It’s been almost a week since Twilight and her friends came back to Equestria, but nothing was the same for them.

Everyone tried to get over their loss but to no avail, Rarity started working even more than usual, hoping that making dresses might make her forget, only time spent with her sister was able to cheer her up but not for long.

Rainbow at first was a complete mess, she was constantly thinking about Thomas while wandering around the Ponyville, it took her two days before she was able to do her job of weather patrol, more or less successfully.

Surprisingly Fluttershy was doing much better than rest of the girls, of course she missed Alex very deeply, but her animals were constantly with her trying to comfort her.

Applejack had the worst time of them all, not only she had to deal with a loss of her boyfriend, she also had to face the reality. She knew that her Granny is gone, but back on Earth she had other matters to think about, she also had Michael, and somehow she moved this fact to the back of her subconsciousness, but now that she came back, it stroke her like a lightning.

Twilight didn’t leave library ever since coming back, she read book after book trying not to think about her loss, Spike took all duties of librarian for the time being and helped anypony who came, he also was sad but wanted to be strong for Twilight, after all she was almost like a sister for him.

Pinkie was wandering around the Ponyville, she didn’t want to be sad but couldn’t help it, Brandy was the only person that truly understood her, she never met anypony like him before.

And so the week has passed, Spike wanted to help them but didn’t know how, then while he was cleaning floor with his broom, he spit green fire which quickly changed into a letter.

Spike quickly gave it to Twilight, she read it through and through and told him to call girls, frown not leaving her muzzle for even one moment.

They all arrived after few minutes, Spike didn’t like this at all, he never saw them like this before.

“What is it Twilight?”

“Princess wrote a letter to me, it says that she’s very sorry for our loss, and sent us 7 tickets for Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Oh right, I forgot it’s tomorrow.” Rainbow sighed.

“To be honest, I didn’t really want to go even before our trip to Earth and now I…” Twilight said holding back some small tears.

After few moments of silence Spike spoke up.

“I-I know how you girls must feel right now but, maybe you should go? I mean come on you were always so cheerful and now you are all sad and depressed, it h-hurts me l-looking at you girls in such state a-after all you are all m-my best f-friends.” Spike said sobbing a bit.

They all looked at Spike, they couldn’t help but form a small smile for him.

“You are right Spike, we’ve done nothing since we came back, we can’t let it end like this.” Twilight said.

“Ah’m sure boys wouldn’t want to see us in that state as well, don’t y’all think?” Applejack asked

They all nodded and finally after a week, truly smiled.

Spike couldn’t help but smile as well, he then felt somepony’s hoof on his head, he looked up to see Twilight, smiling warmly towards him.

“Thanks Spike, we needed that.”

Spike smiled and nodded.

Rarity managed to find their dresses from the last Gala in her wardrobe, after some preparing they met in front of her boutique ready to go.

Spike, dressed in small, black tuxedo opened the doors to the carriage bowing lightly.

Rarity giggled and walked inside, rest of the girls following her.

Spike jumped on top of the carriage and took the reins, while inside girls were having small conversation.

“I’m actually glad we are going.” Fluttershy said softly.

“Yeah, maybe it won’t be so bad after all, what do you think AJ?” Rainbow ask while nudging her friend with a hoof.

“Ah hope it will be.” She said with a smile.

“Don’t worry girls, I’m sure that this time, it will be the best night ever!” Twilight said with a smile.

They nodded.

After some time carriage finally stopped, they walked outside, they looked at each other and started to walk inside, Spike following them behind, just before the entrance Twilight spoke.

“Let’s go girls, I’m sure this will be…”

“…Boring as hell.” Twilight said sighing.

They all sat down at the table in dining hall, some ponies were dancing to a slow classical music, other nobles were talking about stuff that were “More boring than watching a paint dry.” as Pinkie said.

“I’m sorry I talked you into it girls.” Spike said, his head hang low.

“Ohh don’t worry Spike-Wikey, it’s not your fault.” Rarity said.

Spike smiled for a second and then silence overtook them, only slow music in the background was present, no one said anything for few minutes.

Finally Rainbow stood up.

“Where ya going?” Applejack asked out of curiosity.

“I’m going to take some fresh air, if you need me I’m on balcony.”

Rainbow walked outside, to her surprise, small glass doors which led to the balcony managed to completely mute all the noises coming from inside after she closed them.

She walked up to the edge and sighed, happy memories about their parties back on Earth started to show up in her mind while she admired the moon.

“Beautiful isn’t it?”

She turned around startled, behind her was standing a colt with brown coat and red spiky hair, he was wearing black tuxedo and had a smile on his muzzle.

“Well not as much as you are of course.”

Rainbow sighed.

“Look, I appreciate your compliment, but I’m seriously not in the mood right now, besides I have a coltfriend.”

“Oh really? Where is he?”

“He couldn’t come.”

“Why is it?”

Rainbow turned to him annoyed and surprised why is she even bothering talking to him.

“Because he had to stay home, very far away from here.”

“Oh so it’s a distance relationship? Huh, that bastard probably already found himself few new girls.”

“Why you little.” Rainbow Dash growled with anger, at the same time rest of the girls and Spike walked onto the balcony.

“Rainbow, what’s going on? Who’s that guy?” Twilight asked confused.

“Oh this is somepony who will leave my sight now or his muzzle will meet my hoof.”

“Hey don’t be so rough.” Colt said while chuckling.

“That’s it!” Rainbow said and tried to jump towards him but was caught by Applejack last second.

“Rainbow Calm yourself down will ya?” Applejack said.

“Yeah, really was it something I said?”

“Yeah, you just insulted my coltfriend, he would never ever betray me, not even now when we are this far apart!” She said with anger in her voice.

Colt smiled again, but this time there was something weird with that smile.

“I see, well I guess I’ll go back to the party, but really, does this party suck or what, they don’t even have whiskey here.”

“Yeah you better go while you still can.” Rainbow said and after few moments she realized something, she looked at his muzzle once again and finally noticed a big scar going through his right cheek.

Rainbow walked up to him and asked.

“Thomas?”

Red Haired colt smiled warmly and said.

“Long time no see, right Dashie?”