Sunset was about to head out to train with Dash when a Spike burped up a letter, she frowned as it read

Dear Sunset

I have sent this in the hopes you will join me at the Grand Galloping Gala, I have sent two tickets for you and your marefriend as well as a single ticket for a friend. I hope you are enjoying your life in Ponyville.

From Princess Celestia

Cloud groaned “Urghh, the Gala. I remember be on guard duty a few times. The nobles are the most stuck up bastards one could meet” she then shook her head “Any idea on who you’re giving the third ticket to?”

Sunset frowned “I will need to speak to Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy before I make a choice. Rainbow first, she is the most reasonable of the five.”

Cloud nodded “Since you have been training her she has become a lot more focused and disciplined, she helps out on Applejack’s farm often.”

Sunset smiled as passed two of the tickets to Cloud “Can you take care of these two tickets, they are ours so there is not reason to carry them around.” Sunset put on a brown leather jacket before running out the door towards the Ghastly Gorge.

She arrived to see Rainbows Dash practising with a knife, she called out to Rainbow “I need to discuss something with you?!”

Rainbow stopped and flew over “Did something happen? Are you going on a mission?”

Sunset shook her head “It’s something far more mundane, I got three tickets for the Grand Galloping Gala, one for me, one for Cloud and another for somepony of my choosing. I was planning ask every member of our group for why they want to go.”

Rainbow nodded “We I would love to show what you’ve taught me to the Wonderbolts, still I feel we should ask the others first. Personally I think Pinkie will want to go because well to her it’s a party and Rarity would love it, she does enjoy higher class functions and this is the largest one in Equestria. As for Applejack and Fluttershy they may want to go but I don’t know why.”

Sunset grinned “That is rather good assessment, I’m glad you have picked up some assessment skills.”

Rainbow frowned “Reading somepony doesn’t change to much whether of in conversation or in a fight everypony has a tell, you just have to pick up on them. We should visit Applejack next.”

Sunset nodded “I agree.”

The pair arrived at the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack smiled “Sunset, Rainbow Dash It’s good to see you two. I thought you were training today.”

Sunset explained the situation to Applejack, Applejack smiled “Ah’d love to go to the Gala, the business Ah could drum up means that Ah can fix our old roof and replace our old plough, not to mention Granny Smith’s hips have been playing up somethin’ fierce so the extra bits means we can afford the reconstruction.”

Sunset sighed “I hate to burst your bubble Applejack but what food you make here would be rarely seen by anypony at the Gala. A lot of the Gala food is for quick eating between the political manoeuvring the nobles are doing, even Celestia gets caught up in politics at the Gala.”

Applejack slumped “Darn it, Ah thought Ah could really make some bits” she then took a deep breath “Thanks for telling me Sunset, Ah would have been mighty disappointed at the Gala.”

Rainbow nodded “That might be true for me as well actually, the nobles will take up quite a bit of the Wonderbolts time.”

Sunset frowned “I should go and ask Rarity. She probably would love the Gala one way or the other.”

Applejack smiled “Good luck.”

Rainbow and Sunset waved goodbye as they were leaving. On the way back into town a pink blur slammed into Sunset the Gala ticket landing on her muzzle,she smiled “Did you get this Gala ticket for me?”

Sunset frowned as the pink party pony began singing, one song later Sunset took back the ticket “I haven’t decided yet, also Pinkie it isn’t a really fun party, it’s just ponies standing there and before you ask if you try to have it fun everypony will be angry there. Very few of them are there for fun and most of them hate each other.”

Pinkie deflated slightly but still smiled “I understand, it’s not the me kind of party. Thanks for the explanation.”

Sunset was about to reply when Rarity arrived “I heard you had a spare ticket for the Grand Galloping Gala. I would love to go, I could meet my true love and…”

Sunset facehooved “You’re one of those ponies Prince Blueblood told me about” she took a deep breath “Rarity do you even know who he is other than he is a prince.”

Rarity frowned “No, why are you asking?”

Sunset grimaced “Do you know hoe many ponies throw themselves at him because he is a prince, thousands and you will be just another mare in that category to him. I’m sure you will enjoy the party but don’t go for that reason.”

Rarity paused as she thought about what she said and then gasped “Oh, I never thought about it that way! I need think about this.”

Rainbow shrugged as Rarity left “Well I guess we could ask Fluttershy”

Fluttershy smiled “Ask me what?”

Sunset smiled “Do you want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?”

Fluttershy’s smiled widened “Well not the Gala but the garden outside of the castle, there are quite a few animals there.”

Sunset nodded “I could take you up there anytime, and the Gala would be a poor time as all the noise would make them extra skittish.”

Fluttershy smiled “I’d like that, thanks Sunset.”

Rainbow frowned “Well what’s your answer?”

Sunset shrugged “Probably just send them back, I don’t exactly want to go there and I doubt Cloud does either.”

Rainbow nodded “I suppose that’s fair, anyway I will get back to training. I hope you’ll join me soon.” Sunset nodded as Rainbow took off.

Sunset returned to Cloud’s home, Spike frowned as Sunset took a seat at a desk with a quill and parchment“Are you writing a letter?”

Sunset frowned “You burped up a letter while you were sleeping, I need you to send this to Celestia.” Spike frowned as he rad it

Dear Celestia

I apologise but I have decided we’re not going to the Gala. I have never been a fan of it and neither is Cloud. Also most of our friends wouldn’t enjoy it.

From Sunset Shimmer

Sunset put the tickets in the letter and Spike sent it with a burst of green fire. Cloud frowned as she flew down the stairs “Did you send the tickets back?”

Sunset was about to nod when Spike burped up a letter, he read it out loud

Dear Sunset Shimmer

I understand the Gala isn’t what your or your friends would usually consider as fun but I would appreciate it if you all came. Besides your presence may throw some of those stuffy nobles off their game and it will make the Gala more fun

From Celestia

Sunset laughed “It seems the Princess wants us to cause some chaos at the Gala, that I’m sure we can do.”

Cloud grinned “That sounds like fun but let’s not tell Rarity.”

Spike who was grinning “Should we start planning?” The other two nodded with a grins on their muzzles, this year’s Gala would be a stir.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.