//------------------------------// // 5 Not All Alike // Story: Twilight's 1000th Birthday Blowout // by Cyndaquil //------------------------------// Twilight was practically swimming in a crowd of all the ponies she had ever called friends.  When she, figuratively speaking, came up for air, she saw that Spike was hard at work writing in a scroll. “What are you writing Spike?  We’re in the greatest amusement park ever.  You can put down the scrolls for today.” “I know you wanna spend time with everyone and do lots of activities, so I figured you could use a schedule.” Twilight snubbed her nose at that word.  “That’s nice,” she tried not to sound unappreciative, “but won’t it be more fun if we’re spontaneous?” “Spontaneous!”  Applejack looked sternly at the lavender princess.  “Who are you and what did you do to Twilight?” Twilight looked back, shocked. After a few seconds Applejack broke into a grin.  Twilight smiled, and soon they were laughing together. ”So did I really used to like schedules?” Twilight wondered.  She was only pretending to get the joke. Spike did most of his planning around Fluttershy, though he didn’t want to hurt her feelings by telling her so. He figured he had to keep her occupied while the others got to enjoy the roller coasters and waterslides.  At the same time, he had to find activities Twilight could do with Fluttershy; maybe the aviary or petting zoo.  Restaurants were a given, though it was too early to eat. Fluttershy surprised everyone when she said she wanted to try the waterslides.  She didn’t even say it in her usual, trying not to be a wet blanket sort of way; rather she looked excited. That was fine of course; the only problem was that Spike's initial plan was to split up the group and have Fluttershy take the CMC and some of the younger fillies of Ponyville on an excursion while Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie headed straight for the roller coasters.  It was Twilight and Pinkie combined who threw the biggest wrench in Spike’s plans.  “I swear they do that on purpose,” he grumbled.  They heard what was intended for Fluttershy’s group, and both wanted to join in. So it was that after a quick ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl, and a stop for cotton candy, they went to the Build an Equestria Girl Workshop. “You know, this would work better near the end of the trip,” Spike complained, “not as a big finish, but to get a memento for your time here.  Also, it’s kinda an activity for the younger colts and fillies, the ones too small to go on all the fastest rides.” Before anyone could respond to that, Applejack spied something on the skyline and screamed “Duck Y’all!”  A white star fighter flew towards the park, curving at the last moment to avoid impact.  The white fighter was also narrowly missed by the rapid photon blasts of a dark blue fighter.  Said blast produced crackles of light and intense sound as they bounced off the force field dome of the space station. When it was over, the ponies got up and looked around.  “It looks like somepony is really enjoying the starfighters.”  Twilight smiled and carried on, as the others starred at her incredulously. At last they made it to the Build an Equestria Girl Workshop. Fluttershy looked at the toys in the store, then turned to Spike and asked, “Shouldn’t the characters that are popular have changed more?” “Oh that!  We don’t want to reveal too much about the future, because it could trap ponies on a pre-destined path they don’t like; plus Twilight designed most of this stuff, so you’ll see a lot of retro merchandise.” “So you choose a doll, a stuffing, what phrases it speaks when you pull a string, clothes, and accessories?” “Thats correct, Rarity.” “I love how this lets fillies be creative.  We gotta get something like this back home.”  Pinkie complimented. Rarity eyed the many different dolls she could start with.  “What do you think of this one?”  She asked. “That there’s a Diamond Tiara doll.”  Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Oh it is?  I was gonna make mine as a gift for Sweetie Belle; she won’t want that.”  Rarity put the doll aside.  “Perhaps the Applejack doll,” she grabbed one from the pile.  “I can dress it up nice and ladylike,” she flashed a coy grin towards the actual Applejack. Once she heard this, Applejack decided to make a Rarity doll dressed as a cowpony. Scootalo announced that she would make a doll of the coolest pony in all of Equestria. “You mean future Twilight,” Applebloom kidded.  Scoots blushed.  Of course she actually meant Rainbow Dash as a Rockstar. Pinkie couldn’t decide on just one.  She did Roseluck as a Mexican Sugar Skull Pony, Lyra Heartstrings as Daring Do, and Derpy Hooves as a pirate.  Most agreed she was actually trying to be Random. Twilight caught Sweetie Belle making a Midnight Sparkle variant of the Twilight Doll.  She laughed and gave her some tips on fixing the eyes to make the doll look more wicked and menacing. Fluttershy and Twilight made a matching pair of Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart dolls as pop singers. They all helped the youngest colts with their creations.  The Cake twins, Pound and Pumpkin, couldn’t verbalize what they wanted, yet seemed happy with Alicorn Princess Pinkie Pie and a Fizzlepop Berrytwist dressed as Red Sonja. Rarity pointed her Applejack doll in the real Applejack's face.  It looked a bit like Applejewel in a newly designed dress.  She pulled the string, and the doll spoke: “Why, Darling, you must tell me who did your Hooficure.” Applejack pushed a cowgirl Rarity in her face, and pulled its string: “Yee Haw!  I’m off to compete in the rodeo.” The two broke out laughing. Flurry Heart stomped into the grand hall of Canterlot Castle, slamming the huge door behind her as though the royal palace was the bedroom of a petulant teenage filly. “Don’t you think you’re being a tad dramatic?”  Princess Cadence asked. “Argh…I can’t believe I have to be late just for one of those stupid council meetings.  I probably missed the big stunt Aunty Twilight was planning.” “I know dear, but if one of us isn’t in attendance at the meetings, then who knows what bills and laws those Chairponies will try to sneak by us?” “No kidding!”  Although it was hypocritical to condemn the Chairponies for being sneaky considering what  Mi Amore Candenza and Flurry Heart are helping Twilight get away with. First, Twilight was actually denied permission to build her amusement park on Equestrian soil, which is why she just went and built it in space.  Second, she got permission to use time travel magic with the odd excuse that the predestination paradox is inevitable, and it is better she be the cause then it be the work of some villain.  This excuse probably wouldn’t have flown with the current council, which is why she kept a two-hundred year old permission note from the letters of the late Princess Celestia.  Finally, the forbidden necromancy that made Starlight Glimmer into a tree is just a plain old secret. Cadence and Flurry stepped in front of a magic artifact.  Next they faced one another and posed in position.  “Remember dear, the password is a secret.” “Is this the only way to get up there?”  Flurry asked with embarrassment in her expression. Cadence just gave her a grin, and the two leaned forward and began the secret key sequence. Sunshine-Sunshine, Ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and, Do a little shake. A beam of magic shot from the artifact, and teleported them away. The First and Second Chairpony sat in the camera room of the guard station.  The video cameras in the grand hall were supposed to have been turned off on Princess Cadence’s order.  The Chairponies were not supposed to have access to the video feed either.  It’s amazing what a few well placed bribes and a surprise pizza party can do. They had just witnessed Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart departing for the space station. “So that artifact is what we need to get up to Twilight's park, isn’t it brother Flam?” “That it is brother Flim.” “Do we have to do that sunshine ladybug dance?” Flam took his straw hat and whipped the backside of his brother’s head. After leaving the Build an Equestria Girl Workshop, Twilight flagged some helpful robots.  The robots graciously took their toys to their hotel rooms in order to free up everypony's hoofs.  The Cake twins didn’t want to part with their new toys, which was fine since they were going back to their parents anyway. Fluttershy had trouble telling the robots apart.  She was a little worried that one of them might be her friend Silver Streak, and she might hurt his feelings by not saying hello. “Twilight,” she asked in a quieter whisper than usual.  “How can I tell which robot is my friend from this morning?” Twilight seemed to have to think about this for a minute.  At last she just yelled out “Hey, Silver Streak.” It turned out Silver Streak wasn’t even one of the robots who was helping them; however, one robot did page him via radio and Silver Streak came from the other side of the park.  Fluttershy ended up a little embarrassed because she didn’t really have any reason to bother the machine while working. So she asked about his electronic brain, and the robot was happy to brag about it for a seemingly endless amount of time. When it was getting to be too much, Fluttershy said, “Well, I’m sure you have work to get back to.  Sorry to have kept you so long.” “That is all right, Miss Fluttershy.  Actually, it’s a relief to get away.  Discord's section of the park is so illogical.” Fluttershy wondered at that last statement, as the robot flew off. “Hey, Spike,” she called, “is future Discord really here?” “I guess, though I just call him Discord.”  The dragon thought for a minute.  “Hey, you wanna join in on the Ogres and Oubliettes game?  It’s a park event he’s hosting tomorrow.” “No, thank you,” she whispered. “Yeah, I’d rather play a newer game too; we just can’t have some ponies learning too much about the future, y’know.” “I’m just curious.  Has he mentioned me at all?” Spike lowered his head, with a guilty look.  “Listen, Fluttershy, you’ll probably see him sooner or later, so I better warn you.” “What are you saying Spike?” “Try not to judge him too harshly.  For Discord it has been centuries since he last saw you…not weeks, not even years - centuries.”  Fluttershy nodded, and Spike continued.  “Before I left for Ponyville, I talked to him.  I asked ‘Discord, how do you feel about seeing Fluttershy again?’  He said, ‘Y’know what, Spike,, I don’t even remember her face.’” “I guess that means he doesn’t care for me as much as he used to.” A Pony was trotting through the park, and admiring the sights when something grabbed her. “Oh, Fluttershy, at last I’ve found you.”  The mixed and matched creature pulled her into a tight embrace. She was about to scream when Discord gently placed his finger upon her lips. “Before you say anything, there is something I have to tell you.  I should have told you sooner; it’s just that I thought I had all the time in the world.  I was a fool.”  He slapped himself in the face.  “I didn’t have nearly the time I thought I did, so I’ll say it now, I won’t wait another second.  Fluttershy, I love you!” Discord waited for an answer.  What he got was a deadpan “I’m not Fluttershy.” “Oh…uh…so who are you?” “Tree Hugger.” “Boy was I way off.”  He shrugged his shoulders and held out his open paw and claw.  “I really don’t love you at all.”  Discord spoke in an embarrassingly loud voice. “The feeling is mutual.” “Okay, then. Help your self to some chocolate milk rain, and don’t forget the Ogres and Oubliettes tournament tomorrow.” The draconequus flew off. “Why do all ponies have to look alike!”  Discord grumbled to himself as he prepared to grab Moondancer.  This time he was sure he got the color right.  Next the ponies made their way to the waterslides.  At the top of a massive platform was the entrance to three slides back to back:  Gentle Slope, The Twister, and Bone Breaker. Ponies were free to go down whichever slide they wished, though a robot carnival barker dared ponies to try the Bone Breaker.  The Bone Breaker had a 40 hoof vertical drop followed by 4 loops and a spiral, and parts of it were in complete darkness. Fluttershy seemed lost in thought.  ”Will I have to introduce myself to Discord, like I’m some pony he’s never met?” Applejack turned to her timid friend.  “You okay sugarcube?  You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Fluttershy only caught about half of that.  “Oh, is it my turn?”, she asked.  Before anypony could answer, she made her way straight to the Bone Breaker.