The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood at the door to their clubhouse, checking off the last of their clients for the day with satisfied smiles. They hadn't gotten any Cutie Marks this day, but had made significant progress with many of them. But, they had to admit, it was a relief to be done for the day. They moved to the door, ready to head home, when a new knock sounded from beyond. Apple Bloom looked between her friends, then at the door. “Uh, we’re done fer the day!”
“It’s okay!” Called a familiar voice outside. “I don’t think I’m gonna get a Cutie Mark!”
“Spike?” The Crusaders replied. Sweetie Belle lit her horn, opening the door to answer their question. There he stood, waving one claw with the other behind his back.
“What brings you here?” Scootaloo asked. “Are you looking for Applejack?”
Spike smirked, entering the clubhouse. “Nope. I’ve got something for you.” He pulled a scroll from behind him, waving it back and forth.
The fillies let out a loud gasp at the sight, sending Sweetie Belle’s hooves to her cheeks. “That couldn’t be from Princess Celestia, can it?”
“Oh, it is!” The dragon declared, unrolling the parchment and clearing his throat. “To Ponyville’s Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. The three of you are hereby cordially invited to attend the Grand Galloping Gala this--” A scream of pure joy shot out of all three of the fillies, causing them to dance around the clubhouse while Spike continued his reciting. As he neared the end, the screaming came to an end with the three of them gasping for air. “... enclosed are a total of six tickets, for each of you and one guest of your choosing!” He grabbed something from within the still-rolled portion of the letter, producing tickets of gold for all Crusaders to see. “Here you go!”
With another squee, Sweetie Belle floated the tickets over to hover above their heads in a circle. “I can’t believe it! We got our own tickets to the Gala!!! How did this even happen?!” Her smile faded as a thought hit her, making her turn her eyes back to Spike. “Actually… How did this happen?”
Spike rolled up the parchment, setting it ablaze with his fire breath and swallowing the smoke that came from it. “Princess Celestia heard some pretty good things about you girls from some ‘trusted friends’, and was convinced that you three deserve your own tickets!”
“And by ‘trusted friends’, ya mean Twilight ‘n Bolt?” Apple Bloom inquired.
“And yours truly!” Spike added, pointing his thumb at himself. “Now you don't have to rely on your sisters to take you!”
“Even better!” Sweetie Belle started, passing two tickets to each Crusader. She looked at her tickets with a brilliant twinkle in her eyes, imagining the possibilities. “We can bring friends along!”
The next morning, Applejack woke up to the sound of joyful humming. She cocked an eyebrow, following her ears to find her little sister as the source in the kitchen. “Apple Bloom? What’re you doin’ up so bright-eyed so early?”
Apple Bloom lit up, looking from her cereal bowl to her sister. “Oh! Applejack! Great timin’!” She rushed over to the mare, looking at her with a big smile. “Got any ideas what yer doin’ with yer extra Gala ticket?”
“Extra ticket?” Applejack repeated. “Whaddaya mean extra? Ya know I always take you, sugarcube!”
“I know ya used to, but now that I got my own ticket, ya don’t have to anymore!” She returned to her breakfast, giving her sister a sly glance. “So, you got anypony special in mind? I know who I'm invitin’!”
The farm mare recoiled. “Uh… No. You know that better than anypony.”
“Well, maybe now that you don’t gotta worry ‘bout me this year, you can figure it out?” She finished her meal, throwing her saddlebag over herself and heading for the door. “Well, I gotta get to school. See ya, sis!”
Applejack looked at her departing sister with a scowl, lunging forward and grabbing her by the tail. “Now wait just a cotton-pickin’ minute!” She pulled the filly back into the room, towering over her for a moment. “Now y’all can’t just drop a bomb like that on me an’ not expect to explain it! How the hay did you even get yer own Gala invite, anyway?”
“Didn’t you hear from Twilight or sumthin’?” Apple Bloom asked, looking over her shoulder. “She an’ Bolt… And Spike, talked to Princess Celestia about it, an’ she thought it was a good idea!”
“I see…” She waved her hoof towards the door. “Well, you go on, now. I’m goin’ to the castle when my chores’re done. Gotta talk with a couple ponies…”
Sweetie Belle walked up to the Ponyville schoolhouse, humming a tune to herself as she went. She had been excited beyond reason at the tickets she’d obtained yesterday, and was wondering just who it was she wanted to go with. She looked around at all the ponies around her, imagining the possibilities ahead. Except for, of course, the two ponies that made their approach. “Hey, Crusaders!”
“Hey, Sweetie Belle!” The Pegasus called, closing the distance with a single flap of her wings. She gave her horned friend a smole, finding the look in her eye to be filled with wonder. “Still thinking about those tickets?”
The white filly nodded emphatically, lifting the flap of her saddlebag and looking in. “Who wouldn't be? It's always been fun going with our sisters, but now we finally get to pay it forward!” She turned her attention back to her friends. “Can you imagine how popular just having these can make us?”
“Well, actually…” Apple Bloom started, rubbing her foreleg with her hoof. “I wasn't thinkin’ of anything like that.”
“You, too, huh?” Scootaloo asked, receiving a blushing nod from the golden-eyed Earth Pony. She looked down at her pendant, smiling softly. “Yeah, I've already got somepony in mind, too.”
“Really? Both of you?” Sweetie Belle wondered, pointing her hoof between them. “Wow. I guess I have some more thinking to do, huh?” She shrugged for a moment, moving with her fellow Crusaders to the schoolhouse.
On the side of the road stood a pair of Unicorn colts. One was short and stocky, with an opal coat and a Cutie Mark of a simple pair of scissors. He had black eyes, buck teeth, and a messy orange mane and tail. The other colt looked like the total opposite. Tall and lanky with a dopey glaze to his black eyes. His coat was a bright amber color, while his mane and tail were straight, flat, and turquoise, with his Cutie Mark showing a pink and purple snail. The amber one had his eyes set on Sweetie Belle, a dopier grin than ever plastered into his muzzle. The smaller colt gave him a mildly stern glare, nudging his taller friend forward. “Go on! Go talk to her!”
The amber colt stumbled forward at the contact, stopping just short of the filly in question. She took a look back at him, waving her hoof with a grin. “Hi, Snails.”
Snails’ stomach instantly filled with butterflies as her voice filled his ears. This had been going on for moons, now, and he was only just recently figuring out what it all meant. He went into a small laugh, waving his hoof at him. “HI, Sweetie Belle...”
He lingered in his wave as she continued on her way, letting out a swoon. The smaller colt stepped up next to him, cocking one of his bushy eyebrows. “Really? That's all you're gonna say?”
“What? I can't help it, Snips!” He fell back into his swoon, starting toward the school. “She's really cute…”
“I know she's cute!” He stressed, gesturing out with his foreleg. “You’ve been talkin’ about how cute she is ever since she ran through Ponyville with a glowing Cutie mark!” He let out a disgruntled grunt, walking ahead into the building. “If you don't build up the nerve to say anything besides ‘hi’ to her, then I dunno how I'm supposed to help you out!” They took their seats, each leaning forward as Cheerilee took her position at the head of the class while Snails’ eyes met their usual subject.
Boltsinger sat in the school cafeteria, playfully waving a spoon back and forth in his wing and slowly bringing it towards an excited Nova. He had opted to be on standby at the school, just in case somepony on the faculty were otherwise occupied. So far, everypony was accounted for. Except for Applejack. His spoon found its mark, giving the little colt what he desired as the door opened.
“You in here, Bolt?” Asked the pony who had just crossed his mind. Applejack looked around the room, finding the pony she sought casually waving at her. “I got a question for ya!”
“Ask away.” He told her, raising a napkin to the little pony’s mouth.
The farm mare released a snort, stepping up to the stallion with force and purpose. “Why the hay did you ‘n Twilight get those tickets fer my sister an’ ‘er friends?”
“Is it really that surprising?” He wondered, scooping up the next mouthful. “We figured they deserved them. They’re smart, talented, accomplished, devoted to helping others above all else, and… Well, they have close, personal relationships with a certain six ponies of note.”
An expression of begrudging understanding came onto the mare's face. “I guess you got a point… But why let ‘em take guests?”
“Well…” He put another morsel in the baby’s waiting mouth. “That comes with the territory of having your own invite. Besides, why not let them bring friends along?”
“‘Cause they might turn it into some kinda… you know… date!”
“Says the pony that set her own ‘baby sister’ up on a date on a whim.”
“Now, you know exactly why I did that!” She spat, stomping her hoof. “She just… happened to really like ‘im after all that.”
“I was wondering how your little hypothesis panned out.” He replied with a smirk. “Guess I know who Apple Bloom's inviting.”
“An’ I bet yer just tickled pink ‘bout yer daughter invitin’ that Rumble kid, ain'tcha?” she retorted, meeting his smirk in kind.
Boltsinger's eyes grew as wide as possible, causing him to nearly drop the spoon. “Now… uh… Scootaloo is a smart filly… She has…” He took a calming breath. “She has good judgement! Rumble may be a… a boy… But he's also her flying buddy! They… um… I… I trust her.”
Applejack sat next to him, leaning against the table with a massive increase in smugness. “Eeyup. I can tell by how much yer shakin’!”
The stallion brought his hoof forward, grabbing onto his rapidly shaking wing. “Well.. Yeah! So… um… Who are you taking now that you’ve got an extra invite?”
Every ounce of smug fell from the farmer’s face, bringing her sister’s comments from that morning to mind. “Um… Nopony yet… Do I… need to take somepony special?”
Boltsinger shrugged. “Not particularly. But it’d be a nice gesture.”
“I… guess so…” She admitted. Her mind began to race through a list of ponies, or other creatures, that she could choose from. “What about you? You got anyone to bring along?”
“I was actually gonna bring Gallus along.” He stated, nonchalantly giving his son another scoop. “Twilight, Spike, and some of the other ladies are each taking a student, too. Figured it’d be a good learning opportunity for them.”
Applejack put her hoof to her chin, acknowledging the merit of the idea. Unfortunately, though… “That... don’t leave many options.” She let out a small sigh, getting up from her seat. “I guess I’ll see if Big McIntosh is up for it after school.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Boltsinger affirmed, giving her a thumbs-up gesture with his wing. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He lifted the foal from his seat, starting in the direction of Starlight’s office. “I’m gonna go make sure Starlight has some backup.”
“Rumble and Tender Taps, huh?” Sweetie Belle said, pulling an apple from her lunch bag. “You girls are really going all-out, huh?”
“I wouldn't say that.” Scootaloo replied, waving her hoof. “We fly together a lot. I just thought he'd wanna go. It's not like it's some kind of date, right Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom instantly blushed, averting her eyes and poking her hooves together. “Well… Maybe not fer you…”
Sweetie Belle recoiled, swallowing a mouthful of fruit in an otherwise silent pause. “You're actually taking him to the Grand Galloping Gala as a real date?!” She pulled the Earth Pony close, letting all of her curiosity bubble out of her. “I want details. Now.”
Behind the Crusaders, Snips and Snails walked by, with the stocky colt's ear twitching when certain words were mentioned. He turned to Snails, pulling him close with his magic. “Did you hear that, Snails?”
The clueless colt shook his head. “Hear what?”
“The Cutie Mark Crusaders are going to some big party!” Snips explained, nudging his best friend in the foreleg and motioning to the white filly. “Maybe you could ask her if you can go with her!”
“Really? You think I should?” He cast a glance at the Crusader in question hearts appearing where his pupils should be.
Snips rolled his eyes, stepping to the other side and pushing him towards her. “Just go already!”
Snails staggered towards her, nearly tripping as he went. The thud of his hooves caught her ear, sending her attention his way as he scrambled back to the best posture he could manage. “Oh… Sorry, Sweetie Belle…”
“Sorry for what?” She wondered, facing him with a smile. “There’s no problem. Is there something on your mind?”
“Um… Well…” He took a step back. “I was thinking…”
Sweetie Belle's head tilted ever so slightly, adding a shimmer to her eyes. “Yes?”
Snails’ heart skipped a beat, causing all thoughts to leave his mind, except one. “You look really nice today…” He told her, letting his eyes fall to the floor.
Sweetie Belle’s smile widened with a shade of pink on either side of it. “Aww… Thank you, Snails!” She put her hoof on his shoulder. “You look good, too!”
Snails went into a nervous fit of denial and laughter, slowly backing away. The sweet little filly waved a farewell hoof to him, turning back to her friends as the amber colt’s friend made his own approach. “Are you serious?”
“Serious?” He repeated. “About what?”
Snips gave an immediate facehoof. “Why didn’t you ask her?
“Ask her?”
“You know…” Snips led, beckoning with his hoof.
Snails pondered a moment, his confusion growing with each passing second. “Uh… What is it I know?”
The buck-toothed Unicorn let out a growl. “ABOUT SWEETIE BELLE'S PARTY INVITE THING!!!” He shouted with a force that lifted himself off of the ground. The volume of his statement caught the attention of every filly and colt around them, sending a long stare at Sweetie Belle.
The horned Crusader froze, turning to face the glares with a nervous grin. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo leaned toward her, ready to pull her away at a moment's notice.
“What kind of party is he talking about?” One filly asked.
“Oh, it's no big deal.” She answered, rubbing her neck with her hoof. “I've been to the Gala plenty of times, so…”
“Gala?” Another foal interjected. “You mean the Grand Galloping Gala?”
“And you got tickets?” Called one more.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a concerned look, reaching their hooves toward her. The musical filly took a deep breath, looking back at them with a smirk. “Don’t worry. I know exactly how to handle this.”
As their friend faced the growing crowd again, Apple Bloom leaned in next to Scootaloo, hiding her muzzle behind her hoof. “That's what I'm afraid of…”
A big red stallion was hard at work on the farm, pulling the plow like it was a house in the town. It was going well, and going quickly, which was good. Sugar Belle was in town today, and he was gonna go see her the exact moment he was done. With one more line in the fields, he unhooked the plow, rearing up with anticipation. He prepared himself for a full power gallop, bounding into the air to--
“Big Mac! Ya got a minute?”
Fall into the dirt, right on his face. He rose to a sitting position, wiping the dirt from his face. He looked to his approaching sister with a slightly furrowed brow. “Eeyup.”
Applejack skidded to a halt in front of him, wincing a little at his misfortune. “Ooh… Sorry, Big Mac.” She offered her hoof to help him up. “You okay?”
The stallion took the offer, letting out a sigh as he went. “Eeyup.”
The younger of the Apples brightened up. “Good! ‘Cause I got a question for ya!” Her big brother cocked an eyebrow. “How would you like ta go to the Grand Gallopin’ Gala…”
This idea was already starting to sound good. “Eeyup.”
“See all our friends…”
Getting better. “Eeyup.”
“Where there'll be dancin’ and good food…”
He was about ready to put his hoof over her mouth, but decided to refrain and let out another “Eeyup.”
“... With me!”
And that was when the sour note struck. “Nnope.” He made to head for town, finding Applejack's hoof pulling him back.
“Whaddaya mean ‘nope’?” She inquired, stomping closer. “Do you not wanna go to that party with yer younger sister?”
Big Mac looked at his sister's face. She looked like she was both hopeful and angry all at once. “Well, I mean…” He swallowed a lump in his throat, turning his pupils away. “It ain't that I wouldn't have a good time with you… It's just…” He motioned his head at the town, fixing his eyes on Sugar Cube Corner. “Ya see…”
“You ain’t gonna go if ya can’t take Sugar Belle, huh?” Applejack deadpanned.
A faint blush found its way onto the burly stallion’s face, giving away every feeling he had inside. “Eeyup…” The farmers stood for a moment in silence, Applejack looking at the floor while Big Mac looked at his sister. She looked a lot less certain about herself and her choices than he'd ever seen her, and this stubborn mare was sure of herself even though the biggest screw-ups of her life. “Applejack, are you feelin’ alright?”
“Course I am.” She deflected, returning her attention to him. “What makes ya think I wouldn’t be?”
“I dunno. Sumthin’ just seems a little off.” He admitted. After another moment of pondering silence, he pointed a curious hoof at her. “What about Granny Smith?”
“Naw, she’s got plans ‘round then.” She dismissed. “Sayin’ sumthin’ ‘bout makin’ a big splash at Apple-con.”
“Grand Pear?” He suggested.
“I don’t think he’d keep up quite s’ well. Ain’t movin’ like ‘e used to.”
Big Mac let out a grunt, stomping his forehoof. “Why're you so set on this, anyway? You never cared about all the Gala stuff before. What's gotcha so frazzled about it this time?”
“I dunno…” She took a look at the orchard, every apple in it shining back at her in the light. As many apples out there as ponies in Equestria. “Ever since Apple Bloom started that dang crusade, I think it's been fussin’ with my thinkin’.” she put her hoof on her foreleg. “I feel like sumthin’ might not be right with me if I can't find someone to do this thing with. Everyone else does, so why can't I?”
The stallion rose to his hooves, brushing himself off. “Well, it's not like ya don't have time. The whole shindig's moons from now. If ya really wanna find somepony special ta take along, give it time.”
She met her sibling with a smile, rising to his level. “That makes sense. Thanks, Big Mac.” She gave him a farewell wave, turning back to the farmhouse. “Tell Sugar Belle I said ‘howdy’.”
Big Mac waved in return as he watched his sister take her leave. “Eeyup.”
“I really appreciate all of your enthusiasm, but I have a lot to consider before I decide who to give my extra ticket to.” Sweetie Belle stated, moving around the classroom. “And I need to clean out the hamster cage before I go--”
“I'll do it for you!” one foal cried, running over to the cage.
“And I can watch the hamster while she does it!” Another suggested, joining the first.
“Are you sure?” the Crusader asked, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. The foals looked back at her with an ecstatic nod. “Okay. Thank you!” She trotted to the back of the room, where Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had been watching. “You see? I know exactly what to do.”
“I see…” Apple Bloom said. She looked around at their classmates, who were all staring at her friend. “An’ you don’t think this seems a little… familiar?”
Sweetie Belle cocked her head to the side. “No. Why would I?”
“You're sure this doesn't remind you of anything from the past?” The Pegasus led. “Something about having access to something super cool and letting it go to our heads?”
“You mean Twilight Time?” She guessed.
“Exactly!” Her fellow fillies confirmed.
“Why would it remind me of that?”
Scootaloo let out a sigh. “Never mind.” She climbed down from her chair, beckoning for Apple Bloom to follow. “We should get to the clubhouse. Got lots of ponies to help, after all!”
“You girls go on ahead.” The unicorn told them, turning back to the class. “I'll catch up after I've taken care of a few things.” Her best friends shrugged, heading out the door as the white filly got another look at her crowd of admirers with a twinkle in her eye.
From the sidelines, Snips and Snails spectated for the next several hours. There were favors done left and right, all over town. A cupcake bought, a flower picked, offers to brush her mane or get her some juice. It had become a veritable onslaught of conditional altruism, and every smile from Sweetie Belle brought a sigh out of Snails.
“So, whatcha gonna do for her to get that ticket?” Snips asked, leaning in curiously. “Give her some flowers? Show off your skills?” He paused a moment. “Actually, what kinda skills do you have, anyway?”
“Nuthin’ she'd like…” He admitted with a forlorn groan.
“Aw, come on! That ain't true!” The buck-toothed colt affirmed, putting a hoof on his side. “I'm sure you can do something to get her to notice!”
“I dunno, Snips…” He lowered his head to the floor, getting ready to leave the school. “I don't think she'll even notice me anymore…”
At Snails’ somber statement, Snips began to scowl. “That's it! We're gettin’ help!” He strained for a brief moment, lighting his horn and wrapping his friend's hoof with magic. He stomped out of the schoolhouse, making a beeline for Sweet Apple Acres.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo closed the door to the clubhouse, taking a short break from their efforts as another client took their leave. As they began to take a seat, a loud gallop came up the ramp, leading to a knock on the door. They looked at each other with a deadpan, giving way to a laugh at the timing as they reopened the door.
“Snips? Snails?” Scootaloo started, gawking at the colts at the door. “What are you two doing here? You don’t have any Cutie Mark issues, do you?”
The duo entered the clubhouse, the shorter of the two shaking his head. “Nuthin’ about Cutie Marks. We got a problem with Sweetie Belle!”
Apple Bloom’s eyes instantly narrowed. “A problem? What kinda problem you got with Sweetie Belle?” She stepped toward the stocky colt, doing her best to look intimidating.
With every step forward that Apple Bloom took, Snips stepped back. “N-n-not that kind of problem! Snails was just…”
“Oooooooooh, no! Don’t say that!” Snails interjected, joining his friend’s cowering. “I don’t have a problem! I just…” The boys’ rumps hit the wall, forcing them into a sitting position. In the literal corner he’d been backed into, Snails’ shaking stopped, and his eyes averted themselves. “It’s not my problem if she doesn't like me…”
With a recoil, the Earth Pony’s features softened. She took a seat in front of Snails, leaning in curiously. “Wait, are you sayin’ you want that ticket o’ hers? I didn’t think you were into that kinda thing.”
Snails shook his head, letting his ears droop. “I don’t care about some party. I can’t even talk to her, anyway…”
Scootaloo looked to Snips, pointing a hoof at Snails. “So how long has this been going on?”
Snips brought a hoof to his chin. “Let’s see…” He let out a strenuous groan, pulling up the information he needed. “It was a few months ago. We were just going through town, minding our own business, when you three started galloping by. You were yelling something about a ‘map’, and ya weren’t payin’ attention to where you were goin’. Then Sweetie Belle bumped into Snails, and he got a look at ‘er Cutie Mark. Said sumthin’ about it glowing. Ever since, he can’t even squeak when he sees her!” He crossed his forelegs, putting his attention on his dejected companion. “I tried tellin’ him that he shouldn’t be getting so hung up on a girl, but he wouldn’t listen.” The crossed forelegs fell back to the floor as a small smile appeared from behind his front teeth. “So, might as well help him out, right?”
Scootaloo’s expression began to match that of her Earth Pony friend, sending Snips a smile. “Yeah… Might as well!”
“All right. No more frettin’ over that dang ticket!” Applejack told herself, walking into her room. “I got lotsa time, an’ plenty o’ choices outta all the ponies… and other creatures… I know!” She tossed her hat onto her bedpost, pulling the ties from her mane and tail. She hummed to herself for a while as she prepared for bed, thinking on all of the friends she had that she’d love to share that special evening with. Actually… She pondered, starting back towards her room. Who would I be that keen on sharin’ a night like that with? She pulled out a photo album, opening it up to see pages full of the ponies Apple Bloom had set her up with. Her hoof came to her chin as the pages began to turn, her concentration going into overdrive.
The next morning came quickly, with the Cutie Mark Crusaders meeting up outside the school. Sweetie Belle had a content grin gracing her muzzle, while her approaching friends showed something decidedly more stern. “Hey gals! What's up?”
“Oh, nuthin’ much…” Apple Bloom stated. “We didn't see you at the clubhouse yesterday.”
Sweetie Belle recoiled, her smile turning stiff. “Yeah… Sorry about that… Yesterday turned out to be way busier than I thought it would be…”
“What were you so busy with?” Scootaloo inquired.
“Oh, I was just trying to figure out who to give that extra ticket to.” She continued. “Still haven't made my choice yet, but I’m really close! You'll see!”
Apple Bloom cocked an eyebrow from am otherwise deadpan expression. “I see. An’ yer sure ya wanna invite somepony from our class?”
“One of the ponies that's been doing all the favors for you, just for a reward?” Scootaloo added.
“Well, maybe. They've all been really nice to me, and--” Realization slapped the filly's face like a pair of electrified wings, forcing her eyes wide as she looked behind her. Smiling back at her was most of her classmates. Wide, toothy, insincere grins that were dripping with desire. She looked back at her friends, rubbing her neck with her hoof. “This really is just like the Twilight Time incident, isn't it?” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gave her a simultaneous nod. “And I should probably put a bit more actual thought into this, shouldn't I?”
“Probably.” The Apple affirmed.
“Maybe take a look at some ponies you might not have considered?” Scootaloo suggested, motioning her head toward a pair of approaching colts.
Sweetie Belle looked in the indicated direction, raising an eyebrow when all she saw was Snips and Snails. She turned back to her friends. “Who do you mean?”
The other Crusaders let out a sigh as the blue colt stepped up to them. “Okay, I did my best with him.” He looked back at Snails, who had stopped cold at the sight of Sweetie Belle. “The rest their problem.”
Apple Bloom nodded, leaning close to the azure colt. “Yeah. But I'm glad we gave Snails some advice on talkin’ ta Sweetie Belle yesterday.”
“I just hope those lessons took.” Scootaloo stated.
Snails was frozen. Shaking, nervous, and looking around frantically. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Snips simultaneously facehoofed at what they saw. “They didn't…”
The amber colt's frantic searching wasn't without reason, though. Everywhere his eyes stopped, he looked at something. A swing set, a tree, a throng of expectant foals demanding a reward for favors done for selfish reasons. Finally, he landed on something that sent a smile onto his face. He lit his horn, wrapping his magic around the object and bringing it forward. Finally, he swallowed his silence, taking a deep breath. “Um… Sweetie Belle?”
The filly in question turned to look at him, unconsciously flipping her mane. “Yes?”
The nerves came back in force, getting Snails to shake even more. He struggled for a moment, his magic fizzling on and off in an effort to keep steady. He dug his forehoof into the ground, raising the object he held up to her. “I PICKED YOU THIS FLOWER!”
Sweetie Belle took a look at the flower. It was as simple as can be, with innumerable yellow petals and a green stem. “That’s a dandelion.” She informed him, looking over the flower at the one presenting it. “Is this because you want my extra Gala ticket?”
Snails furiously shook his head. “No! I just…” He pawed the ground with his hoof, looking away. “I thought was pretty, and it might look even better in your mane…”
It was then that Sweetie Belle wondered why she’d ever been dismissive, disgusted by, or ignorant of this little oaf in front of her. She looked him over more closely. He was shivering almost as bad as another blue-maned guy she knew back when he first arrived in Ponyville. His magic was only just barely holding onto the dandelion, and it looked like even his Cutie Mark was sweating a little. She smiled softly, taking the flower with her own horn and sliding it next to her ear. She put her hoof on his chin, directing him to look at her. “How do I look?”
Once again, the vision that was Sweetie Belle encompassed the entirety of Snails’ sight. There was a brilliant yellow glow around her that grew from the tiny yellow flower. He swayed back and forth, trying to get some words out before finally plopping onto the ground, his hind leg twitching in the air. Snips breathed a sigh, walking over to his fallen friend and hoisting him up onto his back. “That’s his way of saying ‘You look pretty.’”
“Aww…” She cooed, leaning in to give the unconscious colt a quick peck on the cheek. She took one more look at the crowd. Several of them had already grown dejected by the display between her and Snails, while others were beginning to look downright angry. Right… Gotta deal with all of them, too… She cleared her throat, facing them properly. “Thank you, everypony, for all of the nice things you’ve done for me since yesterday. I’d like to announce that I’ve made my decision!” The front row of the foals inched closer. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to do with my extra ticket. I hate to admit this, but I was mostly taking advantage of the favors you all were doing, and enjoying the popularity it gave me.” She looked away shyly, rubbing the back of her head. “It’s… not the first time this has happened…” She brought her composure forward again, putting her hoof over her heart. “Anyway… The one that I’m going to invite to go with me to the Gala is…” She motioned her hoof at the pony on Snips’ back. “Snails!”
The crowd shot their attention at the lanky Unicorn, sending a figurative shock to his system that snapped him awake. “What? What’s going on?!” He called, raising his head and looking around the area. His movements in that moment were so swift that they threw the pony beneath him off balance, sending both of them swaying until they fell over.
Snips sat up, rubbing his hindquarters on top of Snails and looking down at him. “Owwwww… Next time tell me when yer gonna wake up!”
Sweetie Belle looked fondly at the dopey colt on the ground, trying her best to hide a giggle behind her hoof. It didn’t work very well, though, because she quickly found herself going from giggle to guffaw, walking over to help the two of them up. The rest of the class joined in her laughter, the jovial moment helping to ease any tension they might have felt. Finally, they headed into the schoolhouse, ready to get through another day.
Nopony.
Out of every stallion, mare, and everything in between that Applejack knew, she couldn’t think of anypony she wanted to spend a special evening with. This was especially worrisome when she considered just how long she’d been considering this. She found herself understanding Twilight’s all-nighters a lot better now that she’d done one of her own, but she knew she couldn’t sleep yet! There were chores to be done, students to teach, and most importantly…
“Big Mac!” She called, catching up with her brother in the orchard. “Big Mac! Wait up!”
The farm stallion rolled his eyes, turning to face his little sister as she skidded to a halt in front of him. “Eeyup?”
“I think… I figured… it out!” She told him, gasping for breath.
“Figured what out?”
“I figured out what to do with… You know… That thing we were talkin’ ‘bout yesterday?” She hinted, waving her hoof to lead him on.
“Nnope.”
Applejack let out a disgruntled groan. “My Gala ticket…” She raised her hat, pulling the two golden tickets out and revealing them to him. “Remember now?”
Big McIntosh eyed the slips of paper nonchalantly, nodding his confirmation with his signature “Eeyup.”
“Good.” She reached her other hoof forward, hooking one of his forelegs and bringing it up. “‘I didn’t wanna have to explain it all over again if ya didn’t.” She placed both tickets in his hoof, covering them with her own. “Now, you be sure ‘n show Sugar Belle a mighty good time at that big fancy party, ya hear?”
Big Mac blinked a couple of times, wrapping his mind around what may have been going on. He opened his mouth to reply, finding the smell of a well-worn hat over his muzzle instead.
“That’s right, I’m givin’ you both tickets. That way y’all can take Sugar Belle an’ have yer fancy romantic evenin’ together!” Big Mac flicked his head, sending the hat back to its owner and trying again to reply. “Now I know what yer gonna say. I should give it more time. More thought.” She removed her hoof from over the tickets, stomping it on the ground. “But I’m done thinkin’ about it!” Turning around, she looked back at her brother, giving an uncertain twitch of her tail. “Sumthin’ like this is better enjoyed when ya got somepony special to share it with… I don’t have anypony like that... “ She kicked a tree branch in front of her, causing the tree it was connected to to shake. “Probably never will, at this rate... “ Her ears drooped as she gave him a soft smile. “This whole thing’d be better if you took advantage of it, Big Mac. You know it, I know it, an’ I bet even Princess Celestia knows it.” Big Mac looked at the tickets, then back to her sister, making to jut his hoof forward as she pushed him back. “Now I ain’t takin’ ‘no’ for an answer, ya hear?”
Big Mac’s eyes widened as they caught Applejack’s. She was as stubborn and earnest as ever, but she seemed less sure of herself than before. He let out a sigh and a “Eeyup.”, proceeding to stow the tickets away under his yoke.
“Good.” She affirmed, turning back toward the farmhouse. “Now, I gotta go to the school. I’ll be back to do my chores when it’s over, got it?”
The stallion’s rump hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust as it went, as he looked at his sister. For the first time in years, he let himself worry about that stubborn mare. But, rather than try to fret about it, he decided to let her do things her own way, waving kindly with a heartfelt “Eeyup.”