The General

Chapter 2

At the Gala

I woke up early the next morning cause I had to stop by Rarity's and pick up my new suit. I was trying no to over panic cause I wanted to get to Canterlot within a reasonable time and not be fashionably late. So I drove down the road trying to go fast but not to fast cause I didn’t want to accidently hit somepony. I finally arrived at my destination. I stop the wagon jumped out as quick as a flash and ran through the door.

“Rarity are you here.” I yelled a little loudly

Rarity came out from behind her changing stand dressed in a beautiful new dress that made me speechless

“Whatever is the matter darling?” she asked

“I came as fast as I could, cause you said my suit would be ready”

“Oh of course I have it right here” she said levitating my outift off one of her shelves and into my hands.

“Oh boy thanks for taking some time to make this Rarity, I know you’ve been busy making new gowns for you and your friends”

“Oh no it’s quite alright, I hope to see you at gala” Rarity said

Rarity then made quite a shocked look like she had forgotten something

“Ahh oh no, I promised to meet twilight at the castle for the carriage ride ” she said walking towards the door

She opened the door and was immediately greeted by Applejack.

“Applejack what in Equestria are you doing here?” She asked

“I came by to say that the stallions that were suppose to pull our carriage weren’t feeling well so no pony can get us too the gala”

Rarity was shocked beyond compare

“Of all the worst things that could happen this is thee…..WORST…..POSSIBLE….THING.” She said before falling on her drama couch.

I just stood there watching this series of unfortunate events unfold before me but then a I had an idea. I ran behind Rarities changing stand and quickly put on my suit. Rarity and AJ just stood by as I threw on my suit in no time, expect for the bowtie and don’t know how to put one on.

“Ladies” I said “Will you allow me to drive to gala”

I gave a small bow but that seemed to make both of them happy. Rarity grabbed and hugged me real tight.

“Oh Richard you’re a lifesaver” she said

“There’s no time to waste meet me at Twilight's castle, ill be there shortly.” I said running out the door and driving as fast as I could toward Twilight's castle. By the time I got there all mane six including spike, the cutie mark crusaders and the dreadful discord were standing waiting for me

“Well its about time your got here, I was getting rather bored” He said

“Well if you have any way to get us there faster then I suggest you keep your comments to yourself” I said

Discord just turned his head with a grump look on his face.

“Now now no reason to get at angry” Fluttershy said

Rainbow Dash on thee other hand flew up and hugged me as well.

“Man Rich it’s been awhile, haven’t seen you in like forever” she said

“Sorry dash I’ve been rather busy these days”

“Yeah dashy Rich’s been helping all the towns ponies whenever something breaks, why just the other he came by sugar cube corner and helped fix up the kitchen little and I haven’t stopped baking since then” Pinkie said

“Heh I guess you’re really popular with everypony then” Dash said

“I try my best”

I attached Twilight’s party wagon to mine and soon we were off to the gala. I pulled the lever and soon my steam wagon started chugging along at a seemingly fast pace. We traveled up the mountains and around winding passes and soon I could see Canterlot in the distance. I pulled up in front and parked my wagon on the side of the road where other ponies in horse drawn carriages were being dropped off. I jumped out and opened Twilights carriage door and let out my passengers. Discord being the pessimist had to complain again

“Geez it’s cramped in there” he said stretching he body

“Well, maybe if you shrunk yourself down a bit maybe you would fit” I said taking off my coat, hat, goggles and gloves.

“I do have to say your motor wagon is quite intriguing.” he said looking at it with those weird eyes

“Touch that wagon and your dead.” I said walking toward the Gala. I met up with the others as we stood waiting to be announced.

“Announcing Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends” the butler pony said

All the ponies in the room looked and clapped for Twilight

As the girls went by I stepped up next to be announced

“Your name sir” he said as he looked at me with a weird look in his eye

“Uh oh yeah” I said pressing the medallion on my chest transforming me into a pony

“Is that better?”

“Quite, your names please” he asked

“Uh Richard Smith” I said

He turned to face the crowd of ponies that were inside the Gala

“Announcing the Great Alien Richard Smith”

All of them looked at me but didn't clap and just went about their business

“Way to be Racist,” I said to myself before walking in to meet my friends

“Sorry Richard there are still some ponies that are still getting used to the whole human in Equestria thing”

“Ah its alright just as long as the don’t run me out of town” I said

They all gave a soft chuckle

"I must say Rich you do look rather handsome in that suit” Aj said

I couldn’t help but blush a little still in my pony form

“Well thanks.” I said, “Now lets have some fun”

Before the festivities began we were greeted by none other the Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. All of us bowed in front of them

“There’s no need to be so formal.” Celestia said

“Well you are a princess after all and I don’t want to be disrespectful.” I said

She just smiled at me

“Oh Richard your so thoughtful, how are things in PonyVille” she asked

“Oh you know same stuff different day fixing this tweaking that, eh a job is a job.” I said

Celestia nodded her head

“I understand how you feel, so how are you enjoying the Gala so far" she said

"It's definitely what i expected it to be, very formal other than the fact that i don't have a date with me its very pleasant"

"Celestia looked at me with a grin

“Then perhaps you can help my sister, this is her first time at the gala as well and maybe you can show her around”

Luna was a little shy and I was blushing cause Luna is my favorite princess.

“Uh I uh um okay I said” shaking nervously

“This shall be an interesting night to remember” Luna said walking up too me

“Yeah I hope so too” I said with a knot in my stomach

“You guys go mingle the Princess and I are gonna make sure this gala stays on schedule and doesn't fall apart like the last few times” Twilight said

With that all of us made our way to the grand hall where ponies, in all kinds of outfits stood, and food filled the room.

“Shall we get something to eat” Luna said

“Sure” walking up to the table of food. I looked at all the deserts, appetizers, vegetables and zero meat. I was going to go crazy, it has bee so long since I’ve had a hamburger, or a hot dog, or a chicken anything it was driving me nuts.

“Boy I would kill for a chicken sandwich from the BK lounge right now” I said under my breath

“What was that.” she asked

“Oh nothing im just gonna get something to drink” I said walking towards the punch bowl

My nerves were on edge and my stomach felt sour like I was gonna throw up so I drank some punch to try to settle my stomach. The punch was good it tasted like apple cider with a faint taste of alcohol.

“Well, i'm might as well get little drunk while i'm here” gulping my cup down and eating a few appetizers.

I walked back to Luna who was waiting for me

“Richard are you alright? She asked

I was a little tipsy but I was able to function properly

“Yeah I (hic) i'm fine, i'm a (hic) a little better” I said

“Well then shall we dance” she said

“oh I uh (hic) I don’t know how to dance”

“Nonsense” she said grabbing my hoof and pulling towards the dance floor

The musical accompaniment was nice classical music, Other ponies were dancing as Luna spun me around holding me close as we danced to the music. Twirling around and around I was getting a little bit dizzy I as looked at Luna as we danced when I felt something in my stomach, something bad. I let go of her holding onto my stomach in agony

“Is something wrong Richard” she said all concerned

I just looked up at her and said “Nope…Eeyup”

Here it comes, I ran over to the nearest balcony and threw my head over the side and it all just flowed out, some out it even came out of my nose. After it stopped I was in a panic hoping no pony got covered in my vomit. No but the unfortunate side was there were a lot of other ponies outside that saw the whole thing. I immediately became embarrassed dangling over the railing. I turned to run away when Luna stopped me for a brief moment. She looked all sad like she did something wrong

“Was it something I did.” she asked

I just felt terrible literally and figuratively, I threw up at a really nice party and embarrassed myself in front of everypony. I just ran away someplace where no pony could find me. I ran into the library and began to cry a little bit, this night was a complete disaster for me. The door opened and in walked Celestia

“Are you alright Richard?”

I sucked up my sorrow in order to talk properly to the Princess

“Not really” I said sulking

“My sister was worried about you like she did something wrong”

“No it wasn’t Luna’s fault I must have had to much to drink and my nerves got the better of me and then I end up embarrassing myself, this is
worst Gala I’ve ever experienced”

“Not every gala is perfect but i'm sure if you give it another chance i'm sure it'll work out" she said putting her hoof on my shoulder

"Come my sister is waiting” she said

“Yeah I suppose” I got back up when I noticed a closed book on the table. It was an old copy of the same book I read yesterday at Twilights.

Curiosity got the better of me as we left the library, I couldn’t help but bring it up to Celestia.

“So what ever happened to this General Fall?” I asked

Celestia stopped with a despair look on her face, she then began walking again

“Why do you ask?”

“Well I read it in a history book but I never heard about it until then so I was curious as what happened between the two of you” I asked

To me it seemed like a touching subject and I didn’t mean to bring up any sad memories

“Uh forget it, sorry I didn’t want to…”

“General Fall was once named Magenta Nightfall, and yes she was a student of mine but the constant learning of magic and power consumed her to the point where she became powerful enough to overthrow me and my sister. She eventually rages war with us using her magic she made soldiers ponies using clockwork and gears to make them come alive. So my sister and I used the elements of harmony to seal her and her army away in her journal. Afterward we placed the journal far far into the Everfree forest where no pony could find and uncover it. Who knows what could happened if she somehow found a way to escape”

“Well, that’s pretty deep i'm sorry I brought it up.” I said

“It is fine oh here take this,” she said handing me a small little bottle

“What’s this?”

“It will help with your nerves and your stomach”

I didn’t question it; I opened the small bottle and swallowed its mystic contents, my stomach hurt for a moment and then it instantly felt better. These magical remedies work a lot better than medicine from my world and they taste better too.

“Thanks princess I definitely need that”

“Now shall we return to the gala.” Celestia said

We made our way back to the grand hall where twilight and her friends were waiting. I walked in and saw Luna waiting for me as well

“So about that, I just had to much to drink, don't blame yourself” I said

“It’s alright it happens to every pony” Luna said

“Now that lets get this par-tay started” Pinkie said

Pinkie then went up on stage whipped out some DJ equipment, sub-woofers and Vinyl Scratch and started playing some sick beats. Everypony in the room started dancing including Luna and me. Even after what I experience this Gala won’t easily be forgotten.