1. The Party
The grand hall was luxuriously decorated; brilliant banners hung down from the rails of the mezzanine. Painstakingly hoof-crafted ice sculptures lined the walls on the ground floor, each one skillfully created into distinct and unique shaped. Some were unicorns, others pegasi and earth ponies. In between the frozen statues stood gilded marble pillars, topped with the most artistic capitals. Precious, one-of-a-kind paintings littered the walls, and priceless artifacts sat in glass cases just below them.
On the far wall of the ballroom sat a line of tables absolutely covered in entrees, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and sides. Several chocolate and fondue fountains had even been fit into the assembly. Dozens of round tables, seating eight each, filled the area just behind the dance floor. On the tables were the finest silk tablecloths money could buy, and place settings of fine porcelain plates and genuine silverware. Crystal glasses and silk napkins flanked the plates, and a vase of the most beautiful and exotic flowers completed the arrangement.
The dinner was to precede the dance, and scores of the wealthiest and most famous ponies arrived, checking in their heavy overcoats, worn for the cold night. Unimaginably fancy stallions and mares, donning expensive ball gowns and tailcoats, conversed with each other over matters of business, politics, racing, elegance and the latest gossip of Canterlot.
The air was saturated with the dignified "yeses" and "quites" endemic to the cultured speech of the upper class.
But one presence broke that mold, bringing a different sort of culture into the formerly homogenous setting.
A yellow mare, her mane a pretty shade of red, just entered the building. Her eyes bulged out form her head at the sight of such an expensively decorated room. She carefully took in all that she saw, trying to pace herself. The mare was so fixated on the environment that she didn't notice a young colt talking to her.
"...Ma'am...ma'am...ma'am..." A gangly light blue unicorn kept addressing the zone-out earth pony. After about the sixth time, she snapped back into reality.
"Huh...Oh yes sorry! What do ya need?" She asked in her country drawl.
"I'm here to take your coat."
Applebloom slipped the garment off herself, revealing the expertly sewn gown beneath it. It matched her mane perfectly. "Thank you!" She smiled and reached into her purse slung about her neck. When her hoof came out, at least 30 bits came out with it. She hooved it to the colt, causing the pony's face to light up.
"No no no...Thank YOU!" He quickly put the money into his golden vest’s pocket.
Applebloom proceeded inside, still awe-stricken at the room. Its carefully tiled floor, the vaulted ceiling bearing a hoof-painted mural of the heavens; and at the front of the room was an orchestra of several ponies, most notably a grey cellist masterfully plucking the strings of her instrument. Violas and violins, as well as the harmonies of a grand piano, accompanied the musician.
This party was perhaps more fancy that the Grand Galloping Gala. Maybe.
Applebloom continued towards the tables, looking for her assigned seat. Sure enough, just as she was at all these formal gatherings, the yellow pony was put right next to the bathrooms. As was the rest of her family.
Her older sister and brother, and green grandmother, had arrived by train from Ponyville the previous night. Applebloom had been too busy attending to business matters that she did not have a chance to meet them before they left for the ball. She could see by the bags and trademark brown Stetson that they were here.
Placing her belongings at her spot, Applebloom left to find her relatives. Sifting through the none-minding uptight ponies, she scanned the room, looking for any signs of the orange or red farmers. So focused was Applebloom on her quest that she bumped into a large unicorn.
Lightly jostled, Applebloom shook her head and immediately apologized.
"Ah'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Her eyes widened at the stallion she ran into.
"Oh that's quite alright. I'll be just fine, my dear. Good to see you again, Applebloom!"
"Fancypants!" The earth pony's face beamed at the sight of the white unicorn, his mane and mustache perfectly groomed, his monocle perfectly adjusted, and his bow tie perfectly tied.
"I do believe I have seen your sister and brother around here. Last I saw them, they were over by the balcony upstairs." Though his speech was dignified, it was never condescending.
"My Applebloom, you do clean up VERY nicely, if I may say." Said Fancypants' companion, a slim, tall unicorn, her mane a light shade of pink.
The yellow mare blushed. "Why thank you kindly! Now if y'all excuse me, Ah'm going to find mah family."
"Take care! And try the fondue. It's simply delicious." Fancypants suggested, waving a hoof at the departing Applebloom.
As she made her way towards the upstairs balcony, the red-maned earth pony reflected on who Fancypants was to her. A friend of Rarity’s, she met him a while back, showing him her new machines that she built. Applebloom was just a filly then, but the cultured stallion still took her work very seriously. Even then she was enterprising, and earned several patents.
She remembered the day her life changed forever, though. Fancypants noticed her penchant for not only mechanics, but also business. He took her under his wing, and taught her how to be a savvy entrepreneur. Over the years her mentor had watched Applebloom’s small business blossom into a giant corporation. Her undying determination combined with her practical talents skyrocketed her to fortune. But even for all her wealthy, Fancypants seemed to be the only high-class pony to respect her.
To all others, Applebloom was the dreaded "Nouveau Riche", an uncultured, poor farmer at heart.
So why was she here? Nopony but the rich snobs were on the guest list, well them and several guests Applebloom had invited. Perhaps she just liked to stick it in their faces. Much to the ire of the old money, Applebloom was one of the largest contributors that paid for this ball. It was a fact they hated with all their hearts, and she loved every second of it.
But still, a large part of her wanted to be among them. She longed to become accepted as one of them. Did she have anything to prove? She certainly wasn't ashamed of her background. Questions like these kept her up for many nights in her large mansion.
Breaking from her thoughts, Applebloom came to the balcony. Sure enough, three nicely dresses ponies in orange, red and green stood looking out at the Canterlot cityscape.
"It sure is beautiful, ain't it? All those lights." She said.
"Eeyup...Applebloom!" Big McIntosh swiftly swooped up his baby sister and squeezed her in his embraced.
"Woah hey! You're gonna mess up mah mane! Ah just had it styled!"
"Hehe since when did ya ever care about mussin' up your mane?" Applejack said. "It's good to see ya!"
Big Mac set down his breathless sister. "Looks...like...ahem...looks like y'all care about y'alls appearance too! Lookin' real sharp."
"Why thank ya!" Applejack replied, wearing her brown and green gala dress, complete with its bolo tie and boots. Her long blonde mane and tail were braided. It was completely unlike her. Even her favorite hat was gone, instead sitting on their table.
Big McIntosh rocked a black tuxedo, complete with a boutonniere. An apple blossom naturally. His golden mane was neatly combed, and this was the first time in a long while Applebloom had seen him without his yoke.
Granny Smith wore a simple dress, perhaps unsuited to such a formal event and more to working in the orchards. But she would never wear a fancy ball gown. Not in her lifetime.
"So what have y'all been up to?" Applebloom inquired, smiling widely.
"Well you know, just apple bucking. Running the farm." the orange mare replied.
"Y'all ain't still doin' it with your hooves are ya? What about that new harvester Ah sent ya?"
"There ain't no way to harvest apples other than good ol' fashion buckin’!" Granny Smith interjected. The elder green pony didn't trust any machines, and wouldn't have them working on her farm.
Applebloom just rolled her eyes. "Come on downstairs. Ah think dinner is about to start."
The party made their way back to their table, as did everypony else. At the Apple's table were four more additional guests. One was an orange pegasus with a purple mane. She had just arrived, and smiled widely at the sight of her friend.
"Scootaloo! How are you?" Applebloom asked with delight
"I'm doing good, just became second-in-command of the Wonderbolts!" It was no surprise that Scootaloo, now an ace flyer, loved the Wonderbolts. And now she was living her dream of not only flying with them, but also serving under Captain Rainbow Dash!
"What about me?" A white unicorn, her mane a series of pink and purple swirls, called out to her friend. "I get to sing tonight in the show!"
"That's wonderful, Sweetie!" The mare had realized her talent to be her vocal ambrosia, as some reviewers had called it. Accompanying Sweetie Belle was her sister Rarity.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Applebloom. My, your dress is very gorgeous." The yellow pony gave a soft smirk. She made the dress. Of course it was gorgeous!
Rarity herself was dressed up in the most exquisite gown her hooves could craft, and caught the eye of more than a few stallions.
The fourth guest was a much rougher looking mare. Orange and freckled, the Manehattan filly Babs Seed. When she grew up, she wanted to give something back to her community. Wanting to fight back against bullies, she joined the police force, and quickly became Captain.
"How ya doin', AB? Last time I saw youse, was about...two days ago!" The two shared a laugh. They saw each other very often now that Applebloom had moved to the city. They formed a close bond, and frequently went out together on weekends.
The eight ponies caught up for the next several minutes. Then the room became quite, and all eyes went towards the dance floor.
Fancypants stood there, levitating a crystal glass. Lightly tapping it with a fork, he announced in his calm, dignified voice, "Attention everypony! It is my greatest pleasure to formally welcome you to the 3rd Annual Canterlot Charity Drive. As you know, our most generous benefactor, largely responsible for this lavish occasion, has donated 300 million for this cause. As it stands now, a total of 2.1 billion bits will go to the foals' hospital, as well as funding the new foals' museum!" Light hoof-stomps filled the room. "Thank you, Miss Applebloom!" The stomp was noticeably less enthusiastic.
Applebloom blushed. Her cheeks became even redder when Fancypants pointed his fork at her. "Let us give her applause!" The crowd obliged, despite their apathy or dislike for the industrialist. Fancypants knew full well ponies would do whatever he said, and though he personally didn't care for most of the elite, he still enjoyed making them do things he knew the arrogant ponies hated, like cheering for a simple-girl-from-Ponyville-turned-billionaire.
After the toast, everypony left their tables to get some food from the massive supply at the back. After returning with their plates, the eight ponies exchanged stories and jokes, talked about lives and their relationships. Several months ago Big Mac had proposed to Rarity, and the wedding plans were being discussed. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were going to be sisters!
But of course the wedding of Rarity's dreams just wasn't in the budget for her dear old father, nor could Sweet Apple Acres ever hope to pay for such unnecessary extravagance. Naturally, the financial burden fell to Applebloom.
But she wanted both of them to be happy, and to be honest, the cost was simply pocket change.
Concluding their meal, waiters came around and took away their dishes. The last sips of finely-aged wine were being drained from the crystal as the band began to play dancing music.
Wiping their mouths, many ponies walked to the dance floor, and partook in the refined art of ballroom dancing.
"Looks like it's time to get down!" Applejack said, eagerly rushing to the floor. Rarity took Big Mac by the hoof, and the two began to Waltz. Granny Smith merely sat and admired the young ponies dancing. If she were thirty years younger, she'd show these hoity-toity snobs a real hoedown.
Applejack flailed her forelegs about in pure dancing bliss. After the first song was done, she ran up to the stage and addressed the violin player.
"Can Ah play a little somethin'?"
"Um well...uh...I'm scheduled to play all night..."
"Y'all can take a break!" Not waiting for an answer, she grabbed his instrument. "You're pretty good, son. But sit right down in that chair right there. Lemme show ya how it's done! Time to liven this place up!" Then, bow in mouth, she began to saw that violin-turned-fiddle. The fiddle playing was unlike anything anypony had ever heard. So...violent...so fast...it was awful! Applebloom and the rest were dancing to the beat, thoroughly enjoying her sister's music.
The only thing that stopped everypony from eliciting a boo was Fancypants.
"What a marvelous sound!" The white unicorn yelled, winking at Applebloom.
Much to their chagrin, the high-class attendees wanted to appeal to him, so against every bone in their bodies they joined in dancing. Fortunately for them, Applejack only played one song, and then returned the violin to its owner. The band returned to their routine, and Sweetie Belle got on stage to sing.
Tears left many eyes at the melodious voice that came from that unicorn.
As the evening drug on, several circles of ponies began forming. One such group was a ring of wealthy business ponies. Fancypants invited Applebloom to join in.
"This is Applebloom, everypony. Our benefactor. It was her generous donation that paid for most of this." The group gave a half-hearted "hello" and then changed the subject back to whatever it was before she arrived.
Frowning, Applebloom was about to leave when a hoof stopped her, and a magenta mare wearing a tiara stepped in. "Oh hello Applebloom!" She then made a fake kissing gesture, as if the two were friends.
"What are you doin' here?" She asked, not sure whether to be frightened or just surprised at the sudden appearance of Diamond Tiara
"Oh silly! This is only the fanciest party in Canterlot, well besides the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Ah know why you're here but...why'd you...say 'Hi' to me?"
"Come with me, please."
"Why? So nopony will hear me when you stab me?" Applebloom wasn't about to accept this mean filly into her life. She had been teased and bullied for much of her childhood by this spoiled brat. But still, she was curious as to what Diamond wanted. Against her better judgment, she followed.
A few moments later, they came to the smoking room. Elderly stallions puffing cigar smoke sat on the sofas, chatting like gentlecolts.
"I want to say that I'm sorry for how I acted back when we were fillies. It was immature and foalish."
"Ya got that right. No if you excuse me―" Before Applebloom could leave, Diamond Tiara grabbed her.
"Wait wait wait! I want to make amends. I want to help you."
"Help me with what?" The yellow mare made no attempt to mask her ardent desire to not be here.
"I know you’re having trouble fitting in, as it were. I can help you."
Applebloom's expression changed from impatience to uncertainty. "How will you do that?"
"I know all about how they act, speak, think. I can teach you how to be a true lady. Knowing Fancypants only gets you so far. Please? It's the least I can do."
Applebloom thought it over for a bit. Could this be her chance to finally gain acceptance? Would she be one of the elite ponies? Whatever doubts she had about Diamond Tiara evaporated at the prospect.
"Um...fine. If you can deliver."
Diamond Tiara jumped up, squealing like a filly. "You won't regret this! We're going to have so much fun! I've just moved to Manehattan! I'll call you sometime later this week!" Without another word, Tiara fled, disappearing into the crowd. Applebloom sighed, and plopped down on a sofa.
Pulling a match and pipe from her purse, she asked for some tobacco and began to indulge in her guilty pleasure. In the calming atmosphere she became lost in her thoughts. Something was off about Diamond Tiara. Had she changed? This wasn't the bully she knew as a girl.
At the ball's conclusion, Applebloom retrieved her coat and left with her friends and family. Outside, in the cold November air, a light snow began to fall. They said goodbye to Fancypants and his companion Fleur-de-Lis, and went with her seven former tablemates towards the train station.
On the platform, Applebloom sent off Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle as they boarded the train to Ponyville. Scootaloo was next, on the midnight train to Cloudsdale. Now it was just her and Babs.
"Whadya think of the party?" Asked the policemare.
"It was certainly fancy."
"You know you’re gonna help a lot of kids down there at the hospital. They'll be tawking about how generous you are and stuff."
"Well you know, anything to help the fillies and colts." Applebloom’s modesty was a necessary reaction to the constant praises she received for her philanthropy.
"But hey! Don't forget about your favorite cousin, hah?" Babs gave her a light punch to the shoulder.
"Geez not you too! Ah got a weddin' soon to pay for. Wait your turn!" The two laughed, which was broken by the sound of a locomotive's whistle as it chugged to the platform. Along the side of the engine was a stylized apple, followed by the words "Apple Industries".
"All aboard!" The conductor called out, steam pouring from the boiler behind him.
The two mares boarded the train, found their seats, and, too tired to talk anymore, faded off to sleep; bound for Manehattan, where dreams come true.