"Surprise!" What seemed like a thousand ponies shouted as Morning and AJ stepped into the large library. Morning's eyes widened as she took in the venue of color.
It looked like Rarity and Pinkie Pie collaborated together to decorate. Beautiful ribbons flowed over the railings to the stairs and along the ceiling. Balloons dotted the floor while a whole cloud of them floated above all the ponies in the room. A table with drinks and snacks stood off to the corner. Unsurprisingly, Spike and Rainbow Dash were chowing down.
An excited and bouncing Pinkie hopped over to Morning. "Whatcha think?"
"Wow, Pinkie! I've never had a party like this thrown for me before. It's amazing!" Morning gushed as AJ chuckled, obviously used to the pony's parties.
"Every pony is here for you, Morning! See, over there is Mr. and Mrs. Cake. And that's Mayor Marelyn. Oh! And that's Berry Punch..." Pinkie went on and on, pointing out every pony that she could.
Soon, a zebra- Morning only could guess by the coloration and the mane- approached them.
"Mornin', this here's Zecora. Zecora, this is my cousin Mornin' Glory," AJ said, a friendly air between them.
"Oh, the new pony I presume. I was told of you by our dear Apple Bloom," Zecora said with a brilliant smile.
Morning liked the way that Zecora spoke in rhyme. It made her feel mystical. "She told me a lot about you, Zecora. It's nice to finally meet you."
They chatted happily for a while longer and the party filtered through. Morning couldn't help but be in awe of this place. All the ponies seemed to welcome her happily. Lyra and Bon-Bon had even spoken to her and offered her to join them at their home. Morning was flattered and promised the couple a supper with them.
After a few hours, the party began to die down and AJ had taken off with Dash- most likely to fly in the sky as they usually do. Morning decided to sneak outside and look up at the moon. Princess Luna seemed to be working efficiently tonight. The moon seemed to glow in her honor. She couldn't help but smile as she saw a faint shadow fly and knew it was the princess.
"Whatcha doin' out here, Morning? The party's inside," said a voice that was usually alight with energy.
She turned around to spy Pinkie with an obviously concerned face. "Oh! Pinkie! Sorry. I guess I'm just stunned that all of y'all showed up just to welcome me."
Pinkie trotted over to Morning's side, sitting beside her, head tilted to the side. "Why's that?"
"Well, I'm just one pony. One of millions. I never thought I'd be one in a million," she confided with a half-grin.
"Oh Morning," the pink pony shook her head, her mane bobbing with pent-up energy. "You're a one-of-a-kind pony! I'm sure somepony out there will see that."
"Yeah. I mean, AJ found that pony," Morning said with a sigh.
"Are you jealous?" Pinkie seemed to grow serious now.
"Of AJ? Maybe. Not just because she has Dash either," Morning confessed.
"Well, what does Applejack have that you feel like you don't?"
"I dunno. That's the thing. I just feel like somethin' is missing."
"Well, you'll find that piece. Oh! I know!" Pinkie seemed to snap back into her usual bright self. "Let's get a piece of cake! That'll help!"
Morning couldn't help but smile. Pinkie Pie could listen earnestly to any problem but would instantly work her hardest to help the pony in distress smile. She began to feel a strong connection to Pinkie. She felt like this pony might be that one best friend she hoped to make. "That sounds great! Race ya!"
In a tan and pink blur, the giggling fillies took off towards the snack bar, skidding to a halt, Morning just barely beating the other.
"Hah! I win!" She laughed breathlessly.
"Oh no you don't!" Pinkie then tackled her to the ground, tickling her. Morning let out a squeal and tried to wiggle away. She bucked Pinkie off before bolting off.
"Oof!" Morning ran straight into a solid form, falling back and rolling a few times before she looked up between her yellow hair. Rainbow Dash stood there, looking stunned.
"Oh! Dash! I'm so sorry!"
"Nah, it's cool. You're pretty fast for an earth pony," Dash said with a smirk.
Blushing, Morning grinned. "Thanks Dash. I hear you're a pretty fast flyer yourself."
"Yeah, but I'm pretty evenly matched with your cousin on the ground," Dash admitted.
"You should see her flying," a shy voice spoke up.
Morning turned to see the quiet Fluttershy standing beside her. "I've heard that she's wicked fast. Saved a Wonderbolt once, too."
"She saved Rarity, too," Fluttershy said with a soft smile.
Dash couldn't hold back and began to delve into the exciting story. Morning began to feel uncomfortable and slipped out while all eyes were on Dash.
Fluttershy noticed Morning walk off and quietly fluttered over to the seemingly upset pony. "Morning?"
"Huh?" Morning turned and smiled a little. "Oh. Hey, Fluttershy."
"I don't mean to intrude but, uhm, is everything okay?"
Morning hesitated for a minute. "Well... Will you promise not to let any of the others know?"
"Oh, of course not. I mean... Not unless it's going to hurt them," Fluttershy promised with a nod.
"Well... I'm jealous."
"Jealous?" The yellow pony tilted her head.
"Yes. Y'see... I've always wanted to fly in the sky. I had always hoped by some magical miracle that I would sprout wings and be able to fly. I've had dreams since I was a little filly to fly in the sky with an unknown pony. I had never been happier. And every night I've had the same dream over and over."
Fluttershy nodded, listening intently. "Why haven't you said anything?"
"Well, AJ and Dash are together. AJ knows. And it's taken somewhat of a toll on her. She's afraid to be around Dash around me, knowing it hurts me," Morning confessed.
"Well, you know, maybe things will change for you. I mean, I don't know if you'll ever get wings but... maybe that's for a good reason. Look at me- I have wings but I hardly use them," Fluttershy said with a small smile.
Morning nodded and smiled sheepishly. "I guess I sound selfish, huh?"
"Oh no. Not selfish at all," Fluttershy said quickly. "Nothing is selfish about having dreams. You've just gotta be positive," she said reassuringly.
"Thanks Fluttershy. It feels good to have someone other than AJ to talk to," Morning confessed.
Fluttershy blushed and pulled Morning into a hug. The two ponies then waltzed back inside, Dash zooming about, reenacting the moves she pulled while saving Rarity.
Rarity huffed in embarrassment before crying out to Dash that it hadn't happened the way she was saying it.
All the ponies laughed, and Morning's previous feeling of being outcast melted away. Maybe here in Ponyville, she thought, all her dreams could come true. She pushed all those thoughts away for later and instead joined Pinkie for the rest of the party, every now and then catching Fluttershy's eye and sharing a knowing smile with her.