Funky Flare

Pinkie Pie: "Your eyes glow green!? THAT IS AWESOME!"

Inconspicuous mare: "AHAHAaHAAaAAAAAAAaDEAR CHRISIE! I CAN SMELL THE ASHES OF MY BURNING HOOVES!"

Don't you find dancing to be insuferably boring? You would if you had to watch it over and over for hundreds of years during a routine gala which by itself overstayed it's welcome. So the immortal Celestial Empress, Solar Flare, on one pretty occasion decided the evening needs to be brightened a bit more and the party needs to heat up a lot. No more endless rows of greetings to attend to, no more slow conversations. And so the Funky Flare dance was invented as most of the attendance of the Grand Galloping Gala tried to preserve their hooves and dresses from the scorching floor by jumping and making for islands of safe cool tiles.
To this day it has become an empire wide tradition for training recruits, testing the loyality of questionable subjects and most importantly, party entertainment, to set the dancing floor aflame. Excelent for elevating the pain threshold.

The Grand Galloping Gala all of a sudden became much more amusing, it's vigorous reputation widespread. It was no longer the celebration of the calm uppity unicorns and the invited, everypony was welcome. Everypony as long as they weared a dress to be correct. We wouldn't want the Empress spitting fire in disgust now, would we? Even batponies have been received without the presence of pointy halberds and loaded hoof-rifles (mostly) since they prooved to be the core amusement element of the party. It turned into a day and night of endless fun, shame, pain, wastefulness but still mostly fun.
The Empress felt more and more gracious as she was entertained and the smell of cider, among other things, attracted more and more questionable elements from around the land. However, that did not matter, this was a time of rejoice and relaxation, not of worrying who is or isn't loyal to the Empire. Besides, after such a warm stay in the Canterlot imperial palace, not many ponies found it revolting to join the large crowds of loyal imperial citizens. It was not like the Empress and her loyal ponies were locked with the unknown visitors. No. It was the visitors who found themselves locked there by the wild storms of avidity, joy and fire

Rarity: "PIKIIIIIIE! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE OFF THE DREEEHEHEHEHEEEEES."

Solar Flare: "Now, no need for tears during these joyous moments. We are certain our grand fashion designer will provide us with more glamour in the future. What is one dress compared to such talent?"

Twili... I mean Dawn Sparkle: "I am more concerned about Pinkie's ... unusual companion. Shouldn't I fetch the Guard, Empress?"

Solar Flare: "Indeed, many curious guests grace our celebration with their presence. Not to worry about such problems. Why so keen our faithfull pony? Tis true the labour of virtue never ceases but even the hardest of workers must find rest. Go! Make friends! Have fun! Forget about the darkness in the land! Certainly, it will persih eventually but as it persists, we might as well find ... entertainment with it. And drop the titles, we have a name for Our's sake."

Dawn Sparkle: "Of course ... uhm ... Empress Flare! I ... I just need more cider."

Solar Flare: "Very well, see your friend then. Speak with honest Apple Jack."

There truly is nothing to worry about. The presence of the fiery Empress guarantees quite firmly the situation won't get out of hoof, consequential injuries of untamed partying are simply not entertaining. Perhaps that is the reason why all the bruises are caused by drunk hassles rather than fire, which is surprising, all the dancing flames on the floor and burning beverages considered.
Aside from cider, the most popular drink among guests and what used to be the palace guard a few pint-sized glasses ago is mild spicy liquid rainbow and magmartini, which is quiet plentiful due to it's practical use as an explosive or a medicinal instrument for "scorching out" unwanted substances. Drinking it ensures nothing is able to survive inside your body, neither venomous viruses nor black magic curses. Having this molten sword flowing down your throat is sometimes not entirely beneficial for the natural body temperature, which is why it is always good to have some milk close by. Miraciulous cure sadly does not work by itself.
The abundace of these delicious drinks is fueled by Empress' boundless generosity. She really is a very nice mare. She gladly complies if politely asked to set somepony on fire. Even whe she is drunk there are no horrid incidents full of agony. It is slightly offsetting, as if there was some spell keeping everypony colapsing on the floor or alternatively being consumed by it, should they be putting on a hectic show on the burning stage. But who would be foalish enough to look the gifted horse in the mouth?

Whether it is admiring the rich decorations, tasting some of the many treats, trying to get the animals living on the palace grounds to like you, trying to impress your heroes by forcing them into distress and saving them afterwards or causing the distress yourself by being woozy from too many bottles, everypony is having fun and what can be more important on such an occasion?

It is possible there are malicious intents behind some visits to this event. There are some who undoubtedly would take advantage of the time the most powerful alicorn in the land welcomes everypony. But who is capable of bigger malice, the guests or the patrons? That is the question which is decided during duels in consuming several spirituous liquids or daring each other to withstand several bucks in the face (higher stakes test one's endurace to firearms) or frisking in the flamy dancing halls without screaming.

In the end, keeping oneselve out of harm's way relies on how long it takes the body to fight with the severe lashing party life. Waking up early the next day is a requirement of having a chance to slip out of the palace without suffering some consequences. Present day is full of fun but the next day, all the palace guards, despite the heavy headache and decreased control over tripping past obstacles, remember their former purpose and attempt to round up questionable guests. If the Empress wakes up ... well, let's just say she loves the party but beholding the resulting mess makes her tactless in some ways.

The ultimate way of dealing with the alicorn of the sun stays, as it has always been. Leave yourself in the everlasting hooves of fate, hope for the best and remember, at least you had some fun.

"Thou art welcomed, our little ponies. Rejoice, for much fun cometh thine way."