Twilight rested peacefully as she lied down in bed. The day before, the possibility of Twilight becoming Princess of the Fall Formal was made a reality. How this came to be was that Twilight and her friends turned the entire school against Sunset Shimmer by calling out her deeds, essentially, according to Flash, the high school equivalent of a coup d’état, just without weapons. Afterward, Pinkie threw Twilight a celebration party at Sugercube Corner that lasted until closing time. After the shop closed, they moved the small party to Flash’s house which lasted until it was almost eleven. With all the celebrating, Twilight was understandably tired.

As she lied under the sheets, Twilight began to hear what sounded like a guitar playing in the other room. She slowly sat up, realizing that her ears were not tricking her. As she listened closely she could hear what sounded like singing. The singing was very faint and distant. Twilight got up from her bed, wearing a pink t-shirt and a pair of purple and pink pajama shorts. She exited her room and followed the faint music downstairs where she began to hear a new set of sounds coming from the living room. She looked and saw that it was Spike who was playing on the X-Box. With the Fall Formal being that evening, school attendance was optional that day, and the only ones who were at school were the staff, students who were required to attend for tutoring, like Derpy, or making up time or work due to previous absence, and those who were helping to prepare for Formal.

“Morning, Spike.” Twilight said as she entered the room. “What are you playing?”

Spike looked away from the screen for a moment to see that it was Twilight entering the room.

“Morning, Twilight.” Spike said who was wearing a green t-shirt and purple hoodie with blue jeans. “I’m just playing this game called Fallout three. It kind of reminds me of that weird book series back in Equestria. Heck, it even has the same name.”

Twilight looked at the screen and saw that Spike’s character was a light skinned male with black hair who wore a blue jumpsuit with the number “101” on his back. He also wore what looked like a bunch of pouches and armor over the suit and wore some sort of device on his left wrist. The male was in the middle of fighting several large green monster-like creatures, one was armed with a large hammer and the other with some sort of weapon, a gun, Twilight was told. Suddenly, Spike’s character shot the head off of the hammer wielding monster with a large gun with a drum like container attached.

“Jeez, Spike.” Twilight said. “I’m not sure if should be playing this.”

“Come on, Twilight, it’s not that bad.” Spike said as he shot the arm off of the second monster. “I’m making the wasteland safer for other creatures, and I’m helping this guy fix his radio antenna that way the protagonist can find his dad.”

Twilight then remembered why she came downstairs.

“By the way, do you hear that music that’s playing, too?”

“Yeah, that’s just flash and his band.” Spike answered as he scavenged something called a “stim pack” from one of the dismembered monsters. “They sound cool don’t they?”

“Yeah, they do.” Twilight said. “Where are they anyway?”

“Downstairs in the basement.” Spike answered. “Go in the kitchen, it’s that door right next to the fridge.”

“Okay, I’m just going to go and take a shower and change right quick.”

Twilight didn’t take long to get showered and changed into some fresh clothing, which consisted of a white button up, light purple vest, pink tie, and pair of black trousers. She entered the living room and saw that there were two new comers, both were male. One of them had slightly tanned skin, and black, stylized hair with gray streaks, and the early forming of a mustache and wore blue shades, white vest, unbuttoned, a blue tie, a red button up, dark gray trousers and sneakers. The other was lighter skinned and had long light brown hair, and wore a dark orange V-neck, blue jeans, sneakers, and a necklace that looked to be made of large brown beads.

The shades wearing boy saw Twilight enter.

“Hey, wassup?” He asked, with a very light accent.

“Well isn’t it the Princess elect?” The orange shirted one said. “How’s it going?”

“I’m doing well.” Twilight said. “Um, who are you two again?”

“I’m Ringo, Ringo Sanchez.” The shades wearer said. “This right here is Quincy Jones.”

“Just call me Beats.” The other boy said. “I know it’s early, but congratulations on being crowned.”

“The votes haven’t been counted yet. But thank you anyway.” Twilight said with a chuckle. “Have either of you seen Flash anywhere?”

“Yeah, he’s still back down in the basement, practicing.” Ringo answered.

“Okay thanks.”

Twilight found the door to the basement in the kitchen, like Spike said earlier. She walked down the stairs as she heard the sound of a guitar playing, almost echoed by the large space. She saw Flash sat down at a chair with his red, electric guitar next to Beats’ drums and Ringo’s Bass. The tune sounded familiar. If Twilight was correct, it was that of a song called “Fortunate Son”. From what Flash told her, it was released during a conflict known as “The Vietnam War”, and was used to criticize the war itself and those who support the conflict yet don’t fight. She told Flash that the song could easily apply to ponies like Prince Blueblood.

Flash glanced over and saw Twilight walk off the last step.

“Hey, Twilight.” He said. “Oh, I mean…”

He then set his guitar on its stand and kneeled before Twilight.

“Good morrow, my dear Princess.” He said. “How are thou this morning?”

Twilight chuckled.

“Given what I really am, I’m not sure if you’re joking or actually serious.”

Flash laughed as well.

“It can be any way you want.” He said. “So anyway, what’s up?”

“I heard you and your friends playing so I thought I’d come and listen.” Twilight said. “You sound great by the way.”

“Oh stop, you’re making me blush.” Flash said jokingly as he scratched the back of his neck.

As Twilight took a look at the instruments, Flash gazed upon the beautiful girl before him. That’s what he thought of her, beautiful. Not just in appearance, but in personality, nothing like a certain other girl he knew.

“Hey, Twilight.” He said. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what is it?”

Flash stood up and cleared his throat.

“You said that you had to get the crown before a certain time, right?”

“Yeah.” Twilight said. “I have to get the crown before midnight tonight.”

“And once you’re through that portal thing, you won’t be able to come back, right?”

“Yeah not for another thirty moons.”

Suddenly it hit Twilight. She wouldn’t be able to return.

“And after what I’ve looked up online, that’s the equivalent of two years.” Flash said. “Right?”

“Yeah. Two years.” Twilight nodded. “Two, long years.”

The two grew quiet, knowing what the topic at hand meant.

“So, why do you bring this up?” The Princess asked.

“Well…” Flash said. “…I was wondering if…” The smooth and cool rocker suddenly wasn’t smooth and cool. “…if you want to make your last night on Earth memorable?”

Twilight’s eyes went wide.

“What do you mean?”

“Well…”

“Flash! Hey Flash, you down there!?”

Flash let out an annoyed sigh before answering.

“I was here when you left, Ringo.” He said. “What is it?”

“Grab your keys! We just heard some crazy shit just went down at that school!” Ringo shouted. “We gotta check it out! Come on!”

The halls of the school echoed with the sound of footsteps. Twilight and the others rushed over here as quickly as possible in Flash’s car. On the way to the school, Ringo explained that Derpy had called him earlier saying that something had happened in the school gym. Unfortunately, Twilight possibly knew what had happened as she was the first one out of Flash’s car and into the school.
“Twilight, wait up!” Spike called ahead as he and the other three ran after her.

They turned the corner and screeched to a halt. Sitting in one of the benches near the gym entrance were Derpy, Cherry Lee, one of the teachers, and a very upset Pinkie who had her head in her hands. Standing in front of the bench was a man dressed in a blue suit and red tie, brown hair with brown eyes. He had the appearance of the Tenth incarnation of a television character who Derpy obsessed over.
Twilight returned her attention her now crying friend.

“Pinkie, what happened?”

Pinkie looked up and sniffed, revealing a pair of heavily bloodshot eyes.

“Ruined…” She said. “…all ruined…”

The rest of what Pinkie said was blurred out by her uncontrollable sobbing.

The blue suited teacher cleared his throat and turned to the gathered students.

“Miss Peirce had discovered what had become of her decorations in the gym.” He said with a noticeable accent. “I must say she has every right to be upset.”

Twilight’s eyes became the size of dinner plates and she bolted towards the gym doors down the hall. Her heart dropped as she passed through the open doors. The gym looked like a bomb had gone off. Streamers were torn down, balloons were nothing but shredded rubber, tables for snacks were turned over, and even the sound system and DJ booth weren’t spared as the speakers were kicked over and the sound board was tossed across the room. For whatever reason the disco ball was left untouched.

Standing in the center of the room were Principle Tia and Vice-Principle Luna. The latter turned and saw Twilight standing at the entrance.
“Hello Miss Spencer.” She said as she approached the former alicorn, with Spike and Flash’s band right behind her in awe at the damage. “It appears you’ve heard what had happened.”

Twilight nodded.

“Do you know who did this?” She asked, practically squeezing her own words out.

“At this point, no.” Principle Tia answered. “But whoever it was will be in serious trouble.”

“You can say that again.” Spike said as he looked at one of the knocked over speakers.

“I assume the dance is going to be postponed.” Flash said. “Right?”

“I’m afraid so.” Luna said. “Until all of this is cleaned up and restored, the Fall Formal won’t happen until tomorrow night.”

Twilight was dead quiet at this point.

“I understand your disappointment, Miss Spencer.” Tia said. “But don’t worry too much, you’ll be crowned tomorrow.”

Tia then patted Twilight on the shoulder and walked out of the gym with Luna in toe.

Flash approached Twilight and put a hand on her shoulder, the same one Tia had patted.

“Are you okay Twi…?”

“No I’m not!” Twilight snapped. “I am absolutely not!”

“Jeez Twilight.” Ringo said. “I know you really want the crown but you need to chill.”

“I can’t chill, Ringo! Don’t you understand?” Twilight said. “If I don’t get the crown before midnight tonight the portal will close and I’ll be stuck here! I’m bucked! I am royally bucked!”

Twilight then fell to her knees as a tear went down her cheek.

“I’ll never see home again.”

Ringo and Beats looked at one another as Flash and Spike comforted Twilight.

“I’m sorry, but did we miss something?” The latter asked.

“Yeah, I’m little confused.” Ringo added. “What do you mean you can’t go home?”

Flash looked back at his two friends with his arm around Twilight.

“It’s a bit complicated.” He said. “And like Twilight said, if she doesn’t get the crown before midnight she’ll be stuck in this world for a long time.”

“Not if we have anything to say about it!”

Everyone turned and saw that it was Pinkie with AJ, Rarity, Dash, Flutters, and Derpy standing behind.

“I see you’re doing okay now.” Flash said.

“I may have been a bit upset earlier, but I’m not going to let that stop me.” Pinkie explained, still a tad puffy eyed. She then looked at the wreckage of the gym. She then approached and crouched down to Twilight’s level. “When I accepted the role of planning the Formal, I made a Pinkie Promise that would make sure this Formal will be as awesome as the last one and the one before that and I am not going to let some… …meanie ruin the Formal for everyone. Especially you, Twilight. And that is a Pinkie Promise right there.”

Twilight smiled and pulled Pinkie into a hug.

“Thank you Pinkie.”

The two then parted and stood up.

“But let’s not just stand here.” Pinkie said “Let’s get started.”

She then looked to her friends.

“You girls with me?”

“Do you really have to ask?” Flutters asked.

“Of course, darling!” Rarity said.

“Darn tootin’!” AJ added.

“Hell yeah! Let’s do it!” Dash shouted with enthusiasm. “Me and AJ will go and grab some brooms!”

As the athlete and the cowgirl made their way out of the gym in search of brooms, Spike patted Twilight on the shoulder.

“We got your back, Twilight.” He said. “All the way.”

Twilight smiled and pulled her assistant into a hug.

“While the girls are looking for brooms, me and guys have something to do.” Flash said. “We’ll be back in a moment. Come on guys.”

Ringo and Beats followed Flash out of the gym and around a corner.

“What’s up, Flash?” The former asked. “Why’d we have to walk out here?”

Flash then pulled out his phone.

“It’s going to take more than me to call about half the school.” He said as he pressed one of the contacts on his phone put it to his eye. “Hey Vinyl, it’s Flash. We got a situation.”

Ten minutes had passed and the girls and boys have barely made a dent in the mess. As Spike swept bits of popped balloons and shredded streamers into a pile, his broom collided with another.

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine.” The other sweeper said as she wore her silver tiara.

As Spike continued to sweep, it suddenly hit him who it was he just bumped into.

“What are you doing here?” He finally asked.

“I may not be able to become Princess of the Formal this year, but I still want to there to be a formal.” Tiara said simply. “Isn’t that right, Silver?”

Her partner in crime nodded as she and Trixie started loading a garbage bag with torn decorations.

“The great and powerful Trixie agrees.” The latter said before turning to Twilight. “But don’t think I’ll be easy on you next time, Twilight Spencer!”

“I don’t expect anything less!” Twilight called back.

The three newcomers weren’t alone as even more students started to pour into the gym, all with either a broom or trash bags. Some of these students included several members of the JROTC, all armed with some sort of cleaning tool and the CMC who were helping Vinyl carry in new speakers along with Big Mac. After a couple minutes it looked like half the school had showed up and perform tasks such blowing up balloons, hanging streamers, setting up the tables for snacks, and restoring the sound system, of which Vinyl began to test.

“I’m the D to the J to the P-O-M-three!” She sang. “And ain’t no other girl drop the bass like me, I’m Vinylicious!”

She then held up the mic as the students applauded.

“Now let’s all give a round of applause for the one who got us all gathered here!” Vinyl continued. “Flash!”

The crowded roared as Vinyl backed away from the microphone, allowing Twilight to approach.

“Thank you everyone for coming and for the help.” He said. “As far as I know the Formal will go on as scheduled.”

Everyone in the crowd cheered.

“But I must say, I may have been the one who contacted everyone, along with Beats and Ringo, it was Twilight who orchestrated the cleanup.” He continued. “Give her a round of applause.”

The crowd did so, causing Twilight’s cheeks to flush red.

“And while we’re all here, there is something I need to do.”

Flash then hopped off the stage with the microphone in hand. The crowd parted as he approached Twilight. As he walked he held out his hand to one girl, who was recognized as Rose, or Roseluck, as many students called her, put a bouquet of flowers into his hand. Flash smiled and nodded thank you before he approached Twilight and got on one knee, holding the bouquet behind.

“Twilight, I know I’ve only known you for a week at this point, but…” Just like back at his house, suave rocker was starting to literally sound like school boy confessing to his crush. “…but I think you are absolutely the most wonderful I’ve ever known. You’re smart, you’re kind, you’re… …you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.” This was met by a chorus of “awws” from the crowd. “So, I was wondering.” He then presented the bouquet of flowers. “Will you go the formal with me?”

Twilight lightly gasped. This was what Flash was trying to ask back at his house, and now he had finally asked it. The interesting part was that smile began to form on her face.

“Yes.” She finally said. “I will go with you, Flash.”

Author's Notes:

Sorry this took so long. With my recent employment, I haven't had that much time to work on any of my fics. Either way, I hope you enjoyed.