Diamond Tiara had proceeded to inform her mother and father about what had happened when she got back. Sunset was a little tense about what would happen, but her fears were unfounded.

"I suppose I can't exactly blame you for sneaking out; Fortus Vile pratically makes your life a living nightmare day in, and day out." Spoiled Rich said.

"It's great that you have an ally in Apple Bloom now; especially since Sweet Apple Acres is the entire reason for Banyard Bargin's continued success, and Apple Bloom just so happens to be related to Granny Smith & Applejack." Filthy Rich said.

"I always did wonder where you got that strange jam from on an annual basis." Spoiled mentioned. "Honestly, I've never had anything quite like it before."

"It's known as Zap Apple Jam, and it's very special alright. The apples that are used to make the jam only occur once a year, around two weeks following Winter Wrap Up." Filthy responded.

"Speaking of which, the Running of the Leaves happens about three weeks after the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala yes? I wish we could've attended this year, but one of those digimon said it wouldn't be wise to do so. And frankly, I'm taking him at his word." Spoiled mentioned.

"I wonder if it was Lars; Empress Alli's advisor and lover." Sunset said.

"Wait, Lars is romantically involved with Empress Alli?" Dimaond Tiara asked.

"...That information is literally the worst unkept secret of our time." Spoiled said. "I hear even Princess Celestia knows about Lar's relationship with the digimon empress."

"And I can confirm that the sun princess does in fact, known of Lars's relationship with Alli. Last friendship report, Twilight mentioned that little tidbit, only for Princess Celestia's response back being that she already knows about it." Sunset said.

"Wow, Lars must be really bad at keeping it a secret." Diamond Tiara said.

"It's so obvious though if you look at the way Lars acts around Alli." Sunset said.

"Yeah, of all the things I've seen, the way I've witnessed Lars act around Empress Alli clearly shows that the Patamon is in love with the black cat empress." Filthy said.

Suddenly a letter was tossed into the room through the open mail slot in the door. "...It's an invitation to Fortus Vile's Cutcenera tomorrow." Spoiled noted.

"...Well crap. Talk about a rock and a hard place: If I don't go, Fortus Vile will just oust me even worse..." Diamond Tiara said.

"But if you do go, there's a chance he'll oust you at the party and embarrass you." Spoiled Rich said.

"I'm afraid, that's a change I'll have to take..." Diamond Tiara said. "I don't want to give him any more ammunition than he already has."

Irony can be a cruel, cruel mistress at times; or it can be some pony's best friend. Because while Spoiled's fears were right on the money and Fortus Vile did try to oust Diamond Tiara & Apple Bloom at the party, it was thanks to Sweetie Belle and a Pegasus filly named Scootaloo that the embarrassment never happened, and in fact, it made every pony at the party start defending the four markless fillies.

Empress Alli was even at the party, and she was enjoying a particicular snack. "Digital Chip Cookies; I didn't think they had these in Equestria."

"They don't; I had to get them from Digital Capital store bought. But, since this was your first ever Cutcenera, I had to have some just for you." Pinkie Pie explained.

"Here sis, want to try one?" Alli asked her sister Marina.

"Mmm...why not?" Marina asked and sampled one. "Huh. That's actually very good, I'm shocked. No wonder you like these so much."

"Just wait until you try Valarie's homemade Digital Chip Cookies. She's making some for after my visit with mom the day after the Gala." Alli said. "Seriously, why did the gala have to take place the night before you-know-when?"

"Probably something to do with Princess Luna or something if I had to guess." Marina said. "This will be Lulu's first gala since her return."

"Fair enough point." Alli said.

The four markless fillies however were bounding and even came up with a neat little group name of "The Cutie Mark Crusaders". But not all was smiles and rainbows around, for Gammo was at the party, and he was not only making sure Marina didn't leave his sight, but he was continously giving her the evil eye. You may be fooling your sister; but you ain't fooling me. Gammo thought to himself. Sooner or later, you'll slip up and reveal your true nature. And when that happens, I'll make sure to convince Empress Alli to make sure you never see the light of freedom again.

Author's Note

There is only one other episode outside of the two-part Season 1 finale of this story, and it's going to focus on the Knight's Order. It will be important to the overall plot later, but you won't see why it's important until Season 5; so if you want to save reading the next episode until season 5, you are freely safe to skip it for the time being. The only thing of real note will be; if you couldn't guess from the background episodes concerning The Great Moogle Elder & his departure from the living world; is Cinnamon's dismissal from the Knight's Order. But there will be more to the next episode then just that; the rest just isn't important until season 5. The only thing that will affect the immediate future of this story's plot is Cinnamon's Dismissal from the Knight's Order as it'll get brought up during part 1 of the two-part Season 1 finale. As such, you can safely save the next episode until it's more relevant to the plot, as the main take-away that's relevant to the current season; that being Cinnamon's Dismissal; is safely re-affirmed in Part 1 of the two-part season 1 finale. Everything else included in the following episode won't be relevant until season 5.