//------------------------------// // Chapter 1:3 - A Troublesome Invitation // Story: Camaraderie is Sorcery // by FireOfTheNorth //------------------------------// Chapter 1:3 – A Troublesome Invitation If any sorcerer or sorceress chose on that particular midsummer day to fix their mind’s eye on the fields east of Ponieville, they would be greeted with a most peculiar sight. Perhaps some of them would recognize the lavender unicorn sweating beneath her violet robes as she pulled a cart behind her. If they did, then their next action would uniformly be to wonder, could that truly be Twilight Sparkle? The Twilight they had known would never have needlessly subjected herself to physical labor, not when she could easily get one of Celestia’s servants or her page Spike to do it for her, or better yet, use magic to accomplish a feat that would leave others breathless. But, for whatever reason, Twilight was doing the work herself, and none of her Cant’r Laht acquaintances would have been able to wrap their minds around that, accomplished mages that they were. The crucial thing was that Twilight understood her own actions, however much they might seem out of place for the personal protégé of Celestia. Twilight was not alone on the vast tracts of land worked by the Apple family; she had two companions today. Ahead of her trotted Applejack, the peasant farmer she had met just a few weeks earlier. Like Twilight, Applejack pulled a crudely made wooden cart behind her that bounced up and down on the uneven dirt path, spilling a beet here and there that Twilight would return to the cart with a levitation spell. Twilight’s other companion was the dragon she’d raised from a hatchling, who was now splayed out prone atop the sorceress’s wagon of beets. “How long would it take for you to finish the beet harvest with a single pony?” Twilight asked Applejack as they crossed a rotting wooden bridge that creaked and tilted ominously as they passed over a shallow creek. “Well, with Big Mac and Apple Bloom assisting me, it usually takes us four days, so I reckon ‘twould take thrice as long alone,” Applejack answered, “My brother can carry larger loads, but my sister’s smaller, and bringing the crop back to the farm takes the longest, so that ‘twould be the deciding measure.” When she had requested Celestia allow her to stay in Ponieville to study, Twilight hadn’t really thought things through all the way. There was no clear way for her to study the magic of the Elements of Harmony, so she had instead decided to study the community she was now living in. For a pony who’d grown up in a city built on the side of a mountain, Ponieville and its environs were completely alien to her. Today, her self-appointed task was to learn about modern peasant farming, and where better to obtain such knowledge than the peasant farmer who just so happened to embody the spirit of the Element of Honesty? She had arrived at the Apples’ homestead early that morning to find it deserted, except for Granny Smith snoring on the porch. When all attempts to wake her and get comprehensible answers from her proved fruitless, Twilight set off into the fields and found Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Apple Bloom hard at work picking beets. With a roll of parchment and a fresh quill ready, and Spike begrudgingly prepared to be dictated to, the sorceress began to question Applejack, who explained with some annoyance that she really didn’t have the time to spare answering questions unless Twilight also helped with the harvest. Realizing the sense in Applejack’s request, Twilight had complied and taken notes herself as Spike picked beets and tossed them into the nearby carts. She had tried to have her page pull the cart as well, but it proved too much for him, and rather than leaving, the sorceress decided to transport the beets herself. “It appears only you, your siblings, and Granny Smith are present here today,” Twilight noted, “Where are all the other Apples I met before?” “They were only here to help out with the summer solstice ceremony,” Applejack answered over her shoulder, “At the start of the year, they all headed home to their own farms.” “Remarkable,” Twilight said as she paused in her trot to neatly jot down her notes, “Are they all participating in their own beet harvests currently? How large are their farms? Do they have any help, or is it much the same as here?” “Ugh, Twilight,” Spike groaned from behind, “Are we almost finished here? I’m starving!” Though Twilight depended on Spike for many things that a foal could never be trusted to accomplish, he was still in part a child. Such a change in behavior would normally irk Twilight to no end, but having raised the dragon herself, the bond between them was greater than the typical master-servant relationship. The sorceress understood the dual nature of responsible adult and oblivious child better than anypony, and she’d gotten used to it through the years, though she still tried to encourage the adult part of Spike’s personality. “Fear not, lad,” Applejack answered the diminutive dragon’s complaint, “As soon as we get these beets back t’ the farm and in the cellar, I’ll prepare some food.” “I must admit, I find myself becoming quite hungry as well,” Twilight said as her stomach rumbled. Looking up at the sun, Twilight realized just how long she had been out in the fields helping Applejack. The whole morning had slipped away as she discussed peasant farming methods with her friend, and it was now the middle of the day. Twilight, always an early riser, had broken her fast before the sun had peeked above the hills, and the time combined with the physical labor she was unaccustomed to increased her appetite beyond its normal size. She was pleased to see the stockade surrounding the Apple homestead in the distance as the path led them through a small copse of untended trees. Twilight brushed leaves off of her as they fell, but her attention was fixed on the sword marks marring the trunks around her. Somepony armed had been here fairly recently. Twilight didn’t get to finish her thought, as both she and Applejack stopped and looked back when Spike began to cough. Green flames spurted from the dragon’s maw, and a roll of parchment materialized from the smoke. The scroll fell into the cart of beets as Spike continued to cough. Spike never had a problem delivering letters before we moved to Ponieville. Perhaps the added distance takes a toll nopony realized. Twilight reached for the message, but Spike grabbed it with one claw while he pounded his chest with the other. Apparently, even in distress he didn’t want to give up the privilege of reading Twilight’s correspondences to her. “I didn’t know Spike could do that, Twi’” Applejack said as she unhitched her cart and trotted over to the sorceress, “Who’s it from?” “Judging by the seal, from Celestia,” Twilight said as Spike cut through the wax seal with a claw and unrolled the scroll. The dragon cleared his throat to remove any remaining ash before reading the letter. “Celestia, Matron of Sorceresses in Cant’r Laht, Guardian of Sun and Moon, and Protector of Ponieville does decree that a summit shall be held in the city of Cant’r Laht on the first day of the tenth month of this year, coinciding with the vernal equinox. All prominent and influential figures in the greater realm of Equestria are invited to attend to discuss matters of vital importance to the continuation of Equestria’s states and their places in this new millennium. I ask especially that the rulers of Manehattan, Fillidelfiyaa, Balte-Maer, Las Pegasus, Stalliongrad, and Vanhuv’r attend, as well as a representative from each Hunter order that we may seek to put to an end the interminable conflicts that have plagued our land over the last thousand years. “My dearest apprentice Twilight Sparkle, I ask that you be in Cant’r Laht on the date specified to attend the summit. As my protégé and one of the most powerful sorceresses of Cant’r Laht, your place is at my side during the conference. Prior to the summit, there will be held a grand banquet and ball in the tradition of the Grand Galloping Gala, which sadly has not been held since Nightmare Moon’s Rebellion. With this letter, I have included two tickets to be presented for entry into this Gala, one for yourself and one for a suitable companion. I anticipate your presence at the summit in the spring. Signed, Celestia, Matron of Sorceresses in Cant’r Laht, Guardian of the Sun, and Protector of Ponieville.” “Land sakes, Twilight,” Applejack said once Spike had finished reading, “I knew you were important, but I had no idea you were that important.” Twilight paused to contemplate the implications herself as she detached her cart. A summit like this, with ponies from all of Equestria’s nations gathered together in one place, was unprecedented. To the sorceress’s knowledge, never before had her mentor successfully done such a thing. Was this because Luna had returned? Did Celestia intend to recreate the Equestrian diarchy the sisters had ruled a millennium ago? Even with both great sorceresses’ powers combined, the feat seemed impossible. The different nations that now covered the continent in a patchwork were too accustomed to their individuality, and a united Equestria would never stay united for long, not without severe internal strife and unending wars of unrest and independence. Or, perhaps Celestia truly was earnest in her stated goal of bringing peace to Equestria, and no more. Twilight couldn’t know for sure; though she felt she knew her mentor well, there were times like these that surprised her just how little she comprehended the thoughts of a pony who had lived through centuries. There was also the special invitation extended to Twilight, and Applejack’s comment. Twilight had attended important banquets with Celestia before, but never had she been asked to sit in on negotiations with other nations or take part in state business. The young sorceress was more concerned with her books and spells than politics, though she tried to stay up-to-date as best she could on current events. Still, she had always left matters of governing to Cant’r Laht’s nobility, and Celestia had respected that. What had changed? “I suppose Celestia thinks that I am,” Twilight answered Applejack, a bit surprised herself at the conclusion she’d come to, “Spike, I will take those tickets for safekeeping.” Her page obediently removed the tickets from the parchment, carefully scraping away the wax used to affix them to the page, and passed them to Twilight. Taking them in her mouth, Twilight carefully placed them in a pocket within her robes and tied the flap shut. Twilight’s presence at the summit was clearly very important to Celestia, and the sorceress didn’t want to take any risks in losing them in the nine months before the event took place. “So, who’re you taking t’ the gala with you?” Applejack asked, trying (and failing) to be subtle in her unstated request. Spike may have caught on, but Twilight was too oblivious at the moment to comprehend her friend’s interest. “I don’t know yet,” the sorceress said, “I suppose the decision is an important one, though I do have nine months to choose.” “Do you imagine many important merchants will be attending this summit?” Applejack asked, trying once again to ask her question indirectly. “Oh, for sure,” Spike answered, catching on to what she was going for, “I bet speaking to them would be a great opportunity for your farm, wouldn’t it?” “That’s very true; very true,” Applejack said a bit awkwardly, “What do you say, Twi’?” “Wait, are you saying you want to attend the summit in Cant’r Laht?” Twilight asked, the pieces finally snapping together. “Not the summit, just the gala,” Applejack specified. “You?” Twilight asked incredulously. Then she thought about it. Why shouldn’t she take Applejack with her to the gala? Meeting with important merchants from all across Equestria would open up possibilities for the Apple family they would never have access to otherwise. Applejack was her friend, and what kind of friend would Twilight be if she didn’t try to help her out? A peasant farmer may not have been the target audience for a fancy banquet and ball, but Twilight could think of nopony else to take with her. The answer was unorthodox, but it was also obvious. Why not? “I didn’t mean to sound condescending,” Twilight apologized, “I just never imagined somepony of your… temperament would be interested in attending such an extravagant event, but I understand. I can see how meeting with Equestrian’s merchants could help out your farm, and how important this is to you, and I do have an extra ticket, so I suppose-” “Wait!” the voice of Rainbow Dash called as the Hunter dropped out of the sky. Not controlling her descent as well as she really should have been, the pegasus landed on the shafts of Twilight’s cart. Spike was catapulted through the air and covered his eyes with his claws, dropping the letter from Celestia in the process. Leaping into the air, Applejack was able to catch the diminutive dragon in her forelegs, and the two of them fell heavily to the dirt. As they rose unharmed from the path, Twilight spun quickly to face Rainbow Dash. “Just what, pray tell, was the meaning of that?” Twilight demanded of the Hunter. While she had no great love for beets, there was something that irked Twilight to see the crops she and Spike had worked to harvest that morning spilled across the ground. There was also the matter that Spike, while his scales probably would have kept him from serious harm, had been put in a hazardous situation without warning. Twilight was not pleased with Rainbow’s irresponsible actions one bit, and had a good mind to give her a lecture here and now. “Apologies for tossing you, Spike,” Rainbow said as she stepped away from the cart and crushed a beet underhoof, earning her a glare from Applejack, “And for the beets. I just happened to overhear that you’re able to bring somepony with you to a gala at Cant’r Laht.” Looking around, it was obvious to Twilight that Rainbow Dash had been here for some time, explaining the sword marks on the trees. Looking up, the sorceress could see a makeshift hammock slung between two branches. Hanging on nearby branches were Dash’s swords and the heavier pieces of her Hunter armor. Apparently, she had decided to do her training for the day in this little patch of forest on the Apple farm and take a respite in the treetops. “Why are you interested in the gala?” Applejack asked, glaring suspiciously. “Twilight, all the Hunter orders are going to be there, correct?” Rainbow asked, focusing her attention on the sorceress instead of the irate farmer. “Well, a representative for them,” Twilight answered. “So, most likely the masters of each order,” Rainbow said, “That would, of course, include Spitfire, leader of the Wonderbolts. If a Wonderbolt ever dies or leaves, she’s the one who decides which lucky Hunter gets to take their place. Ever since I was a little filly, I always dreamed of one day being able to join them, and if I can meet Spitfire herself and show her my skills, I’ll be that much closer to becoming a Wonderbolt myself!” “Are you trying to ask what I think you are?” Twilight said, still a bit peeved by the Hunter’s earlier actions, but seeing the sense behind her request, “Do you want my extra ticket to the gala?” “Yes, Twilight! Thank you! You’re the best!” Dash proclaimed, spreading her wings and spinning in the air in excitement. “Now wait just a minute,” Applejack protested before Twilight could explain to Dash that her words hadn’t been an offer, “Twilight was just about t’ offer me the ticket before you so rudely interrupted us.” “I don’t see what difference that makes,” Dash said as she dropped to the ground and intently scowled at Applejack, “Your plan is full of holes anyway. Do you really think the most powerful merchants of Equestria would even acknowledge the existence of a pony of your class?” “And you think that the most talented Hunter in the world is going t’ listen t’ you?” Applejack retorted, “You, a Hunter from a backwater like Ponieville who hasn’t done anything heroic of note in her career?” “I wouldn’t say that, and I also happen to be a bearer of an Element of Harmony,” Dash replied. “As am I,” Applejack said, punctuating each word, “What makes you think that you have any better a chance than I do?” The farmer and the Hunter were standing nose to nose now, and Twilight feared the thus-far fairly civil argument could quickly turn violent. Before things descended into hooficuffs, Twilight stepped in and pried Applejack and Rainbow Dash apart with her forehooves. “Excuse me, but the extra ticket to the gala was given to me, and I will decide who to take as a companion,” Twilight said, “Whoever has the greatest to gain should receive it, don’t you think so?” “With extra business for the Apples, we can finally hire some help and keep Granny Smith comf’rtable in her old age,” Applejack presented as her argument. Twilight didn’t bring up that the Apples’ elderly matron seemed to be amply comfortable already by peasant standards. “Networking with Spitfire will open the door to join the Wonderbolts and fulfill my lifelong dream,” Rainbow Dash said as she stepped in front of Applejack. Twilight also chose not to mention that if Dash was really as talented as she thought she was, becoming a Wonderbolt would be inevitable, and all meeting with the order’s master would accomplish would be to shave a few years off the wait. “Those are both good points, and I’ll have to think on them, but there is still plenty of time before the decision has to be made,” Twilight said, instead of pointing out the limitations of her friends’ arguments as she probably would have done a week ago. As the sorceress backed away from the disappointed duo, her stomach growled, reminding her that she was still hungry. Perhaps, with the question of who would accompany her to Cant’r Laht still in the air, it would be best not to dine with Applejack today. “I will let the both of you know once I’ve made my decision,” Twilight promised as she motioned for Spike to climb onto her back, “But at the earliest, it will be after I have my luncheon today.” Twilight took off before either Applejack or Rainbow Dash could respond, leaving her cart of beets. Rainbow had spilled them; she could trot them back to the Apples’ homestead. The sorceress worked to push the question of her gala companion from her mind as she made her way back to Ponieville. *** The hamlet of Ponieville was much less busy now than when Twilight had first arrived just before the summer solstice. The vast camps outside the town were gone, and many of the inns were closed up. Twilight had learned that all the temporary guesthouses were owned by Mayor Mare or Filthy Rich, who would open them up and staff them only once every four years for the summer solstice ceremony, redistributing their workforce once the celebration was over. The various taverns and eateries throughout the town were all still open, even with the decreased business, so Twilight had plenty of options to pick from for her luncheon. At the moment, she was too busy thinking about her extra ticket to be too particular about what to eat; really, she just needed something to take her mind off the decision. “So, Twilight, it seems like Applejack and Rainbow Dash are both pretty dedicated to the idea of accompanying you to the Grand Galloping Gala,” Spike said from Twilight’s back, not helping matters at all. “Seems that way,” the sorceress replied, looking around for somewhere to eat as she passed Sugar Cube Corner, a bakery that bizarrely didn’t sell sugar cubes and wasn’t built on a corner. “So, who do you think you’ll decide to go with?” the dragon asked. “I don’t know, Spike. If Celestia hadn’t specified I was to bring a ‘suitable companion,’ I would have assumed the ticket was for you,” Twilight answered, ice in her voice, “As it stands now, I’m not sure, but I refuse to make a decision until I can get something to eat.” Out of the corner of her eye, Twilight spotted the chipped doors to Sugar Cube Corner swing outward, but by the time she spotted the pink ball of energy darting from the entrance, it was too late to do anything. The sorceress was knocked to the dirt, and Spike flew off her back and rolled across the ground. When Twilight looked up angrily, she saw Pinkamena balanced on top of her. “Just what, pray tell, do you think you are doing?!” Twilight demanded as she pushed Pinkamena from her perch. “Oh, sorry Twilight,” the pink mare apologized as she sprang back to her hooves, “I just thought I heard somepony mention the Grand Galloping Gala and I got so, so, so excited! So, where are they? Who was talking about the Gala?” “Um, I suppose that would be me,” Spike said as he stood and dusted off his jacket. The tiny dragon gave an ‘eep’ as Pinkamena pounced on him next, knocking him over and pinning him to the ground. “Well, what do you know?” she demanded as she leaned over Spike, their noses nearly touching, “Spill the beets already!” “How do you know about the Grand Galloping Gala?” Twilight asked, puzzled since she had first heard about it less than an hour earlier. “All minstrels know the legend of the Grand Galloping Gala,” Pinkamena said as her head snapped around to face Twilight, “It used to be the best, best, best party ever! It’s been gone for a long time, though, despite ponies in every nation in Equestria trying to bring it back. It’s every bard’s dream to perform at the Grand Galloping Gala, even if it’s just a poor substitute trying to live up to the legend.” “I thought you were a baker?” Twilight said, still trying to understand the pony standing before her. “Oh, I am,” Pinkamena said with no further explanation. “Actually, Celestia is planning on reinstating the Grand Galloping Gala in Cant’r Laht next spring,” Spike blabbed as Pinkie realized she had the dragon pinned to the ground and helped him up, “She even sent Twilight two tickets to it.” “Really, Twilight?” Pinkamena asked as she spun back towards the sorceress, and Twilight ceased motioning for her page to stop talking, “You’re going to take me with you to the Grand Galloping Gala! Thank you, Twilight!” “Just how did you come to that conclusion?” Twilight asked as she held out a hoof to keep Pinkamena from pouncing on her. The last thing she needed was a third pony pestering her with questions about taking them to Cant’r Laht. She already had to worry about deciding between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, and it wasn’t fair to add Pinkamena to the mix. But, Pinkamena was also supposed to be her friend, wasn’t she? Attending the Gala was Pinkamena’s dream (or at least it was the dream of the bard part of whatever crazy amalgamation of personalities this mare was) and she couldn’t very well deny her friend her dream. But, with only one ticket to give, somepony’s hopes and dreams were going to be crushed. “Meeting in the street, are we?” Rarity asked as she trotted up to a Twilight still in thought, a Pinkamena not understanding the implications of what Twilight had said to her, and a Spike still not fully comprehending the situation he’d put Twilight it, “Wouldn’t the three of you rather go inside? What are you talking about anyway?” “Twilight’s taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Cant’r Laht!” Pinkamena answered excitedly before Twilight could stop her. “A gala in Cant’r Laht?” Rarity asked, her eyes widening, “A formal ball where all of Cant’r Laht’s nobility will be in attendance?” “Well, I suppose so, as well as the most important nobility and gentry from Equestria’s other kingdoms,” Twilight answered the newcomer, “But that’s really not the point-” “I’ve always dreamed of visiting Cant’r Laht, you know,” Rarity interrupted, not letting Twilight finish explaining, “Despite being unicorns, my family is very poor and not connected to any of the large families, so I was never able to visit the city in the past.” “You want to go to Cant’r Laht,” Twilight said wearily. “It’s not just Cant’r Laht,” Rarity said defensively, her words getting faster the more she spoke, “Most of my business here in Ponieville is making horseshoes and patching barding for the mayoral guard, but my real passion is dressmaking. I know if the Cant’r Laht nobility could see me in a gala gown of my own design, they would all want one for themselves, and it could do wonders for my business. Of course, a marriage to a member of even the lower nobility would help my position even more, and I’d be in the perfect position to come into contact with them at such an event.” Is she serious? Sure, some could possibly find Rarity to be attractive (Twilight wasn’t in a position to remark on the matter), but that would mean nothing to most members of the nobility. A complicated web of marriage alliances bound all members of noble families practically from birth, and one’s name and title mattered more than practically any other features. In fact, despite House Haltrotsun’s extremely low prestige, the only reason Twilight wasn’t engaged was because of the freedom of choice granted her as Celestia’s protégé (and the fact that the pony she’d been pledged to marry as an infant had died before she reached the age of two). It was a mystery how her brother Shining Armor had managed to avoid betrothal for so long, especially after Twilight’s rise in social status had likewise propelled her family in the same direction. Still, the best a peasant like Rarity could hope to wed would be a member of the gentry, or perhaps a more progressive member of the lower nobility. If she hoped for anything more, she would be sorely disappointed. Much like before, as Twilight thought about what Rarity had said, she realized that her plan wasn’t entirely crazy. At least the business side of her dream was sound. Since she’d come to Ponieville, Twilight had seen Rarity wearing a full dress only twice, and even the sorceress could tell that both were stunning. Even the plain gown she was wearing now was better designed than the common peasant garb. If the ponies at the gala saw her at her best, Twilight believed that they really would want to purchase dresses from the Ponieville blacksmith. Twilight was startled to realize that she was now seriously considering four ponies for the ticket, two for the business opportunities it would give them, and two for the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. “I cannot believe you would take a pony as uncultured as Pinkamena to such an event and deny me the chance to attend a real ball in Cant’r Laht,” Rarity said, acting wounded. “Now listen, I never said that I was taking Pinkamena to the gala,” Twilight said to both ponies standing before her, trying to explain everything before she could be cut off again, “Somehow she came up with that idea on her own, but I never claimed that she would be accompanying me.” Twilight was going to say more, about the other ponies vying for the ticket, about having nine months to decide, but she felt a pony’s hoof tapping her shoulder before she could elaborate. “What?” the sorceress asked venomously as she spun on her interrupter, until she saw that it was a now-cowering druidess, “My apologies, Fluttershy; I didn’t know it was you. Is there something you wanted to say to me?” “I… was just wondering… That is, I was walking by, and I heard you talking about a gala… in Cant’r Laht?” Fluttershy said haltingly as she rose. Oh no, not another one! “The gala, where in Cant’r Laht do you think it will be held?” the druidess asked, gaining confidence as she continued speaking. “I imagine in Cant’r Laht Castle’s great hall,” Twilight said automatically, but then she rethought her answer. The great hall would surely be used for the summit, but probably only the heads of state and their advisors would attend the actual conference. Celestia’s added message for Twilight’s eyes had made it seem that far more ponies than that would be at the gala, which meant a larger space was needed. It would need to be a location both awe-inspiring and spacious enough to accommodate all of Celestia’s guests. “Actually, I think it’s more likely the gala will be held in the castle’s south ballroom and the private gardens,” Twilight corrected her earlier assessment, “Why?” “Well, I heard that you were taking somepony with you to Cant’r Laht, and I was wondering if you would consider taking me,” Fluttershy answered, looking hopefully at Twilight as she waited for a response. “You want to go to the gala as well?” Twilight asked, getting confirmation on what she already knew. “Well, not exactly,” Fluttershy said, “Cant’r Laht Castle’s private gardens are closed to everypony except by special invitation from Celestia. Only three druids are allowed to enter the gardens each year, and no druid from the Ponieville circle has ever been invited. The gardens contain a bounty flora and fauna not found anywhere else in Equestria, more variety of life than a druid could hope to see in a lifetime. This could be my only chance to see it for myself.” Twilight, of course, had visited the castle’s private gardens before (she was, in fact, one of only three ponies allowed to enter whenever she wanted besides the gardeners), and knew that Fluttershy was not exaggerating how magnificent and unique they were. The sorceress had no great love for the druids, but Fluttershy was her friend, and she knew that she now had a fifth pony she needed to consider as an escort at the gala. She had a full set now, all five of the “Brave Companions” as ponies had begun to call them after their defeat of Nightmare Moon. Maybe now ponies would stop coming to her with these requests. “I will consider your request,” Twilight said slowly to Fluttershy once she’d concluded and ordered her thoughts, and she held up a hoof when Rarity and Pinkamena began to voice complaints, “I will consider all of your requests, but I need time to think things through and decide.” “Well, well, well; what have we here?” Rainbow Dash’s voice cut in as the Hunter cantered up briskly. Friends or not, where did these ponies get the idea that they can just interrupt me whenever they want to? “Rainbow Dash, did you follow me here?” Twilight asked angrily. “Yes, I did,” Dash admitted boldly, “Looks like it’s a good thing I did, too. It seems the offer you extended to Applejack and me has been expanded to include three others. If you ask me, you’re just making things harder on yourself.” “Thank you for your insight,” Twilight said sarcastically, “But my affairs are none of your concern.” “I thought we agreed t’ let Twilight be until she’s had a chance t' consider,” Applejack chimed in, appearing out of nowhere, “But I guess you couldn’t resist a chance to try to steal away the ticket you know to be rightfully mine, could you?” “Rightfully yours?” Rainbow replied incredulously, “Why, because you thought you were going to get it first?” “I didn’t know the two of you were also in on this,” Rarity protested, “What could you ruffians enjoy about a formal ball?” “Visiting Cant’r Laht Castle’s private gardens is the dream of every druid and druidess,” Fluttershy said, her voice becoming lost among the others. Soon all five of the ponies around Twilight were talking at once, mostly to each other, and arguing about why they should be the one to visit Cant’r Laht. The sorceress struggled to keep her temper in check as the voices grew louder and more confrontational. Is attending a gala nopony knew would even occur until this morning really so important to them that they’re arguing like this? Why can’t they just wait for my decision? It’s not like I have to choose for another nine months anyway! In fact, there’s really no reason for me to choose any of them. Celestia decided that I ought to be allowed to bring somepony as a companion to the gala, but she left the decision entirely up to me, and I could choose anypony Celestia would find suitable. With the way these five are behaving right now, I’m not even sure I want to take any of them to a prestigious Cant’r Laht affair! There was no way Spike could have known Twilight’s thoughts, but he’d been around her long enough to know that she was about to snap nevertheless, and backed away from the six ponies slowly. “Enough!” Twilight yelled, and magic projected from her body in a sheet, striking the other ponies mute as it hit them, “I said that I would consider all of you as possible companions for the gala, but just now you’ve nearly convinced me that none of you should go!” Beads of sweat began to break out on Twilight’s forehead as she kept up the spell, and she released it to keep from appearing strained. Mercifully, her friends remained silent even after their voices were returned to them. “This is my decision, and no amount of arguing is going to help your positions. The gala isn’t for another nine months, and I will let you all know my choice before then, but you cannot just ambush me and expect an answer,” Twilight continued, “As I told Applejack and Rainbow Dash earlier, I will not make a decision until I have at least had something to eat. Now, return to your own businesses and leave me be.” Spike joined Twilight as she turned sharply and trotted away from the five other ponies, who began to disperse a few seconds after the sorceress left with a great deal of suspicious glances traded between them. *** With her stomach rumbling more frequently now, Twilight didn’t want to waste any time in deciding where to get food, and she didn’t want any more decisions on her mind anyway. She stopped at the first eatery she came across, an open-air tavern with tables in a roped-off enclosure abutting a canopied bar where there were already a few patrons at this hour, including one of the Cant’r Laht soldiers left behind to provide Twilight with protection. The soldier quickly finished his drink and sneaked away as the sorceress arrived. The wooden sign hanging from the building featured a rearing earth pony and proclaimed the tavern to be “The Prancynge Ponie.” It’s like this town is obsessed with using Middling Equestrian; hasn’t anypony told them that it ought to be “Dae Prançyŋe Poní”? Twilight took a seat at one of the tables, and Spike jumped up onto the chair across from her. She might have thought it odd that nopony else had chosen to sit outside, and she might have noticed that the clouds overhead were growing darker, but her mind was too preoccupied with the question of the gala for that. She had told her friends off, and reassured them that there was plenty of time for her to make her decision, but for some reason her mind wouldn’t heed its own reasoning. I’m just as bad as they are, unable to get the thought of who to bring to the gala out of my mind. I may have nine months to choose, but somehow I get the feeling that I won’t be able to rest until I do. I’ve dealt with far more important matters before, so why am I having such a hard time deciding this time? Is it because I have an emotional stake in it? I want to be a good friend, and that means helping my friends out, but how do I choose who to help? They all have valid reasons to want to go, and the fulfillment of one of their dreams will inevitably lead to the shattering of four others’. Who should I choose? How can I choose? “Has the lady made her decision?” the tavern’s waiter asked Twilight, making a very poor choice of words in a situation he didn’t even know existed. “I can’t make a decision under this pressure!” Twilight yelled, drawing the momentary attention of the tavern’s other patrons and a few townsponies trotting by. “Twilight, he just wants to know what you’ll be having to eat,” Spike said softly. The dragon had seen his companion under stress before, back in Cant’r Laht, and it was not pretty. If she didn’t find a solution to this predicament soon, he feared what could happen. “My apologies. Yes, I would like to order,” Twilight said after shaking her head, and she made a selection from the crude menu board attached to the side of the tavern, “One daffodil and daisy sandwich on rye, please.” “And to drink?” the stallion asked. “Just water,” Twilight said. She doubted that a Ponieville tavern would have any of the wines or cordials she’d been accustomed to in Cant’r Laht. “Do you serve pheasant?” Spike asked, and received a ghastly look from the waiter, “I’ll take that as a no. Half a loaf of pumpernickel and a Fillidelfiyaan Brandy then.” “What are your thoughts, Spike?” Twilight asked as the waiter trotted off, looking back nervously at Spike every few steps. “I think we found yet another eatery that finds it barbaric that I, a dragon, eat meat. I must admit, I’m getting tired of the looks, Twilight,” Spike answered, only partially misunderstanding her question. If he could get the sorceress’s mind off the topic that was consuming it, it would be best for both of them. “Not what I’m talking about,” Twilight said, ignoring her page’s complaint, “What do you think I should do about the extra ticket Celestia sent me for the gala?” “Honestly, I don’t know. If you ask me, I think all six of you are blowing this out of proportion. It’s just a ball, and it’s not until the spring anyway, so why get all worked up?” Spike answered, hoping he wasn’t being too candid. “I know, I know,” Twilight said, burying her head in her hooves, “It’s driving me mad, though! I don’t want to let anypony down, but no matter who I choose, it will mean disappointing four others. We’ve just gotten settled in Ponieville, Spike, and we’re here for the long run. I can’t afford to lose the friendship of four of the five ponies here I’m familiar with over something as trivial as this. Celestia really only wanted me with her at the summit, and I don’t care all that much about the gala itself, but even if I give my ticket away as well, there will still be three disappointed ponies! How do I choose?” “Daffodil and daisy on rye and water for the lady, and pumpernickel and a brandy for the lad,” the waiter said as he returned to deposit their tray of food on the table. “Thank you; it looks delicious,” Twilight exaggerated because of her appetite as she paid the waiter, who had the manners not to bite the coins in front of her to check their authenticity, “Maybe after I finally get something to eat, I’ll be able to think straight.” “You should hurry if you don’t want to get wet,” the waiter opinioned as he trotted off briskly toward the bar. “Wet?” Twilight asked, confused. The sky rumbled with thunder a moment later, and Twilight realized it had gotten dark very quickly for mid-afternoon. The thunder continued, and soon heavy drops of rain began to fall from the heavens, turning into a blinding torrent in an instant. Except, Twilight still wasn’t getting wet. In a circle around the table where she and Spike were seated, miraculously no rain was falling. The sorceress looked up and frowned when she saw the reason why. “Rainbow Dash,” Twilight addressed the Hunter perched at the edge of a hole in the clouds, “Just what do you think you’re doing?” “Hey, Twilight; enjoying the weather?” Dash called down, “I saw that you were about to get rained on just when you’d finally gotten a bite to eat, and— knowing how important this meal is to you—I busted a hole in the clouds so you can dine in peace.” “And I suppose this favor has nothing to do with convincing me to give you the extra ticket to the gala?” Twilight asked. “Don’t be silly. Not at all!” Rainbow laughed awkwardly. “I don’t believe you,” Twilight said strictly, “If you think that you can get greater consideration for the ticket by doing favors for me, you’re sadly mistaken. Now I’d appreciate it if you would close up that cloud and let me be like I asked.” “Fine, but don’t come crying to me when you get soaked,” Dash said huffily as she filled the hole in the clouds back in. “Thank you,” Twilight said as she pulled her sandwich toward her. Of course, only a moment later the downpour reached her and thoroughly soaked both Twilight and her lunch. Spike stuffed the rest of his meal down his throat quickly as Twilight grumbled and pushed her food away from herself. “Twilight, you’ll get drenched in this deluge,” Rarity noted as she trotted past, herself keeping dry beneath a thick hooded robe. “You and Dash should start a guild for ponies who state the obvious,” the miserably wet sorceress grumbled. “Come now, let’s get you out of this rain,” Rarity said as she grabbed Twilight’s robes and dragged her away. *** As the rain pounded down outside, Twilight dried herself off in Rarity’s home. This was the second time now that the other unicorn had dragged her here and stripped her of her clothing; hopefully this didn’t become a habit. As she finished drying herself, Twilight looked at her dripping robes and regretted telling Dash to close up the clouds. Back in Cant’r Laht, Twilight would gladly trade favors for favors; it was how sorceresses did business. Now, though, it felt wrong to barter away the ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala and string along her friends for nine months. Have I really changed so much in so short a time? It shocked Twilight to think that the ponies she’d known in Cant’r Laht might not even recognize her now, and that the changes had all occurred in just a few weeks. Perhaps the Elements of Harmony had played some role in this shift. Their magic, which didn’t match up with existing magical laws and theories, was what Twilight really should have been studying, but the Elements seemed to be completely inert now so she had sent them on to Cant’r Laht for safekeeping. They would be useless to Celestia in the case of a crisis, but there was no way to keep relics of such power secure in a backwater like Ponieville. “What are you doing?” Twilight asked with surprise as Rarity threw a tape measure across her withers unannounced and startled the sorceress. “Just getting your measurements, dear,” Rarity said through a quill as she scribbled down Twilight’s dimensions, “You’ll need a proper dress if you plan to attend the gala, and I want you to wear the best I have to offer.” “That’s very generous of you, Rarity,” Twilight said, “But I suspect you have an ulterior motive.” “Whatever do you mean, darling?” Rarity chuckled as she concluded taking Twilight’s measurements. “Listen, one pony has already tried to bribe me for the ticket today, and I do not appreciate it,” Twilight sighed, “If you think doing me a favor will increase your chances of accompanying me to Cant’r Laht, you’re mistaken.” “It was Rainbow Dash, wasn’t it?” Rarity snapped before returning to her usual demeanor and waving her hoof dismissively, “Don’t be silly, Twilight. Giving you a dress is by no means an attempt to compel you that it should be me that is best suited for the glamour of a high class Cant’r Laht social event. I want you to have it, regardless of who you pick.” Rarity trotted out of the room and disappeared for a few minutes, leaving Twilight and Spike alone. The sorceress was very uncomfortable, both because she hadn’t eaten since that morning and because the question of the gala was still weighing heavily on her mind. Even if Rarity was sincere about the motives of her gift—which Twilight doubted—it still felt wrong to accept it, especially after turning down Dash, no matter how transparent her offer had been. Accepting one present could be seen as favoritism, and soon the competition to win Twilight’s good will would escalate out of control. “I found the perfect ensemble for you,” Rarity crooned as she reentered the room, an extravagant dress draped over her back, “Well, try it on.” Twilight sighed, expecting a trap, but still obediently donned the dress. Though the fit wasn’t perfect, it was close enough that the sorceress felt comfortable wearing the gown. The material, though not as exquisite as what could be purchased in Cant’r Laht, was above what one would expect to be accessible in Ponieville. Perhaps Twilight had underestimated Rarity’s craftsmareship. “Oh, you look fabulous!” Rarity praised as Twilight examined herself, “Wait here, I have something to attend to, and I’ll be right back.” “Hmm, what do you think, Spike?” Twilight asked as she observed her reflection in a mirror of polished bronze. “I think the rain’s stopping and we should sneak out of here,” the dragon said as he looked out the window. “You’re probably right,” Twilight admitted, but she didn’t want to express her doubts on Rarity’s authenticity until it was proven. She had done a good job on the dress, and she knew how to pick them, too. The midnight blue fabric went well with her purple mane and tail. It occurred to her that it might go equally well with Rarity’s mane and tail. A moment later, Rarity trotted back into the room wearing a similar dress, though this one had obviously been made especially for her. “I’m so glad that dress works for you, because I happen to have an accompanying one for myself,” Rarity cooed, “Can you imagine the looks we’ll get side by side?” “At the gala,” Twilight added in a deadpan voice as she narrowed her eyes at Rarity. “Do you think so?” Rarity asked innocently, “Well, I suppose that the two of us would be the belles of the ball like this, wouldn’t we?” “I don’t think so,” Twilight said as she pulled off the dress and donned her now (mostly) dry sorceress robes, “I expected better of you, Rarity. I told you that trying to ply me with favors won’t work, and still you tried.” “But, Twilight-” Rarity protested. “No,” Twilight responded firmly, “You will have to wait for my decision just like everypony else. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have yet to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of eating lunch. Come, Spike.” Not needing any further encouragement, Spike waddled over to Twilight and swung himself onto her back. The sorceress trotted irately past a very flabbergasted Rarity and out of her home/shop. Once she was outside, though, she found herself face to face with Applejack. “Did I hear correctly that you’re still looking for lunch?” the farmer asked as Twilight was forced to come to a stop. Behind Applejack was a cart like the one she and Twilight had hauled beets in earlier, but this one had a blanket draped over the top. Applejack unhooked herself and trotted around to the back of the cart, pulling the cover off to reveal a collection of food that could be called a peasant banquet, for lack of a better term. “Did you make all this for me?” Twilight asked as she gazed hungrily at the feast laid out before her. “Well, sure,” Applejack said, “You said that you couldn’t make a decision about the gala on an empty stomach, so I thought I’d bring you some food t’ help things along.” “Wait, are you doing this to get special consideration for the ticket to the gala?” Twilight asked as she tried to ignore the rumbling of her stomach. “Well, I can’t say I thought it ‘twould diminish my chances,” Applejack said as she removed her hat and scratched the back of her neck embarrassedly. “No thank you, then,” Twilight said, finding it very hard to turn up her nose at the food and trot past, “I’ll make the decision in my own time, and until then these favors are just making the decision harder. If anything, I have less idea of who to pick now that I did in front of Sugar Cube Corner.” Spike reached for some food as Twilight stormed off, but she moved too quickly and he missed his chance. He knew better than to ask her to turn back. Twilight was really in a foul mood now, and he hoped nopony else would get in her way on the trip back to Golden Oak’s laboratory. *** As Twilight trotted through Ponieville’s muddy streets, she lamented that her new clothes hadn’t arrived yet. Soon after arriving, she’d realized that her typical attire would not do well in this town, and sent off a request for shorter robes and hock-length boots to her regular tailor in Cant’r Laht. Unfortunately, Spike could only send and receive letters to and from Celestia, so she had to send any other correspondence in the regular manner. The letter to her tailor she’d sent back with the Elements of Harmony, but from now on she’d have to rely on couriers to get any non-critical messages through. She would also have to wait for her new clothes to be delivered, which could take weeks. Until then, she had to put up with things as best she could, even though it caused her great discomfort. In Cant’r Laht, Twilight had most often worn horseshoes or gone without shoes at all, and her sorceress robes were of the popular style that brushed the cobblestones as one walked. This translated in Ponieville to her robes and hooves becoming caked in mud whenever the ground wasn’t entirely dry, and the mud in Ponieville was suspect. Gone, thankfully, were the days where ponies defecated wherever they wished. Now, in towns such as Ponieville, they would do their business inside in a chamber pot or bucket, and then throw it out into the street. Progress. It was a far cry from Cant’r Laht’s sewage system, and Twilight didn’t relish the fact that what she was stepping in on a damp day could just as easily be excrement as earth. Once her new clothes came, it would make things more bearable, at least, though no less revolting. “Ugh, in Cant’r Laht I always dreamed of the day ponies would shower me with gifts for my favor,” Twilight complained to Spike as they neared their Ponieville home, “Now I regret ever wishing for it. In reality, being bombarded with favors is simply stressful.” “Well, hopefully we’ll be safe from any more questions once we’re in the laboratory,” Spike tried to reassure her as he looked around frantically, happily not catching a glimpse of any Brave Companions. “You’re right, Spike,” Twilight said with a sigh, and he could sense the tension in her shoulders ease just a little. As the sorceress pushed open the door with her hoof, she was greeted by the melodious singing of birds. Twilight stood stock-still as she looked at the library with dismay. Animals of all shapes and sizes were scampering around, many carrying cleaning utensils or using their body parts as makeshift tools. In the center of it all was a very familiar druidess. “Fluttershy, what is this?” Twilight asked through gritted teeth, and Spike felt her tension return stronger than ever. “Hello, Twilight; didn’t expect you back so soon,” the pegasus said as she fluttered down to land beside the sorceress, “I thought your home could use some cleaning.” “Well, yes, it could,” Twilight admitted, “But don’t you have your own matters out in the forest to tend to? Surely you wouldn’t be cleaning here unless you thought that doing so would help your chances of getting my extra ticket to Cant’r Laht.” “Such accusations!” Fluttershy said softly, though somehow also with great emotion, “I assure you, we’re just here to help clean, no other motive. Right, Angel?” Twilight turned to look for whoever Fluttershy had addressed with her question. Apparently, the one-eared rabbit organizing books was called Angel, and the creature gave Fluttershy an unamused look and shook its head in response to the druidess’s question. Twilight could have wondered how Fluttershy was able to communicate with all these animals, which was an impressive feat even for a druid, but at the moment she was too angry for that. “Fluttershy, I’ve already told Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack that I’m not comfortable accepting favors in exchange for extra consideration for the ticket, and now I have to deal with you too!” Twilight said wearily, “I want you to take your animals and get out of my home this instant.” “Technically, this area of the laboratory is still open to the public,” Fluttershy pointed out. “I’ll just have to see Mayor Mare about that,” Twilight said, struggling to keep her temper in check, “Please, just go.” As the sorceress opened the door behind her, she was grabbed unexpectedly by a pair of pink hooves. Spike fell from her back as she was dragged out into the street and fell rump-first into the mud. Music began to play as seven bards circled around her, all playing different instruments. Pinkamena strummed her lute outside the circle and cleared her throat in preparation to sing. “Oh no,” Twilight said, quickly standing and breaking up the circle of minstrels around her, “No songs today, please, Pinkamena!” “Aw, but I had a great song I wrote just for the occasion,” Pinkamena complained as she set her lute down, “Can’t I just sing a few lines? I know it will get you to change your mind.” “No thank you, Pinkamena,” Twilight said, and knocked her lute back down as she moved to pick it up again, “As I told everypony else, doing things to convince me to give the ticket to you won’t help. In fact, it’s making it harder to decide than ever, and I have no idea who I should take to the gala.” “Wait; gala? Ticket?” one of the minstrels, an earth pony stallion wearing a cap with a red feather in it asked, and he then produced a sheaf of parchment and started flipping through it, “These lines: ‘The Grand Galloping Gala, that most splendiferous ball, doesn’t compare to Twilight Sparkle, the greatest friend of all. I know that if I treat her, to a party in the night, she’ll bless me with a ticket when in morning comes the light.’ You have a ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala?” Pinkamena obviously hadn’t thought her plan through. Hadn’t she said that it was every bard’s dream to attend the Grand Galloping Gala? Now she had gathered seven of them together and spilled the secret. Her song hadn’t even tried to be subtle, either, stating her plan and motives outright. The bards moved in around Twilight, all asking about going to the Grand Galloping Gala. Unlike the previous five, she was not friends with these ponies, and had never even met them before, so it wouldn’t be hard to say no to them. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t make their asking any less annoying, and Twilight was already burned out from the constant questioning of the past hour and wasn’t thinking straight. When Spike climbed onto her back, she did the only thing that seemed reasonable to her addled mind at the time: she ran. “After her!” one of the minstrels called, and the chase began. Twilight galloped as fast as she could through the muddy streets of Ponieville, slipping occasionally as she turned a corner or hit a particularly wet patch. Twilight knew that she was not at peak physical condition, and it was all she could do just to keep ahead of the bards. Somewhere along the way, they managed to pick up more ponies and the crowd pursuing Twilight grew larger. If she had been farther east, she would have worried that they were planning on burning her at the stake for witchcraft, but thankfully all she had to worry about in Ponieville was annoying questions. Twilight had only a cursory knowledge of Ponieville’s layout at the moment, but Spike had a good head for directions and helped guide the sorceress to shortcuts and back alleys. Still, the crowd of peasants always managed to find them somehow. No matter how far ahead Twilight got, or how many twisting turns she took, they would always reappear just when she thought she was safe. At some point, they split into separate groups and managed to narrow Twilight’s choices to a single alleyway, which Spike urged her not to run down. The alley terminated in the sheer wall of a warehouse, and Twilight could go no farther. Well, in her current state she could go no farther. If she had been of sound mind she’d have remembered several levitation spells as well as spells that could be used to drive back the crowd of ponies pursuing her, but at the moment her thoughts were too frazzled and disjointed to consider magical routes of escape. As the ponies closed in and Twilight found her back against the wall, she closed her eyes and everything became a white haze. Spike tasted the tang of magic in the air and grabbed hold of Twilight tightly as the two of them blinked out of existence. The ponies in the alleyway whinnied in alarm and backpedaled as fast as they could, more terrified than confused at the moment. Within Golden Oak’s laboratory, the duo reappeared in a flash of light and a crackle of magic smelling of lemons and orange rinds. Ash settled to the floor around them, and the burn marks on Twilight’s robes and Spike’s jacket spoke to the fact that it hadn’t been a textbook teleportation that had just occurred. His ears ringing, Spike fell from Twilight’s back, and pushed himself unsteadily to his feet. “What was that, Twilight?” the dragon asked when the room’s spinning slowed down. “We just survived an uncontrolled teleport,” the terrified sorceress said with wide eyes, “I didn’t think I was able to even partially complete that spell involuntarily.” “Well, you took us home at least,” Spike said as he regained his bearings. “I didn’t know I was going to, though,” Twilight said as she shook her head, “I didn’t have any destination in mind when I initiated the spell. Let’s never do that again.” “Agreed,” Spike said as he walked briskly to the laboratory’s door and locked it, “Maybe now we can get some privacy. Heaven knows you need it after what you’ve been through today.” “Thanks, Spike. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Twilight said genuinely. “Um, Twilight? Is this a bad time?” Applejack’s voice came from behind the sorceress. She spun around to see all five of her friends emerging from her private rooms. “No no no! What do I have to do to get away from you?” Twilight lamented, “I can’t make a decision like this! Going to this gala is important to all of you, and I don’t want to disappoint any of you, but it’s not possible! No matter what I do, there is simply no way I can fulfill all of your dreams, and I know it’s crazy to think that I could, but maybe that’s part of being friends! I genuinely want to help you all, but I can’t! I just can’t! I never could make this decision, and all these favors just make it even harder! I don’t want to let down any of you, but there’s nothing I can do!” The five ponies stood bunched together awkwardly, looking at each other with embarrassed expressions as Spike stood off to the side with his arms crossed, frowning at them. After seconds that seemed an eternity, Applejack trotted over to where Twilight was collapsed on the floor, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. “Listen, I’m sorry, Twi’” the farmer said as she placed a hoof on the sorceress’s shoulder, “The last thing I wanted t’ do was t’ cause you so much pain ‘n’ heartache. I know it won’t fix the damage I’ve done, but don’t worry about giving me the ticket. You were probably right when you said a pony like me would be out o’ place at a ball like that anyway. Give the ticket to somepony else; I won’t fault you for it.” “The same goes for me,” Pinkamena said as Applejack helped Twilight up, “Well, not the being out of place at the gala part, but the rest. I didn’t want to hurt you, Twilight, and I hate seeing friends upset. I don’t deserve the ticket for acting like that.” “I’m so sorry, Twilight,” Fluttershy apologized, “I was too obsessed with seeing the Cant’r Laht private gardens that I didn’t stop to think about what I was doing. I feel terrible for the way I acted toward you. Forgive me, Twilight, and I don’t care if somepony else gets the ticket.” “Twilight, I must express my sincere apologies as well,” Rarity said, getting choked up from all the apologizing going on, “It was despicable that I tried to trick you into giving me the ticket. I swear that I don’t want it anymore, not if it would mean causing you more pain and stress.” Twilight and the four ponies gathered around her turned to look at Dash, who was hovering nearby. “I’m not going to lie, I really wanted that ticket,” Dash said awkwardly as she scratched the back of her neck with a hoof, “But… it’s not worth it if it’s going to hurt you in the process, Twilight. Keep the ticket, and not just because it’s the noble thing to do. I really don’t think I should have it anymore.” Can things really be solved so easily? This problem seemed so much bigger earlier. No, this isn’t the end. Though we may have patched up the problem, the scars of it will remain, and the memory of this day will be with us for the rest of our lives. Hopefully, it will be an event that strengthens our bond and keeps this from happening again, but in the near-term I’ll still remember how very unfriendly my “friends” acted, and even if I tell myself everything is fixed, this will negatively affect my perceptions of them. It’s too bad we can’t just reset things to the beginning of the day, before those tickets changed the dynamic between us. Well, maybe there’s something that can be done yet… “Spike, take a letter please,” Twilight ordered, and the dragon rushed to grab parchment, ink, and a quill. “Ready to go,” he said when he’d assembled the necessary material and tools. “My dearest mentor, Celestia. Many thanks for your invitation to the summit in the spring, and for the two tickets to the accompanying gala. However, I’m afraid that I cannot accept the tickets,” Twilight dictated, and several of her friends responded with ‘what?’s to the last line, “I have come to realize that sharing this gift with just one of my friends will not be enough. It would not seem fair in my mind to bring one of them to the gala and leave the others behind in Ponieville. Therefore, I will not be attending the Grand Galloping Gala even on my own, as leaving all five of my friends behind is just as abhorrent to my mind. I will still be attending the summit, as you requested, but the tickets I shall be returning. Your faithful apprentice, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight signed her name at the bottom of the letter and gave Spike the tickets from her mud-splattered and scorched robes. “There’s no need for you t’ miss the gala on our accounts, Twi’” Applejack said as Spike prepared the letter for sending. “I spent the whole afternoon trying to reach a decision, and now I’ve made it,” Twilight said firmly, “Unless we can all go together to the gala, I don’t want to go at all. Spike, send the letter as soon as it is ready.” “Yes, ma’am,” the dragon said as he finished affixing the tickets with wax and gave a breath of fire that incinerated the letter into a cloud of smoke that zipped through the cracks of a window and flew off toward Cant’r Laht. “I never thought I’d see the day that a Cant’r Laht sorceress would choose Ponieville over Cant’r Laht,” Fluttershy noted. “I didn’t choose Ponieville,” Twilight replied, “I chose the five of you.” As touching (and clichéd) as that moment could have been, it was interrupted by Twilight’s rumbling stomach reminding her that she still hadn’t eaten since the sun had risen, and now it was setting. “I think I know just how we can apologize for putting you through such aggravation,” Rarity said, “Let’s treat you to a meal.” “That sounds fantastic,” Twilight said honestly, then looked back at the state she was in, “Let me just change first.” *** Later that night, the six ponies and one dragon were sitting around a few pulled-together tables at a tavern, talking and laughing. The wounds seem to be healing well Twilight noted. The barkeep gave them a look when Spike’s bottle shattered against the floor as he dropped it. The miniscule dragon coughed heavily and beat his chest until a scroll materialized in a blaze of fire before him. Once his breath returned to him, he retrieved the letter and unrolled it. Nopony could help noticing that Celestia’s seal was affixed to it. “Don’t keep us waiting. What’s it say?” Rainbow Dash asked before taking a draw from her tankard. “My dearest apprentice, Twilight Sparkle,” Spike read, “I apologize for this most egregious oversight. Of course all of your friends should be able to attend the gala with you as companions. To remedy this problem, I have attached six tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala to this letter. I look forward to see all of the Brave Companions in the spring. Signed, Celestia, Matron of Sorceresses in Cant’r Laht, Guardian of the Sun, and Protector of Ponieville.” The six ponies all cried out in delight upon hearing the news, disturbing patrons at the other tables. “This calls for another round,” Applejack said, and waved to get the barkeep’s attention. Spike folded up the letter and placed it inside his jacket for safekeeping. Behind it was a second page, and he read this one silently. My dear dragon Spike: do not think that I have forgotten about you. It may not have been specified in the previous letter, but I want you to be at Twilight’s side during both the summit and the Grand Galloping Gala. To clear up any confusion, you will also find a ticket attached for your use. Sincerely, Celestia, Matron of Sorceresses in Cant’r Laht, etc. Spike smiled as he pried the ticket from the paper with a claw and placed it in a jacket pocket before waving a waiter over for a fresh bottle.