Chapter 5:
Feeling Welcome
"Twilight! Oh Twiiiiiiiiliiiiiiight!"
Twilight was awoken by a knocking at her door accompanied by an all-too-familiar voice. Groggily, she stumbled out of bed and down the stairs. When she opened the door, she saw Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down, as happy as can be.
"Good morning, sleepyhead!" said the bouncy pink pony.
"Mmph. 'Morning, Pinkie," mumbled Twilight, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "What's going on?"
"Well, remember yesterday when you introduced us to that genie of yours that you got in the mail?" asked Pinkie.
"Um, yeah."
"Well, after you guys left, I just remembered: I didn't throw a welcome party for her! But, I know some ponies like to be left alone, so I thought I'd ask your permission first. So, do you think Misty would like to come over to Sugarcube Corner for a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party?"
"Pinkie, she's been here for nearly two days," said Twilight with a yawn. "It's a bit late for that, don't you think?"
"Oh, it's never too late for a party!" said Pinkie, not willing to back down. "And it's certainly never too late to make a pony feel welcome!"
Twilight paused to think for a moment. "Well, she was talking to herself last night," she mused. "She said it's because she gets bored easily, but I'm not so sure."
"Well, if she's bored, what better way to cure the boredom than with a party?" said Pinkie with a shrug.
"Okay, good point," said Twilight, shaking herself and stretching herself out. "Just give me a moment to get ready."
"Okey-dokey-lokey!" said Pinkie Pie. "Just, don't tell Misty, okay? I want it to be a surprise."
"Yeah, sure thing," said Twilight, still stretching.
"Great! Seeya later!" said Pinkie. With that, she bounced off humming to herself. Twilight smiled and shook her head.
"Well, looks like there might be a change of plans this morning," she mused to herself. "I'd better see if Spike's awake."
***
When they arrived at Sugarcube Corner, the bakery was pitch black. The only sounds she heard were a collection of giggles, most likely from Pinkie Pie.
"Yep. This is a Pinkie Pie surprise party, alright," said Spike.
"Hush," hissed Twilight. "We don't want Misty to know."
"Right, sorry," Spike apologized.
Twilight then ventured inside and rubbed the lamp. "C'mon, Misty. Rise and shine."
In a burst of steam, Misty appeared.
"Huh, what? Is it wish-granting time yet?" she said groggily. Before Twilight could answer, the lights came on and several ponies jumped out.
"SURPRISE!"
Misty sprang up into the sky. She would've crashed through the ceiling if she weren't ethereal. Floating back down, she looked down at the ponies below in confusion.
"What in the wide, wide world of Equestria is this?" she inquired.
"It's a surprise party, silly!" said Pinkie Pie. "A 'Welcome to Ponyville, Misty the Genie' surprise party! Were you surprised? Were you, were you?!"
"Oh, I hope you were surprised and not startled," said Fluttershy, looking a bit guilty.
"No, no. It's fine," said Misty, floating over to Twilight. "You didn't plan this, did you?"
Twilight giggled. "Oh, no. This was all Pinkie's idea. She always likes to throw parties for ponies who are new to Ponyvillie."
Misty stared blankly at Pinkie Pie, still processing the spectacle in front of her. "You, do realize I'm a genie, right?"
"Yeah, so?" said Pinkie with a shrug.
"What's bein' a genie got to do with anythin', sugarcube?" asked Applejack. "You're new here, ain't ya?"
"Well, I suppose," said Misty, sheepishly rubbing the back of her mane. "It's just that, nopony has ever done anything like this for me before."
"Why? Just because you're a genie?" asked Pinkie. "That's silly. You're silly."
"Indeed," said Rarity, nodding in agreement. "I'm not sure how they do things in Saddle Arabia, but you're not in Saddle Arabia anymore, darling. You're in Ponyvillie, and here we make sure that everypony feels welcome. Especially gorgeous genies like yourself."
Misty gulped. This stupid ruse just keeps getting harder and harder, she thought to herself. "Well, I really appreciate the gesture. Really, I do."
"I knew you would!" cheered Pinkie. "Now c'mon! Let's party!"
With that, the party kicked off into high gear. Misty looked over to Twilight, who smiled back.
"Go ahead, enjoy yourself," said Twilight. "I don't mind."
Misty sighed. "As you wish, Twilight," she said with a bow.
"Oh, stop that," said Twilight with an embarrassed chuckle.
"What? You told me to enjoy myself," said Misty playfully, to which Twilight had to laugh.
"So, Misty," said Rainbow Dash, zooming up to her. "What's Saddle Arabia like? I mean, I read all about it in Daring Do and the Minions of the Scarab, but I've never seen it for myself."
"Hmm? Oh, there's not much to tell, really," said Misty, relaxing herself a little. "I'll tell you this much, it's very sandy and hot. Except at night. Then it gets sandy and cold."
"That's it?" asked Rainbow, sounding disappointed. "But Daring Do found all this awesome treasure and secret magic and stuff. She even had to fight the Scarab King."
"Oh, please don't remind me of that guy," groaned Misty. "Worst master ever."
Rainbow Dash's magenta eyes widened. "You mean, he actually exists?!"
"Probably not the one you're thinking of," said Misty. "But yeah, I did once serve a sultan who was called the Scarab King. He said it was because of some heirloom passed down in his family, but I still maintain that it's because he smelled like a lazy dung beetle that got too involved in its work. Seriously, three wishes and the guy didn't even think to wish for a bath."
"Oh, how positively dreadful!" proclaimed Rarity in a melodramatic fashion, making her way into the conversation. "How in Equestria did you put up with him?"
"Sarcasm, mainly," said Misty with a shrug. "It's not like I had any other choice. Genies can't simply betray their masters, after all. Well, unless they ask for something ridiculous. And trust me, I've gotten a lot of ridiculous wishes."
"Were all of your masters like that atrocious Scarab King?" asked Rarity.
"Oh, nopony was nearly as bad as him," said Misty. "But pretty much all of them were jerks. Except for a few times when I was found by poor kids who just wanted simple things like food and shelter."
"That must've been awful," said Rarity. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore, dearie. I know Twilight Sparkle will treat you properly."
"Yeah, sure," said Misty, casting her gaze downward and flattening her ears.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Rainbow Dash, concerned. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," said Misty. "This is, just a lot to take in, y'know? I'm not used to this."
"Hey, it's cool," said Rainbow. She then glanced over and smirked. "Oh, man. Looks like Lyra is gonna trigger one of my pranks! C'mon, Misty, you gotta see this!"
Before Misty could say anything, Rainbow grabbed her by the hoof and dragged her away. Twilight smiled to herself.
"You know what, Spike? I'm glad I brought her here," said she. "She really needed this."
"Yeah. Even if it was like eight o'clock in the morning," said Spike with a light yawn. "Seriously, I think I'm gonna sleep in tonight."
"Hi, Twilight!" exclaimed Derpy Hooves, flying into the floor in front of the lavender mare. "Great party, huh?"
"Um, sure," said Twilight. "Say, Derpy. Did you ever figure out where that package you gave me a couple days ago came from?"
Derpy's face fell. "Sorry, I didn't. It's weird. I didn't even have it on my clipboard or anything."
"Hmm. That's odd," Twilight mused. "Well, when did you first notice it?"
"Well, I just found it in my saddlebag while I was flying," said Derpy with a shrug.
"Uh huh," said Twilight. "Derpy, have you delivered any packages from Saddle Arabia by any chance?"
"Not that I remember," said Derpy, placing a hoof to her chin.
"I see," said Twilight. "Well, thanks anyway."
"No problem!" said Derpy with a grin. Her attention was then drawn to the buffet table. "Ooh, muffins!" she said, flying over.
"It's probably nothing to worry about," said Spike with a shrug. "You said so before, remember? You're not looking this gift horse in the mouth, and you're being careful with your wishes."
"You're right, I did say that," said Twilight. "But I don't know anypony else who would know anything about the package. I don't think even Misty knows. Remember, she was asleep the whole time. That means that this mystery is going to remain unsolved. And you know how much I don't like unsolved mysteries."
"All too well," said Spike, looking over at Pinkie Pie, who was busy setting Misty up for a round of Pin the Tail on the Pony.
"I gotta say, Twi. That Misty is a swell gal," said Applejack, trotting over to Twilight. "It's jus' a shame that you're the first mistress she's had that treats her right."
"I've noticed," said Twilight, looking over at the genie as she talked to the other ponies. "She's really been pushing me to make wishes, and got confused when I said I needed time to think. That's another thing that I've been wondering about, to be honest."
"She also doesn't seem to like to talk about you much," added Fluttershy, joining the conversation. "I asked her what she thought of you, and she just got all quiet. She looked nervous, too."
"Now that's strange," said Twilight, brushing her chin with her hoof. "I thought she'd be proud of me, seeing as I'm being so nice to her and all."
"Well, maybe there's something about genies that we don't know," suggested Spike. "I'm sure we can look it up when we get home. It's not like you had anything important to do today."
Twilight's purple eyes grew wide. "Important? Today? Oh, horse apples!"
"I'm going to regret saying that, aren't I?" asked Spike.
Instead of an answer, Twilight ran back home at full gallop.
"Now what the hay has gotten into her?" asked Applejack.
"You're asking me?" Spike replied with a shrug.
"Maybe somepony should go check on her," said Fluttershy. "We all know what happened last time she was acting like this."
There was a collective shiver between the two ponies and the dragon.
"Right," said Applejack. "I'll go tell Misty. Spike, you'd better head on back to Twilight's. She might be needin' your help."
"Here, hop on my back," offered Fluttershy. "I promise, I'll try to get you back as fast as I can."
"Thanks, Fluttershy," said Spike, climbing onto Fluttershy's back. "Now, let's get going! Giddy-up!"
Fluttershy gave Spike a stern look. "Um, if you don't mind..."
"Oh, right. Sorry," said Spike sheepishly. "Force of habit."
Fluttershy shrugged and flew off after Twilight as fast as her wings could carry her.