//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: My Little Adventurers: Camaraderie is powerful // by MrAquino //------------------------------// A week had passed after Nightmare Moon's attack, and the adventure Twilight and her new friends went through. Though she was more comfortable with being in her library, Twilight helped Applejack work on her farm, a way to learn more about her friend's lives, as well as get some necessary exercise. Spike came along with her, mostly because he was too young to be left alone, but also for an extra set of hands. The Dragonborn child was busy looking over and tossing any bad apples away, from being too old or having worms in them. "Thank you kindly, Twilight, for helping me out." Applejack began as they walked across the farm. "I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles." She chuckled at the idea. "No problem at all, Applejack." Twilight answered "I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry." "I know, right?" Spike added. Twilight turned to him with an annoyed look. "Ooh-wee, Spike. You've been lounging all morning while we worked." "Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time." Twilight's stomach gurgled loudly, making the witch blush and laugh nervously. "Eh, I guess we better get some food." Spike continued tossing apples before pulling out a large, ripe, red apple "Oh Spike, that looks delicious." She couldn't grab it as Spike shoved it into his mouth with one bite, chewing loudly. "Spike!" Her assistant swallowed his snack. "What?" He froze before thinking hard. A scroll appeared in his claws. "Wait... is that a letter from Queen Celestia!?" Applejack stopped and stood next to Twilight. Spike opened the scroll and cleared his throat. "Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Queen Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle and her guests." "The Grand Galloping Gala!?" Twilight and Applejack spoke in unison. The two cheered and danced around a bit, looking a bit like fools, making Spike groan. Spike had the same frozen stare, followed by two golden tickets appearing in his right hand. "Huh, two tickets?" Spike asked, a bit confused. "Wow, great!" Twilight spoke, excitedly "I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" "No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that feminine, weak, boring political nonsense." "Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice." "Nice!?" Applejack asked "It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes, if I had an apple stand set up, folks would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip. Why, I'd give my left leg to go to that gala." "Oh, well in that case, would you like to--?" Twilight was about to ask before being interrupted by the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash, crashing into both. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?" She asked, not bothering to get up from the two and acting as if nothing happened. "Rainbow Dash." Applejack growled, pushing Rainbow off and standing up. "You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?" "No, I was busy napping." She pointed to a tree above, with a blanket and pillow on it before flapping her wings and overlooking Twilight "And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" "Yes, but--" Twilight replied before being interrupted again. "YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now. Everyone would be watching the show. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash!! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut.Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The folks would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member. Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!" Rainbow was dragged back by Applejack. "Hold on just one minute here." Applejack released Rainbow Dash, who turned to her. "I asked for that ticket first." "So? That doesn't mean you own it." Rainbow Dash's face got close to Applejack's "Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to an arm wrestle. Winner gets the ticket." Without hesitation, they both got to a log, locked arms with each other, and began to show their strength. It appeared Applejack had the upper hand, with her more swole than Rainbow Dash, though the half avariel showed some muscle as well. Twilight got between them both and pushed them out of the way. "Girls, these are my tickets!" Twilight shouted "I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?" Both got close to her. "Drummin' up business for the farm?" Applejack began. "A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?" Rianbow retorted "Money t' fix Granny's hip." "Living the dream." "...Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?" Twilight began before her stomach growled again. Another sheepish laugh came from her. "Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?" "Okay." Both spoke in a defeated tone. They looked at each other, flames in their eyes, and went back to their arm wrestling match. Twilight and Spike walked into the town marketplace. The sun laid overhead, and it was rushhour, with customers approaching each stall to buy their needed things. "So, who you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?" Spike asked,. "I don't know Spike," Twilight answered "but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?" Twilight felt herself being tackled to the floor, a bit dazed, and seeing that Pinkie landed on her. The tickets fell from Spike's claws, landing on Pinkie's face, who got up and screamed. "Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help! " She stopped, seeing the tickets on the floor. "Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?! The most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria!? I've always always always wanted to go!" She pulled her lute out and strum it's strings as she bounced around a bit. ♬Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me Hip hip Hooray! It's the best place for me For Pinkie... ♬ With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Kobold! ♬Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me 'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever In the whole galaxy Wheee!! ♬ Pinkie bounced into Twilight's arms, hugging the half-elf. "Oh thank you, Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever." Spike picked up the tickets on the floor. "Um, actually--" Twiight was about to speak before being interrupted yet again, this time, with Rarity's voice. Rarity leaned over Spike's shoulders, seeing the tickets "Are these what I think they are?" "Uh--" "Yes, yes, yes!" Pinkie answered "Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot." "The gala?" Rarity asked "I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet him." "Him! ... Who?" "Him. I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious woman" They would never guess that I was just a simple dwarf from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Queen Celestia herself, and the queen would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible man in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hand in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him, the man of my dreams." Rarity's imagination snapped as she turned to Twilight. "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party, and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph!" Spike felt something take the tickets from his own claws, then noticed that a rabbit had taken the tickets away and ran to Fluttershy. "Hey!" The rabbit stopped at Fluttershy's feet, presenting the tickets. She gasped upon taking the tickets "Angel, these are perfect." "Uh, listen guys," Twilight spoke up. "I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to." "You haven't?" Rarity and Pinkie asked in unison, the former ecstatic and the latter shocked. "Um, excuse me, Twilight." The halfling began, walking between the other two. "I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else--" "You?" Rarity asked, appalled "You want to go to the gala?" "Oh, no... I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see, it's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!" "Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful...?" Twilight spoke, trying not to offend the druid out of respect. "Wait just a minute." Rainbow Dash spoke from above, overlooking on a roof. "Rainbow Dash! Were you following me?" "No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-two-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody." "Wait just another minute." Applejack spoke, approaching to them all. "Applejack, were you following me too?" Twilight asked "No. I was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket." "Your ticket?" Rainbow Dash asked "But Twilight's taking me." Pinkie suggested. It didn't take long for all party members to start arguing with each other. The arguing got out of hand, making Twilight snap. "QUIET!" She yelled, silencing them all. "Girls, there's no use in arguing." "But Twilight-" Rarity whined. Twilight raised a finger at Rarity. "Eh! This is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise!" Her stomach growled again "Not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo." Everyone but Spike walked away, grumbling. "And don't worry, I'll figure this out... somehow." Twilight and Spike sat outside of a local tavern, both with a tankard of water in front of them. The Ha;f-Elf could only sigh, "Spike, what am I gonna do?" She asked "All five of my friends have really good reasons to go to the gala. Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?" Her stomach growled again. "Have you made your decision?" A gentleman-like voice asked "I CAN'T DECIDE!!!" "Uh, Twilight?" Spike spoke "He just wants to take your order." Twilight turned to see that a waiter stood next to their table. "Oh. I would love a sandwich, actually." "Do you have any rubies?" Their waiter gave a confused look "No? Okay. I'll have the fish, extra crispy." "What do you think, Spike?" "I think we have to try another tavern. I mean, I like fish just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" "I mean about the Gala and the ticket and who I should take." "Oh. You're still on that?" "Spike, listen. How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed people. What if I--" "Ah, your food." The waiter interrupted, showing a sandwich that was, for the most part, layered with thin slices of meat, glazed in sauces on toasted bread. Spike had an entire fish grilled in front of him, with a potato on the side. "Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat." The rapid sounds of people running caught her attention before she took a bite, "Em, madam? Are you going to eat your food in the rain?" "It's not raining." Twilight spoke before looking out, seeing that it was raining everywhere except her table with Spike "What's going on?" She looked up to see the hole, with Rainbow Dash looking down. "Hi there, half-elf friend forever I've ever ever had." She began. "Enjoying the sunny weather?" "Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" "Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous person about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all."Twilight had an unamused look on her face. "Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?" "Me? No no no, of course not." "Uh-huh." "Seriously, I'd do it for anybody." Twilight looked around, seeing the rain pouring on everyone, with various poeple running in the rain, trying to get out. Rainbow Dash swallowed nervously "Heh heh, eh." "Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now." "Ugh, fine." Rainbow closed the clouds up, making it dark over Twilight's head. "That's better." Twilight was ready to eat her sandwich, only to be met with rain pouring all over her and Spike, who had just finished his fish. Rarity approached to them with an umbrella over her head. "Twilight, it's raining." She spoke "No, really?" "Come with me before you catch a cold." Like the first time they met, Rarity picked up Twilight effortlessly and took her to her house. Twilight shook the rain off, though it got onto Rarity and her clean floors. "Heh heh, oops, sorry." Rarity took a deep breath. "Oh no, it's quite all right. After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?" "Uh..." "Makeovers!" Rarity quickly pulled Twilight into a changing station, jumping in herself. Spike only heard the struggles of Twilight. After a few seconds of struggling, the curtains opened, showing Twilight in her clothes, but now decorated with jewelry consisting of emeralds. "There. Oh, you're simply darling." Rarity complimented "Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it, Spike?" Twilight asked her dragonborn assistant. Spike just rolled his eyes and shrugged. Rarity grabbed Spike and took her into another changing station. "Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent." Spike struggled, but was quickly in the stall, with Twilight only hearing his struggling. It was faster, but Twilight watched as Spike came out an elegant blue suit that made him look noble. Twilight couldn't help but giggle at how Spike looked adorable in his fancy suit. "Now you just need a hat." Spike took a few steps back. "Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this." He insisted "I'm not a fan of clothes or these fancy parties. I'll see you at the library, Twilight." He took his clothes off and ran out. Rarity nervously laughed, pulling a mirror to show Twilight her reflection. "Oh, who needs him anyway. This is all about you, and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala." Twilight was almost lulled in before snapping out of it. "Wait, the Grand-" She was about to say before being interuppted by Rarity. "And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated person in all of Equestria is Rarity the dwarf!" She looked into the sky, gleaming, before seeing Twilight looking at her with an unamused look. "Ah, and Twilight Sparkle, of course." "I see what's going on. You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch." A wall was busted down as Applejack entered the room. "Did somebody say lunch!?" She asked before picking up Twilight. "You've got to be kidding me!" Twilight yelled. "My wall!" Rarity yelled. Applejack took Twilight away and in front of a wagon filled with food. "I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty." Applejack listed. "The dessert, not my auntie. What do you say there, best friend?" Twilight drooled a bit at the sight, her stomach grumbling louder. "Is that a yes?" Twilight was close to accepting it, but shook herself. "No. No. I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!" Twilight quickly ran away. "...So, that's a maybe?" "Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating." Twilight spoke to herself as she approached her library. She stopped as she heard humming inside, then slowly opened the door. Inside, Fluttershy was cleaning the place with birds and other small animals helping. Spike was surrounded by birds, perching on his body, who stood still, looking nervous. "Fluttershy, not you too?" "Oh, well, hello Twilight." Fluttershy greeted. "I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you." "It's summer." "Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea." She gestured to the rabbit, who was making a salad for Twilight. "You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?" "Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?" The rabbit gave Twilight an impatient look. "Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket." The rabbit presented Twilight the salad. Twilight, though still hungry, swiped the salad out of her face. "No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave." She opened the door, prompting Fluttershy and all the animals to leave, but jumped at the sight of a crowd outside of her house. "SURPRISE!" Some folks grabbed Twilight and started to bounce her into the sky. It didn't take long for Twilight to know that Pinkie was the one who brought everyone here for something. ♬Twilight is my bestest friend Whoopie, whoopie! ♬ "Pinkie..." ♬She's the cutest, smartest, all around best elf-y, elf-y! ♬ "Pinkie." ♬I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party! ♬ "Pinkie!" ♬She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me! ♬ "PIIINKIIIE!!!" The crowd made Twilight drop to the ground with a loud thud. "Yes, Twilight?" Pinkie stood over the Half Elf, blinking innocently. "At least the other folks tried to be subtle about the ticket." "Wait, what ticket?" One of the villagers asked. "Oh, you didn't know?" Pinkie asked "Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!" "The Grand Galloping Gala?!" It didn't take long for the entire village to crowd around Twilight. Seeing Twilight in trouble made Spike quickly run away from her bird prisoners, get through the crowd, and tried to lead her to safety. Though with each step they took, another villager got in the way, all saying they'd help Twilight in something to get the ticket. "What are we gonna do?" Spike asked. "We're... gonna... run!" Twilight yelled, grabbing Spike's arm and ran through the crowd and into the village, away from her library. An entire mob began to chase the two, Though Twilight was relatively fit, it didn't help either that no matter where they went, the crowd almost knew where they were at easily. Even when hiding in areas no one would guess, someone was there (perhaps rogues also lived in this village?). In any case, Twilight and Spike found themselves cornered by everyone in an alleyway. Twilight motioned to Spike, who grabbed onto her leg. Her hands glowed, as did her eyes, and the two vanished in a flash, leaving a confused crowd. Twilight and Spike appeared back in the library, both trying to maintain their balance. "Ugh... I think you need extra practice, Twilight." Spike replied. "I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Now quick, lock the doors!" Despite tripping and falling, both Twilight and Spike closed every window and door built into the tree, turning off any light around. They sighed in relief as all was over... until the lights in the main library turned on, showing Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were already inside, awaiting them. She could only scream and she had a panic attack. "I can't decide, I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!" Her friends looked at each other, looking awful. Applejack approached Twilight. "Twilight, sugar," She spoke "I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somebody else. I won't feel bad, I promise." "Me too." Fluttershy added "I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful." "And me too." Pinkie added as well "It's no fun upsetting your friends." "Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did." Rarity also added. "Yes! That means the ticket is mine!" Rainbow Dash laughed as she flew in the sky, rubbing her hands together in excitment. She stopped as everyone looked at her with disapproval looks. "...You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either." She landed next to Twilight and everyone else. "Anyways," Applejack spoke. "we all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you." "We're sorry, Twilight." Everyone apologized. Twilight stood up, now with a smile. "Spike, take down a note." Spike picked up a quill and scroll, ready to write down what she had to say. "Dear Queen Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala." "What?!" Everyone yelled. "If my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either." "Twilight, you don't have to do that." Applejack spoke. "Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now." Spike nodded, concentrating on it, making the letter vanish. "Now you won't get to go to the gala either." Fluttershy observed. "It's okay, girls." Twilight reassured "I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my friends there with me, so I would rather not go at all." Spike froze as a letter appeared in front of him. Twilight looked a bit confused "A letter from the queen? That was fast." Spike opened it up and read aloud. "My faithful student Twilight, sorry, was busy and didn't count the tickets." He pulled out six tickets. Everyone gasped. "Now we can all go." Everyone cheered before Twilight's stomach growled one more time, causing her to keel over and grab her waist. "Ugh... need... food!" Rarity helped Twilight up to her feet. "Allow us to treat you to dinner." She spoke, walking out. Spike opened the door for them all, all grabbing a ticket. Though everyone was ready to go, Spike stayed and looked a bit heartbroken. "How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?" He asked. He stopped and froze. Another letter appeared in his claws. He opened it up "And one for you, Spike." He suddenly felt giddy, but stopped himself. "Uh... thanks... whichever god listened to me..." He walked out, following the others. "Hope it was Bahamut and not Tiamat."