 'dat a spot?
Clean it up! We want de company impressed!

The young Earth Ponies quickly clean the teapot before putting it into the cart. Applejack and the CMC (Sweetie and Scootaloo rejoin Apple Bloom in the kitchen) begins pushing it right out of the room.

We've got a lot 'ta do

Once in the dining room, the four stops near Twilight as Sweetie is pouring tea for the smiling purple unicorn.

Sweetie: Is it one lump or two?

Applejack & Sweetie: For you our guests!

Twllight use her magic to mix the sugar in the tea before the smiling Apple Bloom hands the cups over to the smiling purple unicorn and Nyx.

All (except Twilight, Nyx, Spike and Caramel): They're our guests!

Applejack & Sweetie: They're our guests!

All: They're our guests!

"Okay, enough already, I demand that you stop..." Caramel exclaims, trying to stop the performance but the Earth Pony saw Rainbow and a few ponies rushing to him, causing Caramel to scream as he got out of the way in time. The performance continues on like mad.

Be ours guest! Be our guests!
Our command is your request
It's been years since we had anybody here
And we're obsessed!
With your meal, with your ease
Yes, indeed, we aim to please

Now the foals did a chorus line before some of them move aside as if introducing someone.

While the candlelight's still blowing
Let us help you, we'll keep going

One all of the foals move aside, there's Soarin' as he hold his stick while grinning.

Soarin' and Ponies: Course by course!

Soarin' put his hat on as the ponies did a chorus line once more.

One by one!
Till you shout, "Enough, I'm done!"

The guests looks excited as a chandelier came down from the ceiling, showing a few more foal servants on it five feet above the table, dancing while doing a chorus line.

Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest
Tonight you'll prop your feet up!
But for now, let's eat up!

Twilight, Nyx and Spike laughs as they dance in their seats with the servants; Caramel was worried but finally begin to stop doing so, looking at the excitement and smile as he begin singing and dancing along as well.

All (except Twilight, Nyx and Spike): Be our guests!
Be our guests!
Be our guests!
Please be our guests!

As the song come to a big close, Caramel was dancing like one big fool until Soarin' push him out of the way for the finishing pose. Once all is done, the foal servants took a bow as the newcomers applaud for them.

"That is amazing, exciting!" Nyx exclaims eagerly.

"That was a wonderful show!" Twilight giggles a bit. "You all did so well!"

"Yes, thank you, thank you so much. Yes, the show is wonderful, isn't it?" Caramel asks with a chuckle. Luckily, the Demon Pony doesn't seem to hear the commotion. The Earth Pony looks at the clock nearby, seeing that it's now 9 o'clock. "Wow, is it that time already? Well, we're done; it's off to bed with all of you."

"What? Come on, I can't go to bed now! I'm too excited!" Spike protests to Caramel with a smile.

"Yeah, we can't go to bed now, especially in an enchanted place like this!" Twilight giggles to Caramel as Nyx nods in agreement. After all, in an enchanted castle like this one, who could sleep yet?

"Err, wait, enchanted? Who said anything about this castle being enchanted?" Caramel asks nervously as a baby foal rushes by. Turning to Soarin', he points accusingly while snapping, "It was you, wasn't it you loud mouth?"

The two got into a struggle though Nyx giggles while saying, "Relax, mommy figure that one out herself." Soarin' and Caramel stop short of shoving their hooves into each other's mouth. The two stood up and sheepishly brush themselves off.

"Say, is it all right that we get a tour around here?" Twilight ask Soarin' and Caramel hopefully. "After all, since we're going to spend the rest of our lives here, we want to know this play very well."

"Sure, no problem," Soarin' exclaims with a smile. The Pegasus pony will be happy to show Twilight, her adopted daughter and Spike around the castle.

"Wait, wait, not a good idea, Soarin'!" Caramel protests as he grabs Soarin' and whispers in concern in his ear. "We can't let these three go into certain places...if you know what I mean." The Earth Pony of course is referring to the west wing that the Demon Pony has forbidden Twilight, Nyx and Spike from going into earlier.

"What? You mean that certain room that your master lives in?" Spike asks Caramel curiously.

"Shhh! Quiet, dragon!"

"Oh, I see..." Soarin' said while nodding with Caramel. After all, the last thing that they want is for Twilight to get into trouble for poking around in their master's room, right?

"Well, how about you show us around, Caramel?" Twilight ask Caramel with a smirk. "My daughter and I figure that a smart, handsome colt like you would know everything there is about this place, right?"

"Yeah, please." Nyx said, giving Caramel a puppy dog look. The Earth Pony blushes in embarrassment, touched by the compliments and tempted by the puppy eyes. Both are hard to resist.

"Well, actually, err, well..." Caramel said with an embarrassed blush, then he smiles stupidly in a goofy like way. "Well, yeah...I do..."

Author's note
Wow, what a good performance, eh? In the next chapter, Soarin' and Caramel takes Twilight's group for a tour, only for the three to go into the west wing, a place that the Demon Pony has forbidden them to go into. When the monster discovers them, his rage causes them all to run away from the castle.

Nyx: That isn't good.

Me: Right especially when the trio ran into the same group of Houndoom that tries to attack Dusk before! Will they survive and will help arrives in time? Read, review and suggest.