Author's Note

Thanks to Wolfram-and-Hart for the amazing quotes suggestions in this chapter

The Black Prom Pt 1

The time had finally come for the event many people have been waiting for while it was one the Mane Six and Spike had been dreading: Prom Night. Currently, the Mane Six were with Sue in her room preparing for prom. The other day at the dress shop, Rarity helped Carrie pick out some wonderful fabric to make her own prom dress, while picking up supplies to make dresses for herself and the girls. She slaved all night to create a wonderful ensemble of prom dresses and she certainly outdone herself with how well they turned out.

“Dang Rarity, you really outdid yourself, didn’t you?” Rainbow admired.

“I always do darling, always do,” Rarity smirked, admiring her own dress.

“Ooh… all this dress is missing are a few giant cupcakes and loooooooots of sprinkles!” Pinkie giggled. “And then I’ll be just like Katie Perry!”

Everyone looked toward Pinkie Pie with such confusion, while the pink party girl just admired her appearance. The more and more they hung out with the wacky party pony, the less and less things make sense. But they let her have her say, as they all continued to get ready. It was at that moment the door opened and in walked in Sue Snell. Her long blonde hair was beautifully curled, and she was decked out in a beautiful red dress. The girls all took a good look at the blonde and couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh Sue! You look absolutely gorgeous darling!” Rarity admired.

“Do you really think so?” Sue asked honestly. “I thought the curling might have been a little too much.”

“Aw, don’t be crazy now sugar cube,” Applejack scoffed. “Ya look like a million bits and ah know yer feller will sure think so too.”

Sue looked down at her dress and couldn’t help but feel a sad frown coming to her face. There was that part of her mind that still really wanted to go to prom tonight, being with her boyfriend, surrounded by her friends, and just having a good time. But there was also part of her that felt like she didn’t even deserve to go after all she’d done to Carrie. Yet she can’t help that maybe Chris was right: That she cares about the prom more than Carrie. This did not go unnoticed by the Mane Six, all of whom staring worriedly at her.

“Are you okay Sue?” Fluttershy asked her.

Sue sniffed a bit, wiping her eyes before looking back toward her friends.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” She replied. “It’s just… I still don’t feel like I even deserve to go tonight.”

“Look, you already know what you and the others did to Carrie was wrong,” Rainbow pointed out. “At least you’re making amends. That’s more than I can say for that dirtbag Chris and the other girls. That makes you more of a woman than they are.”

Sue couldn’t help but bring a small smile to her face hearing everyone’s comforting words.

“Still, I feel like I should be helping you guys stop Eden’s Gate rather than worrying about the prom,” She said seriously.

“We’ve already talked about this,” Twilight spoke up. “We’re going to worry about Eden’s Gate; you need to focus on having a great time at prom tonight.”

“But I just…”

*KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!*

The sound of loud knocking at the door made everyone walk toward the window. A big white limo sat just in front of the house. From out of the limo stepped Tommy, Spike, and Derick Collins as they approached the house.

“It looks like the boys are here,” Fluttershy smiled. “We probably should get going.”

“This is going to be so AWESOME!” Pinkie yelled loudly. “We’ll have the most spectacularly fun night at prom ever! I’ve never been to a prom before, at least not a ‘human’ one. I can’t wait to break out some super-duper fun dance moves!”

To demonstrate her point, Pinkie pulled out a boombox from her hair and switched it on to a hip hop track. She then began break dancing right in the middle of the room… doing a rather poor job of it. This caused Sue and the rest of her friends to laugh hysterically till she finally stopped.

“So whatcha think?” Pinkie asked with a smile.

“Maybe save it for the dance Pinkie,” Rainbow chuckled.

“We should probably get downstairs and meet with the boys,” Twilight reminded them.

The girl group walked down the stairs toward the front door. Sue opened up the door and all the girls stared wide-eyed toward the handsome guys standing before them. First was Tommy wearing a stunning ivory suit, then Spike wearing a fancy looking purple suit, and finally Derick wearing a nice grey suit.

The boys looked toward the girls in amazement, as the girls looked back toward them at an equal level. Everyone in the entire group was absolutely stunning.

“Wow!” They all exclaimed, in unison.

“Look at you Spikey Wikey!” Rarity admired. “You look like a prince in that dashing outfit.”

“Thanks Rarity!” Spike thanked her.

Even Twilight had a few tears in her eyes, as she looked upon her more grown up assistant.

“You look so grown up and handsome,” She said.

“I only wish Gabby were here,” Spike muttered to himself. “So I could dance with her.”

“What was that now?”

“Nothing!”

Both Sue and Tommy admired each other before sharing a chaste, sweet kiss.

“You really are the most beautiful girl in the world right now,” Tommy smiled at her.

“And you are the most handsome man I’ve ever seen!” Sue replied happily.

“Alright, everyone looks amazing!” Derick chuckled. “But we really should get going. I’m supposed to pick up Carrie.”

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, as they made their way to the limo. Tommy and Sue both climbed into his truck because Sue didn’t want to upset Carrie by arriving alongside them. Though she was trying to make things up with Carrie, she worried the girl still held some resentment against her. Hopefully all that will change tonight. With that said, everyone climbed into their vehicles and rode off towards the best night of their lives…

Or the last…

<>

At the White household, Carrie stood at the mirror and finished applying her lipstick. She looked beautiful and for the first time in her life she felt beautiful. She reached down and picked up her corsage. Soon as she stood back up, she saw her mother standing behind her in the mirror. In contrast with Carrie, her mother looked disgusted. Carrie tried to make peace while still holding out the corsage.

“Will you pin it on me, Mama?” She asked hopefully.

Margaret just stared at her dress, shaking her head in disgust.

“Red…” She muttered. “I might have known it would be ‘red’.”

“It’s pink,” Carrie corrected.

Seeing its pointless to try, Carrie pinned the flower to her dress herself.

“I can see your dirty pillows!” Margaret commented. “Everyone will!”

“’Breasts’, Mama!” Carrie responded. “Breasts… you have them, and every woman has them.”

Margaret just approached her daughter, placing her hands on her shoulders.

“Take off that dress, Carrie.”

“No!” Carrie shook her head.

“Take it off and we’ll burn it together and pray for forgiveness.”

“Mama, its modest.”

“Call that boy and tell him you’re not going!” Margaret ordered. “Tell him… just tell him you’re sick. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Or you could just be happy for me!” Carrie argued.

To say Margaret was dumbfounded was a huge understatement. As Carrie turned to leave, Margaret started smacking herself in the head.

“Mama, stop hurting yourself,” Carrie said calmly.

Carrie telekinetically stopped Margaret’s hand mid-smack.

“You know its not going to make me stay.”

*BEEP! BEEP!*

A car horn blared outside, and Carrie approached the window. Look out, she sees that nothing’s there.

“He’s not coming!” Margaret said. “It’s a trick! Same as always!”

“He’s going to come!” Carrie argued.

“They’re going to laugh at you!” Margaret continued. “They’re all going to laugh at you!”

“Mama, stop it! I’m nervous enough as it is.”

They then heard a car door open and looked outside. Sure enough, there was a big white limousine. A valet opened the door and out emerged Derick Collins. The young man proceeded to walk toward the front door but looked toward the window and waved casually toward the women. Carrie smiled, not quite believing for a fact that Derick was indeed here… yet there he was. Margaret however was utterly horrified.

“Hi, Mrs. White!” Collins called out.

“You see, Mama?” Carrie said excitedly. “Its Collins, from the choir. You see, tis all going to be okay.”

“Oh, repent!” Margaret practically begged. “It’s not too late!”

“Mama, don’t ruin this for me!” Carrie responded.

The young girl turned to walk out the room. Every second, Margaret grew more desperate.

“I’ll be home early,” Carrie assured her.

“I’m going to have to tell that boy the truth!” Margaret yelled after her. “That your father took me, and you were born of sin!”

“You’ll say nothing, Mama!” Carrie argued back.

Carrie walked downstairs while Margaret’s voice rose with every word.

“And from that sin… was born another! The worst sin! A man or a woman who is a witch among you is to be put to death! You are to stone them!”

Carrie turned, rose her arm, and froze her mother in place.

“I’m warning you, Mama…” Carrie warned angrily.

“The Devil’s hand!” Margaret gasped. “Just as the Father had predicted. The Collapse has finally come!”

Carrie shook her head seeing her mother under such distress. She really didn’t want to hurt her mother, despite ‘everything’ she’s the only family she has left. But still… Carrie refused to give up on the best night of her life, and she did not appreciate the fact her mother was ‘ruining’ it for her.

“Please don’t do this!” Carrie begged.

“There will be a judgment, Carrie. As Jezebel fell from the tower, you too…”

Carrie used her power to shut her mother’s mouth. Carrie levitated her toward the prayer closet and locked her inside. Carrie couldn’t believe she did that, but the deed was done.

“Mama, you’re not going to say another word until I’m gone,” Carrie spoke.

Derick knocked on the front door, waiting for someone to answer. Inside the prayer closet, Margaret still couldn’t talk. But that didn’t stop her from pounding against the door and rattling the handle. Carrie tried to keep from crying, this hurt her more than it did for her mother.

“Mommy, I’m sorry,” She apologized sadly. “I love you. I’ll be home early.”

There’s a momentary pause before Margaret pounded the door again, this time with her own head. Carrie used her power to weld the deadbolt into place. Derick knocked again and Carrie turned on the record player blaring ‘Amazing Grace’ at full volume, drowning out her mother’s pounding with the music. Until at last, Carrie finally emerges from the front door.

She shyly stepped out onto the porch and placed her wrap around her shoulders. Seeing her in her dress, Derick stared wide eyed at her. It was as if he believed he was looking at an angel from heaven itself.

“Hi Derick,” Carrie greeted with a smile.

“Hi…” Derick replied giddily.

“Do I look okay?”

“You look… beautiful.”

Carrie took Derick’s arm and walked toward the limo. She was so happy yet scared at the same time. Derick opened the door for her like a true gentleman, allowing Carrie to step into the limo. The moment she did, she was surprised to see the Mane Six and Spike sitting together in the limo. And the moment their eyes landed on her, they all smiled happily at her.

“Wow Carrie, you look absolutely wonderful!” Twilight admired.

A blush formed upon Carrie’s cheeks, but she was flattered to hear such compliments from her friend. As she settled into the limo, she looked around in confusion as if noticing a few things were missing.

“Didn’t you get asked to the prom?” Carrie asked.

“Oh no, we don’t have dates for tonight,” Twilight replied. “We decided to go as a group.”

“But why?! The boys there would be fighting each other trying to see who gets to ask you all out first!”

“Oh, about that!” Rarity spoke up. “Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Fluttershy, and I have very special gentlemen in our lives. But they’re back in our, uh… hometown and couldn’t be here tonight.”

“Yeah, we’re just here to enjoy the party!” Pinkie added, tossing confetti.

“Wait, what’re you talking about?” Twilight asked confused. “I don’t have a boyfriend!”

“Me neither!” Fluttershy shook her head.

“I think Discord and Storm Shield might beg to differ, darlings,” Rarity smirked.

“RARITY!!!” Twilight blushed. “It’s… it’s not like that with Storm!”

“And Discord and I are just good friends!” Fluttershy insisted. “Why does everyone keep assuming that?”

“Well everyone’s been saying the same thing about Lyra and Bon-Bon for years,” Pinkie pointed out. “Look how they turned out!”

“There is someone back home I kind of wish I brought to this, too,” Spike sighed. “Ah well, maybe next time.”

“What about Applejack and Rainbow Dash?” Carrie asked curiously. “Do they have boyfriends waiting for them too?”

After a short silence, Applejack and Rainbow Dash grinned knowingly.

“Um… not exactly, no!” Applejack shrugged. “Ah just don’t think boyfriends are in the cards for R.D. and me.”

“No boy could handle all this awesomeness!” Rainbow smirked.

“That’s too bad,” Carrie spoke. “I hope you two won’t be too bored not having someone to dance with.”

“Don’t you worry none, Carrie,” Applejack assured.

“Yeah, if A.J. gets too lonely, maybe I’ll ask her to dance myself!” Rainbow smiled.

“Oh, now don’t trouble yerself on account of me!” Applejack played along. “What would they say if the ‘Awesomely Cool’ Rainbow Dash danced badly with a girl at the prom?”

“That’s it! You, me, Electric Slide, tonight, cowgirl!”

They held hands, laughing amongst themselves. Confused, Carrie leaned toward the others.

“Um… girls? Spike?” Carrie whispered softly. “I don’t want to make a fuss, and not that I have a problem with it or anything, but… I think those two might be… kind of… a little… gay.”

“Really?!” Spike feigned surprised. “Huh… well, I’ll be darned!”

<>

The limo eventually pulled up toward the school, where all the students started showing up. The Mane Six and Spike stepped out of the limo first, with Carrie and Derick still sitting inside the limo. Carrie looked out the window and its plain to see she was ‘really’ nervous.

“Derick, can we wait a minute?” She asked.

“We can wait as long as you want,” He responded kindly. “We got plenty of minutes.”

It seemed Carrie was ready to have a panic attack, just looking at all the other students. How they laughed amongst themselves, how happy they were for this big night.

“You’re scared huh?” Derick asked. “Trust me when I say this: Not everyone in the world are bad. Besides, you’ve got me to protect you. I swear to you, nothing’s going to happen to you so long as I’m here.”

Derick reached out and grasped one of Carrie’s hands in his own. Carrie turned toward him with a slight smile. It was then Derick noticed the corsage pinned to her dress.

“Here, let me fix this,” Derick offered. “I think its supposed to go on your wrist.”

Derick took the corsage off Carrie’s dress and proceeded to slide it along her wrist.

“There. Are you ready?”

Derick stepped out of the limo, and held the door open for Carrie. The moment they walked inside the gym, it felt like a dream come true. Star decorations hung from the ceiling. People danced, talked, and took pictures together. Freddy, a student Carrie recognized from the library, recorded everything off a handheld camera. The cheering and dancing from the crowd echoed throughout the whole gym.

Over on the sidelines, Tina and Kenny stood over a laptop preparing the second phase of their prank. Oblivious to their intent, Miss Desjardin danced… if you count flailing your arms like Kermit the Frog and whooping as dancing. Carrie and Derick sat at their table, watching the events of the prom play out.

“Do you want to dance?” Derick offered.

“Um…”

Carris saw Heather shaking her groove thang on the dance floor, so shamelessly like she hadn’t a care if the world watched. It was obvious to Derick Carrie wasn’t comfortable with the idea of dancing.

“Or… we could just wait for a slower song?” Derick suggested.

“Yeah…” Carrie chuckled with relief. “I’d like that…”

As the song came to an end, Miss Desjardin spotted Carrie sitting with Derick and walked toward them.

“Miss Desjardin,” Carrie spoke up.

Miss Desjardin covered her mouth with glee, seeing Carrie in her dress.

“You look beautiful!” Miss Desjardin compliment.

“I’ll let you two ladies talk,” Derick replied, standing up. “Anyone want some punch? Heard a couple of the guys spiked it.”

“Really?” Miss Desjardin pondered.

“No!” Derick chuckled. “I’m just kidding! I’ll be right back.”

Derick made an awkward retreat, leaving the two ladies along. Miss Desjardin pulled up a chair next to Carrie.

“You’re doing okay?” Miss Desjardin asked.

“Yeah…” Carrie answered uncertainly.

“Yeah?”

At that moment, Derick approached the Mane Six and Spike at their own table.

“You guys seen anything yet?” He asked them.

“Not a sign of Chris or anyone from the cult,” Twilight responded. “That’s good for now, but we can’t lower our guard for a second.”

“They’ve got to be here somewhere,” Rainbow said squinting. “I can practically smell them.”

“Just keep your eyes peeled,” Derick instructed. “If you see or hear anything suspicious, come find me. I’ll deal with them.”

Soon as the measures were taken care of, Derick walked off toward the punch table. Grabbing some cups, he proceeded to pour a sampling… while taking a careful sniff just in case. Seeing as the punch was normal, he returned to his table where he left Carrie and Miss Desjardin, who by now left Carrie alone. He handed one cup to Carrie, while saving one for himself.

“Listen Carrie… I was just thinking,” Derick spoke up. “Do you really have to be home so early?”

“I promised Mama,” Carrie insisted.

“I know… I totally get it. But, um… I’ve heard some students talking about going to this ‘Cavalier’ after. I’ve never been to it myself, but—”

“That’s okay.”

“What is?

“I know you’d rather hang out with your friends…” Carrie sighed.

“Hey, no…”

All at once, the music changed to a much slower tempo. Derick listened for a moment, then turned toward Carrie with a grin.

“It’s a slow song…”

“No!” Carrie objected.

“Come on… a deal’s a deal.”

“No, no, no, Derick!” Carrie cried out, petrified. “I’ve never danced before!”

“Well, what a coincidence!” Derick replied. “Neither have I.”

“No, Derick I can’t! I just can’t do it!”

“You can’t go to a prom and not have at least ‘one’ dance. It’s like walking out of a drive-in.”

“… I just can’t.”

“Carrie White, will you share this dance with me?” Derick offered a hand.

Carrie White wanted to say ‘no’. Only this time, the moment she looked into his eyes… she couldn’t.

“Trust me,” Derick smiled.

And then, Derick took her by the arms and slowly led her onto the floor. Carrie followed him, with all the awkwardness of someone trying roller skates for the first time. Derick walked her through how a dancer and their partner slow dance.

“Take this hand with mine,” Derick instructed.

Carrie went along with it, so afraid she’ll somehow mess up.

“Now put ‘this’ hand on my shoulder, and I put my hand on your hip. Then… we sway.”

And sure enough, that’s just what Derick & Carrie were doing. Swaying with the rhythm, Derick taking the lead.

“See, there’s nothing to it. Nothing to worry about at all. And just look at you! You’re an excellent learner. If you really want to get fancy with it, we can always sign up for ‘Dancing with the Stars’. We could leave all of this behind us… tour the world…”

“No!” Carrie laughed.

“Yeah you do…” Derick smirked. “Ready? Look.”

Derick gave Carrie a twirl, then back to their original positions.

“Pretty fun for your first time, right?”

To which the two teens shared a laugh together. Carrie laid her head upon his chest, swept away by the dance itself. But in the back corner of her mind, one thing had been bugging her all night.

“Derick, why am I here?” Carrie asked.

“I did invite you,” Derick stated the obvious.

“I know that, but… why?”

“Carrie… the important thing is that we’re here! You and me, on prom night! Forget about what everyone else says… forget about being Prom King or Queen. With you, I’m having the greatest time of my life.”

“You are?” Carrie asked, wide-eyed.

“Of course!” Derick chuckled. “I just hope you’re having a good time… with me.”

“I am…” Carrie assured. “I’m sorry I’m being so difficult. It’s just that my mom~”

“I know… I know,” Derick understood. “If its any consolation, at least you have ‘a’ mother who looks out for you… in some way. My parents, well… they never really cared what I did.”

Carrie looked toward Derick for a moment, feeling sorry for the young man. One look at him, she initially saw him as this confident young man who seemed to have just about everything, least more than she had. Yet upon a deeper study, she can almost feel the pain in his words and the sadness in those eyes. As if to suggest there’s more to Derick than she even imagine.

“So… what do you say we dance just a little longer?” Derick offered. “We see which poor fool they crown for King and Queen, then we go to the Cavalier… just the two of us. I promise I’ll have you home by 10:30. Sound good?”

“Well, actually…” Carrie thought.

“Yeah?”

“Maybe… we can stay till 11?”

“Hey! Whatever you want. As far as I’m concerned, this is our night… we should enjoy this while it lasts.”

And so Derick Collins went for broke, determined to make this the best night ever. Pulling back a bit, they both looked toward each other’s eyes for a moment before Derick gently caressed her cheek with his palm. Slowly, ever so slowly, the two leaned in until eventually their soft lips met with a small, sweet kiss. Carrie felt numerous emotions course through her as her lips met his. She was terrified, yet extremely happy to share her first kiss with a boy she really liked. When they eventually pulled back, they stared at each other again before they continued dancing together smiling all the way.

From the sidelines, the Mane Six and Spike watched Carrie and Derick dance the night away and they also noticed their little kiss. Fluttershy, tears streaming down her face, smiled over the fact that her friend was finally happy.

“Now that’s a codec moment,” Rainbow smirked.

“Y’all can say that again hon,” Applejack nodded, kissing Rainbow’s cheek.

“She finally found happiness in her life,” Fluttershy sobbed happily. “True happiness.”

“After everything she’s been through, she deserves it,” Spike smiled.

Twilight watched the two lovebirds continue their dance, until she noticed something off the corner of her eyes. She noticed what resembled a man sneaking his way out of the gym and seemingly holding a device in his hands. What really tipped her off was the symbol of Eden’s Gate on his bare arm.

“Guys, there’s a cultist sneaking out!” She whisper-yelled to the others.

She pointed off to where he was, and they all looked just in time to see the cultist departing the gym.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Rarity asked. “We must stop him before he enacts whatever that cult has planned.”

“Let’s go get him!” Rainbow added.

The Mane Six and Spike quickly hopped to their feet, quickly following the cultist out of the gym.

<>

Back at the White house, Margaret tried to force her way out of the prayer closet. She reached through the crack in the center of the door, ripping away at the wood. In doing so, her fingers bled heavily but Margaret didn’t care. She soon reached for the deadbolt, only to discover it had been melted closed. But Margaret wasn’t giving up. She knew something was coming, she knew bad things were about to happen, and she wasn’t going to sit idly by when it arrives.

<>

Back at the prom, Tina worked her way backstage allowing Chris and Billy access into the prom. Chris passed Tina a stack of papers, which she stuffed into an envelope. Chris and Billy raced up the stairs toward the rafters, where they left the rope to the bucket. All they needed to do now was to wait for when their intended targets assume the position.

Meanwhile, it was time for the M.C. to announce the voting for this year’s Prom King and Queen.

“Take your seats, take your seats!” The M.C. called out. “It’s now time to vote for your King and Queen of the prom! All right!”

Everyone cheered over the announcement, everyone excited for one of them to receive the biggest honor in school history.

“Ballots are on the table!” The M.C. instructed. “Everyone gets their own, please! Guys, take your seats.”

Derick pulled out a chair for Carrie and took a seat.

“Make an ‘X’ beside the candidate of your choice,” The M.C. continued. “Let’s have the best prom ever! Woo! All right!”

Chris looked down from the rafters, spotting Carrie and Derick together. The students began to vote on their ballots. One person circled “Derick Collins” with hearts and scribbled over the name “Carrie White”. Another checked off “Derick Collins” but wrote in “Sue Snell”. Another wrote in “Morton” and “Desjardin”… for reasons. Even “Tommy Ross” received a vote from several students.

“Derick, we’re on here!” Carrie pointed out, in shock.

“You don’t want to be on there?” Derick asked.

“Do you?”

“Well… why not? Whether we win or not, it doesn’t matter. All that happens here is we go up toward those thrones, wave a scepter around while they play the school song, and then, uh, do a little dance just so everyone sees how idiotic we look.”

“But you said you’ve never been to dances.”

“And I don’t… doesn’t mean I don’t know how it works.”

Despite how nervous she was, Carrie couldn’t help but look towards the thrones on stage.

“They are beautiful…” Carrie admitted.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Derick replied, flirtatiously.

“So… who do we vote for?” Carrie chuckled. “I guess they’re more your crowd than mine. I don’t really have a crowd.”

“We can always vote for ourselves just for laughs.”

“No. No, don’t vote for us.”

“To the devil with false modesty!”

Carrie checked their names on the ballot.

“To the devil,” Carrie repeated.

Soon all the students started handing in their ballots. Tina approached with the ballot box, smiling.

“All set?” Tina asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” Derick shrugged. “No tricks…”

Derick proceeded to drop their votes into the box, to which Tina grinned.

“Good luck, kids,” Tina replied. “You’ve got my vote.”

Carrie was uneasy as Tina approached, picking up more ballots. Carrie smiled and pulled out her phone. Off another part of the gym, Sue Snell sat beside Tommy and a few of their friends. Suddenly, her phone buzzed and when she looked she found a text from Chris herself.

‘YOUR GIRL LOOKS GOOD. SHE WON’T FOR LONG.’

Sue looked from her phone in horror, scanning the room to locate the Mane Six and Spike. Unable to see them, she started breathing deeply in horror. Tommy looked over and saw she was freaking out.

“Hey, are you okay?” He asked worriedly.

Sue just held up her phone, showing him the text. Tommy too was horrified, as they realized that things were only going to turn bad.

Very bad…