The Dark Lord of the Dead was not exactly a connoisseur of fashion. His color pallet was nearly as monochrome as he was and most of his attire took some form of robes. Since attending the Equestrian Gala as a caliginous cleric would be unwise, he had gone to one of Barathrum’s many tailors. This one was a rather foppish shade who had offered his services in exchange for, in his own words, being spared the dull tedium that was an eternity among the indifferent dead of Asphodel. Thus, the couturier had joined the small army of likeminded shades that tended to the palace’s stylish needs.

“Hmm.” The tailor tapped a spectral hoof against his equally spectral chin as he reviewed his latest work. “I like it! Muy macho! Now, what does it say to you?”

The Theoi looked over his outfit consisting of a red dress shirt trimmed with gold with matching slacks. A pure white sash and gold links crossed his chest under a fur-mantled greatcoat. Combined with his pale complexion, he had to admit he cut a somewhat vampiric visage. Looks aside, he did notice that it was light and that he still had the full range of motion in his limbs.

“If worse comes to worst, I’ll just shed it.” The Stygian Sovereign thought as he struck a few poses.

“I look like I should be either conducting a corporate takeover or ordering troops into battle.” He said honestly. “The perfect combination for a Merchant Prince.”

“Splendid!” The shade whinnied. “I have done a few pieces for the well-to-do of the Mareterranean. The key is an ensemble that screams 'gaze upon me and bow down, bitches!'”

"I am sure the Alicorns will appreciate that." The pale horse smirked. "Although the fur may raise some eyebrows."

"Bah! You can claim it was made from the hide of a great beast that was threatening one of your protectorates." The designer waved a hoof dismissively. "Now hold still. The collar is riding up into your beard."

After allowing the tailor to make a few final adjustments, the Necroarch departed his company and trotted into the quiet halls of Barathrum. It had taken some time but the diligent cyclopses had restored the ancient citadel to pristine condition. It did the Khthonic Theoi good to see his home in working order. Now he just had to work on the rest of his gloomy realm.

“Fates willing, fixing one problem will lead to a solution for another.” He mentally planned. “But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

The pallid stallion rounded a corner and found the azure unicorn along with a pair of fashionista shades. The former was speaking with none other than Grand Marshal Armor while the latter alternating between putting the finishing touches on the mare's dress and shamelessly flirting with the revenant. The ashen unicorn paid them no mind as he passed a list to the former showmare.

"...whatever she has in stock. Make sure they are delivered- Ah, there you are, sir." The Marshal cut himself off as he spotted his patron and snapped a crisp salute. "I was just looking for you. The carriage is ready."

“Ooh, the Great and Powerful Trixie likes what she sees.” The mage turned to look him up and down with an appreciative eye while her attendees bowed before their lord. “What do you think of her?”

The fetching mare did a quick twirl to show off her new gown. It was the same violet color as her old cape and hat with a diamond-studded belt around her barrel to match her earrings and dreamstone amulet that had been fastened into a brooch. Silver shoes and lacy stockings that drew attention to her shapely legs and hips completed the ensemble. Were it not for her faintly glowing eyes, she would have blended in quite well among the mares of Canterlot.

“You are quite the lovely lich.” The Dark Lord said coolly as he extended a foreleg. “Now, my dear, our carriage awaits.”

Lulamoon seemed taken aback for a moment before she smiled and took his leg in hers. With the revenant trailing behind them, they trotted out of the palace and into the courtyard where Chrysalis and a few drones waited for them. A coach and its cycloptic driver sat a short distance away, the latter of which was chatting with Elytra.

"Now what do we have here?" The Hive Queen said as she looked over the two party goers. "A dolled up trophy mare and a prime example of the 'vieux riche'. You'll blend right in."

“Sometimes plain sight makes the best hiding place.” The Theoi said knowingly. "Are these the drones you plan to take with you, Chrysalis?"

"They are." The matron nodded. "Oh, that reminds me. Did you give them that box, Shiny?"

"Sorry, I got distracted by something else." The revenant admitted as he searched for the box in question. "Here it is."

Armor produced a plain container and held it out for his patron. The pale horse looked at it curiously before he opened it. Inside were two changeling horns, one significantly longer than the other, inscribed with a few runes. One was marked for Lulamoon while the larger of the two was marked for him.

“Chrysalis and I met.” Armor shared a look with the Hive Queen who just batted her eyelashes at him flirtily. “And after that, we discussed a way to help you two blend in at Canterlot. No offense, sir, but you look like a vampire and Lulamoon looks possessed.”

“The Pure and Undemonic Trixie…” The Archmage was about to retort when she realized he was right. “…agrees.”

“Shining shared some of the methods used to detect my kind and I think we may have a way to fool them.” The changeling matron said as she levitated the horns over to the Theoi Anax and lich with her emerald magic. “There is enough of our magic in these to alter your appearances but not much else; you'll be limited to equine forms. Also, these will only work once and for only a few hours.”

“The idea is that without the drones, or Queen in your Excellency's case, attached to them, the magic won’t be strong enough to trip their sensors.” The Marshal concluded. “They will still detect something but no more than is common for a unicorn and earth pony.”

“Ingenious.” The Dark Lord said as he inspected the gnarled appendage.

“Trixie is impressed that you were willing to maim your offspring for this.” Lulamoon needled Chrysalis as she placed her horn in her gown.

“I’m not.” The shapeshifter hissed indignantly. “They came off the husks left behind when we molted.”

"Waste not, want not." The pallid pony said simply as he stowed the charm under his coat.

“One more thing. When you want to use them, just tap them against your head and think of the disguise.” The unicorn revenant pantomimed the motion as he explained. “And keep the horns with you otherwise the magic will fizzle out in a few minutes.”

“Tap, think, keep.” The stately stallion surmised. “If there is nothing else, we should be on our way.”

"There is, actually." Chrysalis chittered. "It's about Elytra. She's by the carriage."

The group moved on toward the King and Archmage’s mode of transportation. A carriage of stained ebony wood and polished silver stood ready for them. A robed and lanky creature with a single cycloptic eye gazing out from the shadows of its hood sat in the driver’s seat with a whip in one withered hand and the reigns in the others. Harnessed to the vehicle was, not the quartet of black wendigos as the Necroarch expected, but a team of hardy changelings including their senior sister. He was about to protest when the Hive Princess interjected.

"Before you say anything, let me explain my idea." Elytra said quickly to which the monochrome monarch allowed. "With all that has happened this year, we could use spies in Canterlot, right?"

"Information is power, yes." The Theoi agreed but kept a skeptic tone.

"Well, if you and the lich can sneak in during the Gala, why not embed some infiltrators as well?" The nymph continued as the drones shifted into a flight of pegasi. "The guards will be focused on the passengers and all we have to do is blend in with the palace staff once inside. Since they will be spying instead of leeching off love, we should go undetected for... forever, maybe."

"We did tend to overlook the carriage teams as they rarely stayed on the palace grounds." Armor admitted somewhat guiltily. "But in light of recent events, they may triple check everything now."

"That's what this stuff is for." Elytra was not discouraged as she floated over an urn of Khthonic dust. "Remember when you came back to the hive covered in this stuff, mom?"

"Oh, I do~" Chrysalis cooed deviously as Armor rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Eww." The Hive Princess scrunched up her nose. "Anyway, you complained that it was messing with your magic. We just need to take a dust bath to mask the shapeshift magic enough for the guards to let us through. We can hide the 'uncanny effect' of weak magic with uniforms or something."

"She is definitely your daughter." The Theoi gave her parents an approving look. "Am I right to assume she will be joining us?"

"If you will have her." The Hive Queen nodded. "She's almost old enough for her nuptial flight and I would like for her to have some real experience before we let her loose on the world."

"Then why not use a smaller settlement?" The Dark Lord suggested. "You're throwing her into the deep end with Canterlot."

"Uh, sneaking into the capitol of Tartarus was the deep end." Elytra buzzed incredulously. "This is, like, intermediate level."

"A fair point." The Theoi acquiesced with a nod. "Very well then, Elytra, but should you be discovered, I won't be in any position to help you."

"We're used to that." One of the drones said as he applied the pale dust to his siblings.

After the impromptu dust bath, the 'pegasi' gained a uniform gray coat but the uncanny effect was much more prominent. Their fur appeared a little too smooth while their wings had an insectoid twitch and their eyes fluctuated between those of equines and the opaque form of changelings. Some spare unmarked uniforms from the Undying covered up most of these imperfections but a keen observer would notice something amiss if they knew what to look for.

"This feels weird." A disguised drone hissed in discomfort. "Like swimming through mud."

"If the guards rely more on their instruments, it should work." The pale horse said as he recalled his last encounter with a changeling detector. "At least you won't need the dust once you're inside."

"You won't hurt my feelings if you abandon the plan half-way through." Elytra said earnestly as she took up the lead position. "I know it's risky."

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." The Theoi said with a shrug. "Now we really need to get moving before I get sick of these proverbs."

“Best of luck to you, your Excellency.” Armor saluted his patron smartly. “I will hold down the fort while you get your party on.”

“I don't want another mess to clean up when we get back.” The pale horse warned as he helped Lulamoon inside. “Hmm, I don't think we have enough room for all your children, Queen Chrysalis.”

“Not on the inside.” The Swarm Queen pointed out candidly.

"Woo! Party bus!" An enthusiastic changeling cheered as she found a spot atop the carriage while her siblings hung off the sides or sat beside the driver.

“That's not conspicuous at all." The revenant chuckled as he shook his head. “Be careful, Chrysalis. I doubt the Princesses have forgotten about you.”

The changeling matron just smirked slyly before she pulled the Marshal in for a deep kiss. Her membranous wings twitched a bit as her horn glowed. She broke the kiss with a satisfying buzz.

“A bit of love to top me off.” She cooed as she tapped her lover’s nose with a holey hoof. “Just so you know, I will be very hungry by the time we get back.”

"I'll be sure to have a meal hot and ready for you." Armor smiled slyly as he waggled his eyebrows.

"You two are nasty!" Elytra chittered in disgust.

Chrysalis just snickered as she patted the Hive Princess affectionately. She then trotted to the carriage and entered, ignoring a helping hoof offered by the Theoi. The Dark Lord was about to board when he caught a slight frown from the Grand Marshal. It occurred to him that the late prince-regent was watching both his love and daughter depart with another stallion.

"You have nothing to worry about, Shining." He assured the revenant. "I won't lay a hoof on them."

"Heh. I was about to say I think I've seen this scenario in a few recruits' magazines." Armor said with a curt laugh. "But I trust you: you know what I did to the last guy."

"That I do." The Theoi nodded as he climbed aboard and shut the door behind him. "Driver? Take us topside."

“Right away, your lordship.” The cloaked creature confirmed as he swung his whip around and cracked it over the heads of the 'pegasi'.

The team let out a startled mix of a neigh and a hiss and lurched forward. The carriage rolled across the bone-strewn path for a bit before the disguised changelings became airborne and took the vehicle with it. The passengers clung tight to whatever was in reach as the non-aerodynamic box shook from side to side. Grand Marshal Armor watched them go until they vanished into the black vault of the sunless sky before returning to the palace. Lulamoon was about to ask how they were to fly through miles of solid rock when the Lord of Shades raised a hoof and focused. The Underworld obeyed the absolute authority of its master and a fissure opened up in the ceiling. The party bus slipped into the opening that promptly closed behind them like a set of jaws. With the Khthonic Theoi facilitating their journey through the quiet earth, they were well on their way to the Overworld.

In an open meadow deep in the untamed Everfree forest, chromatic flowers danced in the cool spring breeze as the late afternoon sun crept closer and closer to the western horizon. A lone figure wandered through the meadow, stopping only to inspect certain blooms and pick them if they met its standards.

“Ah, I wish I had found this place sooner.” The zebra mused to herself as she picked the petals of a flower for her medicinal potions. “I should come back after nightfall with a pruner.”

With her satchel almost at capacity, the herbalist was considering heading back to her home when something caught her eye. Standing along in a circle of dead flowers was a single narcissus flower, its pale petals almost beckoning to her. While it was enticing, the zebra felt a wave of unease creep up her spine.

“I may be tempting fate.” She said quietly as she trotted closer to the lone flower. “Tatzlwurms have been known to use such blooms as bait.”

Ready to flee at the first sign of danger, the herbalist stepped into the circle of withered flower and nudged the narcissus with a hoof. When nothing happened, she gripped the plant in her teeth and pulled. The flower came free of the earth, roots and all. The zebra was just placing her find in her satchel when she felt the ground tremble beneath her hooves. She looked to see the disturbed dirt sink into a rapidly widening hole. The equine immediately broke into a full gallop away from the meadow, stopping only when she reached the tree line. She watched as a fissure opened up in the ground like the jaws of some great beast. Expecting a snarling tatzlwurm to emerge from the crevice, the zebra was shocked to see what looked like a black coach pulled by a team of deathly pale pegasi emerge from out of the darkness and land beyond the fissure with a thud. A small herd of equines of all types clinging to the exterior of the carriage cheered, laughed and sighed in relief as the crevice closed with an earthy boom. The appalled zebra took a tentative step toward the strange vehicle when the driver transfixed her with its cycloptic gaze.

"You there! Zebra!" The being pointed at her with its whip. "Which way to Canterlot? We have a party to get to."

The herbalist stared blankly at the crowd who were now focused on her before she wordlessly pointed a hoof northwards. The driver followed her direction and sighted the distant mountain and the city attached to its side. It exchanged words with someone within in a language the zebra could not understand before it refocused on her.

"Many thanks, striped horse." The cyclops said genuinely as it rummaged through its form concealing clock and produced a hefty bag. "Here, for your trouble and your silence."

It tossed the bag at the herbalist's hooves before it cracked the whip and resumed their journey. The party-goers vanished into the Everfree and silence fell over the meadow. The zebra blinked a few times in shock before she retrieved the bag and opened it. She was greeted by the golden glow of a substantial amount of bits.

“Wow. Those that dwell below sure are friendly.” She told herself as she stashed the bag and gathered her herbs. “I do hope they enjoy their time at the Alicorn's assembly.”

The carriage bobbed and weaved through the woods before it broke through the tree line onto a worn road that hugged the edge of a cliff. The disguised changelings, for their part, were having a grand old time laughing and cheering as they enjoyed their first time on the surface in many months. Inside the carriage, Lulamoon worked to catch her breath after the rather harrowing trip to the surface.

“Whew! That was intense!” The azure mage gasped. “Trixie would like to avoid doing that again.”

“I do apologize for that.” The Theoi said plainly. “But going out through Avernus would have taken too long. Not to mention catching Hollow Shades’ attention.”

"That's the last thing we need." Chrysalis chittered with a shiver.

“Pssh! Like a few freaky bat-ponies would be a problem for us.” Lulamoon waved a hoof dismissively as she regained her composure. “So what is the plan once the two of us are in Canterlot?”

The Theoi gave a brief overview of his plan. Once the Gala was in full swing, they would sneak into the back halls of the palace. They would then make their way into the dungeons and look for an entrance to the abandoned crystal mines that Chrysalis used in her invasion. From there, it was just a matter of reaching the sunken temple.

“We undo whatever is binding the dragon, determine if it is truly the Lord of Darkness and then we simply all leave together." The pale horse finished. "If all goes well, the Alicorns will be none the wiser."

"And should this dragon prove to be just that, a dragon, what then?" Chrysalis asked.

"I am confident this is the Shifting Darkness and we may find evidence supporting as much in the temple." The monochrome monarch replied. "If or when I am proven wrong, Lulamoon and I will reseal it or outright slay it if the need arises. This is one monster that we cannot let roam free."

"The Brave and Valorous Trixie already has one under her belt." The Archmage smirked even as she shifted nervously in her seat.

"There is a lot that can go wrong with this plan." The changeling matron buzzed critically. "Are you sure you don't need me with you? After all, it would behoove a 'Merchant Prince' to have at least one beautiful mare hanging off of him."

"I am sure." The pallid pony nodded as the azure mare shot the matriarch a glare. "I am taking a big enough risk with your daughter's plan. At best, you and your children just get to enjoy a night on the surface."

"I brought playing cards!" A disguised drone said cheerfully from the window.

Their lines of questioning satisfied for now, the Archmage and Hive Queen sat back in silence as the carriage rolled along the rough road. A flapping of wings followed by a low swoosh of air above them snapped them out of their contemplations. The suited stallion wrapped a hoof against the backboard of the coach.

“Are we being followed?” He asked the driver and exterior passengers.

“No, master.” The robed creature responded. “Just some low-flying pegasi."

"Looked like a weather team." One of the changelings added. "There is a huge storm... never, eat ...east of us. I guess they're trying to contain it."

Lulamoon pulled back the curtains so that they could see for themselves. Sure enough, they could see flights of pegasi geared up for weather control heading toward a veritable wall of clouds. Bolts of lightning backlit the system as sheets of rain drenched the land in the shadow of the storm. Faint rolls of thunder could be heard over the rumbled of the carriage wheels.

“My youngest brother used to conjure storms like that to punish hubristic mortals.” The Dark Lord mused. “Those pegasi are in for a challenge.”

“Good thing the Gala is an indoor party.” The azure lich scoffed lightly.

With the storm raging in the distance, the carriage continued on until it rounded a bend and the proud Mount Canterhorn came into view with the marble towers of Canterlot catching the light of the setting sun. A faint shimmer of magic surrounded the city; a barrier to keep out what the walls and gates could not. On the road ahead of them, other carriages pulled by earth ponies formed an impromptu parade as they headed to the capital of Equestria.

"This is where we get off." Chrysalis chittered as she shifted into an unassuming unicorn. "Knock them dead, you two."

"Tuck and roll!" A drone called out as their matron opened the carriage and dove out into the underbrush.

The coach lurched as most of its passengers dismounted and flew into the forest. The pale horse waited for a moment to see if the stunt had been noticed. When flights of guards did not descend upon them, he closed the door and settled back into his seat.

"Alone at last." Lulamoon said with a smile. "I know the bug has proven useful but she still gets under Trixie's skin."

"Just as I'm sure you get under her shell." The pallid pony said with a slight nod. "We'll be coming up on the gates soon. You have a disguise in mind?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie will dazzle servants and nobles alike!" The lich claimed as she produced the changeling horn with a showy flourish. "Behold!"

The azure unicorn pressed the gnarled appendage to her temple and concentrated. A spark of emerald fire leaped from the horn and enveloped the Archmage. A moment later, the flames dissipated to reveal an ivory unicorn of autumn mane.

"Well, what do you think?" The disguised magician asked as she stored the still glowing horn in her dress. "It is difficult to improve on perfection but Trixie thinks this will blend in well with the well-to-do."

"I-it will." The pale horse actually stammered as he stared at the mare before him. "By the Throne..."

"Mmm, it appears the Sensual and Beautiful Trixie has got your silver tongue." The unicorn batted her eyelashes flirtily. "She was inspired by a portrait she found in her tower. Was this one of your previous Archmages?"

"No." The pallid pony composed himself but still found himself staring at the uncanny disguise. "Save for the horn and height, you are a dead-ringer for my late wife."

"What?!" Lulamoon's suggestive look morphed into abject horror. "Trixie is sorry! She didn't know! She'll change into something else!"

"I've taken no offense, Lulamoon." The stygian stallion reached over and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "You just... I have not seen her in a long time."

"Trixie still apologizes." The mare's ears flattened against her head pitifully. "She did not mean to conjure unpleasant memories."

"On the contrary, most of them are pleasant." The king assured her. "You need not worry. I've made peace with her departure long ago... or as much as a husband can at any rate."

"There is only so much you can do in the Void." He mentally seethed.

"Trixie wished she could have met her." The disguised unicorn smiled before she changed the subject back to the task before them. "Trixie can see the walls of Canterlot from here. You better put your face on."

"That I shall." The Dark Lord allowed a small smile as retrieved his own changeling horn. "Fair warning: don't let the glitz and glamor of Canterlot fool you. We enter a nest of vipers."

---

"Thank you for your patience. Enjoy the party." A dark-gray unicorn droned as she waved through yet another carriage full of well-to-do. "Next!"

"Feeling the grind already, Lorica?" A voice called out from above.

Captain of the Guard Flash Sentry touched down in front of the gate separating the palace from the city. The small group of guards checking entrants snapped crisp salutes as their commanding officer looked out over the long line of carriages and coaches bringing guests to the Grand Galloping Gala. He had just finished an inspection of the barrier conjured by Princess Sparkle with the aid of a few Royal Guard unicorns. With no detectable faults other than a brief flicker every time a guest past through, he had flown to the last checkpoint for an update from his troops.

“I have seen enough false smiles and empty greetings to last me ten lifetimes, captain.” The unicorn inspector gave a lazy salute to her commanding officer as he trotted up to her. "Who did I wrong to be posted here?"

“Such is the life of a guard in Canterlot, inspector.” Sentry returned the salute and gestured for them to be at ease. "Have you anything to report?"

“Nothing unusual so far.” The soldier sighed as she looked over a clipboard of her notes. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire, strike that, Neo-Crystal City arrived without incident. We had to detain a few guests with questionable luggage and turn away some who had forgotten their tickets.”

“Haha, I bet that ruined their day.” A pegasus stationed on the ramparts chuckled.

“Let’s hope that is the worst of it.” The orange captain said seriously. “After all that has happened recently, I bet the Princesses are hoping for a slow night."

"The heavens themselves bend to our will yet we cower behind walls and minions." Lorica grumbled as her eyes flashed crimson. "How did we grow so weak?"

With Sentry supervising, the checkpoint processed guests at a somewhat quicker rate. Save for one instance of a young colt stowing away under a carriage on a dare, the evening wore on peacefully. That was until one of the lookouts became antsy.

“Uhh, sir?” The guard pointed to a black carriage heading their way. “Call it a gut feeling but this one looks like trouble.”

All turned to see a team of strange uniformed pegasi approach the checkpoint. The guards took up positions, fully expecting the odd horses to charge the gate only for the hooded driver to tug on the reins and bring them to a controlled stop. The Equestrians fanned out around the vehicle alert to any mischief.

“Good afternoon, mares and gentlestallions.” The driver greeted with an odd accent. “A pleasant evening?”

"Well enough, cyclops." Sentry said guardedly as the creature's single eye stared out from under its hood. "You're a long way from Arimaspi."

The cyclops merely shrugged at that. Now more curious than nervous, Captain Sentry trotted toward the ebony carriage with a pair of armed guards and the inspector close behind. He placed a hoof on the latch and waited for his soldiers to get in position. Half anticipating a vampire to be inside, the pegasus captain opened the door.

“Saluti, Captain Flash Sentry.” A vanilla colored stallion with a salt and pepper mane and matching short beard greeted in a warm Mareterranean accent. “I trust all is well.”

"Thus far.” The captain relaxed slightly as he ran a critical eye over the tall earth pony. “I am going to have to search your carriage for security reasons and I will need to see your ticket.”

“Of course.” The stately stallion reached into his massive coat and withdrew the golden ticket.

Sentry took it and traded it to Lorica for a magical detector. While the mare checked over it for signs of fraud, the orange pegasus clicked on the detector and held it over the passengers. The other guards searched under and over the carriage for contraband or more stowaways.

“Is this going to take long?” The stallion’s companion, a fetching ivory unicorn with an autumn mane, asked impatiently. “I would hate to have come all this way just to get stopped at the gates.”

“We are just being thorough.” The captain forced himself not to stare at her legs as he waited for the detector to get a reading.

The device clicked a few times as it passed over the unicorn, as expected, and all but fell silent when it hovered over the earth pony. There was magic in the air but nothing to raise an alarm over at least with the passengers. He then moved the detector over the driver and the team of pegasi. The cyclops just waved cheekily as the device clicked once over it while the quintet of pegasi just stared at him. Once again, the scanner tick-ticked a few times but well within the parameters for pegasi if not closer to the upper limit.

“Carriage is clear.” The other two guards called out. “Just looks like it’s been off-road a bit.”

“The ticket is genuine.” The inspector reported as she punched holes in it. “Just need your names and you can go right in.”

“Names are for friends, my good mare.” The suited stallion said with a sly smile on his seasoned face. “You may know me as the Merchant Prince.”

“And what is a Prince without his Princess?” The marvelous mare did a seated version of a curtsy.

"The Merchants of the Mareterranean don't give out their names to just anyone." A guard explained to a clearly confused Lorica. "And you won't be able to force it out of them. Just put an 'X'."

"Very well.” The inspector eyed the vanilla stallion suspiciously by signed them in nonetheless.

“You caused quite a stir during your last visit.” Sentry said with the faintest hint of a warning. "Assuming that Merchant Prince was also you."

“I’ll try to behave this time.” The Prince said warmly as he shut the carriage door. “Oh, and Captain Sentry? Congratulations on the promotion. I am sure the late Armor would be proud.”

“I do my best.” The orange pegasus said as he waved them through. “Enjoy the Gala.”

The driver whipped the reins and the carriage rolled through the gates onto the palace grounds. A keen-eyed observer may have noticed the hesitation when it reached the shimmering barrier or the tell-tale 'burning paper' effect of anti-magic forcing its way through but the guards were more focused on the seemingly endless parade of guests. Only Lorica seemed to regard the enigmatic merchants with anything other than curiosity.

"They grow them tall in the Mareterranean." A guardsmare said with an impressed whistle. "So do you all think that mare is his wife, sister or just a partner?"

"I think Lorica here is hoping for the latter two." Another jabbed the unicorn playfully as she stared after the black coach. "Finally met a stallion taller than you, eh?"

"Something about him seems..." The inspector unconsciously ran a hoof over her chest plate as a stabbing pain refreshed itself in her mind. "...familiar."

"Look alive, ponies." Sentry refocused them as another carriage rolled up. "We still got a train of guests to process. You can sweet-talk the Merchants later."

The guards returned to their professional stoicism and carried out their duties diligently. Just beyond them, the cleared party-goers were deposited before a red carpet that led into the palace grounds proper. As their transports rolled off to a designated parking lot, the guests were greeted by a gauntlet of reporters and photographers of varying degrees of integrity. Some, including the Merchants, slapped on their best politician's smiles and waved to the slavering sea of questions and accusations. Others headed off the tabloids by seeking out trusted reporters to conduct a quick interview. At the end of the causeway was a gatehouse that allowed the guests a moment to collect themselves with only silent guards looking on. A few took full advantage of this by resting on thoughtfully provided couches or writing letters to reputation managers while others chatted idly to old friends or prospective business partners.

"I swear the papers are getting more hostile every year." A well-to-do said to the room at large. "It's like they don't realize that between everypony in this room we employ most of them."

"Nothing sells like scandals and gossip." A mare said candidly as she checked her make-up in a mirror. "And if their sales and subscription numbers are anything to go by, they need them in the worst way."

"Perhaps but they did not need to accuse me of being an 'escort'." The Merchant Princess grumbled. "Seriously, why is Tri- *ahem* -am I constantly accused of being a tart?"

"Perfection cannot exist in this world, my dear." Her vanilla companion said sympathetically. "There has to be a flaw somewhere."

With what most hoped would be the worst part of their night behind them, the guests trotted out of the gatehouse and into the Gala proper. The sight that greeted met and even exceeded some of their high expectations. The gardens of the palace courtyard were always maintained by an army of master landscapers and horticulturists. They were a thing of beauty particularly in early spring. But on the advent of the Grand Galloping Gala, they had gone beyond even their high standards to make sure it was worthy of the celebration of Equestrian excellence. Pruned and leveled hedges flanked a cleared cobblestone path through the square. Perfectly trimmed trees held simple lanterns to provide illumination in the waning sunlight. A table had been set up to provide simple appetizers and refreshments for the early arrivals. Already, nobles milled about the courtyard chatting about various topics ranging from current events to politics to the Princesses. Standing on a balcony overlooking the bustling courtyard was one of the said Princesses.

“I’m still not used to being on the other side of these things.” Princess of Magic Twilight Sparkle said with an air of nostalgia. “Remember that drama when I only had two tickets? Oh.”

The youngest Alicorn looked back into the room behind her only to find her former mentor speaking with the head of the Luminious Solarii. The crisis of the Breach may have been contained and corrected but its effects were still fresh in the minds of every Equestrian. As a precaution, the elite of the Solar Guard had maintained a small but noticeable presence in Canterlot. They were a welcomed sight at first but the citizens quickly learned that the gilded guardians took a rather heavy hoofed approach to enforcement of their borderline fanatical standards of loyalty and purity.

"Fortunately, Celestia can reign the zealots in." Sparkle thought as the alabaster Alicorn wrapped up her conversation. "Otherwise most of Canterlot would be on fire right now."

"...the back halls and key points around the perimeter. I do not want another incident like the one we had with Fancy Pants." Celestia said firmly. "Am I clear, Commander Early Light?"

"Perfectly, your radiance." The Solarii bowed deeply. "No evil shall defile this place."

"Just don't mistake simple moral ambiguity for evil." The Princess of the Sun warned with a weary sigh. "Dismissed."

The Luminous Commander bowed once more before she trotted out of the room. The eldest Alicorn brought a hoof to her temple and nursed a slowly developing headache. After a few moments, she finally gave Sparkle her attention as if remembering she was there.

"Fancy Pants wasn't the only incident." The lavender Princess said with a frown. "I know they mean well but I still think the Solarii function better as a strike force, not a garrison."

"I learned that lesson not long after I discovered them." Celestia agreed as she joined her former pupil. "I intend to fully recall them in the near future. Now, what were you saying earlier? Something about tickets?"

"Oh, I was just remembering what happened when I only had two tickets for the Gala." Sparkle recalled. "You would have thought I was already a Princess back then the way my friends treated me."

“That was my fault, to be honest.” The Princess of the Day admitted. “I should have known to give you five tickets. Still, it is good you don’t play favorites with your friends.”

“Haha. How could I?” The lavender Alicorn laughed before she glanced at the sky and realized about what time it was. “Its a few minutes before sunset. I think it is time to address the guests.”

The Solar Alicorn nodded and trotted out onto the balcony, her pastel mane flowing like a banner. Her appearance served as a trigger for a few heralds to announce her presence with a short fanfare of trumpets. Applause and a few cheers joined in as the equines below all gave her their attention. Celestia smiled and waved to her subjects as she waited for them to settle down.

“Thank you and welcome, my little ponies.” The diurnal diarch began in a restrained version of the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the completion of our fair city and the continuing excellence of Equestria.”

This earned another round of polite applause.

“Over a thousand years ago, as my sun set over our tried and tested nation, the last brick was laid and our banner was unfurled over the gates.” Celestia continued as her horn ignited in a glorious golden glow. “Now, as we are once again tested by the vicissitudes of fate, know that Canterlot still stands strong in the brightest of days and the darkest of nights!”

The crowd watched in reverent awe as the alabaster Alicorn focused and smoothly set her glorious sun below the horizon. As the twilight of dusk settled upon the land, she stole a quick glance upward toward a tower where she could just barely make out the starry mane of her nocturnal sister out on a balcony. She smiled once she saw the faint cobalt glow of her younger sister’s magic as she raised her moon into the darkening sky.

“Once again, you all have my gratitude for making the journey here, even if it was just a few steps for some of you.” The Alicorn of the Day turned her attention back to the guests, a few of which chuckled genuinely. “And now, I do believe Princess Sparkle will like to say a few words.”

Celestia stood aside as the youngest Alicorn trotted forward to somewhat more subdued applause. The scholarly former student of the eldest Princess took a moment to collect her thoughts before she cleared her throat.

“Ahem. Thank you for the introduction, Princess Celestia.” Sparkle began respectfully. “When Canterlot was first commissioned, the chief architect, the late Blue Print, wanted this city to be the most secure place in Equestria.”

She hesitated when she noticed that a few of the nobles exchanged whispers. Celestia subtly tapped a hoof against a fetlock to indicate that they were on a schedule. Realizing that they did not come to the Gala for a history lesson, the Alicorn abridged her address by skipping over the technical specifications of the city.

“But he wanted it to be more than just impenetrable walls and panoramic watchtowers.” She said confidently. “This city was to be a bulwark for equines to rally behind; a bastion of order and harmony in a world wracked by strife and lawlessness. But it takes more than brick and mortar to accomplish that.”

All eyes were back on her. Satisfied that she had them hooked, the newest Princess moved on to her big finish.

“It is you, the good ponies that call this land home, that give Canterlot and Equestria their strength.” The lavender mare continued. “We have been tested these past few months, that much is certain, but as long as everypony, from the nobles gathered here today to the humble mares and stallions bringing you drinks, holds true to our ways of love, tolerance and harmony, we will weather whatever the world throws at us. We are a nation of excellence and we have proven that time and time again. Now, why don’t we go celebrate that fact?”

The guests made their approval known with a thunderous round of applause and cheers. This combined with the nod of approval from her former teacher made the younger Alicorn beam with pride. The two of them disappeared back into the palace to move to the grand staircase where they could greet the party goers at a more even level. The guests milled about the courtyard for a few more moments to gossip before they too entered the palace. The Grand Galloping Gala had officially begun.

---

While the Equestrians and their incognito interlopers partook in the annual celebration, far darker powers looked on with bemused interest. While they could only observe the waking world, that did not prevent them from offering pithy commentary.

“Muh huh huh huh. How delightful.” A Primordial presence laughed regally as the unsuspecting Alicorns addressed their subjects. “Celestia’s sycophant has come a long way since her days as a simple librarian.”

“As I know all too well.” The disembodied voice of Nightmare Moon sneered venomously from her mental prison. “I will take great pleasure in tearing off her wings and showing her just how feeble her precious harmony really is.”

“A lesson suited for all mortal kind.” The ethereal entity agreed right before it noticed a familiar face amongst the mortal equines. “But what is this? It appears the Hidden One mingles among the mortals like a wolf among sheep.”

“Does he?” The Usurper honed in on the disguised Theoi, his borrowed changeling magic unable to fool their immortal eyes. “We have not seen him since he descended into the Sunless Lands. What devilry is he up to now?”

“I do not rightly know.” Her benefactor admitted. “Whatever it may be, it will surely be to the benefit of his realm. He is not one to leave his domain for paltry reasons such as a party.”

“I see no army amassed around Canterlot so he's not attempting a repeat of the Crystal Empire.” The Mare-in-the-Moon mused aloud just before she noticed the king's companion. “Wait, who is that tart clinging to his side like a parasite?”

"I do believe that is the magician he recruited during his travels. She must have proven her worth against the denizens of the Pits." The ancient presence deduced. "Muh huh huh. The last female he took this much interest in became his bride. She has even adopted a similar color scheme to the late Lady of Shades. I wonder if that was intentional."

"That pitiful little welp?" Moon sneered in thinly masked jealousy. "Hmph! One would think a king would have higher standards for a consort."

"Mmm, I can feel the store Khthonic power within her from here." The Primordial ignored it's co-conspirator's gripes. "She is no longer a mere mage but a lich. They have been busy in the underground."

"So a Dark Lord and his pet magic zombie crash a party where hijinks inevitably ensue." The Nightmare muttered as she watched the guests filter into the palace. "Is it too much for me to hope that he raises the dead to wipe out the useless clods we dare call nobility?"

“We shall see, my apostle.” The malevolent entity focused the Gala before it. “This night might not be as dull as we feared.”

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