Miss Gala

Chapters

Chapter 1: Contest Announcement
Chapter 2: Misunderstandings Can Ruin Friendships
Chapter 3: Talents of the Mares
Chapter 4: Stairs of Miss Broadway
Chapter 5: Big Finale
Epilogue: The Miss Gala

Chapter 1: Contest Announcement

It has been a while since Ponyville has gone through a few events like the Sisterhood Social, in which Big Mac cross-dressed like a filly to participate with Apple Bloom, the mysterious illness that got cured by Zecora and Spike, and when the Equestrian Eliminator destroyed any evidences of his existence.

And despite that, life goes in Equestria as the Council of Friendship is having another one of their usual meetings.

"Okay, first off, good work, AJ and Rarity, for helping out with Coco Pommel and her friendship problem last weeks." Twilight said to the two mares who went to Manehattan to assist with a friendship problem involving Coco Pommel and a stage performance.

"Shoot, just doing our work." Applejack remarks with a chuckle. "Ah done am amazed 'ta hear how Big Mac took over fer me."

"But dressed as a filly? Is he that desperate?" Rarity ask, arching an eyebrow in disbelief by that.

"Well, he does felt left out an' all."

"Also, a big thank to Spike for help and Zecora helping Ponyville out in a crisis." Twilight said, giving out a big grin to Spike who sat and blushes a bit.

"Awww, stop it...actually go ahead. Make me blush!" Spike chuckles a bit while waving a claw.

"Yeah, I'm glad, I hate being sick in bed all day." Rainbow remarks with a grunt.

"Knowing you, you're used to that." Rarity giggles. This causes Rainbow to give her an annoyed glare at her.

"All right, the Friendship Ship should be a few weeks in the other world." Twilight said, giving out a big announcement while glancing to the library where the mirror to the EQG world is at. "I still can't figure out. A future me came in and told me about it as the Friendship Games didn't happen yet."

"Did you figure out why?" Fluttershy ask Twilight quietly.

"Still trying to figure that out and..." A knock came at the door, interrupting Twilight. "Now could that be? Fred, Barney?"

The two guards answer the door. Derpy, outside, gave the mail to the guards as well as an announcement, saying, "Duh! Mail call."

"Mail call!" Fred calls out as he and Barney closes the door and came over to the princess, handing her the mail.

"Thank you." Twilight said as she takes the mail. As the guards left, the Princess of Friendship check through them carefully. "Let's see...letters from Shining and Cadance...from mom and dad...some pro...Spike!"

"On it!" Spike exclaims with a nod. As Twilight threw the proposal letters up, the Dragon burn them to a crisp quickly. "Geez, don't those ponies now you're taken?"

"Don't I know it; And...hello? What's this? "Miss Gala"?"

The Council of Friendship gathers around the princess. Rarity reads, "'To all mares of Equestria. A big contest is happening in Ponyville. Mares can now prove themselves wonderful and beautiful as they compete to be Miss Gala'....Ooh! A Miss Gala contest!"

"What is that? A beauty contest?" Twilight ask Rarity, arching an eyebrow.

"Indeed! They have those all over Equestria over the years. Beautiful mares would compete to look beautiful, answer questions, pose for the judges, look beautiful, show off their talents, look beautiful..."

"Yew said 'look beautiful' three times." Applejack remarks to Rarity with a smirk.

"Only because it's true." Rarity said as she bat her eyelashes. "Ooooh, I always wanted to compete and now, it's coming here to Ponyville."

"Shoot, ain't nothing but a popularity contest. Ah ain’t doing anything ‘dat ridiculous."

"Popularity contest? Hay yeah! I'm in it." Rainbow remarks, stretching out her muscles.

"Yew wanna compete?" Applejack ask in disbelief. She couldn't believe that her friendly rival would want to compete in something so frou-frou like.

"Yeah! Popularity is something awesome! Shame you ain't coming. I would've beaten you instantly."

"Oh?! Is 'dat a challenge?!"

"A fact, Miss Iron Pony." Rainbow chuckles as she uses her tail to swat at Applejack's face, much to her annoyance. "Wait, I did won that, did I?"

"By cheatin'! All right, maybe Ah could enter 'ta show ya Ah don't need beauty 'ta beat ya!" Applejack remarks with a scoff. If the farm pony has to go frou-frou just to show Rainbow up, then so be it!

"Now, now, no need to fight like barbarians, you two." Rarity said to the two, getting between them. Then she smirks, adding, "Of course, I am entering. I would beat you all."

"Hey! I wanna compete!" Pinkie exclaims as she bounces up and again. "Talent contest? Sounds like baking to me or something!"

"Uh...well...I was a model for one time..." Fluttershy said meekly. "And while I don't want to pose in front of them like a model...I could give it a bit of a chance..."

"Girls, let's not fight. Tell you what. Let's all compete." Twilight said to her friends, getting into the conversation before a fight would break out. "It could be fun!"

"Yeah, fun, fun, fun, fun!" Pinkie squeals as she bounces up and down. After noticing her friends' look, the pink pony landed quickly. "Ooooh, too much like the Pinkie clone incident?"

"Yes, very too much."

"Greetings, every mare of Equestria!" Mayor Mare announces as the mares gather at the Ponyville stadium 2 days later. "It's my proud honor to announce these year's Miss Gala contest. Every mare from Equestria are gathered here to see which one is the best and beautiful."

The mares cheer on wildly. The stallions in the stands did so as well. Ben was sitting with Nyx and the Dragons watching onward.

"Wow, almost every mare is here." Nyx said, amazed to see a bunch of mares in one place.

"I love a good contest, especially the babes involved! Hooooowl!" Phobos exclaims, howling like a wolf.

"Phobos!"

"What?"

"Of course, only a few will advance to the preliminary rounds, 12 will make it to the pre-finals...with six making it to the finals." Mayor Mare said with a smile as she motions to the judges' table. "Our judges this year are talented ponies. First off, we got our ruler Princess Celestia."

"Greetings." Celestia said as she waves to the ponies who cheer for her. "I expect a nice clean contest."

"And of course, the Mag'ne herself Megan Williams Richards."

"Hi, ponies." Megan said, giggling as she sat down at the table. "Great to be judging this contest. I hope you ponies remember, this is all for fun."

"And of course, from the Mystic Realm, we are honored to have here, the Lord of Ma, Azure Phoenix!" The Mayor exclaims, motioning to the Lord of Ma Azure Phoenix.

"Remember, beauty is only within...so no fighting or cheating, understood?" Azure demands to the ponies who went a bit silent.

"Wow." Pinkie said to her friends quietly. "He knows how to quiet a room."

"He just want fairness, Pinkie." Fluttershy said to Pinkie with a nod, knowing Azure wishes to make things fair.

"Remember, girls, no matter what happens, we're still friends and we're doing this for fun." Twilight said to her friends who smile at her in agreement. As long as they be fair and have fun, this contest won't divide them.

"I'm gonna win." Rainbow whispers arrogantly to Applejack.

"Not if I win first." Rarity whispers quickly.

"Why are we still whispering?" Pinkie ask confused, making Twilight sigh a bit.

"We will begin in two hours so no pony go anywhere until then!" The Mayor exclaims with a smile, making everyone cheer.

Hopefully this contest will go off without any trouble...or will it?

Meanwhile as the events for the Miss Gala are about to take off, the scene changes to a dark dreary forest spot within the Hayseed Swamp. Right now, there is nothing, but there are some black insect type creatures that were....pony size. And three of them were Fred, Ed & Seto as they approach the one sitting on a rooted tree that was like a throne to be none other than...Queen Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen.

"My queen, we bring news from having blended in as a part of the crowd of what it going on." Seto reported this out in what was currently happening at this time.

"Yeah, them ponies are gonna have a Miss Gala competition." Fred spoke off in stating what was the main theme that the ponies are doing.

"And the mare that wins is gonna be Miss Gala for the whole thing!" Ed finished off the last part in what will happen when a mare is crown Miss Gala.

"Ah, Miss Gala, I remember how that was...the joy on everyone's faces, the happiness that surrounded it, the love they all shared? How delicious it was to feast!" Queen Chrysalis recalls the day when she once was apart of the Miss Gala competition, but of course, she pretended to be someone else & steal all of the love in that area.

"There is more, the Mane Six seem to be competing for the title." Seto stated off in knowing about who else was partaking, their old foes.

"Really....hmm..." Queen Chrysalis rubbed her chin in being intrigue by this news. Perhaps, we can use the competition to cause a rift of good sportsmanship & ruin their friendship for the sole purpose of their can be only ONE Miss Gala!" She exclaimed in having thought up an idea that can be useful to cause a riot between the Mane Six.

"We can?" Fred replied off in having heard this.

"But how?" Ed asked off in not knowing how to do that.

"We do what we do best...we imitate & impersonate & make them figh for all that glorious love. Which will become our feast to enjoy." Queen Chrysalis exclaimed to say this as the easy answer, they will change into the Mane Six & cause a disturbance amongst themselves.

"Very well my queen, it shall be done." Seto smiled off in liking this sinister idea.

"I'm counting on it." Queen Chrysalis smiled off wickedly in hoping to do such a plot.

The other Changelings made hiss sounds in all sounding excited as they will enjoy the moment to cause trouble to the ponies & feast on all of the love they will bring to the Miss Gala competition.

Chapter 2: Misunderstandings Can Ruin Friendships

The show soon begins at the stadium. Ponies are practicing, dressing themselves, thinking on how to impress the judges in this contest. Speaking of which, the said judges sat in their seats, waiting patiently for this contest to begin.

"This is going to be interesting." Celestia said with a smile. "It's like the Battle of the Bands you and Twilight told me about, remember Megan?"

"Yes...only there is no hypnotized plot that involves taking over the world involved here." Megan admits with a giggle. "Azure? Have you gotten anything like this in the Land of Ma?"

"Normally yes, but usually with paint and fans." Azure said to Megan with a nod, recalling having similar contests back home.

"All right, time to begin this!" The Mayor exclaims happily into her microphone as she got onto the stage. "First off, the mares in..."

"Uh, Mayor, Mayor!" Celestia calls out, interrupting the Mayors. "No bikinis. There are foals watching this."

"Oh, I was actually going for robes here."

"Oh, that's better then."

The mares of Equestria got on stage, posing and waving to the audience. Even the Mane Six are there, giving out the same thing. The crowd cheers on, making noises.

"Yeah, that's my mare!" Ben exclaims, waving to Twilight excitedly.

"Oh yeah, whoooo! Rarity!" Spike exclaims as he applauds wildly for Rarity.

"Yeah, Rainbow, wooo!" Called the familiar voice of...Soarin'. The others saw him, surprised to see him here. The Wonderbolt, noticing that he's been saw, blushed a bit. "Well, I got to give out support to my fellow Wonderbolt, right?"

"Yeah, sure." Nyx and Phobos remarks in amusement as they roll their eyes.

"Yes, a bunch of beauties we got this year!" The Mayor exclaims as the mares continues posing to the crowd.

"Yes, very nice." Megan said as she and the judges wrote down their results. "And the robes are a nice touch."

"Yes...some are beautiful, some are..." Celestia cringes as Berry Punch fell, pushing right into Lyra and Bon-Bon, knocking them down. "...well, some are trying."

"Yes, of course, of course." Azure said as he wrote down the results. A concerned look came to his face as he continues speaking privately, "There's another reason why I came here. I've noticed that in the past Miss Gala contests that I've read about, ponies are often a bit dry as if energy has been sucked out of them."

"Yes, I couldn't help but notice too. This happened at every Miss Gala contest. Love is in the air as well as excitement...but when it's over, the contestants and audience members often felt a bit dry."

"So is this why you're having the contest here? Just to lure whatever is responsible out?" Megan ask Celestia and Azure, suspecting that they are holding the Miss Gala contest here just to find out what could be responsible for the past illnesses after the contests.

"Yes, I've gotten my men stationed at certain places. Whatever is responsible, we will find them. But for now, let us focus on the contest." Azure said, reminding the females to focus on the contest.

"All right, let's hear it for them." The Mayor said as the mares left to go back stage. "The results will come in a few minutes."

Unknown to everyone, a certain Changeling Queen and her minions are in hiding in the audience. Chrysalis chuckles quietly as she spoke, "You know what to do, right?"

The minions nodded as they and Changeling changes into the forms of the Mane Six. It's time for the plan to begin!

It was a few minutes later as the judges posted the results of which mares will make it to the preliminary rounds. The contestants check the results to see who advances. Some left in disappointment, some are excited. And most...

"Yes, we made it, girls!" Fluttershy exclaims with a smile.

"Squeeee!" Rarity exclaims, jumping up and down excitedly. "Ooooh, I made it, yes, I made it!"

"Yeah, it figures." Applejack said with a smile, shaking her head. "So what's 'de next part o' 'dis contest?"

"I think it's a talent contest." Twilight said, checking the list of events. "We just got to show off our talents to the judges and see if they approve."

"Talent? Yipee!" Pinkie exclaims, bouncing up and down.

"Okay, don't get excited, Pinkie. Remember, this is for fun."

"Right, and besides, move aside and let a real champion win it." Rainbow said, boasting while making a proud pose. This causes her friends to roll their eyes at this.

"Okay, time we hit the dressing rooms." Twilight said with a smile to her friends. "We will meet by the stage within a few minutes."

The Mane Six separate, looking for their dressing rooms. They cannot wait to show off their talents to the judges and see who will make it to the semifinals.

Twilight smiles as she put on her banner while leaving her dressing room. The Alicorn princess is about ready to head over to the side of the stage to meet her friends...when she spots them having a conversation around a corner.

Twilight was about to come over when Applejack spoke up with an evil grin, "Can yew believe it, Twilight thinks she's got 'dis in the bag?" The Alicorn stops and looks confused upon hearing that.

Rainbow smirks as if knowing Twilight is nearby, taunting, "What you expect, she's a princess; that gives her like an UNFAIR advantage to every mare here."

Pinkie giggles cruelly, "Just because she saved us all from Tirek's reign, doesn't mean she has to win by default!"

Rarity remarks with a sly wicked smirk, "She thinks she's all that, being Celestia's student, being Sister-In-Law with Princess Cadance, the only thing big about her....is her brain!"

Twilight looks shocked and hurt. How could her friends say that to her? And why didn't Fluttershy say anything...unless she’s against her too!

As Twilight leaves, the Rainbow lookalike changes into Twilight. These aren't Twilight's real friends but Chrysalis and her friends. The princess now thinks her friends are bad mouthing her!

"All right, now for the Wonderbolt." Chrysalis whispers to her minions who nods as they trot off to the direction of Rainbow's dressing room.

Rainbow smirks as she prepares to leave her dressing room. The Wonderbolt is going to win this thing! And even if she doesn't, the Pegasus pony can always support her friends...or them back if they don't make it.

Rainbow however turns a corner and saw what she thought was Twilight and her friends talking. The Pegasus pony was about to speak when "Fluttershy" spoke with a cruel smile, "Can you believe Rainbow Dash thinks being awesome would win a competition?"

Rainbow stops, looking confused. Did Fluttershy badmouth her?

"Rarity" scoffs wickedly, speaking loud enough for Rainbow to hear, "She wouldn't even get her hooves done at the Spa!"

"Pinkie" laughs madly, "She went so far as to collect the Gabby Gum news reports to save her reputation about her toughness being soft!"

"Twilight", giving a cruel smile, adds in amusement, "Like that girl will be Miss. Gala.....in her dreams!"

"Grrr, those jerks." Rainbow said with a mad snort. She can't believe it. Her friends went and are badmouthing her like that! They think that she can't be Miss Gala?! Oh, the Pegasus pony will show them!

Once Rainbow is gone, the Applejack lookalike changes into Rainbow as the Changelings move on to the next target.

Applejack was checking her apples, wondering what talents she would do in the contest that involves. As the farm pony have times to decide, she couldn't help but overhear a conversation.

"Can you believe that cow pony AJ thinks she can win this without having the fine female appeal?" "Rainbow" ask the "others" wickedly. Applejack looks shocked as she turns and saw the Pegasus speaking with the others.

"Twilight" nodded as she remarks, "She should be better as little Miss Farm Girl, then as Miss Gala!"

Applejack gasps, getting upset as "Rarity" added madly, "The only competition she'll even bag....is bagging for apples."

"If she doesn't sweat too much to gross out the judges." "Fluttershy" remarks with a cruel smirk, giving out a side glance.

"Why, those no good, back stabbing ponies." Applejack remarks with a snort, crushing an apple that she was holding. "Those dishonest...grrrrr!!!"

As Applejack continues yelling and tossing apples a bit, her "friends" laughs cruelly as they gallop off to the next victim.

The Changelings continues posing as the others, making sure one of them changes form to avoid suspicion. Pinkie was happening to be wearing the Groucho Marx glasses, having a Jack in the Box on her back, and blowing on a steamer as she bounces over...when she saw her friends talking.

"Pinkie Pie is nothing but a big fat joke out there." "Twilight" remarks smugly to the "others" much to Pinkie's confusion. What is the Alicorn even saying about her?

"Well she was never serious competition from the beginning." "Rarity" said in agreement to "Twilight", making Pinkie stunned upon hearing that.

"Applejack" couldn't help but give out a mean chuckle, " All she likes doing is being goofy & silly, she thinks she & everyone are having fun."

"The only fun they're having is laughing so hard that she'll never win Miss Gala." "Rainbow" remarks cruelly, much to Pinkie's shock and sadness as she drops all the items that she was holding.

"How...could you...?" Pinkie whispers as her mane and tail went flat. Her friends don't love her anymore! They like this contest more than her!

Rarity prances around in a beautiful dress, posing a bit in front of a mirror backstage. The unicorn grins as she gallops off. Oh, Rarity can't wait to show this to her friends.

However, Rarity stops as she overhears "Applejack" speaking to the "others', "'Dat Rarity, thinks she's got this stuff down." The unicorn looks confused as she peeks into another room, seeing her "friends" speaking.

Rarity looks shocked as "Fluttershy" nods in agreement, adding cruelly, "She may have been thinking she was raise as a noble, but her family sure isn't!"

"She even ditch her noble standings for Trenderhoof to be a country bumpkin." "Rainbow" taunts, making Rarity gasps in shock and hurt. How could she say that about her?! They are supposed to be friends!

"I think anyone that saw her makeup fall off would see that she's not as pretty to be Miss Gala." "Pinkie" remarks with a nasty smirk to the "others".

That was too much for Rarity to bear as she gallops off, making the fake Mane Five smirks wickedly as they saw her do so. One more pony left to fool!

Fluttershy decided to do some flying lessons. The mare felt like she could do this talent in the talent show, show how much flying that Pegasus pony has done.

Fluttershy saw her friends below, talking. She smiles and is about to fly down when the yellow pony overheard them talking.

"Poor Fluttershy, never had a shot at this." "Twilight" remarks, making Fluttershy stopped flying in confusion.

"She was once a lovely model, but look at her...she looks ready to drop like a hat!" "Rarity" remarks, causing Fluttershy to look shocked and hurt. She thought that this problem with Rarity has been resolved and now...she's badmouthing her about it?!

"She maybe kind, but kindness can't win a competition." "Applejack" remarks, causing Fluttershy to sob a bit.

But what "Rainbow" said really hurt her the most, "If she brought in her furry friends that went wild, they may as well call her....the Wild Miss Gala! She'll never get over being called that!"

"Rainbow...how could you?" Fluttershy whispers as she flew away, crying and feeling heartbroken.

Once she's gone, however, the fakes changes back to their real forms. Seto ask his ruler, "So?"

"We wait for the fireworks to begin." Chrysalis remarks with a cruel smile. The plan to turn the Mane Six against one another has worked indeed!

The Mane Six each looks upset. Their friends are badmouthing and begin cruel and wicked to them. This contest was all they all care about, never about them! They got upset to the point that when they arrived at the right place, well...

"HOW DARE YOU!" The Mane Six all yell at each other, then stop, looking confused.

But the angry Twilight was the first to speak, "No, how dare you! You all went and badmouth me?! Your princess?! I thought you were my friends!

"We were...until you all make fun of me!" Rainbow snorts as she glares at Applejack. "So! Still wanting to prove you're better than me, huh?"

"Oh, how funny coming fro' a hypocrite!" Applejack snorts angrily at Rainbow, making her scowl angrily.

"How dare you all make fun of a beautiful lady," Rarity remarks to her so-called friends furiously. "Oh wait, you would anyway! You love this contest more than our friendship!"

"What friendship? Y'all threw it away when yew badmouthed me!"

"LIAR!"

"You are all meanies...big meanies!" Pinkie exclaims as she took her party cannon out, threatening to use it. "Go on, make fun of me again, I dare ya!"

"Oh...oh. You are big stupid meanies!" Fluttershy exclaims as well, getting very upset.

Soon the mares begin yelling and insulting one another. This contest combined with the Changelings' deceit has got them all on edge!

"Well, one thing's for sure...I'm going to win this and show you all!" Twilight exclaims with a scoff. The Alicorn is going to win this contest to prove to her cruel friends how wrong they truly are!

"Sez you!" The other members of the Mane Five yells out angrily at the Princess of Friendship.

"Hey there girls, how's everyone go...." Ben spoke off in coming into the picture to see how the Mane Six are doing, but...

"STAY OUT OF THIS!" The Mane Six snapped back at Ben, Nyx, Spike & Phobos in showing some REALLY upset looks as if anyone interfering was gonna get an earful of them.

"Okay....I think someone's got the crazy competition fever! Just do what I do...smile, nod, & back away from the scary cat fight." Phobos spoke off in feeling that seeing this, they best leave the mares to their business without getting involved in a heated attention.

Hearing that, Ben's group moved away from the scene as the Mane Six seem to be glaring at each other; they are gonna rattle each other's throats. Cause now the competition for Miss Gala has just gone into overdrive in where only ONE of them, can be crown the title. The race to win first place....is ON!

Chapter 3: Talents of the Mares

The judges watch as the talent part of the contest begins...which has Derpy playing the accordion while flying upside down...somehow! Celestia, Megan and Azure pauses to watch on, wondering if...this is impressing or not.

"Okay, that's Miss Hooves!" The Mayor calls out as the audience applauds for Derpy who took a bow...and crash through the floor. "Ahem! Next up, it's our very own Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle!"

Twilight got on stage, looking determined. She is going to one up her former friends one way or another. The Alicorn calls out, "All right! Prepare to bedazzle!"

The Alicorn's horn glow as she made some objects appear along with some hoops. The mare begins juggling, throwing them into the hoops and right into a hat, making them disappear. The audience watch in amazement as they cheer on.

"Show off." Applejack growls as she and the others look at their friend showing off like that.

Twilight fires off shots into the air, making some sort of tic-tac-toe sign in the sky. The ponies gasps as she fires more shots...and appears to be playing against herself!

"Amazing!" Megan exclaims with a smile of her own.

"Yes, impressive, very impressive, Twilight!" Celestia calls out as she and Azure applauds for her.

Twilight smiles in triumph. They love it, they truly do! The Alicorn laughs as she left the stage, taunting her former friends, "Beat that, freaks!"

Rainbow growls angrily. Oh, it is on!

"And now, Miss Rainbow Dash!" The Mayor exclaims as Rainbow flew past her very fast, landing right on the stage. "Whoa!"

"All right! Prepare yourselves for a feat never before seen in Equestria!" Rainbow calls out as she put on her flight goggles. "For the first time ever, I, the awesome Rainbow Dash, will prepare...an around the world Sonic Rainboom!"

The ponies and audience members gasps in shock, disbelief, and or/amazement. A Sonic Rainboom around the world! That has never been done before!

"All right...AND ZOOM!" Rainbow exclaims as she zooms into the air. Everyone watches as she flew off into one direction.

"Uh oh. Activate magical defenses!" Azure calls out to his magic advisers who nods and activates a big spell that will keep the stuff from breaking. The last time Rainbow has performed a huge Sonic Rainboom like the Double Rainboom, it was a big wreck to Ponyville!

Rainbow cringes as she zooms into one direction. The mare will show them. She will show them all! The Pegasus braces herself...and BOOM! Rainbow zooms off very fast, performing one big Sonic Rainboom. Everyone all over the world gasps as they saw the Sonic Rainboom, all over the place! Luckily the Mystic Ponies took precautions to keep a lot of stuff from breaking!

It was exhausting but one arrival later and Rainbow is back on stage, breathing in and out.

"Let's hear it for Rainbow Dash!" The Mayor calls out to the audience who cheers on wildly for the Pegasus ponies.

"Ha! That Miss Gala title is mine to lick!" Rainbow laughs in triumph to the Mane Six members as she goes past them, slapping her tail into Twilight's face, causing her to growl angrily.

"Oh, it is on!" Rarity snaps as she narrows her eyes.

"And next up: Miss Rarity!" The Mayor exclaims as Rarity came onto the stage in determination.

"Yeah, Rarity! Go for it!" Sweetie calls out to her sister as she sat next to her friends in the audience.

"I was going to do a song based on my friends...but due to the competition, I'm going for something else." Rarity said. She clears her throat...and begins to sing while using magic to make an outfit appear on herself

Rarity: Life is a runway (runway)
Listen, here's what it's all about
I tell you, life is a runway (runway)
Time to bring what's on the inside out

Into the light
Into the light

Life is a runway
When you see it my way
Take all the good inside
Make it beautiful
Fashion is a way to start
Showing what's in your heart
Call it superficial
I call it irrefutable

Oh-oh, oh wha-oh
Oh-oh, oh wha-oh
Oh-oh, oh wha-oh
Life is a runway

You can be the girl
That you want to be
With a little love
And some accessories (life is a runway)
Don't be scared to show you have
Personal style
Just go do your thing
You'll make everyone smile (life is a runway)

Life is a runway (runway)
I'll show you what it's all about
I tell you, life is a runway (runway)
Time to bring what's on the inside out

Into the light
Into the light
Into the light
Into the light

Into the light

Once the song is over, the audience looks amazed...then they applauded wildly. Even the judges applauded, liking this.

"Hey, no fair! She sang that song in the EG world!" Pinkie exclaims, outraged over this. "Cheater!"

"Better her than you, Pinkie Freak!" Fluttershy snorts, causing Pinkie to growl.

"Next round is mine!" Rarity boasts as she came onto the stage. The last three girls growl furiously. They will show her!

"Next, Miss Applejack!" The Mayor calls out as Applejack gallops onto the stage.

"Heehaw! All righty, give me a 1,000 pounds dumbbell!" Applejack exclaims in determination, making most of everyone gasps. "What? Did Ah shudder? Git it!"

"1,000 pounds dumbbell! Got it."

"Can she lift that high?" Nyx ask her daddy in concern as she, Ben and the Dragons saw a huge dumbbell being brought onto the stage by a bunch of Pegasi, barely breathing.

"Maybe." Ben said in concern, noting the angry look on Applejack's eyes. "This contest is making her tense though."

"Hey, all contests are." Phobos remarks with a shrug.

Applejack spits on her hooves, then begins to pick up the dumbbell. The Earth Pony growls a bit, barely struggling...but she isn't going to give up or lose. Otherwise, her so-called friends will laugh behind her back or laugh at her forever!

"GRRRRRRUUUUUUGHHHHHHH!!!!!" Applejack screams as she picks up the dumbbell...and stood up on her hind legs.

The audience gasps, even the rest of the Mane Six are dumbstruck to see Applejack does what some claim to be the impossible. And they thought Big Mac was strong! The cow pony snorts a bit...then threw the dumbbell very fast.

"Incredible!" The Mayor exclaims as everyone applauds and cheers for Applejack. "Are you sure you aren't on the stuff?"

"Nope! Only liars take 'de stuff! What yew saw was pure Earth pony determination!" Applejack exclaims happily as she trots to the backstage. "Yer turn!"

Fluttershy nods as she gets called onto the stage. With permission, the yellow Pegasus pony called her animals on stage...and they all perform the audience while she conducts. The audience and judges looks amazed. They haven't seen a mare conduct a 1,000 animals in one performance so far.

Once she's done, Fluttershy and the animal bows to the applauding audience. The yellow mare giggles as she heads off stage. Looks like this show is in the bag.

"And finally, Miss Pinkie Pie." The Mayor said as Pinkie bounces onto the stage, dragging her party cannons. "Oh! And it looks like a big party for all of us!"

"More than that! I am about to fire out some party shots due to the tune of the 1812 Overture!" Pinkie exclaims with a smirk while bowing to the audience. "Gummy! The record please!"

Gummy just stood there on the record player...and fell down, turning it on. The "1812 Overture" song performs as Pinkie smiles as she fires off her party cannon, shooting out shots like mad...then things get a big crazy as some of the shots begin hitting most of the audience.

"Ouch!" Spike yelps as one shot hits him, knocking the Dragon down.

Caramel yelps as another shot knocks him down. Soarin' laughs at this, only for another shot to knock him down.

Soon Pinkie laughs insanely as she fires off her party cannons like mad, hitting various members of the audience with the judges dodging. Fred and Ed, disguised, saw some shots about to hit Chrysalis, causing them to get in the way.

"Hey, no shot hits the queen!" Fred exclaims to the shot sternly.

"Yeah!" Ed remarks. As he and Fred turns around, however, the shot hits them down instead.

"Smooth, fellows, smooth." Chrysalis remarks with a light chuckle...but yelps as another shot knocks her down.

The performance is about to come to an end...Celestia comments in amazement, "Got to say this. Pinkie's performance is a hit."

The Alicorn yelps as a shot hits her, knocking the princess down. Megan laughs, "Yeah, a direct hit!"

Once Pinkie is gone, she ceases her firing, breathing in and out while saying, "Thank you! Thank you so much..." However, the mare yelps as another shot hits the pink pony, smacking her to the stage floor.

"Well, that's about it for this portion of the show." The Mayor said with an awkward smile. "12 ponies will move. Who will they be? The results in a moment."

"The talent show is mine." Rarity said, smirking a bit. "You fiends are no match for Rarity."

"Hey! I did better than you did! All you did was a song that doesn't exist in Equestria!" Rainbow exclaims with a snort with Rarity.

"And I supposed doing a Sonic Rainboom was better?!'

"My animals and I have done well, more than you all ever did!" Fluttershy exclaims with a deep frown as Pinkie, recovered, bounces on back.

"Hey, I think I shall move on as well!" Pinkie exclaims as she joins in on the argument.

"All you did was fire off shots that gave out concussions to a lot of ponies and Spike!" Twilight snaps to Pinkie, recalling her performance. "You, moving on? In your dreams!"

"In yours!" The rest of Twilight's friends snaps out furiously to the princess.

A Changeling snickers, watching the 6 fight but it is grabbed and yanked into the shadows. We see that it is Pinkamena having it in a near death grip and she gives a dark look.

"You are going to tell me what are you and your queen doing here or I will make you into a cupcake and do not think I will not because I will." Pinkamena said darkly to the Changeling.

The changeling shivers in fear as it leans to her ear whispering. He stops as Pinkamena head bashes it, knocking the Changeling out and places him in a sitting stance. Once that's done, she walks off, now knowing what's going on here.

"Better find Pinkie Pie and tell her about this so we can plan a trap." Pinkamena declares in determination. Her friend needs some help, big time now!

Chapter 4: Stairs of Miss Broadway

The judges checked through the results then nods as Celestia stood up to make an announcement.

"Fillies and gentle-colts, the next 12 contestants to move on..." Celestia said as she reads off the list of who's moving on. "Lyra Heartstrings, Bon-Bon, Cheerilee, Mrs. Cake, Feathermay..."

"Yahoo, yeah!" Tough Apple calls from the audience, making Feathermay blush a bit.

"...and of course, the Mane Six themselves."

The audience cheers wildly as the mares moving on, smile happily....all but the Mane Six who gave each other glares. This contest will be theirs sooner or later.

"The next part will be the questions speech one." Megan said to the mares with a nod. "We'd ask ya some questions and based on your responses, we shall see who will move on."

The mares, especially the Mane Six, are a bit impatient, wondering what questions that will be asked. A few minutes seem to gone by as the mares asked what they would do to improve their town, how to help those in need, and what they will be in a few years. Just all those usual questions.

The Mane Six got through that part of the section with no problems. The questions they deal with? They are easy, though the ponies make sure to answer them without causing a fuss that could get the mares disqualified.

Soon the speech part is over as the judges look over the results to see who will advance to the finals. During this time, Pinkamena, wearing a camouflaged cloak to keep herself hidden, sneaks over to her good friend Pinkie.

Pinkamena leans to Pinkie Pie's ear as she whispers, "Changelings are responsible for what is going on. Let's get a trap set."

"One step ahead of you." Pinkie said with a whisper right back. So that's what going on! "I just need help getting it set."

"Ok let do it."

The judges stood up to make the final announcements. Megan was the first to speak, "We have our six finalists...first up....is Applejack."

"Yahoo!" Applejack exclaims, bucking her legs into the air. She made it!

Celestia then spoke up second, "Second up is....Rainbow Dash!"

"Ha! Oh yeah! Looks like you and I are gonna go at it in the big round!" Rainbow exclaims to Applejack, making her frown a bit.

"Well, ain't over until it's over, sugah cube!" Applejack snaps, snorting furiously to her rival.

"Third up....Rarity." Azure said as he reveals the next finalist to move. Rarity squeals a bit, jumping up and down in delight. "Fourth up....Pinkie Pie."

Pinkie laughs madly as she threw various cupcakes into the air, before zipping around and eating them in delight. Twilight begins to look a bit nervous, fearing that she may not make it to the finals.

Megan continues, "Fifth up....Fluttershy."

"Squee." Fluttershy said, making a shy yet happy squee. She didn't think to make it to the finals!

"And lastly....Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said with a smile. Twilight gasps and jumps up and down in delight. She made it, the mare truly made it! The Alicorn was about to hug her friends, but stops, then the princess frown as they look away from one another furiously.

"Congratulations on making it, you six, you earned it." Megan said to the Mane Six as the audience cheers excitedly for them.

"The Mane Six, of course." Spike said with a chuckle while eating some popcorn he found. "I somehow knew this will come down to this."

"To prepare you six for the final challenge to see who will be Miss Gala, we have a special event planned." Azure said sternly as he motions to something that is covered in darkness...until some spotlights appear on it.

A big bunch of stairs is nearby with the Miss Gala Tiara Crown on top. Celestia explains to the final six, "Behold! The Stairs of Miss Broadway! You must make it up the stairs and get the Miss Gala Tiara Crown to be named Miss Gala."

"Simple, but not quite." Megan said to the Mane Six in precaution. "There are setups to cause delay, so a mare has to not only be coming out in beauty & grace, but they need to have the spirit to reach big, they gotta be tough, they gotta be smart, they gotta be doing things unknown to make it through."

"All right, prepare yourselves!"

The Mane Six got into positions, looking at each other with mean glares and determination. They aren't going to let one another beat them! The crown is theirs!

"All right, get set...GO!" Azure calls out as a soldier hits the gong, signaling the final challenge.

The six mares rush up the steps, pushing one another in hopes to make it up there. Suddenly the trap step slides are activates, sliding them back. Rainbow flew up and kicks Fluttershy down as she goes upward.

"Wow! This is turning into something ugly!" Ben exclaims, cringing as some hidden gust fans blow Twilight and Applejack away, messing up with their dresses & manes.

"I know...and it looks like that isn't the half of it." Nyx said worried as Pinkie smirks wickedly, pulling out her pie cannons and opens fire.

"GAH!" Rarity screams as some of the pies hit her. The white unicorn gave an angry glare at Pinkie who sticks her tongue out. "Oh, it is on!"

Rarity screeches as she jumps up and tackles Pinkie, getting into a tussle which knocked the other mares down. Fluttershy got up and moves on, helping as some boomerang high-heel shoes came out, trying to hit her.

"Wow. The heroines of Equestria looks...tense." Megan said in concern as Rarity and Rainbow dodges mechanical hands that try to force them to wear ugly dresses.

Fluttershy saw a hidden trap door that releases traps. She smirks wickedly and communicates with them. Her former friends yelped as the rats attack them.

"Out, out, move, move, move!" Twilight snaps, using her magic to zap the rats while flying upward, pushing Fluttershy aside. Some hidden slime sprays came out and splashes the princess. "Gah!"

"Out o' mah way!" Applejack snorts furiously as she bulldozes her friends down, trying to make it to the top.

"Take this!" Rarity screeches as she knocks down Rainbow and Pinkie, trying to get to the top.

The audience and judges looks alarmed as the Mane Six are violently trying to get to the crown. This is insane! Weren't they good friends the last time that they took! Soon the Miss Gala Tiara Crown is waiting as the mares got to the top at once...and pounce at it.

Every pony yells as the contestants and the crown fell off the top of the staircase, landing on the stage floor. The Mane Six yells, fighting each other as they try to get the crown...but where is it?

"Why Mayor Mare, it looks like you have the Miss Gala Crown!" Celestia stated off in who has the crown, a non-contestant.

"Oh my!" Mayor Mare blushed in feeling rather stump that she's got the crown; makes her think she won.

"She's got the crown!" Twilight pointed out in who has the crown.

"AFTER IT!" Pinkie Pie yelled out in what she & the others gotta do.

"Oh my!" Mayor Mare suddenly sees things differently, she has the crown alright, but now six contestants want it too!

Then without warning, the Mane Six ATTACKED the mayor as they were forming a cloud in trying to get their hooves on the crown. Some heads were popping in & out as the mares were fighting to seize the crown.

"What is the meaning of this?" Azure Phoenix snapped off to say to approach the mares, trying to put an end to this insanity.

"Kapowvhmm....POWWW!" Then Pinkie's party cannon stuck out of the fighting cloud that impacted Azure Phoenix, sending him straight towards.... "GOOOOONG!" Right into a gong bell that made him wobble a bit before he fell on the ground.

"Azure....are you alright?" Celestia asked off to approach to see if the stallion was alright.

"Ah, Celestia, you’re just in time for Jasmine Tea in the Land Of Ma." Azure Phoenix spoke off in looking somewhat dizzy & dazed in having illusionary thoughts from being hit on the head by that gong bell pretty hard.

Rainbow flew after the rolling crown but Applejack knocks her down, trying to chase it via lasso. But Twilight uses her magic to levitate it over to her, but Fluttershy quickly summoned some birds who flew past it. Each time, the mares yelps in surprise and annoyance over this.

"Spike, Phobos! Help me get that crown and all my gems are ours!" Rarity calls out to the two Dragons in the audience.

"Hey, who am I to say no to that?" Phobos ask with a smirk as he and Spike left their seats to get to the stage.

"Guys, stop it, enough!" Nyx exclaims as she and Ben rushes over to put an end to this. Spike and Phobos tries to get the crown, but it kept slipping away from them.

"Twilight, girls, come on!" Ben calls out to the girls frantically. "This insanity hjas..."

"Kapowwfruvhmmm...." Then without warning, Pinkie Pie shot herself out of her cannon, catching Rarity off guard to where as she ran, the pink pony snatched the crown.

"The CROWN!" The Mane Five shouted in seeing the pink pony snatched it away.

"WAH-HOOO! I GOT IT! I GOT IT!" Pinkie Pie cheered in having obtain the crown, that means she wins, she won, she...

"KLUNKPOWFRUPHVMMM...." But then everyone cringed & yelped from when something ended up smacking right through & into a nearby wall, which in turn, was....yelp, you guess it...Pinkie Pie's front side made a huge hole imprint in where she was half stuck.

"Ooooooohhh...." Spike cringed from seeing the sight of that.

"She got it alright." Phobos responded off in seeing what Pinkie Pie got was something alright; but...not in that way.

Then without warning, the crack to the wall caused a large bell to come loose as it was falling near...Celestia's spot.

"Mom! Lookout!" Ben called out to warn his mother of what was coming at her.

"Hugh?" Celestia looked up in time, but...not quick enough before... "DUUUUUNNNGGMMMM...." The entire large bell fell right over Celestia's entire body as she heard the noise from....within. "GAAAAAUUAAAAAHHHH!" Celestia's screams from within the bell could signal that she was suffering from the loudness.

"Quick, someone get her out?" Nyx asked off as they had to quickly get her grandmother out of there.

The unicorns, even the horrified Twilight and Rarity, quickly got to work on using the magic to remove bell off of Celestia. The princess is okay but that event got her a bit dazed.

"Uuuuagh....ugh!" Now Celestia was seen falling to be unconscious after that loud encounter of a big bell of the closes kind.

Megan shakes her head, frowning as the woman turns to the Mane Six, the ones responsible for this. The Mag'ne scolds, "Well, I hope you're happy with yourselves. You let something like a crown hurt Celestia and Azure."

"Right, you're letting something ridiculous like a crown ruined your friendship!" Ben scolds as everyone moans for their loving care for Celestia. "I mean, really? What happened to playing for fun? Have you forgotten that?!"

"If being Miss Gala means something more than friendship, then none of you deserve it! You should be ashamed of acting like barbarians! Honestly!"

The Mane Six looks down, feeling ashamed of themselves. They were so determined, mad even, to win the Miss Gala contest that the mares even thrown something like friendship aside for it. The six feel like foals right about now. Everyone, almost all of them, continues moaning for their fallen ruler of Equestira.

"How lovely, what sweet, sweet, love you all have." Spoke a voice from above, as everyone turn to se some bat-like figures seen flapping off & surrounding everyone.

"The Changelings!" Twilight gasped off in seeing who was here.

"I could not ask for a better & more loving meal than this...the moanful emotions of loving a dear princess that's out cold!" Queen Chrysalis exclaimed to say this slyly in seeing how the group have made all this extra love for a single pony rose...the flavor. "It's time my servants....with Celestia & Azure Phoenix out of the way...time...to dine!" She issued this off evilly in seeing that this was a chance, to enjoy a meal setup just for them.

Then without warning, the Changelings suddenly become very active in launching themselves off to attack the innocent ponies to absorb their love from them. The Mane Six stare in shock of what was going on, with both Azure Phoenix & Celestia out cold...now they have a bigger problem to deal with....stopping hungry Changelings from feasting on their love! But question remains, can they get along long enough to do it?

Chapter 5: Big Finale

We find ourselves in a bad situation, the Miss Gala competition when from friendly to crazy, then two judges got knock out, & now Changelings are attacking the crowds to steal their love. This situation was not turning out to be so swell for the Mane Six that got so hooked on winning, that they felt partly responsible for much of this outbreak.

"You six are so easy to fool, you see those that look like you, talk like you, & believe them to be the real deal!" Queen Chrysalis explained off with a cocky attitude in how she fooled the Mane Six into thinking the other was badmouthing the other.

"Wait a second...you’re not saying that you..." Twilight gasped off in realizing something, the Changelings that can morph into anyone...did they...

"Broke up your little gang, correct...you were all so easily fooled to thinking the other one didn't care about you or thought you had what it takes to win." Queen Chrysalis exclaimed to say with a sly tone that she & her minions made it easy to make each of the Mane Six feel like the other didn't believe in them & break their friendship apart within the competition.

"Our queen knew that you six would get in the way, so we took this competition into our own hands. And made it so you were at each other's throats." Seto smiled forth in stating this claim about what was done to benefit them with the mares distracted.

"Then you’re saying....you made them believe that they didn't care for another & had them fight each other?" Spike stated off in seeing what the enemy did, they force their friends to go at each other.

"Dude, that's harsh stuff." Phobos stated off in thinking that was harsh stuff to pull.

"Yep!" Fred replied off in response.

"Sure is!" Ed nodded off in agreement there.

"You all work so well together, but when you’re divided, then you will be....conquered!" Queen Chrysalis exclaimed this claim of what will happen to those that are divided that aren't united.

"Of course. It all makes sense. The changelings disguised themselves as us and got us fighting mad at each other." Twilight groans, slapping herself on the face. The Princess of Friendship can't believe that she didn't realize this until now!

"Well, duh! That was revealed all the way back in chapter 2.” Pinkie remarks, rolling her eyes a bit.

"So, the six of us go after Chrysalis herself while the rest of Ponyville deals with her army?" Rainbow ask in concern, noting how those who weren't attacked are fighting back against the Changelings.

"Makes sense 'ta me. I mean, it worked against 'de Nightmare Forces." Applejack said, recalling a similar strategy.

"I don't like recalling that one, but it IS a valid point. I mean, our beloved home town is hardly defenseless, so they can definitely handle the Changeling mooks long enough for us to deal with the big mare herself." Rarity said, not liking the incident when she was turned evil for a while.

"Okay, friends again?" Fluttershy ask her friends with a smile.

"Friends." The Mane Six said, putting their hooves into the center and raise them up.

The mares charge against Chrysalis who fires her attacks at them. Six Changelings were abut to attack the Mane Six but were sent back by chain blades as Pinkamena comes out of the shadow.

"You six need to end this! The Changelings caused you all to fight, now focus all your hate to them and their Queen." Pinkamena said sternly. "Also, big fat queen, I did not forget what you did to my brother!"

"Like I care!" Chrysalis sneers as she dodges the ponies who tried to get her. Rainbow zooms at the Changeling but she moves and kicks her down.

"Help, help, help!" The CMC cries out as they run from some Changelings trying to get them.

"Hands off the fillies!" Ben exclaims as he fires some arrows, sending the enemies back before flying in and pulling the ponies out of the way.

Nyx transforms into her Battle Mode and fires her magic, taking down the Changelings though more keep coming back in and tackling the Alicorn to the ground.

"Father, help!" Adult Nyx calls out to Ben who saw his daughter under attack.

"Wait up, Nyx!" Ben exclaims as he flies in, but the Changelings pounce onto him and the CMC. "Whoa!"

"Take this!" Spike exclaims as he kicks at one Changeling then send fire breath at the other. "I didn't learn those moves for nothing!"

"Stupid Dragon!" Fred laughs as he hits Spike, knocking him to the ground. The Changeling and his pal Ed begins pummeling him. "And here we thought it was gonna be hard!"

"Whoa, love can be a pain!" Ed remarks stupidly.

Twilight fires her Unicorn Burst at Chrysalis who manages to knock it aside before firing a bolt at the Alicorn, sending her right into Applejack and Rarity. Pinkie frowns as she fires from her party cannon but kept missing.

"Stand still, you ugly bug!" Pinkie exclaims furiously to the enemy.

Fluttershy say, "It's over, Chrysalis. We have you outnumbered six to one and we are NOT falling for any of your tricks this time." Chrysalis snarls at the yellow Pegasus pony however, causing her to squeak and hid behind Twilight. "Err, if you don't mind."

"Stab, stab, stab, stab!" Pinkamena exclaims, throwing knives at the Changelings but they kept dodging. The alternative universe of our favorite pink pony knocks her down.

"Pinkamena!" Megan exclaims in alarm. She scrambles in trying to get the Rainbow of Light out, but more Changelings knock her down. "Help!"

The crowds are having trouble fighting back. With the love being sucked out, the Changelings will get a win for sure this time!

"You may as well surrender, we have feast on all of the love in the room. You had no hope of victory." Queen Chrysalis exclaimed that the heroes had no hope of winning, from the exhausted crowds, they lost a lot of their love.

"Oh no, this is terrible, if they continue, then they'll even get the greatest love I have waiting behind that safe there!" Pinkie Pie clapped her forehead in fearing what will happen if nothing is done soon.

That announcement caught everyone's attention, but it also did the same for the enemies.

"What do you mean, greatest love?" Seto raised an eyebrow in being curious now.

"Um, nothing?" Pinkie Pie sheepishly smiled in trying to cover up her mistake.

"Don't sound like nothing." Fred stated off in what they heard.

"Sounds like something." Ed nods off in agreement here.

"Tell me this greatest love you hid! Do it now before I suck yours dry & you become a prune!" Queen Chrysalis approached the pink pony to threaten her to talk or she'll take her love until she is as scrawny as an old mare.

"Well...since you put it that way, it's right behind that curtain where the safe is, I was gonna present what's there after the Miss Gala." Pinkie Pie gave in to point to a wall which the Changligns moved a curtain to reveal...a safe.

"Yes....come my servants, the greatest love now is but beyond this point!" Queen Chrysalis exclaimed to say this in seeing their trumpet as they all entered the open safe...

"Pinkie, what were you thinking?" Rarity exclaimed that her friend just insure the villains victory.

"Relax, it's all good." Pinkie Pie waved off in being easy-going suddenly.

"But, you said that was where the greatest love you have is." Fluttershy raised an eyebrow in recalling what her friend said.

"It is, & it's....my BIGGEST YET!" Pinkie Pie spoke to shut the safe which caused a fake wall decoration to fall off to reveal a large chimney like structure in what looks like... "A fireworks cannon to celebrate the victory of Miss Gala!"

"Okay, how the heck did she get THAT here?" Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow in seeing this.

"Yer guess is as good as mine." Applejack shook her head off in not knowing herself.

"I guess that's what makes Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie." Twilight shrug off to simply say this about letting their pink friend be...well, herself; random.

"And now to sign off the Miss Gala event with a big...BANG!" Pinkie Pie smiled forth to say this before pressing a big 'LAUNCH' button on the side to seal the deal.

"POWFRUVHMMM...." Then without warning, the chimney structure's top fired off a huge firework beam right into the air, but there was more... "AAAAARRUUUAAAARRRGHHHHH!" Queen Chrysalis & all of her Changelings were either screaming or hissing as they were in the ride launch of their lives until... "Bang-Kupow-Kupowfruvhmmm.../Waaaaaaughhhh...." The blast imploded into a million tiny shots scattering across the skies as many of the Changelings were scatter across Equestria screaming in defeat...With that, everyone that was weaken felt their lost love return to them to stare up in watching the firework display...

"Now I wish we'd done that sooner!" Spike exclaims in amazement.

"Yeah, but the author needed more time to put the rest of the suggestions in, so to speak." Pinkie said, making her pals chuckles a bit. That Pinkie Pie.

Author's Note

The day is saved, thank goodness. The final chapter is coming up but who will be the new Miss Gala is not any of the Mane Six? Read, review and suggest.

This chapter references the "Nightmare Rarity" arc of the MLP comic.

Epilogue: The Miss Gala

With the Changelings defeated, things are going back to normal in Ponyville, or what's close to it anyway. The ponies are recovering while helping one another out.

Pinkamena slowly gets up and shakes getting dust off of herself. She scowls, "Those Changelings only beat us because of the love they fed off of...............next time, they ever decide to come back, they will not be so lucky."

She walks to Megan and helps her on her feet. The woman sighs, "Thanks, are you hurt?"

"It would take much more than some bugs to hurt me.............even fueled with love, they could not even do any real damage. Their queen maybe.................but she be REALLY in a lot of pain by then but let us go make sure the others are ok."

"Alright."

The Mane Six meanwhile check to make sure one another is all right. They felt bad because this whole mess is partly their fault due to their silly arguing and fighting.

Applejack groan and comment, "Ah can't believe we let those changelings trick us like that. How stupid could we be?"

"Do you need an answer?" Phobos ask Applejack with a smile, making the cowpony scowl at him. "Forget I ask."

"Good!"

Twilight comment, "Odd. By now, we should be familiar with the Changelings' tactics to see their scheme coming a mile away, but we were suckered in just the same."

Pinkie comment, "Well, it would have ruined the script for us to see through Chrysalis's scheme too quickly, despite past experiences with her and her minions."

"For once, Pinkie, I am too upset with how we act to even comment." Rainbow said with a groan of embarrassment. "Girls, I am so sorry. I wasn't loyal to you, I let this silly contest get to my head."

"Shoot, Ah was a bad friend." Applejack said, putting her hat over her chest in embarrassment and guilt. "Ah wasn't honest."

"I wasn't generous to my friends." Rarity said, feeling bad too.

"Oh dear, I wasn't so kind." Fluttershy said, close to collapsing.

"And I don't find this funny, not at all." Pinkie said, close to crying...then she broke into tears. "Ooooh, my poor, poor friends."

"Wow, at least you girls learned your lesson...wait, mom!" Ben gasps as he gallops over to Celestia who is recovering from what happened earlier. "Mother, are you okay?"

Celestia, being helped up, wakes up and groans over the headache she has gotten, "Ugh, what happened? Did something happen my little ponies?"

"It's a long, & frankly ugly story." Rainbow said, feeling a bit guilty and embarrassed over the fact that the girls' fighting has caused Celestia and Azure to be knocked out for a while.

Azure, the next to wake up, felt his forehead with a hoof, demanding, "Ugh, well while I like to hear it, can someone tell me....WHO was it that fired a cannon at me & knock me out right into a gong bell?"

"Ugh...." Pinkie said nervously, feeling a bit guilty as she rose a hoof to answer Azure's question. Boy, is this mare is in trouble!

Or not as Rarity spoke up to plead to the Lord of the Land of Ma, "Azure Phoenix, please don't be mad at Pinkie Pie? When we're all to blame."

"Rarity's right; them Changelings were yankin' our chains." Applejack admits, accepting the blame as well.

"Changelings you say?" Azure ask, arching an eyebrow in curiosity yet interest.

"Yes, we all saw & heard, Queen Chrysalis tricked them into thinking the other one said something to make them be competitive." Megan explains the situation to both Celestia and Azure.

"So in truth, they didn't really know what was going on & really thought the other was not their friend no more." Ben said, getting to that last as well.

"I feel just awful about what happened." Fluttershy said, close to crying. "I mean, I even told rats to attack my friends...that wasn't very nice at all!"

"I feel even more terrible, as the Princess of Friendship, I should have known my real friends would never badmouth me...not after everything we been through." Twilight said, feeling her ears going down a bit for how she acted or misjudge her own friends.

"Hey, come on Twilight! So, you got a little carried away." Spike said, chuckling to assure Twilight that nothing is entirely her or the others' fault. The group just got carried away, that's all.

"You call fighting dirty & trying to drag us into their game a little carried away?" Phobos ask, a bit irritated at Spike, recalling how the Mane Six got dragged into the others' pointless bickering.

"Phobos!" Nyx scolds Phobos for saying that to Spike.

"What? It's true, right?"

"Well..."

Twilight sighs as she patted her daughter on the head, "Its fine Nyx..." Phobos has made a point and it's the right one, even if it's harsh, it's true. The Mane Six has dragged everypony else into their competing and fighting that it wasn't even funny. She comment to Megan, "You were right. NONE of us deserve the title. It doesn't matter that we were tricked. We STILL let our competition get the better of us."

"Well, glad you learned that." Megan said, proud that her pony friends have learned their lesson of letting competitions get the best of them.

"You know, as being as awesome it be to become Miss Gala, I should have been loyal to stick with my friends who wanted it more than me." Rainbow said as she learned her lesson to just be loyal to her friends than herself.

Applejack nodded as she said to her pals in agreement, "An ye know, in all honesty, Ah didn't think Ah be cut up fer de title. Besides, it's more in truth ta try bein' supportive ta a friend ye feel deserves it."

"I quite agree, someone deserving of the Miss Gala. Though, in a more generous sense, it's more better to give than to receive when you don't want to hog the spotlight from a friend." Rarity said, being her generous self.

"I know that being Miss Gala be like a big party to celebrate, but...there's not much laughter involve by yourself unless you have happy pals to be with." Pinkie said as she gave Fluttershy a hug, making her squee a bit.

"I know that in such times, most ponies feel happiness when they win, but...unless you show them the kindness they showed you, well...then, it's not very kind to trample over one's feelings." Fluttershy said meekly while smiling a bit.

"Magic is something that has always been there for us, but sometimes...the real magic isn't from one's books or spells, or even from their horns to cast them. The real magic...is having the magic of friendship keep ours healthy & strong." Twilight said with a smile to her big friends.

"I just wanna say that I'm glad you all managed to get over this silly contest & regain your friendship." Ben said with a smile, proud that his girlfriend and her friends has gotten over this nonsense.

"Silly?" The Mane Six snaps at Ben making him yelp a bit.

"Ugh, okay...correction, I'm glad you recovered & not let things end up badly."

'Right, it's no fun when you’re not all getting along." Spike said in agreement. The baby Dragon likes it when the girls don't fight like this.

"Especially when we end up being stuck in the middle of it." Phobos remarks, still bitter about that.

"Oh Phobos." Nyx said, rolling her eyes at this. Typical!

"I'm just glad to have my friends again." Twilight said, happy that she and her friends are back together once more.

Applejack chuckles in agreement, "Ah agree wit' ye there Twilight."

"Yep, I'm in too!" Rainbow exclaims, throwing a foreleg into the air excitedly.

"Me three!" Pinkie exclaims happily, bouncing up and down and with her mane and tail back to its poofy like style.

"And me!" Fluttershy exclaims happily yet quietly at the same time.

"Oh, this calls for a group hug!" Rarity said with an approving smile.

The Mane Six happily hug each other, like what happened upon realizing that Rainbow's Sonic Rainboom was the reason that they became future friends. Most of everyone smiles, happy that the heroines of Equestria had learned their lesson about letting this go too far.

"Well now, this is certainly something to see." Celestia said with a warm smile, proud that her fellow princess and her friends had reconciled.

Megan nodded in agreement as she said to her adopted filly daughter, "I agree Celestia; they know what's most important."

"Well...I suppose it's never too late to learn over one's mistakes." Azure admits. Even he got to admit, the lord knows that even the best of friends and learn their mistakes.

"Attention everyone, we have come to decision of who the next Miss Gala will be. And it's..." Celestia said that, despite the fact of what happened, everyone must now declare a winner.

The ponies and everyone else snapped to attention as a drumroll is heard playing. Twilight said to her friends, "Listen, even if none of us wins or not...I got you as my friends, that’s my real prize.”

"Right, you are my real prizes as well." Rainbow said in agreement with her fellow Council member.

"Well, this is a big surprise...we got a six way tie for the first time!" Megan announces with a smile as she motions to the Mane Six. "The Mane Six!"

The Mane Six looks surprised as most of everyone applauded for the ponies. The Mayor held out a crown as well as five extras as she said, "Congratulations, Princess Twilight and friends."

"I don't understand." Fluttershy said puzzled as the crowns are put onto their heads. "We had shown bad sportsmanship and poor friendship."

"Shoot, we done don't deserve 'dis title." Applejack said in bewilderment and confusion. The Mane Six are all Miss Gala despite the behavior they'd shown.

Celestia trots up to the six as she explains gently, "You have shown true friendship in knowing it's better to help a friend reach a dream than just doing it for one's own self. You had learned a lesson in friendship."

"And for that, you are all Miss Gala of Friendship." Azure said, giving a salute to the Mane Six."

"Well, congratulations, girls! Feel proud?" Ben ask the Mane Six as he hugs Twilight who gave him a warm smile.

Nyx gallops over and jumps onto Twilight's back, giggling. The Alicorn smiles to her friends, saying, "Never better."

And thus, a lesson in friendship has been learned today, one that hopefully the Elements of Harmony will never forget for a very long time...

Meanwhile, back at Hayseed Swamp, the Changelings were seen licking their wounds after having been yet again, defeated by their mortal enemies. And Queen Chrysalis looked so steam even without the burn marks she & the rest got, thanks to Pinkie Pie's little LOVE Cannon.

"Who in Equestria ever heard about a cannon that contains love?" Queen Chrysalis protest out in not believing that Pinkie Pie could have something so...random.

"Um, isn't it like a love gun?" Fred asked off that idea.

"Or maybe it's like a love arrow?" Ed also spoke something out.

"You two are so stupid, it's amazing how you think of such things!" Seto held his head in feeling that this was just too much.

"Ohhhh.....someday, one of these days...I will overpower those fools!" Queen Chrysalis growls in frustration that she will settle this matter, someday in the future.

"Really?" Ed asked this off surprised.

"How?" Fred asked this question next.

"Yes, my queen, do tell." Seto nods of in being curious about the topic himself in how that can be done.

"I may not have the answer....yet!" Queen Chrysalis exclaimed off to say this while looking off at her reflection. "But someday...I will obtain power to which they will learn to FEAR me! And I will get my revenge on Twilight Sparkle...& all of her friends!" She issued this off in being so close to wanting revenge, that she will stop at nothing to achieve it...

Far from away from the Changelings' little base, someone was spying them from the shadows. And from the shadows, someone merge out to take on physical form, none other than the fearsome masked stallion of mystery, the Equestrian Eliminator, an agent of Grimmore, the known Demon God.

"Agent 13, report." A male voice on the com-link spoke up to contact the agent in the area.

"The Changelings have been defeated. By the sounds of it, they appear to be desperate for a win." The Equestrian Eliminator reported this matter of what was going on about the Changelings current position.

"That will be all the more reason to find a use for them later, come back afterwards." The male responder on the other side replied back before hanging up, as the masked stallion looked across the distance.

"Looks like Twilight's group have push them into the moment where they will become useful pawns for the Three Lords, & by that...the one who reigns supreme above the rest. Lord Grimmore..." Equestrian Eliminator stated off in seeing what sort of newfound trouble the Mane Six will soon be getting in as the Changelings may become useful in serving his lord & master, the Demon God that all of Equestria fears.

Soon the Equestrian Eliminator vanishes in his shadows in the blink of an eye. Leaving many questions left to wonder in just what sort of dark shadowy futures await for those ahead? That remains to be a mystery for the future...to be untold at a later time....

The End for now

Author's Note

Major Cast List
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle
Ashleigh Ball: Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie
Andrea Libman: Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Pinkamena Diane Pie
Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity, Adult Nyx, Derpy Hooves
Cathy Weseluck: Spike the Dragon, Mayor Mare
Jason Marsden: Ben Mare
Daveigh Chase: Nyx
Chris Sanders: Phobos the Dragon
Nicole Oliver: Princess Celestia
Kath Soucie: Megan Richards
Doyglas Rye: Azure Phoenix
Kathleen Barr: Queen Chrysalis
Eric Stuart: Seto the Changeling, Ed the Changeling
Rob Paulsen: Fred the Changeling

Minor Cast List
James Arnold Taylor: Fred Flintstoneward
Matt Hill: Soarin'
Kazumi Evans: Rarity (Singing Voice)
Scott McNeil: Tough Apple
Michelle Creber: Apple Bloom
Claire Corlett: Sweetie Belle
Madeline Peters: Scootaloo
Yuri Lowenthal The Equestrian Eliminator

Well, the Mane Six has definitely learned a lesson there, but there's more trouble on the occasion. For now, here's the next fic...

"Making Amends: A short story. After learning of Diamond Tiara's recent change of heart, Brave Heart comes to town, hoping to apologize to her again and hoping that she'll find it in her heart to forgive him this time after the way he treated her. Will the former bully forgive the Trottish warrior? Or will Maxin Talos get in the way? "

Looks like a story that involves Brave Heart and Diamond Tiara. Looks promising. Read, review and suggest.

A Foreshadowing of a future story towards 'The Equestrian Eliminator' is noted here in this chapter.