The next day me, Twilight and Spike were helping out Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres with harvesting the apples. Yesterday turned out to be a turning point in my life as they would say and more importantly, me and Venom got along just fine.
“Ah bet we can get all these golden apples bah sundown and if we do, Bic Mac is going to town wearing a girdle!” Applejack said happily
“I appreciate that we are able to help, Applejack.” Twilight said “I hope we finish before lunch.” As if on cue, her stomach began to growl loudly.
She looked at Spike with a sheepish grin, “Haha.” she laughed nervously
“Ya.” Spike said from Twilight’s back as he dug through apples in the baskets Twilight was carrying, “All this work is making me hungry.” he said as he tossed an apple which bonked Twilight on the head which made her look at him irritably.
“How are you hungry when your not even doing anything?” I asked confusingly because I was carrying four baskets of apples due to my super-strength, two at my side and two on my back.
“Spike, you’ve been lounging on my back all day.” Twilight agreed “It’s almost lunchtime and you didn’t do a thing!”
“Exactly, you guys have been taking so long that I missed snack time!” Spike exclaimed as he continued digging through the basket of apples.
“You need to work eventually Spike and let’s get started by carrying a basket for me.” I suggested
“True, he could lose a few pounds.” Venom commented
“Not helping.” I whispered in a scolding tone
“HAHA!” Spike shouted and his hand raised to reveal a plump and juicy red apple which made Twilight’s mouth water.
“Oh Spike that looks delici-” Twilight started to say but Spike chomped down the apple and some of the apple slush splashed on Twilight.
“Spike!” She shouted but before Spike could respond, he covered his mouth and belched out a green plume of smoke.
I instinctively backed away because when there’s smoke there’s fire which is Venom’s weakness.
“Phew, that was close.” Venom said
The smoke made a little pop noise to reveal a scroll of some sort with a royal symbol on it.
“A letter from Princess Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed
Spike grabbed it and cleared his throat, “Ahem, Here ye, Here ye! Your grand royal highness, Princess Celestia, of Equestria is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital of Canterlot on the 21st day of ... yadda, yadda, yadda… cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest!”
Both Applejack and Twilight gasped, “The Grand Galloping Gala!”
They both started jumping up and down repeating a term I am not familiar with, I am just standing there staring at them with a confused look on my face and Spike looked mildly annoyed and opened his mouth to comment but belched again to reveal two golden tickets.
“Look! Two Tickets!” he exclaimed
“Wow, I have never been to the Gala before, have you Spike?” Twilight asked
“No and I intend to keep it that way, I don’t want none of that girly frou frou nonsense.” Spike grumbled
“What is this Grand Galloping Gala anyway?” I asked
Both Applejack and Twilight gasped, “You never heard of the Gala?!”
I shook my head and Venom started speaking in my head, “The more they explain it, the less likely I want to experience it, also you cramp yourself up in that house of yours so I wouldn’t expect you to know 75% of everything out here.”
I ignored Venom’s comment and focused on what Twilight was saying.
“The Grand Galloping Gala is an annual royal ball held to celebrate the completion of Canterlot after Equestria was founded, it is an honor to be invited there.” Twilight explained
“I still don’t want to attend it.” Spike said crossing his arms
“Aw, come on Spike, a dance would be nice.” Twilight said
“Its much more than that, Twilight.” Applejack suddenly said, “If I had an apple stand hooked up there, ponies will line up along the street buying my delicious goodies and mah oh mah with all that money we could do a lot of shaping up around here. We can repair that old barn with a new one, for Big Mac we could replace that old plow and fix Granny’s saggy old hip. Why, I’d give my hindleg to go to that Gala.”
“Wow, quite a persuasive reason to go.” I said
“Well in that case, would you like to-” Twilight began saying before my senses went off and I rushed towards Twilight and Applejack, jumped over them and caught Rainbow Dash before she could crash into them.
I gently set Rainbow Dash down and looked at her, “Be careful, please.” I chided
Rainbow Dash got a faint blush on her cheeks but nodded in response and looked at Twilight.
“Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed
“Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me, were you spying on us?” Applejack questioned her seriously
Rainbow Dash shook her head, “I was busy… napping.” A good excuse I thought to myself
“And I just happen to hear that you got an extra ticket?” Rainbow asked Twilight
“Umm ya but…” Twilight started to say before Rainbow Dash flew into the air happily before landing back on the ground.
“The Wonderbolts perform at the Gala every year….” Rainbow Dash started to explain her story while I decided to start a conversation with Spike.
“You’re serious that you don’t want to go to the Gala?” I asked him
Spike looked at me, “I’m serious, I don’t want none of that girly stuff, what about you Manny?”
“I honestly wouldn’t attend because it sounds to me that its only fun if you have a date with somepony.” I said
“Ya, I guess.” Spike replied, I decided to throw a curve ball at him (not an actual ball of course).
“Spike, if you had a chance to go, who would you ask to be your date?” I asked him
Spike looked with wide eyes and looked at the two tickets in his hand, “Well, if I had the chance to go then I would take…” He looked at Twilight and Applejack who were listening to Rainbow Dash’s dream “I would take Rarity to the Gala.” he finished with blushing cheeks
Wow, I wasn’t expecting that answer at all because Rarity was the mare I developed feelings for too so that means it's going to be much more difficult for me to muster enough courage to ask her.
“Oh ho, you have competition Manny.” Venom teased
“Why Rarity?” I asked Spike
Spike got a dreamy look in his eyes, “She is the beautiful mare I ever saw, she is just perfect.” His eyes refocused on me before asking me, “What about you, who would you take?”
I owe Twilight for getting me out of that because she came over and said, “Come on Spike and Manny, let’s get some lunch and don’t worry girls I’ll get back to you.”
Spike whispered, “Tell me later.” before hopping on Twilight’s back as she walked to town and it got me thinking, will Spike hate me if I liked Rarity too?
“That would be a yes.” Venom responded to my thoughts
“I hate you.” I mumbled
A couple minutes later
We walked into town and keeping an eye out for anything to eat before Spike the ice-breaker broke the silence.
“So Twilight, who will you take to the Gala?” Spike asked
“I don’t know but hopefully a full stomach can help me think better.” Twilight replied
“I hope so because if you don’t decide, your going to have a mental breakdown.” I added
Twilight looked at me when I said that and smiled, “Don’t worry Manny leave that to me, by the way if you don’t mind, I would like to do further research on your healing factor.”
“Ya sure, no problem.” I replied
“How’s Venom doing?” Twilight asked completely out of nowhere
“I am doing well but starting to get hungry.” Venom replied
“He said he’s well except he’s getting hungry.” I replied with a shaky tone
“What’s wrong, Manny?” Spike asked
“I don’t want Venom devouring my organs faster than I could heal it.” I said and both Twilight and Spike laughed at that.
“It’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Twilight said “We should be close to a restau-” Before she could finish we were tackled by a pink blur that came out of Sugarcube Corner and ended up in the center of town.
I was the first to recover and saw that it was Pinkie Pie who slammed into us. The two Gala tickets fluttered down and rested on Pinkie’s nose who woke up and started screaming.
“AHH BATS ON MY FACE AHHH!! Wait are those tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!!!” Pinkie Pie shouted with her eyes twinkling and she had a big smile on her face.
“You might want to close your ears for this.” Venom recommended
I closed my ears and watched as Pinkie Pie’s mouth moved and her jumping up and down the place. Twilight’s expression convinced me that the song was very irritating to listen to and Spike was holding the tickets plus covering his ears.
When Pinkie Pie was finished with her song, she bounced up and down in front of Twilight, “Oh thank you Twilight, this is the best gift ever!!!” she said with a big smile on her face
“Oh my.” a voice said behind me and Spike as we turned to see that it was Rarity who spoke.
“Are those what I think they are?” Rarity asked in wonder
“YES!! Twilight’s taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed
“The Grand Galloping Gala, I design the emblems for it but never got the chance to attend. The society, the culture, the glamour, its where I truly belong and where I am destined to meet… him!” She said with her eyes twinkling
Now this grabbed my attention because I would be happy or perhaps overjoyed if she was referring to me as that somepony.
“If it’s not you, then I am going to laugh so hard that it will blow up your brain.” Venom chuckled in my mind which made me start praying to Princess Celestia that Rarity was talking about me.
“HIM!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed before she suddenly had a look of confusion appeared on her face “Who?”
“Him.” Rarity said dreamily
“I would stroll into the Gala and everypony will wonder, who is that mysterious mare? The thing that they won’t realize was that I was just a regular mare from little old Ponyville. I would be requested by Princess Celestia herself and the Princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she will introduce me to Prince Blueblood, the most eligible and most handsome stallion in all of Equestria! We would share a dance on the royal floor and everypony will watch and then the Prince would ask for my hoof in marriage and of course I will say YES! We would have a royal wedding and our love will be inseparable and unbreakable.” Rarity finished
My mind broke in half after what I just now heard and depression overcame my mind with one word repeating over and over… sadness.
“HAHAHA!! I TOLD YO-” Venom started laughing but stopped when he sensed my emotions, “Manny… are you alright?” he asked with concern and seriousness in his tone
I didn’t respond as I tried all my might to hold back tears and successfully did so plus managed to push away my negative thoughts.
Rarity was now in front of Twilight saying, “Twilight!, I simply cannot believe that you would invite Pinkie so she could party and keep me from meeting my true love! How could you?!” She then turned her back on Twilight with ‘Huff.’
“Manny, you must not give up.” Venom said
I decided to walk away from the conversation but not before I saw Fluttershy and her bunny holding the tickets which meant things were going to become even more difficult for Twilight so I decided that I wouldn’t want any part in it. I walked through town until I arrived at the edge of Everfree Forest, staring at the trees before entering the forest.
“It’s pointless Venom.” I said in a shaky tone “She already has her crush and its not me.”
“Just because Rarity has a crush on that Prince, doesn’t mean that she loves him literally, she has to get to know him but you can change that Manny, all you have to do is trust me.” Venom said
“You sound like you like her too, huh?” I teased
“Well… er… its complicated but yes, I do like her as much as you do.” Venom gave in
“I’ll try but I don’t know what good it will do.” I decided to take Venom’s advice and hope for the best so I continued to walk around a little bit before exiting the forest with my mind clear and headed back towards Ponyville to see how Twilight was doing and judging from the setting Sun, I’ve been in the forest for at least 30 minutes.
“I wonder how Twilight’s doing?” I asked aloud
“Probably having a brain overload with the tickets.” Venom guessed
“Maybe.” I agreed as I headed towards Golden Oaks Library to find that it was dark and no lights were on at all. This got me confused because usually Twilight doesn’t close the library this early so I approached the front door and knocked gently because of my enhanced strength.
The door slightly opened to reveal Spike and he had a look of relief on his face when he saw me.
Spike called behind him, “It’s just Manny!” He shouted
“Ok, let him in, QUICKLY!” Twilight shouted from behind the door and Spike ushered me in before locking the door behind me. I spotted Twilight right behind the door as she stared at me before saying, “Where have you been!” she exclaimed
“Had to clear my mind.” I said honestly “Why is the library all dark and stuff?”
Twilight sighed before replying, “Pinkie Pie told everypony that I had two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala and now everypony is chasing me and asking me to do unnecessary favours! Don’t you want to go?”
“No.” I responded plainly
Twilight stared at me but Spike asked incredulously, “Why!?”
“Because I honestly don’t fancy royal balls and stuff so I usually just stay out of it and celebrate the old fashioned way which is with family and friends.” I explained
“Well then, I’m glad that you didn’t become like the rest of the girls because they won’t stop at nothing until I take one of them with me.” Twilight said sadly
I thought about what she just now said and I realised that she was going to have to something I would ask her to do.
“Why don’t you just return the tickets to Princess Celestia instead of having to choose somepony?” I suggested
“Why would I want to to that?!” Twilight exclaimed in shock
“Because if you are that close to your friends then you want to see them happy so you would rather take all of them instead of being bias and favoring one of them.” I explained
“That has got to be the smartest thing I’ve heard you said since I met you.” Venom complimented
Before Twilight could respond, the lights were turned on and the rest of the girls were there, awaiting Twilight’s decision.
“I CAN’T DECIDE!!!” Twilight shouted as she covered her face with her hooves, “I want to make all of you happy but I can’t because your all my best friends and I can’t choose one of you without making the rest of you angry at me!”
I helped Twilight up and gave the girls a look that clearly said ‘Well, apologize.’
Applejack spoke first and apologized, “Ah’m sorry Twilight, I didn’t realize how hard it was for you to decide, I don’t want the ticket.”
“Me too.” Fluttershy said “I didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you.”
“Especially doing you favors that made the pressure even worse.” Rarity added
“I’m sorry for making a scene and having you being chased by everypony because of a ticket.” Pinkie Pie apologized with a smile
“YES!!!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in the air “THAT MEANS THE TICKET IS MINE!!!”
All the girls gave Rainbow Dash a look of anger but mine was probably the most intimidating because Venom gave me his teeth and his scary eyes. Rainbow Dash literally fell out of the air and looked in shock at my face before composing herself.
“Hehe, well I didn’t get the hang of my signature move yet so I don’t want the ticket.” Rainbow Dash gave in
Twilight got up and looked at Spike before announcing, “Spike, take a note.”
“Okie dokie.” Spike replied getting a paper and quill ready
“Dear Princess Celestia, I am honored that you gave me two tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala but if I can’t invite all my friends to go then I won’t attend, therefore I am returning both tickets. Your faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight declared as Spike finished writing.
“Twilight, are you sure darling?” Rarity asked
Twilight looked at me smiling, “Yes, I am sure, Spike send the letter.”
Spike ran toward the window and breathed fire on the letter which sent its ashes to Princess Celestia.
“Manny gave me the idea of me being a true friend to all of you instead of favoring one of you.” Twilight said with a smile
“Yep, I sure did talked some sense into you.” I confirmed
“Where did you disappear to this morning?” Pinkie Pie asked “You left when we were… fighting for the ticket.”
I hesitated before responding, “I had to clear my mind about a couple of things.”
“Oh… ok!” Pinkie Pie responded but Applejack looked at me suspiciously which meant she knew I was lying.
Spike suddenly belched and a letter appeared in his hand
“A letter from Princess Celestia, that was fast!” Twilight exclaimed in shock
“Dear Twilight my student, why didn’t you say so in the first place?” Spike read out confusingly before belching out something else and when he held up his hand it had…
“Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” He exclaimed
All the girls and me gasped before Twilight said, “Now we can all go!”
“YAY!!!” The girls exclaimed as they each took one before it was me and Spike alone again with one ticket.
“You can have my ticket.” I offered to Spike
Before Spike could respond, he belched out another letter and read, “And one for you Spike.”
“YES!!!” Spike exclaimed and gave me my ticket
Me and Spike walked out of the library to join the girls but my luck ran out because Spike asked the question I probably shouldn’t have answered.
“So, who’s gonna be your date to the Gala?” Spike asked with a grin
“Umm…” I stuttered because I did not know how he was going to take this.
“Be honest with him, Manny.” Venom encouraged
“I have a… crush on.... Rarity so I was thinking of asking her if… she can be my… date.” I answered in an honest but not so confident tone
All I got from Spike was an angry look on his face.
“You better stay away from her because she is going to be my date and that’s final.” Spike responded in a serious tone
I was shocked at the words I was hearing but composed myself before saying, “Why exactly should I stay away from her?” I asked in an angry tone
“Well I like her more than you do and I stand a better chance with her because I am a regular dragon and you are just an ABOMINATION!” Spike shouted that last part
Silence…. That was all I could hear as my heart broke and fresh tears flowed down my face as I stared at Spike who was still angry but snapped out of his angry state before looking at me shock.
“Manny, I’m so-” Spike tried to apologize but I transformed into Venom’s form and jumped away from him and never looked back as I disappeared into the night.