The night came to an end, and Princess Celestia used her power to make the sun rise, and bring forth the day. Everypony all over Equestria awoke to the sounds of the birds chirping and roosters crowing.

Twilight yawned and got out of bed. She then walked over to her dresser, and started to brush her mane. She noticed Spike was still sleeping, and chose not to wake him, yet.

After finishing with her mane, she levitated Spike out of bed and carried him downstairs, "Time to get up Spike. It's morning already."

Spike yawned and refused to wake up.

Twilight sighed and released him, causing him to fall softly onto a pile of books.

"Twilight! What gives?!" said the baby dragon, who was only half-awake.

"Sorry Spike, but we have a big day today. No time for sleeping in."

As he got up from the pile, there was a knock at the front door. Twilight made her way there, "I wonder who that could be."

She opened it and was excited to see her good friend Applejack, an honest hard-working earth pony, "Good Morning, Applejack."

"Mornin' Twi. Glad to see ya'll up and about."

"Thanks, so what brings you here so early?" Twilight asked as she walked back into the library, with Applejack following behind.

"Well, I needed to pick up a few supplies from town, and I thought I'd stop on by to check up on y'all, seein' that the Gala is tonight."

Twilight chuckled and smiled," I appreciate that. Don't worry, Spike and I will be ready. I just need to find that spell to turn an apple into a carriage, and mice into horses." She turned her attention back to the books on the shelf, "If only I can remember where I put it."

"I'm on it," sighed Spike as he began looking for the book.

"Alrighty then. I guess I better be gettin' on back to the farm. Need to help Big Macintosh with harvestin' some apples before the end of the day." said Applejack.

Twilight nodded and said," Okay. Thanks again for stopping-"

Suddenly, a blue Pegasus flew through the window and crashed right into Twilight and Applejack.

"What in Tarnation?!" said Applejack, who was lying on the floor in a daze.

The blue pegasi, Rainbow Dash, got up off her friends and chuckled nervously, "Oops, sorry. Guess my landing didn't go as I planned."

"I would think not," said Twilight as both she and Applejack got back up on their hooves.

"What's the big idea, comin' in like that when the door was wide open, Rainbow Crash?!" spoke the annoyed orange earth pony.

The Pegasus dashed right up to the Applejack's face and glared, "That's Rainbow Dash!"

The two glared at each other for a bit, which was no surprise to Twilight, since they were friendly rivals.

Rainbow then backed away and said, "If you must know, I came by to return the new issue of "Daring Do" that Twilight let me borrow." She then pulled out the book from her sack and placed it on the table.

"Thanks Rainbow. I hope you enjoyed it."

"It was so AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash said.

"I guess that's a yes," chuckled Twilight.

"So, got any other awesome stories I could read before the Gala tonight?"

The lavender unicorn pointed over to the pile of books she brought home with her the other day, "Help yourself."

"Thanks." Rainbow Dash flew to the pile and started looking through them.

Applejack made her way to the door and said, "I'll be seein' ya'll tonight."

"See you later, Applejack," said Twilight as she waved goodbye.

As Applejack left, Rainbow Dash sighed and said," Not much here. You sure this is all that you have?"

"Sorry. I can only carry so much with me."

Rainbow sighed once again, but then noticed another book nearby; the same one Twilight was reading last night, "What about this one?" she asked after picking it up.

Twilight gasped and snatched it from her with her magic, "Careful! This book is really old."

"Sheesh Twilight, I didn't know. I was just asking."

"I'm sorry. Its just that I worked hard last night trying to fix what I could. Besides, there isn't much in it. Trust me," said Twilight as she apologized.

Rainbow Dash got up and hovered a little and said, "Well, I gotta Dash. See you tonight!"

"Okay. Sorry again for yelling."

"Don't sweat it," said Rainbow Dash as she flew out the door.

Twilight was happy to have such a loyal friend as her. But as she turned back to the library, she noticed the mess Rainbow caused when she crashed in, making her feel not-so-happy now.

"Looks like we have a new mess to clean up, Spike."

The baby dragon groaned, knowing he was probably going to be kept busy all day until the Gala.


                                 *******************


It was late in the afternoon, and it was time to prepare for the Gala. Twilight started making her way to the Carousel Boutique, with Spike riding on her back, carrying the book with the spell they would need for the trip to Canterlot.

As they were nearing the Boutique, a pink pony appears alongside Twilight, hopping as she goes, "Hey Twilight. You ready for the Grand Galloping Gala? I know I am. Its going to be so much fun! I wonder what I will do first? Maybe I'll try some of the food! No wait, the games! Or maybe get some party music going?! Oh, there is so much to do. But, I know all my friends will be there with me, so it'll be Fun, Fun, Fun!!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled, "Good to see you too, Pinkie Pie."

The two ponies and dragon arrived and walked into the Boutique, where a white pony with a stylish purple mane was waiting for them, impatiently.

"Hello Rarity. Sorry for being a tad late." Twilight apologized.

"Well, at least some ponies know when to arrive on time, " She said as she looked over by the changing room, where their dear friend Fluttershy was sitting.

"Oh, hey there Fluttershy,"

"Oh..hello Twilight…Pinkie Pie…Spike. Glad you could..make it," replied the yellow pony, in her usual timid voice.

"Enough chit-chat you two. We need to get ready, and I simply will not wait another moment," said Rarity, who was a bit annoyed for them being late.

"Alright Rarity. But shouldn't we wait for Applejack and Rainbow?"

Suddenly, the door flew open and said ponies entered Rarity's home, "Sorry for bein' late, Rarity. There were more apple to pick then I thought."

"Yeah, and I was busy practicing my new moves that I plan to show to the Wonderbolts."

Rarity just sighed and said," Well, now that everypony is here…" the beautiful unicorn gave them all a serious look…"into the dressing room, NOW!!"

The five ponies jumped at Rarity's voice, and rushed over into the dressing room as fast as they could, leaving both Spike and Rarity alone.

"Uh…what should I do, Rarity?" asked the young dragon.

"Oh..for you, my little Spikey-Wikey, your outfit is right over there. Change as quickly as possible. It would be rather rude to keep a lady waiting," She said in her regular tone, as she rubbed his head gently with her hoof.

Spike blushed and bowed, "Anything for you, Lady Rarity."

Rarity smiled, then made her way to the dressing room to join with up with her friends, leaving Spike to change into his new suit that she made for him.


                            **********************


The sun was setting over the horizon, and Spike was waiting outside for his friends. He was dressed up in his new tuxedo and had already begun setting the apple and mice in place, so when they come out, Twilight could perform her spell.

"Wonder what is taking them so long? The Gala will be starting soon."

The front door of the Boutique opened up, and out came the Twilight and her friends, wearing the same dresses they wore at the last Gala.

Spike's eyes went wide when he saw them, "Wow. You six look….amazing."

"Thanks, Spike," said Twilight.

"Thank ye kindly, Spike," replied Applejack.

"Thanks!" said the hyperactive Pinkie Pie.

"Yeah, Thanks," said Rainbow Dash.

"Thank you, Spike," Fluttershy said politely.

"Thank you ever so much, Spike, and I must say, you look very dashing in your new suit," replied the beautiful Rarity.

Spike blushed a little and smiled, "Thank you, Rarity." He then turned and pointed at the apple and mice, "I set everything up, Twilight. It's all up to you now."

Twilight nodded, and opened up the book she brought. She then aimed her horn at the items before her, and cast her spell. In no time, the apple had become a carriage, and the four mice became horses.

The other ponies plus the one dragon were in awe at the sight of their transport. This time, it would go right, because Rarity took the liberty of locking her cat, Opal, in her cage before leaving the Boutique.

"Well, shall we be on our way, girls?" asked Twilight.

The others all nodded in agreement.

Spike opened up the carriage door and bowed politely, allowing them to enter. Once they were all in, Spike closed the door, jumped up in the front seat, and took hold of the reigns and yelled, "Giddy-up." The mice-horses began their way towards Canterlot, pulling the carriage along with them. The Grand Galloping Gala awaits them.


                              ********************


Meanwhile, far off in the uninhabited lands of the world outside of Equestria, deep within the mountain, lied the Gates of Tartarus. This was where many evil creatures were imprisoned for their wicked deeds. Just on the inside of the massive door, slept its guardian Cerberus, the three headed dog. Further into the prison, there were a number of cages, holding some evil creatures the likes of which Equestria has never seen before.

But further on down, in the deepest chamber, there was one cell that was held together tightly with some of the strongest magic and chains. For this prisoner was considered to be the most evil and most feared of all that were kept here.

Inside the dark cell, the ancient creature slept, unable to act, unable to move…or so they all thought.

Suddenly, the eyes of the creature shot open.

The monster growled and yanked his arms free, breaking the bonds that once held him in place. He then moved forward and shot forth his hand in front of him, which made the cage door break off and fly across the floor in front of him.

He began to make his way towards the exit. Along the way, the many creatures saw him and started shouting in excitement, for the one they called The Supreme Ruler of Darkness, was finally free. The monster heard their cheers, but left them in their cages, for they were weak in his black eyes.

Cerberus heard the cheers, and jumped up to guard the gate from whatever it was that was attempting to escape. The three-headed dog could hear the massive, thundering steps approaching. But when all three of them sniffed the air, they cowered in fear, for the one that was getting closer, was too powerful for them.

The creature, whose form was still hidden in the shadows, arrived at the Gate. He noticed that its guardian had run off. Now, there was nothing to prevent his escape.


                            *********************


The Gates of Tartarus opened, and out walked the first creature to escape this prison in a very long time. The monster looked all around and saw before him one thing only: The land he will soon build his Kingdom of Evil upon.

"FINALLY! AFTER 4,000 YEARS, I…AM…FREE!!!!" He shouted, followed by a sinister laugh. The creature merged into his own shadows, and made his way up into the sky. There, he gazed across the distance, and soon saw before him the first place he would invade and begin his reign:

Canterlot.