Days had passed for planning and conditioning, but Gallant found himself less ready for the ball – physically and mentally – than he had been when he first thought of it earlier in the week. Countless hours of self-encouragement did little to no good, and all he ever got from his Ponyville friends were pats on the back and remarks along the lines of 'everything will be just fine'.

But they just don't understand!

Time saw the change in Gallant's memories, the turning of the bad into good and the fortune into misfortune. His initial rejection and failed attempts suddenly seemed like signs he should have interpreted differently. On the other hoof, the delightful images of the mare's impressive eyes and stature, along with her strong character, had turned into frightful snapshots of an intimidating and thick-skinned individual.

Gallant had tried his best to avoid looking at her in class and elective course, but he could never forget the strength of her gaze and the unwavering voice that had essentially ordered him around that fateful day.

The haunting recollections and anxiety only grew worse when the ball was minutes away.

As he sat inside the refurbished dining hall, the hapless stallion tried to distract his mind by looking around or talking with others. For some time it worked. The dining hall had, after all, put on a new facade: additional embellishments had been thrown into the mix, from white curtains covering the flat, dark walls to extra lighting hanging on every wall, in every corner, and from every beams overhead. It was a most impressive display which Gallant did not mind observing the place he once thought of as the home of his nightmares.

In essence, the nightmare still lived on: Gallant was still not looking forward to the festivities in the least. His only relief was that he would not be the one stranded from the crowd of couples that happily occupied the floor as he had been in years past. There would be no laughing at his solitude – however content or discontented he may have been with it – nor questioning of his courage or interest.

If anything, he would be the one stallion looked up to for his valour. Facing the notorious Prim Rose, a born noble and renowned knight-to-be, Gallant figured he would gain others’ respect. That, or he would in fact be laughed at for his paling in comparison to his partner in every regard. All in all it wasn't the end of the world; that's what Gallant told himself, at least. Prim Rose had been willing to join him, after all.

More like she made me join her...

Gallant examined the crowd as sweat began to form on his brows. A hint of thankfulness warmed his shivering heart upon noting that, for once, he felt as though he had joined the Hearts and Hooves holiday crowd. He fit in with the groomed bunch with his tidy, dark mane and uniform; to an extent, he felt especially well-dressed. He could tell some were observing the suit he had obtained in Canterlot, as well as the few badges he had received from lower-level training.

A tap on his shoulder, however, jerked him into a half-circle spin like a frightened filly at her first prom.

“Whoa!” yelped Twilight as the stallion nearly bumped her in the nose in his swing. “Everything okay, Gallant?”

“N-Not exactly,” Gallant stated, collecting himself, “that is, unless you mean the negative side of the word 'okay', in which case you're one hundred percent correct.”

“Don't tell me you're still scared?” Twilight asked. Upon looking over her friend's shaking body, though, she figured out the answer herself. “I thought you of all ponies would be able to overcome the fear factor.”

“This uniform of mine is a symbol of successful training, not a ward against apprehension,” Gallant remarked. “Having to survive tonight may be the most difficult thing I've ever faced.”

“'Survive'? You're making this sound like it's going to be strenuous.”

“Allow me to say that Prim Rose is a most respectable individual. I do hold her in the highest regards,” Gallant remarked humbly. “Having said that, I think that she's very much a different breed, one that doesn't typically communicate well or possibly fails to comprehend pony psychology and emotion. That, and she's extremely intimidating.”

Twilight blinked. “Weren't you saying at the beginning of this week that she was something along the lines of ‘the most beautiful mare you had ever-’?”

“What? I said that? Ridiculous, she's completely frightening,” Gallant interrupted with a nervous laugh. “I can barely look her into the eyes without thinking about when she dragged me up those stairs to the infirmary. My head still aches from time to time because of that.”

“Well, hopefully you think of some way to cope with all that. You two are dancing together, aren't you?”

Gallant let out a long sigh. “Unfortunately, yes. We'll see if she doesn't step on me first or break my bones somehow. Perhaps I should just back out of this before it has a chance to-”

“Too late,” Twilight giggled. “Here she comes right now. Good luck!”

Twilight saw Gallant's eyes shoot open in horror. His face froze in an unsettling expression Twilight could barely manage to look at without laughing, though a bit of pity also lingered at the back of her mind. She walked away and watched as the Prim Rose drew near, eyes unwandering and steps nearly cracking the tiles beneath her metal boots. Dressed in elegant, shining armor, she appeared more like a royal guard at the event than a participant. Ponies all around the room stopped and stared at the sight of her, their faces freezing in expressions of awe.

Twilight stayed close enough to listen in on the two's conversation. She justified her curiosity by promising herself she'd jump back in to help if Gallant were in need of it. After all, Twilight hadn't forgotten the stallion's first attempt at flattery.

“Good evening, Gallant,” Prim Rose said in her usual dispassionate voice. “I trust that you are prepared for this evening.”

The stallion looked over what he had on – his rather simple-looking uniform from training – and began to shrink like a crumpled piece of paper. His confidence was like that of a peasant in the presence of his lord. He shot a glance at Twilight, his eyes sending a desperate plea, but all the mare could do was wave his sights back to Prim Rose.

Gallant looked up to his partner and did his best to nod. “I-I suppose.”

“Good. Before the event begins, I would like you to meet my brothers,” Prim Rose requested as she turned and began to walk. Gallant scampered on behind her. “They have yet to apologize for their mockery the other day...”

And with that Prim Rose dragged Gallant off with an invisible leash, leaving Twilight to watch in concern while simultaneously laughing. Though the two walked nearly side-by-side it looked as though Gallant were leaning away, prepared to make a mad dash, until the unfortunate soul disappeared into the crowd, his final look back to Twilight full of dread.

“Good evening, Twilight!” called Lyra, who suddenly stood by her side. “Would you happen to have a dance partner for tonight?”

Twilight shook her head. “No, but that's all right. I'm not really one for dancing.”

“Not one for dancing? Oh, I see. You're one of those,” Lyra rejoined. “You dance like a madmare when you're alone, I bet. Still, this is such a wonderful celebration! Just look at the all effort that was put into this ball. How could you want to miss out on the lovers’ dances?”

Lyra puckered her lips as she suddenly began frolicking about, an invisible stallion her partner. Just as she started the musicians began to play on stage. The harp and piano played with the small string section a delicate, flowing introduction. A few of the students began dancing to the rhythm, and soon enough a tuba and trumpet joined in to add a delicate melody.

As a flute and clarinet chimed in, Twilight thought back to the small orchestras she had listened to in Canterlot. They made the most perfect reading music. The swimming of the soft notes made Twilight sway, but she stopped upon seeing Lyra going all out as her imagination seemed to provide an energetic danseur.

“Are you waiting for a certain stallion to come this evening?” Twilight asked her friend, who suddenly snapped out of her imaginary world.

The minty mare sadly shook her head. “Such has been the case my whole life, Twilight. But, it is in times like this that I must remain optimistic! I've been waiting for a wonderful soul to come sweep me off my hooves since I can last remember. When that happens we will dance the night away!”

But before Lyra could begin twirling about on her own again, Twilight added, “Have you ever thought about asking somepony else to dance?”

“Of course not! That would be unmare-like. However, this time around I was feeling somewhat sorry for Windchaser, the poor stallion,” Lyra answered. “He just seems so lonely all the time, so I asked him if he would like to go tonight. He made a strange face and said that he doesn't dance. Imagine that, a pony quick on his hooves and swift as a bird that doesn't know how to-”

Twilight spotted the grey stallion of whom they spoke from the corner of her eye. At the moment he was dancing with a mare Twilight did not immediately recognize. The two of them cautiously stepped around one another, tiny smiles showing when they weren't bumping into one another.

“That's strange, isn't that him over there?” Twilight asked and pointed.

Lyra growled like a wolf suddenly on the prowl.

“Why that little-!” she snarled. “He was trying to avoid me, wasn't he!? Why, that ungrateful-! What is it with some ponies being so wary of me this past week? Have I done something to lose trust? To my memory, I've been nothing but honest and loyal...”

“What's up Twi? Harpie?”

Vinyl stepped in between the two with a glass of punch and nodded to each of the mares before taking another sip.

“'Harpie'?” Lyra inquired, irked. “Vinyl, where do you come up with these random nicknames?”

“Oh, you know, they come to me,” Vinyl replied with a grin. “It all depends on the time and place. Speakin' of situation, how about this 'gala'?”

She winked at Twilight, who suddenly thought back to a certain embarrassing event from roughly a year ago.

“I'm just hoping there aren't any disasters tonight,” Twilight said with a blush.

“'No disasters' equals 'boring', Twi,” Vinyl declared with an exaggerated yawn. “I offered to liven things up, but the headmaster shot me down about as soon as I got the proposal out in the air. She said it might not be in everypony's best interest. I mean, please, like dubstep can't be romantic.”

Twilight and Lyra exchanged looks of concern, unsure of how to share their opinions aloud.

But Vinyl continued, “Anyway, I'm not sure I'll be sticking around. Dancing to this is like wading through mud. Just look at 'em! Seriously, their hooves look glued to the ground.”

Twilight spotted Gallant off to the side, his steps back and forth terribly hesitant and often off-beat. Meanwhile, Prim Rose stomped in perfect tempo as her powerful steps shook the ground. Every time one of her hooves touched the floor it sounded as though a drum were being added to the band. There was no question as to why the two, though standing near the middle of the floor, had a fairly-sized cushion of space all to themselves.

The opening song finished with a drawn-out close, and each set of dance partners bowed and stomped their applause. Princess Luna got up from her seat up front where she had been silently watching and took the center of the stage. She surveyed the crowd as a tiny grin began to show.

“My students, I am pleased to welcome you all to the academy's very own Hearts and Hooves ball,” she declared, to which a number applauded once more. “It was unfortunate that some caught wind of its happening, for I wished it to come as a surprise. But no matter!” The yell accidentally came out louder than usual, which caused a number to briefly shield their ears. “With a majority of the student body and teachers present, I feel this is the most suitable time to share an important piece of news regarding tomorrow.”

Her tone suddenly turned very serious, and the bit of joy that had danced in her eyes and tone died out. Ponies in the crowd began to whisper, Lyra being one of them.

“What's tomorrow?” she asked.

Twilight could only shrug.

“Maybe more plans?” Vinyl suggested. “Luna's got tons of secrets up her sleeves. I mean, remember that random hide-and-seek game-?”

“There have been certain events that have occurred on this island as of recent, ones even I cannot fully explain,” Princess Luna continued. “Though no serious harm has come to anypony yet, I have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to take certain safety measures. At the crack of dawn tomorrow, all students are prepare to evacuate the island.”

The crowd's whispers suddenly turned into confused discussion, but the headmare continued regardless, “I have made arrangements for you all to be housed in Canterlot. My sister, Celestia, has prepared rooms at the royal castle for all to stay in and spaces in which you all may continue your studies.”

Twilight felt her throat go dry; Princess Luna had not said anything to her of whatever danger she foresaw. She remembered the Tigbalan creature telling her that there was nothing else on the island that would harm them.

What else could be the problem?

“Do not fear, my students,” Luna declared, “all things shall return to normal in time. All I ask is that you prepare for departure from Crescent Island tomorrow, and that you enjoy the rest of the celebration tonight in the meantime.”

After the mysterious announcement, though, Twilight hardly felt like she would be able to do so. Glancing around at the others, she guessed that all of her peers were in the same boat.

“Sheesh, don't you think Princess Luna could deal with a couple of storms?” Vinyl whispered.

“Not if they include incidents like the one I had to deal with,” Lyra interjected. “It's enough work for Luna to raise the moon and spend all the rest of her time watching over this establishment. Requiring extra effort to watch the skies and fend off this strange weather – I can't blame her! In all honesty, I don't mind going to Canterlot, either...”

“This is all so strange,” Twilight muttered. “Why would Princess Luna wait until now to move us? I thought all the weird monsters were gone from the island. And haven't there been strange storms going on for weeks? I was beginning to think those were normal.”

“Well, this is an island in the middle of the sea that gets snow,” Lyra stated. “Given the strange terrain as well, I shouldn't think anything around here is normal, even whatever ‘monsters’ of which you speak.”

Twilight tried to laugh, but her anxiety kept anything of the sort from escaping her lips. “I guess you're right. I'm just worried about Princess Luna.”

“Relax, she'll be fine,” Vinyl said. “She's dealt with worse stuff before, I'm sure. Heck, she fought Discord with her sister, after all.”

“That's what I'm saying,” Twilight riposted, “if Luna can handle pretty much anything, why is she having us evacuate the island? It just doesn't make sense.”

“Guess she knows something we don't,” Vinyl commented.

Twilight's head drooped as heavy thoughts began plaguing her mind.

What does Princess Luna know that she can't tell us?

Next Chapter: Chapter 31 (Episode 9): Locking Horns Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 16 Minutes