“Thank again fer th’ help, Twi, Spy,” Applejack thanked as the trio walked along a dirt path in Sweet Apple Acres, all three carrying baskets, “Ah bet wit’ Big Macintosh that if’n ah could bring all these here apples in by lunchtime, he’d have t’ walk through town wearin’ Granny’s Girdle.”
“And what did you bet if you lost?” Sparx asked, poking his head out of Twilight’s basket.
“Ah’d walk ‘bout town plot naked fer th’ day,” Applejack replied, earning a wolf whistle from the dragonfly, “Now ah know y’all jest didn’t whistle at that!”
“What? It’s the dream of every guy in the world to see a naked chick in public,” Sparx argued.
“…If’n ah didn’t have five baskets in both mah arms, ah’d buck you clear over Canterlot,” Applejack frowned.
“Twilight beat you to it,” Spyro chuckled as he earned a glare from Sparx and a heavy blush from Twilight, “It was a few years back and I was chasing Sparx. He ended up in Twilight’s private bathroom when she was taking a shower.” Spyro began to laugh until a Magic-coated apple was shoved into his mouth.
“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Twilight spoke quickly.
“Oh come on~! I’m starving here because I missed my butterfly snack time!” Sparx groaned before going back into the basket.
“Ah still feel sorry fer Fluttershy when she learned that,” Applejack noted, recalling how the Pegasus had fainted into Rainbow Dash’s arms when she learned that Sparx’s main diet was sweets and butterflies.
“Same here. You just can’t feel guilt like making such a shy girl like her faint,” Sparx noted.
“Then why did you b-urp!” Spyro gave a small belch that release small wisps of green flames that quickly formed into a scroll, “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine, Spyro,” Twilight replied as she caught the scroll, letting her magic carry the baskets she had, “Hmmm…‘Hear ye, hear ye. 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 Julneigh of the 1001 year of the Equestrian Calendar. This event shall be one of utmost importance for it will have all three Royal Alicorns and the children of Princesses Celestia and Luna of Equestria, as important guests of honor. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest?!’”
"Oh no..." Spyro gulped as Twilight and Applejack gasped.
“The Grand Galloping Gala!” the two Mares squealed in excitement.
“This thing again?! Ugh! Every year this thing happens and it’s filled with snooty rich Ponies and kiss-ups!” Sparx groaned before Spyro hiccupped more of the green flames to reveal a pair of gold tickets.
“Look, two tickets,” Spyro quickly caught them.
“Wow, great! I’ve never been to the gala. Have you, Spyro?” Twilight asked.
“Each one when I was old enough,” Spyro sighed in annoyance, “I’ve been lucky because Mom always hid me under an illusion spell to be a Pegasus.”
“Aw, come on Spyro. A dance would be nice,” Twilight encouraged.
“True. I’ve always shared a dance with Mom or Cousin Candace at each one, but…”
“Nice? Twi, it’s a heap good more than jest nice! Ah’d love t’ go if’n ah could have that there ticket,” Applejack noted.
“Really? Why would you want to go?” Sparx asked, poking his head out of a basket.
“Land sakes, if’n ah had an apple stand set up, Ponies would be chowin’ our tasty vittles till th’ cows came home. Do y’all have any idea how much business ah could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that there money, we could do a heap o’ fixin’ up ‘round here. We could replace that saggy ol’ roof,” Applejack pointed at her home’s roof with a few boards nailed onto small holes in it before pointing at a somewhat intact plow, “Replace mah brother’s saggy ol’ plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy ol’ hip o’ hers.”
“That’s what I’d like to hear from others,” Spyro smiled a little at that, “You want to help your family a lot, but you shouldn’t put all your hopes up on a single eve…”
“Whoa!” a cyan blur landed in the middle of the three with Spyro barely able to catch the tossed baskets Twilight had sent with his tail, “Ugh…” Rainbow Dash shook her head as she stood up, “Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?”
“Rainbow Dash, ah thought you told me that y’all were too busy t’ help me harvest these apples. What were you busy doin’, spyin’ on us?” Applejack frowned as Spyro began to block them out while grabbing the baskets Applejack had.
“Why are we doing this?” Sparx asked.
“So I don’t have to hear how embarrassed Applejack was over walking through town naked later,” Spyro replied, “She’s a friend, Sparx, and I don’t want something like that to happen.”
“I do.”
“Pervert.”
“Hey. I love the female body, okay?” Sparx assured before flying away after Spyro glared at him, “Okay. Okay! I’m leaving.”
He flew over to see Rainbow Dash and Applejack butting head with each other. He could swear that the background was having a battle of the land and lightning as sparks came off each others’ eyes. Luckily, Twilight pushed them apart to the best of her abilities.
“Girls, these are my tickets, so I will decide who gets the second ticket, thank you very much,” Twilight frowned as she looked at the two, “Now whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don’t you think?”
“Drummin' up business fer th’ farm?”
“A chance to audition for The Wonderbolts?”
“Money t' fix granny's hip.”
“Living the dream!”
“Oh my, th…those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?” Twilight blinked, now starting to feel a pit in her stomach until it rumbled, causing her to sheepishly chuckle, “Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll…uh…think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?”
“Okay,” both replied before Twilight raced off, letting the two jump back from each other with narrowed eyes.
---
“…Was that the sound of an explosion just now?” Spyro asked, looking at an open window and pausing from helping a large eight foot Stallion with brown/orange hair and tail, an apple-red coat, and a cut open green apple as his Cutie Mark on his left hand…wearing a girdle and work jeans and cowboy boots.
“Eeyup,” the Stallion replied.
“…You think we should do something, Big Macintosh?”
“Nope. Jest wanna do this here job quickly seein’ how ah lost th’ bet,” Big Macintosh replied.
“Riiight,” Spyro nodded, giving a small smirk as he secretly patted a camera in his left pants pocket.
---
“So, who you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?”
“Gah!” Twilight turned around to see Sparx flying behind her, “One; don’t do that. And two; I don't know, Sparx, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?”
“Well, why not the butterfly garden?”
“…Let me correct it; where do you think I should go to eat?” Twilight asked before a door open and Pinkie Pie crashed into her.
“Sorry about that,” Boomer apologized as he poked his head out, “She tried to tackle me into a tickle attack and I ducked.”
“Gah! Bats!” Pinkie Pie screamed as she jumped up, the tickets on her nose, “Bats on my face! Help!” Sparx pulled the tickets off and Pinkie Pie gasped when she saw them, “Wait, these aren't…tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!”
“The Grand Walloping Halo?” Boomer scratched his head in confusion.
“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!” Pinkie Pie cheered before she began to sing.
[Pinkie Pie]
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
For Pinkie...
“…I’m strangely getting used to these spontaneous moments of song she has,” Boomer chuckled.
“With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!” Pinkie Pie excitedly spoke/listed thing off before resuming her song.
[Pinkie Pie]
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 galarrific superly-terrific gala ever
In the whole galaxy
Wheee!!
Pinkie Pie began to bounce around in joy, “Oh thank you Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever!”
“Um, actually…” Twilight began.
“Pinks, I don’t think that…” Boomer tried to say before the two heard a gasp.
“Are these what I think they are?” Rarity asked as Sparx drooled at seeing the white unicorn, the dragonfly still holding the tickets.
“Uh…” Twilight gulped.
“I see where this is going…” Boomer began to grin deviously as he pulled out a camera designed to resemble a stick of dynamite mixed with a cartoon bomb, “…and I am loving it.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to The Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!” Pinkie Pie replied for Twilight.
“The gala?! I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend,” Rarity admitted, assuming an enticing position, “Oh, the society, the culture, the glamor! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet...him.”
“Him! …Who?” Pinkie Pie pondered.
“What now?” Sparx’s eye twitched.
“Him,” Rarity swooned, “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.”
‘That is actually true…’ Twilight thought with a sweatdrop.
“Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot,” Sparx gagged a bit with Twilight, both knowing Celestia's nephew, “Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. 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…” she paused to giggle, “…what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams. 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.”
Sparx fell over, laughing up a storm. He knew exactly who she was wanting. Sure, he liked the Unicorn and all, but even he knew that he could not resist laughing at her for the idea. It was then a little white bunny Sparx’s size zipped by, stealing the tickets.
“Hey! Get back here with Rarity’s ticket!” Sparx snapped as the bunny jumped into Fluttershy’s arms and showed her what it got.
“Angel, these are perfect,” Fluttershy gasped softly while Drobot looked over her shoulder to examine them.
“Oh boy…” Sparx paled.
“Uh, listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to,” Twilight admitted.
“You haven't?” Rarity and Pinkie Pie gasped, one in excitement and the other in shock.
“Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven't given it to someone else…” Fluttershy bashfully and shyly began to hide into her hair.
=Ms. Fluttershy wishes for you to let her accompany you to the Grand Galloping Gala, Ms. Sparkle= Drobot said for her, earning a nod from the Pegasus.
“You? You want to go to the gala?” Rarity asked, her interest piqued, “You wish to endure so many Ponies all at once?”
“Oh, no. I mean, yes, or, actually…kind of,” Fluttershy admitted, “You see, it's not so much The Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance.”
“Oh yeah. That’s the best part of the place. An all you can eat butterfly café,” Sparx licked his lips in delight until Twilight slapped him on the back of his head with a bit of magic.
“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!” Fluttershy’s eyes began to twinkle as she began to float in the air while hugging the rabbit to her large bosom, “Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!”
“Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds…beautiful?” Twilight raised a brow as she glanced at the now-hovering, joy-filled shy Pegasus as said-Pegasus was nuzzling the rabbit's head.
“Wait just a minute!” the group looked up to see Rainbow Dash land, her feathers ruffled up while dirt and bits of mud on her fell off on the landing.
“Rainbow Dash, were you following me?” Twilight demanded, putting her hands on her hips in frustration.
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter,” she poked Twilight in the left breast, “I couldn't risk a goody-two-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anypony.”
“Wait jest another minute,” Applejack frowned as she walked over with Spyro.
“Applejack, were you following me too?” Twilight frowned.
“No. I was followin' this one t’ make sure she didn't try any funny business with th’ ticket,” Applejack replied as she pointed at Rainbow Dash before flinching as small sparks came off her.
“That and who’s coming around the corner. Boomer, got the camera ready?” Spyro snickered.
“You bet!” Boomer replied as he tossed a folding chair made of explosives out and sat in it while munching popcorn.
Rarity was about to say something when Drobot stopped her with a raised cyborg hand. He then pointed at Big Macintosh, walking by wearing the girdle.
“Mares,” Big Macintosh greeted as he walked by, giving a tiny glare at the laughing Boomer and Sparx.
“…Was that…?” Applejack began.
“You’re welcome,” Spyro frowned.
“Ah see…Thank ya kindly fer helpin’ me win th’ bet,” Applejack nodded before glaring at Rainbow, “Still tryin’ t’ take mah ticket.”
“Your ticket?” Rainbow scowled.
“But Twilight's taking me!” Pinkie Pie argued before all five Mares that were friends with Twilight began to argue loudly (or softly, in Fluttershy’s case).
“…Drobot, can you get some mud?” Sparx asked.
=Negative, Sparx=
“Aw, come on~!” Boomer whined.
=Cease your whines, salivating nimrod of explosives=
“…What?” Boomer blinked.
=As they say, ‘Idiots says what?’=
“…What?” Boomer blinked before realizing what he just said, “Hey!”
“QUIET!!!!” the males all turned to the screaming Twilight.
“And then I said, ‘Oatmeal, are you craz…’” Pinkie Pie stopped when she saw the others had shut up, “…oh.”
“Girls, there's no use in arguing,” Twilight frowned as she took the tickets and put them into her skirt’s pocket.
“But Twilight…” Rarity began before the lavender unicorn held up a finger.
“Eh! This is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise…” she paused as her stomach went off, “…not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo.”
Four of the Mares grumbled as they went off. Fluttershy nodded before slowly walking off, Drobot following her.
“And don't worry, I'll figure this out…somehow,” Twilight added.
---
Twilight Sparkle sighed as she sat in a seat at a mushroom-shaped table with Sparx, Spyro, and Boomer, “What am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala.” She began to use her magic on one of the flowers the waiter had set up for an appetizer, “Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity…Oh, who should go with me?”
Her stomach went off once more. She proceeded to lick up the petals. The three males looked at each other.
“I say you blow up the other ticket,” Boomer offered.
“Is it always blowing things up with you?” Sparx asked.
“Nah. Sometimes it’s about thinking up new things that can blow up,” Boomer smirked proudly.
“…So if you had a key to a gate before you…?” Sparx began.
“You blow it up!”
“…A pie needs to cool down…” Sparx began once more.
“Blow it up!”
“Have you made your decision?” a waiter asked as he walked over.
“I CAN'T DECIDE!!” Twilight screamed.
“…And that’s another way to ‘Blow It Up,’” Boomer smirked, “Yeah, I’ll take some of the Hay-Fries. Those things are just delicious! Remind me to thank Pinkie Pie later.”
“Twilight, he just wants to take your order,” Sparx rolled his eyes, “Yeah, I’ll take some of those as well.”
“Just some hay fries, a tofu-burger with extra cheese, and a vanilla milkshake,” Spyro replied.
“Oh. I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich,” Twilight informed before turning to the dragonfly as the waiter left with their orders, “What do you think, Sparx?”
“I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some butterflies?” Sparx asked.
“I mean about the gala and the ticket and who I should take,” Twilight frowned.
“You're still on that?” Boomer asked in disbelief, “Just blow it up!”
“Guys, listen! How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies. What if I…”
“Twilight, if you go with the two, I’d go with just Fluttershy and Applejack,” Spyro noted, “I managed to hear Fluttershy’s reason and, along with Applejack, their reasons are just selfless or innocent. Rarity and Rainbow just want attention while Pinkie Pie...she just wants to party and the normal musician for it has all but refused to perform near Ponyville and I think it's because of Pinkie Pie.”
“Ah, your food,” the waiter informed as he placed the plates of food onto the table.
“Oh thank you,” Twilight nodded as the others began to quickly eat their own meals, “This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat.”
She began to levitate the sandwich up to her lips. She was about to take a bite when a group of Mares ran by, their forms soaked and their clothes hugging their bodies.
“Em, madam? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?” the waiter asked as the Mares ran into the restaurant.
“It's not raining,” Twilight blinked before looking out to see all but their area was engulfed in rain, “What's going on?”
“That,” Boomer replied as he pointed at the sky before taking out a bomb and pulled the lighting string on it, causing the ‘bomb’ to pop into a large umbrella.
“Huh?” Spyro looked up with Twilight to see a hole in the storm clouds, revealing Rainbow Dash.
“Hi there best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?” Rainbow asked.
“Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?” Twilight frowned.
“Whaddya you mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all."
“…Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?” Twilight asked as Spyro and Sparx slowly hid under Boomer’s oversized umbrella with him as they continued to eat.
“Me? No no no, of course not,” Rainbow replied.
“That sounds like denial,” Sparx replied.
“Uh-huh,” Twilight deadpanned.
“Seriously, I'd do it for any pony,” Rainbow Dash replied before Twilight pointed at Big Macintosh walking by, the girdle sticking to him, “Heh heh, eh.”
“…Now it’s just creepy,” Boomer and Sparx shuddered.
“Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now,” Twilight frowned.
“Uh, Twilight? You sure that’s a…” Sparx began.
“Ugh, fine,” Rainbow snorted before she grabbed a cloud behind her and covered the hole.
“That's better,” Twilight smirked before using magic on her sandwich once more…only to get soaked and her sandwich ruined.
“Sucks to be you right now,” Sparx snickered.
“Twilight, it's raining,” Rarity noted as she walked over, holding an elegant umbrella fir for two.
“No, really?” Twilight asked with heavy sarcasm.
“Come with me before you catch a cold,” Rarity ordered before taking the Unicorn by the hand and dragged her off.
“We’ll see you later, Boomer,” Spyro waved as he and Sparx gave chase, the dragon using his wings as an umbrella.
“See ya, buds!” Boomer waved.
---
Twilight Sparkle shook her head of the remaining water from the bath before seeing she ended up soaking Rarity, “Heh heh, oops, sorry.”
“Oh no, it's quite alright. After all, we are…” Rarity assured before nuzzling her fellow Unicorn, “…the best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?”
“Uh…” Twilight began as Sparx and Spyro began to slowly back away.
“Makeovers~!” Rarity almost sang.
“Oh no,” both boys paled as Rarity used her Magic to pull a screen wall over to her and Twilight.
“Ugh, Rarity-ow!-this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight! Eek!”
“There,” Rarity moved the wall away, revealing Twilight was in an elegant, tightly-fitting dress, “Oh, you're simply darling!”
“Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?” Twilight admitted, ‘But it’s tighter than anything I’ve worn before…’
“And you two,” Rarity turned to Spyro and the snickering Sparx, “Oh Spyro, Sparx, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gents.”
“Oh no,” both paled as the sliding wall was pulled back in.
“D-ah, ow!” Sparx yelped.
“Oh, hey, wow!” Spyro yelped.
“Watch it, whoa!” both screamed.
The sliding wall was pulled away to reveal Spyro in a formal black suit with a soft violet button shirt under his black jacket and a red tie. Sparx…was dressed up as a stereotypical Dutch child.
“Oh, Sparx,” Twilight giggled as Rarity put a Dutch boy’s hat on Sparx’s head, fitted to his size.
“Now you just need a hat,” Rarity nodded before putting a fedora on Spyro’s head.
“I like it,” Spyro admitted as he looked at himself in a mirror, “Hmm…You think I could buy this for the Grand Galloping Gala?”
“Ugh! See you back at the library. I need to get out of this before Boomer or Mecha-Head spy me in...in this,” Sparx shuddered as he flew out before Spyro followed, pulling out an umbrella he had bought on the way to Carousel Boutique.
“Oh, who needs him anyway?” Rarity giggled before turning to Twilight, “This is all about you, and how fabulous you'll look at The Grand Galloping Gala.”
Twilight Sparkle was about to agree when her head processed the last words, “Wait, The Grand…”
Rarity’s gasp interrupted her, “And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the Unicorn!” she froze as she noticed the tick developing in Twilight’s left eye, “Ah, and Twilight Sparkle, of course.”
“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,” Twilight frowned as she used her magic to teleport out of the clothes and into her normal attire, “You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch.”
“Did somepony say 'lunch?'” a voice asked as Twilight paled before the door opened, a rope tied her around her waist, and pulled her outside into the now-clear skies.
“You've got to be kidding me!” Twilight groaned in frustration when she saw Applejack was with a cart…filled with apple-themed meals.
“I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty…” Applejack informed as Twilight began to salivate heavily, “Uh, the dessert, not my auntie. What do you say there, best friend?” Twilight’s stomach went off, “Is that a yes?”
Twilight Sparkle’s left eye twitched, “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. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!”
“So, that's a maybe?” Applejack called towards the leaving Pony, only to duck the thrown apple pie in her cart by Twilight’s Magic.
---
“Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating!” Twilight growled as she walked into the library…only to see Fluttershy humming as she and some birds were cleaning up the library, Spyro in his normal clothes and Sparx sitting on the couch with Drobot in a seat across from them, playing Monopony.
=Request to purchase your land= Drobot requested towards Sparx.
“Fluttershy, not you too?” Twilight sighed.
“Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you,” Fluttershy explained as she landed before her.
“It's summer, almost Fall,” Twilight frowned.
“Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea,” Fluttershy motioned to the little bunny from earlier, currently in a chef’s hat and preparing a salad.
“You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?” Twilight asked.
“Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right Angel?” Fluttershy asked before the rabbit crossed his arms while frowning, “Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.”
=Sensors indicate Twilight Sparkle’s heartbeat has gained a high increase since last met today= Drobot noted as Angel offered Twilight the salad.
“No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave,” Twilight frowned as she used her magic to have Bunny be put into Fluttershy’s arms before opening the door.
“SURPRISE!” Twilight yelped from the multiple voices as she was pulled outside by various Mares.
[Pinkie Pie]
Twilight is my bestest friend
Whoopie, whoopie!
“Pinkie…” Twilight began.
[Pinkie Pie]
She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!
“Uh, Pinkie?” Sparx gulped.
[Pinkie Pie]
I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!
“Pinkie!” Spyro yelped as he saw Twilight’s eyes starting to narrow and twitch.
[Pinkie Pie]
She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!
“PIIINKIIIE!!”Twilight screeched.
“Yes, Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket,” Twilight frowned.
“Wait, what ticket? What gala?”
“Oh no…” Sparx paled, “We’re gonna run again, aren’t we?”
“Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Pinkie Pie declared as Drobot facepalmed.
“The Grand Galloping Gala?” the Mares all gasped.
“What are we gonna do?” Sparx gulped as the party began to go into a mob-ish mode for the extra ticket.
“We're…gonna…run!” Twilight screamed before she and Spyro ran away with sparx flying after them.
“We’re gonna die in a party-frenzied stampede!” Sparx cried in fear.
[music]
The trio zipped by Sugarcube Corner. The herd raced by and the three poked their heads out from behind Applejack’s cart. The flower shop nearby opened the upper half of its door to have one of the Mares poke out. The three ran off once more. The herd ran by a couple that had their heads covered in fanciful hats with the Mare of the two pushing a baby carriage. Once the herd had gone by, the ‘couple’ moved their hats up a bit to reveal Spyro and Twilight. In the carriage was Sparx, wearing a bonnet and pacifier.
One of the Mares stopped and pointed out their disguise. The three fled once more and the herd raced over a bridge…unaware of the three hugging onto the underside of it. Spyro wiped a hand over his brow in relief…before realizing he had let go of the bridge and fell into the stream.
The herd raced by a costume shop. Two of the mannequins, actually Twilight and Spyro in costumes wiped their brows in relief. They raced out after getting the costumes off and into the park. The herd zipped by a bench and the two on it lowered their newspaper, revealing Spyro and Twilight in black sunglasses and mustaches. They smirked at each other before Sparx poked his head out of Twilight’s mane, wearing the same mustache and sunglasses. They ran off and skidded to a halt when they realized they were in a dead-end alleyway. The herd grew closer until Twilight quickly teleported them away.
“Where is she?”
“Where did she go?”
“She's disappeared.”
---
A spark appeared in the center of the library. The spark ‘blew up’ and revealed Twilight, Spyro, and a slightly-burnt Sparx.
“Ugh, warn me next time you're gonna do that,” Sparx groaned.
“I panicked, okay? Now quick, lock the doors!” Twilight ordered.
The trio quickly zipped off to seal the house from all intruders. Sparx even put a board over the toilet and nailed it down to be safe. All three sighed in relief as they planted themselves on the couch.
“…Feel better?” Boomer asked.
“Much,” Twilight replied.
=That is good to hear= Drobot nodded, pausing from his cup of tea =Though you do realize that you have now sealed yourself away with the five who started this all, correct?=
“Yes, I see them,” Twilight replied as she looked at the stairs to see all five of her friends there.
“…” nothing happened for a few moments as Boomer held up one of his four-fingered hand and counted down to 'one.'
“Yaaaargh!” Twilight’s scream echoed all over the treehouse and broke a few glass objects/mirrors in a twenty yard radius of said treehouse as she collapsed to her knees in frustration, “I can't decide! I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!”
Applejack looked down in shame as she saw Twilight was almost in tears before walking over and gently hugged her, “Twilight, sugar, Ah didn't mean t' put so much pressure on you, and if'n it helps, Ah don't want the ticket anymore. Y'all can give it t' somepony else," she hugged Twilight slightly tighter, "Ah won't feel bad, Ah promise.”
“Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful,” Fluttershy added as she gently flew over to hug her as well.
“And me too! It's no fun upsetting your friends,” Pinkie Pie bounced over.
“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did,” Rarity added.
“Yes! That means the ticket is mine!” Rainbow Dash cheered before ducking the paint-bomb that Boomer threw at her, turning the ceiling pink in color, “Uh, I mean…you know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for The Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either. Eh-heh-heh.”
=Riiiight…= Drobot rolled his organic eye.
“We all got so gun-ho ‘bout going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were makin’ you,” Applejack spoke.
“We're sorry, Twilight,” all five apologized.
“Thanks girls. Sparx, take down a note,” Twilight ordered.
“All ready,” Sparx replied as he flew over to a nearby table and pulled out the quill pen and ink.
“Ahem. ‘Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala.’”
“What?!” the girls gasped.
“‘If my friends can't all go, I do not wish to go either.’”
“Twilight, you don't have to do that,” Applejack assured.
“Nope. I've made up my mind. Spyro, you can send the letter now,” Twilight informed before a knock was heard.
“It sees I came at a good time, then,” the group turned to see Ignitus poke his head in through the opened doorway.
“Ignitus!” Spyro beamed.
“Oops. Forgot to lock the door,” Sparx noted as Twilight facepalmed.
“Celestia forgot to add something onto the scroll,” Ignitus explained before the Mares, Troll, Dragonfly, and two Dragons walked outside before Ignitus held his tail to show more gold tickets, “It was supposed to be ‘cordially invites the Elements of Harmony plus one guest each.’”
“Heh-heh. Reminds me of the time that Sparx secretly put a firecracker in one of Mom’s cakes. Spent a few days in a prank war,” Spyro snickered.
“…” Twilight’s eye twitched.
“What?” Sparx asked as he and Spyro began to slowly back away from the angered look Twilight sent at them.
“You two destroyed the books I just got on one of those days!” Twilight growled.
“…That was…” Sparx held back a laugh, “Molestia’s prank, not ours.”
“Sparx, I’m warning you…” Twilight narrowed her eyes.
“That’s a relief,” Fluttershy admitted, “You almost didn’t get to go to the gala either.”
“It's okay girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me, so I would rather not go at all,” Twilight admitted, earning a group hug from the Mares.
“It seems you learned an important lesson on Friendship today, young Twilight Sparkle,” Ignitus noted.
“i have indeed, Ignitus,” Twilight replied.
“Good,” Ignitus nodded before giving her the tickets, “Now I need to get back to Canterlot before anyone sees me. The ponies may be used to seeing you and Drobot now, Spyro, but the other Elders and I are still trying to slowly integrate with the society here while your regain your breaths.”
Spyro nodded. It was then Twilight and Ignitus’ stomachs went off.
“…I knew I forgot something before I left to come here…” Ignitus blushed, the blush hidden surprisingly well under his scales.
“Allow us to treat you and Twilight to dinner, then,” Rarity offered.
“What a great way to apologize and thank Ignitus for bringing the tickets,” Rainbow Dash smirked.
“And to celebrate! Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me,” Pinkie Pie declared.
“Very well, but let’s hope it’s not literal like last time,” Ignitus chuckled.
“Don’t remind me,” Sparx rolled his eyes as Boomer laughed it up.