A Night at the Gala

Chapters

Chapter 2: All Aboard the Gala Express
Prologue
Chaper 1: The Invitation
Chapter 3: A Day in Foalchester
Chapter 4: Full of Surprises
Chapter 5: Confrontations
Chapter 6: The Sympathisers
Chapter 7: Standing in Solidarity

Chapter 2: All Aboard the Gala Express

The next few months were fairly pleasant for the most part, but by no means uneventful. Not long after Hornette and Locomotion had had their new Gala attire made up for them, Steamer and the Cutie Mark Crusaders took the young changeling for a week away in Manehattan while her room was refurbished under Locomotion's supervision. The decoration work had been a bit of a fiasco, but they just about managed to finish it before Hornette returned home.

Then there was Locomotion's 17th birthday the following month. In the aftermath, he wrote to Thorax asking when Hornette's was; and when he replied that he had only just found her birth certificate among the remains of the old main hive, now being rebuilt as the City of Moskitow, the red-furred railway enthusiast began planning a surprise party to make up for all the birthdays she had missed. Even though it led to a misunderstanding on Hornette's part shortly before the big day, it was still worth it to see the look of joy on her face!

There were of course a few other little adventures here and there, not to mention Hornette receiving lessons from another resident changeling on how to change her form, as well as Locomotion going back to working trains on the main line. Otherwise, things carried on largely as normal, and the two teenagers soon forgot all about the Grand Galloping Gala.

But come the middle of July, their worries came flooding back with a vengeance as they prepared themselves for the event. Since the Friendship Council and their significant others would also be attending, Steamer had generously chartered a special train for them; but even that did little to soothe Hornette's anxiety. She stood on the platform at Ponyville Central Station, fidgeting as she watched the yard shunter arrange their coaches.

“Nervous, Hornette?” ventured Applejack softly.

Despite the farm pony's gentle approach, Hornette was still a little startled. “Very,” she affirmed sheepishly. “I...I don't think I can do this.”

“Hey,” cajoled Rainbow Dash, “don't sweat it, Hornette. You've put up with sixteen years of being bullied left, right and centre by other changelings – a bunch of snobbish ponies should be water off a duck's back for you.”

“More like a stab in a changeling's back,” countered Spike gravely. Pleased though he was for Locomotion and Hornette being invited to the Gala, he couldn't help worrying for Hornette in particular. “Aren't you forgetting, Dash, how sensitive she is?”

“So what? At least she's got Loco backing her up.”

But Applejack was on Spike's side. “Ah wouldn't bank on it, Dash. Loco may be a one-time movie star, but that don't mean he's gonna fit in as well as, say, Rarity or Twilight,” she observed. “Ah got a hunch they're both gonna be outta their depth with this Gala.” She smiled apologetically as Hornette cringed with dread.

“Where is Loco, anyway?” wondered Caramel. “He'll miss the train if he doesn't hurry up.”

“He ain't gonna miss no train, darlin'!” laughed Applejack. “He's actin' as firepony fo' the first leg of our journey, remember?”

“Oh...” Caramel gave an embarrassed chuckle of his own.

“I only wish he was with me right now,” murmured Hornette.

“Don't y'all worry none, Hornette,” soothed Applejack. “We'll be here fo' y'all if'n ya need reassurance, won't we, Big Mac?”

“Eeyup.” Evidently, Big Macintosh wasn't exactly enjoying himself either. His usual yoke had been left behind, and Hornette could see how awkward and exposed he felt without it. Sensing her husband's discomfort, Fluttershy sidled up to the red-furred stallion and gave him a reassuring nuzzle, earning a fond smile of appreciation in return.

After what felt like an age, the shunting engine finished assembling the train and the party were allowed to board. Just as they were doing so, Apple Bloom happened to look along the platform, and could only smile when she saw the engine buffering up in front. “Well,” she remarked with a chuckle, “don't that beat all?!”

“What's up?” asked Hornette.

“Seems we've got one of Loco's favourite engines on our train.”

Hornette's eyes lit up with intrigue. “What, a Claud Hoofington?”

“Yeah, and not just any Claud Hoofington,” put in Scootaloo knowingly. “That's the No. 1900 'Claud Hoofington' herself! Loco must be over the moon to be firing her right now.”

For a fleeting moment, a hearty smile registered on Hornette's face as she gazed upon the royal blue engine. “Claud Hoofington” must have been chosen specially for this train; and in the back of her mind, she had a good idea who had requested it, and on whose behalf. Perhaps, she thought hopefully as she stepped aboard, this would make the journey worthwhile for them both.

Locomotion, on the other hoof, was having trouble showing any such enthusiasm. Inwardly, he was delighted to have “Claud Hoofington” pulling his train; he had worked with others of her class before, but to be on the original engine herself had been a lifelong ambition of his. Even so, any excitement he felt was greatly overshadowed by the uncertainty of the Gala, and how the other guests would react when they saw him and Hornette entering the ballroom. Having coupled up the coaches, he climbed back into the cab and sat back in his seat with a heavy sigh; “Maybe I should've invited Thorax after all,” he murmured.

“Say what now?” As chance would have it, Steamer had been assigned to drive the engine as far as Trottingham, where he and his nephew would hand over to another crew.

“I was just saying, Uncle Steamer, maybe I should've let you and Thorax have those spare tickets. Just so we have someone familiar there with us.”

“Who says you haven't?” put in Steamer optimistically. “You've invited your favourite sister, remember? Not to mention Twilight, Applejack, Scootaloo, Rumble, Featherweight...”

“I know,” interrupted Locomotion unhappily. “It's just...yeah, Thorax is a bachelor, but he's still a better friend to Hornette than most, and...” He sighed again and eyed the scuff marks on his front hoof. “...I mean, just look at me – a lowly, scruffy railway worker with hardly a drop of noble blood in his veins. Even if Hornette doesn't get so much as one sneer from that lot, there's bound to be at least one in my direction.”

Steamer smiled kindly and gave Locomotion a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Hey,” he soothed, “keep your chin up. I'm sure it'll all work out fine.”

If only, thought Locomotion gloomily. This couldn't possibly work out, even with the best will in the world. How he wished the Gala invitation could've at least waited another year, until changelings became better established in high society...

But he couldn't stay anxious for long. Once “Claud Hoofington” was out on the main line, he soon found himself distracted from his woes by the eager puffing and panting of her exhaust, the metallic hum of the rails beneath her wheels, and even the gentle breeze past the cab. Even though he still had to watch the line ahead, pausing only to add more coal to the fire or tend to the water levels, he found it strangely soothing – perhaps it was because he had something to occupy his mind, rather than just sitting back in a carriage and brooding over matters beyond his control.

And yet, as a locomotive firepony, he really was partly in control; for as dirty and demanding as the job may be, nopony else had the skill required to get this train safely and punctually to its destination. Passengers and freight alike depended on the likes of him and his uncle, and it was this sense of responsibility which made Locomotion feel proud to be part of Equestrian National Railways. Surely, he told himself quietly, even the high and mighty Canterlot elite had to give him that at least...

It was nearly midnight when the special pulled into Trottingham City Station. After handing “Claud Hoofington” to the waiting relief crew, Steamer and Locomotion went to sign off at the sheds. That done, Locomotion left his cap and cravat with Steamer, who promised to return them to his locker as soon as he got home, and both uncle and nephew wished each other a safe journey before parting ways. Hornette and the others had already retired to their compartments, so having boarded the train and taken a nice, relaxing shower, the red-furred teen wearily followed suit.

He awoke the following morning with a renewed sense of anticipation and resolve, knowing it wouldn't be long before they stopped to collect his sister and her boyfriend. Shortly after receiving their tickets, Locomotion had written to Firelli asking if she would like to join him and Hornette at the Gala, and was most relieved when she accepted his invitation.

“Foalchester Station, next stop! Passengers have ninety minutes to explore the town before final departure for Canterbury West Station, Canterlot, and are reminded to set their watches back two hours.”

Hornette gave her stallion a wry smile. “I can never get used to that,” she observed, “leaving one station and arriving at another...about an hour before I set off.”

“Well, that's time zones for you,” chuckled Locomotion as he corrected his watch to 8:43am. To him, it still felt like around half past ten. “Ah well – only a few more minutes to go yet.”

As the train began to slow down, the two teenagers stood up and made for the entrance vestibule at the far end of the coach, where Sweetie-Belle and Lickety-Split were already waiting to disembark. Locomotion gave them a polite nod, but Sweetie-Belle could see he was still a little irritated with her about the Gala, so she wisely avoided the subject. “Sure will be good to get out and stretch our legs, won't it, Hornette?” she commented, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah – and to see Elli again,” agreed Hornette with a twinge of eagerness. She looked up to Firelli Brazen almost as much as she did Locomotion and Twilight, and even a whole week with her didn't seem like enough to the young changeling.

“Kinda weird, though,” continued Sweetie-Belle thoughtfully. “I'd have thought we'd be stopping in one of the bigger towns.”

“Yeah, well,” explained Locomotion, “Uncle Steamer requested it. We thought it better to stop here and pick Elli and Mistral up directly – save them the expense of booking into a hostel or an inn at, say, Cobham or Lancanter.” He smiled faintly as the station nameboard rolled past their window. “And let's face it,” he added, “this is way more charming than some overcrowded city.”

“You're not wrong there,” chuckled Lickety-Split, gazing out at the scene that lay beyond the station building.

With a final squeak of its brakes, the train drew gently to a halt, and the four teenagers stepped out onto the platform. Several other members of their party closely followed suit before dispersing to explore, while Locomotion took the opportunity to photograph “Claud Hoofington” before she went to take on coal and water at the shed. That done, he left his camera in his compartment and trotted off to join Hornette, Sweetie-Belle and Lickety-Split for a wander through the town.

Prologue

“Tia, are you quite finished with those invites? You've been at it for nearly three hours now.”

“I'll be done in a minute, sister,” soothed Celestia, as an agitated Luna paced restlessly behind her. It was early spring, and preparations were well underway for that most prestigious of all Equestrian traditions, the Grand Galloping Gala. Most of the invitations had already been sent out, with only a few still remaining; and this year, Celestia hoped, was to prove especially significant. Murmuring under her breath, she finished off the final covering letter and placed it in an envelope with two golden tickets. “There,” she declared, “that's the last of them.”

“About time too,” grumbled Luna as they left the study and headed for the ballroom. “If I'd known you were going to take this long, I'd have insisted you write and post those letters to Twilight and her friends a lot sooner. We still have a lot of preparation work to oversee, you know.”

Celestia chuckled. “Yes, I'm fully aware of that,” she conceded in her most disarming tone, “but those weren't for Twilight or her friends. Theirs had been dispatched only two days ago.”

“Oh? Then who, pray tell, are the recipients?” inquired Luna, forgetting to be impatient.

“The three founders of the Cutie Mark Crusader movement, for one thing – and of course a certain young couple we met last autumn.” Before Celestia could elaborate, she was interrupted by a polite cough from her nephew, who was coming the other way. “Ah, Blueblood. Everything going smoothly in the ballroom, I trust?”

“All told, yes – aside from that cheeky hoodlum Discord loitering around in there.” A long time ago, Prince Blueblood would have meant that in the harshest and most derogatory way imaginable; but after being very severely put in his place by Rarity, and publicly humiliated when a political will of his backfired on him with tragic consequences, he had gradually mellowed out and become a lot humbler, as evidenced by the small, hearty smirk on his lips. It certainly helped that another, azure blue unicorn mare with an impressive magical talent had become involved with him over the past few years.

“Well, that's alright then,” smiled Celestia. “Just be sure and mind your manners, Blueblood – I don't want to hear you've been mistreating our lady guests again, you understand?”

Blueblood's smile faded, and he shook his head in dismay. “Must we go through this again, Auntie Celestia?” he groaned. “I gave you my assurance it wouldn't happen again.”

“It'd better not!” Discord suddenly appeared behind him. “I know I promised these two I'd be on my best behaviour, but that doesn't mean I won't turn you into a frog if you don't play the game.”

“You wouldn't dare!”

“I'm sure there won't be any cause for that,” interrupted Celestia calmly. “As long as you both behave yourselves, all will be fine.”

“So I should hope,” added Luna sternly. “Especially you, Discord – if we have to deal with a repeat of your first time attending the Gala, I for one won't be too pleased. It's a wonder Celestia saw fit to overlook...”

“Oh, loosen up, Luna,” interrupted Celestia. “So perhaps Discord let his jealousy get the better of him that night, but he's gotten a lot better at keeping it under control. Besides, at least it livened up the whole event.” She winked broadly at Discord; “Off the record, if you do catch Blueblood being prudish, then you have my leave to deal with him as you wish...within reason.”

“My dearest Celest,” chortled Discord, “it'd be my pleasure! Anyway, can't hang around here all day – Blueblood isn't the only one who has new outfits to go through.” He vanished in a cloud of smoke; but reappeared momentarily to give Celestia a quick, chaste peck on the cheek.

Luna sighed wearily. “I just can't understand you sometimes, Tia. Letting Discord go to such unspeakable lengths...”

“I'm sure he won't do anything rash unless provoked,” Celestia reassured her. “Anyway, Cadance, Twilight and myself will all be keeping a close eye on him.”

“Hmm...I suppose,” murmured Luna, unconvinced. “Now, about that...ahem, 'young couple' you mentioned earlier...?”

“Oh, yes...you remember Locomotion and Hornette, don't you?”

“Only too well – and even more so the tribulations they had to face in their youth,” smiled Luna sombrely, recalling how she had visited the young Locomotion in his dreams seven years ago, after a serious train accident east of Ponyville. It pained her to see him so broken after a long night of rescuing survivors from the wrecked Bridleway Limited; but seeing how poor Hornette had been treated from the moment she came into the world was even more of a wrench. It didn't matter to her that the latter was a changeling – no young soul should have to deal with this kind of trauma. “Don't tell me you're inviting them to the Gala too,” she added, a look of concern starting to cross her face.

“And why not? They did help to end the stand-off with what was once the Badlands, after all,” Celestia reasoned. “Besides, it'll be good for our cultural relations, having at least one changeling mingling amongst our high society.”

But Luna only frowned uneasily as a long list of scenarios began to flow through her mind. “That's exactly what I'm worried about,” she muttered under her breath.

Chaper 1: The Invitation

It was a bright and sunny morning in Ponyville. Birds were singing, flowers were just starting to bloom, and Hornette was prancing up the lane to Sweet Apple Acres with a carefree spring in her step. She hummed cheerfully as she trotted along, giving a friendly nod or wave to any of her friends who happened to be passing by.

Winter had been an interesting experience for the young changeling, to say the least. True, she hadn't enjoyed that spell of what her beloved Locomotion called “the January blues”, but Hearth's Warming had more than made up for it; and it had been great fun helping with Winter Wrap-Up too. But the onset of spring had left her with a sense of freedom and renewal – now she could go out and about with friends whenever she felt like it, and all without having to wrap up warm.

As rows of houses gave way to groves of apple trees, she gazed all around herself, heartily taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of the new season until she spotted Apple Bloom nearby, with a cart full of watering cans. Hornette beamed in delight, and eagerly called out her name as she cantered over.

“Howdy, Hornette!” called Apple Bloom cordially. She unhitched her cart, and both mares met in a friendly hug. “Sure is good ta see y'all again. How ya been?”

“Just great, thanks,” gushed Hornette. “We've been making some pretty good progress on Loco's layout, he and his uncle and I; and just last Thursday, they took me out to dinner at that Chineighse place he really loves.”

“Ah, first time at the Golden Dragon, huh?”

Hornette nodded. “Yep, and by no means the last. I can see why Loco enjoys their food so much. How about you, Apple Bloom?” she ventured. “How did your vacation go?”

“Ah, it's a' been good,” chuckled Apple Bloom. She had been away in Manehattan for a week, visiting her favourite cousin whose name seemed to escape the young changeling. “Worth it fo' seein' Babs again at any rate...” Babs, that was it! “...you should totally come an' meet her sometime, Hornette. Ah reckon y'all would get along just great together.”

“Might just hold you to that, Apple Bloom!” giggled Hornette.

“So what brings ya up here, anyway? Ya can't 'ave come all this way just ta gossip with li'l ol' me!”

“Well...yes and no. I was actually after some more apple juice,” explained Hornette. “We're running low again, and Big Mac says the stall's fresh out too.”

“Aw, well, that's alright,” smiled Apple Bloom. “We got plenty back at the farmhouse. Ah'll come on back an' fetch ya some.”

“Thanks, Apple Bloom...if it's not an inconvenience.”

“Nah, them apple trees can wait fo' their water. C'mon,” and Apple Bloom led the way back to the farmhouse.

They reached the farmyard just as Derpy arrived with the morning mail. She had her hoof raised to knock at the front door, but stopped herself when she saw Hornette and Apple Bloom approaching. “Oh, hi, Apple Bloom. Boy, am I glad I caught you,” she remarked. “Is Applejack anywhere about?”

“She's out tilling the fields at the moment,” answered Apple Bloom. “How come?”

“Well, I've got important letters for you both, all the way from Canterlot Castle,” explained Derpy, pulling two envelopes from her satchel bearing the Royal Canterlot seal. “I don't suppose you could take delivery of these, perchance?”

“No problem. Ah bet Ah know what this is!” said Apple Bloom eagerly.

“Oh, and Hornette...?” went on Derpy.

“Yes?”

“I've got a couple for you and Loco as well, so is there any chance I can leave them with you? They're pretty urgent, but they also need a signature to show they've been delivered safely.”

“Oh, sure,” conceded Hornette without hesitation. She waited patiently while Derpy produced a delivery form from her satchel, which Apple Bloom promptly signed; but during that time, a puzzling thought occurred to her. “Why would they be writing to me and Loco anyway?” she wondered.

But Apple Bloom was too excited to take any notice. Having signed the form and passed it to Hornette, she wasted no time in ripping open the envelope in her name, her eyes lighting up in delight. “Ha! Just as Ah thought – an invite ta the Grand Gallopin' Gala!”

“I suspected as much,” sighed Derpy enviously. “Lucky you, Apple Bloom.”

“What's the Grand Galloping Gala?” ventured Hornette.

“The Grand Galloping Gala is the biggest and most important event in all of Equestria, a royal ball held in Canterlot Castle every summer,” said Derpy. “It's full of all kinds of elite ponies – royalty, diplomats, movie stars, dukes, duchesses, heroes of the realm...I've never been there myself, but I'm told there are ponies who'd sell their souls for a gala ticket.”

“Applejack an' 'er friends 'ave been there on an' off since before the Friendship Council was even thought of,” added Apple Bloom. “They even took me an' Scoot an' Sweetie-Belle once, when we were still kinda young an' hadn't got our Cutie Marks yet. Ah'm guessin' our Cutie Mark Crusader movement is what put us on this year's guest list,” she finished thoughtfully.

“Why, do you have to be invited in order to attend?”

“Well...not necessarily, Hornette; but Grand Gallopin' Gala tickets are rarer than hens' teeth,” observed Apple Bloom. “Why, ya thinkin' of comin' along?”

Hornette shook her head. “Not particularly. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable among all those high society ponies, even with Loco by my side,” she confessed earnestly. “Besides, that gala's way out of my league.” But secretly, she couldn't help envying Apple Bloom a little – whichever way she looked at it, the Grand Galloping Gala did sound grand. Maybe in a few years' time, she thought as she opened her own letter, when she felt a little more confident about...

But her thoughts came crashing to a halt when she saw what was in the envelope. Her blood ran cold and her aura faltered; and if it hadn't been for Derpy's split-second reaction, the contents could have spilled out and become tarnished in the soil. Taking care not to crumple them, she got back to her hooves, passed the letter over to Apple Bloom and gingerly checked herself over for any scuffs or bruises she might have sustained.

Apple Bloom goggled in amazement. “Whoa, Nelly!” she gasped as she read the letter. “You too, Hornette?”

“B-b-b-but...h-how can this be?” stuttered Hornette, paralysed with fear and disbelief. “It...i-i-i-it can't possibly...no, I'm dreaming it! I must be!!”

“It ain't no dream, sister!” proclaimed Apple Bloom. “Letter says, an' Ah quote: 'Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of July, 2016, between the hours of 7pm and 2am the following day, cordially extends an invitation to the changeling Hornette plus one guest......P.S.: As our first naturalised changeling subject, and a Heroine of the Realm, Her Highness would consider it a true honour for the recipient to attend as a show of our newfound solidarity with the Changeling Kingdom of Metamorphia.' An' unless Ah'm mistaken, that means Loco's been invited too!”

The only response Hornette could manage was a quiet, shaky, “Oh dear,” as she eyed the other letter.

Having obtained the apple juice she was after, Hornette spent the rest of the day fretting. She didn't know what to think about the Grand Galloping Gala – it sure was generous of Princess Celestia to invite her, she couldn't deny that; but what would the other guests think of having a changeling at the event? And how in Equestria would she be able to cope with all the attention? This was Canterlot, after all, not some cosy, friendly backwater town.

The only thing she could be sure about was that Locomotion would be just as doubtful about the whole thing as she was herself. When he and Steamer returned home that evening, accompanied by Sweetie-Belle who wanted to stop by and say hello, the young changeling told them what had happened that morning. As it turned out, Apple Bloom was right; for when Locomotion opened his own letter, he found a written invitation along with another pair of...

“Gala tickets?” he exclaimed in disbelief. “But...there must've been a mistake, surely!”

“I dunno, Loco,” said Steamer earnestly, eyeing the two other strips of golden paper that had Hornette so worked up. “These don't look like forgeries to me; and that's definitely the Royal Canterlot Seal on those envelopes.”

Sweetie-Belle beamed in delight. “Isn't this great, Hornette?” she gushed. “You and Loco at the Grand Galloping Gala with us – and with two spare tickets to boot – must be like a dream come true! Any idea who else you'll be inviting to join you?”

“We're not going!”

“WHAT?!” Sweetie-Belle stared at Locomotion, aghast at what he had just said; and even Steamer shot him a dubious look as if he'd just sworn allegiance to Nightmare Moon. “Did I hear you right?!” she spluttered. “The grandest, most romantic, most important, most special event in the whole kingdom, and you're telling me you're not going?! You must be mad!”

“Says the mare who's clearly forgotten who we're gonna be sharing it with,” retorted Locomotion indignantly. “Me and Hornette? Hang out with a bunch of stuffy, shallow, toffee-nosed snobs with no respect for changelings? Not on your sweet life! Hornette wouldn't last five minutes at the mercy of those upper class twits!”

Hornette whimpered plaintively in agreement.

“Harsh, much?” remarked Steamer. “Come on now, Loco, they aren't all bad. What about that film director you worked with on Battle of the Griffins? Yes, Technicolour Tarquin was an 'upper class twit' as you so quaintly put it, but you enjoyed working with him.”

Locomotion rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well...at least I know I can trust him,” he conceded grudgingly.

“And how about Rarity and Octavia?” put in Sweetie-Belle.

“Yeah, them too – but what about the Canterlot elite?” argued Locomotion, raising his voice. “What about that stuck-up mare who insulted me at the Horse Junction crash, even after I helped her out of that wrecked coach? What about that...that......that selfish excuse for a prince Blueblood?! They'd eat Hornette alive even with me backing her up, for crying out loud!”

“Too loud, Loco,” soothed Steamer, trying in vain to calm him down.

“Don't try and shut me up, Uncle Steamer! Nopony's gonna badger me into dragging Hornette all the way up to Canterlot to be insulted by elitists! I'm not having it, I tell you!”

“Not even if most of those elitists turn out to be friendly?” put in Sweetie-Belle reasonably.

Locomotion snorted. “Yeah, right! By what measure am I expected to believe that rubbish?”

“By way of Rarity's old friend Fancypants, for a start,” Sweetie-Belle pointed out. “He's an elitist, but he doesn't look down on others just for being different or of more humble stock.” Seeing that Locomotion was about to protest still further, she drew her trump card; “And didn't you know? Princess Cadance is gonna be at the Gala too,” she added with a knowing smirk

Hornette perked up. “The same Princess Cadance who was present for mine and Loco's homecoming?”

“That's the one! I bet you anything she'll be happy to see you again.”

In spite of her nervousness, Hornette managed a small, wistful smile. Her interaction with Cadance had been relatively short, but she still held a great respect for the pink alicorn, and longed to meet up with her again. If only the Crystal Empire wasn't so far away...

“Go on, Loco,” coaxed Steamer gently. “At least give it a college try. You saw what Princess Celestia put in Hornette's letter – you're the perfect show of unity.”

“That's another thing I object to, Uncle,” complained Locomotion feelingly, “being treated as a mere political statement. If they wanted a changeling there for that purpose, why not invite Thorax? He is their king, after all.”

“Does he have so much as a consort yet?”

That threw Locomotion for a loop. He had to admit Steamer was right; for while he and Thorax had been pen-pals ever since Chrysalis' demise, none of his letters had said anything about a significant other as far as he could tell.

“Look, I know this is all a bit sudden,” continued Steamer, “but you've got a good four months to get your heads round it. And if you ask me, I think it'd be a great shame if you don't attend.”

Locomotion sighed heavily in defeat. “You two aren't gonna take no for an answer, are you?”

“You've got that right, Loco,” giggled Sweetie-Belle. “Cheer up – you and Hornette are in for the chance of a lifetime. You never know, you might enjoy it.”

“Well...alright then,” muttered Locomotion at last. “But if I find Hornette crying her eyes out over the whole thing – even if it's just one solitary culprit who's gone and upset her – it's on your own heads,” he finished sternly.

“Guilty as charged,” conceded Sweetie-Belle.

“Duly noted,” agreed Steamer gravely. “There's just one other thing, Loco – what are you planning on wearing to the event?”

“Oh, gosh,” gasped Hornette, “I'd only just thought of that. Any chance, Sweetie-Belle, that Rarity might...”

“Say no more,” interrupted Sweetie-Belle with a cordial smile. “I'll speak to her tomorrow morning.”

“And could you maybe put in a word for me too, please?” asked Locomotion, with a hint of reluctance. “If I'm gonna be there, I'd rather have something as comfy as it is smart.”

“What about that prom suit of yours?”

“Ugh! No thanks,” grimaced Locomotion. “That thing was itchy as flabberwocky, and there's no way I'm going to that Gala dressed up like a penguin!”

“Oh, I dunno,” Sweetie-Belle reassured him. “You looked pretty neat in that suit; and you got a pretty good stand-up gig into the bargain. But I respect your feelings,” she added understandingly. “I'll have a word with Rarity and see what she can do.”

“Thanks...for what it's worth.” But Locomotion was still deeply unsettled, and from the look in Hornette's eyes, he could see that the feeling was mutual. Forget what Uncle Steamer and Sweetie-Belle had just said about the Gala, he thought grimly – as far as he was concerned, there was no way in Equestria that this could be anything short of a nightmare...

“So you're coming to the Grand Galloping Gala too, huh?”

Locomotion nodded wearily. “Didn't have much of a choice, really,” he lamented. “Sweetie-Belle wouldn't let me back out, and from what I read in my letter, the princesses are practically begging me and Hornette to attend.” He let loose a heavy sigh. “I don't mind telling you, Scootaloo, this is way out our comfort zones.”

“Well...I'm sure they'd understand if you just turned the invitation down,” Scootaloo counselled.

“Turn it down?!” Locomotion looked daggers at her. “Scoot, have you got cloud tufts in your ears?!! I al...”

“Oh, for heaven's sake, Loco!” snapped Rarity impatiently. “I do wish you'd stop fidgeting!”

“Sorry, Rarity,” mumbled Locomotion meekly. He was in the middle of having his new suit tailored for him, and was already growing restless. Thank goodness he had Scootaloo to offload onto, he thought. “But seriously, Scoot,” he went on bluntly, “how do you just say no out of hoof to the kindest and most respectable sovereign in all the world? The one who personally bestowed you with the Star of Rockhoof and the Celestial Peace Medal?”

Scootaloo shrugged. “Nah, you make a good point there,” she said thoughtfully. “What about your uncle? What did he have to say about it?”

“Well...he was pretty much on Sweetie-Belle's side of the argument. But at least he was reasonable about it...I guess,” continued Locomotion. “He certainly did a much better job of hearing us out, for a start; and more to the point, he actually respected our feelings. To hear Sweetie-Belle talk,” furrowing his brow crossly, “you'd think she was bent on us being at the Grand Galloping Gala whether we liked it or not!”

Rarity shook her head in amusement as she interjected; “Well, I for one think she's quite right. I know you don't like formal events, Loco, but think of what a romantic night it'll be for you both – you, the very pony and changeling who brought harmony to Metamorphia, gliding across the dance floor, the eyes of a hundred nobles smiling upon the belle of the ball and her beau...”

“Romantic indeed!” snorted Locomotion. “The only thing those nobles are likely to smile upon is the amusement they get at Hornette's expense. And in case you've forgotten, Rarity, I happen to be useless at dancing!”

“Rubbish! It just takes practice, that's all,” dismissed Rarity. “Believe you me, Locomotion, so long as the likes of Spike, Fancypants, Hoity Toity and I have anything to do with it, you and Hornette will be the centre of attention – and for all the right reasons, I promise you.”

But this did little to soothe Locomotion's nerves – quite the opposite, in fact. “Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you're living in a sitcom?” he complained to Scootaloo.

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, the fact that practically everypony seems to be united against you, even Lady Luck herself. If it's not Princess Celestia trying to make an example of us, it's peer pressure from Sweetie-Belle; and if it's not her, it's Rarity trying to flog some pie in the sky about me and Hornette having the best night ever.” Locomotion's expression soured as he gave Rarity a sidelong glance. “Course we all know yours was anything but.”

“We made it work out in the end,” scoffed Rarity. “And anyway, I did find my Prince Charming eventually – just not in the way I thought I would.”

“You certainly didn't find anything charming about the one prince you met there, I seem to recall,” rejoined Locomotion. “The way that royal pain in the neck behaves, it's a wonder he hasn't...”

“Hey, Scoot.” A familiar voice quickly cut Locomotion's rant short. “How do I look?”

Scootaloo beamed fondly as she examined the tuxedo Rumble was wearing. “Just great, Rummy bear,” she replied.

“Thanks – and that dress looks pretty neat on you too,” said Rumble, giving her an affectionate nuzzle. He turned to Locomotion, his eyebrow raised at the snazzy grey top hat and tailcoat he was wearing. “And what brings you here, Loco? Getting suited up for a fancy dress ball or something?”

Locomotion cringed. “Uh...not really. Same event as you two, as a matter of fact.”

“Oh right?” remarked Rumble. “I didn't think you did formal events.”

“I don't,” frowned Locomotion. “It's just that...I didn't want to seem ungrateful after Princess Celestia herself had invited us – that and Sweetie-Belle wasn't exactly showing us any quarter.”

“Us?”

“Him and Hornette,” explained Scootaloo simply. “They've been specially invited to show our unity with Metamorphia.”

Rumble nodded understandingly. “Hmm...I see. Yeah, speaking for myself, I'm...sort of sympathetic.”

“Aw, not you too!” Locomotion was beginning to wonder where all this coercion was going to end.

“Well, no, hear me out,” interjected Rumble. “I think it's real cool that you two are being invited as guests of honour, and I can...kinda see where the princesses are coming from; but I'm still a little bit on your side, Loco. You're worried about being judged, am I right?”

“Umm...more on Hornette's behalf than my own, but yeah.”

“Thought so,” mused Rumble gravely. “Yeah, so would I if Scoot were in the same position. But try not to lose sleep over it,” he finished. “If Rarity and her friends could make it work, then so can you.”

Locomotion gave him a weak smile. It was moments like these that made him feel lucky to have such a sympathetic friend as Rumble. “Well, I can't make any promises,” he observed, “but I'll certainly give it my best shot.”

“That's the spirit, Loco!” Rumble gave him an encouraging pat on the back; but before Locomotion could further voice his appreciation, their attention was distracted as Hornette emerged from the changing room. Both stallions could only stare in awe at the stunning light pink dress she was wearing, with silken light blue sleeve ends, a light blue satin bodice, hem and neckline with jet-black hearts, and a set of pale pink ballerina slippers topped with little pink bows.

The young insectoid shyly cleared her throat and struck a pose. “Hi again, Loco. Do I look alright?” she ventured.

“Alright?” Locomotion was so captivated by what he saw that he forgot to be anxious. “You look wonderful,” he breathed.

“Aw, thanks,” murmured Hornette, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. “I was worried this might look a bit plain.”

“Nah, it suits you down to the ground.”

“I'll say,” chimed in Rumble, visibly impressed. “That dress speaks volumes about you, Hornette; cute, modest, unpretentious...”

“Watch it, Rumble!” warned Scootaloo teasingly. “I'm still here, you know!”

Rumble gave a hearty chuckle. “Ah, give it up, Scoot,” he retorted playfully. “I'm not hitting on her, I'm just stating a fact.”

“And quite right too,” agreed Rarity with a warm smile. “That dress is just right for a debutante like you, Hornette.”

“Debra what now?”

“Debutante,” explained Rumble. “It's a synonym for a young female making her debut in high society. Although,” he went on, arching a puzzled eyebrow at Locomotion, “your outfit seems a bit...ostentatious for your first Gala appearance, doesn't it?”

“Well, if I'm gonna be dragged along to this Gala, I thought I might as well do this properly. Besides – and Uncle Steamer agrees with me on this – I'm more likely to blend into the crowd if I dress as a railway director.”

“President, more like,” quipped Scootaloo.

“Whatever,” grumbled Locomotion under his breath, rolling his eyes in sullen dismissal.

Hornette smiled reassuringly and placed a hoof on his shoulder. “Don't mind her, Loco,” she soothed. “You look really handsome in that outfit.”

Now it was Locomotion's turn to be flattered. “You reckon?”

“Oh, I know it,” affirmed Hornette, nuzzling him affectionately. “What was it that Twilight said of Flash Sentry once...'handsome is as handsome does'?”

“Aw, thanks, honeybee,” murmured Locomotion as he fondly returned the gesture. Almost at once, however, his touched smile gave way to a look of mock dismay as he spotted something out of the corner of his eye; “Talking of ostentatious!” he remarked.

“What...?” Hornette looked back over her shoulder to see Sweetie-Belle standing behind her. She wore an elegant violet ballgown with pink sleeve collars, a dark purple bodice and a skirt of pink, violet, lilac and dark purple frills, and was grinning eagerly from ear to ear as she stood before them.

“Hi, guys,” she trilled. “How do I look?”

Rarity looked up and smiled broadly. “Absolutely ravishing, Sweetie-Belle,” she admired, “even if I do say so myself.”

“Yeah...I guess you do look pretty good,” agreed Hornette, silently puzzling over what “ravishing” meant.

“Yeah – for a Grand Duchess!” commented Locomotion.

But his cheek was lost on Sweetie-Belle, who trotted over to the nearby mirror to check for herself. No sooner did she see what her reflection looked like than her eyes widened as if in shock. “OH MY GOSH!!!” she squeaked, causing Locomotion, Hornette, Scootaloo and Rumble to flinch at her shrill tone. All four exchanged bewildered glances, and Rarity began to worry she might have messed up somewhere – until... “I'M GORGEOUS!!!!”

Despite earlier his frustration with Sweetie-Belle, even Locomotion couldn't help bursting into laughter!

Chapter 3: A Day in Foalchester

It was a peaceful morning, not many ponies out on the streets as yet, and Locomotion couldn't help but enjoy the tranquil atmosphere as the four friends moseyed along. Only a quiet, melodic hum from Sweetie-Belle broke the silence, eventually giving way to actual singing as they neared the town centre.

“Little town
In the heart of the mountains,

At the start
Of a brand new day.

Little town
Full of cheerful ponies
Waking up to say...”

“Good morn'!”

“Good day!”

“How do you do today?”

Only then, as if on cue, did the erstwhile peace give way to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Shops, restaurants and street kiosks began opening up, traders and shoppers trotted diligently back and forth, and the air was soon filled with chatter.

“There goes the baker with his tray full of bread and cakes,
And there's the mailmare on her rounds...
For every shop, stall and cafe,
It's another pleasant day,
For this typical rustique Equestrian town.”

Hornette could only smile at Sweetie-Belle's lyrics. She certainly wasn't wrong, she thought, for this place didn't seem all that different to Ponyville; the architecture was very similar, there was that same air of friendliness among its inhabitants, and while there were no other changelings to be seen, she did notice the odd griffin or donkey amongst the many ponies who lived here.

But something she failed to notice at first was the stir her presence was causing. It went without saying that since her and Locomotion's part in the coup against Chrysalis, creatures the world over would almost certainly have heard, or read, about their exploit. Thus it was no surprise that several townsfolk should see them in their midst and instantly recognise them; but most of their remarks were not so much admiring as curious and bewildered.

“There goes a changeling down the street – no question;
That girl's the strangest we've seen yet!
She's the shape of an equine,
With a jet-black chitin shine –
No denying she's a funny girl, Hornette!”

Locomotion overheard them, but tried not to let it bother him. At least they weren't outright sneering at her, he reassured himself; they were just mystified, that was all. He ambled on after Hornette, Sweetie-Belle and Lickety-Split, trying to maintain a cheerful expression as he listened reticently to the chatter of the townsfolk.

“Good morning.”

“Good day.”

“How is your family?”

Presently, his train of thought was interrupted by a grocer genially calling out to him, “Good morning.”

“Good day,” answered Locomotion, trying to sound polite even though he didn't know the pony.

The grocer's eyes briefly flicked over to Hornette, taking on a cheeky look as he jokingly asked, “How is your wife?”

“What?!” Locomotion stared back at him incredulously. Surely it was a bit too soon to be assuming he and Hornette had gone that far with their relationship, he thought – but before he could correct the stallion, he was interrupted by a red-faced mare dashing up to the shop, panting heavily as her husband caught up to her.

“I need
Six eggs!”

“That's too expensive!”

Unable to get a word in edgeways, Locomotion simply shook his head in dismissal and continued down the road; but again, Hornette remained oblivious to what was going on. She was too busy chatting with Sweetie-Belle, and taking in her busy yet pleasant surroundings; “How nice to sample all this local life.”

Presently, they paused to ask a passer-by for directions; for although Locomotion had brought a map with him, he still wanted to make doubly sure they were on the right path. The stallion recognised him from the “Battle of the Griffins” movie, and was only too happy to oblige.

“Keep going down the main road about...four blocks,” he said, tracing on the map where they were to go. “Turn right at Faroe Lane, and it's second on your left.”

“Ah, good,” replied Locomotion, “just as I thought. Thanks, mate.”

“No problem. Any chance of an autograph while you're here?” asked the stallion, pulling a pen and a sheet of paper from his saddlebag. “It'd really make my eldest son's day.”

Locomotion shrugged casually, “Eh, why not?” he conceded, and scribbled down a quick greeting and his signature, adding: P.S.: Hornette sends her regards. “Hope you don't mind...”

“Nah, that's great. Thanks a lot, Loco, and, uh...a good day to you, Miss Hornette.”

“You too, sir.” Hornette smiled politely as they set off again, paying little attention to the tiny nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Like all changelings, she had a sixth sense which her kind aptly called the Empathy Touch, something that allowed them to detect emotions in other creatures by telepathy; and judging by her own, this stallion seemed to find her more than a little alien. Not unlike the tavern patrons who were chattering behind her back as she trotted to keep pace with Locomotion;

“Look, there she goes with that young red-furred unicorn!
I wonder just how sweet they'll get;
Even though she's not our kind...
Well, he doesn't seem to mind.
What a puzzle to the rest of us, Hornette!”

Still, she thought gravely, what was new? Even Locomotion had been a little spooked by her at first sight, and he was proud to call her his marefriend, bless him! These ponies just didn't know any better...

Passing through a park just beyond the town centre, Sweetie-Belle decided to pause under the shade of a sycamore tree for a rest. She had brought her favourite romantic novel along with her, and sat almost dreamily on a nearby bench as she read through the second chapter. This, she explained to Hornette, was the part she enjoyed best; the young heroine of the story meeting a handsome stranger, whom she would later find to be a prince. Hornette was most impressed, but she and Locomotion were so keen to see Firelli that they didn't stay for long. With a tactful farewell, they carried on towards the other side of town, still trying to tune out the idle gossip from all around them.

“No doubt at all that girl is sweet for a changeling -
She's got the looks and etiquette.”

“But behind that cute facade,
I'm afraid she's very odd
Very different from the rest of us...”

“She's nothing like the rest of us;
She's different from the rest of us, Hornette!”

At last, they reached a small cottage close to the outskirts. It backed onto a nearby river, and its back garden included a sizeable pond which doubled as a swimming pool for the creatures who lived here. Just like Mistral and his family to choose such a place, thought Locomotion wistfully as he knocked at the front door; soon to be answered by a tall green female hippogriff. “Oh, hello, Loco,” she greeted.

“Morning, Zonda. Elli and Mistral nearly ready?”

“Just about,” smiled Zonda.

No sooner had she said that than Firelli ambled downstairs, followed closely by Mistral who gave Locomotion and Hornette a friendly nod. The scarlet mare trotted forward and drew her brother into a hug. “Hey, Loco,” she said fondly.

“Hey, sis,” smiled Locomotion warmly. “How's it going then?”

“I'm good, thanks. How about you and Hornette, you okay?”

“Pretty well, thanks, Elli,” chimed in Hornette.

Locomotion simply nodded in agreement before adding, “And how's Mistral?”

“Yeah, I'm all good,” responded Mistral casually, giving Locomotion a brotherly hug of his own. “Shall we get going then?”

Locomotion readily conceded, and watched with a small smile as the young hippogriff said goodbye to his parents. Mistral may have been fairly laid back on the surface, but his energetic streak was still clear for all to see, and the red-furred unicorn had known him long enough to realise how eager he was to be out and about. As they made their way back to the station, he began making small talk with Firelli, while Hornette did the same with Mistral.

“So, you looking forward to the Gala, Hornette?” asked Mistral as he hovered enthusiastically next to her.

Hornette hesitated. She had been trying hard not to think about the Gala since they arrived. “Well...I'm not sure,” she confided uneasily. “I mean...with me being a changeling, I...” Her brow furrowed as the same question began prodding at her; “...how will the other guests take to me?”

“Chin up, Hornette,” said Mistral optimistically, “you're not the only one.” Having spent the early part of his life underwater in Seaquestria, he hadn't even heard of changelings before meeting Firelli, and so he never found Hornette the least bit intimidating or unsightly. If anything, she was quite the curiosity to him. “I'm not a hundred percent pony myself,” he added, “and nopony has a bad thing to say about me...” His eyes took on a fond look as he gazed at his marefriend. “...least of all good old Firelli Brazen.”

“Well...no, that is true, I guess,” Hornette replied doubtfully. True of Elli, at least – but if you only knew, Mistral, what we changelings have been through...her train of thought was cut off as Mistral fondly enthused about the young mare;

“When I first met her up in Canterlot last year,
It's little wonder that I fell
For a creature with a mind
That's as smart as she is kind.
Guess I'm lucky to be the boyfriend of El'.”

Locomotion overheard, and could only smile warmly in agreement. He had taken a shine to Mistral ever since Firelli had introduced him, and had no objections to her dating him – even though he had cheekily toyed with the idea of playing the overprotective brother and issuing idle, nay, comical threats should Mistral ever hurt her, he could see that wasn't going to happen. And why bother breaking up such a beautiful relationship anyway, he thought? That hippogriff was definitely a keeper, and woe betide any young stallion who thought they could do better than him as her suitor. Heck, there were probably plenty of mares fawning over him too!

As if to add weight to that remark, he couldn't help noticing voices from somewhere behind him...

“Look, there
They go!
Oh, aren't they dreamy?
Loco,
Mistral,
They're both so cute!”

Looking back over his shoulder, he saw that the voices belonged to three doe-eyed bimbettes who were watching him and Mistral from a nearby side street. They didn't even seem to care that the two males had marefriends by their sides, and sang flirtatiously in their direction as if trying to seduce them.

“Be still,
My heart!
I'm hardly breathing –
They're fine, they're strong,
They're both such handsome brutes!”

Locomotion only scowled with exasperation, failing to find any kind of flattery in the swooning mares' words. If anything, it felt more like an affront, like they thought he was far too good for the likes of Hornette – like they were trying to split them up out of spite. Hornette seemed to be on the same page, because she had shuffled over to her beau and was clinging to him with a look of injured possessiveness.

Mistral heard the three admiring ponies himself, but didn't take much notice. He was used to having mares flirting behind his back, and if they thought him such a hot chick, then the best of luck finding one of their own, he thought with a hearty smile – Firelli had got to him first, and that was that.

By the time they reached the town square, of course, that flirting had given way to general chatter as the four teenagers picked their way through the now crowded streets. To Locomotion and Hornette, however, it seemed as if all eyes had turned back to stare at the young changeling, gossiping with ever-increasing volume about how weird she was. Hornette in particular was beginning to look really uncomfortable, almost like she wanted to curl up and die of embarrassment on the spot. Firelli and Mistral didn't seem to notice – to them, it was just another typical day.

“How nice to be out in this provincial town,” sang Firelli contentedly.

“With Loco and a changeling of world renown!” agreed Mistral.

Yeah, but you don't have to announce it, Mistral, thought Locomotion, his patience wearing thin. But before he could say anything about it, he heard the townsponies singing behind his and Hornette's backs one last time;

“Look, there she goes, that girl's a strange young creature,
The most peculiar we've seen yet.
Unicorns we know just fine;
We see them all the time –
But she really is a funny girl
That changeling is a funny girl
She really is a funny girl...
Hornette!”

At last, Locomotion lost his temper. No sooner had the song ended than he spun around and glared pointedly at the unwelcome onlookers, taking Firelli and Mistral completely by surprise as he demanded crossly, “And you've got a problem with that because...?!”

Nopony endeavoured to reply. With nary more than a few awkward murmurs, the townsfolk sheepishly went back to their daily business as if nothing had happened.

“I rest my case,” declared Locomotion huffily.

Firelli gripped him gently by the shoulder with her wing, trying to discretely usher him away. “Come on, Loco,” she counselled, “don't rise to them.”

I wasn't! Locomotion knew that wasn't strictly true, of course, so he refrained from saying it out loud. “Well, I suppose we've got better things to do than listen to nosy ignoramuses!” he retorted, making sure everypony around him could hear, and stomped off before Firelli could chide him any further.

He remained silent and surly for the rest of the morning, and was glad when they finally returned to the train. Hornette was relieved too, not least because of how many ponies still seemed to be talking about her in hushed tones – if Locomotion were to hear them, things would have become even more embarrassing than they already had been.

Not until lunchtime did Locomotion finally manage to calm down; but Firelli was still concerned about him. Locomotion told her and Mistral all about his anxieties regarding the Gala, and how Sweetie-Belle and some of the others had all but goaded him and Hornette into attending.

“I wondered why you were so quick to anger earlier,” murmured Firelli in dismay.

Locomotion nodded gravely. “I just don't get it,” he complained. “Rarity, Sweetie-Belle...even Rainbow Dash, for ponies' sake – to hear them talk, you'd think the whole Gala would raise a cheer as soon as look at us! Don't they know who they're talking about? How the elite will react when they see Hornette passing through the ballroom? You saw how they took to her back in Foalchester. Why should Canterlot be any different?”

Firelli smiled gently, trying to reassure him. “Probably more so than you might think,” she observed. “Foalchester is more rural than Canterlot, don't forget; ponies there are bound to be more inquisitive, especially when it comes to strangers or newcomers.”

“Nosy, more like!” muttered Locomotion.

“They were like that with me and my family when we first moved in,” chimed in Mistral sagely, “but they got used to us after a while. And believe it or not, when I started at uni, few of the others there cared that I was a hippogriff and not a pony – as far as they were concerned, I was just another ordinary student.”

“Yeah, but were any of them from elitist families?”

“Um...one or two – but they never seemed to have a bad thing to say either. Some of them will surprise you.”

“Maybe,” went on Locomotion pessimistically, “but then you guys never built up the negative reputation that Hornette and her kind did. And I know from Rarity how stuffy those upper class types can be – especially that Blueblood!” he finished through gritted teeth, tears of anger pricking at his eyes.

Mistral blinked. “Who's Blueblood?”

“It's a long story,” cut in Firelli hastily. “I'll tell you after we've eaten, Mist, I promise.”

“Oh...okay.” Mistral was still confused, but thought better of pressing the matter as they made their way to the dining car. “You coming, Loco?”

“You go on ahead. I need some time alone.”

But Firelli wouldn't leave without giving him a reassuring nuzzle at least. “Don't feel you have to bottle it in,” she whispered kindly. “If you need to offload...you know where I am.”

“I know,” sighed Locomotion with a weak, sombre smile; knowing deep down that he probably would need to have a good rant at some point. For while he was genuinely concerned for Hornette first and foremost, his distrust towards Blueblood was far more personal, and the mere thought of meeting him even without his beloved changeling was enough to make him seethe. If only that Sweetie-Belle hadn't been so insistent...!

“Uh...Loco?”

The red-furred stallion relaxed slightly. “Yes, Hornette?”

“Are you alright? You still seem a bit tense.”

“Yeah, fine,” said Locomotion. “Just the whole Gala business getting to me again.”

Hornette nodded thoughtfully. “Me too,” she sympathised. “After hearing all that gossip about me...oh, Loco, that was more than I could bear! And there I was hoping Foalchester would be no different to Ponyville.”

“Well...early days yet, I guess,” replied Locomotion. “What do they know about changelings anyway? Ignorant twits, that's what they are – and I'll wager they'll be five times worse in Canterlot. I swear, if I see Sweetie-Belle again, I'll...I'll......”

“That's the thing,” Hornette interjected. “I had a little moan about it with her earlier, and...she said she was sorry for dragging us into this Gala business in the first place. She's still trying to be optimistic, sure, but I could tell from my Empathy Touch that she's beginning to regret it.”

“I should think so too!” grunted Locomotion feelingly. “She's gonna have a lot more regrets than that if it all goes wrong.” Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the very mare standing nearby. “And don't even think about trying to charm us further, Sweetie-Belle,” he added severely. “I'm sick and tired of all this Grand Galloping Gala fairytale garbage!”

“Yes, I can see that, Loco.” Sweetie-Belle ruefully looked away, but tried to keep a brave face all the same. “And I know I've...kinda rubbed you up the wrong way...”

“You think?!”

“...but believe me, I only acted with the best intentions, and so did the princesses,” continued Sweetie-Belle. “You and Hornette are more than just a throwaway example of how changelings and ponies can coexist – you helped to make it happen in the first place, and you gained the Celestial Peace Medal because of it. So what if others object? You deserve to be part of that Gala.” Knowing that Locomotion still wasn't prepared to accept her apology, she left him to let it sink in and shuffled off to the dining car without another word.

The only response Locomotion could give was a subdued murmur of, “Yeah – sure(!)”

The rest of the journey went without a hitch, but Locomotion and Hornette were still brooding when the train arrived at Canterbury West. It was rush hour, and the platforms were packed with commuters waiting to return home from the city centre – so crowded, in fact, that Hornette was almost too afraid to leave the carriage. When at last she did, she was sorely tempted to turn herself invisible as she had done when she escaped from her homeland, but Firelli tactfully advised against it.

“It's easy to get lost in Canterlot,” she explained gravely. “Better if we can still see you than if nopony else can.”

Locomotion was quick to agree; he had rarely ever been to Canterlot before, and didn't know his way around as well as Firelli did. Even so, he and Hornette tried to keep a low profile as they and the other passengers collected their luggage. It wasn't easy for Hornette, of course; as a changeling, she stuck out like a sore hoof among her pony companions. Mercifully, she couldn't hear anypony gossiping about her, but she still felt most uncomfortable under all the gazes of bewilderment, and even disdain in one or two instances, from the many strangers they passed on their way to the hotel. Only when they finally checked in and received their room keys could she feel the faintest sense of relief.

But deep down, she knew it wouldn't last – they only had a few hours before the Grand Galloping Gala, and no matter how much Locomotion and Firelli tried to comfort her, Hornette couldn't stop worrying.

“They won't like me there. I know they won't,” she fretted under her breath, fidgeting with the sleeves of her dress as Firelli helped brush her mane and tail. “They'll all be scowling at me as soon as I show my face in that castle.”

“Don't count your hens before they've hatched, Hornette,” soothed Firelli. “You've made good friends with high class ponies before – Rarity, Octavia...even Diamond Tiara took to you pretty quickly. You never know, there might be somepony there who thinks well of you.”

“Not that couple Loco rescued at Horse Junction at any rate.”

“They were probably just too shaken to think straight,” Firelli reasoned. “A train crash might do that to anypony.”

“Yeah, but from what Octavia told me, they were just as bad even before the crash,” replied Hornette. “If they were prepared to badmouth her for her romantic preferences, what does that do to my own chances?”

Firelli smiled ruefully. “Well...there's always somepony who has a problem with who you are,” she said wisely. “But that doesn't mean you should take them to heart; and neither do you have to come along to the Gala if you really don't want to. But Princess Celestia invited you specifically to show that changelings have a place among ponies, and if you do want to go there, and others think you shouldn't be...they'll just have to live with it.”

Privately, Hornette could only hope they would!

Chapter 4: Full of Surprises

From the top of the grand staircase in Canterlot Castle's entrance hall, Celestia, Luna, Twilight and Flash Sentry looked on welcomingly as the Gala guests began to arrive. To one side, Blueblood stood by and greeted each of the attendees with a polite smile as the herald called out their names; occasionally directing a fond glance to the azure blue mare in a fetching purple ballgown standing next to him.

“Announcing Prince Shining Armour and Princesses Cadance and Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire!”

A broad smile of delight spread across Blueblood's face as he trotted forward. “Cadance!” he remarked. “So glad you could make it!”

“Wonderful to see you again, Blueblood,” beamed Cadance, drawing him into a hug. Blueblood warmly returned it, but barely had the chance to pull back before Flurry Heart jumped up and enveloped him in an embrace of her own. A light chuckle escaped his lips as he wrapped an arm around her, his other one reaching out to shake hooves with Shining Armour.

“Wow, Blueblood,” he quipped, “what's Trixie been doing to you over these last few years? You wouldn't have been caught dead hugging a little filly before she came along.”

Blueblood scoffed in a dignified manner, but the hearty smirk on his lips spoilt the effect. “And what would a commoner know about how a prince carries himself?” he retorted.

“Give it up, Blueblood,” chided Trixie playfully, “we all know you're a big softie underneath. Even that mare from your past couldn't change you for good.”

“I have you to thank for that, Trixie darling,” murmured Blueblood gratefully. “Anyway, how's my favourite little niece?”

“Aw, come on, Uncle Blueblood,” giggled Flurry Heart, “I'm your only niece.”

Blueblood smirked again and rolled his eyes. “Not for long, I hope,” he quipped. “The way your Auntie Twilight seems to be getting on with young Flash Sentry, I'd say it's only a matter of time before you get a cousin or two.”

Flurry Heart sighed longingly as she relaxed her grip on her uncle. “I'd like that,” she agreed. “It's great living in the Crystal Castle, but it does get boring without other foals to play with.”

“I can vouch for that,” put in Cadance gravely. “Few visitors to the castle ever seem to bring children with them, and from what I can tell, the only times she gets to be with foals of her age group is when she goes to visit Twilight.”

“Hmm...I'm sorry to hear that,” sympathised Blueblood; but before he could continue, the umpteenth bugle call in the last few minutes promptly distracted his attention.

“Announcing the Ponyville Councillors of Friendship – Lady Rarity and her husband Sir Spike the Dragon; Councillor Pinkie Pie and her husband Braeburn of Appleloosa; Councillor Fluttershy and her husband Macintosh Apple; and Councillor Applejack and her husband Caramel!”

All four royals, as well as Trixie, turned to give the arrivals a friendly greeting as they entered. Blueblood's genial smile faltered a little at the sight of Rarity, who gave him a polite but wary glance; even though she had learned from Trixie about his change of tune, the unpleasant memories of her own first encounter with him still stuck in her mind. “Quite the turnout tonight, wouldn't you say?” he remarked to Shining Armour, trying to distract himself from his own embarrassment.

“Yes, quite. I'm only surprised Rainbow Dash isn't with them.”

“She'll be out waiting to give an aerial display,” Cadance pointed out. “Wonderbolts, remember?”

“They won't be the only ones putting on a show,” put in Trixie. “Princess Celestia allowed me to give a magic display later tonight – and take a wild guess as to who put in a good word for me,” beaming lovingly up at Blueblood.

“Well, I couldn't say no to the Great and Powerful Trixie, could I?”

Trixie's reply was cut off by the herald called out the next few arrivals; “Announcing Locomotion and Hornette, CPM, Star of Rockhoof, and their guests Firelli Brazen and Mistral!”

For a moment, Blueblood was confused – but when he looked towards the doorway again, all became clear as he saw a teenaged changeling mare in a light pink ballgown and a red-furred unicorn stallion in a top-hat enter the castle. The stallion looked around apprehensively, as if he expected somepony to walk over and slap him in the face; but it was the changeling who really caught Blueblood's attention. She clearly didn't want to be here, and seemed to be trying her best to hide behind her baby blue mane.

“Isn't that the same changeling who helped overthrow Chrysalis?” he ventured.

“Why, so she is,” said Cadance, pleasantly surprised to see Hornette again. “Shiny and I were at their medal award ceremony in Ponyville last year. Such a pleasant creature she was; but pretty shy to boot.”

“Hmm...yes, I see.” Blueblood's brow furrowed. He didn't even need to ask the changeling's name she was so well known; nor did he question why she looked so insecure. With so many ponies around, and none of her own kind as far as he could see, it was all too obvious to him.

To add to that, the moment their names had been called out, all eyes had turned in Locomotion and Hornette's direction. Some simply stared in sullen puzzlement and unspoken disdain, while others waited expectantly as if they anticipated some kind of speech from the young couple – but it never came. The unexpected attention only made them even more uncomfortable than they already were; and when at last Locomotion did speak, he could only manage two awkward, nervous words plucked out of thin air – “No comment.”

Most of the other guests muttered to each other in disappointment, and Blueblood frowned anxiously. “Hmm,” he thought aloud. “I fear a little...intervention might be needed here.”

“What do you mean?” quizzed Trixie.

“I'm sure those two won't mind me pulling a few strings here and there,” finished Blueblood cryptically, and made his way to the ballroom without explaining any further. Trixie, still puzzled, followed suit, while Cadance, Shining Armour and Flurry Heart went for a hearty chat with Twilight. Hornette caught a glimpse of them, but was too shy even to say hello; and Locomotion was more concerned with concealing his embarrassment than attempting to greet them himself.

“Too much?” whispered Firelli sympathetically.

“I'll say it was,” muttered Locomotion. “I didn't expect an inquisition the moment I walked through the door.” He groaned under his breath, holding a hoof against his face as the herald announced Scootaloo, Rumble, Apple Bloom, Featherweight, Sweetie-Belle and Lickety-Split. “What a way to start the evening!”

“Never mind, Loco, the night's still young. Shall we go and see where the buffet table is? You'll probably feel better after you've had something to eat.”

“And maybe a chat with the princesses, eh?” put in Mistral brightly. “They did personally invite you, after all.”

Locomotion shook his head uncertainly. “They'll probably be too busy with other ponies to even notice us. Besides, I'm hardly worthy to kiss their boots, let alone speak to them.”

“Is that so?” Hornette jumped at the sound of the disembodied voice, but Locomotion only groaned again in dismay. “Well, as Princess Celestia's consort, surely I count as royalty myself, am I right or am I right? Therefore...” and before they knew what was going on, Discord materialised in front of them wearing what Locomotion could only describe as some kind of circus ringmaster outfit. “Want some?” he offered, holding out one of his boots. “It's orange-flavoured.”

“Good evening to you too, Discord,” smiled Firelli politely.

“Oh, it certainly should be! To have a couple of BIG names at this BIG event,” chortled Discord knowingly, growing in size as he spoke, “is always a BIG pleasure indeed.”

“Is it now?” scoffed Locomotion sarcastically. “Well, where can I find them?”

“Right here, you silly little pony!” replied Discord with an amused smirk. “You and that darling changeling marefriend of yours – you're the couple of the hour, and you didn't...say,” he interrupted himself, gazing down in feigned bemusement at Hornette, who seemed to be cowering a little under his enlarged stature. “You're a lot smaller than I remember – either that or I'm getting bigger. Look at me from the side,” fiddling with his newly acquired pot belly, “do I look different to you?”

“No, Discord, you've always looked an absolute weirdo,” retorted Locomotion impatiently, “and none of us have any time for this.”

“Now, now, Loco,” chided Discord, shrinking back to his normal size and girth, “no need to get so...wound up!” As if to drive the point home, he pulled a key out of nowhere, stuck it in his earhole and twisted it a few times. “I'll have you know I'm just trying to provide the key to your enjoyment this evening. In fact, I've even got a list of things for you to achieve tonight,” he added, producing a clipboard out of thin air and hovering it in front of Locomotion and Hornette.

But Locomotion only scowled at what he saw. “Oh, don't be stupid, Discord!” he snapped. “None of that's gonna happen and you know it!”

“Loco!” exclaimed Firelli. “Was there any need for that?”

“No, there was no need for him to egg us on like this!” argued Locomotion crossly. “We've got enough to worry about without that oversized mongrel working us up for nothing!”

Discord nearly fell over in mock dismay. “Are you doubting my intuition, my dear Loco?!”

“Your integrity, more like.”

“Oh, please,” continued Discord innocently, “what would I have to gain by playing the fool with you both? By the time I'm done – and I'm willing to bet on it – you two will be thanking me (and others) for helping you show what you really are – the belles of the ball, the stars of the show, the talk of the town, the good of the Gala...”

“Ha!” dismissed Locomotion. “I'd be surprised if that turned out to be true.”

“You and me both,” murmured Hornette timidly.

“Oh really?” A cheeky smirk returned to Discord's face. “Honestly, Loco, have you even met me? Discord, the Spirit of Chaos? The one creature who can do anything he wants at the snap of a finger? I'm full of surprises...”

Hornette cocked her head at the musical tone of Discord's voice. “Is he...singing?” she wondered out loud, before realising with embarrassment what an obvious question that was.

“As all of you can see...”

“Sounds like it,” observed Mistral, more curious than puzzled. Locomotion didn't bother to offer his own opinion – he just sighed irritably and buried his face in his right hoof.

“My presence brings pizazz into the hall...”

Before their very eyes, Discord vanished in a puff of smoke, only to reappear right between Locomotion and Hornette, causing them both to flinch. The red-furred unicorn slowly lowered his hoof and turned to glare at him, but Discord, unfazed, pretended not to notice his annoyance and carried on singing.

“I'm full of surprises...
Let it be said of me,
I don't find being surprising hard at all!”

“Oh, grief, here we go,” muttered Locomotion as all the lights inexplicably went out. When they came back on again, the first thing they saw was Discord striding out from behind one of the marble pillars in an impromptu dance routine, now sporting a spangly jacket and bow tie and holding a gold-topped cane.

“I'm full of surprises,
As all of you can see;
My presence brings pizazz into the ball...”

As if to punctuate that point, a sprinkling of multicoloured confetti began raining down, accompanied by a chorus of disembodied cheers as Discord went from tap dancing to backward somersaults. Next, a trio of spotlights beamed down, one after another, each on a separate part of the entrance hall; and in each one, Discord magically appeared and struck a different pose.

“I'm full of surprises;
Let it be said of me,
I don't find being surprising hard at all!”

He certainly doesn't seem to have trouble being confusing, thought Hornette, who was already growing a little dizzy. Discord seemed to be everywhere and nowhere all at the same time – even right in front of her in a court jester's outfit!

“Some might think me a clown,
Who's madder than a box of frogs...”

Which was exactly what Discord presented to her – it was only a small box, about as big as her hoof, but when Hornette opened it, she was startled and bemused to see nearly three dozen of the aforementioned amphibians jumping out one after the other. It took her a second or two to recover, but Discord had already resumed his previous garb and was performing a waltz with an invisible partner.

“But I'd much rather be here at the Gala
Than let myself go to the dogs!”

His head changed into that of a wolf at that point, and he let out three sharp barks. But Locomotion didn't find his fancy display at all amusing; as soon as he thought Discord wasn't looking, he discretely gestured to Hornette that they should move on to the ballroom. Hornette obeyed, but neither of them made it more than a few paces before the draconequus appeared in front of them again.

“I'm full of surprises,
No matter where you go...”

Exasperated, Locomotion turned the other way in a vain attempt to find a Royal Guard and complain about Discord – only to flinch back again in anguish as his path was blocked once more.

“I stage some of the finest shows around...”

Hornette gazed almost desperately back at the hallway leading to the ballroom, hoping for a way out. Instead, she was greeted by the sight of multiple Discord clones holding out their canes in an arch, while Discord himself danced boisterously between them, occasionally spinning his own cane.

“I'm full of surprises;
As everyone should know,
Surprises, in my presence, do abound
Yes, I believe my surprises will astound!”

The clones all vanished in a puff of smoke, and Discord floated upwards to hover with his head under an unlit chandelier, pointing at it as he sang.

“And that's how you'll soon realise...”

The chandelier lit up to a high-pitched ding that sounded like a bright idea popping into someone's head. Discord vanished again at that point, reappearing in a prison uniform with a ball and chain anchoring him to the floor, and hung his head in a guilty manner as shadows loomed over him intimidatingly.

“That socialites may judge and penalise...”

Hornette, visibly disturbed, opened her mouth to ask for clarification; but Firelli, who up to that point had been too mesmerised to say anything, gave her a hasty nudge and whispered, “You don't want to know.” The young changeling barely had a chance to let it sink in before Discord, resuming his original outfit, reached out and pulled her and Locomotion together until they were cheek to cheek.

“But even they can be allies!
I tell no lies!”

He stood up again, holding his arms above his head as if in genial triumph. But even if he felt it, he could already see that his celebration was premature; for Locomotion had clearly had enough of his groundless optimism, and wasn't willing to hear him out any further. He snorted derisively and rolled his eyes, muttering to himself, “Well, there's a big surprise!” in a very cynical and obstinate tone of voice as he and Hornette made for the ballroom. Firelli and Mistral trotted after them, leaving behind a very disappointed Discord.

Chapter 5: Confrontations

Time passed slowly for Locomotion, and indeed it seemed that Discord was in for even more of a surprise than him. With almost all the others in his party scattered throughout the castle and its grounds, and only Firelli, Hornette and Mistral for company, he found the Gala dull and tedious, and didn't enjoy himself one bit.

Hornette found it hard to enjoy herself too. Though nopony had said anything about her or even spoken to her over the past hour, she could sense discomfort, and even disdain, radiating from several of the nobles, business tycoons and celebrities who happened to gaze upon her. It didn't help that some of them were so smartly dressed as to make her look slovenly; and even the food on the buffet table looked a little alien to her, apart from some of the desserts. Only Locomotion's presence, and the sound of Octavia and her group performing onstage, made her feel any kind of comfort at all.

Eventually, Firelli and Mistral stopped to talk to a few university friends who had also been invited to the event. They were gracious enough to introduce Locomotion and Hornette, but soon became so distracted chatting with the three unicorns, one llama and one other hippogriff that Locomotion quickly grew bored again. Unsure how best to join in on the conversation, he just stood listlessly until Hornette told him she needed to relieve herself.

“Uh, excuse us, Elli,” he interjected, “we're just off to see if we can find a toilet.”

“You need me to come with?”

“Nah, don't let me interrupt you guys,” replied Locomotion. “We'll be back in a tick.”

Firelli looked a little worried. “Are you sure? It's a pretty big place, this castle; and supposing you should bump into someone...less than savoury?”

“We'll be alright,” objected Locomotion, almost dismissively. “It's not like we're venturing into Manehattan gangland.”

“Alright then,” conceded Firelli, “but if you're not back in ten minutes, we'll come looking for you.”

In truth, Locomotion was already beginning to regret his bravado. He had only really turned down Firelli's offer out of sheer impatience, completely disregarding his earlier concerns about bumping into some outspoken snob with dated views on changelings; but now that he and Hornette were on their own, he wished he hadn't. Luckily, Spike and Rarity happened to be nearby.

“Hey, Spike,” called Locomotion, trotting over with Hornette close behind.

“Hello, Loco,” answered Spike. “Everything okay?”

Locomotion discretely rolled his eyes. “About as okay as can be, given the circumstances,” he grumbled under his breath; but quickly composed himself. “You're familiar with this castle, right?” he ventured. “Any chance you can direct us to the nearest restroom?”

“Sure, it's over there.” Spike pointed across the ballroom.

“Enjoying yourselves?” chimed in Rarity hopefully.

The only response she got from Locomotion was a subdued mutter of, “What is there to enjoy about this dreary snob gathering?” as he and Hornette took their leave. Dismayed, she gazed at Spike who only gave her a grave frown in reply.

Discord wasn't too happy either. From his vantage point in the rafters, his eyes followed the changeling and her stallion across the ballroom floor before turning back to the checklist perched on the tip of his tail.

“Hmm...” he hummed grimly. “This is turning out a lot harder than I thought it would be. What have we managed so far?” He scanned the list, reading its contents out loud;

Gala Checklist for Loco and Hornette

Befriend new prince and/or princess.
Make speech and be applauded for it.
Meet very important changeling guest.
Reacquaint with old friends among high society.
Show the world that changelings are cool.
???????????????
ENJOY YOURSELVES!!!!

“...and not one single ding-dong criterion satisfied?!” Discord stared disbelievingly at the list for a moment. “I can't believe it,” he muttered to himself, his eyes boggling as he fiddled with his tie, “I'm losing to a bug.” But not for long if I have anything to do with it! His eyes narrowed with determination as he slipped the list into one of his pockets and drifted down towards the floor. Privately, he had resolved not to meddle directly in the young couple's affairs unless they really needed it – but after a whole hour of watching and waiting with bated breath, he could see he had little choice...

“I say, Discord,” called a familiar voice, “you wouldn't happen to know where I can find a couple named Locomotion and Hornette, would you?”

“Find them, Blueblood?! I've had my eye on them the whole time!” retorted Discord.

“Stalking them, eh?” Despite his reproving tone, Blueblood struggled to fight back a small smirk. “You do realise, O' Mischievous One, that you were advised to be on your best behaviour tonight? Unless I'm very much mistaken, that means no shoving your snout into other creatures' private affairs.”

“Oh really?!” Discord shot back smugly. “Fine words coming from a prince who just happens to be...what's the word...stalking the same creatures?”

“Touché,” commented Blueblood, rolling his eyes. “I don't suppose we're on the same page as regards to our intentions?”

Discord laughed dismissively, only to respond with a very blunt, “Yes. I made sure to show them as much when they arrived,” and he produced the checklist he had been perusing.

The royal unicorn scanned dubiously through its contents, only to shoot Discord an unimpressed deadpan. “And how many criteria have you fulfilled as yet?” he queried.

“Well, let me see...as far as I can tell, the number of goals achieved by this gracious young pair...um...” Discord's face fell further and further as he tried to think of a suitable reply. This really wasn't doing his pride any favours, he thought gravely. “...ooh, nearly one,” he finished lamely.

“Nearly one?” asked Blueblood sceptically.

“Uh, call it none.”

“As I suspected. Don't take this the wrong way, Discord,” said Blueblood, almost sympathetically, “you obviously have the best of intentions towards those two at heart, but you won't win any friends by shoving those intentions in their faces. What they really need is support.”

“Oh, and I don't suppose you can do any better?” reproached Discord indignantly.

“Very well – if that's the way you want to play it, I accept the challenge. Where are they now?”

“Wander over yonder, but watch you don't fall in the bog!” spat Discord, pointing towards the restroom.

“Good. Then watch and learn, my dear Discord,” said Blueblood loftily, “while I show you how it's really done. I shall talk to them personally.”

Discord's injured scowl gave way to a look that was somehow smug, doubtful and anxious all at the same time. “Do you think that's wise?” he asked innocently.

“Discord, please,” scoffed Blueblood, “I'm a prince. I command the respect of our subjects – they'll gladly accept my assistance. You leave this to me,” and he strode off with his head held high.

But Discord knew better. “Oh, sure,” he muttered sarcastically under his breath, “leave it to high and mighty Blueblood – there's no way Loco would refuse his help, right? Right? Anyone? Bueller? We'll see about that!”

While all this was going on, Locomotion was waiting outside the restroom for Hornette. The hum of Octavia's cello managed to soothe his nerves a little; and uneasy though he may have been about the Gala, he nevertheless found that the momentary solitude allowed him a much-needed chance to gather his thoughts. He and Hornette seemed to have done well, he thought, to have avoided clashing with any of the other guests so far; but just how long would it last?

“And now, fillies and gentlecolts, we are proud to present one of the most magically talented unicorns in all the world! Please welcome...the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

Yeah – emphasis on “one of”, thought Locomotion with a derisive half-smile as the azure unicorn mare appeared onstage. He had been so preoccupied that he hadn't even noticed Octavia and her group had stopped playing, but he was even less credulous as to how that embarrassment of a magician had been invited here in the first place.

“What was that about, Loco?” In his distraction, he didn't see Hornette coming out of the restroom, but didn't react to her sudden presence.

“That,” said Locomotion, “was the so-called 'great and powerful' Trixie. Did Twilight tell you about her, perchance? How she made an absolute monkey out of herself the first time she came to Ponyville?”

“Uh...no, I don't think so. What happened?” asked Hornette.

Locomotion smirked and rolled his eyes as if in amusement. “It's what she didn't do that came back to bite her,” he explained. “I was about eight at the time, but I remember it well – how she rolled into town, put on that pointless magic show and proceeded to make a mockery of anypony who called her for the braggart she was. She even came out with this cock-and-bull story about fighting off an Ursa Major in Hoofington and living to tell the tale.”

“Did she?”

“Well...Snips and Snails certainly bought it, the silly twits,” continued Locomotion, “and they lured out what they thought was an Ursa Major for Trixie to deal with. Big mistake there, mates – that thing was so cranky from having its sleep disturbed that it went on a right rampage, and Trixie couldn't even harm a hair on its body! You can draw your conclusion.”

“Hmm...yes, I can,” murmured Hornette gravely. “What about the Ursa Major? Were there many ponies hurt?”

“That's the joke – that creature was just a cub, an Ursa Minor!” Locomotion could no longer stifle the chortle he had been fighting back. “And luckily, no-one was hurt thanks to Twilight; but she ended up having to use the municipal water tower as a makeshift baby bottle after lulling the creature back to sleep. We had no running water for a whole week after that,” he finished gravely. “They had to bring it up by rail, and even the engines at Ponyville MPD had to be stabled at Portpaddock or Trotley Ferrers because the water columns at the shed were out of action.”

“You said that was only the first time she came to Ponyville,” put in Hornette. “What about the other times?”

“Uh...only one other time springs to mind, and again, Twilight more than managed to put her in her place in the end.”

“Oh right? What was Trixie up to then?”

All traces of amusement vanished from Locomotion's face, and he cringed awkwardly as he recalled a corrupted Trixie breathing down his and his colleagues' necks, forcing them to repaint one of the engines in the same blue as herself, to clean and polish it until it shone brighter than the sun – and all this with the worst paint and the minimum of polish available! And then there was the accident with Uncle Steamer and his engine, steadily approaching from the east with an express, only for an oversized glass dome to come down over Ponyville, leaving him barely enough time to slow down before his engine banged into the almost invisible wall... “It's a long story,” he said meekly. “Anyway, let's move on. I can think of better things to do than waste time with that overblown charlatan.”

Secretly, Hornette was a little curious; but then this Trixie probably wasn't worth the bother anyway, she told herself. Anyway, she didn't want to get into a scrape with some braggart who would do her utmost to upstage her, even if she couldn't match the abilities of a changeling. They had only taken a few steps, however, when...

“Good evening, and salutations to you both.”

Hornette froze. In front of them stood a tall white stallion with a blond mane and tail; he had a compass rose for a Cutie Mark, and was smiling ingratiatingly. She shrank back a little, trying to recall where she had heard of him before as she braced herself for the worst, whilst Locomotion bristled with sullen fury.

The stallion was mildly taken aback by the red-furred youth's demeanour, but pretended not to notice. “I don't suppose the two of you know me,” he went on. “I am...”

“I know perfectly well who you are, Prince Blueblood!” scowled Locomotion. “And you've got some nerve, taunting me with that tone of voice!”

“I...I beg your pardon?! Is this the way to...”

“Don't come it with me, you old stuck-up! You don't get off the hook with me that easily, not after how you insulted my aunt's memory!” In that moment, Locomotion couldn't seem to care less that he was addressing royalty; all he could think about was how this stallion had hurt him all those years ago. “Eight-hundred creatures lost their lives when REA Flight 759 crashed, including Aunt Carnation Petal, and did you even think of them? Did you think of all the hundreds of creatures whose lives were changed as a result?! Creatures who are still struggling with the loss of their loved ones?! Did you even think of them?!”

Blueblood stuttered in dismay, trying to defend himself.

“No you didn't! You never bothered to find out why those poor souls died! You didn't even let the investigation teams do their job properly!” Locomotion ranted on. “All you could give a toss about was the smugness you felt for this country having the biggest passenger plane in the world! You put bloody prestige before other creatures' lives, and made others pay the price for it; and you want me to lick your hooves like you're the best pony that's ever lived?! Why not rub it in further and revoke the 1887 Rail Safety Act?!? See how much pleasure you get from seeing ponies killed from a lack of automatic train brakes and suchlike?!” He glowered venomously at Blueblood, hyperventilating with rage.

Blueblood suddenly looked very guilty and unsure of himself. “I...I only wanted to be of help...”

“Yeah?! Well, you can 'help' us by staying the flabberwocky out of our way and not showing us your mug again at any other point tonight!” scolded Locomotion. Unwilling to wait for a reply, he stomped over to the windows on the other side of the room for some fresh air. Hornette followed, giving Blueblood an apologetic frown as she left him alone with his thoughts.

“Well, Blueblood?” Discord materialised above him and floated so low that Blueblood could almost feel the smug grin on his face. “What was that you said earlier about commanding respect?”

But Blueblood was so hurt and ashamed that he could barely think, let alone speak. “And there I...I thought...”

“Yes, you ‘thought’!” reproached Discord with a twinge of sympathy. “Exactly what you should've done years ago – and only now do you begin to see why? I'm surprised with you, Blueblood. If this is how it's really done – hurting the feelings of an innocent, expecting him to automatically forgive and forget – then colour me wholly unimpressed.”

“Well, you've no room to talk!” protested Blueblood defensively. “We're supposed to be standing up for those two, showing the elite a thing or two about changelings – and all you can be bothered to is loaf around like you don't care!”

“That's the pot calling the kettle black!!” snapped Discord, steam hissing out of his ears. “If you cared so much yourself, why kill so many airline passengers in cold blood?!”

“I did not kill...” but Blueblood never finished. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see two faces he knew all too well approaching Locomotion – and they didn't look like they were about to shower him with praise.

Locomotion barely heard the argument he was so angry. He just stood by the window, trying to compose himself as Hornette placed a calming hoof on his shoulder. “You alright, Loco?” she asked quietly; even though she knew the answer already.

“No I'm not,” muttered Locomotion, staring down at his hooves. “Last pony I ever wanted to see...well, among many, I admit. But that's beside the point – who does that Blueblood think he is, laughing in the face of my aunt's death, and then trying to ingratiate with me as if I've forgotten all about it?”

“I know,” whispered Hornette. In truth, she thought she could sense something other than smug pride from Blueblood, and wondered if that might be why he didn't deride her there and then. But she knew Locomotion wouldn't buy it, so she kept it to herself.

“Some 'best night ever' this is turning out to be,” complained Locomotion wearily. “First Discord, then Blueblood – whatever next?!”

“I wondered where I'd seen that face before.”

Locomotion cursed inwardly and wished he hadn't spoken so soon. He recognised that voice – and if there was anypony he wanted to speak to less than Blueblood, that mare and her husband were at the top of the list.

“A fine choice of clothing, I must say – for a commoner,” continued the voice snootily, “but I fail to understand what business an insolent lout with ideas above his station has to attend an event like this.”

“I quite agree, dearest Upper Crust. It beggars belief that Princess Celestia should allow a young pretender to intrude on the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Speak for yourselves!” growled Locomotion under his breath, trying not to look them in the eye.

“I don't suppose it was enough, young stallion, to act like you were the star employee of the railways? At only eight years old?” From the way Upper Crust was talking, she clearly wasn't showing a great deal of mercy. “You really should learn to mind your place, and not try to fill horseshoes that are too big for you. Isn't that right, Jet Set?” she added emphatically.

“Exactly so,” agreed her husband. “A young faker like you belongs in a common cleaning role, not that of a professional train driver.”

Hornette didn't take kindly to this. “Loco is not a faker!” she protested. “He's one of the best engine drivers around, and an even better pony! He helped me end a war! He was the star of a movie! He helped a number of passengers out of a wrecked train,” pointing at Upper Crust, “including you, and this is how you repay him? By kicking him while he's down?”

This turned out to be a mistake. The blank, almost emotionless stares on Jet Set and Upper Crust's faces turned to derisive smirks as they turned their attention to the young changeling. “So,” remarked Jet Set, “not only do we have an unworthy youth in attendance – now we find there's a lowlife changeling here! This gets worse and worse!”

“Two delusional pretenders in one evening!” chimed in Upper Crust. “And one of them an overgrown horsefly to boot! What's the matter – can't get enough love from the criminal classes from which you changelings hail?”

“You won't be getting any from us, you slug!” finished Jet Set rudely. “Why don't you crawl back to your nest where you belong?! We could well do without war criminals like you in our society!”

Hornette opened her mouth to reply, but was drowned by haughty laughter from the two unicorns and several of the other guests. Tears of injured humiliation pricked at her eyes, and she bolted for the exit with an anguished sob before Locomotion could stop her – if indeed he had the willpower, that is. Instead, he just stood in shock at what he had just heard, deaf to everything save for the elites' heartless guffawing. When at last he did manage to speak or even move, it was with untold fury that he turned on Jet Set and Upper Crust and bellowed in their faces, “YOU SNOBS!”

The laughter stopped almost instantaneously at this point, giving way to a ripple of horrified gasps and indignant mutters.

“YOU STUPID, STUCK-UP, TOFFEE-NOSED, HALF-WITTED...UPPER CLASS PILES OF...PINGU!!!!” screamed Locomotion, his eyes bulging with rage. “YOU DARE TALK TO HORNETTE LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF ME!! TREAT HER LIKE A SKUNK WITH NO FEELINGS, DO YOU?! GRIND HER INTO THE DIRT JUST FOR EXISTING, WHY NOT?!”

“Now listen here!” exclaimed Jet Set angrily. “That's no way...”

“SHUT UP, YOUR BLEEDING HIGHNESS!!!! HORNETTE IS THE BEST CREATURE IN ALL THE WORLD, AND IF YOU CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO ACCEPT THAT, THEN YOU CAN GO ROT IN THE DEPTHS OF TARTARUS!!!!!!” and Locomotion stormed out of the ballroom, unaware that an equally shocked Blueblood and Discord had seen and heard everything.

“Well,” remarked Blueblood, “that could've gone better.”

“I know I promised myself I wouldn't interfere directly,” put in Discord, “but for once, I think you're right. It's high time we called in the cavalry – and by that, I don't mean the Royal Guard.”

“Agreed,” said Blueblood grimly. “But first things first...”

Chapter 6: The Sympathisers

“Hey, Apple Bloom, you seen where Hornette went?”

“Can't say as Ah have,” replied Apple Bloom as Locomotion came trotting up to them. “Y'all okay? Yo' lookin' kinda fierce.”

“And so I should! Couple of idiot elitists had the nerve to embarrass me and Hornette in front of all the others!” replied Locomotion crossly. “Now she's done a runner and I can't find her!”

“What's that about Hornette?” Flash Sentry had caught the tail end of the conversation and come over to see what was going on. “Has somepony been picking on her or something?”

“Yes – two guests by the names of...Jet Set and Upper Crust, I think they were,” explained Locomotion tersely. “They were absolutely shoving it down my throat how beneath them I was and how they thought I didn't make a good engine driver. Hornette stepped up to defend me, but they just laughed at her and called her names.”

“Yeesh,” remarked Flash, “I wondered why she seemed so distraught. I saw her just a few moments ago; she left this behind on her way out.” He held out his left wing, and Locomotion's heart sank when he saw what it held – one of Hornette's slippers! She must have been too distressed, he realised, to realise she was missing one in the first place.

“Oh, grief!” he murmured breathlessly. “They've really gone and done it, those shameless morons – now she's shedding clothes as well as tears!” He looked Flash desperately in the eye. “Any idea where she might've gone?”

Flash pondered for a moment. “Well...I couldn't be sure, but I think she was headed for one of the local parks. I can go check if you like.”

“No thanks, Flash,” replied Locomotion hastily. “If I get to the park and she's not there, I'll come find you and we'll send out a search party. Otherwise...I'll see you back in Ponyville.”

“Say what?! But Loco, the princesses...”

“Ah, bother the princesses!” snorted Locomotion impatiently. “I'm not staying here to be insulted; and if I know Hornette, neither will she!” and he darted off.

The park in question was only a stone's throw away from the castle grounds, but still far enough away from the heckling voices of the Gala that the disheartened and humiliated Hornette could finally feel safe. Even so, she struggled to stem the flow of her tears as she touched down.

“Why me?” she sobbed bitterly to herself as she wandered aimlessly along the gravel path where she had landed. “Why did those elite ponies have to treat me like a war criminal? I never even asked to be one in the first place!” She gathered pace, venting her feelings as she went;

“My kind
At war
With other nations;
Empire
And power
That was their strife...”

Painful memories of her past – how she was bullied for showing the kind of compassion towards other species that would have enraged Chrysalis like no-one would believe – the trauma of seeing many of her former friends from the hive turned into savage mercenaries – even her early days in Ponyville...all flashed through her mind, taunting her almost as much as the Gala guests' rude laughter.

“But no,
Not mine!
Such devastation
Was not what I could ever want in life...”

Her pace slowed again as she neared the top of a grassy knoll. Exhausted from crying so much and running so hard, she collapsed onto her haunches and gazed miserably at the panorama that lay before her, her sobbing abating into occasional sniffles.

“My only wish is to be embraced by all Equestria;
I want it more than I can tell...”

Just then, she spotted a faint light near the horizon, surrounded by mountains on all sides. For although Ponyville was more than a thousand miles away, one could still see the tall spires of Canterlot Castle from there, and the mountain on which the Equestrian capital sat; so it only made sense in Hornette's mind that the same should be true in reverse. Blinking away a few stray tears, she allowed herself a faint, touched smile as she thought of Steamer, and Zecora, and Surfie, and Fair Isle, and so many other ponies who really did embrace her as a true friend. Sure, many of them may have been a little apprehensive to begin with...

“...Though I also think it grand
To know someone understands
That there's so much more beneath my shell.”

And goodness knew she could do with one of those friends with her right now. Perhaps it was just as well, then, that Locomotion had managed to catch up to her by this point.

“You alright, Hornette?” he ventured softly as he approached. Deep down, he felt he knew the answer already; so he wasn't at all surprised when Hornette gloomily shook her head in reply. He settled down next to her and gave her a comforting nuzzle, which she gladly returned. Neither of them spoke for a long time, instead taking solace in each other's company as they sat and gazed across the land towards home.

“I never should've come,” Hornette lamented at last. “I knew they'd all be mean to me.”

“You and me both,” sighed Locomotion gravely. “Heck, I never should've let Sweetie-Belle talk us into this crazy idea in the first place!” His brow furrowed with sullen anger. “When I see her again, she's getting a jolly good piece of my mind, you mark my words.”

Hornette cringed, trying to fight back further tears. She knew Sweetie-Belle had been acting with the best of intentions, but for once, she felt deeply disappointed in her for what had just happened. “And I tried so hard to fit in among that lot,” she mourned, looking up at Locomotion. “I'm sorry I ran out like that...”

But Locomotion promptly interrupted her with a hoof over her lips and a meaningful kiss on the cheek. “You've nothing to be sorry for,” he soothed. “It's those stuffed shirts who should be sorry for how they treated you back there. They can keep their Grand Galloping Gala and their high society cliques and all that trash – you're way more important to me, and if they can't respect that...well, shame on the lot of them.” He drew her into a hug and nuzzled her once again. “You're a whole lot better than them, Hornette. Don't you forget that.”

Touched by his words, Hornette fondly hugged him back. “I don't know where I'd be without you, Loco,” she whispered gratefully.

“You're welcome,” said Locomotion softly. He pulled back and gazed up at the nearest clock tower; it was still only half past nine, so there was every chance... “Come on,” he counselled, “let's get out of here. There should be a train for Foalchester at the very least.”

But just as he and Hornette were standing up, they heard a voice booming from behind them, “CHANGE!!!!” One moment, they were still on their knoll – the next, there was a sudden flash of azure, followed by a startled yelp from the changeling as they found themselves standing behind a stage curtain somewhere.

Shaking off the dizziness from their abrupt teleportation, Locomotion looked around incredulously. “Whoa, hey...what the flabberwocky's going on?!” he spluttered.

“Good trick, wasn't it?” Before Locomotion or Hornette could even begin to wonder where they had heard that voice before, Discord suddenly appeared in front of them. “I know what you're thinking, but you're only half-right – am I right, dearest mistress of tricks?”

“You're too kind, Discord.” Only now did they see the creature to whom the mischievous draconequus was referring. “Yes, you lucky creatures have had the privilege of witnessing yet another dazzling achievement by the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Instinctively, she lit up her horn, setting off a small but spectacular display of fireworks until a yellow hoof with white feathering rested on her shoulder.

“Alright, Trixie dear, save it for later.”

Locomotion glared up at the pony who had just spoken. “You again?!” he growled. “Which bit of 'stay out of our way' do you have trouble understanding, Blueblood?!”

“If you'll allow me to speak...”

“Or what? You'll issue a court order telling me to stay silent for the rest of my life?! Well, let me tell you something – that's exactly the kind of idiotic 'royalty is always right' attitude that destroyed other creatures' lives!” Locomotion was almost at his boiling point by now, and whatever Blueblood had to say next, he wasn't about to offer any quarter now.

“I know – and I'm sorry.”

Or was he? Those five words and the sincerity with which they were spoken caught Locomotion completely by surprise, and for a good long while, he was so speechless that he could only splutter in disbelief.

“You're absolutely right, young Locomotion – I did insult your aunt's memory with the Constellation airliners, and hundreds of others to boot. I admit it, and deeply regret it, and you have every right to be furious with me for my actions. But you must understand that I had no intention of boasting about it to you or your date, and certainly no ill will towards this fine young specimen of a changeling.”

Hornette felt a little flattered, but was still wary.

“All I wanted was to make it up to you,” continued Blueblood. “I saw how coldly the other nobles were treating you in spite of your heroism from last year, and believe me, I was just as appalled as you two were offended. I do apologise on Jet Set and Upper Crust's behalves, by the way; their behaviour towards you was unacceptable.”

“Wait...why are you being all sympathetic towards us?” objected Locomotion, still struggling to make sense of what was going on. “We're just a lowlife railway worker and worthless changeling; why should a long-necked stuck-up like you want to help us?!” He shot Hornette an apologetic look, even though she was more fixated on what Blueblood had to say.

“Well...yes, I do admit to being...more than a little uptight in times gone by,” said Blueblood gravely, “and I'm deeply ashamed of it, I must confess.”

“He wasn't always like that.” Now it was Trixie's turn to speak up, and this time, it wasn't in the usual boastful, standoffish demeanour that Locomotion remembered her for – rather, a sincere, almost philosophical tone that he would have expected out of the likes of Twilight or Applejack. “I thought he was at first, but after I got to know him...I learned that he was actually quite a pleasant sort in his youth – the sort of pony who had a natural curiosity about the world around him, who loved going out and meeting people.”

“It's true,” ventured Blueblood, fighting back an amused smirk at the comically befuddled expression on Locomotion's face. The poor colt's brain must be stripping more than a few gears, he thought ruefully. “It was only thanks to a, er...slight trauma, shall we say, from my teenage years that I began to change for the worse. You see, I was infatuated with a beautiful young noble's daughter, and when she came over to Canterlot with her family, I was keen to woo her.” His face fell at the painful memory bubbling to the surface. “She rejected me – said I wasn't worthy to be a squire, let alone a prince, and that she would rather drown in a swamp than court a wannabe peasant like me.”

Hornette choked back a horrified gasp as she sensed his pain. “Oh, Blueblood...that's awful,” she stammered breathlessly. “Why would she do such a thing? And to a prince, no less?”

Blueblood grimaced. “She was the daughter of the Duke of Hoofington,” he said simply.

Locomotion's puzzlement gave way to sudden realisation as the pieces fell into place with a dramatic thud. “Oh!” he exclaimed. “Well, that explains everything right away!”

“What does?” asked Hornette.

“The Hoofington family were known for their racist, feudal attitudes. They looked down on the little pony as if they were ants, and only grudgingly followed the princesses' wishes,” said Locomotion grimly. “Most of the time, they criticised Celestia's principles, claiming she was too soft on the so-called 'peasants'. It got them into trouble when they defied an Act of Parliament in their constituency; lost them their peerage, and that got taken over by the Marquess of Prancetown.” He turned his attention back to Blueblood; “And you mean to say you fell in with the wrong crowd?”

“Well...not exactly a crowd, per se, but yes,” affirmed Blueblood, “it did have a...less than savoury impact on me. I took that mare's words far too much to heart; if this was how real nobles were going to behave, then being as courteous and thoughtful as Auntie Celestia would have wanted simply wasn't worth it. I think you can draw your conclusions from there.” He sighed heavily and continued; “That altercation with Rarity, bless her, should have opened my eyes to how wrong I was – to how wrong that other mare was – but instead I went on in the same old way until...well, you know when. My own part in the whole fiasco...my utter conceit...that very much led to my undoing, and I was afraid to show my face in public for months I was so ashamed and humiliated. Then one day, my aunties organised a variety show here at the castle to bring me back out of my shell.”

So that's where we are, thought Locomotion, nodding patiently for Blueblood to go on.

“They invited a number of performers – poets, singers, magicians, you name it – but one in particular stood out for me. I was uneasy about approaching her at first, but then I learned how much she and I had in common...one thing led to another, and since then, we've been walking out together, me and Trixie. And get this,” finished Blueblood, “she drew on her own experiences to help me make amends with those I had wronged after the Constellation crashes.”

“And now we want to do the same with you,” put in Trixie. “We want to help you put those prissy nobles in their place and show them that you, Hornette, really do have a place in pony society.”

“We'd spoken it through with my aunties,” explained Blueblood, “and we've all agreed that we would like you, Locomotion, to make a motivational speech in support of our newest allies.”

Locomotion looked awestruck, but only for a moment. He hadn't expected any kind of support from Blueblood, let alone an apology, and to speak out in favour of changelings, under royal sanction no less, felt too good to be true in itself. He almost wanted to accept the offer, but then he remembered Jet Set and Upper Crust's words of derision, and how badly they had angered him and hurt Hornette's feelings. He sighed heavily, head hanging with pessimistic uncertainty. “I can't,” he moaned pathetically. “They'll only laugh at us again.”

“So? Creatures laugh at me a lot, and I actually enjoy it!” scoffed Discord. “You know what they say, 'haters gonna hate' – and you know what?” He plucked his head off his shoulders, and turned it to face the other way before shoving it back down again. “Let them laugh – when you're done, they'll be laughing on the other side of their faces.”

“What, as in booing us off the stage?”

“Most certainly not! Not if we have anything to do with it, anyway,” chuckled yet another voice.

Locomotion's eyes widened when he saw who the voice belonged to. “Well, of all the...Fancypants?!”

“Indeed it is, and a real pleasure to meet you both.” Fancypants stepped forward, flanked by a white unicorn mare with a flowing pale pink mane and tail. “I heard what Jet Set and Upper Crust said to you,” he said kindly, “and I must say, I'm appalled at the both of them and everyone else who laughed in your faces. It wouldn't be the first time they showed such unwarranted disrespect for national heroes, I might add.”

“You mean...the Bearers of Harmony?” piped up Hornette, remembering what Rarity had told her about the first time she met this urbane unicorn.

“Precisely,” smiled Fancypants. “I knew those ponies by reputation, yet the others in my league willingly belittled them. It's times like these I wonder if being the 17th Earl of Canterbury is worth it. But enough of all that – my dear wife Fleur and I are here to show our solidarity with you both, and with changelings in general.”

“We may not know any changelings ourselves,” added the mare, “but Fancypants and I are more than willing to welcome changelings to our country, especially after learning about their...their struggles, shall we say.”

“As are we.” Cadance, Shining Armour and Flurry Heart were the next to step forward. “You two are setting an example for ponies and changelings the world over,” praised Cadance, “and it would be imprudent not to acknowledge that.”

“Not to mention the fame you rightfully achieved even before then.”

That last voice brought a mild glint to Locomotion's eyes. “Tarquin!” he gasped, visibly starstruck. “Blimey, this is a pleasant surprise!”

“And goodness knows you need one right now.” Technicolour Tarquin, the film director who had worked with Locomotion so long ago, beamed warmly as he approached the young stallion. “Marvellous to see you again, dear boy; and might I say what a remarkable marefriend you have here. Hornette, isn't it?”

“Why, yes, sir,” replied Hornette shyly. “Good to meet you at last, Mr Tarquin.”

“Pleasure's all mine, my dear; and I do apologise for the despicable reception you've received. It sickens me to think that so many creatures still see you changelings for what you were during Chrysalis' reign, and not for your true personalities – your potential, even,” continued Tarquin emphatically. “I've been making a point to include changeling actors in my most recent film, for instance, and let me tell you, their ability to take on any form they want has been absolutely invaluable! Couldn't be more grateful for it.”

“Progressive as always, eh?” observed Locomotion. “And you don't harbour any doubts about those guys?”

“My dear fellow, of course not! Even less so since I visited the new Metamorphian Embassy to appeal for said actors.” Tarquin gestured over his shoulder towards a tall changeling mare in a smart green dress. She was black in colour with yellow stripes, almost like a zebra, and her ruby eyes gazed kindly upon the young couple as she held out a hoof for them to shake. “Locomotion, Hornette, I'd like to introduce you both to Trade Commissioner Melissa. She's been a, er...a good friend to me ever since she agreed to help me with this film of mine.”

“Good evening to you both.” Melissa spoke with a refined, gentle tone that commanded awe and respect as they shook hooves. “I've heard a great deal about you and your exploits, and I consider myself very fortunate indeed to make your acquaintance.”

“And there I thought I was the only changeling here,” murmured Hornette with a wry smile.

“Ah, but what better changeling to attend this Gala than the liberator of our kind?” continued Melissa. “I was hoping my own presence here would be enough to show that we changelings are by no means the degenerates that many ponies see in us, that we too can be cultured and refined just like them. Alas, I seem only to have attracted scorn and derision; but now we have you two here to turn opinion around.”

Locomotion looked ashamed. “Yeah, and a fine job I did of that too. Snapping at the snobs like that – it's not like they'd listen to an angry young stallion like me now.”

“They asked for it, Loco,” pointed out Tarquin. “You may have been aggressive in your approach, but the important thing is that you were standing up for Hornette, giving them the telling off they deserved.”

“And now you have the chance to do so more formally,” finished Melissa. “Show them you'll fight for our rights both here and beyond, and do us changelings proud. We all owe it to you, Locomotion, and I for one would consider it a great service to our nation.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

Locomotion gazed all around him at all the smiling faces; the solemn, apologetic smile from Blueblood, the looks of encouragement from Tarquin, Melissa, Fleur-de-Lis and Fancypants, the supportive grins from Trixie, Cadance and Shining Armour, the benevolent smirk from Discord, the show of eagerness from Flurry Heart...and most of all, the warm, loving smile from Hornette who had finally managed to cheer up again. Touched by their show of solidarity, he turned back to Melissa. “Very well, Commissioner,” he conceded bravely, “I'll give it my best shot.”

Chapter 7: Standing in Solidarity

“...and so, without further ado, I would like to present our guest of honour for tonight. My lords, ladies and gentlecolts, I give you Locomotion and Hornette of Ponyville!” Blueblood stepped aside as the young couple tentatively took the stage.

Looking all around them, Locomotion and Hornette noticed some very mixed reactions among their audience; some of the guests, Jet Set and Upper Crust in particular, were still staring down their noses at the pair as if they had no manners. But while others didn't seem to care much either way, others still were looking on with curious and even rapt anticipation. Firelli, for her part, seemed shocked and proud for her brother both at the same time; and Sweetie-Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Rumble, Mistral, Featherweight and Lickety-Split were similarly awestruck.

Even Celestia and Luna could be spotted amidst the crowd, smiling upon them with encouragement. Gladly accepting the unspoken seal of approval with a discrete nod, Locomotion stepped up to the microphone and began speaking; “Good evening to you all – and my thanks to you for your warm reception tonight!”

Cadance and Blueblood exchanged dismayed glances. There was a mild tone of sarcasm in Locomotion's voice, and they almost worried they might have made a grave mistake.

“I'll be honest with you all,” continued Locomotion, “when I was invited to this Gala a few months ago, I was...more than a little reluctant to attend at all, let alone with Hornette. I mean, I ask you – me, a humble engine driver from the home town of Princess Twilight Sparkle, taking part in an event way above my league?” The slightest hint of a cheeky smirk registered on his lips. “Not that I ever have been part of the Equestrian Buckball League, mind...”

To his surprise, a few chuckles could be heard from his audience, some genuine, some just polite, while the anxious looks on Cadance and Blueblood's faces gave way to smiles of mild approval. Feeling more encouraged, Locomotion carried on.

“...but if anything, I felt my date would be even more out of her depth; and while I don't wish to name names, there are one or two ponies out there who I regret to say have rather proven my point.” I'm looking at you two, he thought, shooting a quick glower at Jet Set and Upper Crust. “And I'm not just talking about here in Canterlot either. Even back home in Ponyville, Hornette still gets a very occasional look of wariness, or even contempt, from a creature who hasn't forgiven her kind or learned to trust them, even after our respective nations have...well, kissed and made up, to coin a phrase. Now, some of you might be asking yourself what does a young pretender like me, who has merely starred as himself in a film, know about them?”

At the mention of his film role, Technicolour Tarquin stepped up behind him as arranged and nodded his affirmation. Jet Set and Upper Crust's triumphant smirks vanished in an instant as they felt the incredulous eyes staring in their direction. They had known about “Battle of the Griffins”, but had never appreciated that the young lout had been a part of that movie, and were most embarrassed at their own oversight. Blueblood saw the remorse on their faces and smiled with satisfaction. He could see Locomotion had more than got his own back now.

“Well, absolutely nothing at first,” went on Locomotion with a proud smile of his own, “but that all changed from the moment I first stumbled upon her, and I couldn't be more grateful for it. Some things you have to learn from experience – just like I did with my career in Ponyville Motive Power Depot – and it was the same story for me and my friends when Hornette, then unnamed, came into our lives. Now, I could've jumped to the same conclusion as most creatures, and I leave you to work that one out – BUT, and this is a very important point, with the benefit of hindsight, to have done that would have been an even bigger mistake. I actually took the time to learn what sort of creature Hornette really was, and none could be further removed from the savage stereotype with which society has labelled her kind. Only one changeling was ever really like that, and I'm relieved to add that said menace is, of course, by the end of the day, strictly speaking, to all intents and purposes, in body, soul and entirety, quite conclusively and undeniably, dead!” Yeah, up yours, Chrysalis, he thought smugly. “And yeah, there are still doubters out there that think I'm under her influence or something stupid, to which I say – yes, I am under a type of influence, and it's the exact same one as that which our own Princess of Love holds over Prince Consort Shining Armour and vice versa.”

Right on cue, Cadance and her husband stepped forth to stand next to him. Flurry Heart hopped off her mother's back at that point and hovered next to Hornette with a broad smile.

“And you know what? I couldn't be more grateful for it, not least because of how much more I learned from an actual changeling than I ever could from mere hearsay, and got myself a life partner into the bargain. I've learned so much from spending so much time with her, from learning what made her tick and sharing my own secrets and life experiences with her,” giving Hornette a fond glance as he spoke, “that I can say with absolute conviction, and with Celestia and Luna as my witnesses, that I've forgotten a heck of a lot more about changelings than many creatures will ever know. We all have our vices, we all have our embarrassing backstories...”

Now, it was Trixie and Blueblood's turn to join them.

“...but what good does it do to keep dwelling on those vices, and forget about what makes these creatures truly special? Must we continue to distrust each other just because we're different? Just because we can't move on from the past? We can coexist, and peacefully...”

Finally, to emphasise that point, Fancypants and Fleur-de-Lis ventured forward to stand by Hornette, while Melissa did the same with Locomotion. The whole crowd looked on in awe, and even Jet Set and Upper Crust were impressed to see not only the pinnacle of high society standing in solidarity with this young couple, but another changeling of even greater importance than he could ever hope to be.

“...and that's why I stand before you now, to show that the days of animosity between pony and changeling, just like that veritable dictator Chrysalis, are long gone! I've dedicated a good chunk of my life in the past year or so to challenging the racism that changelings still face, and I invite you all, nay, implore you,” finished Locomotion emphatically, “to stand in solidarity with Hornette and myself, to help me spread the message far and wide, to show the whole of Equestria – the whole world – that these creatures too can be friends and allies to one and all!!”

For a moment, the only sound that could be heard were indistinct murmurs among the higher class guests. Fearing the worst, Locomotion sullenly braced himself for whatever ridicule they were about to hurl at him; but to his surprise and delight, he was greeted instead by a round of applause from Fancypants, Blueblood and Hornette. Cadance, Fleur-de-Lis, Shining Armour, Flurry Heart, Melissa and Tarquin all joined in, and soon the whole ballroom echoed to the sounds of cheers and stomps from guests and hosts alike, while Discord danced above their heads with a pair of cheerleaders' pompoms in his hands. In a gesture of triumph on the young couple's behalf, Trixie even set off a firework display as everyone applauded Locomotion and Hornette to the echo.

Firelli almost felt like dancing with joy herself after hearing her brother's speech. Her eyes welled up with tears as she, along with Celestia, Luna and Twilight, beamed upon him with pride and congratulation; while Sweetie-Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Lickety-Split, Featherweight and Rumble gave the loudest cheers of all.

After that, things only seemed to get better and better, almost as if it had never been quite so bad in the first place. Where other guests had treated them with suspicion, they now seemed far more welcoming and accommodating, singing the young couple's praises all night long, and several even wanted to get to know them personally. Locomotion and Hornette were deeply flattered, and especially so when Celestia and Luna praised them for teaching the upper classes a thing or two about changelings. Secretly, Locomotion wasn't sure if it really was his own charisma that had turned opinion around, or if it was merely Fancypants and Blueblood's influence as a baron and a prince respectively; but it didn't matter by the end of the day. The main thing was that neither he nor Hornette were being shunned or derided just because others thought they were beneath them. The biggest surprise came when a humbled Jet Set and Upper Crust approached and congratulated him for giving such a fine speech.

“Truly marvellous it was, young Locomotion,” commented Jet Set. “You and Hornette are a real inspiration to us all.”

“Of course,” put in Upper Crust, smiling faintly and trying not to look sheepish, “we never truly took you for pretenders, Jet Set and I – apart from being a hero of the Great Griffin War, that is, but at least you made a jolly good motion picture role out of it.”

It took all of Locomotion's willpower not to smirk in amusement at their poorly disguised attempt at an apology, and even Hornette couldn't help but shake her head as she sensed their regret. “Well, glad to hear you think so,” he replied in a casual manner.

“By the way,” put in Jet Set, “we were wondering if you might wish to attend a charity ball for the Royal Horticultural Society in a month's time. We would be most honoured to...”

“Sorry, Jet Set,” interrupted Locomotion, holding up a hoof, “but unless we get invited to another Grand Galloping Gala, I don't think we'll be bothering too much with high society events – will we, Hornette?”

“No, Loco. As courteous as these other ponies have been since you gave your speech, I don't think I'd feel anywhere near as comfortable among their ranks as I do among my friends back in Ponyville.” Hornette smiled wryly at the looks of dismay on the two older unicorns' faces.

“Anyway,” Locomotion pointed out earnestly, “it's as I told you – events like these are way out of our league,” and he and Hornette sauntered away to chat with Tarquin and Melissa, chuckling under their breaths. Unable to come up with a compelling counterargument, both Jet Set and Upper Crust remained respectfully silent.

The rest of the night went by without further trouble, and Hornette and Locomotion soon found themselves having a far better time than they had expected. They spent much of their time hanging out with their new friend Melissa and the princesses, but were more than happy to include Firelli, Mistral and their other friends from Ponyville as well; and every so often they would go and mingle with the other guests. As they grew more comfortable with their surroundings, so Locomotion managed to build up confidence in himself, especially when Coloratura, the famous singer, took up the stage alongside Octavia and her group; and the other guests watched on as he and Hornette shared a dance. Even the Wonderbolts invited Hornette to fly a few of their easier stunts – although Locomotion secretly wondered if Soarin and Rainbow Dash had bribed them into it!

As the Grand Galloping Gala began to wind down, the young unicorn and his changeling were left with a feeling of warmth and fulfilment at what must surely have been the best night ever – at least so far. Even the insults thrown their way had been worth it for all the praise and attention, and Locomotion in particular found he had gained a new respect for Blueblood, Trixie and Discord. When it was time to leave, he and Hornette thanked them for their support.

“Not at all,” smiled Blueblood. “I'm just glad I could help. I hope this makes up for my, er...”

“Well,” said Locomotion with a wry smile of his own, “I still kinda resent it...”

Blueblood looked crestfallen.

“...but I think I can let it slide after tonight. You did us one heck of a service, Blueblood,” continued Locomotion appreciatively. “I dunno why you bothered after I'd been so harsh with you, but...know that Hornette and I are extremely grateful.”

“Well, you know,” replied Blueblood modestly, “somepony had to show that lot where to go with their prejudices, didn't they, Trixie?”

“Exactly,” agreed Trixie, “and a fine job you did of it too.” She winked broadly at her beau; “Was there ever any doubt?”

“Yes!” retorted Locomotion facetiously, and the five of them shared a good laugh.

“It was nice getting to know you too, Commissioner,” said Hornette to Melissa. “I do hope we can meet up again sometime.”

“As do I, Hornette,” Melissa answered, “and thank you, Locomotion, for giving such a marvellous speech tonight.”

Locomotion blushed. “You know,” he murmured humbly, “you guys can call me Loco. All of my friends do.”

“Then by extension, I'd be happy for you to call me Melissa,” smiled the older changeling graciously. “Farewell to you both, and all the best for the future.”

“So long – Melissa.”

“See you round, Blueblood, Trixie. And thanks again.” With that final greeting, the young couple left the castle to join Firelli, Sweetie-Belle, Mistral and Rarity, who were waiting just outside the castle entrance. But just before they reached them, Locomotion remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, Hornette,” he said, levitating the slipper he had picked up earlier, “you left this behind when you skipped the castle.”

“Did I?” Hornette gazed at her right hind hoof; only now had she become aware of how bare it felt. And no wonder, she thought as she gratefully took the slipper in her magic and put it back on. “Aw, thank you, Loco,” she said fondly. “What would I do without you?”

“I owe it all to you, my honeybee,” whispered Locomotion, nuzzling her affectionately and smiling as he was rewarded with her purring.

“Well,” remarked Sweetie-Belle brightly, “how about that, eh, Loco? Not nearly as bad as you thought it would be.”

“Uh...nearly?” smirked Locomotion cheekily, causing Sweetie-Belle to blush awkwardly. “I think you'll find it was nearly as bad.”

“Yeah, but...you made it work out in the end, didn't you?”

Locomotion nodded. “Emphasis on the word 'nearly',” he pointed out, “and I've got the likes of Melissa, Blueblood and Lord Fancypants to thank for salvaging the night for us.”

Rarity stared at him as if she could hardly believe her ears. “Backed up by Blueblood? You must be joking!”

“No, really, Rarity,” put in Hornette, “he was really nice – not the rude and selfish pony you described him to be. Besides, he was only like that to begin with because some noble's daughter bullied him when he was young.”

The look of dismayed understanding on Rarity's face spoke volumes for the sorrow she now felt for him. “I...I never realised...” she murmured sympathetically.

“Don't blame yourself,” soothed Locomotion, wisely suppressing his amusement. “We all have our secrets, some good, some bad. Heck, if he hadn't revealed all that to us, I would still be hating his guts even now.”

Firelli smiled. “Well, it's good to see you two have made it up,” she observed, “and that you have some new friends into the bargain.”

“Yeah, seems the likes of Sweetie-Belle and Rarity did us a good turn after all, roping us into this crazy scheme.” Ignoring the mild embarrassment in the white unicorn sisters' expressions, Locomotion turned and gave Hornette an affectionate peck on the cheek. “Come on, Hornette, let's get back.”

“Where you go, tender heart, I'll always follow,” murmured Hornette; and the young lovers, still nuzzling each other, began making their way back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

Author's Note

And thus ends my Grand Galloping Gala story. Special thanks to my sister Eleanor for helping me come up with the speech, and for her input regarding Firelli Brazen and Mistral; and also to Chazkopa for motivating me to write this story.