My Little Pony belongs to Lauren Faust & Hasbro, I own nothing but this story.

(For time, & event's sake. We'll just skip to the day of the Gala. And don't start complaining, because this is my story, I say what goes.)

Also, this chapter will be split into thirds, this is 7A. Ricardo's chapter.

-Chapter 7A-

When the day of the Gala arrived, Ricardo was walking towards Carousel Boutique. He had been wanting to talk to Rarity about a lot of things in fashion, as well as just to get acquainted with her, & possibly ask her out to the Gala. But he remembered what John said about 'playing dumb to protect them from finding out they were a cartoon,' he sighed as he approached the door of the boutique. But as he was about to open the door to enter, the door opened & hit him in the face with a loud SLAM! Three little fillies walked out, looking very guilty, as well as covered in fabric pieces. "Go on, please leave. I have to finish the formal wear for Ricardo, Crystal, & John. And you three have made me late in my work." Came Rarity's voice, obviously scolding the three fillies. The three fillies looked at her. "Awww, please Rarity, can't we help you with the-" The little unicorn was cut off as the door close with another SLAM. Leaving a dazed Ricardo, as well as three upset fillies. Ricardo, who was sitting on the ground, looked at the three fillies. "Hello." He said, his words in a partial slur. The three fillies looked at him.

"Hey there," Cried a Pegasus filly. "You must be one of those humans that we heard about in school." Ricardo looked over at the three fillies, who were now watching him with great curiosity. "Hey there." He smiled at the three. "Wow, ya took quite a spill there, what happened to ya?" Asked an earth pony filly. Ricardo looked at the filly. "I just got VERY familiar with Rarity's front door." He said, rubbing his forehead. The three fillies giggled. "I'm Sweetie Belle, Rarity's little sister." Said Sweetie Belle. "Ah'm Applebloom, Applejack is mah older sister." Smiled Applebloom. "And I'm Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash's biggest fan. No one is cooler than her." Scootaloo smiled at Ricardo. "Well, that's not what ah heard from Applejack." Applebloom said, looking over at Scootaloo. "What are you talking about Applebloom? Of course no one is better than Rainbow Dash, she's Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo wasn't convinced. "Well then, if she is so cool, how come the tall human threw her around like a rag doll when these three arrived?" Applebloom asked. Scootaloo looked at Applebloom. And just at that moment, Rainbow Dash arrived. "Hey Ricardo, why are you on the ground?" She asked him. "Is it true Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo asked her." Did you get thrown around by John when he, Ricardo, & Crystal arrived?" Rainbow Dash gulped. "No, he just got lucky is all, it won't happen again." She growled, then flew off, Ricardo had a feeling that she was looking for John. Just then, there were shouts, a loud crash, followed by two other quick crashes, more shouting, then nothing.

"Anyway, I came here to get something from Rarity," Ricardo said. "Also, I came to ask her something important….." He began to trail off." "Sure thing Ricardo." Scootaloo said to him. "We'll leave ya to it then." Applebloom grinned. The three fillies smiled. "Why don't we help you, we can be the.." Sweetie Belle began. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, MATCHMAKERS!" The three fillies chorused. Ricardo's eyes went wide with fright. He had seen the episode where the three fillies 'helped' Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee get together, and that plan had horribly backfired. "No no no no no no!" He quickly yelped. "I would rather do this on my own," The three fillies looked hurt. "But, if I ever need your help, I'll ask for it, alright?" That made everything alright, of course, and the three fillies trotted away to their 'secret' clubhouse in Sweet Apple Acres. Ricardo let out a relieved sigh, and entered Rarity's boutique.

When Ricardo arrived, he heard noises from upstairs, followed by a loud scream. He charged up the stairs, & burst into the room where the noise were coming from. "Rarity, are you alright?! I heard screaming!" Ricardo panted, but he was not prepared for what he saw next. Rarity was fainted over her 'worst thing EVER' couch, fabric was lain everywhere in the room. And two suits, & one dress were on mannequins shaped like Ricardo his friends. "Uuuhhh. Rarity?" Ricardo asked, nudging the white pony. He received no response. "Rarity, yoohoo. Rarity." He kept asking, and nudging her. Rarity then stirred and began to regain consciousness. "Oh, hello Ricardo. What brings you here?" She asked. "I'm here to pick up the formal wear for tonight." Ricardo began. "Oh, yes. I just finished it actually. You can consider this for free darling." Rarity smiled at Ricardo, who was now feeling more nervous about what he was about to ask her. "A-Also..." He began, which caught Rarity's attention. "W-W-Would you like to... Go to the Gala as m-m-my date?" He waited nervously for a response.

Rarity's eyes went wide in surprise from what Ricardo just asked her. She had never suspected Ricardo to ask her something like this. "Ricardo, I." She started, Ricardo gulped. But to his surprise, Rarity was smiling. "I would be honored to be your date for tonight's Gala." She finished. Ricardo let out a very relieved sigh. "Thank you so much Rarity," He smiled. "I'll take the formal wear off your hands, I mean hooves." Ricardo chuckled, Rarity giggled. "Of course, and please mind your manners tonight Ricardo, I had an awful time last night because of the stallion I was with, Prince Blueblood." Rarity made a disgusted face at the very mention of his name, as if he was some form of disease. Ricardo nodded. "I will try my best." He said to her. He then picked up the formal wear, then left while waving good-bye to Rarity.

-Chapter 7A end-

Me: Well, this is now over. Tell the audience Ricardo, how did it feel to ask the mare of your dreams on a date?

Ricardo: It was awesome.

Me: Alright, 7A is now done. Stay tuned for Chapter 7B, Crystal's chapter. You'll get to see who she wanted to be paired with.

Read & Review Everypony. I am VERY pleased how well this story is going.