//------------------------------//
// Episode 3: The Ticket Master 
// Story: Rariverse 
// by sjosten 
//------------------------------//

My little pony, my little pony, ah ah ah ah
My little pony!
I used to live content and happy,
My little pony,
But now the show is all about me!
Grand adventure,
Fast and fun,
A beautiful heart,
Rockin’ on strong!
Being kind’s really easy you see,
And I’m here to make it all complete!
Don’t you know it works out in the end?

Braeburn grunted as he hauled the last bushel of apples onto the cart.
“Thanks for coming ‘round to help out Ms. Rarity, I know this really isn’t your scene, but since my cousins supplied that celebration, we need to catch up as much as we can.” Braeburn said.
“Oh, don’t mention it. After all, you did all the work, I just sorted apples.” Rarity said.
“Don’t sell yourself short. Vinyl or Fleetfoot or the others wouldn’t of come. Course, Vinyl and Lyra are still moving into their house, but I’m sure they wouldn’t come either way.” Braeburn said.
“A bit pessimistic, aren’t we?” Rarity said.
“Look, I understand that we’re supposed to be all buddy buddy and all, but let’s face it: even you didn’t really want to come here today.” Braeburn said.
If it advances the plot, I’ll do practically anything.
	“Rarity!” A high pitched voice called from the front gates of the barn.
“I’m over here!” Rarity called back. Instants later, a small white filly was bouncing toward Rarity with a letter clamped in her jaws.
“Howdy.” Braeburn said.
“Rarity, mom and dad are super mad at you for not telling us you were coming into town.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Sweetie Belle, I saved the world. I think our parents will understand.” Rarity said, taking the letter from her sister.
“So, you’re Rarity’s sister? I see the resemblance.” Braeburn said, causing Sweetie Belle to smile wider than should have been physically possible.
“I know right? I’m gonna be just like Rarity when I get bigger. I’m gonna have huge magic powers, and talk to royalty, and make dresses.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Dresses?” Braeburn asked.
“Did I not tell you about that? I’m a designer.” Rarity said.
“Huh. Whatever, what’s the letter say?” Braeburn asked. Rarity opened the envelope to reveal two shiny gold tickets.
“Oh.” Rarity said, staring at the tickets.
“What are they?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“The Grand Galloping Gala. Two tickets to the Gala.” Rarity said.
“The Gala?” Something called from behind Sweetie Belle. A few moments later, Lyra and Vinyl Scratch cantered up.
“You got tickets? Sweet. Who’re you taking?” Vinyl asked.
“Oh, I don’t know, I was considering not attending actually.” Rarity said.
“You’ve gone the last few years.” Lyra said.
I have?
You have.
“I have. But now, with the six of us, and only two tickets, I’m not sure it would be such a great idea. We’re a team, right?” Rarity said.
“Don’t worry about me. Octy’s been giving me her ticket the last couple years. Makes it so she doesn’t have to find a date.” Vinyl said.
“And Fleetfoot is a wonderbolt, so she’ll get in automatically. Then there’s Fleur de Lis, and it would be stranger if she and Fancy Pants didn’t get invited.” Lyra said.
“I guess that leaves you and me Lyra.” Braeburn said.
“Oh no, I’m staying as far away from Canterlot as I can.” Lyra said, backing up a bit.
“Aw, don’t worry. Auntie Vinyl’s here to protect you from the big bad… actually, what are you avoiding anyway?” Vinyl asked.
“It’s kind of… personal.” Lyra said, shifting her weight to either side.
“Oh come Lyra, it’ll be fun. Imagine, Vinyl and Braeburn will be there. That alone should be interesting.” Rarity said.
I thought you didn’t want to go.
Well if you’re going to railroad me to the show’s plot, I might as well go through with it.
“I’m going? So, does that mean I’m your date?” Braeburn asked.
“Only if Vinyl is Octavia’s.” Rarity said.
“Not yet, but I’m sure my fantastic charm will wear her down.” Vinyl said.
“Why did you two come here again?” Braeburn asked.
“We barely have any stuff to unload into that place Fleur got us, so we finished early. Figured we’d come here and get some celebratory ciders.” Vinyl said.
“Tell you what, I’ll go get the ciders, and you two can talk Lyra into coming with to the Gala.” Braeburn said, trotting off.
“No. No no no.” Lyra said, shaking her head.
“Lyra, I understand trying to avoid an entire town for personal issues. Trust me, I did the exact same thing with Ponyville for years. But it doesn’t work out. Besides, the whole of Canterlot isn’t against you. It isn’t, is it?” Rarity asked.
“I don’t think so.” Lyra said.
“What do you mean avoiding a whole town?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Sweetie Belle, why don’t you give the nice mailpony who delivered the letter this as a tip?” Rarity said, pulling out a few bits.
“But she’s probably all the way across town by now.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Sweetie, we’re also across town from my house.” Rarity said.
“It’s really more of a library than a house.” Vinyl said.
“I’m surprised the mayor was only able to give you that.” Lyra said.
“Yes, well Fleur managed to buy your house before Celestia could arrange for my lodging, so I’m stuck with the tree. And as it is my home and dwelling, it is, in fact, a house.” Rarity said.
“Whatever, didn't want to start a fight.” Vinyl said.
No, just spout exposition.
If I didn't establish exposition, everyone would just accuse me of making stuff up on the spot. Including you.
Yes, yes I would.
“You now, I really didn't believe that baker mare before, but it looks like you actually are all here.” Fleur said as she and Fleetfoot trotted up to the others.
“Then again, she also said that you were all here to ask out Big Macintosh.” Fleetfoot said.
“Nope!” A shout came from in the apple fields.
“Weird. Anyway, what are you guys doing here?” Fleetfoot asked.
“Getting cider.” Lyra said quickly.
“I got tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala, and we’re attempting to convince Lyra to come with us.” Rarity said.
“Ugh. I hate that place. Three hours of listening to snobs and Spitfire with only a half hour show? Worst party ever.” Fleetfoot said.
“As a snob, I’m highly offended.” Fleur said with a grin.
“It’s not so bad so long as you stay near the food with all the other floaters. Besides, if we’re all there, you’ll have an excuse to not hang with the nobility.” Vinyl said.
“Yeah, a few hours listening to you mock the ponies I don’t like does sound like fun. I’m in.” Fleetfoot said.
“Which brings us back to you.” Rarity said, turning to Lyra, who was attempting to hide behind a pile of apples.
“What are you so afraid of?” Fleur asked.
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” Lyra said.
“Lyra, since I just bought you a house, I’m asking you to do this as a favor for me.” Fleur said.
“It’s not very generous to ask for something in return for gifts.” Lyra said.
“Oh yes, clearly the better option is to have all the rest of us go to Canterlot and have an exciting evening while you stay at home and eat sandwiches all day.” Fleur said.
“I’m back. Did I miss anything?” Braeburn asked.
“Lyra and Fleur are gonna have a catfight.” Vinyl said.
“And me without my popcorn.” Fleetfoot said.
“Listen guys, I appreciate that you want to hang out with me, but I’d rather just bum around here.” Lyra said.
“But you’re my new housemate, if you aren’t there, who am I gonna get to help me steal hors d’oeuvres?” Vinyl asked.
“Well with such noble intentions, how could I say no?” Lyra asked, rolling her eyes.
“Lyra, what do you think is going to happen at the Gala?” Rarity asked.
“Mostly just boring stuff, but I don’t want to run into anypony I know.” Lyra said.
“Do you know any of Equestria’s most influential and elite members of society?” Fleur asked.
“Do you guys count?” Lyra asked.
“Nope.” Braeburn said.
“Then no.” Lyra said.
“Then you won’t run into anypony you know.” Fleetfoot said.
“If anything goes wrong, I’m relying on you guys to break me out of prison.” Lyra said.
“I really hope you’re joking.” Rarity said.
“We’ll be at a party with Vinyl. Anything’s possible.” Lyra said.
“Point taken. So then, how to split up the tickets?” Rarity asked.
“I’m leeching off Tavi, so I’m of no help.” Vinyl said.
“Fancy Pants and I always go as a couple, so there’s my two tickets.” Fleur said.
“And Silver Lining convinced me to start donating my extra ticket to the Wonderbolt charity auction a few years back. It wouldn’t exactly be a good move to stop doing that.” Fleetfoot said.
“I heard Celestia stockpiles the things. Why not just ask her?” Vinyl asked.
I remember this episode. You don’t need to tell me.
Okay, I get it, you have all the answers. So, ye of infinite wisdom, how exactly are you going to contact Celestia?
I’ll just… darn it.
Thought so.
Well, I suppose I need a Spike. There’s only one thing to do in this scenario. Scene change!



“Auditions? You couldn’t just hire an assistant?” Vinyl asked.
“I rather like the idea. It has a certain flair to it.” Fleur said.
“Next one incoming!” Fleetfoot shouted. A lavender unicorn walked into the library.
“Hi, I’m Twilight Sparkle. You probably don’t remember me, but I was valedictorian of our Royal Academy class before you went to apprentice with Celestia. I also planned the Summer Sun Celebration here.” Twilight said.
“And we all know how that ended.” Vinyl said.
“To be fair, the celebration was rather nice before a malevolent deity decided to intervene.” Fleur said.
“Yeah, I guess you’re… hey Rarity, if Nightlight here is the one who planned the celebration, what exactly did we come here for?” Vinyl asked.
“To stop Nightmare Moon.” Rarity said.
“You knew that was going to happen?” Fleur asked.
“And you only bothered to ask the two of us before you tried to get here?” Vinyl asked.
“Understand that my plan had to be cut short a tad in order to make the train.” Rarity said.
“You had a thousand years to get the timing right.” Vinyl said.
“So, should I give you my resume?” Twilight asked, pulling a scroll out of her saddlebag.
“No, you’re dismissed.” Vinyl said.
“Vinyl, what are you talking about? From what she’s said, she’s the most capable mare we’ve seen so far.” Fleur said.
“Allow me to crush that. Hey Sporkle, how much are you looking to get paid?” Vinyl asked.
“It’s Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle. And I was thinking somewhere around thirty bits a day.” Twilight said.
“And how much do you get paid to run a tailor shop out of a library?” Vinyl asked.
“About fifteen bits a day.” Rarity groaned.
“Oh.” Twilight said.
“Give us your resume, we’ll keep you under consideration.” Fleur said. Twilight walked out the door, head hanging low.
“You know, so many problems would be solved if you just talked to us before you did this stuff.” Vinyl said.
“What do you mean?” Rarity asked.
“You never tell us the plan. Like, would it have killed you to talk budget before we set up here today?” Vinyl asked.
“Or told us about the Elements of Harmony beforehand?” Fleur asked
“Or explained that an ancient evil was going to attack you when you got here.” The stallion standing in the middle of the library said.
“Who are you?” Vinyl asked.
“I’m the doctor.” The stallion said.
“You have a doctorate?” Fleur asked.
“Which means you’re too pricey. Again.” Vinyl said.
“Oh, I’m not here to audition, I just thought my wife was somewhere around here.” The stallion said.
“Then get out.” Vinyl said.
“You have all the subtlety of a jackhammer.” Fleur said.
“He just disappeared.” Rarity said, staring at the spot on the floor where the stallion had been standing.
“Works for me.” Vinyl said.
“Well, let’s just hope that the next few are more eligible.” Fleur said.



“Okay, last one.” Fleetfoot said.
“I can’t believe we haven’t found a single applicant we like.” Rarity said.
“Well, your budget is about as low as a limbo champion, so I’m not surprised.” Vinyl said.
“But I’m offering free room and board.” Rarity said, gesturing to the mostly empty room tucked away in the corner.
“Yeah, forgot about that. Hey Lyra!” Vinyl shouted.
“Yes?” Lyra said, ducking her head into the room.
“Rarity’s spare room or your college dorm, which is bigger?” Vinyl asked.
“Oh, I thought that was a closet.” Lyra said.
“How is it that I’m poor all of a sudden?” Rarity moaned.
“You just moved here, you haven’t established a foothold yet. The first few weeks will be difficult, but you’ll be okay.” Fleur said.
“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle shouted, bouncing into the room.
“Sweetie Belle, what are you doing here?” Rarity asked.
“I wanna be your assistant!” Sweetie Belle said.
“Oh Celestia, she’s perfect. If you feed her and give her a bed, she’s free.” Vinyl said.
“And she’s adorable.” Fleur said.
“But you don’t know any magic.” Rarity said.
“I do now! I started taking lessons after you left.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Let’s see what you can do.” Vinyl said, leaning forward.
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes as a faint pink light appeared around her horn. The same light appeared on Vinyl’s sunglasses. The glasses were pulled from Vinyl and deposited on Fleur.
“Gimme those.” Vinyl said, quickly performing the same trick in reverse.
“Do you happen to know the spell to send letters?” Rarity asked.
“You mean when you really need a letter sent, so you have Pinkie bake up a ton of muffins, and you give the letter to Derpy when she shows up?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“The teleporting one.” Vinyl said.
“Oh. I can try.” Sweetie Belle said.
“I’m sure there’s a book about it in here somewhere. You’ll have plenty of time to learn.” Fleur said.
“Well, technically, if we want the tickets, we would need this sooner.” Vinyl said.
“I can do it! I promise.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Well, there’s no harm in trying, right?” Rarity said. She pulled a small bookmark off one of the library shelves and levitated it over to Sweetie Belle, “I want you to try to send this to Ms. Lyra.”
“Found it!” Fleur said, trotting over to Sweetie Belle with an open book.
“A foal’s guide to teleportation. Hey, I’m not a foal.” Sweetie Belle protested. Still, she read through the couple of pages detailing the spell.
Sweetie Belle shut her eyes again as she started up the spell. The bookmark floated into the air, hovering for a few moments. Then it started to spin rapidly. Suddenly, a green fire erupted around the little piece of paper.
“Whoa. Was that supposed to happen?” Vinyl asked.
“Yes, yes it was.” Rarity grinned, “Congratulations Sweetie Belle. Under the presumption that Lyra received that correctly, I believe you have the job.”
“Um, guys, what’s this?” Lyra asked as she and Fleetfoot trotted into the room with the bookmark. Sweetie Belle instantly began hopping about and cheering.
“So, you’ve got an assistant then?” Lyra asked.
“Indeed I do. Sweetie Belle, take a letter. Dear Princess Celestia, I am profoundly grateful for the tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala you sent me, and patiently await the chance to attend such a prestigious event. However, between the tickets my friends and I have, we would only be able to have five of us attend. As such, I respectfully request a third ticket so that my companions and I may attend the Gala together, without forcing one of us to be left out. Your faithful student, Rarity.” Rarity said.
“Wow. I haven’t heard somepony use that many words to convey a simple concept since Colgate’s eight page exam on the dangers of plaque.” Lyra said.
“Indeed, your loquaciousness is impressive.” Fleur said.
“So, should I send this now?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Yes, please.” Rarity said. After Sweetie Belle performed the spell again, she looked as if she would faint.
“You okay kid?” Fleetfoot asked.
“I’m just kind of tired.” Sweetie Belle said, leaning against the bookshelves.
“That spell had a long range. It’s not surprising it took a lot out of her.” Lyra said.
“Well, I suppose I’ll have to put that guest room together sooner than I thought.” Rarity said. Just then, a green flash appeared in front of Sweetie Belle, knocking the filly over.
“Looks like the boss sent her reply.” Fleetfoot said, picking up the letter, “Let’s see, glad to help, here’s the tickets, can’t wait, yada yada, oh here’s an interesting bit: And just so you’re aware, I can, in fact, tell exactly who is sending the letters. I have, as such, included another ticket for your sister. I eagerly await you blah blah blah, when’s your first report on friendship magic coming, words words, from Celestia.”
“I get to go to the Gala?” Sweetie Belle shouted, her tiredness apparently vanishing as she began jumping around again.
“I still can’t believe you guys talked me into this.” Lyra mumbled.
“Peer pressure will do a lot to you.” Vinyl smirked.
“Rarity? I think your sister fell asleep.” Fleur said, nudging Sweetie Belle.
“Let’s draw a mustache on her.” Fleetfoot said. Vinyl produced a marker with her magic. Both were subsequently kicked out of the library.
“Fine. I know when I’m not wanted.” Vinyl said.
“I’d make a comment, but it’d be too easy. Low hanging fruit and whatnot.” Fleetfoot said, taking off. The door opened behind Vinyl.
“You still have the keys to our place.” Lyra said.
“Shall I escort you home then, mon chéri?” Vinyl asked.
“I would be delighted.” Lyra said.



Hours later, Sweetie Belle woke up in a bed in her new room. It was a cozy little thing, just enough space for a bed, some shelves, and a desk and chair. She dragged herself out of bed and into the main room. It appeared to be some time after dark. There was a light on in one of the adjacent room though, and Sweetie Belle could hear somepony making a fracas in there.
“Rarity? What are you doing?” Sweetie Belle groaned, walking into the room.
“If there are going to be two of us here, we definitely need more than a library.” Rarity said. Sweetie Belle wiped the sand out of her eyes and looked around the room. It was a sizable room, definitely bigger than Sweetie Belle’s bedroom. There was a large table in the middle and a few cabinets against the wall, with an oven tucked in the corner. Hanging from the ceiling were various pots and pans and for some reason a bottle of syrup.
“You made a kitchen?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Well, it was mostly Braeburn, admittedly. He came by after you fell asleep to see how things were going. I mentioned that you would be living here now, and that I was hoping we could just eat here, one thing led to another, and now we have a kitchen.” Rarity said.
“How many empty rooms are in this place?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“That reminds me, if anypony comes here asking where out biography section is, please direct them to Vinyl Scratch and Lyra’s attic. They’re holding on to a few things for us.” Rarity said.
“Hey, I’m going to the Gala right? Or did I dream that?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“You’re going. I wouldn’t leave you behind to run off to Canterlot a second time.” Rarity said, “Which reminds me, I need you to take a letter.”
“I’ll do my best.” Sweetie Belle said, grabbing a notepad and pencil off the table. She flipped to a page that wasn’t full of décor or dress designs.
“Ahem,
Dear Princess Celestia, 
I’ve given this a lot of thought since the last letter, and I believe I’ve arrived at the true ‘friendship lesson’ I’ve learned today. I spent the better part of the day going through a long and tiring process that nearly failed, that could have been entirely avoided if I had communicated with my friends. In fact, I wouldn’t have realized that I was making this mistake if not for one of my friends communicating with me. I need to ensure that my friends and I truly understand each other, because otherwise, our endeavors are doomed to failure.
Your faithful student, Rarity.”