The two days that followed seemed to flew by as we were all excited for the Grand Galloping Gala...well the six mares and Spike were a lot excited about it, I was a little less so. Even though Trixie wouldn't be able to go cause she hasn't had an invitation and she's not popular with Ponyville, I still wished she was able to come along so that I wouldn't be alone whilst the others were all about having the best night ever.

I had woken up quite a bit later than planned and it was already the afternoon and the day had arrived, but we had some time to kill before the evening event. We were all in the park just a trot away from Rarity's home, I was beside Twilight who was reading whilst Pinkie was bouncing on a trampoline.

"Ahh! I...can't...believe...the Grand...Galloping...Gala...is...tonight!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Pinkie, stop shouting, I'm trying to concentrate." Twilight replied in a slightly yelling voice.

Rarity then came out of her home to see us, before stopping to see Pinkie still jumping.

"Pinkie Pie, stop that right now." Rarity demanded, "It's time to prepare for the Gala and I refuse to let you put on your new dress if you're all sweaty."

Pinkie then stopped and jumped off the trampoline, I then noticed Twilight reading closely at the book.

"What's Twilight doing?" Pinkie asked.

"She's got an awesome magic spell she's working on for the Gala." Spike answered.

"Where are the others, it's getting late." Rarity asked.

"Hold your horses, girl, we're here." Applejack said as she, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy turned up.

"Perfect, I'm ready." Twilight said as she put the book down.

"For what?" Dash asked.

"Alright, Spike."

Spike placed an apple on the grass.

"An apple, are we having pie?" I asked.

"Shhh, watch." Spike said.

Twilight closed her eyes and used her magic on the apple, she moved it away from us and before we knew it, it grew larger and then turned into an apple-shaped royal carriage...I guess Cinderella isn't going to the ball, after all.

The other mares gasped and were impressed....I was too but how did she master that spell so quickly?

"Thanks, but that's just the start." Twilight replied, "Fluttershy, did you bring your friends?"

"Yes." she replied, showing four white mice from her mane. "Will they be safe Twilight?"

"You have my word."

Twilight used her magic on the four mice as Fluttershy stood back...they then turned into horses...with mouse faces.

"Neat huh?" Twilight asked us. "And don't worry, they'll be mice again by midnight."

"It's decent, but I hope Disney doesn't sue you for copyright infringement." I said to Twilight.

"Huh?"

"Oh...never mind."

Suddenly Opalescence jumped from out of the hedges and on to one of the mouse horses which scared them and they ran off, knocking Opal to the floor.

"Wait, come back!" Twilight yelled. "Those horses were supposed to pull our carriage, how will we get to the Gala?"

"Whatever shall we do?" Rarity asked in her usual fashion.

"Ahem!" I said to them as if I was willing to do so.

"Oh Bond dear, we couldn't possibly let you pull the carriage, you're an important guest as well as an alicorn."

"Exactly, which means I have the horsepower of two horses and can travel very long distances, this will be almost a breeze." I insisted.

"Okay if you say so, sugarcube." Applejack said.

So that was the travelling done, the next step was to get ready and have our outfits prepared. We headed into Carousel Boutique where the mares went in first to do their make-overs. I was of a course a patient one, Spike however wasn't.

"Come on you girls, let me in." Spike said, knocking the door.

"Sure thing Spike." Dash answered.

"Good heavens no, we're getting dressed." Rarity protested.

"Uhh dressed? Beg ya pardon Rarity, but we don't normally wear clothes." Applejack pointed out.

"Except for me." I added, trying to correct Applejack's fact.

"Okay, almost all of us don't normally wear clothes."

Rarity sighed as she opened the door to let Spike in, I stayed outside however as I wanted to be a gentlecolt.

"I'm sorry Spike, some of us do have standards."

"I still can't believe we're going to be at Canterlot tonight." Spike said, "Our hometown Twilight and the best part is that we all get to hang out together all night long."

"I don't know Spike." Dash said who was unsure.

"We'll just have to see." Rarity added.

"We're gonna be a might busy." Applejack said as she was cleaning Fluttershy's hooves.

"Busy having fun." Pinkie added as her mane went from straight to curly.

"Oh okay." Spike replied feeling down.

"Don't worry Spike, we'll all get to spend some time together." Twilight assured as she finished putting on some perfume.

"Great!"

Well that took like a second to cheer him up.

"Alright girls, let's grab our outfits and make our way to the carriage, it's almost sunset." Rarity said.

The other five mares nodded as they left the make-up room.

"Spike, Bond, put on your suits, please." Rarity requested as she presented our outfits over. "I will wait outside to give you bit of privacy."

Soon, Spike and I got into our suits and with one spray of a Lynx spray can I had in my designed black suit, I was ready to go. We then all met outside the apple carriage. Spike took his seat at the top whilst the girls went inside the carriage. I got myself into position as I grabbed the straddle and secured myself to it. We were on our way to Canterlot and with me pulling the carriage with Spike and the girls included, I didn't feel any strain at all.

"Bond, I planned our insiders to Canterlot." Spike said

"What are they?" I asked, although I tried to show little interest.

"I gotta show Rarity the crown jewels and Applejack the princesses golden apple tree and afterwards, we gotta go to my favourite doughnut shop."

"All of it sounds alright, but we'll have to see." I said.

We continued along the path way, out of Ponyville and through the open space all the way to Canterlot. We arrived at the castle where Spike got off and opened the door to allow the six girls to walk on out. I was still connected to the straddle, but I was able to look behind me to see the girl now dressed in their gala outfits.

"Woah!" Spike exclaimed. "You all look amazing."

"I have to agree. You six look incredible!" I added before doing a wolf whistle to compliment them.

"I can't believe we're finally here." Twilight said. "With all the things you can imagine, the reality of this night will sure to be the best night ever!"

Suddenly, I begin to hear background music...it was musical moment time again.

"Umm girls, I'll take this apple carriage to the parking area, I won't be long." I said, but they didn't hear me.

I got to the parking area and took off the straddle around me, now I was free to move and fly away from the singing ponies. I flew into the Canterlot castle and presented myself in front of the Canterlot ponies. I then spotted the Princess standing in her usual pose at the top of the stairs inside.

"Princess Celestia." I said to her.

"Bond Racer, it is so lovely to see Ponyville's faithful alicorn." she replied.

"Yeah and in a way, I'm quite excited to be here."

"That is good to know, I hope you enjoy your time here tonight and don't be afraid to show your alicorn status everypony here is treated well."

"Thank you Princess, I will do."

Soon, I then took a look around the entire castle, I had walked into the centre of the castle where the dancing was taking place, there was an orchestra band on stage that was about to get ready. I walked on over when I noticed Octavia, the mare that I met when I was looking to chat to my cousin Vinyl.

"Hi Octavia." I greeted as I waved before walking over.

"Oh, hello...Bond Racer is it?" Octavia replied.

"That's right, how have you been?"

"Tired but since this afternoon, I've been excited to perform here at the Gala with the rest of the group. What about you?"

"Quite well really, since it's my first time here."

"That's good, oh we're about to start, we'll talk again later."

Octavia picked up her cello and got herself ready to play.

"Okay, see you soon."

I then walked on to the outdoor garden area where it was all quiet, I then sighed as I still couldn't get the sadness of not seeing Trixie at the Gala out of my head...if only there was a way to bring her to Ponyville and have her being forgiven. I kept on walking around the garden in silence, until I heard two other ponies from across where I was, I hid behind the hedges to listen to the conversation.

"Well hello there, I am Prince Blueblood." the white stallion greeted.

"I am Rarity," she replied. "Oh my, what a lovely rose."

"You mean this rose?" Blueblood asked as he picked the rose up which delighted Rarity.

"Hmm, he seems like a nice Prince..." I said to myself quietly.

But he then placed the rose by his neck collar. "Thank you, it goes with my eyes."

"...or not, talk about having your hopes crushed, Rarity." I said.

When they walked inside the castle, I kept on walking outdoors and then I found myself at a bird sanctuary, what are the odds of Fluttershy being there I wonder? I then heard a singing voice which was indeed hers...well at least I pretended to win some money from the bookies office.

"Hmm, I should probably have a bit of fun." I said to myself...I then whistled in a singing way which got her attention.

"Oh hey Bond, are you enjoying the night?" she asked.

"I am, since I learnt that I can whistle." I boasted.

"Oh, so that was you?"

"Yeah, I was just having a bit of fun."

"Okay, I gotta look for more birds."

"Alright, don't go crazy, though."

"I'll try."

I had my fun in the garden and headed on inside, before noticing that Applejack had a sale cart stall by the entrance door, but she didn't seem happy.

"Hi Applejack, you okay?"

"Howdy Bond, not really...ah've only sold one apple pie tonight, ah I was hoping to sell more." she replied with disappointment.

"Here you go, Applejack, I'll take an apple." I said as I gave out a few bits and grabbed an apple with my magic.

"Aww shucks, thank ya kindly, Bond." she said smiling.

"No worries, anything for my close friends."

I then smiled back as I headed on inside. I found Twilight with Celestia, but she didn't seem to be happy to be walking beside the Princess. I walked up to her and grabbed her hoof to have a quick chat with me.

"Why are you not happy, Twilight? You're with the Princess."

"It's because she's been greeting the guests so much that she hasn't had time to talk to me."

"Well, it is an important event and it's not just us who were able to come here...even though I wonder why we top priority ponies are not having that claim proven clearly."

"I just hope it gets better."

"Well for whatever reason, I'm sure it will." I assured, "That reminds me, where's Spike?"

"Spike, I haven't seen him all night."

"Okay, try to cheer up, Twilight."

I then walked further along through the halls to see Rainbow Dash not looking like her cool and happy self...now I was starting to wonder if the girls had all got their hopes up too high, I then thought that if it keeps up, this would not end well.

"Dash, are you okay?" I asked her.

"Oh Bond, I was hanging out with the Wonderbolts, but they were far too busy to notice me." Dash explained, with sadness.

"I know the feeling Dash, it's because they're so popular with other ponies, everypony else wants their attention...it's why I don't show off my status to anypony in Ponyville."

"I know you don't and we all respect that."

"Thanks...we just need to be reminded that when we're together, we can actually have the best night, like Spike said sometime ago."

"You're right..." Dash then saw the Wonderbolts on their own "...oh here's my chance, see you later, Bond."

I carried on down the hall to see Rarity and Blueblood, they had stopped right in their tracks.

"Miss Rarity, stop!" Blueblood said as he waved his hoof in front of her, they came across a puddle which seemed to have appeared from somewhere.

"Oh Prince, how chivalrous." Rarity complimented.

"One would hate to slip."

"Yes, one certainly would."

"One's cloak should take care of the problem."

"Of course it will."

They then stood for a moment, looking at each other...I couldn't take it anymore.

"Excuse me, aren't you going to offer Rarity one of your clothing so she can walk over the puddle?" I asked, walking over.

"Heavens no! I had this suit cleaned for my appearance." he replied as if he was behaving like a spoiled colt.

"Well, you're really not much of a prince charming if you value yourself over a mare who really likes you." I pointed out.

"I am a Prince and who are you to call me with such pettiness?"

"Because I am Bond Racer, a one of a kind alicorn."

"That's original. One who is an alicorn does not make a royal pony."

"Wow...that's rich coming from a unicorn who believes in his own hype."

"Boys!" Rarity yelled which got our attention. "Now that's quite enough from both of you. I'll talk to you later, Bond but right now we'll just walk beside the puddle."

"Alright, we'll speak later." I sighed as they walked on.

Soon I then returned to the dancing area to find Pinkie Pie not jumping around and smiling.

"What's the matter Pinkie, why are you not having fun?" I asked after walking towards her.

"These ponies don't know the meaning of fun, it's so boring..." Pinkie replied.

"Well, we are in Canterlot and they have high standards here, it's not like we can go crazy and wild like back in Ponyville....although I wouldn't mind for that to happen now."

Pinkie then gasped, "I know, what about a song?"

"Well, funny you should mention that. I have one in my head that only has two words."

Pinkie then perked up, "Really? What it's called?"

"The Safety Dance...hold on while I get an 80's soundblaster!"

I then asked the orchestra band members to stop playing and then placed an 80's soundblaster I made appear with my random magic and the safety dance track began to play and I started doing the moves in the centre of the dancefloor.

During the dance, the Canterlot ponies were standing there in horror, seeing how I as an alicorn was behaving, but I didn't care, I was having the best time in that moment, even Pinkie noticed it and was jumping around, dancing with me. I saw a glimpse of Octavia seeing me, she was giggling when no pony was looking. Dash, Applejack and Rarity all heard the music and their moods changed to smiles and joined in with me and Pinkie.

"STAGE DIVE!" Pinkie shouted as she jumped off the stage, but she accidentally crashed into a table and the cake began to fly into the air and headed straight for Blueblood, until he grabbed Rarity and the cake went on to her instead....suddenly the music stopped.

Oh Blueblood...you're in for it now...and I was right, Rarity turned around and she was mad red at him.

"You sir are the most uncharming Prince I have ever met! In fact, the only thing royal about you is that YOU ARE A ROYAL PAIN!" she shouted at him.

"Ewww stay back, I just had myself groomed." Blueblood replied.

This put a smile on my face as he was showing how immature he was to everypony.

"What, afraid to get dirty?!" she then shook the mess of the cake at Blueblood causing him to fall back and into a statue.

The statue was saved by Dash but she couldn't control it and the statue collided into a pillar which knocked the other pillars around it down, all was left was carnage. Then, I looked back to see that Twilight and Celestia had arrived and witnessed us in messy states.

"Well, it can't get any worse." Twilight said quietly.

Before we heard the garden door slam open with dozens of small animals and Fluttershy looking messed up.

"You're going to LOVE ME!!!" she shouted. It's official, she is a shy psychopath...wonder what Sky News makes of that one.

Soon the animals were creating havoc around the place.

"Twilight, get your friends out of here quick." Celestia said.

Twilight whistled which got our attention.

"Come on!" she said.

We all then galloped out of the room and out of the castle, I quickly suggested the doughnut shop which was where Spike would be. They all agreed as we kept on galloping until we came gross the shop with doughnuts inside and Twilight opened the door and we walked in.

"Twilight Sparkle." the doughnut store owner greeted. "Long time no see."

"Hey you guys, how was it? How was the best night ever?" Spike asked.

We then got around a table, ordered a box of doughnuts cause I was starving right then and all of us told Spike about the whole event.

"That sounds like the worst night ever." he commented.

"It was!" we all said in unison before we laughed away.

"I just hope Princess Celestia isn't upset with us for ruining the Gala." Twilight said.

"That was the best Grand Galloping Gala ever!" a voice said.

"Princess Celestia" we all said.

"Pardon me Princess, but tonight was just awful."

"Oh Twilight, the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful."

"It is?" I asked in confusion.

"That is why I was thrilled you were all attending, I was hoping you could liven things up a bit and while the evening may not have gone as you planned, I'm sure you'll agree that in the end, it didn't turn out so bad for this group of friends."

"You're right princess, friends have a way of making even the worst of times into something pretty great."

"Yeah, hanging out with friends." Dash said.

"Talking." Fluttershy added.

"Laughing." Pinkie added too.

"You mean you've been exactly what I wanted to do the whole time?" Spike asked.

"Yes Spike, you were right." Twilight replied.

"As horrible as our night was." Applejack said.

"Being together here has made it all better." Rarity added.

"Especially when I did the safety dance." I added.

"Oh yeah, you were a great dancer, how did you know those moves?" Pinkie asked.

"From my days at Fillydelphia, I'll tell you about it sometime." I replied.

"Well all of you, I must return to the castle, have a pleasant evening." Celestia said as she walked out of the store and flew away.

"Come on everypony, it's time to go home." Spike said.

I picked up the apple carriage and harnessed the belts around me, I then walked back around to the entrance and the girls and Spike got on. Walking back home, I felt much better after the event and despite the randomness, it was a really great night. Arriving back in Ponyville, the girls and Spike got off, I freed myself from saddle belts and headed into Carousel Boutique.

"Alright everypony, put your outfits and suits here, I'll clean them up in the morning." Rarity said.

So Spike and I took off our suits in a separate room whilst he girls did the same in another room. We then said our goodbyes as one by one, we left to go to our homes. I was about the last one to leave when Rarity called me.

"Wait a minute Bond." she said.

"What is it?" I asked as I turned around.

"I just wanted to say that I really thank you for sticking up for me when I needed it. I never knew Blueblood could be such a royal snob."

"It's the Canterlot attitude really, he must have some very high standard parents or something."

"Well, he is Celestia's nephew so that's where he gets his self-importance from."

"At least Celestia knows how to treat us well."

"Yes and to also say that you were a much better gentlecolt than he was, darling."

"Oh it was nothing, I was doing what any close friend would do." I then felt a little sad, "I just wish I had a special mare to spend the night with, it wasn't much fun on my own."

Rarity smiled more as she opened up her arms as if to have a hug which made me feel warm inside. So I walked up and moved in for a close hug and it felt like a long time.

"Bond, you will never be on your own when you're down, we'll always be there and we'll always love you, dear."

"Thank you, Rarity." I replied as I moved my face away and looked at her in the eyes...wait, what am I doing?

I then pulled away from the hug still smiling as I needed to remind myself that I am with Trixie.

"I guess I should be going home now." I said.

"Alright Bond, have a good night, dear." Rarity replied.

"You too, Rarity."

I then left her home and walked back to mine, I opened the door to my home and walked straight to bed. I timed that pretty well as I looked at my pocketwatch to display a few minutes before midnight. I bet those mouse ponies will turn back into normal mouses shortly, wherever they are. Getting into my bed, I had a few things on my mind. Despite Trixie not being there, I had a terrific night when I stuck up for Rarity, chatted to Octavia, bought an apple from Applejack to help her a bit and especially when I was dancing away with Pinkie. It was a terrific night for sure and they're all my closest friends, even better than the friends I had in Fillydelphia.

As I began to sleep, I did wonder one more thing. Why did I feel like I wanted to do more than look into Rarity's eyes for that split second. I'm in love with Trixie and Spike has a crush on Rarity and I know that he and his dreams would be devastated if Rarity was found to be in a relationship with somepony else. Whatever the reason though, I was getting close to telling them all my past and finally put it all behind me, but that would have to wait until next time... Next Chapter: Return Of Harmony Part 1. Estimated time remaining: 23 Hours, 24 Minutes