//------------------------------// // Art Gallery // Story: Finding Happiness // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// One night at Fluttershy's cottage, Anton was painting away at his canvas with excitement. It would be two days before the art exhibition in Canterlot, and he was truly looking forward to it. He was applying a last brushstroke to his picture before standing up and wiped some sweat off his forehead, "Yes. It is finally complete," he turned to Nick who was laying on his bed, "Your thoughts, Nick?" Nick looked over and nodded as if approving it, "Good boy. Well, better hit the sack. For tomorrow I'm on my way to Canterlot." he went to bed wanting to get a goodnight sleep. The next morning, Anton, Spike, and the girls were on a train bound for Canterlot. Anton sat on the train seat with his painting wrapped up. He kept it close to him not wanting to lose it. Pinkie grinned, "I can't wait to see your painting on display. Are you sure we can't have a sneak peek?" she leaned in close. "And ruin the surprise?" Anton asked rhetorically. "Good point." Pinkie replied. "Well, I certainly cannot wait to see it myself," Rarity said, "Plus a chance to see some of the up and coming artists of this age and especially Art Nouveau." "Hope he won't be too critical on Anton being a kid and all." Applejack hoped, "Don't worry, A.J. I'll take whatever criticism I get." Anton replied with confidence. "That's the spirit." Rainbow ruffled his head. "And remember, Anton. We're all here for you." Fluttershy reminded him. "Thanks, mom." "We're here." Twilight said, as they looked out the train window. They got off the train and walked through the city, until Anton noticed the building where the art exhibition was to be held. Currently worker ponies were setting up shop for the viewing gallery held today. They walked inside and Anton presented himself before the secretary unicorn mare, "Excuse me, ma'am?" "Yes?" the secretary asked. "I'm dropping off my piece for the exhibition." "Name please?" "Anton MacLeod." The mare looked through the list before answering, "Ah, yes here you are. Just sign in and we'll set up your piece." "Very well," Anton signed his name onto the form, as a guard took the wrapped painting, "Just be careful with that. I worked really hard." "You've nothing to worry about. We assure you it'll be in perfect condition for the displaying and judging tomorrow." "Thank you so much." Twilight thanked them. "So what do we do now?" Applejack asked. "Viewing won't be for another two hours. I suggest we get Anton ready for it," Rarity began, and smiled, "And I know just the place." The girls had a feeling what their fashion friend had in mind, while Anton was curious. Next thing Anton knew he was brought to Canterlot Carousel; Rarity's boutique establishment. They walked inside and saw the place was busy as ever. Anton looked around, "Wow. Rarity, you actually made this place possible?" "Indeed I did, Anton. Though I couldn't stay here and work it, I left it in the care of somepony I know I could trust it too." Rarity looked over seeing her manager Sassy Saddles. "Rarity, so good to see you." Sassy beamed, as the two ponies embraced, "To what do I owe this visit from you and your friends?" "Well, we're here for the art exhibition. And our newest friend will be participating in it." Rarity motioned Anton to approach, as he did. Sassy looked down at the boy with interest, "And who is this young one?" "This is Anton. Anton, this is Sassy Saddles manager of Canterlot Carousel." Rarity introduced them. Anton extended his hand and shook Sassy's hoof, "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." "Oh, pleasure's mine, darling. I've never seen quite anything like you before." Sassy looked him over. "Yeah, I've been getting plenty of that," Anton chuckled with her. He looked around the boutique, "Love the décor here. Definitely fitting for a fashion designer." "Thank you, Anton." Sassy thanked him. "And we should have him suited up for tomorrow being the exhibition tomorrow." Rarity added. "Yeah. Gotta look the part and all," Anton agreed, "So let's get to work." So Rarity got to work in making a new suit for Anton, while he waited. When she was done, Anton took it to the changing room, as the girls waited for him. Soon enough Anton stepped out into the open wearing a new and improved black tuxedo suit with a red dress shirt and black necktie. Anton spoke in a smooth voice, "Oh, yeah." he strut around a bit before turning to Moonlight Raven and Sunshine Smiles. He smiled and shot them a finger point gesture and a wink. Sunshine giggled at his flirting while Moonlight smiled in amusement. Rainbow spoke to the girls, "Well, ain't he the ladykiller?" the girls giggled, as Rarity spoke. "How is it, Anton?" "Fits great, Rarity. At least with this I'll feel more at place at the exhibition." "Just remember not to let them all intimidate ya because you're just a kid." Applejack advised him. "Thanks, A.J. So what say we head over to the gallery?" Anton suggested. "Sounds great." Twilight agreed. After getting back into his street clothes, Anton and the ponies were walking through Canterlot heading back to the gallery. Anton looked around, "Canterlot city really does look amazing during the daytime." "It does, doesn't it?" Twilight asked, as they continued to walk. Suddenly a snobby male voice, "Well, darling look what the cat dragged in." The group stop and saw up ahead was Jet Set and his wife Uppercrust, two of the worst examples of upper class ponies in Canterlot. "Oh, it's just Rarity and her group of common ponies." Uppercrust said in an equally snobby tone. The girls frowned at their mockery, as Rarity spoke, "Jet Set and Uppercrust, I see you two are as stuck up as ever." "I also see fraternizing with such peasant ponies hasn't taught you to respect the superior." Jet Set countered, as the couple let out a haughty laugh. Anton watching the couple talk down to Rarity like the elitist snobs they were while envisioning his aunt in place of them recalling how many times she talked down to him and his mom. Unable to stand seeing someone else close to him get talked down by someone who thought they were better than them stepped forward and called them out. "Hey! Who do you think you are talking to Rarity like that?!" "Anton." Fluttershy gasped at his outburst. The two ponies seeing Anton backed away as if Anton was contagious, "Oh, gracious, what is that thing?" Uppercrust asked in repulse. "I don't know, but don't go anywhere near it." Jet Set told his wife. "Why, afraid I might bite ya?" Anton tried to scare them, but they caught on knowing he was bluffing. "Like we'd be afraid of some hairless ape." Jet Set replied. "Hey, watch it. I'm actually more evolved than a mere ape, thank you. And I'm not an 'it' I'm a 'he'. Anton MacLeod's my name." "Anton?" Uppercrust chuckled, "You hear that, darling? They've given the creature a name." "It's my birth name." Anton replied, while getting more agitated by their behavior. "Well, pardon us, but we never saw such a creature like you before," Jet Set began, "You personally look like you belong in some circus or perhaps a side show." the couple laughed some more. Anton growled, before shouted, "You insolent snobby upperclass..." he tried to go at them, only for A.J and Twilight to hold him back. "Easy, Anton. This is what they want." Twilight warned him. Uppercrust spoke to the group while staring at Anton in his anger mode, "If I were you girls I get your little pet a leash." Fluttershy hearing this, had her own words to say as she flew into their faces, "You listen here both of you! Anton is my son. And I will not stand idly by and listen to you two talk down on him like that!" Anton watched seeing Fluttershy stand up to the two snobs, and thought with admiration, 'Now this is how mom should've talked to Katrina.' "So I suggest the two of you leave right now, before I have to make you!" Fluttershy warned them. The couple was shaking with fear from Fluttershy's sudden outburst, before nodding and walking away saying no more. Fluttershy regained her composure and flew to Anton, "Are you ok, Anton?" "I'm fine. Mom, what you just did there was like... Wow to the Wow!" "That's telling them, Fluttershy." Rainbow commended her. "You sure that them the what-for." Applejack added. Fluttershy realizing how she acted suddenly became embarrassed, "Well, I just did what any parent would do if they saw their child being ridiculed like that." "I appreciate what you did for me there, mom." Anton hugged her. "Awe." Fluttershy hugged him back. Rarity pulled Anton close, "I commend you for sticking up for Fluttershy, Anton. But try not to let ponies like them get under your collar. That's just what they want to do." "I know. But take it from someone who has personal experience with creeps like that. I couldn't anything back then, but this time I'm not standing by and let ponies like that talk down on anyone close to me. Never again." Anton promised. The girls were worried about Anton until he let go of his anger for today and spoke to them, "Well, come on. Aren't we going to the gallery?" The girls seeing he returned to normal felt relieved, "Yeah. Come on." Twilight said, as they continued on. When they arrived, they saw many ponies from Canterlot and some from other places in Equestria looking around at the many works of art on display. Anton looked around feeling astounded, "Wow. So this is an actual art gallery exhibition." "So many works of art." Rarity added. "Come on, let's find Anton's!" Pinkie cheered. So they walked around the gallery trying to find Anton's picture. As they looked, Anton noticed many paintings bore a resemblance to art from his world only pony-fied. Artwork such as the Mona Lisa, The Scream, American Gothic, Whistler's Mother, and Nighthawks. He smiled at how close they looked like the ones from his world, until he looked over at a painting hanging on a wall where more ponies were gathered around. "There it is!" Anton called, as the girls and Spike looked over in the direction he was looking in. They walked over and looked at what Anton drew. It was a painting of all of Equestria from a sky shot, and in certain spots of it were the six girls themselves, Spike, Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor, Cadence, Flurry Heart, and even Discord. And next to the ponies minus Flurry Heart were their cutie mark symbols, while Spike had a green flame next to his image, and next to Discord was a symbol of chaos. "Whoa nelly. That's some work." Applejack said feeling impressed. "It's beautiful." Twilight said. "And very well detailed." Rarity marveled at how well she looked in the painting. "Did you really do this, Anton?" Rainbow asked the boy. "Yes. I did. Although I did surprise myself when I finished." "I love it." Fluttershy smiled. "Thanks. But just so you know it's not supposed to be a family portrait. There is meaning behind it." Anton explained. "Meaning?" Pinkie asked. "That's right." Anton confirmed, but before he could continue, more ponies gathered around to look at his work and had to comment. "This is certainly a unique piece." a unicorn mare began. "Indeed. Whoever did this captured the Princesses very well." an earth stallion added. A pegasus mare read the name plate under the painting, "Anton MacLeod. I wonder who that is?" the other ponies were also curious, until Anton decided to let himself be seen and heard. "That would be me," the group looked and saw Anton stand before his painting, "I am Anton MacLeod." "You?" a unicorn stallion asked. "But you're just a child." another unicorn mare noted. "So? You think because I'm a kid I can't paint like an adult?" Anton asked already feeling the skepticism develop among the ponies. Before more skeptic words could be said, Fancypants and Fleur emerged from the crowd and stood by the boy, "I can assure you all. Anton here is telling the truth." Fancy began. "I second that." Fleur added, before giving a wink to Anton assuring him they had his back. Anton smiled at their support, until a familiar voice spoke up, "I personally think he hired somepony to paint that and just took credit." The Mane Six gasped, as they saw Jet Set and Uppercrust again still looking to stir up trouble. Anton hearing that accusation glared at the two, "What did you say?" Uppercrust answered, 'It's obvious you had a real artist paint that for you and let you take credit. Although I wouldn't expect some monkey boy who's not even native to Equestria to do such a thing." Anton growled feeling ready to explode again, until a unicorn stallion came between them. He had a black beard, gray coat, black mane and tail, and a cutie mark of a canvas with a paint brush. He wore a black sweater, sunglasses, and a black beret. He spoke up, "All right, let's break it up here. This is an art gallery not a wrestling arena. And while criticism is opened, I won't tolerate downright verbal assault and accusations to be thrown around." "Yes of course Mr. Nouveau." Jet Set answered, as he and his wife walked away. Rarity gasped, "This is Art Noveau!" she fainted into Spike who held her up. Anton looked up at the artist pony who would be among the judges. The pony looked at Anton and spoke, "Don't listen to such gossip from the critics, my boy. They have their own opinions, but they don't have to be take too seriously by the artist himself." "So you believe me that I did paint this?" Anton hoped. "Indeed I do. And I look forward to what you have to say about it in tomorrow's judging." he walked off. Fancy nudged Anton's shoulder, "To be commended by Art Nouveau is not an easy feat, Anton. You should consider yourself lucky." "I do." Anton assured him. "Well, we best be going too. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow." Fleur said, as she and Fancy took their leave. Anton smiled seeing he had support in Canterlot, as Twilight spoke, "We also believe in you, Anton. No matter what they say no pony can take what you made and say it wasn't yours." "Thanks, Twilight." Twilight smiled, "Well, we better get to the castle. Princess Celestia's allowing us to room there until the judging is over." "Indeed. So we best get going." Rarity said, as the group left. That night at the castle, Anton was in a guest room sitting by a window looking out into the night sky deep in thought. He was interrupted by a voice at his door, "Anton?" Anton looked over at his door seeing Princess Luna standing in the doorway, "Oh, Princess Luna. What a surprise. Didn't think you'd be here." "As Princess of the Night it is my job to watch over the night." "Of course." "But I must question as to why you are not asleep." "I'm too excited for tomorrow. I mean I'm actually entered in an art exhibition and not some kids arts and crafts fair." "Understandable, but you cannot enjoy something as important as this if you don't get some much needed sleep." Luna reminded him. "Well, you got a point. Ok, Princess. I'll try and catch some Zs." Luna smiled, "Goodnight, Anton." she left the room. "Night, Princess." Anton got into bed and laid down before eventually falling asleep.