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"Twilight steps down the stage after her speech. She was greeted by her friends waving at the side and flew up to them."

Yeah, if you weren’t trying to bore them to sleep “Applejack hits Rainbow dash on the hoof.” I-I mean . . . great speech Twilight. Really knocked them out of the park.

“Starlight walks in their conversation. She carries drinks with her magic and passes to each of them.” But if you did, you’ll probably will bore the ponies to sleep.

Very funny. Seeing as you two weren’t the one up on stage. I like to see you make a speech based on your learnings.

"Starlight laughs and gives Twilight a drink." I’m sorry Twilight, I was just kidding. Anyway, it looks to me like everyone’s getting along with one another just fine.

Yes just like I said before Starlight. With friendship in their hearts, harmony thrives.

“Fluttershy points over at the table and they saw the Pie cousin talking. They were concerned, watching Pinkie pie pull her cousin's hoof. They nodded and went over to the Pie cousin to check up on them.”

"Pizza pie steps back and faces Twilight and the others." Oh, U-Uh . . . Uh . . Yeah Twilight, I'm fine. It's nothing cousin is being pushy. "She awkwardly laughs." You how excited she gets.

They know that I was just introducing her to everycreature to make friends with but cousin here's been acting weird all day.

And Pizza pie, we’re your new friends. If there’s anything that’s bordering you can share it with us.

"She looks at her new friends and feels bad for worrying them." Sigh . . . It’s about the social gathering . . . Other than this being my first time attending. I'm just overwhelmed by all this. I mean I haven't seen or met any dragons, griffins, changelings, Yanks, or hippogryphs.

Was that really you're nervous about? Because you don't act like just before you met Discord.

What?! that's not true! he has nothing to do with this! He doesn't know anythin-

Oh dear, did he say something mean to you? Tell me and I'll go march right up to him and tell him to apologize-

No please don't make this a big deal. He didn't say anything, I was just intimidated by him.

"The ponies were puzzled and looked at each other. Looking at Pizza pie and the tune from her voice, Pinkie pie doubts her cousins' words and starts to assume her actions. Applejack gets close to Pizza pie and pats her back."

Applejack is right “said Fluttershy.”. I-It’s true that meeting new friends feel that way, especially when you’re in a crowd full of unfamiliar faces, looking at you suspiciously, their eyes all over you, waiting for you to say a word- “She looks at Pizza pie who's feel more tense than before.” Uhh. . . I-I mean it’s not that bad . . .

Smooth."Rainbow dash flies next to Pizza pie." Look Pizza, You don't need to worry about anything. Discord is just scaring you, but overall he's cool. Well, some of the time.

I have the same problem too Pizza. ”said Starlight.”. When I first moved to Ponyville, I wasn’t sure about meeting other ponies either. I could've just do what Twilight tells me and solved some friendship problems but, in time I made a few friends along the way.

Starlight is right. You don’t have to force yourself into making new friends. Do it on your own phase, you already made friends with us. And if you're confident enough to open to others then that's up to you.

Well . . .Ok, thank you again Twilight and everypony. And I’m sorry if you have to worry about me. . .

Oh, it’s fine. There’s nothing for you to be ashamed of if you have any friendship problems. Everyone does, including me.

Yup, and when Twilight does have friendship problems, she either gets stressed out, panicked, or stressed out then panic.

In that case, "Rainbow dash rull Starlight aside." I’ll fill you in on the details because boy, do you need some catching up to do Starlight!

Relax Twilight. If I told her the story, you'd deny it instantly like last time.

Only you share it with your students during your class. You're supposed to teach them about loyalty.

Uh, Twilight it is a lesson. It's about Not having a panic attack during a friendship problem.

"Sand bar and the students from the friendship school walk up to their teachers."

Yes mam. We were just gonna ask Professor Rainbow dash if she can share some of your paran- "Sand bar leans behind Twilight and sees Rainbow dash crossing her head to stop." Uh- her lessons with us. We didn't take notes on it last time.

Yeah sure why not! With every detail but, uhh . . . Let’s talk about it over there where no one's gonna bother us. "Rainbow dash pushes Starlight and the students away from Twilight, and goes to the other side."

Hmmmmmm. "Twilight stares angrily at Rainbow dash, then turns to her friends.' While Rainbow shares her lessons to the students I'll be with the pillars, cooling my head a bit. I'll deal with her later. Enjoy the rest of the night girls.

“The ponies went separate ways, leaving Pie cousins alone. Pinkie waves at her friends, then she turns to her cousin, putting her hoof over her cousin, and pats her back.”

Cousin, I'm sorry I was being pushy. Maybe I was over-excited about you making your own friends.

No, it was my fault if I didn't notice how tense you were. But not to worry! Because knowing you, you can make friends easily. After all were Pies but also we look alike!

Way ahead of you! "Pinkie slides all the slices of cake from her plate to her mouth." Bet you can't tell which cake these came from.

Oh, I will. I remember all the cakes we baked. “Pizza pie nods and follows Pinkie pie.” Wanna race on it?

“As the Pie cousins rush over to the table, Discord is watching them from the side. He snaps a drink in his hand and takes a sip. Then he sees in the bottom of his glass, Princess Luna heading in his direction. Discord waves at her then he snaps another drink and offers it to her.”

. . . “She looks at him and accepts the drinks.” . . . Thank you. It's been a while since we had a decent talk to.

Indeed it was. And you weren’t the easiest to stop, also unpredictable and difficult even when we tried to reason with you.

Well, what can I say, when you have the power to rip the fabric of reality what's the point it is to give into reason?

That is exactly how you were imprisoned in the first place. You never think about the consequences you’ve caused for the ponies in Equestria but instead, all of it is just for your own personal gain.

Oh, I love to hear more about my past sins, but it’s all behind us dear Luna. You should accept it and move on.

“Discord was surprised and turned to Luna, with anger on her face. He paused, his guilt from the incident built up, and couldn't bare to deny it. ”

It was a vision and I never forget Discord. That grim moment haunts me every time I set hoof in the dream realm. That's what causes the Tartarus to break out of my control.

I had to compensate that Nightmare with another Nightmare so that way it wouldn't escape. But it seems it wasn't enough and it did.

You were the cause of it! If you hadn’t been so selfish over power, the Tartarus and all those horrible times would have been prevented! Your imprisonment, being Nightmare Moon, My banishment, all of it, wouldn't happen!

“Luna's frustration was heard by a few ponies around them. They slowly walked away pretending they didn't hear anything. Discord couldn't give a proper response, knowing Luna knew the incident puzzled him. But he shrugs it off and snaps her a handkerchief and hands it to her.”

“She wiped her face and replied.” Yes and No. . . . I-I don’t even know If I could ever forgive you. . .

Don’t be. . ."He snaps a copy of himself." What my actions before was the old Discord. The new Discord today is no longer following the footsteps of the old Discord. "He pulls out a leaf blower and blows away his copy turning into leafs." I was released from my second imprisonment by your sister because she bluntly believed that I could change.

Well, there were many potholes along the way, and may have even foolishly betrayed everyone a few times. . . but you know what?

Tia was right, I did change but I didn’t do it alone. I got my friends to help me, especially Fluttershy.

“Discord waves at Fluttershy by the Punch table, she waves back and drops the ladle onto a pony’s hoof. She bows to apologize and picks up the ladle.”

“Discord and Princess Luna share a toss as to accept their neutrality. Discord snaps another drink, refilling their Drinks. But inside, her doubts of him won't go away neither is Discords' suspicions of her vision. Meanwhile, the Pie cousins are still going over their little competition.”

Hmmm! MMmmmm!!! These cakes are good, I haven’t tasted any of Mrs. Cakes’ baking before they were ready.

I know right? “ said Pinkie, with her face stuffed in Icing.” Mrs, Cakes’ baking is one of a kind. I mean I can't bake a cake like she can.

Well, your baking is special too cousin. It’s uhh . . . what you call it your own one of a kind.

AH! You're right! Thanks cousin. Those were the exact words that I like to hear from you.

All the nice words coming from you silly! You may not know it yet, but I do have a pinkie sense when you say nice things about me.

Pinkie sense? like how you knew I was gonna burst at the door during your visit?

Oh, "Pizza pie giggles and wipes Pinkie's cheeks." I have my own Pinkie sense too you know.

Ohhhh, good one cousin you had me there. "Pinkie giggled." Oh! we haven't tasted this one yet.

“Pinkie goes over the big cake next to them. She takes two slices and passes one to her cousin. They smiled and tasted the slice together.”

Definitely! It’s one of my favorite sweets back in Mitaly, Though Papa wouldn’t let me eat some, so when he wasn’t around I sneaked out to go to the candy shop just around the corner. I bought myself a few bars of chocolate and only ate them late at night.

Oh, oh! Well, you don't have to worry about sneaking out. Because I got tons of chocolate right below my- “Suddenly Pinkie pie’s stomach starts to rumble. She holds her belly and sits on the floor.” Owh . . .

I-I’m fine cousin “Her stomach growls loudly, as it’s getting worse.” But my Tummy isn’t. Owww . . . I-I’ll be heading to the little mare's room . . .

No, don’t, I don’t want you to worry about me. You should be having fun tonight and eating cake.

And besides, I get tummy aches all the time “Her stomach growls even louder.” But not like this one. I-I’ll be right back cousin . . . Owh. . . aw aw aw aw . . . Make way, make way! This is a tummy emergency! Clear the path!

“Pinkie pie passes through the crowd and rushes to the rest room leaving her cousin at the table alone. Pizza pie looks around seeing many unfamiliar faces, her tension slowly builds up. But she shakes it off her mind and waits for Pinkie to return. Without knowing, a group of ponies were looking at her curiously. They nod at each other and walk up to Pizza pie, startling her.”

Huh?! “Pizza pie turns around and sees two ponies in front of her.” Oh! uh . . . Yes I am.

Really? I didn't see you around just now. Welcome to Ponyville. My name is Bon Bon and this is Lyra. "Lyra smiles and waves behind Bon Bon." It's nice to meet you.

Ok Pizza pie, just like I practice. . . . Nice to meet you both. I’m Pizzania- Ehem. . . Pizza pie I'm-

Pizza pie? “said Lyra” You don't happen to be related to Pinkie pie are you?

Mitaly? Are you serious? Pinkie never mentioned it before, that's amazing! Bon did you hear? She's Pinkie's cousin from from Mitaly-

Yes Lyra, I heard her the first time. You have to excuse her, she's just a bit jumpy tonight. Probably with all that sugar! "Bon Bon angrily turns to Lyra while taking another slice of cake at the table." I told you to take it easy with the chocolate ones!

"Pizza pie chucked and replied." I know somepony else whos always jumpy too.

“Bon Bon laughs.” I know which pony you're talking about. So Mitaly huh? that's out of the region. What made you decide to move here?

Well, it’s a long story actually. You see I made a promise to Pinkie we live together- So far so good, no one suspects anything yet. if I keep this up, I can make some friends here so cousin Pinkie won't worry about me too much.

So is Mitaly a great place to stay? I heard stories that its the Alicorns' capital region back in millennia.

It's not a story Lyra, it's a historical fact that even the Princess of friendship is aware of it.

Y-Yes it is. "said Pizza pie." There were old ruins in the capital you can visit so-

What are ponies there usually like? What's your job there? is there a Sugar Cube Corners there too?

“The ponies heard Lyra and gathered together around Pizza pie. She remains calm and tries to entertain them. Meanwhile, Princess Luna noticed the commotion at the other table. She sees the mare from before who's surrounded by other ponies. She noticed the mare was uncomfortable talking. She turned to Discord who's waving at Fluttershy.”

“Discord looks at where Luna was pointing while eating a sandwich.” Oh, mmm . . . her? Glup Oh that’s just Pinkie pies’ copycat cousin, what’s her name again . . . mmmm . Ah yes, Pizza pie.

Can't you tell the way she looks? Well, Pinkie's mane is easy to mimic even I can do it. "He snaps his claws and gains a pinkie pie mane." It's bizarre if you think about it.

How can you say it's bizarre? Just because one has the same mane as the other doesn't mean-

Well, how can you explain the cutie mark then? It's eerily similar to Pinkie's but alternate color. You don't see anypony with the same cutie mark, yet alone being relatives.

Discord, you have no right to judge one's destiny by its similarity of cutie marks.

Even so Luna. But judging by this ponys' actions, her cutie mark is nothing more than just for show. compensating her insecurity of finding her own destiny. Or better phased it, wasted the time mimicking someone else.

“Princess Luna and Discord turn back to Pizza pie spectating her. More ponies gather around her, making her fell uncomfortable. She tries to entertain them as calmly as possible, but suddenly she hears something whispering behind her ear.”

Don't play dumb, they know you're lying to their faces. Everypony suspects it.

“Ponies around her fade black, becoming a silhouette. Their voice muffled and echoed loudly. The ballroom gets wider and the ceiling starts to stretch higher. Pizza pie's sweat falls down her forehead, slides to her nose, and drips onto her drink. She looks down, still reapplied from her sweat. As it clears she sees a reflection of herself with her old mane and eyes covered.”

!!!!! "Pizza drips her drink and spills on the floor. Her reflection still appears in the drink."

"Pizza closes her eyes and covers her ears tight. But she can still hear the voice, passing through her covered ears. She tries to ignore it but it gets louder and echoes in her mind. She opens her eyes, looks up, and sees her old rehearsal room. Everything is in grey including her. She sees a group of fillies whispering and at the other side is her younger self. Alone and quiet."

"The fillies laugh at Pizza pie. Without realizing it, she became her younger self wearing the robe. Behind the fillies is her current self, eyes covered, and gives an eerie smile. "

"Every creature heard her scream. Pizza pie was back in the ballroom. She froze and looked down at her spilled drink seeing only her current reflection. She then turns to Bon Bon, Lyra, and everyone else looking at her confused."

Don't look what? “Bon Bon leans down and grabs the cup on the floor.” You drop your drink and you just scream all of a sudden-

Stay back! “Pizza pie slaps the cup from Bon Bon's hoof. Her breath tightens and her vision blurs.” No I-

I-Uh . . . "Pizza pie looks at the two ponies. She steps back, scared of what she did." I didn'-

Lyra I'm fine, it's nothing. "She turns to Pizza pie, looking concerned." Pizza are you ok? you don't look good?

D-Don't look good? "She Misheard Bon Bon, her eyes wander, and sees everyone whispering around her." I-I guess I'm- . . . I gotta go.

"Pizza pie ran away from the crowd and didn't look back. " Why is this happening?! Everything went so well from the start. This all happened when I bumped into him again! Is he messing with my head?! Make the voices stop!-

W-what?! "Pizza pie opens her eyes, she sees Fluttershy up ahead waving her hooves to stop." Whoa WHOAAAAAA!!!!!

“Pizza pie tries stopping but slips and crashes into Fluttershy punch table. The crash can be heard across the room and everyone's attention. Twilight and the rest of the ponies ran up to the scene, to see what the commotion was about. As they did, they saw a huge mess over the punch table. Fluttershy and Pizza pie were soaking wet from the spilled punch. They were surprised and went to help the two mares.”

I'm Alright I guess . . . "Pizza pie quickly see Fluttershy flip upsidedown on the pile of cups. She rushes over to her and helps her get up." Ohgosh! Fluttershy I'm so sorry are you ok?

I-I'm fine Pizza pie . . It's nothing too serious, How about you? Are you ok?- GASP!!

Phew . . . I thought I would never leave the bathroom. . . Huh? "Pinkie spots a crowd gathering in her direction." Oh, what’s going on over there? Did somepony start a Kanga line without me?! Hey, I wanna Kanga bomb! “She walks in the crown, squeezing hrself through as she goes up front.” Um, excuse me, pardon me, excuse me, whoops my bad. Now, what’s everypony looking . . . . at . .

“Pinkie pie made it in front and sees the mess at the table. She sees Fluttershy soaked in punch while Pizza pie helps her. To her surprise, she sees her cousin's tomato-colored showing from her soaked mane. But the crowd was shock that Pinkie didn't notice. Her cousin's balloon cutie mark had slowly washed away. Pinkie pie was stunned, couldn't believe what she saw. Pizza pie quickly notice her pink cousins presence and turns to her. Knowing she was caught she could think of an explanation.”

~ End of chapter 9

Full Friendship's Magic #2 (A Pie's white lie)

by Reykatan

Scroll of Modesty Chapter 9: The Awkward Gathering