//------------------------------//
// do I even belong here? 
// Story: Where do I belong? 
// by AppleLauda99942 
//------------------------------//

It was a nice warm afternoon in Ponyville. A smart pony who's name is Niki spends time with his friends in a park.
after having a picnic that Fluttershy prepared, it was time for some group activities, such as playing hoofball (on december 16th, the Autoball world championship takes place) or playing hide and seek. "well... where did they hide?" Niki says to himself. Because he knows his friends so well, he looks at the hiding spots where he believes that his friends did hide at their usual hiding spots. After checking all of their usual hiding spots, Niki grows in realization." I should have known that they will hide somewhere else".
Then Niki does the 5 head move and finds Starlight first. "nice try Starlight" Niki says.
Starlight giggles. "darn it... I thought I was safe there"



The next afternoon

Niki is walking towards sugarcube corner and enters the room. 
"hey everypony" Niki says smiling. 
"hey Niki, how are ya?" Rainbow Dash asks. 
"I'm fine, how about you?" Niki answers. 
"we're having a great time Niki, how about joining us?" Pinkie Pie suggests. 
All of the seats except for two were occupied. Niki sits down on the chair that is placed at another table, just a few inches away from his friends. 
Suddenly, Starlight comes in. 

Starlight waves her left hoof. "hey everypony" the Unicorn says. 
"hey Starlight" the group greets back. Niki feels a lump in his throat but holds his depression back.
"what are you doing there all alone by yourself Niki?" Starlight asks. 
"don't worry about me... I'm fine" Niki answers as he choked in between of his words. 
"Are you okay over there Niki?" Twilight asks. 

that was it. As Twilight's words came out, tears were forming in Niki's eyes. Starlight shuts the door to prevent Niki from running away.
Fluttershy speaks up. "shall we go upstairs?"
"that's a good idea" Applejack responds.
"I'll make sure everything what could harm him or even worse is getting out of reach" Pinkie says as she runs up to get rid of all potential suicide tools.

Niki fights with holding back his tears as his vision becomes blury. Then Rainbow walks up to him.
"hey... It's okay to show sadness. I mean it's a part of us" the Pegasus explains.
a slight but sad groan comes from Niki. "I don't want to be called weak"
"who said that you're weak when you're crying?" Starlight asks.

Niki was done... He bursted into tears as Starlight's words came out. Starlight and Rainbow are pulling him into a hug.
"I know that you want to talk to us but you can't" Applejack says as she walks over to Niki. "come on, let's bring you upstairs" the farm pony adds as she lifts Niki on her back. "Sweet Celestia how light are you?"
"I haven't eaten in days" Niki cries out in confession as the group walk upstairs.
"want a cupcake?" Pinkie asks.
"no thanks... I don't feel hungry" Niki answers in a sad tone.
"but you have to eat something... or else you might starve to death" Fluttershy explains in a scared tone.
"I'll be fine..." Niki cries. "but I... I-I don't understand why... why does no one want to hire me?"
"you're afraid of losing everything what you've got are you?" Rarity asks.
Niki nods as he breaks down as he gets pulled into a tight but soft group hug.
"if I don't have a job, I can't earn money to pay my rent and to get something to eat and drink" Niki explains.
Pinkie starts bouncing up and down. "we'll help you to get a job"
"thanks everypony... I owe you something" Niki says as he wipes his tears out of his eyes.
"ya' don't owe us anything sugarcube" Applejack said.


Finally, Niki's dream of becoming a fashion designer had become true thanks to Rarity. Since that happened, Niki's mental health has significantly improved and a few days later, better said on a Saturday, Niki meets his friends again.

"hey Niki, how's it going in your job?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"to be honest I can't bring it in words everypony..." Niki answers. "I really owe you something"
"you don't owe us anything darling" Rarity says as Niki's eyes tear up. But these tears were tears of joy.

"do you even know how thankful I am to have you everypony?" Niki cries out.
"of course we know that Niki" Starlight Glimmer explains. "You don't need to do something in return for us."
But Niki has other plans. As the great galopping gala is approaching, Niki designes dresses for his friends.
"oh my... Well looks like we need new dresses" Starlight notices.
"yep... But where's Niki? I haven't seen him for weeks" Fluttershy mentiones.
Pinkie starts guessing. "well maybe he's doing something for us because we helped him out of his depression and prevented him from committing suicide at the possible cost of missing the gala!!!"
Then Fluttershy speaks up. "or something is wrong with him, or maybe even worse!!!"
"that's nonsense Fluttershy" Applejack says. "Niki actually might do something for us and puts a lot of effort in it"

Then, a Pony enters sugarcube corner. It's Niki!!! But he comes with those dresses he made all by himself.
"hey everypony, I made some nice dresses for you" Niki says and reveals the dresses.
"oh my goodness... Niki... What have you done?! These are the best dresses I've ever seen!!!" Rarity squeaks.
"thanks Rarity... I made them because you hel-" Niki says as Rainbow Dash puts her hoof against his lips.
"Niki really... You don't need to owe us anything. But you've done it anyways... Honestly if you die because of an tragic accident, I will be the first one to cry" Rainbow Dash says.

And with that, Niki and his friends are leaving for the grand galopping gala in the evening, which will turn out that it will be one of the best nights they ever had.






This marks the end of this story