It was sunny and warm, a fresh day outside...and let's skip this crap!

"Yippee!!" Pinkie kept shouting in joy, and conveniently jumping on a mini trampoline to emphasize her giddiness. "The. Grand. Galloping. Gala. Is. TONIGHT!!"

"Pinkie, in the kindest way possible." Dusk said, turning to excited pink mare. "STOP JUMPING! YOU'RE THROWING OFF MY CONCENTRATION!"

"I agree with Dusk." Rarity stepping out of the Carousel Boutique. "We must prepare for the Gala and I refuse to put on your dress when you're all sweaty."

"Fine." Pinkie sighed, somehow stopping in mid air and gently landing on the trampoline, hopping off it.

"Okay, I think I have the spell needed for our ride." Dusk said. "Spike, did you bring it?"

"Sure." Spike presented an apple, putting it to the ground.

"What's the apple for?" Pinkie asked.

"Bro's been working on a new spell for the Gala." Spike said.

"And where are the others, it's getting late." Rarity complained.

"Hold your horses Sugarcube." Applejack showed up with Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.

"Where's Rune, and Trixie?" Rarity asked.

"Trixie's got a sudden illness." Rune answered, showing up alone. "It's nothing serious but she needs rest."

"Rune?" Dusk asked. "Since when did you become a doctor?"

"Since I started dating a potion zebra." Rune chuckled. "Besides, Trixie said I can have her ticket, so I can come to the Gala."

"Weren't you already invited?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, but I lost my ticket." Rune sighed. "So Trixie gave me a chance to go."

(And now a flashback to what really happened)

"PleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassseee!!!!!!" Rune continuously begged to the prideful looking Trixie.

"And why should the Great and Powerful Trixie give her ticket to the Weak and Begging Dawn Rune?" Trixie asked with her pride boner.

"Because you're so Great and Powerful, and....uhhhh....Beautifully Generous that you would give your ticket to such a lowly pony as I." Rune tried flattery.

"All true but I still need convincing." Trixie was enjoying this control.

"Alright." Rune sighed. "What do I have to give you to get that ticket?"

"For starters..." Trixie presented her hind hoof. "Lick it."

"You're serious?" Rune raised an eyebrow.

"Show me how pathetic you are and beg for is as you lick my hoof!" Trixie boasted and her eyes were in a sadistic gleam.

"You're not gonna start touching yourself or making my put my tongue elsewhere after this right?" Rune wanted to make sure.

"Not this time." Trixie grinned a tad wickedly. "Maybe another time, but for now, LICK IT!!"

Rune let out a sigh.

"Rune?!" Dusk woke Rune up from his flashback daze.

"Oh sorry, I was lost in thought." Rune chuckled. "So what do we need to get our carriage?"

"Well that's the thing." Dusk showed Rune the magic book, pointing at the spell. "We need to do this."

"Now way!" Rune shook his head.

"I know it looks bad but-" Dusk was interrupted.

"Look I've done a lot of dumb things for fun and desperation." Rune shook his head. "But this is really stupid."

"But it's only-" Dusk was interrupted again.

"Look, it'll take both of us to do that spell." Rune interjected. "And one of us. Does. Not. Want. To. Do. It."

"Please." Dusk asked again.

"....." Rune cringed at the idea, but it was the only way to get the carriage. "Fine, but only because we're gonna look stupid together."

"Okay, let's do-" Dusk was interrupted a third time.

"Wait!" Rune pointed at the mare. "You all close your eyes and cover your ears!"

The mares reluctantly agreed, covering their eyes and ears.

"Let's get this over with." Rune sighed, getting in position besides Dusk.

Both Dusk and Rune's horns glowed their light purple and dark orange auras.

"Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!" Dusk began the spell, waving sprinkles of purple and white sparkles in the air. "Put 'em together and what have you got bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!"

"Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo." Rune let out orange and black sparks intertwining with Dusk's. "It'll do magic believe it or not bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!"

"Salagadoola means mechicka boolaroo!" Dusk had his sparks twist around the apple. "But the thingmabob that does the job is bibbidi-bobbidi-boo."

"Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo." Rune's sparks twisted around the apple next. "Put 'em together and what have you got."

"Bibbidi-bobbidi." Dusk nodded.

"Bibbidi-bobbidi." Rune cringed.

"Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo." Dusk and Rune both finsihed the spell and the apple was a magnificent carriage.

"It still looks like an apple." Rune noted. "And we're never..doing that again."

"Agreed." Dusk nodded.

"Aww, but I thought it looked cute." Pinkie giggled with the other mares.

"Y-you saw." Rune's face went dead.

"Every bit." Applejack chuckled with the others.

"ANYWAY!" Rune changed the subject. "We're missing the horses to pull this thing."

"OH no we're not." Rarity stepped forward, looking at both Dusk and Rune.

"Why are you looking at us like that Rarity?" Dusk was a tad nervous.

"Oh you'll see." Rarity chuckled, along with the other mares.

_____________________________________________Canterlot Castle (Roughly too many miles away)_____________________________________

"Let me remind you again Dusk my friend." Rune said between breaths.

"And that is Rune?" Dusk asked between breaths.

"If we ever are invited to a Gala and need a ride." Rune said, his tone becoming more aggravated. "I'd sooner RIDE A TIMBERWOLF!"

"Oh it's not so bad." Rarity said, from inside the carriage. "How else would we arrive at the Gala on time without such uh manly assistance."

"You just wanted an pack mule to haul you all to the gala for free." Rune interrupted, not believing Rarity.

"I know it seems a tad unfair." Applejack tried assuring the stallions pulling the apple carriage. "I'd be helping you but Rarity said I needed to get in my dress before the gala and I can't get all sweaty."

"Cheap words Applejack." Rune snapped back. "You're not hauling a heavy load."

"I beg your pardon." Rarity snapped. "We are not heavy."

"Then it's the dresses." Rune chuckled, getting the last laugh. "Oh we're here."

The Canterlot Castle was a mass of colors, lights, decorations, and the many masses of noble guests all in the most fanciful dresses and tuxedos. Guards were escorting the guests in.

"Time to open the park this thing." Rune sighed, him and Dusk pulling the carriage to a stop.

"Let me get the door." Spike said, jumping down from the driver's seat of the carriage.

"Yeah. Do the easy job." Rune said sarcastically.

Spike opened the door and the mares slowly walked out:

"You all look-" Spike started.

"Amazing." Dusk finished.

"Thanks Dusk dear." Rarity blushed. "I am glad my dresses came out quite well."

"But what about the one's we designed?" Pinkie asked.

"Oh well I must have misplaced them." Rarity lied.

"Okay, you all go and wait for us in the Gala." Dusk instructed. "Rune and I will move the carriage."

"Okay." The girls smiled and made off to the Gala.

As Dusk, Rune, and Spike went off to park the carriage. The girls made their way to the Gala. Each excited on what they plan to do at the Gala and what to achieve. As they made their way to the entrance, they saw a familiar face.

"Oh hey girls!" Armor shouted his greeting and waving.

"Oh hello Shining Armor." The girls greeted back.

"You all look great tonight. Where's Dusk?" Armor asked.

"Oh he and Rune are parking the carriage. And getting dressed." Applejack answered.

"So you're gonna be at the front door all night?" Pinkie asked.

"For now, but then after that I can join the event." Armor kinda boosted. "I have a date tonight."

"Let me guess." A familiar voice echoed from a close distance. "Cadance."

The girls turned and saw Dusk and Rune:

"And you look sharp Shiny!" Armor greeted his brother. "And Rune, you can actually pull off a formal attire."

"Armor I look good in everything." Rune laughed. "So how did you score a date with Cadance? Did you beg?"

"No!" Armor said. "In fact I...never mind...do you all have your tickets?"

The seven ponies presented their tickets.

"Okay." Armor took the tickets. "Enjoy the Gala, I'll see you all inside when I'm done here."

"Okay." The group answered at once.

Once inside, the Gala was an explosion of light and bright colors. Everypony there looked like they were from some rich family or close friends to the nobles. The small group that made up Dusk, Rune, and the girls were the only thing close to the word commoner.

"Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala." A majestic voice announced.

The pones looked up to see the source of such a greeting.

"Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. Princes Cadance." Dusk ran up the stairs to greet the hosts with a bow.

"Dusk, Rune, everypony." Celestia smiled. "Thanks for coming."

"Yes!" Luna interjected. "We are pleased you managed to arrive, but sadly we cannot be with you yet, as we must greet the arriving guests."

"But it should be over soon." Cadance added, looking at the attire. "You all look great."

"Thank you." Rarity nodded. "I designed them myself."

"For now, enjoy the Gala the best you can." Celestia smiled.

"And we shall join you later." Luna smiled.

The ponies then went on their different ways. Applejack went out to the main gardens to set up her catering booth. Fluttershy went off to be with the animals that live in the garden area. Rainbow Dash went off to find the Wonderbolts, to impress and hopefully join. Pinkie went off to scope out the party to see if it needs the "Pinkie Touch". Rune disappeared somewhere, not that anypony was paying attention to him.

"It looks like we're alone Dusk dear." Rarity said, but turning to Dusk, found he wasn't there. "Dusk?"

"Hello my dear." A stallion's voice came from behind Rarity. "I do not believe I've seen such a lovely pony here."

Rarity turned to see who was complimenting her.

"Would you honor me with a-" But the stallion was stopped by Rarity's hoof.

"Sorry, not interested." Rarity said rather coldly and walked away.

The stallion was rather livid about being rejected. It was a new experience for him. "Nopony turns down Prince Blueblood. Nopony."

Dusk

"So let's see." Dusk said, looking around the Gala. "Let's find a place to get some punch and try to ride this Gala out. Rather be home reading a-There's the punch table."

Dusk barely made it a few steps before he was confronted by group of various ponies.

"You're Dusk Shine right?" A few asked. "Celestia personal protegee?"

"Uh..yes.." Dusk responded.

"Wow, we heard so much about you!" The ponies began regaling the events and going ones of Dusk's magical exploits and the accomplishments he gained.

"Uh well..thanks.. but I really..." Dusk tried to get away but it wasn't working.

Rarity

"Now where did my darling go to?" Rarity looked around.

"Hello my dear." Blueblood attempted again to court Rarity.

"I'm sorry sir." Rarity kept looking around the crowd. "But I am looking for my date."

"Your date?!" Blueblood maintained his composer. 'Damnit, she has a date. Hmmm maybe I can change that.' "I'm sure he's around, maybe I can help you look."

"That's very kind of you." Rarity smiled. "Sir..."

"Blueblood." Blueblood responded. "Prince Blueblood, I'm Princess Celestia's nephew."

"Nice to meet you Prince Blueblood." Rarity wasn't too impressed by Blueblood but she would need the help. Rarity then described Dusk's appearance to Blueblood.

"Oh." Blueblood answered. "I think I may have seen him out in the gardens."

"Then let's go." Rarity then took off in a quick but still lady-like manner. "Thank you for the help."

"No problem." Blueblood nodded. 'You'll be quite the amusing conquest.'

Fluttershy

The sound of birds chirping drew Fluttershy away from the ground of ponies.

"Oh my, such a cute birdie." Fluttershy smiled, following the bird deep into the gardens.

As she went deeper into the gardens, Fluttershy started hearing the sounds of what could be bird chirping.

"Oh I think she's calling me." Fluttershy smiled. "It's just like I wished for." Fluttershy let out a soothing note back.

The whistling answered with the same rhythm. Fluttershy traveled deeper to find the bird making the call. Each time, the whistling grew closer and closer.

"My little birdie is right around the-" But Fluttershy was stopped by the source of the noise.

Sadly it wasn't a bird. But an elderly brown Earth stallion with a grey mane, tail, and beard. A straw of wheat hanging from his mouth and her wore a dusty rag and a patched hat.

"E-excuse me." Fluttershy asked. "Was that you?"

"Yep." The elderly pony smiled. "I love to whistle while I work." The pony went on his merry way whistling.

"Oh Ok." Fluttershy sighed, walking away.

Luckily, Fluttershy didn't get too far before she saw an amazing sight. Monkeys, bears, tropical and normal birds, critters big, fluffy, small, and furry scurrying about, enjoying themselves.

"Ah!!" Fluttershy could almost faint from the excitement.

Applejack

"Let's see now." Applejack was pushing along her small cart along the exterior of the Gala. "Gonna need to find a good place to-Right there!"

Applejack found a good spot with to set up shop. With a swift buck her her hind hooves, the cart opened up and apples, pies, tarts, and other treats were on display, fresh and ready to sell.

"We're not open." Applejack announced, not that anypony really heard her.

"Oh and what do you have?" A stallion's voice asked.

Applejack turned to see:

"Howdy partner. Ya hungry?" Applejack asked.

"Like a horse." The stallion failed at making a joke.

"Well what'd you have?" Applejack asked.

"I'll have some of that pie!" The stallion's eyes almost exploded with excitement at the sight of the apple pie.

"Thank ya kindly." Applejack smiled as the stallion chucked a few bits in the money bucket, making off with the pie in his happy mouth. "Only one minute and I made my first sale, just as I figured."

Rainbow Dash

"Oh my Celestia!" Rainbow looked and found her prize, the VIP section where the Wonderbolts were flocking to. "Now I just need to show off my mad skills and I'm in! But how?"

Then opportunity came to her, the stallion that just so happen to buy a pie from Applejack was trotting his merry way to the VIP section, only to be stopped by:

"Soarin." The mare said. "Always hungry after practice huh."

"Mhhmm yeah." Soarin said, only to flip the pie in the air. "UHHH My PIE!"

"Now's my chance!" Rainbow took off in a flash, luckily her speed was fast enough to catch the pie before it ever could touch the ground.

"You saved it! Thanks." Soarin smiled, taking the pie and happily trotting away.

"Yeah." Rainbow chuckled nervously. "No problem."

"Hey, I know you!" The mare walked up to Rainbow. "You're that pony that won the best fliers competition."

"Heck yeah!" Rainbow was so excited. "The name's Rainbow Dash."

"I'm Spitfire." Spitfire smiled. "Wanna hang out with us?"

"Sure. Why not." Rainbow tried to maintain her 'cool' act, but inside she was all. 'THIS IS SO AWESOME, I GET TO HANG WITH THE WONDERBOLTS!'

Pinkie Pie

The happy pink mare bounced into the main Gala ballroom and she was so excited. The Gala, the biggest party of the year and she was there. But there was something off about it.

"Where are the party games? The streamers, and fun music?" Pinkie asked herself aloud.

[You seriously came to this crap fest and assumed it would be fun?] Pinkamena sighed, almost facehoofing.

"But look at that shiny dance floor!" Pinkie's grin almost exploded. "So shiny!!"

[NO! We are not making morons of ourselves on this or any dance floor tonight!] Pinkamena's voice fell on deft ears as Pinkie bounced her way along the floor in excitement.

"Let's go everypony!" Pinkie all but shouted, switching from an awkward dance to a quick movement from pony crowd to pony crowd.  

[Uh Pinkie.] Pinkamena tried to stop her other side but she wasn't listening. [For the love of-PINKIE!!]

"What is-" But Pinkie looked and saw no smiles, no laughs, no joy, only the look of annoyed ponies. "-it?"

Rune

"Okay, so I'm at the Gala." Rune looked around the ballroom. "And like I imagined, boring nobles with their hot wives, daughters, mistresses, and any other mare they brought along. Oh well, time to get what I need."

Rune's thoughts went back to only earlier that day.

"Wait! You want me to get what?!" Rune wanted Zecora to repeat herself.

"We need you to complete this deal." Zecora repeated. "In order to show your appeal."

"So are you losing interest in me, cause if it's the sex, or something about me. I can try to improve." Rune wanted specification. "But why...that, why have me get that?"

"But sadly for Zebra tradition, it is not enough." Zecora sighed, taking another bite of wheat cream. "I must test you to see if you're up to snuff."

"So you want me to find a suitable mare at the Gala, have my way with her, collect both her juices and my cum, and then bring it back to you in this vial." Rune picked up an oddly shaped glass vial and cork. "Then, and only then when I get back, I'm to give it to you and you'll do Luna knows what with it. And from that, you will know if you want to still be with me? Does that sound about right?"

"Sadly that is what I require." Zecora got up to give Rune a caring hug. "Do not believe that this is some dark desire."

"Then why, I just want the truth. Please." Rune hugged Zecora back.

"You and I have been together for a long time and on many nights shared a bed." Zecora blushed a little. "Eventually we will need to be wed."

"So you want to be married someday, I can understand." Rune smiled a bit. "But why this test or whatever?"

"It is a Zebra tradition for mates to be strong." Zecora hugged Rune again. "Only then can only you I will belong."

"So this is a way to prove I am strong by your culture's tradition. So we can eventually be married?" Rune asked.

Zecora only nodded with a blush and smile.

"Okay!" Rune announced. "If it will help us stay together and strengthen our relationship, then I'll do it."

"Thank you my love and stay strong." Zecora kissed Rune. "Hopefully this night will not last long."

Back at the Gala, Rune looked around and saw many possible mares but almost all of them were either taken, or were probably out of his league. As much as Rune would love to use an illusion and just get a quickie out of any mare there, he assumed Zecora would somehow know. So he had to do this fair and square.

"But who to pick." Rune pulled the oddly shaped vial from his pocket. "I only have one chance I think."

"Dawn Rune." A sensual mare's voice called from behind Rune. "Can it be really you?"

"That depends." Rune calmly answered, cautiously turning around. "Have I done anything to piss you off or do I owe you bits?"

"It is you Rune." The mare chuckled. "It's good to see you."

Rune turned to see this mare:

"Fleur?" Rune couldn't believe it. "Fleur Dis Lee, is that really you?"

"Glad to see you remember me." Fleur smiled. "It's been so long." Fleur then noticed a change in the music of the room. "Would you like to join me for a dance?"

"Sure, I guess." Rune nodded, taking Fleur's hoof and being guided to the slow dance floor.