It's been 20 years. 20 full blown years since I got here to Equilibria. Back in Ponyville, all of the ponies had been there for a much longer time than I had, so they were the more pioneer type ponies that knew more than I did. But this is my ball game. I had been here for longer than any of my friends. Though my parents have been here for about 60 years.

Speaking of which, my parents, my 5 friends, and myself were going to attend the Annual Clairmont Ball tonight. I've attended time and time again for the past 20 years, and I must say that although it is quite similar to the Grand Galloping Gala back in Equestria, it is much more exciting. There is a place for all the high class Clairmont stuffs to go and have their quiet time, but than there is the place that my friends, parents, and I go for the ball. It is the main party place and it is definitely more exciting than all that high class stuff.

It's about six o'clock in the afternoon, and I am making final check-ups to see if everyone is ready. My first stop is Fluttershy's place.

I approach cautiously as not to alarm the shy pony before lightly knocking on the door.

"Who is it?" I can just barely hear her voice.

"It's me, Brian."

"Oh please, come in."

I open the door and walk in. I don't see anypony. "Hello?"

"I'm over here."

I turn towards the voice. "Wow" is all I can get out as I see Fluttershy standing to my left in a beautiful dress.

She blushed. "You really think so?"

"Yeah, did you make that yourself, Fluttershy?"

"Mostly, but I had some help from Rarity."

"It looks amazing. I assume that is what your wearing to the ball?"

"Um.... yeah." She said ever so quietly.

"Well then, since your ready, would you care to join me so we can collect everypony else and get on our way?"

She simply nodded and followed me as I lead her to Rarity's shop. I wanted to make a stop there so I could try on my tuxedo. She had already made one for me but the jacket was far too large.

We arrived and I knocked on the door.

"Come in!" I heard from inside. We both enter

"Hey. Rarity? I was hoping I could try on my tuxe-" I stopped as Rarity came out from behind one of those fold-up walls that you are supposed to get changed behind. She was wearing a stunning dress.

Both me and Fluttershy were looking with a surprised expression. Rarity smiled and blushed slightly, though remaining confident. "It's right over here, dear." She showed me to it. I picked it up and went to the closest change room.

When I came out they both looked at me and Rarity spoke up "Looking fabulous, Brian. I must say you do look smashing in formal attire."

I let out a small chuckle. "Thanks."

Shortly after Twilight knocked at the door to collect her dress, followed by Appplejack, who wanted something simple like what she wore in that one fashion show Rarity set up many years ago, and finally Pinkie.

We exchanged conversation for a while "Alright than. I'm gonna go back and drop my clothes off at my house." I said

"Yeah, I'm gonna head back to the library and get my dress on." Twilight added.

"Me too!" Pinkie said

"Why don't we all meet back here?" I said. Everybody agreed and we went our separate ways.

On my way home I notice It is getting dark. The Ball was probably going to start soon. I entered my house and dropped off my old clothes. I walk up to the mirror in my living room to look at myself, adjusting my tie, making sure everything is spiffy. I look up and close my eyes. 'I'm ready.' I think to myself. I open my eyes and look in the mirror one last time before I gather my parents and shove off. 'Everything checks ou-'

This wasn't my reflection. I look straight and I see my face, but the eyes. They were black. Completely black. And a strange black liquid was running down the reflections face, like black tears - This was that same creature that attacked me in my bathroom four years ago. I stepped back, blinked, and shook my head. It was starring at me. No, it was more than that. This thing was digging deep down and starring straight into my soul. Whatever it was, it knew me somehow. Everything about me. It knew about Dashie, it knew about Equestria, Equilibria, it knew everything I knew, like it fed information from my memories. It opened its mouth, bearing its disgustingly yellow and black pointed teeth. "EVERY DAY I AM CLOSERRRRRR-" It's voice became distorted on the last word and started making horrific sounds. Sounds that were so terrible that they were simply unbearable to listen to. I clench my ears and begin yelling. The sounds just keep getting louder and louder as I fall to my knees, screaming at the top of my lungs. My vision starts to blur and the feeling in my arms, legs, and face start to numb. And before I know it, everything goes dark.

Brian! Brian! Are you okay? Brian!

I open my eyes and look up. My parents are hovering above me with worried expressions.

"Brian! Are you okay?" My mom yells.

I let out a big 'uuuugh' as I sit up and put my hand up against my throbbing head. "What happend?" I say.

"We don't know. We herd you screaming from our house so we came to see what was wrong. You were unconscious on the floor." My dad said.

I look over to see the five other ponies crowded around with relief in there eyes.

"Why are you guys here? What time is it?"

Twilight Sparkle spoke out. "Well we waited for you at Rarity's shop, but you never came, so we decided to trace back here to see if we could find you. We saw your parents hovering over you on the floor."

"Well, we should get going, shouldn't we?"

"Hold on a minute cowboy." Applejack says. "If you just here fainted than maybe you shouldn't be goin' to no parties. It could be dangerous."

"I feel fine. My headache is going away." I lied. It was pretty bad. "I guess it was just the suit. I must have over heated or something. I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Well dear if the suit is too hot..."

"No, really. I'll be fine. But thanks Rarity."

"Well, if you say so. Shall we forward on?" A clutter of agreement steered around our group as we headed off.

-------------------------------------------

We are not even in the palace yet and we can hear the fun that the ponies are having. We hand off our passes to the guards at the entrance and head in. There is a huge party going on.

We enter and there is a massive dance floor with ponies all round having fun and dancing. Music booming everywhere.

"Well, here we are! Have fun!" My mom yells. We all trail off into different directions and mingle.

I decided to go over to the bar table and order a drink.

"What'll it be?"

"Got any Scotch?"

"Yes we do. On the rocks?"

"Yes, thank you."

He handed me my glass and I began to sip from it. My dad comes up from behind me and takes a seat beside me.

"Hey, could I get some of what he has?" They hand him his drink.

"So, hows it been goin', son."

"It's been alright. Could be a bit better though." We paused for a a few seconds, the music still booming.

"That one librarian, uuuh... Libby, that's it. I understand that she's been eyeballin' you?"

"What?"

"Eyeballin'. You know. As in she lakka you beezneez."

"Dad, I haven't talked to her in 3 months. And seriously? I gave up finding a partner when I went to Equestria. How would that even work anyway? A pony and a human?"

"I dunno. Stranger things have happened, my friend."

We heard a voice from a few chairs away. "You guys talkin' about gettin' pony action? Are you serious? You guys aren't nothin' but a pair of hairless monkeys. That's pretty disgusting."

"Actually, I'm married, thank you very much. Have been for over 80 years." My dad spoke up in a sarcastic manner.

"What, to a pony?" The colt chuckled. "That's mighty weird, boy."

My dad was about to say something when I interrupted.

"No, my father over hear has in fact been married to another 'hairless mokey' for the past 80 years. But aside from being an idiot from across the bar table, I have a better suggestion for you. Take your shit somewhere else."

I don't like swearing, I gave it up a long time ago. But it felt appropriate.

"Aaah, whatever." He muttered, and continued to sip his drink.

"I could have handled that myself." My dad said.

"Yeah, but I'de like to avoid a bar fight being started at a royal event. We all know what happens when you get into arguments at a bar table."

"Aaah, whatever." He muttered, much like the colt across the table.

I finished up my drink and let out a satisfied sigh. "Hey, I'm gonna go mingle." I said. "I'll talk to you later." My dad let out a dismissive grunt and lifted his hand. I walked over to see Twilight sitting at a table by herself. I approach and sit down. She looks kind of sad.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh. nothing. I'm just......"

"You're......."

"Well..... I'm not to big at huge social gatherings like this. I spent so much time studying magic in Equestria, I guess I don't really know how to mingle in crowds."

"Come on, Twi. It's not that hard. Ponies don't care much about how you talk to them, they just want to have a good time. It's not like they are inspecting your social abilities or anything. You just gotta go and talk. They'll listen."

"I don't know....."

"Don't think about it too much. You see that group over there? Go and join in." I let out a smile.

"Well, I guess I could try."

"That's the spirit."

Right then a large blast of light appeared in the middle of the table, followed by a ball of smoke. Out of the ball of smoke fell a scroll. Me and Twilight both looked at each other in puzzle. I picked up the scroll and looked at the side. "It's for me." I began reading it. As I was reading it, my face turned from a confused look to a completely shocked and awed look.

"What is it, Brian?" Twilight asked. I put down the scroll and sat there starring at the table.

"Brian, what is it?"

I look up slowly and meet eyes with Twilight Sparkle.

"It's Dashie."

End of Chapter 8.