Fallen Eagle

Chapter 21: The Grand Galloping Gala Part 1

Welcome back guys to another chapter for Fallen Eagle. I still want to thank you guys so much for favoriting, following and giving me feedback; that's what keeps me motivated to keep writing. And I'm glad everyone was happy with me writing a montage, you don't have any clue how difficult that actually was. I'm still going to try and update as often as I can, but quality comes first and I also want to finish Long Live Rock 'N Roll. Before I get to rambling, let's reply to some reviews shall we?

OBSERVER01: Well he's certainly fallen victim to something, or somepony…

Glugthorn: Thank you. I like dramatic openings, like Goldeneye's opening, Dante's Peak's opening, Top Gun's opening etc.

SquirtlePWN: Thanks. Music montages (if done correctly) can be really fun, and what better way to get everyone ready for the Gala then to do brief shots of everypony gearing up for said Gala?

lifestardt: At a point like this, normally I'd deny it, but really, Shining's the only one to call her Twily. Did I make it too obvious? Maybe, but who cares? It's time Shining Armor and Cadence made an appearance.

KonigstigerAce334: Don't mean to brag, but I do kinda know what the best music in the world is. My parents raised me with 50s music to 80s music.

KillerWOW: I can't begin to tell you how many times I've flipped out over a new chapter, but shit kept getting in the way of me reading it. I think it' safe to say: We've all been there.

uss71832: Hell yeah man, can't go wrong with those two bands. But if you really enjoyed THAT, stay tuned for this chapter and the next chapter; I've got some really kick-ass songs coming up that Cougar and Vinyl will perform.

Dixie Darlin: No need to apologize, I understand work gets in the way sometimes. I thought that would be cool for people to see how everyone is doing before the big night. I believe Rainbow DID let out a Rarity-like squeal in the Season 1 finale if I'm not mistaken when Spitfire invites her to hang out.

Phew. Alright, one last thing. I finally broke down and watched ONE, yes just one, teaser for Season 5. If you're curious, it's the one where the writers showed the map inside the castle which alerts the Mane 6 about a friendship problem. It kind of reminded me of Charlie's Angels, but that's just me. Oh and I nearly crapped my pants when I saw Sweetie Belle getting ready to sing in front of a crowd. I have a theory on what that episode might be about, if you're curious just PM me on what my theory might be. But, I have a strong feeling this season could be Season 2 good, it's definitely too early to say that, but I have a gut feeling.

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(At the Grand Galloping Gala. Cougar's POV)

I never thought I would actually hear a squeal that could potentially shatter glass or make ears bleed. But dammit if Twilight's squeal didn't come close to accomplishing that particular feat. Though I believe everyone save for Pinkie was slightly disturbed by Twilight's exclamation. "SHINING ARMOR! She shouted while jumping up and down in front of a white unicorn wearing a red uniform with a gold collar and had a three pointed shield cutie mark with a six pointed star in the middle and three five pointed stars above the shield. The purple alicorn practically tackled this Shining Armor and squeezed him tightly. "What are you doing here?!" She asked with an exuberant amount of excitement. Chuckling, the white unicorn returned the hug before softly prying Twilight off of him.

"Well, Cady and I received a special invitation from Princess Celestia to join the Gala this year, so we accepted and showed up last night," Shining explained.

"That, and we really wanted to meet your new friend you talked about in your letters," a pink alicorn with a multi-colored mane and tail and what appeared to be turquoise heart on her flank appeared next to Shining Armor. She looked up at me with a warm smile.

"Yeah, Cheetah right?" Shining asked.

"Cougar," I corrected, "and nice to meet you Shining Armor, you're Twilight's big brother right?" I questioned. Shining Armor nodded, but Twilight technically answered for him.

"Not just that, he's my BBBFF!" She hugged him again.

"And what the hell is that?" I asked, puzzled.

"No, don't!" Spike warned, but Twilight explained anyway, "too late," he rolled his green eyes.

"Shining is my Big Brother Best Friend Forever," she said, "and he's the best big brother ever!" she added. "Oh Cadence, how could I forget?" the alicorn face-hoofed. The two alicorns stood face to face and bent down with their flanks in the air. They began dancing and chanting something.

"Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake. clap your hooves and do a little shake!" The two chanted and shook their butts towards each other. They then proceeded to laugh while the rest of us stood awkwardly waiting for this to end.

"Not even gonna ask about that," I looked away.

"Oh, this is so sweet it's making me sick!" Discord appeared in a hospital gown and an IV bag.

"So Cougar, you've seemed to make quite the splash in Equestria," Cadence chimed in and produced a news article clipping of the day I fought the timber wolf duo. Thankfully instead of talking about it, she made the news article go away. "Tell me, how do you like Equestria so far?" She politely asked me. Before I could reply, Celestia cleared her throat to gather attention from all of us.

"Sorry to break up this little reunion so to speak, but Twilight, we must go and greet other guests to the Gala per tradition," she announced. "Everypony else, you can do what you want until the main event with Cougar and Ms. Vinyl," she added.

"Oh you're right Princess," Twilight bit her lip to suppress your excitement, "Shining, do you want to join us?" She asked.

"Maybe in a bit Twilight," Shining apologized, "I do want to talk a little military history with Cougar here," he patted my shoulder with his hoof. This definitely got my attention; I looked over at the unicorn with an unsure face.

"If you want, though I won't tell you much if that's okay," I didn't want to offend or upset anypony here.

"Classified information, best part of the job am I right?" Shining bragged. Cadence and Flash Sentry volunteered to go join Celestia and Twilight while everypony pretty much went their own way, though I heard Rainbow giving Rumble a small lecture before he set off with Scootaloo and the rest of the crusaders.

"Look Rumble, I think you're a good colt, but don't pull any crap your idiot brother would do, got it?" She hovered above the cowering colt with her nostrils flared and her hoof pounding into her other hoof.

"Y-y-yes Rainbow Dash," Rumble stammered out in fear.

"Come on sis, Rumble won't do anything," the orange filly got in between her date and her sister. "I can make sure of that," she assured the older pegasus.

"Well good, now you two have fun!" Rainbow's tone changed from grim and threatening to happy and chipper in an instant. Even that creeped me out a bit.

"See ya AJ, Big Mac, Cougar!" Applebloom hugged all three of us.

"They're not gonna break anything, are they?" I asked to make sure. Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity all looked at each other and shrugged before continuing to go do whatever they wanted to do. "Eh, I'm worrying about nothing," I comforted myself.

"Come Cougar and Shining Armor, the night is just beginning!" Luna cheered.

"Hey Checkered," I shook the hoof of the racing pony.

"Good to see you again Cougar, and good to finally meet you Prince Shining Armor," Checkered gave a little bow. Checkered himself was also wearing a tuxedo, though his was actually white with a black undershirt, very creative I think. Looking back, Fluttershy and Caramel walked together out to the garden area, Rainbow and Soarin joined up with the rest of the Wonderbolts, Rarity trotted off to see Fancypants and Fleur-Dis-Lee while Spike followed. Flash Sentry tagged along with Twilight, Celestia and Cadence to greet ponies to the Gala. Big Mac and Cheerilee headed over to the snack table, Discord just vanished, probably to go cause a little trouble while Vinyl went to find some beer to drink and Lyra and Bon Bon attempted to talk to the Canterlot Elite. This left Applejack with pretty much nopony to hang out with.

"Hey Applejack, wanna come with us?" I asked, "always room for one more," I offered. Across the room, the orange mare looked over at us, back to where she was standing and nodded.

"Ah'm a-comin' Cougar!" She replied and trotted our way. Shining cleared his throat, gathering my attention. The white unicorn teasingly chuckled at me with a cocked eyebrow and a smirk carved into his face.

"So, Twily's been telling me in her letters that Applejack took you in to live on her farm," he said.

"Yeah, in exchange for chores and being polite yes," I replied, unsure of where he was going with this conversation.

"Well, she also mentioned how close you two are getting," he nudged me in the shoulder with his shoulder. I opened my mouth to counter what he was saying, but he kept talking, "you can be truthful with us Cougar," he motioned to Luna and Checkered Flag, "is she your date?" he asked with a smile. "Oh fuck," I thought to myself, "not this again."

"No, she is not my date," I defended, "besides, if I asked, what in the hell do you think her reaction would be?" I asked rhetorically. "I'll tell you what her reaction would be-" I began to answer my own question when Applejack finally caught up.

"Howdy Prince Shining Armor, Princess Luna, Checkered Flag, Cougar," Applejack greeted us. "How're things goin' in the Crystal Empire?" She asked Shining Armor. The royal unicorn tore away from me to address the orange mare.

"Oh good, the economy is great, crime is at an all time low and every citizen is happy," he replied. "Nothing really to complain about."

"I'm curious, who runs your Empire if both you and your princess are gone?" I questioned curiously.

"We have an ambassador who takes control of the Crystal Empire until our return, Ambassador Crystalline, good mare," Shining Armor said. "And before I forget, congratulations on your tie with Rainbow Dash in the Running of the Leaves," he congratulated Applejack.

"Thank ya kindly Shining Armor, it was a fun race," she replied, "these three can attest ta that," she added.

"I mainly remember getting slapped in the face with a dark blue wing," I smirked towards the alicorn standing off to my right. She blushed a deep scarlet red and looked away at Checkered Flag whom tried to suppress a laugh.

"You know I did not mean to do that Cougar," the princess squeaked out embarrassingly.

"Excuse my snickering your highness, but did you hit Cougar with your wing?" He questioned.

"Y-yes I did Checkered," Luna stammered, "I had a natural reaction that pegasi and apparently alicorns get when they see a potential mate they like," she explained, trying to keep a straight face while talking to said potential mate that gave her her wing-boner. "And unfortunately, Cougar was sitting in the wrong place at the wrong time," Luna added.

"Boy that had to hurt," Checkered grimaced an apology to me. "Who could've possibly made you have that reaction Princess Luna?" The racing pony tried playing dumb. I wanted to let him know that I knew he and Luna were already in a relationship, but someone beat me to the punch.

"Oh cut the crap Checkered, I already told him and Vinyl Scratch that we've been together for awhile now," Luna cut in. Checkered's ears dropped and his face contorted into an, 'I can't believe I made an ass out of myself,' face. Applejack however gasped in astonishment and immediately began to congratulate the couple.

"Oh my gosh! Well congrats Princess Luna 'n Checkered Flag!" She congratulated, "Ah'm really happy for ya two," she smiled.

"Thank you Element of Honesty, though Checkered and I wish for you to keep this a secret, mainly from my older sister," Luna requested as her face returned to its normal shade of midnight blue.

"'N why is that yer highness if Ah may ask?" the farming pony questioned curiously.

"She and Checkered Flag don't want Celestia to make a big deal out of it and pester them non-stop," I explained, "she told me and Vinyl earlier today," I added. Applejack complied with a quick nod and we went about our way.

"Nephew, you haven't said a word about this yet, is there any reason why?" Luna questioned Shining Armor.

"Well, if you're thinking I'm not happy for you, you couldn't be further from the truth Aunt Luna," the unicorn replied, "it's just, I already knew you and Checkered Flag here were a couple," he said. Luna stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of the hallway, causing us all to follow suit. Her face had just about the perfect 'What the hell' faces I've ever seen in my life.

"Uh, excuse me nephew?" She asked, bewildered, "Checkered and I kept our relationship a secret, how in my sister's name did you find this out?" the alicorn demanded with a hint of fire in her eyes. I backed Applejack away just in case.

"My wife is the Princess of Love Auntie," Shining rolled his eyes, "she could feel his love for you when he and the Earth Pony Racing League visited the Crystal Empire for their annual charity race," he delineated, "and when you fell for him, it's kind of like when Discord feels a surge of magical disturbance. Cady gets a huge chill up her spine when a strong pair of love is born." Luna facehoofed and groaned, feeling like an idiot over something that was apparently obvious to her.

"Of course, how could I forget such an important detail?" she growled.

"She felt another one back in June or July; she said it was one of the biggest ones she felt too," Shining added. Without another word, we began our trek once again, though I had no clue where we were going, it was nice just to walk with friends and spend time with them. "So Cougar, Twily said in her letters that you flew in your country's Air Force right?" the Prince of the Crystal Empire inquired. Stuffing my hands in my pockets I explained what I did in the Air Force.

"I flew an F-15C for seven years in the Air Force yes," I replied, "it was our duty to keep our country's air spaces free of unauthorized enemy aircraft and to ensure the safety of our country, especially with how dependent the majority of countries were on air space dominance," I explained.

"Were you in a lot of battles?" he asked again.

"I was, and so were my friends in Ghostrider Squadron. We were the Air Force's elite group."

"So, do you have any clue on how you even got here?" the pony prince asked a third question. Truthfully, I never questioned how or why I even got here; the memories of that night were just far too painful to relieve. However, I decided I could give an explanation on why I was here and not give him any details on losing every single one of my friends.

"Do you really want my theory? Because it'll sound crazy; I don't even believe it," I warned him.

"Shoot, I won't think you're crazy," he assured me.

"Fine. We were sent on an escort mission to get a recon ship safely to its next port when we were ambushed by an enemy squad. We knocked a few out of the sky before I was hit with gun fire in my engines, they stalled and my jet plummeted towards the ocean. I ejected as quick as I could but I blacked out and woke up here," I elucidated. "My only guess is we were above the Bermuda Triangle and it somehow transported me to Equestria." Shining stopped dead in his tracks as we rounded a corner. Applejack, Checkered Flag and Luna were just behind us.

"A triangle sent you here?" he questioned in a sarcastic tone.

"Told you it would sound weird, and it's not really a physical triangle," I started to explain when a snooty couple bumped into us.

"I say, what is the matter with you, stopping in the middle of the hallway like common street rats," the male of the duo dusted his shirt off.

"Oh my Jetset," the female pony grimaced in disgust, "it's that horribly ugly monkey creature the princesses allowed to live amongst our kind, how dreadful!" She whined.

"Mmm, agreed Uppercrust, how could our beloved Princesses, well Celestia anyways, I don't really care for or trust that wretched Princess Luna," Jetset just nonchalantly insulted my best friend, "how could she allow an uncouth and rather grotesque animal to walk amongst us without a leash?" the grey pony jabbed my chest with his hoof. This guy was pissing me off. Insult me all you want, but you mess with my friends...

"Watch it there, that's my sister's friend you've just insulted," Shining Armor warned.

"And who are you again? You look familiar," Uppercrust studied the unicorn.

"PRINCE Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire, husband of Princess Cadence, elder brother of Princess Twilight and nephew of Princesses Celestia and Luna," he glared at the snooty couple. The couple didn't shrink down in fear or flinch, they stood there like statues, as if nothing was said to them.

"Well, we have no personal problems with you, your wife or your kingdom Prince Shining Armor," Jetset adjusted his glasses.

"We just don't think a creature such as him should be allowed to live in Equestria unless a leash was attached to his neck or he was in a cage at the zoo," Uppercrust finished Jetset's sentence. Suddenly, Luna trotted up beside us, with a regal-like expression on her face. Now Jetset and Uppercrust shrank down in fear.

"So, Jetset and Uppercrust, are thou enjoying our Gala?" Luna politely asked.

"Y-yes of course your highness," Jetset stammered, "perfect as always, right Uppercrust?" he asked.

"C-couldn't be better Princess," her eyes were filled with fear.

"Oh, well I couldn't help overhearing that you believe my personal friend here," she nudged me in the gut with her hoof, "should be locked up in a cage in the zoo, or be attached to a leash, is that correct?" Luna questioned. Now Checkered Flag and Applejack appeared next to myself, Luna and Shining Armor, both looking unhappy at the couple as well.

"Uh-um well," Jetset began before Luna cut him off in her stadium voice.

"HOW DARE THOU SAY SUCH CRUEL THINGS TO THIS KIND CREATURE!?" She boomed, causing a few windows to rattle and a few guests to look our way. "THIS CREATURE HATH SAVED MANY PONIES' LIVES AND HATH BEEN A TRUE FRIEND TO MANY OTHERS. WE MUST ASK THOU TO LEAVE OUR GALA IMMEDIATELY!" Luna ordered the duo.

"B-but what if we apologized?" Uppercrust asked.

"After what you said about my sister? I think NOT!" Luna's white aura grasped Jetset and Uppercrust and tossed them out of an open window in the hallway. The two landed in a giant bush in the garden below where I saw Fluttershy and Caramel sitting around a few animals. "There," Luna dusted off her hooves, "I do believe the garbage has been taken care of. Checkered, if you'll join me please?" She asked.

"What a mare," the Earth Pony trotted ahead. Shining Armor, Applejack and myself all turned to each other and said the same word.

"Damn."

"Luna, you didn't have to throw them out," I said.

"Oh ho ho," Luna chortled, "those two are the worst of the worst when it comes to attitudes for Canterlot Elites. And NOPONY belittles my friends or my sister and gets away with it," she shot me a look of death which made me back down. Clearing my throat, I turned to Applejack to talk to her about her sister and her friends.

"Hey AJ, do you think your sister and her friends are doing okay in the castle by themselves?" I asked once we resumed following Luna and Checkered Flag.

"Well, that depends," Applejack replied.

"On what exactly?"

"The normal okay or the okay we reserve fer the crusaders?"

(With the CMC and their Dates)

The six school-aged ponies had ditched their older sisters and were busy checking out all of the neat paintings, busts, statues and tapestries that were set up all around the castle's hallways. Naturally, the six colts and fillies bumped into numerous ponies, but they didn't really care. "I say, watch where you are going, heathens," a snooty pony complained after Scootaloo bumped into his leg.

"Sorry mister!" she apologized as she and the others rushed by the legs of other ponies.

"Could we please slow down Sweetie Belle?" Pipsqueak politely asked his date, "I do want to see what the castle has to offer, but I would also like to see it in once piece without angering others," he held onto Sweetie Belle's foreleg as they weaved in an out of the sea of pony legs. The younger sister of Rarity giggled as the six came to a stop in a new hallway that was empty of other guests to the Gala.

"Aw Pip, don't worry too much," she said in a flirty tone that she obviously learned from her sister.

"Well, I just don't want to see my lovely date get injured," he held her hoof. Sweetie Belle blushed like mad and looked away from the charming Trottingham colt. Featherweight and Rumble both exchanged glances and rolled their eyes at their friend.

"Try hard much Pip?" Rumble asked his friend. Scootaloo elbowed him in the ribs and shot a glare that told him to keep his trap shut. Applebloom gasped as she realized they had entered the Hall of Canterlot History and started to look all around.

"Featherweight, you brought your camera right?" she made sure. The pegasus colt produced his camera from behind his back and held it in front of his girlfriend. "Good work, now this night we can really remember!" she pecked his cheek, causing the poor colt to seize up and collapse. "Oops, sorry Featherweight," Applebloom apologized and helped her date to his hooves. The colt shook his head and got the stars out of his eyes.

"Hehe, good goin' Featherweight," Rumble teased. Scootaloo shot him a glare that told him he better keep his trap shut, causing the pegasus to innocently whistle and look away from Scootaloo.

"Hey Featherweight, can you take our picture in front of this picture?" Sweetie Belle grabbed Pip and stood them in front of a painting of both Luna and Celestia. The silver nameplate below the painting read: Royal Sisters Celestia and Luna. 5 B.N.M. (Before Nightmare Moon)

"Okay, get a little closer," Featherweight looked through the viewfinder on his camera, his tongue sticking out slightly. "Hmm, Sweetie, do you think you can put your lips on Pip's cheek?" the photographer asked.

"Too easy," she flirted, closed her eyes and put her lips onto Pip's cheek, forcing a blush to creep across his face.

"Perfect," Featherweight snapped a quick picture, "okay all good," he announced. Sweetie Belle lightly tapped Pip on his head to snap him back to reality. The Earth Pony nervously wiped his cheek and moved away from the painting.

"HEY!" A gruff voice shouted. The six ponies all snapped their heads towards the sound of a guard's voice who was staring them down while trotting their way. The grey unicorn's bright blue eyes were furrowed down, staying opened as he headed towards his destination. Sweetie Belle and Featherweight both cowered while Applebloom, Pip, Rumble and Scootaloo stood their ground.

"Is something the matter guard dude?" Rumble asked, staying in front of Scootaloo.

"Rumble!" Applebloom scolded.

"Show some respect to authority!" Pip added. The guard in question stopped directly in front of the group, glaring down at the much smaller ponies. Sweetie Belle and Featherweight gulped as the grey unicorn shifted his eyes from pony to pony.

"My name is not guard dude," he growled and got face to face with Rumble, pushing his nose agains't the small pegasus. Rumble tried and failed to stay strong as his ears drooped and a few droplets of sweat trickled down his face. "It's Major Wesson," he corrected Rumble.

"Oh, okay then Sarge," Scootaloo appeared from behind Rumble, "did we do something wrong?" she crossed her forelegs and raised an eyebrow.

"How stupid do you punk kids think I am?" Major Wesson demanded, shutting up the orange filly. "You six go to school right?" he questioned.

"Yes, what's that supposed to mean?" Applebloom questioned. Grumbling, the ticked off guard slapped his hoof onto a plaque next to the doorway of the hall.

"ABSOLUTELY NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY"

"Can you not read, or do you regularly ignore posted rules?" Wesson spat to the filly. Finally regaining confidence, Rumble got back in front of his date and nudged his nose to Wesson's.

"Hey, back off there bud, we just didn't see the sign because we've never been in this area of the castle before," he growled right back.

"Mind who you're talking to you little punk, or else I'll throw all six of you out on your flanks and you'll go crying home to your mommies," he grinned. Silence met the seven ponies as nopony said a word. Applebloom linked forelegs with Featherweight to comfort him as he was still clearly afraid of the guard. "Now get out of my sight before I really get pissed!" He yelled, pointing his hoof towards the exit.

"Fine, we didn't want to see your stupid Hall of History anyways, jerk!" Scootaloo turned around with Rumble beside her and began to head towards the exit with the other four when another guard appeared, this one the group knew.

"Hey kids, enjoying the Hall of History are we?" Remington asked nicely.

"They were just leaving for breaking the rules Remington, no flash photography," Wesson reiterated. The white pegasus guard looked from his fellow guard to the little ponies several times.

"We just took one picture Lt. Remington," Sweetie Belle explained.

"Yeah, we apologized because that sign isn't showing very well," Pip added as he pointed out part of a Starswirl the Bearded statue blocked half the plaque. Featherweight stepped forward to add his two cents as well.

"And he just flipped out on us for no reason and threatened to kick us out even though we promised to leave," the photographer pony said. Remington's blue eyes looked up at Wesson's and he bared his teeth.

"Wesson, you've got to stop being such an ass and taking everything so damned seriously," the pegasus guard gnarled. Wesson stamped his right foreleg and laid his ears down on his head.

"Always have to be the nice guy don't you?" the unicorn guard replied, "You spineless wimp. Celestia was a fool to allow you on the Royal Guard," he snarled right back. The crusaders and their dates gasped in shock; they had no clue a guard would have the guts to say that about their princess. Remington slammed his hoof onto the ground, leaving a small crack where he slammed.

"How DARE you speak of our princess like that Wesson. And you forget who outranks whom, Major," Remington clenched his teeth hard. "I can have you demoted or put on suspension without pay, would you like that? These children are honored guests of Celestia, and the girl's sisters are three of the Elements of Harmony," he added. Wesson's face fell in shock and a breath was caught in his throat.

"Oh, that I didn't know. Please forgive me children, take all the pictures you want," he gulped.

"Now who's the coward?" Remington huffed. "Just get out of my sight Major Wusson," he ordered. Wesson saluted and quickly turned tail and trotted away before disappearing around a corner. Shaking his head, Remington turned around and smiled at the six ponies. "Sorry about him kids," he apologized, "he's just a self-centered jerk who only cares about advancing faster than anypony through the ranks," he explained.

"Isn't that what most guards want to do sir?" Pip asked.

"Yeah, but he cuts corners and reports things that nopony cares about, like this," Remington referenced the current situation. "And besides, that plaque's been up since I was a colt myself and ponies take pictures every day so nopony really cares," he shrugged.

"So, we can take pictures?" Featherweight produced his camera once again. Remington ruffled his mane with a smile.

"I didn't see anything," he winked, "have fun kids, I just have to ask not to touch anything, look with your eyes," he advised with a wave and disappeared down a different hallway than Major Wesson went down.

"Any idea where to go now?" Rumble questioned. Scootaloo tapped her chin with her tongue sticking out and looked around for other things to look at.

"Ooh, how about there?!" She exclaimed, pointing her hoof down a third hallway.

"I think that may be off limits to us Scootaloo," Pip advised his pegasus friend.

"Come on Pip, where's the pirate with the sense of adventure I like?" Sweetie Belle grasped his hoof and yanked him in the direction of the exhibit. Double checking to make sure Remington or Celestia forbid, Wesson, was watching, the Crusaders yanked their dates down the hallway filled with weapons past and present that Celestia and Luna's Royal Guard utilized.

"Woah, take a look at this battle ax!" Rumble began to drool over said ax that was mounted on the wall of the weapons hall.

"Hmm, says here this battle ax belonged to General Lightning Strike, the only Five Star General in the history of Celestia and Luna's Royal Guard, interestin'," Applebloom read the note card below the ax.

"With real authentic battle blood! Awesome!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"Pipsqueak, put that down!" Sweetie Belle shouted.

"What? You wanted my sense of adventure back didn't you?" Pipsqueak held a huge war hammer in his hooves.

"Be careful Pip, that belonged to General Thunder Clap!" Applebloom warned. Both Pip and Featherweight ignored Applebloom's warning.

"Pose for me buddy," Featherweight peered through the viewfinder. Pip held the huge hammer above his head with his hooves, but was obviously struggling to support it. "Come on, stay still," Featherweight annoyingly advised.

"Hurry up before somepony sees us and we really get in trouble!" Scootaloo hissed.

"Don't rush me," the photographer snapped.

"Hey, don't talk to my date like that!" Rumble shoved Featherweight. The shove resulted in Featherweight stumbling closer to Pipsqueak and accidentally taking a picture with the flash right in Pip's face.

"AHHH!" The Trottingham colt screamed, "I'M BLIND!" He flailed around, the hammer swinging around and threatening to hit some valuable piece of weaponry.

"Watch where you're swinging that!" Scootaloo hit the dirt.

"Be careful, don't hurt yourself Pip!" Sweetie Belle worried. Finally, Pip's balance gave out and he fell backward, the hammer smashing a suit of 500 year old golden armor worn by General Thunder Clap.

"Don't worry, I can see again!" Pip sighed in relief. "What's everypony looking at?" He asked.

"We are so DEAD!" Rumble shouted.

"This is all YOUR fault!" Featherweight jabbed Rumble's chest, "if you didn't shove me, this never would have happened!" he shook his hoof.

"Yeah, well you shouldn't have been taking so long!" Rumble shouted back.

"This really wouldn't have happened if Pip didn't touch the hammer," Applebloom grumbled.

"Can we just stop blaming each other and get out of here before we're caught?!" Sweetie suggested.

"Good idea Sweetie, let's split!" Pip agreed and held the door open for his friends and his date. Before any of them left however, Rumble and Featherweight quickly put the hammer back in its original spot while Sweetie Belle reassembled the suit of armor back on its stand, though there was a very noticeable dent in the side which she couldn't fix. The six school ponies dashed out of the weapons hall, deciding to go find something to do that wouldn't earn them a night in the dungeons, or worse: Getting in trouble with their parents/older siblings.

"Ya know, maybe we're still doin' better than Discord," Applebloom pondered while trotting.

(With The Spirit of Chaos)

A snooty Canterlot mare cleared her throat as she scooped a ladle into the punch bowl and filled up a cup full of berry punch. "Enjoying your evening madame?" A teasing voice asked her. Startled, the mare looked around to see who had asked her the question, though she found out that she was the only pony near the punch bowl. "Down here," the voice said. Her eyes peered down into her punch cup to find the ripples formed the face of the Spirit of Chaos himself. "That tickles!" he teased.

"AHHHHHHHH!" She screamed and smashed the glass onto the floor, running away in fear.

"Oh, ho, ho, ho!" Discord braced his head with his lion paw as he guffawed loudly and fell to the ground. "The look on her face! I can't breathe!" he face turned blue while he pounded the floor with his eagle talons. Wiping a tear from his eye, the draconequus caught his breath and stood up to see everypony shaking their head at him. "Oh live a little ponies!" He grumbled.

"What was that Discord?" Rainbow Dash asked with Soarin attached to her foreleg.

"Fluttershy said I couldn't spike the punch with hot sauce, dish water, laxative or alcohol," he explained, "she never said I couldn't spike the punch with myself," he playfully grinned and snapped his lion paw. The troublemaker appeared smaller and sat in the punch bowl as if he were in a jacuzzi tub.

"Look Discord, if you want ponies to start trusting you again after the whole Tirek betrayal thing, you might want to let up off the pranking," Rainbow advised, walking up to the punch bowl to look the teeny prankster in the eyes. Snapping his paws yet again, Discord reappeared in front of the Wonderbolt duo with his hands on his hips.

"Oh really Rainbow Dash?" He asked, "what if I told you to let up on your flying hmm? Pranking is in my nature just like flying is in yours. Do you have any idea how crazy I went when I was trapped in stone for so long?" He demanded.

"Wait a minute, you were crazier than this?" Soarin joked. Growling, Discord clapped his talons and paw together twice, resulting in Soarin's wings to disappear. "MY WINGS, GIVE THEM BACK!" he started to freak. "I don't want to be an Earth Pony, they're so boring!" he whined.

"Hey, didn't you go to high school with Applejack's cousin Braeburn?" Rainbow questioned.

"Well, only a few are boring, but just give me back my wings, please!" Soarin begged. Rainbow looked up from her boyfriend to the draconequus standing before her.

"You better do it Discord, or else I'll get Fluttershy in here," she threatened. Not much could phase Discord or scare him, but the one thing that did scare him was not an angry or upset Fluttershy, but a disappointed and hurt Fluttershy.

"Oh, all right," he clapped his talons and paw together again, "here you go you crybaby," his eyes rolled out of his head like billiard balls before coming to rest in his head that appeared on the floor. The sky blue Wonderbolt captain breathed a sigh of relief as his beloved wings reappeared on his sides.

"Phew, that was almost as bad as losing you Dashie," he nuzzled his cheek against hers, "or pie," he jokingly added.

"You and your pie Soar," Rainbow playfully rolled her eyes, "and by the way, you're welcome that I got Applejack to send you free pies every week."

"Right, thanks Dashie," he wrapped a foreleg around her neck. Discord gagged and stuck his eagle talons in his mouth.

"Can we change the subject before I get sick? Trust me, you do not want to see me get sick, right Rainbow?" Discord grinned.

"Don't remind me about that Discord," she shook her head.

"Tell me Soarin," Discord leaned his elbow on top of Soarin's head, "how weird is it that you're here at the Gala for the first time as the Wonderbolt Captain and without Spitfire here?" Soarin's happy-go-lucky demeanor fell to a depressed one rivaling that of when he was ditched by Spitfire and Fleetfoot in the hospital at Rainbow Falls.

"Could we not open up old wounds Discord?" Rainbow for once politely asked.

"I'm just curious is all," the merry prankster defended, "don't get your tail all in a knot."

"It's fine Rainbow," Soarin sighed. "I guess I would say it's definitely weird and sort of empty without Spitfire's presence," he looked around sadly where he and Spitfire used to hang out together. "I still can't fathom why my old friend from even the academy days turned on me like that," the pegasus whispered.

"Huh," Discord replied solemnly, "now I understand how you all felt when I betrayed you for Tirek," Discord motioned towards Rainbow. The cyan pegasus blinked a few times before nuzzling her cheek against Soarin's.

"We all make mistakes Discord; you're lucky we're pretty forgiving," Rainbow replied. "Hey, this is the Grand Galloping Gala, can we stop all this mushy sad crap before I hurl? When are Cougar and Vinyl going to be on anyways?" she turned towards the stage empty of the DJ unicorn or the human.

"Not for a while Co-Captain Dash!" a white pegasus with a mane as poofy as Pinkie's and a Wonderbolt's uniform hopped around the trio. "Have you tried this punch? It's yummylicious!" she gulped down another cup. Rainbow Dash and Soarin looked horrified as their comrade kept drinking the punch, unaware that Discord used it as a bathtub.

"Surprise! I wouldn't drink that if I were you," Soarin warned.

"Why not? Do you not think it's very good? Maybe you should try some more!" Surprise declared and forced the tip of her cup into Soarin's muzzle.

"Eww!" Soarin spit the liquid out and rubbed his tongue with his hooves. "Somepony get me some water!" he begged before running for the bathroom.

"Some ponies just don't have a good taste in fruit punch," Surprise sipped more of the beverage.

"Has living in the same town as Pinkie Pie helped you with that?" Discord asked as Surprise hopped away to join Rapidfire and Fire Streak.

"Oh yeah, I hardly notice Surprise's antics anymore," Rainbow replied.

(With the other princesses and Flash Sentry)

"Hello, and welcome to this year's Grand Galloping Gala," Princess Celestia greeted another couple to the big event, "we're so glad you can make it," the regal alicorn added with a smile and a short bow. The three of the four princesses and Flash Sentry stood at the top of the grand staircase that led to the ballroom, overlooking the foyer below where a large group of the Canterlot Elite mingled and took snacks off trays from butlers. Glock, per his duties, stood to Celestia's side.

"Mmm yes, thank you Princess," the mare of the couple replied, "and it's good to see Princess Twilight and Princess Cadence as well," she said, "you, I don't know who you are," the mare referenced Flash Sentry. The pegasus guard kept his guard composure as she and her husband walked passed the four ponies.

"Eh, I'm used to it," Flash shrugged when the couple was out of earshot. Twilight slightly nuzzled him before Celestia welcomed another group to the Gala.

"You're doing great Flash, sorry if you're bored," the purple princess apologized.

"Don't worry Twilight, I'm fine," Flash replied, still keeping his guard face on. While Celestia welcomed another couple to the Gala, Cadence walked behind her aunt and appeared next to Twilight and Flash.

"So, how goes it between you two?" The Princess of Love asked, "I still feel a spark between you," she expounded. Twilight and her boyfriend both exchanged glances with a twinge of a blush plastered on their cheeks before looking away from each other.

"Things are going great your highness, we've never been happier," Flash cleared his throat and addressed Cadence just as he was trained to do back in the Corps. Giggling, Cadence lightly hit Flash in the face with her multi-colored wing, surprising him.

"Flash Sentry, you were once one of my personal guards and you're practically my brother now with you dating my sister," she winked in Twilight's direction, "you can call me Cadence," she smiled. Loosening his bow tie a bit, Flash breathed in through his nose.

"I wouldn't want to be rude around you Princess Cadence," Flash replied. He groaned in pain as the pink alicorn stomped her hoof onto his rather painfully. Celestia didn't notice and Twilight's eyes grew as her sister looked like she was attempting to break her boyfriend's hoof. Tears of pain welled up inside the poor pegasus' eyes as he bit his lip to keep from screaming like a little filly.

"I insist," Cadence said calmly with a sickening smile that would freak out both the Grinch and the Joker. She slowly lifted her hoof off of his, to which the guard shot it towards his mouth and stuck it inside.

"Y-yes C-C-Cadence," Flash stammered in pain.

"Here, let me see Flash," Twilight stood in front of him. Flash took his hoof out of his mouth and showed it to his marefriend who seethed at how blue and purple the hoof was. "I can fix that," she winced and touched her horn to his hoof. Her magic aura engulfed the hoof and the bruise went away.

"Ahhh, thanks Twilight," he nuzzled her cheek. "Cadence, how is the Crystal Empire doing after my transfer?" Flash changed the subject.

"Nothing much has changed," Cadence replied, "Crystalline still runs the Kingdom when both myself and Shiny are absent."

"Shiny? I'm glad you didn't call him that when I was there," Flash chuckled.

"What's wrong with calling my husband a pet name?" Cadence raised an eyebrow, "Shining Armor calls me Cady sometimes," she added. "And I'm sure Twilight has a pet name for you, right?"

"No, I just call him Flash all the time, or Flash Sentry when I'm angry at him," Twilight cut in.

"Which is never," the pegasus quickly added to Twilight's thought. The purple alicorn gave him an 'Are you serious?' look, forcing him to gulp once again. "Okay, maybe the one time when I accidentally stabbed one of her books with my spear," he said meekly.

"Thereby ruining the cover and the first three chapters," Twilight grumbled. Getting a devilish idea, Cadence grasped Flash's wing in her magic and lightly smacked Twilight's flank, earning both of them a squeak from her muzzle.

"Th-th-that wasn't me Twilight, I swear!" Flash feared for his life. A pink hue appeared on Twilight's cheeks as the tingling sensation vibrated throughout her body from the smack on her flank.

"I didn't take you as frisky Flash," she said in a haughty voice. Looking up at Cadence, Flash had a 'Help Me!' expression on his face. Cadence just winked with a smirk and looked all around the room.

"Twilight, if you and Flash need some alone time, the guest room next to my personal chambers is available," Celestia teased.

"Princess!" Twilight exclaimed, "how could you say something like that?"

"Oh, it's just a joke Twilight," the white alicorn giggled.

"Changing the subject, again," Flash wiped his brow from sweat.

"Okay fine, I was just trying to have a little fun," Cadence rolled her eyes, "Aunt Celestia, have you found a special somepony yet?" the Princess of Love asked the Princess of the Sun. Celestia froze on spot, her eyes darting around the room.

"No, why do you ask niece?" She responded nervously.

"Um, Princess of Love?" Cadence pointed out her heart-shaped cutie mark, "kinda my business."

"Yes," Celestia coughed, "though I am the Princess of the Sun, yet you don't hear me talking about it 24/7," she countered. Flash, Twilight and Cadence all exchanged puzzled glances at each other before turning back to Celestia.

"Woah, no need to get defensive Princess Celestia," Flash said, "it was just an honest question."

"I know," she sighed, "I'm sorry for my outburst Cadence," Celestia apologized, "it's just, I spent so long ruling Equestria alone that I had no time to find a special somepony, and I fear that my old age and immortality frightens most suitors," she explained. "That and the stallions who do seem interested only want to be seen with a celebrity or just for the crown," she finished sadly. Twilight nudged Flash with her elbow and motioned her head towards Celestia. Flash mouthed, 'What?' to his girlfriend whom rolled her eyes at him.

"Say something nice to her, compliment her," Twilight whispered.

"But, I can't say something like that to my boss or in front of you," Flash whispered back.

"Just do it Flash. Princess Celestia needs to know we still love and appreciate her for who she is, not what she is," Twilight ordered. Flash nodded and tapped Celestia's shoulder with his hoof.

"Uh, Princess Celestia," he asked. The alicorn princess turned to him to see what he needed.

"Yes Flash Sentry?"

"I still think you're a loving, caring, sweet and if I may say so, beautiful mare that any stallion would be lucky to have," he admitted while struggling to look her in the eye. Twilight patted Flash on the back of his neck while Celestia processed what he had said.

"Why, thank you Flash Sentry, that's very kind of you to say," she nuzzled his cheek. Flash prayed that Twilight wouldn't get jealous of the Princess thanking him for his compliments. Thankfully, Twilight just smiled and Celestia looked back up to welcome yet another group to the Gala.

"Don't worry Auntie," Cadence assured, "I feel somepony here at the Gala has strong feelings for you, I just can't see who it is," she revealed.

"I thought you knew who everypony liked Cadence?" Flash asked.

"No Flash, I can sense which pony is being loved after, such as with Celestia, but I cannot sense who has the feelings for her unless they tell me," she explained.

"Oh, well how strong are the feelings someone has for Celestia?" Twilight questioned.

"Very strong Twilight," Cadence replied, scanning the foyer, "I can sense they've had feelings for her for quite some time, but again, I have no idea who," she reiterated. Cadence quickly licked her lips, trying to think of something else to say. "So Twilight, how're you and Spike doing?" She questioned.

"Spike?" Twilight replied curiously, "he's still my number one assistant, staying out of trouble and being a good friend, why do you ask?" the alicorn cocked her head to the side of the other alicorn.

"Well, I just mean how are his feelings for Rarity doing? He's practically a brother to me as well," Cadence detailed.

"Oh you mean his crush," Twilight giggled, "he's still pining after her, though I'm sure pretty soon he'll realize it's just a childhood crush and then he'll fall in love with somepony else his age," she waved it off as if it were nothing.

"Twilight, is Spike your best friend, or something like your brother?" Cadence asked a deep question, catching the purple alicorn off guard. Twilight blinked a few times, her brain attempting to process the question she was just hit with.

"W-well, I suppose he's like my brother, I mean we grew up together, why?" She demanded.

"Twilight, I've gone over his feelings for Rarity numerous times; they're some of the strongest I've ever felt in my life. It's not a simple little crush he has on Rarity, he's in love with her," Cadence divulged. Now it was Twilight's turn to freeze in place, her eyes glued down to the stairs below.

"N-no, he can't be in love with her, he's just a baby!" She exclaimed.

"Princess Twilight, why are you so adamant about Spike's love life?" Celestia softly asked.

"He's a baby, he doesn't have a love life," Twilight reiterated. Cadence was about to open her mouth again and add more of her two cents, but Twilight wanted this conversation to END. "So Cadence, am I going to be an aunt soon?" Twilight's eye twitched.

"Wha?" Cadence blushed like crazy and looked away from her sister. Suddenly, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Pip, Rumble and Featherweight dashed by the three alicorns and the guard at almost mach 20.

"Hey, where's the fire kids?!" Flash shouted.

"Uh, bathroom break! But we can't find it," Sweetie Belle rubbed the back of her head as Celestia froze the six within her golden aura.

"Down this hall, make a left, mare's room on the left, stallion's room on the right," Celestia pointed her hoof down the hallway leading past the staircase. All six of the little ponies looked down where Celestia was pointing and then looked back at the group of four.

"Oh, yeah, thanks," Scootaloo blushed, "can we go now?" she asked. Celestia gently lowered the ponies down to the carpeting and released them from her magical grip. Five of the ponies trotted away down the aforementioned hallway, but Pip stayed behind to have a quick word with Celestia.

"Your highness, may I trouble you for a question?" he politely asked in his Trottingham accent.

"Yes you may young Pip," Celestia was impressed by his impeccable manners.

"Where is Princess Luna? I was yanked away before getting the chance to say hello," he explained.

"I believe my younger sister is spending the evening with Applejack, Cougar, Checkered Flag and Shining Armor near the refreshments table," Celestia replied.

"Thank you your highness," Pip bowed.

"But it's almost time for the musical part of the evening in the ballroom and Luna and myself will be there," she added. Pip nodded before trotting away to rejoin his friends and date.

"Ooh," Cadence shivered, "he and Rarity's sister have feelings for each other," she quietly cheered. "In fact, all six of them have feelings for their respective date," she added. Flash Sentry looked up at the giant clock in the foyer and nudged Twilight.

"Ladies, I believe we should get going to the ballroom if I'm not mistaken," he announced.

"You're right Flash Sentry, let us set off shall we?" Celestia suggested.

(Ballroom. Cougar's POV)

"Okay couple questions," I picked some fruit out of my teeth with a toothpick, "Shining, you said your wife is the Princess of Love right?" I double-checked to make sure. The five of us were hanging out at the temporary bar that was setup in the ballroom.

"Yeah, why?" Shining downed a glass of Coltweiser and wiped his mouth with a napkin. I cleared my throat and set the toothpick down on a cocktail napkin in front of me before asking my question.

"And you said she gets like a chill up her spine whenever she feels love in the air?" Shining nodded, waiting for me to get to the point. "So, how in the hell does she survive, what'd you call it Luna? The holiday in February about love?"

"Hearts and Hooves day," Luna replied, turning away from talking with Checkered Flag.

"Right, thanks. Does she like go crazy during that day?" I questioned.

"Let's just say that on Hearts and Hooves day that she gets really really happy and I'm the one that has to cure it," Shining winked at me. Applejack blushed, trying to not think about it while Luna shrugged and finished off her second Marewaukee Brew. Checkered and I pretty much did nothing.

"Alright then," I went back to picking food out of my teeth. "Luna, are you going to tell your sister that you're dating Checkered Flag yet?" I asked my second question. Luna's can of beer exploded, covering herself and Checkered Flag in the alcoholic beverage.

"Another beer your highness?" The bartender wiped the counter down with his rag.

"Yes, please bartender," Luna coughed.

"Sorry Luna, didn't mean for that to happen," I apologized. Checkered Flag took out his handkerchief and wiped down Luna's face and dress on the front. The midnight blue alicorn allowed her secret boyfriend to wipe her down before replying to me.

"I'm sorry Cougar, but I don't think we're ready for Tia to start gushing over us," Luna returned my apology with her own apology.

"But Princess," Applejack chimed in, "aren't you tired of keepin' it a secret 'n hidin' it from yer own sister?" the farming pony asked as she sat next to me. Shining Armor nodded in agreement with the orange mare.

"She's right Aunt Luna," Shining cleared his throat, "and don't you hate that you don't even get to actually go out together?"

"Or that you can only meet in his dreams?" I added.

"I find that to be just fine," Checkered admitted, "I love Luna, and I want to make her as happy as possible," he softly patted his hoof on top of hers. "And if she's not ready to let her sister and Equestria know that we're dating, then I'll support her," he nuzzled her wing. Luna smiled as tears threatened to escape her turquoise eyes.

"Checkered Flag, sometimes I feel like I don't deserve a pony as sweet, charming and caring as you," Luna moved her other hoof on top of Checkered's, sandwiching his hoof in between hers.

"Hey, do you guys need some space because it feels like you're gonna have a pretty big moment," I offered to leave.

"No, we're fine Cougar," Luna briefly turned to me. "Perhaps it is time for me to let Tia know that I have a special somepony in my life," she wrapped her left wing around the grey Earth Pony's back. "Though with your racing schedule and my duties as Princess of the Night here in Canterlot, we still would be apart for some time," she frowned.

"Well good fer you Princess Luna," Applejack congratulated, "but Ah'm sure ya both'll work somethin' out," she said cheerfully.

"Cadence is going to freak over this," Shining groaned, "but I am happy for you Aunt Luna," he reassured the alicorn to not piss her off.

"Hmm, is this going to sit well with others?" I asked.

"What do you mean Cougar?" Checkered asked, shifting around in his seat as Luna's wing was still draped over his back.

"A few friends of mine, Lyra and Bon Bon, told me that while some ponies here support true love and all that gunk, others vehemently believe that certain species should stick to their species," I explained, "like Earth Ponies with Earth Ponies, Pegasi with Pegasi, Unicorns with Unicorns and Alicorns with Alicorns," I explained further.

"Well, do you see any male alicorns Cougar?" Luna snapped, "no you don't," she answered for me, "because none exist! And even if one did, I am certain he would be no match for Checkered Flag in any way, shape or form. It took several thousand years, but I eventually found the pony I loved, and I don't give a crap that he's not the same species as me; I love him!" She tightened her wing's grip on Checkered Flag.

"I agree wholeheartedly Aunt Luna," Shining announced, "I'm a unicorn and I married an alicorn because we loved each other."

"Guys, I'm not saying you should listen to that garbage. My best friend Reaper was caucasian and he married an Asian girl about five years ago. In other words, be with who you love, screw the same species or race crap," I polished off my second beer. Applejack shot me a quick look, but looked away when I turned my head towards her. I wanted to ask her what was up, but a tapping on my shoulder prevented that.

"Yo Cougar, are you about ready to go on?" I turned around to see Vinyl standing behind me wearing her usual purple shades.

"Yeah, of course," I stood up from my barstool. "But shouldn't we wait for-" the sound of trumpets blaring cut me off.

"Presenting Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire, Princess Twilight of Ponyville and Princess Celestia of Canterlot," Wadsworth introduced the other three alicorn princesses as they entered the ballroom. Everypony began to softly clap their hooves together, reminding me of the polite clapping spectators of Golf would use. Behind them was the rest of our group: Big Mac, Cheerilee, Caramel, Fluttershy, the Crusaders and their dates. Lyra, Bon Bon, Rainbow, Soarin, Discord, Pinkie, Cheese, Rarity and Spike were all already mingling in other places of the ballroom.

"Hello Cougar, I hope you are doing well this evening," Blueblood approached us with a warm welcome.

"Yeah, I'm fine Blueblood," I replied, "I'm just about to go on stage with Vinyl here," I motioned towards my stage partner for the evening.

"Good to meet you Ms. Vinyl," the stuffy unicorn grasped her hoof and lightly kissed it, "I trust a mare as attractive as you will provide excellent entertainment for the evening," he flirted. Vinyl chuckled and pushed him away.

"Sorry, but I'm spoken for," she lied to his face which I was completely fine with. Celestia trotted up and took center stage and cleared her throat in front of the microphone as everypony else weaved through the crowd to join us.

"I wish to thank you all for coming out and joining us for yet another Grand Galloping Gala. This year, I am pleased to welcome new guests to this most prestigious event, some I am honored to call my friends and some I hope to become friends in the near future," she announced. Again, she was met with the soft applause that reminded me of Golf spectators. "Now as most of you know, a musical presence has always graced this traditional event, even back to its first occurrence, and sadly the string quartet that played for us the past five years has become stricken with an illness and has been unable to attend," Celestia apologized. She was met with a large sigh of sadness from every guest in the ballroom. "However, thanks to personal friends of both mine and my sister, Princess Luna, a new musical presence shall grace us this evening and one that I hope will become a new tradition for the Grand Galloping Gala. Please warmly welcome Ms. Vinyl Scratch and Lt. Cougar to the stage," she trotted away, allowing myself and Vinyl to take her spot.

"Break a leg Cougar," Luna wished me luck.

"WHOO-HOO!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed loudly and hopped up and down in her candy dress. Other members of our group began to loudly applaud the both of us while we set up and performed last minute checks on our instruments.

"That's the human that flew a jet," I heard Rainbow say to her fellow Wonderbolts. I still wanted to meet some of them, that was something I was going to do before the night was over. Looking up, I saw Celestia standing next to her sister and Checkered Flag. Luna looked a tad nervous as she was still contemplating on telling Celestia about her and Checkered Flag.

"I think we're good to go Coug," Vinyl stood behind her keyboard.

"Roger that Vinyl," I replied and stood in front of the microphone, my guitar was still leaning against the amp closest to me. "Hello," I said to the large crowd, "I just want to say hi and thank you for allowing me and my friend to perform for you. All of the songs we are about to perform, none of you have heard, but they were popular songs back where I came from and I hope you all enjoy and appreciate them too," I announced. "But before we begin, there is something else I have to do," I added and stepped away from the mic stand. Breathing in deeply, my hands reached up and began to unbutton my tuxedo jacket and the white button up shirt underneath.

"What is he doing?!" A snooty pony demanded.

"I do believe he is going to expose himself! How disgusting!" Another pony replied. Rolling my eyes and scoffing, I discarded my jacket and button up shirt to expose my six pack abs and muscular biceps to the crowd.

"Ah, that's better," I joked. A few mares in the crowd did swoon a bit at me, but Pinkie and Rainbow joined in on the fun and whistled at me, I swear I even caught Fleur whistling in my direction. Grabbing my guitar, I slipped the strap over my shoulder and held the instrument in front of me before reaching into my pocket and tossing my phone over to Vinyl. She plugged it into her sound system and clicked play on the playlist for the evening.

(3rd Person POV)

Kneel down ye sinners, to
Streetwise religion
Greed's been crowned the new King
Hollywood dream teens
Yesterday's trash queens
Save the blessings for the final ring-
AMEN

Not surprisingly, the majority of the crowd stood in shocked silence as Cougar and Vinyl Scratch assaulted their ear drums. The deep sound of the hard rock song faintly shook the marble flooring the grand ballroom, causing several ponies to drop their wine glasses. "I do believe I am going to be ill," one snooty pony held is mouth closed.

Wild side

I carry my crucifix
Under my deathlist
Forward my mail to me in hell
Liars and the martyrs
Lost faith in The Father
Long lost in the wishing well

Wild side

"Oh, my ears are bleeding!" Another pony held her ears clamped down with her hooves, but it proved to be useless as the volume of the song proved to be too much. Across the room however, Luna was head banging to the beat of the song while Celestia swayed her hips to the rhythm of the song.

"I think we made the right decision sister!" Luna shouted over the noise.

Fallen Angels
So fast to kill
Thy kingdom come on the wild side
Our father
Who ain't in heaven
Be thy name on the wild side Holy Mary
Mother may I
Pray for us on the wild side
Wild side. Wild side

Name dropping no-names
Glamorize cocaine
Puppets with strings of gold
East L.A. at midnight
Papa won't be home tonight
Found dead with his best friend's wife

Cougar's fingers never slowed down one bit while they danced across the metallic strings of his electric guitar. They were nothing more than a motion blur, rivaling only that of a hummingbird's wings. Off in the crowd, he felt a bit sad that the sweet and innocent pony, Fluttershy, seemed a little frightened of his song, but he also saw Caramel and Discord comforting her.

Wild side

Fatal strikes
We lie on the wild side
No escape
Murder rape
Doing time on the wild side
A baby cries
A cop dies
A day's pay on the wild side
Wild side, wild side
Tragic life on the wild side
Wild side, wild side
Kickin' ass on the wild side

As the near metal song from the 80s ended and Vinyl and Cougar ceased playing their instruments. They were met with silence from the crowd. Sweat was dripping off both of their bodies from the intensity of playing. However, all of their friends started to stomp their hooves and holler in appreciation for what they performed. "YOU ROCK COUGAR!" He heard Applebloom shout.

"Simply heart pounding!" Celestia cheered.

"Better than I expected Cougar!" Luna whistled. Eventually, other ponies followed suit, though Cougar suspected it was because it was the right thing to do. However, they did receive not so friendly critics.

"Ugh, that was horrid!" One pony exclaimed.

"Completely inappropriate for this evening, has the Princess been ill?" another one asked.

"Just barbaric, the only word to describe that act," a third pony critiqued. Then, out of the blue, both Cougar and Vinyl heard one fancy voice come to their defense as they prepared to be pelted with something.

"Oh, would you pull those sticks out of your bums?" Fancypants asked the three critic ponies, "so what if it's not what the Gala has always had, it was still quality music!" He shot them down, "do go on Cougar and Ms. Scratch!" He encouraged the duo. Even the Wonderbolts wanted them to continue as they all stood in a large group near the center of the ballroom.

"Well, since the majority of the masses want an encore, who are we to deny?" Cougar smirked. "If we could just get all the Wonderbolts in the front of the stage please?" The Air Force pilot asked. Rainbow and Soarin both quickly froze in place, surprised that Vinyl and I wanted them to come forward.

"What for Cougar?" Rainbow questioned.

"You'll see guys, just chill for a sec," Vinyl got the next song on Cougar's phone ready as all the Wonderbolts assembled in front of the stage with Rainbow and Soarin at the front.

"Okay, before we begin this next song, I just want to say that this is a song from one of my all-time favorite films and this song should also be the theme for the Wonderbolts, hence why I called you up front," he explained to the pegasi. Soarin looked intrigued by this and leaned forward to get a better listen while Rainbow shrugged and stood in place.

"1, 2, 3, 4," Vinyl counted and hit play on Cougar's phone before they both began to play their respective instruments, joining with the drums and bass from the sound system. A loud, cacophonous sound erupted from the amps and speakers as different colored lasers danced around the Wonderbolts.

It's just a ball of dust
Underneath my feet
It rolls around the sun
Doesn't mean that much to me

Of course with the song being rock 'n roll, the Wonderbolts instantly liked it, but so far couldn't tell why Cougar said it would make a good theme song for them. However, Rainbow was used to surprises her entire life and decided to be patient; maybe it would turn out to be the ultimate theme for the 'Bolts.

I take a chance on the edge of life
Just like all the rest
I look inside and dig it out
Cause there's no points for second best

There's a raging fire in my heart tonight
Growing higher and higher in my soul
There's a raging fire in the sky tonight
I want to ride on the silver dove
Far into the night

[Chorus]
Till I make you take me
On your mighty wings
Make you take me
On your mighty wings across the sky
Take me on your mighty wings
Take me on your mighty wings tonight

Cougar grinned as their was a short pause from singing and reveled as he saw all pegasi affiliated with the Wonderbolts freeze in place as he mentioned Mighty Wings. Check and mate, he thought to himself.

"YEEEEESSSS!" Rapidfire hollered and stood on his hind legs with his forehooves curled up in the air. In the back near the rest of the mane group, Scootaloo and Rumble were also cheering over the song.

With just a little luck
A little cold blue steel
I cut the night like a razor blade
Till I feel the way I want to feel

Celestia, Luna and Cadence all enjoyed the fact that Cougar was singing about flying and taking ponies up on Mighty Wings. Cadence used this as an opportunity to playfully slap Shining Armor's hindquarters each time Cougar mentioned wings, earning her sharp groans from her unicorn husband.

There's a raging fire in my heart tonight
Growing higher and higher in my soul
There's a raging fire in the sky tonight
I want to ride on the silver dove
Far into the night

[Chorus]
Till I make you take me
On your mighty wings
Make you take me
On your mighty wings across the sky
Take me on your mighty wings
Take me on your mighty wings tonight

Take me on your mighty wings
Take me on your mighty wings

"OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!" Rainbow's wings flapped so hard with excitement that she almost made the snooty ponies behind her fall on their butts.

"I take it you liked that one Rainbow?" Cougar teased and stuck his tongue out.

"That was bucking awesome bro!" Soarin cheered, "we need to talk after the Gala about using that song!" he added.

"Liked it? Liked? That was one of the greatest songs I've ever heard in my entire life! Of course I want the Wonderbolts to use it!" She flew up in front of Cougar and grabbed his shoulders.

"I'll talk to your boyfriend about it after the Gala, alright, so just calm down," Cougar pushed her off him.

"BOOOO!" Another snooty pony jeered. Thankfully, Celestia took the pony's wine glass in her magic aura and dumped it all over him. "Ugh, my tuxedo is ruined! Who is the ruffian responsible?!"

Just as Cougar and Vinyl were set to start up their third song which Cougar referred to as, "One that you ponies shouldn't take seriously," the Air Force pilot noticed something amiss in the crowd. Near the back of the crowd and in front of the large doorway, he could clearly see Blueblood trying to talk to Rarity. "Hold up Vinyl," Cougar stopped her from playing.

"What gives?" The DJ questioned. Cougar pointed his index finger towards the source of his disturbance. Blueblood and Rarity were talking to each other, but it looked pretty heated. Thankfully, this wasn't a true rock concert and the masses were fairly quiet.

"All I am asking for is a dance when this primate gets to his damned slow song, is that too much to ask?!" Blueblood demanded.

"No, it's perfectly fine for you to ask a mare to dance Prince Blueblood," Rarity replied with a huff, "though just because you ask does not mean I have to agree!" She yelled right back at the prince. Spike had a glare painted on his face with his arms crossed as he watched the pair from where Twilight was standing with Celestia and Luna. Cougar's fingers curled into fists as he kept a close eye on Blueblood's actions.

"You listen to me!" He gripped her arm hard with his.

"OW!" Rarity yelped in pain. Now just about everypony was looking in their direction. In a flash, Cougar had his guitar off and was ready to launch towards the unicorn should this get any worse.

"Oh stop your whining you pathetic welt!" Blueblood ordered, "I, the Prince of Canterlot and Equestria, have given you a heartfelt apology for my behavior five years ago, now I deserve a dance with you, do you understand?!" He shouted in her face.

"BLUEBLOOD! LET THIS MARE GO NOW!" Luna bellowed.

"Stay out of this Auntie!" Blueblood retorted.

"Let me go!" Rarity demanded and slapped his face. The sound reverberated all around the room, silencing everypony as they awaited what would happen next. Blueblood felt the spot where he was slapped by Rarity and growled.

"You DARE slap me? I will show you what you get when you hit me!" He gripped the top of her dress and slapped her back before shoving her to the ground.

"OW!" Rarity yelped again as her head smacked against the ground. She whimpered in pain as a few tears escaped her eyes. A loud gasp emitted from every guest at the exact same time at what they had witnessed.

"YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!" Cougar shouted and burst from the stage as fast he's ever run in his entire life. Sure he said he would do his best to not hurt another pony, but he didn't care. NOPONY should ever hurt another pony, especially a stallion injuring a mare. However, before Cougar reached Rarity to assist her and kick Blueblood's pathetic ass, something beat him there. A purple and green blob moving at about Mach 50 smacked into Blueblood, sending him into the door farm with a deafening CRACK. Cougar stopped dead in his tracks at what was presented in front of him.

Spike stood above the downed unicorn that had a deep claw gash down the left cheek of his face with blood trickling out at a rapid pace. Where Blueblood hit the door frame, a large crack appeared. Yet, that wasn't what shocked everyone. Spike was bigger, about as big as he was when he first grew during his birthday fiasco a few years back, about as tall at a normal pony.

"ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRR!" Spike roared at Blueblood so loudly it made the T-Rex roar from Jurassic Park sound like a yawn. "If you EVER touch the mare I love again, I will rip your head off, jam a stick down your throat and roast you over a fire, do you understand me?!" He grabbed Blueblood by the throat and slammed his head against the wall, his fangs clenched and a fire in his eyes.

"S-Spike?" Rarity squeaked out. The reptile blinked a few times, the red, angry fire in his eyes dying out as he looked over at the purple alicorn that raised him since he was a hatchling. Twilight cautiously tip-hoofed over to the taller dragon.

"Spike?" She asked softly. The dragon looked down at his free claws that had blood covering the tips from when he scratched the unicorn. His breathing became more rapid than before as a whine escaped his throat and his green eyes welled up with tears. He choked out a sob before dropping Blueblood to the marble floor where a few guards drug him out.

"I-I'm a monster," his hands started to shake.

"Please, let's just go somewhere and talk Spike," Twilight asked.

"NO! I'm a monster," a few tears escaped his eyes, "I'm sorry Mom!" Spike cried out, covered his eyes and ran out of the ballroom as fast as he could and burst out of a door to the gardens.

"SPIKE, COME BACK!" Twilight begged as her own eyes started to well up with tears and she took off in the direction the now taller dragon ran.

END CHAPTER 21

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Oh snap, how's that for an ending to this chapter?

I do NOT own Wild Side by Motley Crue or Mighty Wings by Cheap Trick