Chapter 47: The Best Night Ever
Tonight was the night for the Grand Galloping Gala and the girls were beyond excited as they got themselves ready for the most anticipated event in pony history, some of them arriving early at Rarity's so they could get ready for the event, but Spyro remained at the Gummi Garage for a little bit, taking care of the Dragon's Crest before going back into his room and putting his suit on for the Gala. He flew towards Carousel Boutique, where everyone agreed to at and saw Twilight was reading a book while Pinkie was jumping on a trampoline, but stopped when Rarity came out. He glided down to the ground and landed next to the lavender unicorn, who looked up from her book for a second, but went back to studying its contents.
"Hey Twilight, what are ya reading?" Spyro asked.
"Sorry Spyro, not right now." Twilight said. "I'm studying a spell for the gala tonight."
"And it's something she's been working on for a while." Spike replied.
"But where are the others?" Rarity asked. "It's getting late and we'll be late for the gala if they don't show up."
"Hold yer horses girl, we're here." Applejack said, she, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy walking up.
"Perfect." Twilight said, closing the book. "Spike, can you bring the apple please?"
Spyro didn't understand why she would need an apple in the first place, but saw that Spike brought one with him, setting it on the ground and backing away, letting Twilight use her magic as her aura surrounded the apple as it started to change, a section bulging out a bit before it suddenly turned into an apple shaped carriage, complete with windows and a flag above it. The girls were amazed by it, including Spyro as he couldn't believe twilight managed to use a spell he saw the Fairy Godmother used to help Cinderella.
"Thanks guys." Twilight said. "But that's just the beginning. Fluttershy, did you bring your friends?"
"Yes, I did." She replied, four mice appearing on her head as she allowed them to get off. "Will they be safe Twilight? I don't want them to get hurt."
"Don't worry Fluttershy, you have my word." Twilight replied. "They'll be safe."
A moment later, Twilight's horn started to glow again as the glow surrounded the four mice and turned them into four white horses, but the spell had a problem as the horses still had the facial features of a mouse and still squeaked like one. Everyone was staring at the mice, wondering what to make of it, but Opalescence still saw them as mice, but much larger mice and pounced onto one of them, wanting to sink her fangs into them, and sent all four of them into a panic, running away as fear took over.
"No, come back!" Twilight shouted. "Oh! Those horses are our only way to the galaxy. Now what do we do?"
"Oh dear, what ever shall we do?" Rarity said, acting all worried and surprised.
She then walked over to a group of stallions as Spyro was about to call one of his Gummi ships, but a moment later, two stallions came over and harnessed themselves to the carriage, Twilight surprised that Rarity actually convinced a couple of ponies to pull their carriage, but for Spyro made a mental note to himself; never underestimate the convincing power a mare has. While the girls got ready for the gala, Spyro waited outside in the hall as the ladies got dressed, checking his bracers when he received a message from Master Yen Sid. Before he could open it, the girls were all dressed and ready for their gala, which he decided to ready the message later as they got into the carriage, the young dragon driving the carriage as everyone else was talking about how excited they were going to the gala while Spike was talking to himself about some of the things they were going to do with everyone.
A little while later, they finally arrived at Canterlot, stopping just outside of the large city as Spike got off his seat and opened the carriage door for everyone, getting out of the apple shaped wagon and gazing in wonder at the place.
"So this is Canterlot." Spyro said. "I've seen it through my visions, but never in person."
"I can't believe we're finally here." Twilight said in excitement. "After everything that we have imagined, the reality is sure to make this, the best night ever!"
A moment later, Spyro heard music playing out of no where, letting him know a song is about to begin, smiling as he went with the flow.
[Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash]
At the Gala. [Twilight Sparkle]
At the Gala. [Choir]
At the Gala! [Fluttershy]
In the garden, I'm going to see them all! All the creatures, I'll befriend them at the Galaaaaaaaaaaa!
At the Gala. [Choir]
All the birdies, and the critters. They will love me, big and small. We'll become goof friends, right here at the Galaaaaaaaa! [Fluttershy]
All out dreams will come true, right here at the gala. At the Gala! [Choir]
[Applejack]
At the Gala (It's amazing!),
I will sell them (Better hurry!),
All my Appletastic treats! (Yummy, yummy!)
Hungry Ponies (They're be snacking!),
They will but them (Bring your money),
Caramel apples, apple sweets! (Gimme some!)
And I'll earn a lot of money for the Apple Familyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
All our dreams and our hopes from now until hereafter, all that we've been wishing for will happen here at the Gala. At the Gala! [Choir]
At the Gala! [Rarity]
All the royals, they will meet fair Rarity! They will se that I am just as regal at the Gala!
At the Gala [Choir]
I will find him, my Prince Charming! And how gallant, he will be! He will treat me, like a lady! Tonight at the Galaaaaaaaaaa!
This is what we've been waiting for, to have the best night ever. Each of us will live our dreams, tonight at the Gala. At the Gala! [Choir]
A moment later, the fanfare sounded as the Wonderbolts flew over head and performed a stunt for everyone that was inside of the castle and those who were walking in.
[Rainbow Dash]
Been dreamin',
I've been waitin',
To fly with those great ponies! The Wonderbolts, their daring tricks! Spinning 'round, and having kicks! Perform for crowds of thousands, They'll shower us with diamonds! The Wonderbolts will see me here at the Galaaaaaaaaaaa!
[Choir]
All we've longed for, all we've dreamed, our happy ever after! Finally will all come true, right here at the Gala! At the Gala!
[Pinkie Pie]
I am here, at the Grand Gala! For it is the best party! But the one thing, it was missing, was a pony named Pinkie! For I am the best at parties, all the ponies will agree! Ponies playing, ponies dancing, with me at the Grand Galaaaaaaaaaaa!
[Choir]
Happiness and laughter at the Gala! At the Gala!
Spyro then looked to the castle and over the central spire, Princess Celestia was flying over the castle in an arch. Spyro couldn't help but feel happy, but also felt like there was something familiar about the spectacle as well, but couldn't figure out why.
[Twilight Sparkle]
At the Gala! (At the Gala!),
With the princess! (With the Princess!),
Is where I am going to be! (She will be!)
We will talk all about magic, and what I have learned and seen! (She will be!),
It is going to be so special, as she takes time just for meeeeeeeeeee! (This will be the best night ever!)
[Choir]
Into the Gala we must go! We're ready now, we're all aglow! Into the Gala, let's all go and have the best night ever! Into the Gala, how's the time, we're ready and we look divine!
[Choir and Fluttershy]
Into the Gala!
[Fluttershy]
To meet new friends!
[Choir and Applejack]
Into the Gala!
[Applejack]
Sell some apples!
[Choir and Rarity]
Into the Gala!
[Rarity]
Find my Prince!
[Choir and Rainbow Dash]
Prove I'm great!
[Rainbow Dash]
As a Wonderbolt!
Fluttershy: To meet!
Applejack: To sell!
Rarity: To find!
Rainbow Dash: To prove!
Pinkie Pie: To whoop!
Twilight Sparkle: To talk!
[All]
Into the Gala! Into the Gala! And we'll have the best night eveeeeeeeeeeeeer!
At the Gala!
"Yeah!" Spike cheered, sliding in front of the Mane six. "This going to be the best night ever! Know why? Because we will be spending time at the Gala-" A minute later, the girls all ran in different directions throughout the castle, leaving Spike and Spyro, as they went to do what they wanted to do at the Grand Galloping Gala as they mentioned in their song. "Or... not."
"Don't worry Spike." Spyro said. "I'm willing to spend some time with you at the Gala. Besides, this is my first time here, so I'm excited to get the grand tour."
"Really!?" Spike asked, all excited, but a moment later, two of Princess Celestia's Pegasus guard approached him, surprising the both of them. "What's-?"
"Are you Prince Spyro VanVickle?" The first guard asked.
"I am." He replied
"The princess is expecting you." The guard said. "She asked us to escort you to the main ballroom."
Spyro then looked to Spike, who looked very disappointed and nodded his head, walking with her guards while Spike just walked to some other place to be alone, sensing how unhappy he was as he watched all his friends go and do what they wanted to do at the Gala. A little while later, Spyro had arrived at the ballroom where there are a lot of rich aristocratic ponies enjoying the party while others were walking up the steps to greet the princess while next to her was Twilight, who looked very disappointed that she was unable to start a conversation with her due to the large number of nobles that were going up to greet her. The guards left his side and went to their assigned positions, but as Spyro approached the stairs, some of the guests were staring at him and giving him a funny look as he approached the stairs, but as he was walking up them, some of the guests gave him a nasty look while others complained, but when Princess Celestia saw him, she smiled as he approached.
"Spyro, glad you could make it." Princess Celestia announced, surprising the nobles. "Come and stand with me. I want my guests to see the Prince of Light and Darkness."
As soon as she said he was a prince, the nobles all stared at him in complete silence, watching as he walked up to the princess and took his place on her left, watching as the nobles all walked up and greeted both the princess and the prince, some even kissing up to the princess to get some attention from her, something Spyro managed to pick up on. But what he also sensed was Twilight's disappointment that she was unable to spend any time with her mentor, tell her about everything she has learned and about the many adventures she has been on, both on Equestria and in other worlds, even to tell her about her feelings for Spyro, but the guests keep coming without end. After a little while, one guest walked up and was about to introduce themselves, but when Spyro saw him, he froze and knew something was fishy.
"Hey wait a second." Spyro said, surprising the guest. "Haven't we seen you before?"
"Um... no...?" He replied, trying to play it off, but failing.
"Right, you've met us before." Spyro said, looking annoyed and then to the line. "Alright, listen up all of you, I know some of you have met the princess and myself more than once. So, by a show of hooves, how many of you have already met the princess multiple times tonight or in previous years and are just wanting to kiss up to the princess? Come on, raise your hooves, how many?" To both the princesses and Twilights surprise, most of the ponies in the line had raised their hooves, while some had some guilty faces, some were just being plain snobby and held their heads high, not regretting it. "Alright, look, I'm sure the princess doesn't want to spend the whole night greeting a bunch of guests who she has already met before, so please, go and enjoy the party if you haven't met the princess before and let the first timers greet us so we may enjoy our time here."
Some of the guests grumbled and looked beyond annoyed by what he said, but those who have already met the princess left the line to return to the party, which brightened the princesses day as she smiled.
"Spyro, you are full of surprises." Princess Celestia said, pleased that he said something. "I didn't even think that some of the guests would try that."
"I'm happy to have helped you princess." Spyro said, looking at Twilight. "And I hope I made your night a little bit better Twilight."
"Honestly Spyro, you have made it much better than it would be if you didn't say anything." Twilight said, rushing over and hugging him. "This is why I love you Spyro."
Spyro was left in total shock, his friend Twilight admitting that she loved him before giving him a peck on the cheek, returning to her place next to the princess while he was frozen like a statue, only to snap out of it when one of the first time guests approached, greeting the two royals. After a little bit of time, the last of the guests had greeted two royals and the princess was free to enjoy the party, both of her students following behind them as they talked.
"So, it seems you have gotten used to being a herd leader Spyro." Princess Celestia pointed out. "And it seems my star pupil has some strong feelings for you."
"Well, our feelings kind of grew as time went on." Spyro replied. "And honestly, I'm kind of glad you did that as all six of them are amazing in their own way."
"I'm glad to hear this young prince." The princess said, picking up a few glasses of punch for them. "Now tell me, my pupil wrote in one of her letters that the Caribbean wasn't her first adventure on another world. Which world was her first?"
"That's what we would like to know." Came a male voice from behind them.
The three of them turned around to see Captain Armor wearing his uniform, glaring at Spyro as he approached and Twilights parents close behind, approaching the three of them as they smiled.
"Mom, Dad!" Twilight said, running up to them and hugging her. "It's good to see you again."
"And you too Twily." Her mother said, looking to Spyro. "And who's your friend? He's kind of cute."
"Oh, where are my manners." Twilight said, breaking up the hug. "Mom, dad, this is Spyro, the Prince of Light and Darkness." When she introduced him, the three of them bowed to him immediately, getting back up. "Spyro, these are my parents, my mom Twilight Velvet, and my dad, Night Light."
"It's an honor to finally meet you your highness." Night Light said, shaking Spyro's hoof. "When we heard twilight was a part of a herd with the Prince of Light and Darkness as the leader, we were beyond shocked."
"Shining included." Twilight Velvet added. "In fact, he was the most shocked out of all of us, being the overprotective big brother and all that, he was furious."
"Shining?" Spyro asked, looking over to the white unicorn in the purple armor and sensing he was who they were talking about. "And I'm getting some serious big brother energy from you buddy. I take it you're Twilight's big brother."
"You assumed correctly." Shining Armor replied.
"Thought so." He replied, taking a sip of punch. "Your emotions gave it away. I could sense your overprotectiveness without the Force."
He then started talking about the adventures he had before coming to Equestria, some of the fights and battles he has been in, and some funny stories about himself and his friends from embarrassing moments to some of the fun they had in each of the different worlds they visited. As he talked, Shining Armor started to relax a little bit, no longer feeling protective of his little sister and enjoying Spyro's company, laughing at some of the jokes he made and even some of the dumb things he says randomly when he mispronounces something and makes himself sound ridiculous. And when he got to the adventures he had with his friends away from Equestria and to the other worlds, they were fascinated and intrigued by their adventures in the Pride Lands, but when he started to talk about the Caribbean and about what had happened, they couldn't help but feel sorry for him and admiring him for his courage and willingness to save others and protect his friends at the same time.
"Dang, you had yourself a rough time my prince." Shining Armor said. "Seems to me you need some alone time."
"Honestly, I'd take time with the girls and not need to have to fight than fighting anytime." Spyro replied, getting a chuckle out of him, noticing a look on his face. "Ah, I know that look anywhere. You want to see my ships."
"Well, maybe someday." Shining Armor replied. "If it isn't too much trouble."
"Let me know the next time you're on leave, I'll be more than happy to show you my ships." Spyro said. "I'm sure you'll like them."
"Well, I'm glad we are all getting along well." Twilight Velvet said, walking up, but used her magic to pull him down to her eye level, a murderous glare in her eyes. "But if I find out you have harmed my little star light or have broken her heart, so help me, I will hunt you down to the ends of Equestria and tear your heart out. Are we clear?"
"Totally." Spyro said, barely getting it out as he was being choked.
"Mom, please don't scare him." Twilight said. "He's very nice and I don't want you to scare him away."
"Sorry dear." Twilight Velvet said, releasing him and changing her attitude. "I just wanted us to have an understanding. Come dear. Let's enjoy the party."
As her parents left the group, Spyro was rubbing his neck to get the soreness out of it, now terrified of Twilight's mother as she literally looked like she would do what she promised she would.
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I must attend to my guests." Princess Celestia said. "I hope you all enjoy yourselves."
The princess then left the three of them alone, but Shining Armor left shortly after to make his rounds and keep an eye on the area. Spyro and twilight then left the ball room shortly after and went outside to go to the gardens, have a little time to themselves without any interruptions from other ponies, see how their friends were doing. When they got outside, Spyro and Twilight both saw that Rarity was with her prince, which from what Spyro could hear from others was the princesses nephew, but not by blood, but on paper just like Scootaloo was his sister on paper. The prince is a white unicorn with auburn hair, wearing a black tuxedo vest with a blue bow tie, who picked a flower from the rose bush and Rarity thought it was for her, but instead he took it and put it onto his own vest, proud of himself and being oblivious to the shock from Rarity. Spyro shook his head in disappointment, instantly hating the prince for being a snob and hurting the mares feelings.
They continued to walk to the garden where they found Fluttershy was singing out to what sounded like a bird and ran to it, thinking she was going to befriend a new animal, but it was just the gardener whistling to the tune, disappointing the Pegasus mare and bashing her hopes of meeting some new animals. However, a minute later, she got sight of the rare and exotic animals nearby and ran towards them to try and make friends with them, but he animals just ran away from her, finding a placer to hide and hurting her feelings in the process.
Spyro just shook his head at the shy pegasi, and kept walking with the lavender mare to a perfect spot, taking a pillow he found nearby and placing it on the ground for Twilight, the who just giggled at him and sat down just as he sat on the ground, both looking into the sky as they watched the stars.
"It's so beautiful out tonight." She said. "It's basically the perfect night for the ball."
"I agree." Spyro said. "Tonight is the perfect night to have a ball." He then wrapped his wing around her and pulled her in, the mare putting her head on his shoulder while he put his head on hers. "But it's even better when you are with one of the mares you love."
"Like I said, I love you as well, you big goofball." Twilight replied. She then kissed him on the cheek and enjoyed the quietness around them, the prince and Rarity had already moved on to somewhere else within the castle grounds, hoping Rarity's dream of meeting her perfect prince won't turn into a disaster, which he knew might happen as her prince of her dreams is turning out to be a selfish jerk. The night was proving to be quite chilly as it was nearing Autumn, which Twilight started to shiver from the cold, so he warmed his body up using his fire element, and warming the shivering mare, who moved closer to him and leaned her whole body against his, enjoying the warmth. "And it's always great to have my own personal heated blanket as well."
They then heard something growl coming from Spyro, The mare giggling as she looked up at Spyro, who looked embarrassed and gave a nervous laugh.
"Guess I forgot to get some breakfast this morning." Spyro said. "Let's go and get something to eat."
"And by the sound of it, you missed out on lunch too." Twilight said, earning a light chuckle from Spyro before the two kissed. "Let's go. I'm sure there is something good near the buffet tables."
"Forget that." Spyro said, he and twilight getting up. "I'd rather get some good stuff, not those minuscule appetizers. Let's go and find AJ, she's got the good stuff."
He then picked up the pillow off the ground and the two of them walked back into the castle, putting the pillow with the rest as they went around and looked for where Applejack had set up her apple cart to sell her food, but as they walked through, they found the Wonderbolts speaking with some of their fans, but they were extremely loud and were crowding around them as Rainbow Dash tried to get their attention so she could show them what she could do, but with all the talking, it was impossible for her to strike up a conversation. A minute later, Spyro and Twilight managed to finally find Applejack at a stand she had brought with her, but as they approached, they could see that she was very unhappy as her cart was still full of apple products and sweets.
"Hey AJ." Spyro said, getting her attention. "Working hard or hardly working?"
"Oh, hey Spyro." She replied, sounding unhappy. "Hey Twilight. Ah'm sorry if Ah sound down in the dumps. Barely been making any sales tonight. Ah only made a single sale and it was an Apple Pie."
"Well, now you got three." Spyro said, pulling out his pouch and putting the money into the bucket. "An Apple Fritter for me and-"
"I'll take some apple tarts." Twilight added.
"Comin' up." Applejack said, wrapping a fritter in a napkin and getting a small box of tarts for Twilight. "You two seem to be having fun tonight. Ah wish these snobby ponies would come and taste some of the goods Ah got here. Then business would be booming."
"Their loss, not ours." Spyro replied, nibbling at the fritter. "And, I'm not a business tycoon, but what some vendors do is they give a free sample of some of their products for ponies to try. In the Gala, everything is prepared for them and they expect it to be free. So, maybe try that and you might get some sales."
"Ya'll think that'll work?" Applejack asked, her ears perking up.
"It's worth a try." Spyro replied, taking a bite of the fritter again. "What do you have to loose?'
A minute later, they heard hoof steps behind them and turned around to see Rarity and Prince Blueblood approaching the stand, Blueblood looking pleased with himself, but Rarity looked really annoyed with him, glaring at him as they approached. When she saw her friends at Applejacks stand, her mood lightened and trotted over.
"Spyro, Twilight, Applejack." She said, Blueblood approaching. "Good to see you guys."
"Good to see you to Rarity." Spyro replied, Blueblood walking up behind her. "Having a good time Rare?"
"Not exactly." She replied, looking disappointed. "But, the night is still young, so anything is possible. Two apple fritters please."
While Applejack waited for someone to pay, the two white unicorns cleared their throats, hinting for the other to pay for the meal, but neither budged, so Applejack sighed.
"It's alright Rarity." Applejack said. "It's on me."
"Hold on AJ." Spyro said, surprising them and glaring at Blueblood. "You are seriously going to let one of my friends pay for your meal?"
"And who are you, per se?" Blueblood asked, looking at Spyro in a disgusted manner.
"I'm Spyro, the Prince of Light and Darkness." He replied, shocking Blueblood. "And I happen to be friends with both Rarity and Applejack, who you seem to be disrespecting right now. The least you can do is pay for the meal for the two of you."
"You cannot be serious?" Blueblood said. "As if I, Prince Blueblood, will pay for some Hussy's meal." The mare's jaws dropped by what the spoiled brat had just said, Rarity appealed and disgusted by his attitude, but Spyro's eyes widened, not believing he said that about his friend. "And, what is this, commoners food? Ugh, I am repulsed that such filthy peasant food is even allowed in this castle, let alone being sold by a lowly and disgusting earth pony, who has nothing better to do than till the fields and make little street urchins." Those comments had just struck multiple nerves, Spyro's eyes turning yellow and red as his coat darkened, the girls seeing what was happening and backed away, knowing it was going to get ugly. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to-"
He didn't finish as he looked at Spyro again, but his eyes widened in horror as he saw how much the prince had changed, seeing his coat was darker and his eyes were yellow and red, not knowing what was happening, so he looked to Spyro's friends for an explanation, but saw the looks on their faces and how they backed away, now knowing that he was probably in big trouble.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat what you just said?" Spyro asked, his voice dark and cold. "I think I heard you call my friend Rarity, the Element of Generosity a hussy and my friend Applejack, the Element of Honesty lowly and disgusting." Blueblood tried to back away, his blood going cold as he felt color drain from him, shaking in absolute terror. "If you weren't the nephew of Princess Celestia, my mentor, I'd have punched you right in the mouth, knocking out all your teeth and feeding them to you, you racist, snot-nosed, overgrown parasite!"
"B-b-b-but-" Princess Blueblood said.
A second later, Spyro slammed his tail to the ground, causing a small earthquake that shook the entire castle, everyone gasping and running for cover just as it ended, silencing Blueblood as he felt his heart crawl up his throat.
"Listen up you little brat!" Spyro said, the whites of his eyes turning black. "I don't care what your title is, who you are related to, or what you think your privileges are, you do not, I repeat, do not insult a lady like that." Blueblood then ran into a wall, trying to keep going backwards, but couldn't as he ran out of room. "Rarity wanted to spend time with the prince of her dreams, but now saw you for who you truly are. A racist snob who thinks only of himself and seeing other, non-magical ponies as lesser beings. So help me, if I hear so much as one more disgusting comment like that, I'll-"
"Spyro stop!" Twilight shouted, she and Applejack rushing over and pulled him away before anything could happen. "That's enough. You made your point, don't let your anger best you."
Spyro took a few deep breaths, calming himself down as his color returned to normal and his eyes went back to purple, letting go of his anger and looking to Twilight, smiling at her and then hugging her.
"Thank's Twilight." Spyro said, then turning to Applejack. "And thank you AJ. For a second, I think was turning into the Mad Hatter from Wonderland."
"Mad Hatter nothing, ya'll looked like you were going to kill something." Applejack said, everyone looking at the traumatized prince. "Besides, Ah think ya'll traumatized him."
The prince was curled up into a ball, staring at Spyro in pure terror, not knowing what he was going to do next, but watched as he only walked up to him and took a deep breath, looking down at him in disappointment and with some anger, but kept control of his emotions.
"Listen Blueblood, and listen good." Spyro said, the prince all ears. "I know another prince who got turned into a monster because of his attitude, but in the end he turned out to be a true hero and a better being than you are right now. Now, I'm going to give you two options and you better choose wisely. The first is that you apologize to the ladies here and act like a mature pony and not a spoiled foal who thinks he gets everything just by insulting them, or keep being this way and insulting ponies of the opposite gender and lower class, your reputation forever ruined. Your choice."
Blueblood looked between him and then to Applejack and to Rarity, who both looked very angry with Blueblood for his words, but then to Twilight Sparkle, seeing disgust in her eyes as she looked at him. He gulped a breath of air and slowly got up, carefully going around Spyro as he approached the mares, still nervous.
"I-I-I-I apologize for m-m-my behavior." He said, still scared for Spyro, who was leering at him. "I-I-I shouldn't h-have insulted the two of y-y-you. Y-y-you're both lovely mares, and I-I-I w-w-wish to make amends." He then turned to Rarity, smiling nervously. "I-I-I would l-l-like to buy those-"
"Forget it Blueblood." Rarity said, glaring at Blueblood. "I came here tonight to have the best night ever, hoping to meet you, the prince of my dreams, who I expected to be gallant and dreamy, the prince every mare dreams of being with." She then walked up, the prince backing away a bit, fearing what she was going to do to him, but she just stopped, glaring daggers at him as she kept staring at him. "But now I got to see the real Prince Blueblood, an immature brat who has no respect for mares and for ponies who aren't born into nobility and riches, and no respect for a lady when he sees one." She then walked over to Spyro and then turned to face Blueblood, wrapping her foreleg around his and leaning on him, doting over him. "But Spyro here, he's more of the prince of my dreams and I never saw it until tonight as he respects a lady and their choices, always supportive of me and my friends, not a single rotten bone in his body."
"Aw shucks Rare." He said, a slight blush appearing on his face.
"I hope you can find a mare who can put up with your kind of attitude Prince Blueblood." Rarity said, addressing the prince. "And if you do find one who can put up with you, I wish her the best of luck. She's going to need it. Come Spyro darling, let us be off and away from such a disgusting stallion."
Rarity pulled Spyro away from Prince Blueblood, who was watching as the mare he was with went with another prince, which Twilight followed right behind them, both of which he wrapped his wings around as they walked away, the prince hanging his head low and walked away from the stand in disgrace. Back in the ball room, the girls had guided Spyro to the buffet table, where they got some punch and were standing around, listening tot he random song Pinkie had picked out for everyone to dance to, which she called the Pony Pokey. The girls were chatting with a couple of the other guests, but Spyro's mind was elsewhere, thinking about how he almost lost his temper and almost attacked the princesses nephew, swirling his glass of punch with his magic, thinking what might have happened in the girls hand;t pulled him away and given him a chance to calm down.
As the girls were chatting away, Pinkie had pulled out a DJ booth out of nowhere and put it where the orchestra was, ruining their song while Pinkie started to play something, trying to bring the party to life, but the guests were clearly not pleased with the selection of music and wondered how she got a ticket in the first place. As Rarity and Twilight were talking, Princess Celestia walked over and saw the unhappy prince, walking over and motioning for him to follow her outside, walking to the terrace where no pony would disturb them.
"Spyro, what's the matter?" Princess Celestia asked. "Aren't you enjoying yourself?"
"Well, sort of." Spyro replied, worrying the princess. "I nearly lost my temper earlier because of something a stallion said about two of my friends. Calling Rarity a hussy and Applejack a lowly and disgusting earth pony."
"What!?" Princess Celestia asked, horrified and angered a guest of hers would say such a thing. "That is beyond unacceptable. Especially in my castle. Who was this pony who said these things? Please Spyro, tell me who."
He didn't answer, but looked down, the princess following his gaze to her guests, looking to where he was gazing at until her eyes landed on her nephew, who was walking with his head held low, but when he looked up, he said his Aunt on the terrace, but also Spyro, the color draining from his face again as he looked at the prince, then seeing the disapproving look on his aunts face, he knew he was in trouble.
"So it was my own nephew?" She asked, Spyro nodding his head. "Don't worry, I'll be having a few words with him about such behavior."
"I hope so princess." Spyro said, looking back to her. "Because such behavior is not acceptable anywhere." He then took a sip from his glass of punch. "But, there's one thing I've noticed that I forgot to ask you."
"And what would that be?" Princess Celestia asked.
"I noticed a certain pony who doesn't seem to be here at the party right now." Spyro said, looking back to the ball room. "Where's Luna? I was looking forward to actually spend a little time with her."
Princess Celestia's mood then changed, looking up to the castle spires and sighing.
"She's... not going to be at the Gala tonight." Princess Celestia replied. "She's still nervous about how everypony will react to her return. The ponies in Ponyville may have been accepting of her return, but she's worried about the nobles and how they will react."
"She's worried about the nobles?" Spyro asked, chuckling to himself. "She is afraid of how a bunch of aristocratic ponies who spend more time hanging their noses in the air than in anything else? They probably spend more time counting their money and caring about business than to catch up on their Equestrian history. Why?"
"Because she believes they will want me to get rid of her." She replied, looking down at the nobles. "Ponies here aren't as forgiving and accepting like those in Ponyville. She's still fearful that if she reveals herself to the ponies here, she might be rejected for her crimes a thousand years ago."
"I can understand her paranoia." Spyro said, drinking more of the punch. "It will take some time for her to feel confident enough to reveal herself to her people, but even longer to fully forgive herself for what she has done, despite being cured of her darkness."
"I know." Princess Celestia said, looking at him. "It will take time for her to find the confidence she will need to reveal herself to the kingdom, but I think in the end, she will be accepted by everyone."
A little while later, they then heard Pinkie going crazy, cranking up the music from the DJ table while also trying to get some of the nobles to dance like her, which they looked to be disturbed and shocked at the crazy party pony. Both Spyro and Princess Celestia ran into the rooms right at that time, Applejack had brought in a massive cake that was wobbling as she pushed it, trying to entice the nobles with her sweet delights.
"WOOHOO!" Pinkie shouted. "Stage dive!"
"Pinkie, wait!" Spyro shouted.
The party mare all of a sudden leapt off the stage, expecting the noble to catch her, but they just moved aside as the party mare was falling towards the crowd, accidentally hitting the cart Applejack was pushing and launching the cake into the air and straight at Rarity. Spyro ran towards the mare as the cake was flying at her, but it landed on her before Spyro could reach her, covering her in frosting and whipped cream.
"OHH!" She screamed. "Of all the worst luck possible!"
She then tried to walk somewhere where she could get cleaned up, but ended up slipping around and into the nearby statue, causing it to teeter and then fall, about to crush some of the nobles. But Rainbow Dash rushed over and caught the statue, holding it on her back to impress the Wonderbolts, but soon started to teeter herself, loosing her balance as she held onto the golden statue, knocking it into some of the stone columns and they knocked into another and another, falling like dominoes. Before a stone column could fall onto any nobles, Spyro reached out with the force, standing on his hind legs and using his foreleg to catch the columns, saving some of the nobles from being crushed and lifting all the fallen pillars of marble into the air, even the gold statue off of Rainbow Dash's back, earning an annoyed look form her.
"Dude, I had everything under control!" Rainbow Dash shouted, looking mildly annoyed.
"No you didn't!" Spyro shouted back, lifting the pillars and the statue up. "Hang on a moment, I'll have everything taken care of in... GAAAH!"
Princess Celestia was shocked to hear Spyro was in pain, looking down at him to see what had happened, but saw that his body was glowing purple as he fell onto his flank, the pillars and statues shaking as he struggled to keep control of the airborne pieces of art, his own forelegs seemingly shaking as he struggled.
"Spyro, what's wrong?" Princess Celestia asked. "What's happening?"
"I don't know!" Spyro exclaimed, hissing in pain. "My body! It's burning up! Can't... hold it!"
As he said it, his forelegs gave out as his connection to the Force was lost, allowing the pillars and the statue to fall to the ground, Rainbow Dash getting out of the way just as it was falling and avoiding being crushed. Spyro however, collapsed on the ground, the princess and a couple of her guards helping him up as he shakily got up, but as they picked him up, they could feel how hot his body was, even the guards who helped him up shook their hooves as they got burned by how hot he was. Twilight then ran over to see what was wrong and saw her friend's condition, he was pale and was shaking like he was freezing, so she put her hoof to his forehead to check his temperature, but pulled it away quickly as she felt how hot he was.
"Ouch!" She exclaimed. "He feels like he's on fire. What's wrong with him?"
"I don't know." Princess Celestia replied. "One minute, he was holding up some things in the air and the next, he collapses, saying his body felt like it was burning up."
"Great, tonight is going splendidly." Twilight said in a sarcastic tone. "Could this night get any worse?"
Just as she said it, the ground started to shake again, but it wasn't coming from Spyro this time, but it sounded like there was a stampede coming towards the ballroom and just a moment later, the doors burst open as animals started to run throughout the ballroom, the nobles running everywhere just as the animals stampeded through. At the entrance of the door was Fluttershy, but she looked like had just lost her mind after trying to get the animals to like her.
"You're... going to LOVE MEEEEEE!" She shouted, which terrified the animals rather than got them to like her.
Twilight was in complete shock, their best night ever had just turned into the worst night ever as she looked at all the mass chaos in front of her.
"Run." Princess Celestia whispered to Twilight. "Take Spyro and run."
Twilight looked to Spyro, feeling his forehead again and was relieved that he has cooled down, so she whistled for her friends and motioned for them to follow her, using her magic to lift Spyro up and all six of them ran out of the castle to find someplace safe. After they escaped the castle, they walked down the streets of the city to find Spike, who was possibly at Donut Joe's, so they kept walking while Spyro was unconscious on Applejack's back and was telling her friends what the princess told her, everyone worrying about their friend.
"So, the princess said he was burning up?" Applejack asked. "Like he had some kinda fever?"
"Worse than that Applejack." Twilight replied. "When I put my hoof on his head, it literally felt like I was putting my hoof straight into a fire, that's how hot he was."
"Wait, he was that hot?" Applejack asked, looking back at Spyro. "But, he doesn't feel that warm to me. In fact, he feels cold, like super cold."
"We need to get him some place warm." Twilight said, spotting Donut Joe's. "There, I think Spike is there. Let's go."
The girls ran to Donut Joe's, one of the only stores still open late at night, so they rushed into the store and found Spike immediately at the counter drinking some hot cocoa and having some donuts. The owner, Pony Joe, who has a tan coat and a brown mane, wearing a white bakers outfit and a donut shaped Cutie Mark was attending to him, looking up and seeing Twilight and her friends, pleased to see them.
"Twilight Sparkle." Joe said, surprising Spike. "Long time, no see."
"Twilight!" Spike shouted, jumping off and running to his friends, but saw Spyro on Applejack's back, unconscious. "What happened to him? How was the Gala?"
A moment later, Spyro started to stir awake, everyone looking to Spyro as he started to move a bit, so Applejack put him on the ground, but stayed close by to help him up and keep him steady as they walked over to the nearby table, telling Spike what had happened to them, retelling their story of the events at the Gala as Pony Joe brought over a bakers dozen of donuts while they spoke.
"Wow." Spike said. "Sounds like you guys had the worst night ever."
"We did." Everyone said in unison, laughing together.
"I just hope the princess isn't too disappointed with us for ruining the Gala." Twilight said.
"You kidding?" Spyro asked. "I think that kind of chaos was exactly the thing the Gala needed. That was way too boring. I admit, there were some parts I did enjoy." He then reached his hoof to Twilights, wrapping his hoof around her as she smiled at him. "But honestly, give me an army of Heartless to fight anytime."
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Princess Celestia said, everyone turning look at the door way. "That was the best Gala ever."
"But princess, pardon me for saying, but tonight was just awful." Twilight said. "It was a total disaster."
"Oh Twilight, the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful." Princess Celestia said.
"Wait, what?" Twilight asked.
"Why else do you think I invited you all to the Gala in the first place?" The princess asked. "As Spyro said, the Gala is boring and isn't all that exciting. In fact, I was hoping that some of those heartless would come so we could see Spyro fight, have some excitement."
"Too bad there weren't any." Spyro said. "I could have used the exercise."
Everyone laughed at how calm and nonchalant he was with his answer, everyone actually having a better time together than they did wanting to do what they wanted at the Gala. A moment later, Spyro smiled and then called his Keyblade, surprising everyone as he set it on the table, his hoof still on it.
"Still, I'm glad we all got to have some fun in the end." Spyro said, looking at everyone. "Everything is better with friends. Just like with my friends who I trained with. When we were given our Keyblades, we made a promise to fight by each other's side. To fight and protect the light, make friends along the way, and have the time of my life when I can." As he talked, Twilight put her hoof on his, her foreleg barely touching the guard around the handle. "But now, I'm going to make a new promise. A promise to protect this world, to never let anything happen to it or to my friends here. And most of all, to protect the ones that I love, my friends and my herd."
As he spoke, the girls all reached across the table, everyone reaching across the table to take his hoof, touching the blade as he spoke with their other hooves, and touched by what he was saying as they then reached for his hoof, everyone holding onto his hoof as they got together in a group hug, his wings wrapping around them as the Princess smiled.
"And we would like to make a promise to you Spyro." Twilight said, everyone looking to him. "We promise to always be by your side, whether we can defend ourselves or not, we will always be there for you. In the heat of battle, or in the peace and calm of the moment, we will be with you, no matter what."
He couldn't help but smile, hugging them all as they a light shined on his friends chests, revealing the Prince's light coming from Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity, but it then spread to those who didn't have it yet, suddenly appearing on Rainbow Dash's and Pinkie Pie's chests as the connection between them grew stronger, the love he felt for all his friends at that moment bringing them joy as they sat there, enjoying the moment. The princess was moved by the love and friendship they all shared, a tear rolling down her face as she felt happy for her pupils and their friends.
"Promise me one other thing girls." Spyro said, getting their attention as they looked at him. "Don't ever change. And don't ever let your light go out."
They all smiled as they kept hugging him, all making the promise to him as they felt their hearts jump for joy, the love they felt for him grew even stronger than it did before.
"Even though your night didn't go as you wanted it to, I'm sure you'll all agree that it didn't turn out as bad for this group of friends." Princess Celestia said.
"You're right princess." Twilight replied. "Everything is better when you're with your friends. And with the one you love."
"Yeah, like hanging out with them." Rainbow Dash said.
"Talking with them." Fluttershy said.
"And sharing laughs with them!" Pinkie said. "We should have just stuck together throughout the whole evening and we'd have had a more fun time!"
"That's what I was trying to tell you before you guys ran off." Spike said.
"But most of all, being together has made this, the best night ever!" Twilight said, everyone laughing and having fun.
After a little while, everyone was leaving and heading back to the carriage, walking the streets of the grand city and chatting away at everything they did before it all became a disaster, even Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack talking about the racist prince and how Spyro ended up traumatizing him for life, which Rainbow Dash laughed, wishing to have seen his face when he first saw Spyro with his Sith eyes, but wondering what the princess was going to do with her nephew. As they were approaching the carriage, the girls were getting on the carriage, Spyro stopped all of a sudden, feeling a sharp pain in his chest, which then became a searing heat that rose inside his body, his vision starting to blur in and out as he heard his own heart beating, breathing heavily as he tried to keep walking, but the pain then stopped, his breathing going back to normal and the burning all over his body diminished, feeling normal again, but feeling incredibly weak.
"Common Spyro, you coming?" Spike asked.
"Yeah, yeah give me a moment." Spyro said, walking to the carriage and getting in.
Spike then had the two stallions move forward, moving along the dirt road back to Ponyville, heading home. Back at the Mysterious Tower, Master Yen Sid was in his study looking over some of his old books while he checked his crystal ball from time to time to keep an eye of May, who was sitting in her cell, looking out the window while throwing a ball to the wall, having it bounce, and then catching it, repeating the process. He then looked away for a brief moment to keep reading, failing to notice that a dark orb had appeared on the outside of her cell, the dark Keyblade bearer looking to it and smiling at the dark orb, approaching the magical barrier as the orb got close, disrupting it's magic and allowing her the moment to walk out. After which, a dark corridor opened up and she walked through just as Yen Sid looked back at the orb, watching as the corridor closed, shocking him as he waved his hand to contact his pupils.
"Sora, Riku, Kairi, Axel!" He said. "Come to my study immediately! We have an emergency!"