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// Chapter 6 (The Ticket Master) 
// Story: Spike The Brony Dragon 
// by red4567 
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It’s been four days since I’ve arrived in Equestria. It took some getting used to. First of all, it felt weird to be really short, especially when you were previously 5’10”. 

Second of all, technology was pretty dated here in Equestria. There weren’t any TVs, computers, or cell phones. Although, for the last one I would have to wonder how they would carry it without pockets. Thankfully, I kept myself entertained by reading comic books. At least it was in character for Spike.

Third of all was the food. Since none of the ponies ate meat, sans fish, I had to resort to eating like a vegetarian. Surprisingly, hay and grass taste pretty good if they’re properly prepared. I also ate a few gemstones since I came here. They were easy to chew on, and they almost tasted like rock candy. Other foods such as vegetables or fruits tasted pretty much the same as they did back home. I’ve read somewhere that ponies can’t digest certain foods found in the pony world, like tomatoes, but this was a world of talking ponies. I was pretty sure they’ve had different digestive systems compared to real horses.

One thing that bothered me was what happened to the old Spike. I didn't possess his past memories when I came to Equestria. What would happen if I left? Would the old Spike end up dazed and confused? Would he go crazy? I decided not to worry about that now. I needed to focus on what I had to do.

There was one event coming up that I remembered: the Grand Galloping Gala. The one that happened in Season 1 finale was a complete disaster. I could try to prevent that disaster from happening again, but I didn’t know how. Before I came to Equestria, I read a fanfic where Prince Blueblood was trapped in a time loop during the night of the Gala. But unlike Blueblood, I only had to relive that day once, so I had to think very carefully about what I needed to do.

First part was the tickets. I knew what was going to happen. Twilight will get two tickets, then the other girls would fight over who should she give the other one to. 

But what if I were to accept the ticket from the start?





Twilight and I were helping Applejack with her applebucking. I carried one of the baskets full of apples, instead of riding on Twilight while chucking apples away.

“Thank ya kindly, guys, for helping me out,” Applejack said. “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.”

“I’m no expert on apples,” I said, “but aren’t Golden Delicious supposed to be yellow?”

“Spike, please. Don’t be rude,” Twilight said.

“I’m just saying, with a name like ‘Golden Delicious,’ you’d expect the apples to have some sort of yellow hue.”

Twilight’s belly started growling. “Heh, speaking of apples, I guess we better get some food.”

We did miss snack time. I placed the basket down and ate one of the apples.

“Spike!” Applejack yelled. “Those are my profits your eatin’!”

“It’s just one apple,” I said. Just then, my belly started feeling squeezy again. With a loud belch, a scroll popped out of my mouth.

“It’s a letter from Princess Celestia,” Twilight said.

I read the scroll. It was about the Grand Galloping Gala, when it was going to take place, and Twilight being invited. Both Applejack and Twilight were delighted to hear that.

I made another belch, and this time, two of the gala tickets appeared.

“Great!” said Twilight. “I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?”

“No,” I replied. “But it would be nice to attend a high-class gathering.”

“Aw, shucks,” Applejack said in a disappointed tone. “Are you sure there ain't an extra ticket in there?”

“I didn’t know you were into fancy parties,” I said to Applejack. “Are you Rarity in disguise?”

“It ain’t like that Spike." Applejack then explained how having an apple stand during the gala would help boost the farm's profits. She then said that with the money they made they could fix a lot of stuff here, like the barn's roof, Big Mac's plow, and even Granny's hip. I hate to admit it, but hearing that made me second-guess my choice.

“Well, in that case,” I said, “Do you want my—”

“Woah!”

I quickly jumped out of the way just in time as Rainbow Dash crashed on top of Twilight and Applejack.

“Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?!” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack said. “You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?”

“No, I was busy...napping.”

I looked at the branch Rainbow was napping on. “You’re a pegasus, Rainbow Dash. Why couldn’t you sleep on a cloud?”

But Rainbow Dash didn’t hear me. “So I heard you were giving away an extra ticket,” she said to Twilight. 

Twilight replied, “Yeah, but—”

“YES! This is so awesome!" Then Rainbow Dash talked about how she could show off her tricks during the Wonderbolts' performance, and that it might result in her joining the Wonderbolts. "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!”

“I don't think it's a good idea for you to interrupt a bunch of professional fliers just so you could show off,” I said.

“Spike’s right, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “And besides, I asked for the ticket first.”

“That doesn’t mean you own the ticket!” Rainbow Dash rebutted.

“Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle! Winner gets the ticket!”

Both of them ran to a nearby stump and started the hoof-wrestling, but Twilight quickly interfered. 

“Girls, these are my tickets,” Twilight said. “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?”

“Applejack has the best reason,” I said. “Health, shelter, and food are a much higher priority than getting a slight chance to see your favorite team.”

“See? Spike has the right idea,” said Applejack.

“Oh, come on, you can’t be serious!” Rainbow Dash barked. “There are tons of other ways to increase your profits. You can just have a food cart in Canterlot any other day and make twice as much bits.”

“Rainbow, must I remind you that Granny Smith has a bad hip?” I asked.

Our argument was interrupted by Twilight’s growling stomach. “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.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash sighed.

I hopped on Twilight’s back and we rode back into town. Applejack and Rainbow Dash started hoof-wrestling again.

“I still say Applejack has a better reason,” I said. “You’ve seen how bad that barn roof has gotten.”

“Yes, but you’ve seen how badly Rainbow Dash wants to join the Wonderbolts,” said Twilight.

“Rainbow Dash would sell her own tail if it meant getting a chance to see the Wonderbolts. That mare is full of herself.”

“Let’s not worry about that now, Spike. We should find someplace to eat first.”

As we neared Sugarcube Corner, I quickly jumped off Twilight’s back. Twilight gave me a confused look just as Pinkie crashed into her.

"Are you girls alright?" I asked.

"Peachy keen!" Pinkie said as she quickly stood up. Her eyes were caught by what I was holding.

"Wait...those aren't...TICKETS TO THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA?! 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!"

Then she started singing. Let me tell you, when you listen to someone singing without any background music playing, it feels kind of awkward. It's like watching Starlord singing "Come and get your love."

After Pinkie sang, she thanked Twilight for the tickets, even though Twilight never asked. Then I heard a familiar gasp.

"Are these what I think they are?"

I turned around and saw Rarity gazing at the tickets like they were solid gold bars.

"Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot," said Pinkie.

I replied, "Twilight never said—"

"The Gala?" Rarity interrupted. "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."

I knew who "him" was. Prince Blueblood. Princess Celestia's nephew. Also known as Prince Narcissus. Then it hit me. 

If Blueblood is Celestia's nephew, then does that mean he's Luna's son? Or is he adopted? I'm sure it's the latter. 

"Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party," Rarity said, "and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you?"

"Wait a minute, Rarity, Twilight…" I then noticed my hands were suddenly empty. "What the?!"

"Listen girls," Twilight said, "I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to."

"You haven't?!" Pinkie and Rarity asked.

"Excuse me." We all looked to see Fluttershy walking up. Her pet bunny, Angel, had the tickets in his mouth.

That rabbit rascal.

"I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else…" Fluttershy nervously asked.

"You? You want to go to the Gala?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, no," Fluttershy said. Angel then thumped his foot on her. "Oh, no. I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see…"

Fluttershy went on about how there's so many rare and exotic flora and fauna at the gala, and how she wanted to see them all. But I knew what was really going to happen. None of the animals would come close to Fluttershy, and she'll end up going insane. As much as I liked her "YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME!!" rant, I didn't want that to happen again.

I knew it was going to be though, but I had to bring the room down.

"Girls, I know that this Gala means a lot to you," I said, "but…I'm afraid it's not what you think. Pinkie, this gala isn't some sort of big birthday party. This is made by high-class ponies who act in a sophisticated manner. I doubt there's going to be party music and games like here in Ponyville."

"Aww… " Pinkie sighed.

"Fluttershy, these rare creatures may be adorable to you, but it's not like some sort of petting zoo. The animals are pretty shy around ponies, even those good with animals. You may know how to interact with rabbits, birds, and squirrels, but I doubt you know how to interact with wallaroos, toucans, or spider monkeys…

"Uhm...well...I…" Fluttershy tried to say something, but she was speechless. I hated to disappoint my favorite pony, but it was the truth.

"And Rarity, Prince Blueblood wouldn't marry some random mare on the first date. Heck, I don't think he would marry anypony except his own reflection. That stallion is so narcissistic, he'd put Rainbow Dash to shame."

"I heard that!"

Oops…

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight yelled. "Were you following us?"

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe," Rainbow replied. "Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody."

"Wait just a minute!" Applejack appeared. 

"Oh, hey," I said. "Who won the hoof-wrestling?"

"That does not matter!" shouted Rainbow and Applejack.

Apparently, it was a tie.

"Why do you want to go to that gala?" Pinkie asked. "That place is full of people who don't know how to party."

"And the animals are too shy to meet," Fluttershy added.

"Not to mention the royals care for nopony other than themselves," Rarity scoffed. 

"Don't play mind games with me, Marshmallow!" Rainbow said. "How do I know you aren't keeping the ticket for yourself?"

"Marshmallow?! Now see here! I may be white, but I'm not that white!"

Unfortunately, every pony started arguing just like in the show.

"Girls please, stop this," I said. But nopony would listen. 

One of the things I hate the most is when people argue loudly. I don’t mind it when people have their discussions quietly, but when they have to raise their voice, that’s what starts to annoy me.

“Girls! Stop!” I yelled. Still nopony would listen. My blood boiled like broth on a kitchen stove. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“SHUT UP, YOU STUPID PONIES!!!”

I quickly covered my mouth. The entire town was as quiet as a ghost town. Pinkie didn’t even say her oatmeal quote. The girls’ jaws hung open.

“Dear Celestia,” Rarity broke the silence. “That’s the loudest vulgarity I ever heard.”

“Where in tarnation did you hear language like that?!” Applejack asked.

I sheepishly pointed to Twilight.

“Me?!” Twilight asked in shock. “I never said anything like that!”

“What about that time when you’ve read that romance book about that vampire bat pony?”

“It was one time, and it was under my breath!”

“Honestly, Twilight,” Rarity said. “You should be careful what you say around children.”

“Look,” I said. “The point is, Twilight and I have not decided who we should give the ticket to, and arguing isn’t going to help!”

Twilight’s belly rumbled yet again. “And I certainly can’t think straight when I’m hungry. Now go on, shoo.”

The rest of the ponies grumbled as they walked away. Twilight then shot daggers at me.

“You and I are going to have a very serious discussion.”