//------------------------------// // The Party of Many // Story: The Purple Coat // by MyLittleLucius //------------------------------// Scootaloo awoke to Twilight gently nudging her shoulder, “Wake up, Scootaloo.” The librarian called softly. “Ugh, what time is it?” Scootaloo rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and turned to the window, trying to decipher the time by the placement of the sun. “It’s five.” Twilight said, matter of factly, “I know that’s early, but I needed to tell you that I’ll be going out for a while. I’m throwing an apology party, and I need to see if Pinkie will help me out.” “Apology party?” The filly gazed at her adoptive mother, “Why?” “Things happened during the last party. We think Dash drank too much cider or something, don’t worry about it. Now go back to sleep, when you wake up, Spike will make you some breakfast. Just wake him up.” Twilight turned to the door and left the room. Scootaloo watched her go until her hoofsteps had gotten too quiet for her to hear. She curled up under her blanket and shut her eyes tightly, willing sleep to come quickly. Twilight stopped in front of a snoring Spike, “Spike!” She hissed softly, trying not to make too much noise. “Huh? Wha? Who’s there?” Spike jumped, looking around with wide eyes. “Shh!” Twilight put her hoof on his mouth, “Scootaloo is going to wake you up when she gets up. Make her some breakfast and then tidy things up. Alright?” Spike sleepily put his hand up to his forehead, “Yes, ma’am!” The, letting his arm drop, her curled up into a tight ball and began snoring once again. Twilight sighed, standing up and trotting to the door. She left the treehouse and shut the door softly behind her. Suddenly, she remembered promising Scootaloo that they’d go out flying today. “Shoot.” She murmured under her breath. They’d have to do that before the party, but after the invitations got out. Realizing she had no time to waste, the unicorn galloped off towards Sugarcube Corner, dodging miscellaneous passerby as she went. She got many dirty looks as she rushed up to the sweets shop. As if she knew Twilight was coming, Pinkie materialized in front of her, seemingly out of thin air. “Hey Twilight! What’re you doing here?!” “I need to plan an apology party for Dash. I think things just got out of hoof yesterday.” The element of magic flattened her ears in shame, looking down at her hooves. “Two parties in two days?! This is the best week ever!” Pinkie shot off down the road, but quickly returned, “WAIT, Twilight! Do you want the party to be here or at your house?” “At my place.” Twilight answered, shocked. She still hadn’t gotten used to the way her pink friend moved around. “Oki doki loki!” Pinkie shot off once more, she did not return this time. The librarian sighed, then trotted away, heading for the Carousel Boutique. She reached her destination quickly, gently knocking on the door. “Twlight, darling! What brings you here on this marvelous day?” A white unicorn with a fabulous purple mane said, flinging the door open. “Hey, Rarity! I need you to make something for me.” Twilight greeted her friend, getting straight to business. “Of course, Twilight, anything for one of my best friends!” Rarity motioned with her head for Twilight to enter. She did not, “I need it as quickly as possible, please!” She used her magic to grab a scroll from her saddlebag, gently laying it out on the ground. “What is that?” Rarity moved her face closer to it, not sure what it was, let alone how to make it. Twilight grasped a stick in her hoof, pointed at a harness shape on the paper, “This should be a comfortable fabric, it’s a harness.” She explained. She then pointed at two large strips of fabric coming off the harness, “These are meant to be wings, so they need to be a tough, reinforced fabric.” “Ah, I see. That should be ready for you tomorrow.” Rarity used her own magic to grab the scroll, daintily rolling it up. “Thanks Rarity. Oh, and will you be attending my party tonight?” Twilight inquired, half turned, eager to leave. “Pinkie already told me all about it, and you know me, I never miss a social event!” The fashionista declared, “I’ll start working on your order right away, Twilight.” “Thanks again, Rarity.” Twilight gave her a large grin before galloping away back home. The library wasn’t too far from the Carousel Boutique, so it only took her five minutes or so to get home. She burst through the door, panting from galloping half the way there. Scootaloo and Spike were sitting at the table, both had a sandwich. Scootaloo had a daisy and hay sandwich, Spike had one that was littered with various gems. “Hey Twiwight!” Spike called through a mouthful of food. “Spike, don’t speak with your mouth full.” The unicorn reprimanded the baby dragon. Scootaloo giggled, “Hey Twilight, how go the party preparations?” She bit into her sandwich, making sure not to chew like a cow. “Fine, fine. Pinkie is on the case.” Twilight trotted to the cabinets, whipping herself up a quick fruit salad. Taking the bowl of various fruits, she seated herself between Spike and Scootaloo. “Are we gonna fly today, Twilight?” Scootaloo wriggled in her seat, excited. “For a little while. The party starts in two hours, so that’s how long we have to fly. That’s how long Spike has to clean.” The librarian turned to the baby dragon pointedly. Spike gulped down the rest of his sandwich quickly before turning and jumping out of his chair, “Alright, I’ll get to it!” He rushed off and began picking up books. Scootaloo gobbled down her sandwich as well, “Alright, flying time!” She jumped up and down, fluttering her wings. “Wait until I finish my fruit, Scoots!” Twilight laughed, trying to finish her food as quickly as she could. She finished it after around two minutes. Quickly clearing off the table and dumping the dishes in the sink, she stood up. Scootaloo, who’d taken a seat in a lounge chair, felt like Twilight had been eating for hours. She jumped up, “Can we fly now?” Twilight laughed, “Yes, we can fly now.” She stretched out her back and headed for the door, Scootaloo bouncing around her hooves. “Can we go to the mountain today?” Scootaloo asked excitedly. “We’d better stay close today, let’s practice gliding down again.” Twilight answered, heading for the place where they’d practiced before. *** After practicing gliding with only a few crashes and a minor injury, Scootaloo and Twilight headed back home. They entered the house together, chatting happily about the day’s events. “Oh no, the party starts in a few minutes! You need to get to bed Scoots. You too Spike!” Twilight said anxiously. Scootaloo sighed, “Alright. I didn’t wanna go to the party anyway.” She trudged up the stairs sulkily, stopping at the top and hiding in Spike’s basket. Spike rushed up the stairs, only to see Scootaloo in his basked, “Uh…Scootaloo?” “Shh. Just take my bed.” The filly hissed, “I don’t want to miss the party. “Alright. Whatever you say.” Spike rushed into her room, shutting the door and curling up on her pillow. Suddenly, five ponies entered the house. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy were chattering loudly with one another. They were followed by a few other ponies of less merit. “Hey, Dash! Mind coming over here real quick?” Twilight called to the cyan pegasus. Rainbow Dash looked at her, wondering if it was a trap before trotting over. “Yeah, Twilight?” “Listen, Dash. I’m really sorry I blew up at you yesterday.” Twilight said, “I think we both stepped way out of line and I just wanted to apologize.” “We both stepped way out of line? Are you kidding me, Twi? Listen, I’m not the one who burst into flames.” Her voice was bubbling with anger. “Uh, excuse me?” Twilight let out an astonished laugh, “You called Scootaloo so many names, and she looks up to you like you look up to the Wonderbolts. And all you do is insult her!” “So? It’s not like she heard. Ugh, why did I except this invitation anyway? I knew you’d find some way to pin your stupidity on me.” Dash rolled her eyes, “I’m outta here.” She turned for the door. “Okay, Dash. Run away from your problems.” Twilight snapped, turning away. “I’m being the better mare here and walking away.” Dash growled, “Don’t you have a helpless filly to bless with your presence?” Suddenly, a small voice emanated from the staircase, “You really think I’m helpless, Dash?” The room fell silent as everypony turned to see Scootaloo standing, tears welling in her eyes as she turned and ran upstairs. The sound of a door slamming echoed through the house. Everypony turned to look at Dash. Dash’s rose coloured eyes began to fill with tears. She shook her head as if to clear it before shoving the door open and flying away. Realizing her tough-mare attitude had just made the only pony she cared about lose trust in her, she flew as fast as she could. Ponyville was far out of sight. A huge rainbow explosion caused everypony to run outside. The sonic rainboom faded quickly as the pegasus got farther and farther away. The party was over. Twilight ran inside, slamming the door. “Scootaloo!” She ran up the stairs and flung open the door. She saw Scootaloo crying in the middle of her bed and Spike sitting on her pillow, not sure what to do. “Oh, Scootaloo.” Twilight rushed forward, embracing the filly. Scotaloo returned the hug. “Does Rainbow Dash really hate me?” Scootaloo sniffled, looking into Twilight’s eyes. “Oh, no, honey. She’s just tired and didn’t know what she was saying.” The unicorn hugged Scootaloo even tighter. “Can I sleep with you tonight?” The pegasus asked, wiping tears from her eyes. “Of course. C’mon.” Twilight led her down the hallway into her room. They snuggled up together, Scootaloo sniffling softly every now and again. “Good night, Scoots.” Twilight nuzzled her ear. “Good night, Mom.” Scootaloo cuddled tighter into the unicorn. Tears jumped to Twilight’s eyes, tears of pure joy. She smiled down at the filly, drifting quickly off to sleep.