//------------------------------// // The Ticket Master // Story: Stranger in a Strange Land // by Andrew Joshua Talon //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash hummed thoughtfully. She leaned over Ryan's shoulder, as the prince did some calculations on a piece of paper. "Something I can do for you, Miss Dash?" Ryan asked. "Don't call me Miss Dash," Rainbow huffed, "what are you doing?" "Doing some calculations for the magicite reactor," Ryan said, "I'm hoping to improve it. But I gotta do the math for it." "Huh," Dash muttered, "sure about that cosine?" "Yes, I'm sure," Ryan grumbled, "what do you know about it anyway?" "Hey! I know stuff!" Dash huffed. "Why do you think I don't?" "Just a feeling," Ryan said wryly, "you look too hot to know stuff." "Well then you must be a genius," Dash snarked. Ryan blinked, and stared at her. He then grinned. "Okay, that was good," Ryan said cheerfully. Dash preened. "So... You really fought Nightmare Moon in that armor, huh?" Ryan nodded. "Yup," he said. "And you flew?" Dash pressed. "Yeah," Ryan said with a nod. Dash leaned closer over his shoulder. "Who taught you? Princess Celestia?" "No," Ryan said, "First Lieutenant Soarin, of the-" "SOARIN?!" Dash screamed, and Ryan nearly fell out of his wheelchair. He winced as he rubbed his ear, Dash paying no heed as she held tightly onto his armrests. "You know Soarin?! The Wonderbolt?!" She cried. "Yeah. I also have tinnitus now," he quipped. "Could-Could you get me an audience with the Wonderbolts?!" She asked. "I wanna build up my connections before I make my application! I mean, I've been working on training my skills but knowing some Wonderbolts can help me build my credentials!" Ryan gave Rainbow Dash a deadpan expression. "You any good?" Rainbow Dash grinned. "Come out and watch!" She cried, pushing his wheelchair out of the library. She pulled back, and spread her wings. "Watch!" She leaped up, and shot off like a rainbow bolt of lightening. She flew like a rocket, flashing around at high speed in a dizzying array of stunts, twists, and turns. Ryan gaped in shock, and amazement. Dash dropped down, landing with a dramatic flourish. She smirked smugly up at him. "So...? What do you think? Am I Wonderbolts material, or what?" "Well... That is impressive," Ryan said, "but honestly..." Dash grabbed his armrests and leaned in close, smiling seductively and licking her lips. "I can convince you in other ways, too, ya know~," Dash crooned. Ryan gulped as he leaned back. "Uhhh... Think about how that would look though," Ryan said quickly, "I-I mean... You want to earn things on your own merit, right? Not because of connections or anything... Unsavory?" Dash hummed, and pulled back. "Yeah, that's right... But at the same time... I know I'm gonna earn my place with the Wonderbolts! So... We could just get together anyway~? I could be a hot Wonderbolt princess for a hot prince~?" Ryan coughed, turning bright red. "Ahhh... R-Right... How about we save that for after I've recovered?" Dash beamed, all smiles and completely relaxed. "Of course! Let's go get some lunch, huh? Sugarcube Corner?" "Sounds good," Ryan said with a nod. They headed to the bakery and cafe. Ryan ordered some sandwiches. Pinkie Pie bounced up, beaming her usual happy smile. "Heyah! I hope you enjoy the sandwiches! Oh, by the way, Prince Ryan?" "Just Ryan, please," Ryan asked, handing her some bits, "and yes?" "I was wondering about the Grand Galloping Gala?" Pinkie asked, leaning forward, "isn't that a great party? The biggest, greatest party in Equestria?!" Ryan blinked. "Er, yes," he said, "it's a huge party. I've attended every year-" "THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA?!" Dash cried. "WHERE THE WONDERBOLTS WILL BE?!" "Uh, yeah," Ryan managed, "but it's really-" "Can I come?! As your date?!" Dash asked eagerly, gripping his hand. Pinkie Pie immediately grabbed his other hand. "How about with me?! I love parties! Parties are amazing! I am BORN for parties! Couldn't I come instead?!" "Hey, I asked first!" Dash growled. "Yeah, but I asked better!" Pinkie Pie stated. "See? This way you can get me a connection with the Wonderbolts without favoritism!" Dash said cheerfully. She shot him a seductive look. "Though we can still have fun on the date..." "I'M TWICE AS FUN!" Pinkie Pie cried. "Oh boy..." Ryan sighed. "I'll wrestle you for it!" Pinkie Pie cried. "I'll win!" Dash insisted. "Ooh! I'll wrestle her in Chocolate if you'll take me?" Pinkie asked. Ryan sighed. "Mind if I have some time to think on this?" He asked. "Oh sure! Take all the time you like~," Dash said with a grin. "Absolutely! All the time you need," Pinkie added, "in fact, why don't I pay your bill?" "How dare you try to bribe the prince!" Dash cried. "When I can bribe him even better!" "How so?" Pinkie sniffed. She shoved Ryan's face into her cleavage with a smirk. "I'll let you name our first foal!" "Dash!" Ryan groaned. "Okay, first and second!" "How you gonna have even one with such small hips?" Pinkie teased. Dash growled. "I'm hot! And not fat!" "These are foal bearing hips, thank you!" Pinkie sniffed. Ryan sighed. Applejack entered the cafe, spied poor Ryan's predicament, and elbowed her way between Dash and Pinkie Pie. She grabbed Ryan's wheelchair, and handily carried him out of the cafe. "HEY! Bring him back!" Dash cried. "He has to decide!" Pinkie Pie added. "He ain't gonna decide if you two are pickin' over him like two buzzards!" Applejack hissed. She slammed her hoof down, and the floor rumbled ominously. Pinkie Pie backed up, while Dash scowled. "We could arm wrestle for him," Dash offered with a grin. Appejack snorted. "Ah'd win," she stated, carrying Ryan right out. She sprinted, galloping hard, handling Ryan like a barrel of apples. She didn't stop until they were in her apple orchards. Which is when she set down his wheelchair, under a shady tree. Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Applejack, much appreciated," Ryan said. "Now... About that Grand Galloping Gala?" Applejack asked. Ryan looked up and recognized the mercenary glint in her eyes. He groaned. "Aw, come on Applejack, you're a noble already-" "Shhh!" Applejack hissed. "Sure ah am, but that don't mean ah got an invitation," she said, "besides, ah gotta advertise mah wares somehow." "You do know the whole event is catered, right?" Ryan asked. Applejack snorted. "Sure, but once they get a taste o' mah wares... Ah'll be rolling in dough!" She grinned. "And... If you take me, ah'll be able to do so, without anypony wiser bout mah status, got it?" "Yeah yeah," Ryan sighed. Applejack leaned in and beamed, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Ah'd consider it... A personal favor, ya know~?" Ryan sighed heavily. "Come on, ya ain't gonna say we don't have a connection, do you?" "Yeah, we do, and the string is getting mighty taut right now," Ryan groused. Applejack held up her hands and smiled in appeasement. "Sorry, sorry. Little too strong there. Jest... Ah wanna stand on mah own two hooves, ya know?" "By asking me to be your date?" Ryan deadpanned. "Power o' friendship?" "Yeah yeah," Ryan sighed. "Look, I'll think about it. I really will-" "RYAN!" Ryan looked up to the sky, seeking some divine assistance, just before Twilight wrapped him in a tight, desperate hug. "Hey Sparkle," Ryan said, "you got a golden ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala too?" "Yes!" Twilight cried, "well I mean, no! I mean, I got two! And now, everypony's after me!" "Ah, eheh, imagine that," Applejack said, her cheeks burning bright red. "Yes, imagine that," Ryan deadpanned. "So," Twilight said, "maybe we could figure out a plan? How many tickets did you get?" "I didn't get any-" Philomenia appeared in a burst of fire, and dropped an envelope in Ryan's hands. The phoenix then vanished. Ryan rolled his eyes as he opened the envelope. "She's such a drama queen," he muttered. "Oh hey... I got two tickets too. What a surprise." "So, four o' us can go!" Applejack said cheerfully. "No, only Ryan and myself, and two others!" Twilight sighed. Applejack hummed, then grinned. "Twi? If you convince Ryan t' take me? Ah'll let you and Big Mac go together." Twilight turned bright red. She began to play with her hair nervously. "Y-You.... Mean... You'd... With Big Mac...?" "Glad to know you're a mare of principles," Ryan deadpanned. "I DIDN'T SAY YES!" Ryan would have continued, but he was interrupted... By a bear. A very large bear, who grabbed him and his wheelchair and carted him off quickly. "UWAAAAHHHH!" Ryan shouted. "HELP!" "RYAN!" Twilight and Applejack cried... Just as some bees flew at them. "AHH!" "NOT THE BEES!" I'm beginning to feel like luggage, Ryan thought sourly. The bear carried him all the way out to... Oh no... Fluttershy's cottage? Yeah, it was Fluttershy's cottage the bear was hustling him over to. He was plopped down in front of her door. A moment later, the door opened, and Fluttershy was all over him like a nervous hen over her chicks. "Are-Are you all right, Prince Ryan? Were you hurt? Are you feeling okay? I'm sorry Harry was so rough... I told him to be gentle...!" The bear growled his displeasure. Fluttershy shook her head. "You should have been more careful!" "I'm fine," Ryan sighed, "and let me guess... You want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?" Fluttershy blinked. "The Grand Galloping Gala? Is-Is that why everyone's acting so strange? I didn't know. Oh dear, maybe I shouldn't have asked those bees to run interference..." Ryan laughed, in some disbelief. He shook his head. "So... You don't want to go to the Grand Galloping Gala?" "Ah, well..." Fluttershy wavered, poking her fingers together, "um... I mean, I'd be happy to go with you... The Royal Gardens are full of such amazing animals, and I'd love to see them... But I wouldn't want to force you to go with me." She smiled warmly. "So... It's all right," she said, "whatever you decide." Ryan blinked. He blinked again. "Do you want to go with me to the Grand Galloping Gala then?" Fluttershy blushed deeply, covering her cheeks. "I-I... Um... I-I just... I-I would... I um... That is...!" Ryan beamed, leaning forward. "Yes...?" Fluttershy looked down at something tugging on her skirt. She blinked at her little white rabbit, whom Ryan had seen around. The rabbit scowled at her. Fluttershy took a deep breath, and nodded. "Y... Yes...!" "WAIT!" Twilight stormed up, panting hard as she tried to catch her breath. "W-Wait! Wait! I'm so sorry, but I really-!" "Twilight, I asked Fluttershy already," Ryan stated. Twilight blinked. "Oh?" "And she said yes," Ryan stated. Twilight sighed deeply, drooping softly. It did hurt him a bit, but... "Oh... Well... Um..." Ryan smiled and winked. "But I'll save you a dance, huh?" He said. Twilight smiled gently back. "I... I appreciate that," she said softly. Twilight stood up taller, and turned away. She discretely wiped her eyes. "But... How are we going to resolve this? I still just have two tickets...!" Ryan rolled his eyes. "Just ask Mom for some more tickets," he said, "I mean, you're her apprentice." "Also, we're all now Dames of the Realm for saving the world from Nightmare Moon," Fluttershy pointed out. Twilight gaped. "Wait, we are?!" "Yes, it was in my mail this morning," Fluttershy said. She blinked. "Why didn't anypony else check it...?" "RYANNNNN!" Rarity, dressed to the nines in an ornate, elaborate dress, staggered the final few steps and tackled Ryan out of his wheelchair. "GWAH!" "TAKE ME TO THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA! I WILL HAVE ALL YOUR FOALS!" "URK!" Ryan groaned, "please...!" "Rarityyy!" Fluttershy cried, "he already asked me! Let him go! Um, please?" "Hurts so much... Dying... I can see the light..." "You're killing him, Rarity!" Twilight shouted. "Mommy... Help... Dying...!" "It's killing me!" Rarity wailed. "Save meee...!" Near Applaloosa... The Great and Powerful Trixie was relaxing in the bright sunshine of the desert atop her caravan. She was exhausted after four shows in one day for the newly established town. It was tiring, but a nice change from the crowds in Las Pegasus. She stretched out her arms over her head, moaning softly as she twisted her hips atop her beach chair. She was dressed in just a bikini, a mouth watering sight if she did say so herself. It was nice to get back to the grind though. Especially after that long night. It had been terrifying, all alone... And hearing the booms and bangs of some distant battle. Being out in the sticks meant she didn't know what had happened... But seeing a delivery bird with a newspaper clutched in its talons made her smile. The bird landed, and held out the paper. Trixie took it, and held out a bit to the bird. It took the tip, and flew off with a flourish. Trixie rolled her eyes. "Show off," she muttered, as she opened the copy of the Daily Equestria. Her eyes locked onto the front page... And they went wide. Her jaw dropped in shock and disbelief. There, displayed in black and white... In a hospital bed, covered in bandages and surrounded by mares... "RYAN?!" Trixie shrieked, jumping off her deckchair. She kept reading... Even as she fell off the roof of her caravan. "AAHHH-OOF!" "Gotcha, Miss Trixie!" Trixie barely nodded to the handsome Earth stallion man, jumping out of his arms. "Th-The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you, what's the fastest route to Ponyville?!" The cowcolt blinked, and pointed at the nearby railroad. "Follow the railroad, it'll lead right to Ponyville Junction-" Trixie lit up her horn, and her caravan folded up in on itself. She summoned her clothes and cloak with a dramatic flourish. She made her pointed hat appear, and pressed it onto her head. She hopped up onto the front seat of her caravan. "GO!" Trixie shouted, her wheels squealing as the caravan took off at high speed, heading up the railroad. Braeburn blinked as the unicorn mare shouted something loudly behind her. "TRIXIE'S COMING, RYANNNNN!" Braeburn took off his hat, and scratched the top of his head. "Something I said...?"