Twilight's Love

Chapter Six: The Grand Galloping Gala

It was that time of year again. Time for the Grand Galloping Gala. Twilight had received an invitation from Princess Celestia, noting that it would be her first time attending as a princess. Not only were invitations for Spike and the others included, but one for Flash. Through a quick relay of letters, he and Twilight agreed to meet just outside the castle on the night in question.

Rarity had, of course, gotten right to work on her friends' gala dresses, especially Twilight's ("It's your first Gala as a princess, darling!", she'd exclaimed. "You must look your best!"). The finished outfit was similar to the dress Twilight wore at her coronation, but less elaborate, and in shades of royal purple and lavender.

After an uneventful carriage ride, Twilight and her friends walked up to the castle, where Flash (Wearing the tuxedo Rarity had made for him on his first visit to Ponyville) was waiting. The second Flash laid eyes on Twilight, he became entranced.

"Wow, you look beautiful." He sighed. "I mean, you're always beautiful. It's just now, you look even more beautiful then normal."

"Thanks." Twilight chuckled. "And you look very handsome in that tuxedo."

"Thanks to Rarity." Flash smiled. "That girl really knows her stuff. I'm guessing that dress is one of hers?"

"Of course." Twilight nodded.

"Only the best for my friends." Rarity beamed. "Just look at you two! Such a perfect couple!"

Twilight and Flash nuzzled each other.

"Shall we?" Flash offered.

"We shall." Twilight smiled, as they placed their wings over each other's backs.

As they entered the ballroom, a fanfare suddenly erupted.

"Presenting princess Twilight Sparkle and her consort, Flash Sentry." A courtesan announced.

"Consort?" Flash blanched. "Is that what ponies are calling me?"

"It could be worse." Twilight smirked. "They could be calling you my 'concubine'."

"I have no idea what that is." Flash declared.

"Good for you." Twilight replied. "I do, and I'd prefer not to know, as a matter of fact."

The couple were met by the Equestrian royal family; Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Shining Armor. Even Prince Blueblood was there. He shot Twilight a disparaging look, then turned away with a haughty sniff.

"I'm so glad you could make it, Twilight." Celestia smiled. "And hello to you, too, Flash Sentry."

"Good evening, your majesty." Flash bowed.

"Hi, Twilight." Cadance smiled. "How are things?"

"Just great." Twilight smiled back.

"I trust there's been no problems between you and my sister, Sentry?" Shining glared at Flash.

"No, everything's just fine." Flash said nervously, deliberately omitting the fight they had the month before.

"Good." Shining nodded. "Because you know what I'll do to you if it's not, right?"

"Yes I do." Flash nodded back.

"Good." Shining's frown suddenly turned to a smile. "Enjoy the gala."

"Okay." Flash said timidly.

"Ready to have some fun?" Twilight asked, having just come back from talking to Cadance.

"Sure." Flash smiled.

The couple walked onto the dance floor, where they shared a waltz. Twilight stumbled a little at first.

"Can you tell I've never done this before?" She joked.

"You dance divinely, my dear." Flash smiled.

Twilight and Flash danced together for several minutes. Then Pinkie Pie lept on stage, pulling a turntable from out of nowhere!

"Let's kick this party up a notch!" She squealed.

Pinkie had tried a similar thing at the last Gala, and it didn't go well. But this time, she had the help of her friends, and even Shining and Cadance to lead the crowd into some upbeat dancing.

"Oh, yeah!" Rainbow Dash grooved. "Party on!"

"Yee-haww!" Applejack yelped.

"Yay." Fluttershy said quietly.

Twilight and Flash looked at each other, shrugged, then joined. Twilight charged into her own "unique" style of dancing. Flash stared for a moment, nonplussed, then joined in.

"You dance divinely, my dear." Twilight gleefully echoed.

Eventually, they tired themselves out, and went to get some refreshments. As they got some punch, they crossed paths with Prince Blueblood.

"Hello, Blueblood." Twilight nodded. "It's been a while."

"Hmph." Blueblood snorted, turning away.

"Hey princey, the lady's talking to you." Flash said, affronted. "How about you show a fellow royal some courtesy?"

"I would, if she were actual royalty." Blueblood snorted.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked.

"You weren't born royal, like I was." Blueblood declared. "A crown and a pair of wings don't hide the fact that you're just a commoner who got lucky. And I'm not the only pony who thinks that."

"Who do you think you are, pal?!" Flash roared.

"It's okay." Twilight tried to calm him.

"No it's okay!" Flash spat. "Where do you get off, pretty boy?!"

"Really, Flash." Twilight insisted. "Who cares what one bigheaded unicorn thinks?"

"I do." Flash declared. "You think you're better then Twilight, Blue-boy? She's more of a royal then you are!"

"Oh, really?" Blueblood smirked.

"Really." Flash shot back. "She's saved Equestria time and again, helped ponies everywhere... What have you ever done, besides standing around looking like you think you're too good for everypony?"

"I don't need to be lectured by a commoner." Blueblood declared. "Hard to believe you are what passes for a royal guardspony nowadays. Cadance and Shining Armor must have been out of their minds to appoint you!"

Twilight's lips pulled back into a snarl.

"It's almost as laughable as her being Celestia 'prized pupil'." Blueblood pointed at Twilight. "Poor aunt Clestia must be getting senile in her old age. Either that, or nopony else was available...

"Alright, that's it!" Twilight yelled, as she got right into Blueblood's face. "Insulting me is one thing. But insulting my brother and sister-in-law? My mentor? My coltfriend? You've crossed the line, mister!"

"I-I..." Blueblood stuttered.

"Listen closely." Twilight hissed. "I earned my princesshood, unlike you. And, unlike you, I use my position to guide, to lead, not to have everypony fawn over my every whim. You're the one who isn't actual royalty."

"How dare you..." Blueblood stepped back. "You... you..."

"Is everything okay here, Blueblood?" Celestia suddenly appeared behind him, Luna beside her.

"Oh, y-yes, aunty." Blueblood put on a fake smile. "I was just saying what a wonderful additional Twilight is to our royal hierarchy."

"She is, isn't she?" Celestia smiled. "Of course, anypony who speaks otherwise will have to answer to me. And I won't be kind about it." She glared at her nephew. "Is that clear, Blueblood?"

"Yes, aunty." Blueblood trembled. "I'll, um, give you all some privacy."

Blueblood dashed off as fast as he could.

"Well handled, Twilight." Celestia smiled.

"If it were me, I'd have used the Royal Canterlot Voice." Luna smirked. "That would've put some fear into him."

"Hopefully, he'll learn his lesson." Twilight chuckled.

Meanwhile, Flash was approached by Shining.

"That was pretty impressive, Sentry." Shining grinned. "Standing up for Twily like that."

"Yeah, well..." Flash said humbly "I don't care who that guy is, I couldn't let him insult her like that."

"Maybe I misjudged you, Sen- Flash." Shining smiled. "Somepony had to be Twilight's first coltfriend, and I'm glad it was you."

"Thanks, prince Armor." Flash nodded.

"Call me Shining." Shining declared.

"Sure." Flash smirked mischievously. "And who knows? Maybe someday, I'll be calling you 'bro'."

"Don't push it." Shining scowled.

All too soon, the Gala ended, and the guests left the castle.

"So, guess it's back home for all of us, huh?" Flash said wistfully.

"Not quite." Twilight declared. "We've still got one stop left to make."

Twilight lead Flash to a small donut shop.

"'Joe's Donut's'?" Flash read the sign.

"Best donuts in Canterlot." Twilight smiled.

As they entered the shop, they were greeted by Joe himself.

"Twilight Sparkle." He smiled. "Nice to see a working-class pony made good still has time for blue-collar establishments like mine. The usual?"

"Make it a double, Joe." Twilight indicated Flash.

"You got it." Joe nodded.

Twilight and Flash took a seat at a nearby table, where Joe brought them their donuts. Flash took a bite out of one.

"Hey, not bad!" Flash declared.

"Told you." Twilight smiled, as she leaned against him. "Now this is a perfect way to end a night out."

"So true." Flash agreed, putting a wing around Twilight once more. "No big crowds, just you and me."

"Couldn't have put it better myself." Twilight agreed. "Thanks for standing up for me back there."

"I should be thanking you." Flash chuckled. "You're the one who put that jerk in his place."

"No-one insults my loved ones and gets away with it." Twilight chuckled.

"That's my Twilight." Flash smiled. "Beauty and strength, all rolled into one."

"Tell me more..." Twilight purred, snuggling closer.

"With pleasure." Flash chuckled.

Twilight's second trip to the Grand Galloping Gala had proven to be even more memorable then the first, thanks in no small part to Flash. She could only imagine what the third trip would bring...

To Be Continued...

(My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and all associated characters are the property of Hasbro.)