One Night as No One

Four souls, each different yet alike in one matter.

She smiles, hopeful and bright.

Her poise shows no flaw or falter.

Dignity and honor have brought her to where she is.

They adore her every action.

Four souls, each alike yet different in many ways.

Longing... Lost...

Tonight is a tale of four bodies looking for warmth. By spirit and body, they will find what they seek. Beyond what they once believed, and what they have yet to learn. Actors walk in and out upon the stage we set; uninvited and unintended. Be they gluttons for attention, or players in a greater role? The curtain opens now onto our set: Canterlot Castle. The stage has been laid out: The night of the Grand Gala. All that remains is for our actors.

Four souls, not knowing but ever looking.

They dance the game offered, breasts heavy with doubt.

What she sees is not what she wants, but what the other sees is what she wants.

What does the night mean? What does it hold?

Breathe in, breathe out. Inhale... Inhale a little more. A few more inches. "Geez. Twilight, if you're just going to pass out trying to get into the dress, maybe we should get you a different one..." Twilight Sparkle let out a heavy exhale and dropped her arms to her side, giving up on her doll-like posture she was trying to keep while she was getting fitted.

Behind the would-be-princess, Sunset Shimmer devilishly smirked, pins clenched between her teeth and fingers nipping and tucking bits of Twilight's dress to get it to the wearer's standards. For nearly two hours, the two had been fussing about here and there throughout Twilight's shimmering room. Even as the night fell on the town of Ponyville, the glittering of Twilight's crystal house glinted well through the shadows. Twilight Sparkle, princess of the small castle, Element of Magic, and all around great friend, wanted for nothing but to put her face in her hands and groan. "Sorry, sorry. The dress is fine, really. I just..." A sigh passed between the young princess' lips as she looked out a nearby window.

Though the night engrossed the land, blanketing all the fields and houses in the sweet cool of darkness, Canterlot could still be seen as bright and vibrant as ever. A glimmering jewel perched high in the mountains to overlook the entirety of the kingdom around it. "...I just want to make an impression the entire court won't forget."

Determined. Sunset Shimmer had to give Twilight that. It was a trait that Sunset had started to admire in Twilight and even wished she had some of that spirit. But, not wanting to lose her edge with talking to Twilight, Sunset scoffed playfully before pricking Twilight in the rear with one of the pins she was keeping. "Make an impression? You're the newest princess, you toppled a power mad tyrant -twice-, and you'll be showing up to the Gala with an ex-felon as the only member of your entourage," Twilight gave a yelp as the pin poked through her dress and into her skin.

Despite the prick to her rear, Twilight smiled back at Sunset while she rubbed her poked butt. "And that's why I'm bringing you with me. Last time I attended the Gala with my friends, things became a little... Heated. While that actually made the night bearable all things considered, tonight will be a night of fresh starts for many of the people in attendance," once again, Twilight felt a prick to her rear and she jumped, "Alright, cut that out!"

"Sorry," Sunset apologized between her laughs, "You just sounded so unlike yourself for a minute there. Stiff, robotic... Too formal."

For a moment, Twilight digested those words, summoning a deep sigh from herself. Her arms folded before her chest as she looked to the floor of her dressing room; dejection lingering in her usually bright eyes. "I know... But... This is my first formal party as a princess. Knights, nobles, kings and queens, dukes and duchesses, princesses... They'll all be there. They'll be judging me to see if I'm right for--" before she could continue, she felt a small touch against her back.

At first, Twilight half expected for another pin to be stabbed into her pincushion of a rear again. But instead, two arms wrapped around her slender shoulders and pulled her into a tight but reassuring hug. Sunset Shimmer put her forehead against the crook of Twilight's back, a warm smile on her face even if Twilight couldn't see it. "You have absolutely nothing to worry about, Twilight. You'll be just fine..." Sunset's words sunk into the small of Twilight's back, rising a little smile from the princess, "And if anyone has a problem with you, just point them out and I'll give them a nice little talking to."

"Thanks, Sunset..." Twilight took a step forward, leaving Sunset's hold so she could turn to face her newest friend and house-mate, "I'm really glad I brought you. We'll get going in just a few minutes. I'm just gonna run upstairs and get my tiara," Twilight started for the crystalline spiral stairs that led to her room, stopping short half-way up to give Sunset an embarrassed look, "N-Not that I -you know- need the crown or anything to make me feel like a princess. I just... Be quiet," Sunset simply snickered to herself as she watched Twilight finish the last few steps of the stairs with deep stomps.

Alone, Sunset started to pick up the unneeded fabrics and twine that they were using to fix up Twilight's Gala dress. She was sure that if they had told Rarity sooner about needing a new dress, Rarity could have fashioned a spectacular gown. While the one they were left with was beautiful -as were all the dresses Rarity made- it was a bit too big on Twilight. Sunset Shimmer was many things, but a tailor wasn't high on her list of skills. Still, she did the best she could. She tucked all that was left behind into one of the cabinets adorning the study walls, neatly packing what she could among the strewn collection of knickknacks and discarded scraps that Twilight or Spike thought were worth putting into a cabinet. In the end, Sunset Shimmer was only a guest in Twilight's home; a squatter until she could get on her own feet. But, Twilight had always been a gracious hostess to her; giving her free room and board, feeding her, even giving her a job in the library. Sunset was thankful to have a friend like Twilight after everything she did...

All she did. Standing up from the cabinet, she noticed a familiar mirror perched against the crystallized wall. Every inch of her told her to turn away, forget about it and continue the night in the spirits she had... But without fail, she found herself standing before the framed full-body mirror inside Twilight's study.

The Crystal Mirror.

It was immaculate, as it always had been. Beautiful and otherworldly by no stretch of the imagination. The reflection in it seemed to always be more real than the original casting the reflection. In that way alone it could be considered astounding. But, it held more depth to people like Twilight and her friends. To Sunset Shimmer. Pain, regret, anger, haste. Sunset Shimmer looked into the mirror, her fingers touching against the cool, reflective surface of it. Though her eyes and the eyes of anyone who looked into the mirror now would only see the anguished face of a red-headed girl; her heart saw something more.

A monster. Hair of hell fire, teeth of shattered glass. Skin coarse and stained in the shade of blood that would never dry. Its eyes black, not empty however; they were filled with latent torment, plans of havoc and brimstone screaming through them. It was a form she knew well, a form she had once taken in another life. A life so long ago, but still burned into her vision; into her heart. The monster she once was, and the one that everyone would always see within her. Even now, the monster in the mirror -her own reflection- looked as unsure as she was.

"Things will be different..." She promised herself -promised the monster only she could see- with a hushed voice before turning away.

Would they be different? Could they be different? Or would the guests at the Gala -Princess Celestia her once-teacher- look at her with resent? The thought burned at Sunset's wounded soul. However, she shook the thought off if only for a moment. She had her own dress to dawn now. In a matter of hours, she would be presented before the audience of the Gala; facing her hopefully silent judgement.

Gather now, o' scattered stars...

Follow through the gusts so hard...

Meet me here upon my stand...

For the hours draw upon the eve...