It was a warm Afternoon in Sweet Apple Acres. Bandit was walking to Applejack with two satchels full of apples, which Spike and Chad were sorting through.
“No. Nope. Nope..” They said, going back and forth. Spike tossed his apples off to the side, where as Chad ate the bad ones.
“Thank you kindly, Bandit, for helping me out. 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.” Applejack said, chuckling soon after.
“You better hop he doesn’t figure out that I’m helping you out.” Bandit said with a wink.
“Hehe, he never did say how I had to do it.” Applejack said. Bandit rolled his eyes with a chuckle as he turned to see Twilight waking her way to them.
“Hey Bandit, everything going okay?” Twilight asked him with a smile.
“Doing good, getting a little hungry. All the boxes unpacked?” Bandit asked her.
“Meh, there are a couple of boxes left. Including your limited edition Marevel and IC Comic Book collectibles.” Twilight said as she started walking along side him.
“Did you also remember the My Little Wolfie plushies?” He asked.
“That all depends on whether or not you remembered to pack my Smarty Pants collection.” Twilight said with a teasing smirk.
“That was the 15th box I packed.” Bandit said with a wink. “When I get finished here, I’ll grab some lunch and help unpack. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning and this work only adds to my hunger.”
“Tell me about it.” Spike said as he tossed an apple into the air, which Bandit caught before it could bonk him on the head. He floats it to his mouth and ate it.
“Spike, you and Chad lounged on my back while we did most of the work.” Bandit told him.
“Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time.” Spike said. Bandit’s stomach began to growl.
“I’ll try to speed this up. So we can eat.” Bandit said. Chad picked up a delicious looking apple. He licked his lips and tossed the apple into the air. He opened his mouth, but felt nothing. He looked and saw Spike eating the apple.
“Hey!” Chad said. Spike snickered at him. He held his stomach and let out a burp. A scroll came out.
“A letter from princess Celestia.” Twilight said. Spike tried to grab it, but Chad grabbed his tail and pulled him away from it, he instead grabbed it.
“Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess 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-”
“Blah blah blah, get to the important part.” Spike said. Chad throws an apple at him, bonking him in the head as he skipped.
“cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, Bandit plus two guests.” Chad finished reading and pulled out four golden tickets.
“The Grand Galloping Gala!” Twilight and Applejack said excitedly.
My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…
[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)
We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)
[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me
[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure
[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun
[Rarity]
A beautiful heart
[Applejack]
Faithful and strong
[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!
[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team
[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
[Bandit and Twilight]
Do you know you're all my very best friends?
“Here are the four tickets.” Chad said, floating them to Bandit and Twilight.
“Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense.” Spike said.
“It’s not all fancy, a lot of times, things are often fun.” Bandit said. He keeps one of his tickets and gives the other to Chad, who went from neutral to happy trotting excited.
“You’ve been to the grand galloping gala?” Applejack asked.
“Twice. I usually hang out with Octavia and my favorite cousin Night Ace. We’d hit the donut shop, hang out with some of the local celebrities, meet with the wonderbolts, go dancing. It’s real nice.” Bandit answered.
“Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes…” Applejack started. “If I had an apple stand set up, ponies 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 Macintosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip.” Applejack said before looking back at Bandit and Twilight. “Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala.”
“Oh, well in that case, would you like to—” Twilight tried to ask. Bandit grabbed Twilight’s tail and pulls her back. Lightning Sprint crashed into Applejack. The dust settled and Lightning shook off the dirt. An unamused Applejack glared at her.
“Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?” She asked.
“Lightning Sprint! You said that you and Rainbow Dash were too busy to help me harvest the apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?” Applejack asked in a accusing tone. Lightning Sprint turned her back to her.
“No. I was busy pranking Rainbow Dash while she was busy napping. I just happened to hear that you have a couple of extra tickets?” Lightning Sprint asked.
“Just one, but-” Bandit tried to say.
“YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year.” Lightning Sprint started.
“I’m aware. Heck, I know some of them.” Bandit said with an eyeroll.
“I can see it now…” Lightning Sprint said as she began to fantasize. “Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Lightning Sprint! I’ll draw their attention with my awesome, one winged spiral!”
“The what now?” Bandit asked.
“Then, I would mesmerize them with my Aileron Swoop. And for my grand finale, the Lightning Flash! The ponies would go wild!” Lightning Sprint finished.
“But Lightning-”
“The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member.” Lightning Sprint boasted.
“Hey! What about me!?” Rainbow Dash’s voice said from above them, she had a sharpie monocle on her left eye, which made Chad snicker.
“Meh, you could probably be my sidekick if you’re good enough.” Lightning Sprint said.
“Sidekick!? I’m way better at flying than you. And since we’re talking about the grand galloping gala, and the Wonderbolts, I should be the one too go. Heck, once I wow the Wonderbolts with my-”
“Ah ah, no fantasy from you. You and Lightning Sprint act so similar you don’t need to describe, I get it.” Bandit said.
“So, I should get the ticket. This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!” Rainbow Dash said. Lightning Sprint pushes her back with a hoof on the chest.
“No, I’m getting that ticket.” She said before Applejack tugged her down.
“Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here.” She said before spitting out her tail. “I asked for that ticket first.”
“So? That doesn't mean you own it.” Lightning Sprint said.
“Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket.” Applejack said.
“What about me?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“We race after I beat Applejack. Unless she happens to win, then you hoof wrestle her.” Lightning Sprint told her before grabbing Applejack’s hoof over a stump. “Though me losing is next to never happening.”
The two began. Bandit lets out an attention grabbing whistle, causing the three mares to look at him.
“I don’t mean to interrupt your little acts of boasting and dominance here amazonians, but that extra ticket belongs to Twilight, she chooses who goes with her. Not you.” Bandit spoke up. Twilight nodded and stepped next to him.
“Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?” Twilight asked Bandit.
“Sounds like a plan.” Bandit said.
“Drummin' up business for the farm.” Applejack started.
“A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?” Lightning Sprint added.
“Livin’ the dream!” Rainbow Dash piggy backed off of.
“Money t' fix Granny's hip.” Applejack started up again.
“Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?” Twilight asked Bandit. Before he could answer, his stomach growled.
“I guess so, but, I’m starting to starve. We should get something to eat.” He told her.
“I agree. I can’t think on an empty stomach. 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?” Twilight said to them before walking off.
“Okay.” All three of them said before glaring at each other.
“Oh, Applejack, one more thing.” Bandit said as he walked back over. “Is the playdate for Apple Bloom and Chad still a go for tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yep, 3:00 sharp.” Applejack answered. Bandit nodded and continued to walk with Twilight. The three tomboyish mares went back to glaring at one another.
“So you spent the whole time unpacking? Why didn’t you eat something?” Bandit asked as the two walked through ponyville.
“Well, you were busy and I’m not exactly the best at cooking french toast so-” Twilight started.
“You couldn’t have made yourself a sandwich?” Bandit asked.
“You make better sandwiches than i do.” Twilight said. Bandit rolled her eyes.
“Well, I don’t feel like putting in effort, so where should we eat?” Bandit said.
“Duck!” Chad shouted. Bandit ducked his body right as Pinkie flew out of the top of her door and over Bandit. Crashing into Twilight instead.
The dust settles and the two golden tickets landed on Pinkie’s nose, causing her to panic.
“Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!” She said as she ran around. Bandit helped Twilight to her hooves. Pinkie stopped in front of the tickets. “Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!” She said as here pupils dilated.
“Oh no.” Bandit said.
“It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go!” Pinkie said before singing.
[Pinkie]
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 Pony!”
[Pinkie]
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!!
“Oh thank you, Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever.” Pinkie said as she gave twilight a smile.
“Um, actually—” Twilight started to say. Spike picked up the tickets. A gasp from Rarity got his attention, as well as Bandit’s who was beginning to get annoyed.
“Are these what I think they are?” Rarity asked.
“If you think it’s a bat, I’m afraid it’s not.” Bandit said with an eyeroll.
“Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot.” Pinkie said with excited hops.
“Just a second Ponks, Twilight hasn’t-” Bandit tried to say.
“The gala? 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.” Rarity said with a sparkle in her eye.
“Before you begin your internal fantasy of high expectations, can you be just a little more specific on who this ‘him’ is?” Bandit asked.
“Why, him of course.” She said before fantasizing.
“Ah crud, here we go again.” Bandit said.
“I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof 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 stallion of my dreams.” Rarity finished.
“Does she mean Cousin Blueblood?” Chad asked Bandit.
“I really hope not.” Bandit said as he continued to listen.
“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.” Rarity said before turning her back. A small white rabbit hopped over and snatched the ticket away from Spike.
“Hey!” Spike said as the rabbit ran to Fluttershy and showed her the ticket.
She gasped. “Angel, these are perfect.”
Back with the group, Twilight spoke up once again.
“Uh, listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to.” She confessed.
“You haven’t!?” Both Rarity and Pinkie asked. Rarity shocked, Pinkie stunned.
“Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else…” Fluttershy said, getting their attention.
“You? You want to go to the gala?” Rarity asked rather stunned.
“Oh, no.” Fluttershy said before Angel started tapping her with his foot to change her mind. “I-I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see…” Fluttershy started. “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. Blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!” Fluttershy finished, hugging Angel at the end.
“As nice as that fantasy sounds Fluttershy, I’m afraid that the animals at the gala aren’t the most-” Bandit tried to say.
“Wait just a minute.” Rainbow dash said from on top of a roof, not looking happy.
“Rainbow dash?” Bandit asked as he and Twilight looked towards her.
“Were you following us?” Twilight asked as Rainbow Dash flew down.
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Hold up Rainbow!” Lightning Sprint said as she zipped over to Rainbow Dash.
“You too Lightning?” Bandit asked.
“Hey, getting one thing straight, I was following Rainbow Dash.” Lightning said quickly.
“And I was following you to make sure neither one of yah didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket.” Applejack said.
“Let me ignore my need to correct that grammatically erroneous sentence you just spoke out of your mouth to tell you that the ticket isn’t yours.” Bandit defended.
“Uh-” Spike was about to ask.
“Erroneous means wrong.” Chad told him. Silencing Spike.
“Yeah. It’s my ticket.” Lightning said.
“But Twilight's taking me.” Pinkie said. This sparked the others to start arguing. Bandit plugged his ears from the arguing.
“QUIET!” Twilight shouted, silencing all but Pinkie.
“And then I said, "Oatmeal, are you craz—" oh.” Pinkie said, stopping and looked at Twilight.
“Girls, there's no use in arguing.” Twilight said. Rarity tried to appeal to her nature.
“But Twilight-” She started before Bandit interrupted.
“No, Twily will make her decision in due time. But pressuring her isn’t making this easier on anyone.” Bandit defended.
“And I certainly can't think straight with all this noise…” Twilight added as she stepped forward. Her stomach growled rather loudly. “Not to mention hunger.”
“Now all of you, shoo!” Bandit said. Said ponies grumbled and started to walk away.
“Don't worry, I'll figure this out... somehow.” Twilight said to her dispersing friends. Bandit placed a hoof on her back.
“Come on, let’s get something to eat.” Bandit said. Twilight nodded and walked with him.
At a nearby restaurant, Bandit, Chad and Spike were reading the menus as Twilight was slumped over the table.
“Bandit, what am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala.” Twilight said as she picked the petals off of the flower front of her. “Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?” She asked. Her stomach growled, resulting in her eating the petals.
“Have you made your decision?” A waiter asked. Twilight growled at this.
“I CAN'T DECIDE!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Twily, he means on your food.” Bandit whispered to her. She sheepishly laughed.
“Oh. I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.” Twilight said. The waiter takes her order and looked at Bandit.
“Do you have meat of any kind?” Bandit asked.
“Are….. are you a carnivore?” The waiter asked.
“Omnivore, from that reaction, I assume you don’t have meat. So, I’ll take six hard boiled eggs, 7 oranges, a yogurt on the side and cream soda please.” Bandit said.
“That’s a lot of food. Are you sure you can finish-” The waiter stopped talking when he finally realized how large bandit was. “Nevermind.”
“I’ll have the spicy hay sandwiches. Plain please.” Chad said.
“Do you have any rubies?” Spike asked. The waiter gave an unamused look. “No? Okay. I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy.” Spike said before looking at Twilight.
“What do you think Spike?” Twilight asked.
“I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?” Spike asked.
“She means about the gala Spike and the ticket.” Chad said.
“Oh, she’s still on that?” Spike asked. Twilight nearly jumped over the table.
“Spike, listen.” She sat back down. “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 four disappointed ponies. What if I—”
“Here comes the food!” Chad said as he saw the waiter. He smiled and wagged his tail, all that stopped as the waiter walked past them. He sheepishly laughed as he looked back at Twilight.
“Look Twily, if you want I can give away my ticket.” Bandit offered.
“But then you wouldn’t be able to go. I don’t want to got the gala without my favorite Changeling.” Twilight said as she nuzzled him a little. “Even though you went without me twice.” She said with a teasing scold.
“Not my fault you had a curfew that was earlier than mine.” Bandit said with an eye roll. “But I’m not going without you a third time. You’d be the best thing about the gala.”
“Aww, Thanks Bandit.” Twilight said with a smile.
“Your food.” The waiter said as he gave Twilight her sandwich. The rest of the food was given to everyone at the table. Spike and Chad began eating right away.
“Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat.” Twilight said. Before she took a bit, she looked at Bandit eating the hard boiled egg, with the shells still on.
“You know, no matter how any times I see you eat eggs with the shells on, it’s never a conventional sight.” Twilight said. Bandit swallowed his food and blepped at her.
Ponies started to gallop past them.
“Sir, madam? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?” The waiter asked.
“It's not raining…” Twilight said as she looked around, seeing that it was pouring down except from where she, Bandit, Chad and Spike were sitting.
“What’s going on?” Twilight asked.
“This has Rainbow dash or Lightning Sprint written all over it.” Bandit said.
“Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?” Rainbow Dash asked from the opening.
“Looks like Rainbow Dash was in the fine print. And who are you calling best friend?” Bandit said unamused.
“Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?” Twilight asked her, in a scolding tone. Chad reached into his tail and pulled out two umbrella hats, giving one to Spike.
“Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony 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.” Rainbow dash answered. Bandit grabbed a nearby vase and used a transfiguration spell to turn it into an umbrella.
“You know Rainbow, I’m no element of honesty, but it’s obvious you are doing extra work for extra points to get the extra ticket.” Bandit said as he looked up at her.
“Me? No no no, of course not.” Rainbow Dash said. Chad sneezed.
“Seriously, I'd do it for anypony.” Rainbow Dash said. Chad sneezed again. Ponies with wet manes were running by, immediately contradicting what Rainbow Dash just said. “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.” Twilight told her. Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Fine.” She said, zipping up the cloud up.
“That’s better.” Twilight said. Bandit opened his umbrella over Twilight’s head to keep her dry as the rain poured down.
“Thanks Ban-” Twilight was gonna say as she looked at Bandit, seeing how wet he got in seconds. “Oh, sorry.”
“It’s fine. I can handle soggy food.” Bandit said as he shook his mane out of his eyes.
“Twilight, it's raining.” Rarity said, seeing the group.
“I don’t think we noticed.” Bandit sarcastically said.
“Come with me before you catch a cold.” Rarity said as she grabbed Twilight and pulled off.
“I thought you couldn’t get a cold in the rain.” Spike said.
“You can’t.” Chad said as Bandit stood up and walked after Rarity, picking up the sandwich Twilight didn’t finish. Chad and Spike followed after him.
At the boutique, Twilight shook the water off of her, her mane fluffed up and went back to normal.
She smiled before looking at a wet maned Rarity.
“Heh heh, oops, sorry.” Twilight said sheepishly. Rarity went from unamused to smiling.
“Oh no, it's quite all right. After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not?” Rarity asked as she nuzzled Twilight’s side with the top of her head. “And you know what the best of friends do?”
“Uh….” Twilight said as Bandit came through the door.
“Makeovers!” Rarity said as she pulled over a changing booth and started putting an outfit on Twilight.
“Ugh, Rarity, ow, this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight.” Twilight said before Rarity moved the booth, revealing Twilight wearing a rather pretty saddle that sparkled like Twilight’s last name.
“Huh, that looks good on you.” Bandit commented.
“You really think so?” Twilight asked him.
“Yeah, It almost distracts the fact that Rarity is doing this for the ticket.” Bandit muttered. Rarity tried doing measurements on Bandit before he stopped her.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that Rarity, I have a Tailor back in Canterlot who’s familiar with my size, he’ll be sending me a suit soon.” Bandit said. Rarity nodded and stopped.
“And you!” Rarity said as she looked at Spike. “Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for one of the dashing gent.”
She brings over the changing booth and started dressing Spike behind it.
“D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!” Spike exclaimed as he was getting forcibly dressed. The booth was moved and Spike was revealed to be in an old timey button up dress coat with golden buttons. Bandit started to chuckle.
“You look like Blueskin Peacock.” Bandit said.
“How does a pony, crony, son of a phony-” Chad started before Bandit covered his mouth.
“Not now.” He said. Chad giggled and stopped laughing.
“Now, the hat.” Rarity said, placing a hat on his head with a golden feather on it.
“Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk. See you back at the library.” Spike said before zipping off. Leaving the clothes there.
“I guarantee by the end of the day he’s gonna want to go.” Bandit said before giving Chad a noogie. “He wouldn’t want to leave his twin brother out to dry.” Rarity laughed nervously.
“Oh, who needs him anyway. This is all about you,” Rarity said as she pulled a mirror over to Twilight and showed her how she looked. “and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala.”
This is when Twilight realized what was going on and snapped out of checking herself out.
“Wait, the Grand—” Twilight started to say.
“What a coincidence Rarity. You just so happen to have a set right here that matches Twilight’s dress perfectly.” Bandit said. Chad looked at it through a large magnifying glass and then at Twilight’s.
“Down to the last strand of fabric.” Chad said before stuffing the magnifying glass back into his mane.
“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.” Twilight said as she tossed off the saddle and trotted to the door Bandit had open for her. “Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch.” Twilight said as she walked out.
“Speaking of which, I kept that daffodil-” Bandit tried to say.
“Did somepony say lunch?” Applejack said as she poked her head in and grabbed Twilight.
“Ugh. This is gonna be a long day.” Bandit said as he walked forward and saw the cart Applejack pulled her, full of Apple products. Chad’s eyes expanded and his tongue dropped out of his mouth.
“You gotta be kidding me.” Twilight said as she looked at that.
“I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty.” Applejack listed. “Uh, the dessert, not my auntie.” Applejack clarified.
“So, what about Apple Fritter and Apple Tart? We just gonna eat two of your cousins?” Bandit asked.
“What do you say there, best friend?” Applejack asked. Bandit’s eyes went wide to angry as he scowled at Applejack.
“The tophet did you just say?” Bandit asked. Twilight’s stomach grumbled.
“Is that a yes?” Applejack asked.
“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 said as she started to run off. Chad was in the cart, eating the food in the cart.
“So, is that a maybe?” Applejack asked. Bandit grabbed Chad and followed Twilight.
Bandit and Twilight started walking back to the library.
“Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating.” Twilight said.
“The favors aren’t aggravating, the reasons behind the favors are what’s aggravating.” Bandit said. Twilight started to sweat a little from the sudden heat.
“Ugh, I’m starting to wish Rainbow Dash kept that cloud out.” Twilight said.
“Twilight, don’t say that out loud there’s still another weather pegasus that hasn’t-”
A cloud began to provide shade for the two.
“Hello again bestest friend in the whole wide-” Lightning Sprint tried to say.
“I’m gonna have to stop you right there. Please leave.” Bandit said.
“Oh come on, I see Twilight is very hot and I’ve got a big ole cloud to block those ravenous rays.” Lightning Sprint said. “We wouldn’t want the best purple unicorn in all of ponyville to get hot.”
“Hey!” Two unicorns said. Lightning Sprint looked at them.
“Sorry Sea Swirl, my bad Amethyst.” She said before looking back at Bandit and Twilight. The two upset unicorns walked off, clearly offended. Bandit used his magic to give Twilight the umbrella he had earlier. She opened the umbrella and used that as shade.
“There, problem solved.” Bandit said.
“Yeah, but what if-”
“Lightning Sprint, we appreciate the gesture. Mostly me, Bandit not so much, but these Special favors are becoming an absolute pain, so please take that cloud and go away so I can think!” Twilight exclaimed.
“You try to help a friend out.” She muttered before moving the cloud. Twilight used her umbrella to block out the sun as she, Bandit, and Chad walked to the library. Bandit opened the door for Twilight. She walked in and Chad followed. Bandit walked in, forgetting to duck his head, and hitting his forehead on the top of the door frame.
“Ow.” He said before ducking his head.
He looked and saw Fluttershy cleaning and humming inside the library.
“You’re on your own for this one Twily. I’ll kick my own flank to kingdom come if I scold her. I don’t want to make her cry.” Bandit whispered to Twilight.
“Fluttershy, not you too.” Twilight said with a conflicted look.
“Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you.” Fluttershy said.
“Flutters…. It’s summer.” Bandit said. Twilight looked unamused.
“Oh, well, better late than never, right?” Fluttershy asked with an embarrassed blush. “It was Angel's idea.”
The trio looked at Angel and saw him tossing some salad.
“Bandit, can I-”
“No.” Bandit told him immediately. “You just ate.” Angel went from smirking to scared.
“You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?” Twilight asked her.
“Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?” Fluttershy asked as she turned to Angel, only to not see him. “Angel?”
Angel peeked out from behind her hind hoof.
“We weren’t doing this for the ticket right?” Fluttershy asked. Angel made an unamused face and nodded that they were. “Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.”
Bandit glared at Angel from that.
“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.” Twilight said, walking over to the door and opening it.
Confetti blasted into the library.
“Surprise!” A bunch of ponies exclaimed. Pinkie reaches in and pulled Twilight out of the library.
“Hey!” Bandit said as he ran to the door. “Get back here with-!” Bandit was gonna say before hitting the top of the doorframe again. “Ouch!”
[Pinkie]
Twilight is my bestest friend
Whoopie, whoopie!
“Pinkie…” Twilight called as Ponies started throwing her into the air.
[Pinkie]
She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!
“Pinkie.” Bandit called as he ducked down and walked out.
[Pinkie]
I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!
“Pinkie!” They both called.
[Pinkie]
She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!
“PIIINKIIIE!!” Twilight shouted. The ponies tossing her stopped and she started to fall. Bandit dives and catches her on his back.
“Yes Twilight?” Pinkie asked, fluttering her eyelids.
“At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket.” Twilight said as she sat up.
“Wait. What ticket? What gala?” One pony asked.
“None of your-” Bandit tried to say.
“Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Pinkie said.
“PINKIE!” Bandit exclaimed as the ponies gasped.
“The Grand Galloping Gala?!” The ponies exclaimed. They began to shower twilight with compliments and offers to get the ticket.
“Hold on Tight.” Bandit said.
“Say no more.” Twilight said, wrapping her hooves around his neck. Chad and Spike dived on as well.
Bandit reared and started to gallop off. The ponies in front of him quickly moved, but soon, all of the ponies ran after them.
Where ever the quadro ran, the following crowd were able to locate them in seconds. From, hiding in a cart, disguising themselves as a stroller pushing couple with twins, to pretending to be mannequins, the four of them were found each time before getting backed up into an alley.
“Welp, that was bound to happen.” Chad said. Bandit spread his wings, but upon seeing some pegasi flying to him, he quickly lowers them.
The ponies got closer to her. Bandit stayed in front of her protectively.
Twilight’s horn lit up and soon enough, she and Spike teleported away. Bandit looked at her as they teleported and sighed from relief.
“Thank goodness she learned how to teleport.” Bandit said. He grabs Chad and teleports as well, leaving lots of Ponies confused as to what happened.
Twilight and Spike appeared at the library, via teleportation. Spike’s scales were scorched from the spell.
“Ugh... Warn me next time you're gonna do that.” Spike said right before Bandit and Chad appeared next to them. Spike shook off the burns and looked at Twilight.
“I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Now quick, lock the doors!” Twilight said. Bandit zipped around and turned off all the lights. Chad ran around closing the windows. Spike started locking the doors, and Twilight blew out the lanterns and the four of them leaned against the door, finally with some breathing.
“Finally.” Bandit said as he closed his eyes. Hearing the light turn on, Bandit looked up and saw the other 6 friends looking at them with light grins on their faces.
Bandit’s eye twitched and he became infuriated.
“That’s it! I can’t take it anymore!” Bandit exclaimed as he looked at the 6 mares. “You should all be ashamed of yourselves!”
Upon saying that, their faces dropped.
“Twilight has been trying her hardest to think and decide on who she wants to be her plus one for the gala. But all those favors, and reasons that you have are putting a lot of pressure on her. Is it really so hard for you to see that she doesn’t want to disappoint any of you, and every favor is just making it worse?” Bandit asked them. He made sure he calmed down before saying all this, but his scolding tone, and Twilight’s pressured face was enough to get the message across.
Applejack walked over first.
“Twilight, sugar, 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 somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise.” Applejack said.
“Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.” Fluttershy said.
“I think we also owe you an apology too Bandit.” Lightning Sprint said. “We’ve been so focused on getting that ticket from Twilight that we weren’t considering how rude we were being to you. I’m real sorry.”
“And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends.” Pinkie said as she hopped down.
“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did. And Bandit, it was very rude for me to intervene with you and Twilight’s day.” Rarity said.
“Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha, I got the ticket, I got the ticket—!” Rainbow Dash started to sing. She then looked at her friends and saw that all of them, even Chad and Fluttershy, where glaring at her. “You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either.”
“We all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you.” Applejack told them.
“We’re sorry.” They all said. Bandit and Twilight smiled at this.
“Chad, take down a note.” Twilight started. Chad nodded and took out a quill and paper. “Dear Princess 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.” Twilight said.
“Ahem.” Bandit said as he floated his ticket. Chad smiled and did the same.
“Scratch that. Twilight and I are returning ALL of the tickets to the grand galloping Gala.” Bandit said.
“What?!” They other 6 exclaimed.
“If all our friends can’t go…” Twilight started.
“Then we don’t want to go either.” Bandit finished.
“Twilight, you don't have to do that.” Applejack said.
“Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.” Twilight said. Chad tosses the letter to Spike, who walks to a window and transports it to Celestia.
“Now you two won't get to go to the gala either.” Fluttershy said.
“It's okay, girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me…” Twilight said before looking at Bandit. “Or my BGCFF who doesn’t want to go without me.”
“BGCFF?” Applejack asked.
“Best Giant Changeling Friend Forever. Twilight likes to use acronyms to describe me and her older brother.” Bandit said as he wrapped a hoof around her.
“That’s kinda cute.” Applejack said with a smile.
Spike’s stomach growled and a letter came out. Chad zipped over and snagged it.
“‘My faithful student Twilight and my Dear son Bandit,
Why didn't you just say so in the first place?’” Chad read. He then pulled out nine golden tickets. “Nine tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!”
“Sweet! Now all of us get to go!” Bandit said as he started kicking his hooves happily. He stopped when Twilight’s stomach started to growl.
Bandit took the sandwich and gave it to her.
“Daffodil and daisy sandwich?” Bandit asked her. Twilight smiled and took the sandwich. Then Bandit’s stomach started to growl.
“Allow us to treat you to dinner.” Rarity said as she led Bandit out of the library. He follows suit, making sure to duck his head.
“My kind of apology.” Bandit said as he licked his lips.
“And to celebrate! Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!” Pinkie said.
“Can I help make them?” Chad asked as he hopped on Bandit’s back.
“The more the merrier.” Lightning said.
“Hope he knows how to cook.” Rainbow Dash said.
The nine of them left the library, taking all the tickets leaving a saddened Spike in the library.
“How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?” Spike asked sadly. Chad poked his head inside.
“Don’t worry Spike. I left her a PS.” Chad said. As if on cue, Spike burped up another letter. He opened it and read.
“And one more for Spike.” He said before looking at the ticket. He giggled and ran to the door before looking at a smug Chad.
“I mean, gross, I have to go too?” Spike quickly tried to act.
“Don’t worry Spike. I won’t tell anyone.” Chad said. Spike sighed in relief. “But I will make fun of you.”
“What!? No!” Spike said.
“Too late.” Chad said with a wink as he started running to catch up. “Blueskin Peacock.”