Hello every pony and welcome back for chapter 2 of this fic. Episode six of Bride of Discord was so amazing, but now it's time to move on. Keep moving forward. I even saw the three parts to Disney Fantatic 2364's Q and A. I am sure Questions about her work will still exist. Many she can do a ? and A video once a month like she does with her Bride of Discord audio series. Let's answer some feedback.

The Interdimensional Traveler: Glad you like it.

DisneyFanatic2364: Yea, I guess people did the gender-swap because of her guy voice in Bridle Gossip. Anyways thanks for allowing me to write this. You rock and good luck on Episode 7 or anything else you have going on.

Disclaimer: I don't own MLP. I don't own their gender-swap characters. They belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 2: The Gala

Duskshine summoned his friends to help prepare a special night that only came once a year; the Grand Galloping Gala.

Duskshine and his friends attended the event once before and it wasn't exactly a worthwhile experience that no one in the group wanted to remember.

The stallions that were traveling on the train were Elusive, Bubbleberry, Apple Jack and Butterscotch. All of them couldn't hold their excitement for this event as it was going to be the biggest Grand Galloping Gala celebration in ages. Each one of them would have a job in preparation for such an annual night. Elusive would make the suits and dresses for all the guests that were attending, Bubbleberry was to help set up and decorate the main ball room and most of the rooms within the castle, Applejack is in charge of the food, and Butterscotch gathered the song birds to sing a little song.

The reason Rainbow Blitz wasn't with the group, was because he was performing tricks with the Wonderbolts. They were made the entertainment and would come at the night of the Gala, due to their hectic schedule.

After the four stallions got off the train, they started to talk amongst themselves before approaching the gates of Canterlot.

"I am so nervouscited. I am so glad we get to see Dusk again, it's been a long time since we have seen him" Blueberry excited and nervous at the chance of seeing their best friend again.

"Well, he has been rather busy with his royal duties, isn't this exciting" Elusive smiled "We get to help prepare for the Grand Galloping Gala"

"It's almost hard to believe after the last catastrophe" Applejack hoping to forget the events of the last Gala they went to.

"But, this is going to be so fun you guys" Bubbleberry spoke "Everyone will be tasting Applejack's food, and don't forget your suits and dress, Elusive"

"Not to mention Butterscotch's birds will be singing" Elusive smiled at his timid friend.

"Yaah" he said unenthusiastically

"Yea, and also we get to see Rainbow Blitz. I know we barely see him anymore. He is off living the dream. Flying with the Wonderbolts" Bubbleberry hopefulness to see Rainbow Blitz again.

"O you have barely seen him huh" Applejack smirks at the fact that Bubbleberry would say such a thing after Bubbleberry has seen him go to every one of Rainbow Blitz's shows.

Each of the stallions laughed as they saw the gates as two guards blocked paths of the four of the six welders of the Elements of Harmony.

"Halt, who goes there" one of the guards glared down at them.

"Why excuse us, we are Elusive, Bubbleberry, Applejack, and Butterscotch kind sir" Elusive was baffled by the guard's behavior.

"It's ok, you can let those four pass" a voice called from behind the two guards. Elusive recognized the pony immediately.

"Gleaming Shield" Elusive smiled as she was Dusk Shine's sister

"Hey guys, Dusky is glad that you four could make it" Gleaming Shield grinned. "He is having dinner with the princes in the dining hall. He ask me to escort you all"

The four followed Gleaming Shield down the hallway. Each of them was so very hungry from their trip. Upon opening the large doors, each of the friends gazed on the large table itself and the stallions and one dragoness sitting at the table. They knew Duskshine was at the table, and then next to him was Barbara the dragon; who Applejack had a hard time looking at, in the middle of the table was Solaris hearing Duskshine rambling on and on about their plans for the kingdom, to his right was his brother Artemis, and next to Artemis was Gleaming Shield's husband Prince Tempo.

"Guys, you made it" Duskshine rushed to his friends and hugged them.

The four stallions hugged their old friend. The hug could have been longer, but the four saw that Duskshine needed to breathe, so the hug was broken.

"You look just like a prince, which is a good thing you are one" Elusive joked

"I am so happy" Bubbleberry started to cry for joy at Duskshine.

"You made it" Barbara called out as Applejack smiled at the dragoness that was rushing towards her.

"O Barbara, it's been…." Applejack waiting for his hug from her as a couple of seconds goes by.

"How have you been Elusive" Barbara bedazzled by her crush.

"O you know the usual" Elusive told of his train ride from Ponyville to Canterlot in front of the female dragon.

The heart of the orange stallion grimed as he stared at the dragoness and stallion talking. he spoke in a sad tone "Never bothered asking how I've been"

"You ok Applejack" Duskshine concerned for his friend who was feeling down

"What, umm yea" Applejack tried hard not to make the others notice of his current attitude. "Well what are we all waiting for? Let's sit down and chow down"

Applejack sat down noticing Barbara sitting next to Elusive as his heart sank more and more.

"Honey you don't have to worry about me I am fine" Gleaming Shield looked at her husband pulling her chair for her. "I can take care of myself"

As they were eating, the stallions were discussing their plans for the Gala when Applejack was raising a question.

"Can the orphans attend the Gala, they don't get out much you see" Applejack asked

"Of course they can, Duskshine has been telling me of your contributions to them" Solaris smiled

"But, brother I don't think that is a wise idea. We have never had children attend the Gala before" Artemis was concerned of the changes that Solaris was making of the old custom.

"This is an era of change, my brother. It's high time that we change certain rules as well. Besides, I know how you adore the young ones" Solaris smiled

"O that reminds me, should we tell them Gleam" Prince Tempo smiled at his wife

"I guess so" Gleam looks to her husband

"We are having a baby" they both smiled at the sudden reaction of everypony at the table.

Each of the stallions gasps at the sudden announcement.

"That is wonderful news" Prince Solaris smiled at them "Congratulations are in order"

"I am going to be an uncle" Duskshine smiled

"This sounds like a great time to celebrate" Bubbleberry smiled

"Congratulations" every other pony told the happy couple.

"Thanks" Tempo and Gleaming Shield smiled in the happiness

"When are you due" Elusive asked the couple

"Ten months" Gleam smiled as she felt her husband's hoof on her.

"Well, a toast to the new prince or princess" Prince Solaris used his magic to raise the glass in celebration; everyone else raised their glasses and drank to the toast.

"I am not going to change the diapers, am I" Barbara spoke feeling a bit afraid of what her new duties could be.

Everyone was excited for the happy couple; however Applejack noticed a deep sadness for Butterscotch. Despite not being a social stallion, Butterscotch had a face to himself whenever he is sad. For a while, he has noticed this and he was going to get to the bottom of his depression.

"Ok now, let's try again" Butterscotch tried to get the birds in line for the Gala. He was practicing in the gardens as it was the only place in the castle that there was a sense of peace and quietness that Butterscotch needed for the birds.

The orange stallion stared upon him as he noticed he was very distracted and Butterscotch stomped his hoof.

"That's not right either" He shook his head. He tried to think clearly of how he wanted the song of the birds to sound.

"Ok then, a one and a two" Butterscotch breathed in

"Howdy Butterscotch" Applejack appeared from the bushes frightening the birds and Butterscotch. "Woops, sorry"

"It's ok" Butterscotch told him

"So, what's on your mind, Sugar cube" Applejack smiled at his friend

"Oh, it's nothing" he shyly told Applejack

"It's those nightmares again" Applejack looked at his friend, who wasn't giving him an answer.

"It's been three years, Eris is gone. You have got to move on like the rest of us have" Applejack told him "Besides when was the last time you have ever smiled?"

"I know I should, but they keep getting worse. You may all think that it's over but I can't help but feel that it hasn't" Butterscotch told his friend. "I just feel, I just…"

Butterscotch broke down crashing on the floor in a deep sadness that Applejack rushed over to him.

"Hey, it's ok. I am here. It's all in your head, sugar cube and she is never coming back" Applejack told him.

"O my goodness, this is just too much" a voice was laughing out in a cave watching over the scene of Butterscotch and Applejack. Her villainess laugh couldn't contain it. Eris looked over them and smirked.

"O my, it's Eris, the Goddess of Chaos, run away while we still have the chance" She imitated a pony or stallion as that would be their exact reaction to her return.

A splitting imagine of the draconequus appeared in the mirror looking at her still mocking how the ponies and stallions would react to her return.

"And the reason we are in this cave hiding out and not relaxing on a beach is because…" the reflection wanted a point of hiding out in a cave.

"It's because I wanted to leave them in a state of false security. They all think I am gone for good. But, when I come out, it will be a big surprise. Like a birthday party" Eris grinned evilly

"What about the wimpy Pegasus" the mirror mocked her

"O he is of no threat to us, no one listens to him anyways" Eris said nonchalant about Butterscotch.

"So, what's the plan this time? You going to turn them into their opposite" the mirror asked

"O because that worked so much better the last time" Eris spoke in a sarcastic tone "We can't do something that will be easily be undone. No, what we need is something more….permanent"

"The problem is those Elements of Harmony. As long as they are willing to use them, thus we can't touch them. Also, we will be turned back to stone and we all know what that is like" the reflection looked at Eris

"Don't' remind me" Eris glared as she shivered as that was one punishment, she didn't want to go through again. Escaping its grasp was frightening enough for the goddess of Chaos. Soon an idea popped into her mind.

"What if they weren't willing to use them?" Eris winked at her reflection

"OOOOO, what an ingenious idea; what's the plan?" the reflection looked up at her

"I will tell you later, for now those stallions won't know what hit them with the latest touch of my newest plan" She smirked

"MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Eris up roared in a maniacal laugh that outstretched the outer limits of the cave; her reflection had disappeared as she continued her laugh until she stopped herself in the awkward silence and looked around.

"Note to self: I have really got to stop talking to myself" Eris told herself writing a mental memo of what to do when taking over Equestria.

"So, you going to ask her to dance with you" Prince Tempo smirked at Duskshine, who gave him a confusing look

"What now" Duskshine looked to his step-brother

"You know, who I am talking about" Prince Tempo laughed

"Ummm, I don't follow" Duskshine was baffled by his brother in law's intentions.

"Flare Warden" Prince Tempo reminding Duskshine of the blue haired Pegasus that he kept bumping into and the human version of the pony, who he held great feelings for.

Preparations were still going underway for the Gala, when a note burped itself out of Barbara's mouth. She suddenly blushed and rushes over to Prince Solaris.

"There's a crisis in Saddle Arabia" Prince Solaris was reading the parchment carefully.

"What is the crisis" Artemis asked his brother

"It lacks that detail, but they say it needs me, Artemis, and Tempo to look into the situation" Solaris spoke

"Wait, why doesn't it ask for me" Duskshine was confused

"It probably does, but just to be sure, I am leaving Duskshine in charge of everything including the Gala until our return" Solaris looked down at his pupil.

"What? I'm in charge of everything? The Gala? Are you sure I am ready?" Duskshine asked a dozen of questions with only one answer from Solaris

"I know you are ready" Solaris put a hoof to him to show trust.

(A/N umm I am not quite sure it's wise to put Duskshine in charge of Canterlot, I mean this is the same stallion who cracked under pressure after not writing a friendship report that one time)

"I want to go in Tempo's place" Gleaming Shield asks them

"Honey, I can't allow you to make such a sacrifice. I can go" Prince Tempo looked at his stubborn wife

"It's fine, we will be just fine" Gleaming Shield spoke while placing a hoof to her stomach.

Gleaming Shield walked with Princes Artemis and Solaris, who were leaving immediately to leave for Saddle Arabia and left the stallions to their preparations while Duskshine was caught off guard by what Solaris had said.

Everyone wasn't exactly taking the news of Solaris, Artemis, and Gleaming Shield's departure to Saddle Arabia.

"And I was just finished upon making their outfits" Elusive pouted and feeling bummed out about the effort he wasted upon making the outfits.

"O dear, what will we do?" Butterscotch was in fear "I think I am going to"

"I got him" Elusive caught Butterscotch before he hit the floor

"Don't sweat it you guys, we have handled big parties before" Pinkie smiled

"Yes, so let's follow my lead and everything will be just fine" Duskshine smiled seeing Tempo in full support.

"I will go and practice with the birds" Butterscotch told them in a sad tone

The four stallions were in confusion of Butterscotch's words. They saw him galloping outside to the birds.

"What's wrong with Butters, he should be happy, why isn't he happy?" Bubbleberry raised a brow

"You know Butterscotch and social events don't go together" Elusive told his friends.

"I have never seen him like that before" Duskshine was worried of his friend

"I guess it's those nightmares again" Applejack told the others

"How long has he been this way?"

"For a while now, I can't even remember the last time Butterscotch laughed or smiled or had any joy of fun" Applejack said again as everypony was looking at the sadness and loneliness in their friend.

"I noticed it too. His smiles look kind of forced" Bubbleberry looked to the others.

"From what I have noticed, an enormous amount of mares have been crawling to his attention, but he rejections them all. I would take advantage of such a situation" Elusive feeling jealous of Butterscotch.

"Wait, he is having nightmares? You don't mean the ones involving…"Duskshine feared

"Yes and they're getting worse" Applejack nods "he can't seem to get that monster out of his head"

"What's he so afraid of? That temptress has been gone for three years" Elusive shook his head

"We have to turn that frown upside down" Bubbleberry rubbed his cheeks with his hoof for ideas "But, how?"

"What he would need is a huge social boost. He should sing a song" Elusive suggested

"That's a brilliant idea. He has an amazing singing voice" Bubbleberry cheered

"That's an excellent idea, but we have to ask him about it first" Duskshine felt a hint of concern as Butterscotch returned.

So, they asked the stallion upon his thoughts of it. At first, Butterscotch said he couldn't do it. Yet, he knew his friends would keep asking him about it. He couldn't say no forever and gave in.

"I will sing a song" Butterscotch sighed

I hope the princes come back faster he thought to himself.

"We are almost to our destination sir" one of the guards told Prince Solaris

"Thank you" Solaris smiled as the guard left the three

"I hope Duskshine will be ok with being in charge of everything" Artemis worried

"If there was anypony I could trust with leading over Canterlot and the Gala, it would be Duskshine" Solaris smiled

"Besides, he is a tough stallion and a prince as well" Gleaming Shield smiled as well

"My princes and captain, we have encountered a slight problem and I am sorry to tell you all, that you have to journey on hoof" the guard hesitated for a moment.

"It is fine" Solaris nodded as the three journeyed through the sand area as it was hard to see with the weather looking dreadful.

"Brother, this weather is looking awful, do you think that is the cause of this mess" Artemis ask him

"We won't know until we arrive" Solaris looked at the clouds as well

"Well the clouds look rather peculiar. I mean pink clouds?" Gleaming Shield joked

The mention of pink clouds turned Solaris and Artemis's face from determination to worry. Solaris looked closer at the raindrops as they were very dirty to be water itself. He had a taste of it.

"Chocolate milk?" Solaris feared as he put his hoof down

"Only one creature could ever make pink clouds and chocolate rain" Artemis looked at him "Brother we have to turn back now"

"TOO LATE" a voice called from within the pink clouds and with one final snap the three disappeared without a trace on them.

Well, that was a shocking turn of events. I wanted to end it that way. So, the tough part of this chapter was where I wanted the starting point to be.

In the spirit of BOD, I wanted to include not just the Fluttercord, but the AppleSpike as well. I am blending both the Audio Series and DF's fanfic as well. I like how Disney Fanatic 2364 used the violin of Return to Mother from Tangled. It's so Awesome and kind of fits into the story.

I assume everyone noticed the first switch up of this story. I know Princess Cadance went with Celestia and Luna in the original story, but this change up is explainable. I am sure people will forgive me for this change up. If you are still confused, I will explain it in the next chapter.

Anyways, I hope everyone likes this chapter. The next chapter will be the Return. Now, I am having a hard time deciding between keeping Somepony to Love or change it to a different song. Tell me what you think? If you have a song recommendation pleases tell me.

I will be answering Questions in an Author's Note that I will be posting some time this week. It will tell you my plans for this story. Anyways, I finally found what I want my OC pony would look like.

*Uses magic to transform himself into a blue unicorn with black hair, glasses, and a black fedora as a hat. His cutie mark consisted of a notebook with a pencil*

Ah, much better.

Well, stay tune for my Author's note on the questions everyone has. If you guys have anymore questions, pleases feel free to ask me. If it's concerning me, my fanfic, or anything in general, please put it on the review for me to answer in the next chapter.

Everyone have a great day and until then, see you all later. By the way.
DUN DUN DUN