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brideofdiscord-rewritten · 11 months

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Bride of Discord Chap. 2:

The Gala

The Grand Galloping Gala was arriving in seven moons, and Twilight had called all her friends to help with the preparations. It was an event the group of friends looked forward to most, as planning a party had been how they met, and served as an effective reminder how they were practically meant to be.

The four approached the palace gate, pearlescent gold swirled overhead, enveloped by lavender marble slabs. Beyond the gate, the sturdy granite and basalt. Inside surely held strong oak or teak. It looked like a pinnacle of wealth. As the gates was opened, by willing guards, Instead of Twilight they were greeted by her brother.

"ladies," Shining Armor said. "We're so glad you could make it! Twilie and the others are already having dinner. They asked me to escort you."

Applejack sighed in relief. "Thank goodness! I'm starved!"

Pinkie Pie bounced down the hallway. "Dinner with the princesses! That's the type of thing nopony else could possibly dream of!"

"You love having dinner with any pony, darling," Rarity chuckled breathlessly.

"food's a love language! And I'm Trot Jones!"

The group laughed, Applejack grabbing onto rarity's withers for support, rainbow dash running off as the laughed, Fluttershy coving her face, and letting off silly girlish snorts.

In the dining hall, Celestia sat at the head of the table, Twilight and Spike on her right, Luna and Cadence on her left. When she saw her friends, the purple alicorn forgot her manners for a moment, leaping out of her seat and attacking them with a hug.

"I'm so happy you guys made it!" she exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in so long, I was doodling your cutie marks on my notes!'

"We're more than grateful to be here with y'all!" Applejack declared. "Now hows 'bout we chow down?!"

As they ate like starved timberwolves, the friends caught up with one another. Twilight told them about the new spells she had learned, Rarity talked about the dresses she had in mind for the Gala, Applejack asked if the event could be painted professionally for the hospital patients, and Pinkie ranted lovingly about the other cultures she'd learned from . Fluttershy politely listened to the conversations, a bit nervous about being in the presence of royalty, but happy to infodump when animals were brought up, especially when it was an animal from another era. Then Shining Armor and Cadence tapped on their crystal glass and announced something extraordinary.

"Shall I tell them? I can't keep it in any longer!" the alicorn asked her husband.

"I think you have the right," he replied with a wink.

She smiled at all of them. Her teeth were glassy white, albeit slightly crooked. It was endearing, especially so after cadence announced: "We're having a baby!"

Every pony gasped. Except for Luna, who'd seen cadence's dreams, watching afar as she dreamt of fish, waking the next morning as a mother.

"Wait a second!" Pinkie cried. Then she took a sip of water and spat it out. "You mean to say you're having a bouncing, giggling, grabby, chunky, silly little FOAL???!" she twitched slightly in excitement.

Cadence laughed. "Of course, Pinkie."

Twilight flapped her hooves as her jaw hung open "I'm going to be an auntie! To a BABY!"

"That would explain your glow, why you're positively radiant! When are you due?" Rarity asked, astonished.

"Ten months," answered Shining Armor.

"How wonderful!" Fluttershy complimented. She wondered who the baby would look like more, based on their genes.

"This calls for a toast!" Celestia announced. She lifted her goblet, lined with rubies. "Here goes to the child of princess Cadence and sir Shining Armor, may their legacy live on through their deeds!

The others lifted their goblets and cheered in agreement.

Luna's mane of midnight ink and twinkling stars adorning the smoky Prussian blue gave way to reveal her almond eyes. Framing her soft and enticing face, sharp in it's regality. Her eyelids drooped alluringly. She brought up her hoof and whispered to her sister.

"hehe, their deed brought a new legacy alright-"

"Luna! You MANIAC!" Celestia whispered, her voice cracked. They giggled, and laughed louder each time they looked at each other. Spike only squinted and pouted.

"Wait," Spike paused. "I'm not gonna be the one to change its diaper, am I?"

Everypony laughed as spike shrugged. He would not be getting an answer. Fluttershy only smiled softly. She was truly happy for the young couple, but for some reason, that happiness could not be reflected through her face. Applejack noticed Fluttershy's depression and stopped laughing slowly. Her friend had been this way for quite a while now. While she engaged in social activities as much as possible, she never seemed to take pleasure in them, instead seeming rather depressed as she walked out the door. It bothered the cowpoke and she was determined to find out what was going on.

The next day, preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala began. Pinkie Pie brought her party cannon into the ballroom and fired balloons and confetti all over the place. In a comedic manner it all fell perfectly into place.bPrincess Celestia was sure the Gala was going to be less boring this year. Less upright. Rarity called the girls in one by one to take measurements and ask their opinion on their dresses, though they knew to trust the unicorn's vision and to not make too many suggestions.

After gathering foodstuffs and baking supplies from the market, Applejack decided to take a stroll in the garden. She would not have to make the food until the day before the event, so she had some time to herself. Of course, knowing herself, she'd likely get onto her duties hours before she was supposed to, simply for pure amusement. She followed a melodic sound and encountered Fluttershy conducting her bird chorus. She stopped them in the middle of a song.

"No dearie, it's more like…" she sang a few notes in that sweet voice of hers. "Understand?"

"Howdy, Fluttershy!" Applejack said in a voice loud enough to startle the birds. The pony beamed apologetically. "Oops, sorry Fluttershy, I'll call them back."

The pegasus sighed and gave a small smile. Her features lifted and the smile line on her face became more defined. "It's okay. We were about to take a break anyway."

Applejack studied her face carefully. "Is somethin' wrong, Sugar Cube?"

"What? Oh no, nothing is wrong."

She wasn't convinced by her tone. "Fluttershy, I'm gon' be honest with you. You seem down in the dumps as of late. You know I can't remember the last time I seen you smile? I mean really smile, like you meant it?"

Fluttershy paused and turned away. "It's nothing, really. It's not stopping me from anything."

Applejack took a deep breath. "It's those nightmares, ain't it? You're still havin' them, aren't ya?"

The pegasus floated to the ground and hid her face, unsure. Her friend put an assuring hoof on her back.

"Sugar Cube," she said slowly, "it's been three years. Discord's long gone. You got nothin' to fear anymore. You gotta let it go."

She sniffed. "I know, but the nightmares just won't go away, even when I'm not asleep! It's like everywhere I turn, he's there, watching, waiting to…to…I don't know! Take me away or something! I just…I can't…"

Tears began to prickle her eyelashes. Applejack stroked her mane in comfort. It was soft, excepting the sticks and marigolds peppered inside. Rainbow dash loved braiding flowers into her mane, but taking it out was hard without a stick, which broke In her thick mane.

"Hey, it's okay. Discord's not comin' back and he certainly ain't gonna take us away. If he did, you'd be able to kick his butt! It just ain't gonna happen. Come git some hot cider if you're feelin anxious, okay sugar?"

Beyond the castle gold and the groves of daisies, past the vines of thorn and trees with spikes in place of branches in a cave far away, their old enemy was watching the scene in a mirror. He could not help but laugh in a gravely manner.

"It's just too amusing!" he exclaimed. "Oh, the dramatic irony of it all! Ooh, imagine the looks on their faces when I appear out of the blue after all this time!"

The image in the mirror faded and only his reflection was visible.

"And why have we been hiding all these years?" his image mocked.

"why it's elementary, you silly fool, it's in their face! How they go about their lives, oblivious to my presence! It'll make it all the more easy to get them with their guards gone!

"Except for that wimpy pegasus."

"Oh, nopony will listen to that quivering drip!" He cackled, "Oh, that pony is in for quite a fright!" He bellowed

"Exactly what's the plan this time? Turning them into their opposites again? My my, how WELL that plan turned out!"

"NO, of course NOT! we can't do something that can be undone. We'll have to make a more…permanent change." He tapped his chin with his eagle claw.

"The problem is those Elements of Harmony," his reflection said. "As long as they are willing to use them, we are not safe."

His eyes widened as an idea hit him. "Yes, but what if they weren't willing to use them?"

The reflection smiled evilly. "Ooh, I like the sound of that! So what's the plan?"

"I'll tell ya later. Or I wont! You'll find out soon enough, you're me! Those ponies are in for the surprise of their lives!"

He broke into a roar of maniacal laughter, which echoed throughout the cave. He then glanced around at the emptiness of his lair.

"You know? I've really got to stop talking to myself."

The Gala was only a day away when Spike coughed up a message for Princess Celestia. He held his stomach as Celestia read unaware.

"There is a crisis in Saddle Arabia," she announced to the other princesses after reading the parchment.

"What sort of crisis?" Luna asked.

"I am assuming it has to do with the blockade and airstrikes by Yemane. lacks detail, but it says they need you, Cadence and I to come to their aid."

"should I come with you, princesses?" Twilight questioned.

"That is simply what it says. All of us, excepting you. My apologies twilight, but Even if they requested all of us, one of us will have to stay behind. As my duchess and right hoof pony, I am entrusting you with my kingdom. I have no doubts that you could do this task and prevail."

"What about the Gala? Your presence is expected!"

"We must leave immediately. We have been before, and the ponies are not missing anything by not seeing us for the hundredth time. I know you can take charge."

The young alicorn froze. "me? Rule Equestria? Run the Gala? By myself?"

Celestia nodded. "You will have your friends and brother to help you, of course, but yes. Until we return, all royal duties will be appointed to you."

Her eyes became enlarged and shining. "Do you think I'm ready?" She wondered out loud.

The tall alicorn lifted her chin with her hoof. "I do." Her face charming and regal, grinned enduringly.

When the others heard about this, they panicked.

"You mean they're not going to attend the Gala?" Rarity exclaimed. "Oh, and I made such beautiful dresses! I got to take their measurements and discuss complimentary gems and for WHAT?!"

"We're doing this all by ourselves?" Fluttershy asked horrified.

"Aw, no sweat! We've handled party ponies before!"

"But something as big as the Grand Galloping Gala? Those ponies are rich! They have expectations! It seems like a performance. Oh, I'm feeling lightheaded..."

Rainbow Dash caught her before she hit the floor.

"I'm nervous too," Twilight declared. "But don't worry, girls. I know we can pull this off if we work together!"

This lifted every pony's spirits and they cheered. Well, every pony but Fluttershy, who uttered a half-hearted, "Yay."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Rarity. "We have a gala to prepare!"

"I'll go get my birds to practice. Oh! And my geckos."

Her four friends watched in confusion as the pegasus trotted sadly off.

"is flutters okay? She doesn't seem as excited about the gala! She's performing! Do you think her stomach hurts or something!?"

"You know how she is with social events," Rarity said.

"But I've never seen her like this before," Twilight noted.

"It's them nightmares again," Applejack explained. "Theys gettin' worse."

The duchess's

face filled with concern. "How longs this been going on?"

"A while. I can't remember the last time I saw her really smile."

Pinkie pondered. "You know what? Neither can I! I mean when she does give a smile, it looks forced."

"You know she's been getting invitations from an enormous array of stallions?" Rarity mentioned. "But she rejects all of them! I simply cannot understand it! If I received that much attention, I would bask in it! I hope she's feeling loving about herself..."

"You say she's having nightmares?" Twilight asked. "Do you mean the ones involving…?"

She didn't need to finish. "Exactly. She can't seem to get that monster out o' her mind."

"But he's been gone for three darn years!" Rainbow dash reminded them. "What is she afraid of? If he wanted to attack why not do it when where chilling?"

"We gotta find a way to turn her frown upside-down!" Pinkie declared. "But how?"

They all thought for a moment. Then Rarity's face lit up.

"What she needs is a social boost! She should do more at the Gala tomorrow night than conduct the bird choir! She should sing a song!"

"You're right!" Pinkie agreed. "She has an amazing voice, but she doesn't show it off. This could be her chance!"

"What about her stage fright?" Applejack questioned.

"Oh please," Rainbow huffed. "It's high time she got over it, she's awesome! She's gotta know it by now!"

"I suppose she could sing," Twilight said. "We'll have to ask her first."

Fluttershy was reluctant in the beginning, but then decided it would be something to take her mind off of everything and accepted. Besides, with her they could prove they had manners and talents that these rich ponies couldn't dream of!

The posh ponies were astonished when they entered the castle the next evening. The ballroom was decorated like a sweet sixteen, the table was covered in 'standard' baked goods, the orchestra was playing the Pony Pokey and Princess Twilight was greeting the guests instead of Celestia. She of course only did this for the first few minutes and then left to mingle. The scene was also lively due to the presence of the Canterlot orphans. The Canterlot elite were shocked at first, but soon settled into the rusticity of it all. They had to admit, the Gala was a lot more entertaining this year. Plus, the gems adorning dresses all over the place entrapped their eyes.

Pinkie Pie was in the middle of a song when she suddenly cried, "RAINBOW DASH!"

The Wonderbolts had just entered the ballroom and Rainbow Dash was tackled by the enthusiastic pony.

"I'm so glad you're here! I haven't seen you since we gathered!" Pinkie shrieked.

The blue pegasus wrapped an arm around her and laughed. "Good to see you too, Pinkie! Sorry I couldn't visit, my wings were SORE! On the bright side, my legs are super buff!" She flexed, and her stifle tightened, defining her muscular build. She spent a minute admiring her muscles, flexing her forearms. "Oh man, that's beautiful, hehe."

She was then met with Twilight and Applejack, both of which offered her a hug.

"Hey, wheres Rarity and Fluttershy?" she asked, glancing around.

"Fluttershy's practicing her song and Rarity went to pick up the Cutie Mark Crusaders from the train station," Applejack explained with a chuckle. "Though, they're not exactly the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore."

"Whoa, whoa. Back up. They're not friends anymore? I thought our lessons meant somethin'! I mean, did they even know who they were talkin to?! Kinda a big DEAL! And flutters said yeah??!!"

"She's singing! It's official!" Twilight exclaimed.

Applejack was about to reply when a young voice cried, "Rainbow Dash!"

It belonged to Scootaloo, who was racing towards her role model. Rainbow greeted her adopted sister with a bear hug.

"I missed ya, Scoots! Let's have a look at ya. Wow, you've grown, kid. And…" She paused. OH!! THATS WHAT THEY MEANT!"

Scootaloo lifted her flank to reveal a shield cutie mark, with a small wing in the middle. A lighting strike was in the middle.

"Can you believe it? I finally earned my cutie mark! Sweetie belle and apple bloom have the same kind!"

Rainbow and Twilight gasped. Applejack smirked. "Tried to tell ya."

"Congrats, kiddo!" The older pegasus noogied her purple mane playfully. "I always knew you had slick moves on that scooter!"

"it's actually for helping others with their cutie marks!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "How could I not have known that was my special talent?!"

"EVEN BETTER!!"

Then Rarity approached with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom who, like Scootaloo, were dressed elegantly. Apple Bloom wore a glittering red dress and had switched her pink bow with a sparkling green one. Sweetie Belle wore glass slippers to match her blue dress with translucent trimming. Scootaloo's hair was short and scrappy and her dress had a magnificent blend of orange and purple.

"Wow," Twilight marveled. "You girls look beautiful! Did you make them those dresses, Rarity?"

"Would you believe it?" Rarity replied. "Dear Apple Bloom here came up with the designs!"

"Really?" Applejack said.

"Yeah! Her gift of design is truly a miracle!" her sister exclaimed. "And guess what appeared as scootaloo's did?"

Apple bloom's flank revealed another shield, this one with an apple in the middle and a heart inside the apple.

"I wanted it to be a surprise! We was so good at trying to find our cutie marks,when we tried to find other's this appeared!"

Applejack sniffed and hugged her little sister. "My little Apple Bloom has finally blossomed!"

"But you said Sweetie Belle had her cutie mark too," Twilight said.

"I do!" the little unicorn piped as she revealed her flank.

Sweetie Belle's cutie mark was a shield with a star and musical note. Twilight did not need to ask what her talent was.

"You three sure have come a long way," Rainbow noted.

"We all have," said Twilight.

Neither of them noticed the gray stallion listening from afar. His deer antler and goat horn were hidden under his top hat, the only things that would not change, along with his yellow and red eyes. He smiled to himself at the alicorn's statement.

"We have indeed, Twilight Sparkle, including me."

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