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// A Day Off 
// Story: The Magic of the Earth 
// by Cameron Nightshade 
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	Days passed, and it seemed like I wasn’t getting any better. I just wanted to give up all the time, but Twilight kept me going. She never stopped believing in me. She would always encourage me to keep trying, and to never give up. She even told me times where magic was hard for her. 

So, I kept trying. Today, she had me working on levitating things across the room. The feather was easy for me. The object kept getting heavier and heavier. I did also break a few items, but Twilight didn’t seem to mind. She also knew a spell that fixed items. So there was no more visible damage. 

Now, I am working on levitating a medium sized book. It took me what seemed like forever just to pick it up off the floor. Once I got it up the floor, the next challenge was to keep it in the air. 

Luckily, Spike came in with some daffodil sandwiches for lunch, so I got a nice break. 

“You’re doing very well, Dawn. I think you have earned yourself the rest of the day off, and tomorrow off. I don’t want you to overwork your magic. Unicorns have a resistance to ward off a magic overload, but it only goes so far. Even unicorns have to take a break. I can’t imagine how it must be for you. I don’t even know if you have a resistancy. So once you’re done here, you can go run off and play with your friends,” Twilight told me. 

I perked up at this. “Really! Oh my Celestia, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll see you on Friday!” I yelled over my shoulder as I dashed out of the library doors.

I trotted down the street and saw Apple Bloom racing after Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. “Hey. I was wondering if I could join in with you guys?” I asked.

Apple Bloom stopped running. “Ah don’t mind. How ‘bout you, Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo turned around. “Come on! We are trying to catch Sweetie Belle,” she explained to me. 

I started running. “Well what are you doing talking to me? Lets go get her!” I laughed. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo followed me. I saw Sweetie Belles tail turn around a building. “Guys, I found her. Go around the other way, we will corner her off,” I said.

They left and I kept running towards Sweetie Belle. I somehow caught up to her and tackled her to the ground. 

Apple Bloom laughed. “You got her!”

“Hey, I was wondering. Where have you been the past few days? You haven’t been at school, but here you are, fit as a fiddle,” Scootaloo asked.

I looked around. What should I tell her? I can’t tell her I went away to Canterlot and have been studying how to do magic. “Uhm. Well. I went out to see family,” I lied.

“But I saw you over at Twilight’s everyday,” Apple Bloom commented.

I closed my mouth. “Yeah, she was helping me go through my problems. Don’t worry, I’m feeling better. I’ll be going back to school soon though.” I lied again. 

Scootaloo nodded her head. “Okay. Well, if you need anypony to talk to, I’m here. We are all here for you, Dawn.” Scootaloo looked up. “Oh goodness. I better be getting home. My mother will be wondering where I am. Bye!” Scootaloo took off on her scooter.

“I better be getting home too. Rarity said she had something planned for us today. See ya Apple Bloom! Bye Dawn!” Sweetie Belle picked herself up off the ground and galloped to her sisters store, the Carousel Boutique. 

Apple Bloom looked at me. “Well, ah guess it’s just us two now. What do you wanna do, Dawn?” Apple Bloom asked.

I sat down slowly. Apple Bloom did the same. “Well, I guess we could go see if Pinkie Pie wants any help baking. Or if there is a party she needs help throwing.” I noted.

Apple Bloom stood up. “Ooh! Yeah! Come on!” Apple Bloom took off towards the bakery. 

When we reached there, we found Pinkie Pie being as jumpy as ever. “Hi guys! Wanna cupcake?” she shoved two cupcakes in front of us. We both took them and took a bite. It qwas soft and very good.

“Hmm. Thank you, Pinkie Pie,” I said as I swallowed the delicious cupcake. “So do you need any help with baking, or a party?” I finished.

“I love parties! Parties, Parties, Parties! you know, Life is a Party! Well, I don’t have one planned. Let’s throw a party for Spike! We could gather gems, and bake a cake for him for being such a great dragon and assistant, and just being him!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. In just a few minutes, we were mixing up a gem cake while Pinkie Pie was setting up a party. 

When the cake was done, Pinkie Pie sent me to go get Spike. I reached the treehouse library, and called out for Spike and Twilight to come down to Sugarcube Corner for a surprise. 

Spike rushed forward and followed me closely. I opened the door and the lights turned on. Confetti and streamers fell from the ceiling. “IT’S PARTY TIME!” Pinkie Pie grabbed Spike and showed him his cake. 

“Is that, a jewel cake?” Spike asked as he licked his lips. 

“Yeporooni, Spikeerooni!” Pinkie Pie responded. Spike grabbed himself a piece of the cake and ate it greedily. 

Twilight stepped up next to me. “How is your day off coming long?” she asked as she watched Spike eat more cake.

I looked up at her. “Amazing. I can’t wait for tomorrow! Tomorrow I’ll do even better!” I exclaimed. I left Twilight and joined in with Spike. Games were around Sugarcube Corner. Purple and green streamers were everywhere. I never quite figured out how Pinkie Pie was able to put parties together so fast. 

When the party was over, I went back to my house and ate a little dinner. I told my mom about the party me, Apple Bloom, and Pinkie Pie threw for Spike. When I finished dinner, I went up to bed, and fell asleep.