//------------------------------// // Chapter 3-The Ticket Problem // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship Blazes // by Royal Pony Dude //------------------------------// It was a beautiful sunny morning at Sweet Apple Acres, as Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer spent the day helping Applejack around the farm. They had both been working hard to gather basket after basket of apples from the orchard. Spike and Jake were enjoying a comfy ride along both Sunset and Twilight's back, apparently entertaining themselves by separating the fresh apples from the... Not-so-fresh apples. "No, nope, nope..." Spike muttered, tossing apples from Twilight's basket. "Thanks for allowing us to help on the farm today," Twilight thanked. "Thank you kindly, Twilight and Sunset, for helping me out," Applejack said. "I bet Big MacIntosh that I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's going to walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles." "I'll be honest AJ, I'll pay top bit to see that," Sunset chuckled. "No problem at all, Applejack," Twilight said. "I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry." "I know, right?" Spike asked. "Spike, all we did was separate the good and bad," Jake replied. "Exactly!" Spike said, missing his point. "You three were taking so long, I missed snack time." Then Sunset's stomach growled which blushed like crazy. "Okay, that was embarrassing," Sunset replied. "Ooh, a big one!" Jake found a big, red juicy one but Spike grabbed it from him and ate it. "What the heck man!?" "Tasty?" Spike said then burp out a scroll. "It's a letter from Princess Celestia," Twilight gasped. Spike cleared his throat shortly before opening it. "Hear ye, hear ye," He read aloud. "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, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and one guest." Applejack and Twilight just smile and gasp excitedly. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" "Oh, buck!" Sunset groaned as three tickets came out following a Spike burp. "Look, three tickets!" Spike said. "Wow, great!" Twilight said. "I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" "No, and I plan to keep it that way," Spike said. "I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense." "Aw, come on Spike," Twilight said. "A dance would be nice." "Twi, that place is filled with stuck-ups and snobs, I will die of boredom," Jake exclaimed. "Nice?" Applejack said. "It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes, 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?" "A lot of money," Sunset answered. "Exactly," Applejack said. "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." "Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala," Applejack finished. "In that case, would you like to go, Applejack... Whoa!" Sunset was about to ask before Rainbow Dash came in unexpectedly. "What the buck, Dash! Warn a mare before dive bombing!" "Ugh," Rainbow groaned. It didn't take long for the Pegasus to quickly hop back into the air, while the others were still crouched onto the ground. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?" "Rainbow Dash!" Applejack snapped, rising to her hooves. "You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?" "No, I was busy napping," Rainbow Dash replied. "And I just happened to hear that you two have an extra ticket?” Rainbow finished. "Yeah, but—" "YES!" Rainbow cut off Twilight. "This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now. Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then it would fly Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut," Rainbow continued. "Then I would mesmerize ‘em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild!" "The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member." "Don't you see, guys?" Rainbow asked excitedly. "This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!" Rainbow was suddenly interrupted by a tug against her tail, which brought her down to the ground. "Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here," Applejack said, with a hard spit. "I asked for that ticket first!" "So?" Rainbow shot back. "That doesn't mean you own it." "Oh, yeah? Well, I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. The winner gets the ticket." The two ponies found a nearby stump and began to groan loudly trying to out-stretch each other but Sunset stopped them. "Okay you two, I love that you two are showing who's the stronger mare here, but we were given the tickets, so it's our choice here who gets to go based on the best reason to go." "Drummin' up business for the farm?" Applejack proposed. "A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow proposed. "Money to fix Granny's hip," Applejack added. "Living the dream," Rainbow added. "Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?" Twilight concluded. Just then, both their stomachs start to rumble. The two unicorns chuckle at each other. "Listen to that, I am starving," Twilight said, as Spike climbed on her back. "I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach." "Can't think on empty belly, so, we'll, uh, think about it over lunch, and get back to you two, okay?" "Okay," Applejack and Rainbow said sadly. Once Sunset and Twilight left the farm, the Earth Pony and Pegasus glared at each other. Not wasting a second, they began to arm wrestle once more, determined to prove who was the best. Much later... "So, who are you gonna give the tickets to, you guys?" Spike asked. "I don't know Spike," Twilight admitted. "But I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?" "I was thinking..." Sunset was suggested to something then barreled into them at high speed The quick impact made the tickets float from Spike's hands and land right on Pinkie's nose. "GAH!" Pinkie shouted, dashing about. "Bats! Bats on my face! Help!" Amid her excitement, Pinkie Pie came to a stop when she noticed the front of the tickets, looking very closely. "Wait, these 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!" 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 "With the decorations like streamers and fairy lights and pinwheels and pinatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes sugar canes sundaes and unbeams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!" 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 calorific superbly-terrific gala ever In the whole galaxy! "Oh thank you, Twilight and Sunset," Pinkie said happily. "It's the most wonderful-est gift ever." "Um, actually—" Twilight tried to explain. "GASP!" A pony startled Spike from behind. He turns to see it was just Rarity the fashionista from the Carousel Boutique. "Are these what I think they are?" Rarity asked. "Yes, yes, yes!" Pinkie answered. "Twilight and Chase are taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot." "The gala?!" Rarity exclaimed. "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." That last word Rarity spoke with a rather dreamy tone. "Him!" Pinkie copied her tone, appearing puzzled. "Who?" "Him... 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," Rarity continued. "And the Princess would be so taken by 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, and our hearts would melt," Rarity said dreamily. "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..." Rarity giggled. "...What I would become upon marrying ‘him’, the stallion of my dreams." "Give me a break, Blueblood is not that amazing," Sunset mubmed. "You know who she's talking about?" Twilight asked her. "Yeah, Prince Blueblood, and believe me, Twi, that dude takes stuck up to a whole nother level to the point I can stand him when he's around," Sunset gritted her teeth. "What did he do to you?" "Well, I'll spare the details but he said to me 'I better than you because I'm a ruler of Equestria and I'm stooge for my niece'. But I have the last laugh when I set his royal suit on flames." "Oh, remember that one, he went screaming like a filly," Jake grinned. Twilight and Spike covered their mouths to hide their snickering from the backstory of her little stunt. "Well, I'm sure he was just teasing, darling," Rarity assured. "Yeah let's go with that..." Sunset glared at her. "But Sunset and 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 turned her head with a huff. Before either Twilight or Sunset could answer, Spike noticed a white bunny come up and snatch the tickets from his claws. "Hey!" Spike called out. But the bunny had already dashed away, straight towards... Fluttershy. He climbs upon her head, presenting the tickets from above which made her 'GASP'. "Angel, these are perfect," Fluttershy replied softly. Meanwhile, Rarity and Pinkie shot dirty glares at each other. Well, mostly Rarity, as Pinkie Pie bounced about like a beach ball. "Uh, listen you guys," Twilight said. "We haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to." "You haven't?" Rarity and Pinkie retorted together. "Trust me when I tell you this Rarity," Sunset warned. "You're better off marrying a Windigo than Blueblood." Rarity gasped loudly, looking quite offended by the remark. Before she could retort, however, Fluttershy approached them slowly. She proceeds to come into view between Pinkie Pie and Rarity. "Um, excuse me, Twilight, Sunset," Fluttershy said, gently. "I would just like to ask, I mean if it would be alright if you haven't given it to someone else..." "You?" Rarity exclaimed, knowing what the Pegasus was asking. "You want to go to the gala?" "Oh, no," Fluttershy replied. That answer received a swift jab from Angel Bunny insisting that the Yellow Pegasus go on. "I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see... It's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala, as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance," Fluttershy explained. "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 are loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can hum, and buzzards that can buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays, and pink flamingos!" "Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful..." Twilight asked, unsure of herself. "Oh! Do you know if everything I said is there?" Fluttershy asked excitedly. "The flora, yes. But all the fauna... Well..." "Wait, just a minute!" A familiar raspy voice made Twilight and Sunset look up, as Rainbow Dash stared down at them from the rooftop of a nearby house. "Rainbow Dash!" Twilight retorted as the blue Pegasus flew toward them. "Did you follow us?" Sunset added. "No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe..." Rainbow stumbled. "Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a couple of goody-four-shoes like you two giving that ticket away to just anybody," "Wait just another minute," Applejack called out, approaching Twilight. "Applejack," Twilight replied sternly. "Were you following us too?" "Are you following us too?" Chase asked, heated. "No," She replied quickly. "Thank goodness..." "I was followin’ this one," Applejack motioned to Rainbow Dash. "To make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket." "Your ticket?" Rainbow retorted. "But Twilight and Sunset are taking me!" Pinkie shot back, and then all five points started to argue over each other. "ENOUGH!" Sunset shouted stopping everyone. "And then I said, "Oatmeal, are you crazy—" "Pinkie!" Chase shouted quite angry. Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped once she realized that the arguing had stopped. "Oh..." Pinkie said sheepishly. "There's no use in arguing," Sunset pointed out. "But..." "No buts... This is our decision to make on our own and I can't think for with all this noise," Then her and Twilight's stomachs growled. "Not to mention, hunger. Now please go!" The five mares either walked or flew away, grumbling to themselves. "And don't worry, we'll figure this out..." Twilight added. But the mares had already disappeared, leaving Twilight alone with Spike somewhere to the side, out of sight, and Sunset, who merely sighed. "... Somehow..." Twilight sighed. "Come on," Sunset ushered. "Let's grab some lunch, my treat." The four were at a cafe that Sunset recommended and both couldn't think about who was going to the gala with them. "Oh Spike, Jake? What are we gonna do?" Twilight asked worried. "All five of our best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala." "But who do we choose? Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with us?" Then a waiter came to their table. "Have you made your decision?" He asked, with a French accent. "I CAN'T DECIDE!" She bellowed. Every pony turned and stared at the unicorn sitting straight up, her hooves in the air. Sunset face-hoofed himself, hiding from the embarrassment. "Twilight, he just wants to take your order," Spike points out, toward the menu. Twilight blinked a few times before recomposing herself. "Oh," She replied, calmly. "I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich." "T'll take the toasted hay burger on sourdough please," Sunset requested. "Rosemary Calzone," Jake added. "Do you have any rubies?" Spike asked. The only response from the Professional waiter was an indignant glare. "No? Okay..." Spike sighed, tossing the men behind him. "... I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy." Savior Fare was already walking away before Spike finished placing his order. As Savior Fare went back inside, the group had a brief moment to talk. "What do you think, Spike?" Twilight asked. "I think we have to try another restaurant," Spike answered. "I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" "Spike, only we can eat gemstones, ponies would break their teeth if they did and for Rarity it's for her dresses." "I mean about the gala and the ticket and who I should take!" Twilight snapped. "Oh, you're still on that?" Spike asked annoyed. "Spike, listen," Twilight insisted. She leans toward him on the table with her front hooves, knocking the flower vase off the table. “How do we choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at us? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies." Then she turned her attention to Sunset as she was keeping his eyes on the ticket with an annoyed expression. "Sunset what about you?" "Does it matter?" "What the matter? Is there something you want to tell me?" "I've never been a big fan of the royal events, okay?" "What?" Spike asked her. "It just sucks all alright, I will rather be at Dount Joe's Shop than trying to make small talk with rich dudes," Sunset explained. Then Savoir Fare arrived with their food. "Ah, your food," He replied, setting the plates on the table. Spike and Jake were already munching away, while Twilight and Sunset smiled at their food. "Oh thank you," Twilight sighed. "This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once we eat." "Down the hatch!" Sunset nodded in agreement. They both use their magic to lift the sandwiches to their mouths when the other ponies galloped passed them and into the indoor section of the café. The two unicorns drop their sandwiches back on their plates, turning in confusion. "Uh ma'ams, are you going to eat your food in ze rain?" "It's not raining..." Twilight replied. BOOM! A thunderclap caused the trio to look around, noticing how everywhere, minus their table, was getting a large downpour. "What's going on?" Twilight asked. "Okay, which weather pony goofed and brought this over here?" Sunset asked then a bright spot appeared over them. "Hi there, best friends forever I've ever had!" Rainbow said, sweetly. "Enjoying the sunny weather?" "Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Twilight asked suspiciously. "Whaddya mean?" Rainbow replied innocently. "I just saw the smartest, most generous ponies about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep them dry so they could dine in peace, that's all." Sunset and Twilight shifted looks from Rainbow, the surrounding rain, and their food, to each other, and at Rainbow once more. "Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing extra special favors, are you?" Twilight asked. "No-no-no, of course not." "Uh-huh," Twilight said. "I'm not buying it," Sunset added. "We're not accepting unwanted favors." "So, I'd appreciate it if you closed up that rain cloud right now," Twilight added. "Ugh, fine," Rainbow said. The cyan-blue Pegasus quickly zipped the hole. Sunset just groaned, turning to Twilight indignantly. "That's better," Twilight sighed, pleased with herself. Sunset, Twilight, and their sandwiches were soaked two seconds later from the oncoming downpour. Both groaned in agitation. Just then, Rarity arrived carrying a large purple umbrella. "Twilight! Sunset! It's raining," She said plainly. "No?" Twilight retorted sarcastically. “And we thought someone was dumping the world's largest bucket of water all over us," Sunset added, in the same tone. "Come with me before you catch a cold," Rarity said. The fashionista pulled Twilight away, as Chase watched them leave before he went after them. As soon as they were both inside, Twilight Sparkle and Sun shook the water off their coats and mane. Once dry, they looked as sharp as ever.... Except for Rarity, who got soaked to the bone from all the shaking about and glared at the two. "Heh-heh, oops, sorry,” Twilight said apologetically. "Yeah..." Sunset chuckled timidly. "We probably should've just asked for a towel." "Oh no, it's quite alright," Rarity replied. "After all, we are..." Suddenly, Rarity was completely dry and nuzzled Twilight's side. "... The best friends, are we not? And you know what best friends do?" "Uh..." Based on their expression, both Twilight and Chase were afraid to find out. "Makeovers!" Rarity exclaimed. Rarity shoved a dressing screen in front of her and Twilight, knocking Sunset and the dragons aside as Rarity roughly dressed up Twilight. "Ugh, Rarity, ow!" Twilight groaned. "This isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you, but, ooh, that's too tight!" As the screen was removed, Twilight was fitted in a glittery little dress. "There," Rarity said. "Oh, you're simply darling." Twilight looked at the dress and smiled. "Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?" She replied. Then Twilight looked at Sunset and asked. "Do you like it, Chase?" “Well, you do look very pretty in it, Sparkle," Sunset answered, with a sly smile. Spike made a face, sticking his finger in his mouth then Jake nudged him for doing that. Rarity tried doing measurements on Sunset before he stopped her. “Oh, you don’t have to do that Rarity, I have a dress. And trust me it will look fantastic” Sunset said. Rarity nodded and stopped then went to Spike. "D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!" Spike yelped. Once the screen had moved, Spike was dressed in a very traditional Renaissance-style blue suit with a blonde wig. He looked indignant and embarrassed. "Oh, Spike." Twilight giggled. "Okay, that's pretty neat," Jake added. “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. "Don't worry, by the end of this, he'll come around," Jake said. “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.” Sunset said. “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 and Sunset and Jake. “Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch,” Twilight said as she walked out. “Did somepony say lunch?” Applejack said as she poked her head in and grabbed Twilight. “Ugh. This is gonna be a long day.” Sunset said as he walked forward and saw the cart Applejack pulled her, full of Apple products. “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. "Got it," Sunset nodded. “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. I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!” Twilight said as she started to run off. Jake was in the cart, eating the food in the cart. “So, is that a maybe?” Applejack asked. “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,” Sunset implied. "Can they take a clue that sucking up to us is not help us?" Twilight opens the door. Before her eyes, various animals dusted and cleaned the interior of the library. "You have to be kidding me," Sunset couldn't believe it. Fluttershy, not you too?" Twilight gasped. "Oh, well, hello girls," Fluttershy greeted. "I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you." "It's the middle of summer," Twilight told her. "Oh, well, better late than never, right?" Fluttershy replied, flying next to them. "It was Angel's idea." The little bunny smiled, continuing to toss a salad nearby. "You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?" Sunset asked. "Uh, yes," She answered awkwardly. "No, no, no!" Twilight said firmly. "Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but we're not accepting any extra favors until we've made our final decision, so we're going to have to ask you to leave." Twilight opened the door when a huge burst of confetti blasted through the door. "SURPRISE!" Between shouts from the ponies and the trumpets blowing outside Twilight and Sunset were both whisked away and tossed up and down by a bunch of random ponies, while Pinkie began to sing... Again. Pinkie Pie (Sings): Twilight and Sunset are my best friends Whoopie, whoopie! "Pinkie..." Sunset and Twilight said together. Pinkie Pie (Sings): They're the cutest, smartest, all-around best ponies, ponies! "Pinkie..." They repeated. Pinkie Pie (Sings): I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party! "Pinkie!" They said louder. Pinkie Pie (Sings): They'll give me their extra ticket to the Gala too me! "PIILITIIITINKIIIITIIIIIIIIIIIIE!" The two unicorns shouted so loudly, that the ponies broke away and sent them landing hard on the ground. "Yes, Twilight? Sunset?" Pinkie asked, batting her eyes. "At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket," Twilight said. "Wait, what ticket?" A pony named Drizzle asked. "What Gala?" "Oh, didn't you know?" Pinkie replied. Twilight and Sunset have an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Pinkie finished. "The Grand Galloping Gala?!" The nearby ponies exclaimed. "Oh buck," Sunset groaned. They began to shower them with compliments and offers to get the ticket. "What do we do now?" Twilight asked Sunset the she whispered in her ear then both of them glowed their horns and soon all four of them were gone with no trace. "Where is she?" "Where'd she go?" "She's disappeared? "Where's the handsome mare?" Fortunately, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle didn't get very far, as they had triggered a simple teleportation spell, which landed them right back inside the Grand Oaks Library. Both were quite frazzled from the trip and poor Spike was slightly fried. "Warn me when you going to do that," Spike exclaimed. "That's the trouble with magical surges," Sunset added. "You never know when they happen or what they'll do. They just trigger under moments of extreme stress." "Never mind that quick, lock the doors!" Twilight shouted all of them had locked everything in sight and turned off all the candle lights. "Okay, everything's thing lock up! There's no way they're getting in..." Suddenly, a light came back on... Sunset looked up... to see her five friends with smiles on their faces and for her that was the last straw. "That's it! I can't take it anymore! You five should be ashamed yourself," She snapped at them as her eyes went red. "We have been trying to figure out which of one of you should go with us, without disappointing the others. But all these extra favors and gifts are not helping us and adding more pressure on us!" The five mares didn't take long to realize how upset Sunset and Twilight felt as Applejack walked up to them. She pats a forehoof on Twilight's back but still speaks to both of them. "Twilight, Sunset, sugars," Applejack said gently. "I didn't mean to put so much pressure on the two of you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to someone else. I won't feel bad, I promise." "Me too," Fluttershy added. "I just feel awful that I made you feel/ so awful." "And me too," Pinkie Pie cut in. "It's no fun upsetting your friends." "Twilight, Sunset," Rarity joined in. "It was unfair of me to try and force you as I did." "Same here, not my best feature," Rainbow was the last one. "Breaking the ice, I haven't perfected my tricks to show for the Wonderbolts yet. 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 pointed out. “We’re sorry.” They all said. "Jake, a note please," Sunset requested him as she lifted the three tickets. "Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there are not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though both Twilight and I appreciate the invitation, we will be returning all the tickets for the Gala." "What!?" Applejack and the others were shocked. "If they can't go, we won't go," Sunset said. "Jake, send the letter." Jake released a blue flame that ate up the letter, sending it on its way. "Now you won't get to go to the gala either," Fluttershy said sadly. "It finds, Fluttershy, I rather be with my best friends than the Gala," Sunset said. "Besides, it's a dumb party." "It's okay, girls," Twilight assured. "We couldn't possibly enjoy ourselves without our best friends there with us." "Oh, god," Jake's tummy growled then burp out a letter. "Excuse me." "A letter already," Sunset cock an eyebrow. "Sweet Celestia, dragon mail is pretty quick." "My faithful students, Twilight and Sunset, why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Sunset read it and then came out with seven total tickets. "Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Spike announced. All the ponies in the room gasped, excitedly. "Now we can all go," Twilight declared happily then her stomach started to growl. "Allow us to treat you both to dinner," Rarity offered. "What a great way to apologize," Rainbow declared. Each pony collected their ticket, the lot of them hovering above their heads as they left the house. "And to celebrate!" Pinkie Pie added while exiting. "Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!" As the girls left out, leaving the two dragons in the library. “How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?” Spike asked sadly. “Don’t worry Spike. I left her a PS.” Jake said. As if on cue, Spike burped up another letter. He opened it and read. “And two more for Spike and Jake.” 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.” Jake said. Spike sighed in relief. “But I will make fun of you.” “What!? No!” Spike said. “Too late,” Jake said with a wink as he started running to catch up.