Commander Twilight Sparkle and the Princess met up with Stonewall and Spike just outside the castle’s main ballroom, apparently Stonewall had run into Spike and recognized him as the Princess’ assistant and so escorted him to where he was to meet Twilight so they could wait.

To say the Princess was happy to see the baby dragon was putting it mildly as she hadn’t really been back to her castle since they came to Canterlot a little over two weeks ago and Twilight found the display a bit hard to watch as it made her think of her Spike back home, she knew he was ok because there was no way the Major or any of the EDF command staff wouldn’t allow harm to come to the baby dragon but still she just up and vanished on him again. Granted this wasn’t as traumatic as the last time but still she did disappear again.

After the reunion and everyone caught up with each other about what had happened since they last saw each other, was a much longer conversation between the Princess and Spike as it had been weeks while it had only been a few hours for Twilight and Stonewall.

Once they were ready Twilight and Spike entered first do to being Royalty and Twilight heard their names and titles announced. “So you ready for this?” Twilight asked the guard beside her.

Stonewall nodded.” Yes, while I may never have been a assigned to guard the Gala I am well aware of what goes on here.” He said and glanced at the mare beside him out of the corner of her eye. “I know where I stand and I everypony knows as well.” He explained.

Twilight nodded her head, while she didn’t have much power here it was good to know she had at least one pawn in her corner, she still couldn’t be sure about where her trainees loyalties lay but she knew she had Stonewall. It wasn’t much but it was something at least and it made it easier that he knew he was her pawn in all of this.

After waiting for a few minutes so the Princess had time to leave the entry area Twilight to a deep breath and made sure her beret was on correct before she walked through the door.

“Presenting Commander Twilight Sparkle of the Equestrian Defense Force and guest of the Princesses’ and her escort Guard Stonewall of the Canterlot Royal Guard” The pony beside the door announced reading from a scroll held in his magic. Twilight payed him no mind her eyes were only for the room and the ponies within as time seemed to slow down while she focused.

She already saw everything was in full swing, nobles stood in small groups chatting about various topics as servants moved around the room while guards lined the walls. And she saw everything as her mind raced to read the room. She saw a servant pass beside a noble with a tray of Champaign and the noble didn’t turn his head in the slightest but the servant’s ear shifted just slightly. Tacking the servant as she descended the stairs she saw the servant pass by a guard and as he did the guard gave the barest of nods, message delivered but whether to its recipient or just another massager she didn’t know.

No mater she would watch the guard but right now she needed to watch the room to see who was who. She spotted Fancy Pants and Fleur in a large knot of nobles, she knew he was a powerful player but she could not rely on him to be an allied as she didn’t have any of her connections here besides the stallion beside her and possible the Princess. She couldn’t be sure if the Princess saw her as an ally or a pawn in her own agenda, she knew Celestia and Luna did as that was a given but the Princess was an unknown in this game.

The pair of ponies reached the bottom of the stairs and Twilight scanned the room from behind her mirrored sunglasses servants played their parts expertly and she already saw who some of them were pawns of as well as some of the enemies and allies. All of this was playing out under the quiet calm of the relaxing and boring atmosphere the Gala was famous for.

“Stonewall why don’t you go get us a few of the horderves the servants have.” She said suddenly and Stonewall merely nodded and made his way into the crowd. Her pawn was now loose and she saw several of the other players take notice and subtly track his movements. Good let them fallow the pawn, least she wouldn’t have to worry about the weak player for now though the more powerful and experienced players either still watched her or had ponies doing so. Twilight was a wild card in this game, even if she was weak only a fool would see her as a simple pawn and the higher level players would know that.

Twilight made her way through the crowd watching everyone near her without having to worry about them knowing who exactly she was watching thanks to her glasses, it also had the added effect of being unnerving to some as it reflected the room.

“Greetings Commander Sparkle.” An elderly Pegasus noble said with a kind smile as Twilight walked past and the mare paused.

“Greetings…”She said and trailed off.

“Lord High Flyer Commander.” The noble said gently. And Twilight nodded she recognized the name as midlevel player that had suffered a terrible “accident” back in her own Equestria a year ago. “It is a pleasure to meet you, I must say the other nobles, myself included, wondered if you would grace the Gala with your presence or not what with all the work you seem to do.”

Twilight gave a soft chuckle. “What and miss the biggest gathering in Equestria? Perish the thought.” Twilight said waving a hoof dismissively.

High Flyer nodded his head in understanding as he took a sip from his Champaign. “Yes quite, anypony who is any pony would not miss the Gala if they could help it.” He smiled once more at her and Twilight wonder what his plan was as he was either just inspecting the competition or actually had a plan for her. “I must say I have been following your training of the guards under your tutelage for a few days now, it is most fascinating the methods you employ. Can’t say Equestria had ever seen such methods, least not in any of the history I have read.”

Twilight smiled and nodded once more. “Just some basic Equestrian Defense Force Training from back home is all, nothing to advance as I don’t have all the resources I need nor the time. Though I am not sued to training ponies who have already been trained, but it had only caused a few issues and I’ll soon break them of it.” Twilight said with a chuckle.

High Flyer chuckled along with her. “Yes I am quite sure you will Commander.” He said calmly then drank the last of his Champaign. “If you will excuse me Commander I must go and get more refreshments.” The stallion said before bowing his head apologetically and walked past twilight. The mare watched him go and saw he did in fact grab another glass of Champaign before joining a small group of minor nobles.

Not having anything else to hold her up Twilight began to make her way through the crowd once more till she found Stonewall near one of the tables topped with food and she joined him gathering her own plate of food, making sure it was just a small amount so that she could have and excuse to visit the tables throughout the night. “So hear anything interesting?” She asked quietly, her lips barley moving as she inspected the food before her.

“Plenty, none of it concerning you though it seems Lady Rose had an affair with one of her servants and that was passed on to lord Flame who is now taking full advantage of it.” The Stallion replied back just as quietly and Twilight nodded, that could come in handy if used correctly, Stonewall was proving a useful pawn already.

“Have you seen the Princess?” Twilight asked as she grabbed a couple of small sandwiches and placed them on her plate.

“Northeast part of the ballroom, near the main table. She’s talking with her friends, saw her friends’’ sisters running around in the crowd apparently trying to help the nobility figure out what their Cutie Marks mean.” The Stallions aid in confusion.

Twilight chuckled. “Yeah they kind of do that; I was honestly counting on it tonight.” She said and Stonewall nodded.

“It certainly has many off balance.” The Stallion said.

Nodding once more Twilight stepped back from the table. “Why don’t you go visit with some of the guards, I’m sure you know at least some of them.” She said and he nodded and the two split up.

Twilight made her way to what Stonewall said the Princess was thought right now she was only with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie as the others seemed to be trying to round up their sisters or in rarities case mingling with the nobility, Twilight questioned whether the fashionista knew what she was getting herself into or not.

Twilight made her way towards the Princess via an indirect route so it would seem like she just happened upon them and wasn’t actually making her way towards them, it had the added bonus of Fluttershy leaving to go to another part of the Gala so only Pinkie was left with the Princess and it shouldn’t be too hard to get her to leave.

Reaching the two mares Twilight put on her friendliest smile and acted just slightly surprised. “Oh Princess I’m surprised you aren’t with Celestia.” She said as she neared them.

The Princess looked at her and seemed to wilt slightly. “Oh…um…she’s busy with some of the other nobles so I thought I’d visit with my friends.” She said, so there was still some tension between the two princesses, Twilight felt somewhat badly about that as it was technically her fault.

However she didn’t voice this and just nodded. “Ah yeah there are a lot of them.” She said and smiled and looked at Pinkie Pie who had a large slice of cake she obtained from…somewhere, Twilight was sure that type of cake wasn’t being served at the Gala right now. Filing that away in the “It’s Pinkie Pie” file she smiled at the pink party pony. “Hey Pinkie I think after this next song Celestia scheduled for some of my music to be played, would you like to go set it up?” Twilight said pulling out her datapad.

Flipping through the menus she reached the music files and opened up her Gala playlist and handed it to the pink mare. “Just pick any song from this list, push the name and it will start to play.” Twilight said, normally she wouldn’t let someone else handle her datapad but this was a risk worth taking so she could be alone with the Princess. “You saw how I hooked it up to the sound system right?”

Pinkie’s face split wide with her usual excited smile and she nodded her head vigorously. “Yup yup yuppers I did!” She proclaimed taking the datapad. “This should get this party really started.” She said as the Datapad vanished into her mane and she bounced off.

Twilight watched her go questioning why she didn’t set the camera to record so she could have seen exactly where it went when in the mare’s mane, oh well too late now. Turning back to the Princess Twilight smiled. “So how are you this fine evening Princess?”

The Princess sighed. “I’m fine I suppose, I had hoped to talk with Celestia some but she seems to be busier more than usual at this Gala so I’ve just been spending time with my friends to catch up after two weeks of no word.” She said and sighed. “I forgot to write them as I got caught up in everything.”

Twilight nodded. “Well we have been rather busy with everything going on, I’m sure they understand.”

“Yeah they do, I still feel bad.” The Princess said and then looking around a bit. “Say where is Stonewall, I figured he’d be with you like he usually is.”

“Oh I have him gathering information from some of the guards.” Twilight said in a low voice so as to avoid eavesdroppers.

The Princess blinked and tilted her head in confusion. “Gathering information? What for? Do you think the purifiers are here?” She asked worriedly as she looked around.

“Huh/ Oh no I doubt they will make a move yet, not after their spy got found, if they even know that yet.” Twilight explained. “Just seeing if there is any information I can use for The Game.” She said with a smile, normally one didn’t discussed the game as you could never be sure whose side the ponies you were talking was on but Twilight knew the Princess well enough to know she most likely didn’t use her friends as pawns for any major schemes.

The Princess blinked and looked even more confused. “Game? What game?” She asked.

Twilight blinked, confused herself. “The Game of Houses, you know Equestrian politics?” She asked.

The Princess blinked. “I haven’t really done anything with politics yet, I’ve never heard of this Game of Houses. What is it?”

Twilight froze. She did not just say that in the middle of the Gala, she must have misheard or the Princess was playing the game better then Twilight herself. Looking at her closely Twilight realized she was being serious, she had no idea what The Game was and she just admitted it in the middle of the one place the game is at its peak!

Twilight knew the exact moment the other Players who were close enough to have heard came to the same realization as Twilight as the atmosphere changed. Looking over the crowd, there was no time to worry about subtlety she saw it, several players looking at the Princess as if she were a fresh carcasses and them vulture, they were low level players. It was the ones who were being subtle but still looking that were concerning. The Princess’ inexperience just got her into a world of trouble within The Game.

The Princess seemed to notice the shift as well as she looked around a bit confused and then followed the unicorns gaze, however by the time she did the Gala was back as it was, though The Game had shifted drastically with the balance of power no longer being tipped towards the Princess as a major Player. “Nothing, forget I said anything, just referring to a game played back home. “Twilight said smiling at the Princess to get her to relax.

It worked, she really didn’t have any idea what was going on if she was that easy to manipulate, and this was bad on so many levels. Looking back at the crowd Twilight noticed a well-dressed stallion watching the two of them from across the room, she could by how he held himself he was not one to take lightly in this game. Too bad Twilight wasn’t the type back down when it came to her friends and she never left them hanging.

Removing her sunglasses she took out a cloth whipped some non-existent dirt from them as she looked back at the stallion. “I know full well what happens here, I am no pawn.” She said with that simple gesture.

The Stallion smiled slightly fixing the military mare with a stare. “So you think you can play this game?”

Twilight replaced her sunglass and used her magic to grab a glass of Champaign from a nearby servant as they walked past and took a sip. “Bring it on if you think you can take me.”

“I didn’t know you drank Champaign.” The Princess said looking at the unicorn besides her, completely oblivious to the conversation going on.

The stallions gaze shifted from the Soldier to the Princess then back. “What about her?”

“I don’t, but figure when at the Gala might as well. “Twilight said and smiled at the princess and patted her back as she spoke. “She’s under my protection; mess with her answer to me.”

The stallion gave the barest of shrugs and smiled once more. “Wasn’t planning to at this time.”

Twilight gave a small smiled back. “Then we have no problems.”

The Stallion tilted his head very slightly. “Pleasure talking to you Commander, I look forward to our next meeting.” With that the stallion turned and headed deeper into the party away from the two mares who were almost identical.

With that issue solved Twilight downed the last of her drink, grimacing slightly, she hated Champaign. But it hadn’t been about enjoyment, it had been about talking and dealing with a lot of issues, she knew others had watched the conversation between the stallion and herself. The fools would think she was nothing because she had no power here and only a single pawn, the more intelligent among the Players would know the fact she was confident and clearly knew what she was doing meant she was not to be taken lightly even without any power.

Twilight relaxed slightly and placed the empty glass on another tray as a servant walked past before turning to the princess. “So then Princess did you have anything planned for tonight?” She asked smiling, she’d need to stay as close to the Princess as she could or have Stonewall keep an eye on her to make sure no other players were able to manipulate her, that meant Twilight would need to maneuver her counterpart to the point of making her a pawn so that the high level players would be hesitant to try anything.

Before the Princess could respond the song the musicians had been playing came to an end and Twilight heard the speaker system come online as it was time for some of her music, twilight was curious which song Pinkie had chosen as it would be based purely on the names as the pink mare wouldn’t have any idea what the songs are much less the artist.

What she had not expected was the sound of military DRUMS begging to play. “Oh crap.” Twilight said, how could this have been screwed up? That song wasn’t even on that playlist!

“What’s wrong?” The Princess asked looking the mare beside her.

“This song wasn’t supposed to be played here.” Twilight said with annoyance.

“Really why? It sounds rather nice….”The Princess trained off as the lyrics of the song began and Twilight just looked at her. “I see.” The Princess finished.

Looking out over the crowd she saw the entire party had come to a complete stand still as everyone started at where the sound system was situated with a very confused pink party mare wearing a strained smile.

“What is this?” The Princess asked looking at her military counterpart.

“This is the anthem of the EDF, least it’s what ended up becoming the anthem, I had the song before the EDF.” Twilight explained and started to make her way towards the sound system. As she did, she spotted Celestia watching her from across the room and the mare merely shrugged to say “not my fault I didn’t plan this.”

As Twilight walked she couldn’t help falling into a march in time to the song as she stood starter, her walk clearly going from a simple walk to a full on military march. Several nearby ponies, servants’ nobles and guards noticed this and she felt them tracking her as she walked. It didn’t take her long to reach the nervous looking Pinkie Pie holding the datapad. “How did you get to this song? It wasn’t even on the playlist?” Twilight asked a bit sternly, A Commander very displeased with a subordinate.

Pinkie winced hearing the tone. “I’m sorry, when I took the datapad out I accidently closed the playlist. I didn’t know what it was called so I picked what looked the closes to party music and saw one labeled “Anthem” So thought it would be good for the party.” The pink mare said quickly.

Twilight facehoofed. “You went into the EDF music, that’s music that has spread through the EDF, it is certainly not meant for the Gala.” Twilight said taking back her datapad as the song came to an end, she could still feel everyone staring at her do to the song.

Quickly going to the proper playlist the military mare selected a song more appropriate for the Gala and speakers began to play some gentle TONES and she placed the datapad beside the sound system. “Please make sure no one touches this Pinkie, I’d rather not lose it.” She aid calmly, now that the song wasn’t playing she was no longer in a military mind set.

The pink mare nodded her head vigorously and with that Twilight left her to guard the sound system. She wasn’t heading back to the princess as she saw Applejack and Rainbow Dash had returned, while Dash wasn’t much use in the Gala Applejack had good sense and wasn’t easily manipulated by strangers so she could help make sure the Princess didn’t fall for any bullshit a Player may try with the princess. Granted only low level players would try anything as only they would try a plan that they made up in five minutes. Higher level players would give a lot of thought to their plans before trying anything so there was at least a week before twilight had to worry about real threats.

With her not having to worry about the Princess Twilight shifted her path to a different Princess, luckily she hadn’t moved very far from where Twilight last saw her. “Hello Celestia.” Twilight said as she neared the alabaster alicorn.

The Princess excused herself from the conversation she had been having with a few nobles and gestured for the unicorn to walk with her as she made her way towards one of the refreshment tables. “That was a rather interesting song you consider appropriate for the Gala Commander." The large alicorn said as they walked.

Twilight sighed. “I didn’t mean for the EDF anthem to be played, that was an accident caused by some technical difficulties.” She explained. “I took care of it so any more songs will be appropriate, trust me.”

The Sun Princess nodded. “Yes, that is good though I must admit that song did throw the nobles off balance.” She said looking at the ponies they walked by, most had gone back to their talking as the new song played but it was clear many of them were just going through the motions right now.

Twilight nodded. “Yes, so I guess some good came out of it.” She said as they two of them reached the table. “However music is not why I came to talk to you.” She said and the alicorn looked at her as she removed her sunglasses to fix the larger pony with a hard stare. “Why haven’t you told the Princess about The Game?”

“Because she’s not ready for Equestrian politics.” Celestia said and Twilight sighed while rubbing the bridge of her muzzle.

“She can’t be protected from it forever, she’s a princess for crying out loud and like it or not no matter what you do people will try to use her, hell I thought she already knew The Game.” Twilight said with annoyance.

“She will be told when she is ready.” Celestia said as she looked over the food.

“Well times up because I mentioned The Game and she responded with having no idea what I was talking about and some of the nobles over heard her.” Twilight said and Celestia nearly dropped her plate she held in her magic as she looked at the unicorn beside her. “Yes, so unless you want her to be ground up in the gears of this blasted game you better stop holding her hand and teach her what she needs to fucking know before it’s too late.”

Celestia said. “Yes, you are right Commander, it seems I have no choice but to stop shielding her from the world it’s just…”She trailed off.

Twilight sighed. “I know you care a great deal, as if she were your own daughter even if you are anything like my Celestia, but you have to let her grow up and become her own mare.” Twilight said and reached out and patted the larger ponies shoulder with a smile, she was still a quadruped so was unable to actually reach Celestia’s back but the meaning was the same. “Trust me she will still look up to you even after she learns the ways of the world, I mean look at me I still see the you from my homeland as my mentor and I lead an entire army and am basically a living weapon.” Twilight said with a chuckle.

Celestia relaxed slightly. “I suppose you are right Commander.” She said. “She has already started on her own path and if I keep trying to coddle her I will most likely just drive her away from me.” She said and Twilight nodded and the Sun Princess eyed her. “Do you really still look up to my counterpart still despite everything you’ve done?”

Twilight nodded. “Like a second mother though our relationship is different than that do to the whole m being a soldier and leading an army and her my superior so in public I have to act a certain way, but in private it’s almost like how things used to be.” Twilight explained. “Or at least as close as it can be with everything.” She said gesturing to herself in a dress uniform with cybernetic augmentation.

Celestia sighed. “Thank you Commander, that does put my mind at ease.” She said and looked back over at the food on the tale. “Perhaps you are not as bad an influence on her as I thought you are.” Celestia said. “Though there are habits you have I hope she doesn’t pick up.” She said very seriously.

“Oh gods I hope so too, it wouldn’t be any fun if there were two of me.” Twilight said with a look of horror on her face. A moment later she started to chuckle and Celestia joined her a moment later.

“Just when I think I have you figured out Commander you end up breaking my perceptions of you.” She said with a chuckle.

“Yeah I have that effect on people; it wouldn’t be any fun if I didn’t keep everyone guessing.” She said and the two shared another small laugh.

Before the conversation could continue there was a rush of wind and the room started getting brighter and when the two looked back they saw the air in the middle of the room was twisting and ponies were rushing back away from the area out of fear. “Is this an attack?” Twilight heard a nearby guard asked as they all readied there weapons.

However before anyone could answered there were several flashed of light and chunks of what looked like wall, twisted metal as well as random debris started to appear in bright flashes of light. The last two things to appear were the strangest yet and all the ponies in the room stared at the two objects floating in the air in the middle of all the random debris.

There was one mare in the room who blinked in surprise as she recognized the two objects as they bobbed in the wait till they noticed the unicorn mare dressed in an EDF dress uniform standing on one side of the room.

“Commander!” Two synthesized voices cried out in unison as they recognized their Commander and the two sentrybots beeped in excitement as they rushed forward.

Author's Notes:

Whelp here we are, the first part of the Grand Galloping Gala and got a peek at The Game of Houses in play and learned something about Princess Twilight Sparkle as well as Celestia and how she has been acting around the your alicorn.

And got to learn what the EDF's anthem is, thank you once again Commander Darklight for introducing me to that song, glad I was finally able to work it into the main story.