//------------------------------// // Part 1 // Story: The Friendship Tower // by tigerpony89 //------------------------------// The Friendship Tower - Part 1 It was a pleasant, spring day and Spicknspan was slowly checking through the room keys and paperwork behind the reception desk at the Ponyville Inn.  The lunch hour had passed and, on schedule, Freshnclean trotted in with the maid cart. Spicknspan looked up from his sorting. "All done, sis?"  "Yes.  An easy cleanup job today.  Even that family in number 4 wasn't bad." Freshnclean moved past Spicknspan to put away her maid cart.   "Good.  After your lunch, can you pick up muffins for the morning?" "Sure.  I'll be back in a bit."  She trotted to the door and opened it but before she could walk through she noticed somepony just outside raising a hoof to open the door also. "Excuse me ma'am! Please come in." Freshnclean held the door so the guest could enter.  "My brother, Spicknspan, can help you at the reception desk." "Thank you," said the stranger.  She and a large brown stallion walked in, then Freshnclean went her own way. As the new pony walked up to the reception desk, Spicknspan looked up to see an earth pony with a light yellow coat approach. Her most noticeable feature was her large, curly, poofy mane that was a deep royal blue.  Her saddlebags seemed to be full.  The stallion had a brown coat and silver/grey mane. "Welcome to the Ponyville Inn, strangers!  I'm Spicknspan, proprietor.  How can I help you?" With a slight smile, the new mare said "Yes, can you tell me how many rooms you have available?" "Oh we have several with different features, what do you need?" "Actually I want to know how many rooms you have total?" Spicknspan thought this an odd question, but attempting to be nice to a customer..."Uh, 40 rooms total."   The mare put her hoof to her chin and looked to the stallion.  He nodded.  She turned back to Spicknspan.  "That should do.  I'd like to reserve your hotel for the next two and a half months, starting Monday." Spicknspan didn't think of himself as old but he was sure he didn't hear that right.   "I can certainly get you a room for that long and we can give you a discounted rate..." "No," the mare chuckled, "I want every room for the next two and a half months, starting Monday.  Oh, and I would like your best room for myself, starting today." Spicknspan decided he should sit down.  "Uhh, well then. I'll have to check the schedule.  If you would like to check in now, please sign our guest book."  He pushed the large book around to her and looked down at his schedule.   "Miss, ah..." He glanced at her name in the book "Amy Cleave..." "Actually, it's pronounced 'ah-me' with a soft 'a' if you don't mind." "My apologies, Ami Cleave. We have a few reservations next month so I'm afraid..." "I'll pay any cancellation fees, plus add a small bonus if needed.  Your inn is closest to our worksite." Spicknspan's eyes widened.  "Say…are you with Cleave Contractors, that major building company?" "Yes," said Ami, "and we might be doing a major project soon. This is my forepony, Square Beam.  He also needs a room starting today." "Certainly.  Sir, if you would also sign the guestbook?" Square Beam moved toward the book to sign it while Spicknspan looked back at the schedule. "Well, I suppose we can cancel these reservations this far in advance if you're willing to pay their cancellation fees...very well, you have the whole hotel.  Here are your keys.  When your workponies arrive, have them check in here at the desk.  And uh...I will require an advance payment of 20% to cover preparations and cancellation fees..." "Of course," said Ami.  She pulled a large bag full of golden bits from her saddlebag and put it on the desk with a heavy thunk. "Will this do?" Spicknspan's eyes changed to dollar signs.  "Certainly! Let us know if we can do anything for you!" he practically shouted at his two latest guests. Ami spoke quietly to him, "Yes.  This is going to be a large project and MIGHT be a part of the big announcement by your mayor this coming Monday."  Spicknspan nodded eagerly, hoping to learn more. "I'd really appreciate it if you would keep our presence quiet until after that.  You don't mind of course?" "Not at all, ma'am!" Spicknspan quickly mimicked the Pinkie Promise gestures.  Ami looked confused by this but Square Beam interjected and said "Thank you, we'll be on our way," as he turned to leave.  Ami followed quickly. Square spoke quietly to Ami on the way out, "We probably don't need all the rooms.  And that bag of bits was a lot more than 20%." "Square, your job is to make sure the project goes smoothly and efficiently.  Stick to that.  The accommodations are my decision." "Yes ma'am," he replied, snapping his head forward and slowing his pace so she could walk in front of him by a few hoof-lengths. Spicknspan was still counting the bits from Ami's bag when Freshnclean returned with the muffins.  "Hey sis! You won't believe what happened while you were gone, but you've got to keep it a secret!"  About half of Ponyville knew the story by supper time. "Hey Twilight, do you know what this is about?" The bouncy pink blur spoke while hopping around the group of six ponies.   "No.  I thought if there was a party involved you would know, Pinkie." "Well, whatever it is, there SHOULD be a party for it!" Pinkie started muttering to herself, "hmmm...could I throw an After-Event Party?  I think I still have the leftover streamers..." Appejack interjected, "I reckon' we'll find out soon enough.  Here we are and hooee, there's already a crowd!" Most of Ponyville's residents had gathered at the Town Hall already.  The mayor was on the stage along with some royal guard ponies.  She poked her head in the door to the hall behind the stage as if talking to somepony and then returned to the microphone. Rainbow Dash noticed the guard ponies, including four pegasi hovering over the stage.  "What are the guards for?  Are we expecting a fight?" Pinkie continued her conversation with herself. "...I'll have to make only half the cupcakes with sprinkles, but the rest could have double icing swirls..." "Um, Pinkie, I think the mayor is starting," said Fluttershy in her usual soft voice, and with no effect on Pinkie Pie. "...I think I used up all the party hats but maybe some extra balloons would make up for it..."   "Ahem, thank you all for coming out today for a very special announcement," said the mayor over the public address system. Pinkie finally went silent and the mayor continued as the crowd hushed. "Ponyville has seen some extraordinary events over the last few years.  Indeed, all of Equestria has.  And it has been a group of six ponies from our own town that have served to help and protect us." "My stars, I think she's talking about us!" said Rarity. "Well, we are pretty awesome," replied Rainbow Dash. "Shush!" said Twilight and Applejack together.  The mayor continued. "Would Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight Sparkle please come to the stage?" The six surprised friends made their way through the crowd to the stage.  Applejack and Rainbow Dash took turns steering and pushing Fluttershy. On mounting the stage, Applejack and Dash had mercy and allowed Fluttershy to stand (or rather, hide) behind them. Once they were assembled, the mayor continued.  "Let me present the pony that will make the actual announcement: our royal sovereign, the princess of the sun, Princess Celestia!" Princess Celestia stepped out of the door of the town hall, regal as ever.  All the ponies in the crowd gasped and then bowed to her. She nodded and smiled in response. "Thank you, my little ponies.  As you know, the six ponies representing the Elements of Harmony reside here in your own town. By using the Elements, they restored my sister, Princess Luna, and stopped Discord's reign of chaos.  Though they may be modest about their contribution, they deserve our thanks." The ponies in the crowd stomped and cheered for the six friends. Fluttershy let out a small "eep!" and hid further behind her friends. The other five just blushed. "To honor them for their deeds on behalf of all Equestria, I have accepted an offer to construct a monument in their honor here in Ponyville."   The crowd murmured happily that the rumor they all heard of a major construction project was true. "Cleave Contractors has offered to construct the monument to express their thanks to the Elements of Harmony. Let me now present the owner of Cleave Contractors, Ami Cleave." The crowd stamped again in approval as Ami came from the Town Hall onto the stage and approached the microphone, smiling. "Thank you princess and everypony.  Cleave Contractors has worked on many projects across Equestria, and I simply want to thank the Elements of Harmony myself for what they have done for us all." Ami gave a polite bow to the six friends.  They promptly blushed again and the crowd stomped some more.  “Their actions saved many ponies and Cleave constructed buildings from destruction.  I would like to unveil the design of the monument to be constructed here near the center of Ponyville."  A unicorn levitated a large object covered with a cloth out of the Town Hall to the side of the stage.  "I know building in the middle of town will cause some trouble for everyone for some weeks, but we'll do our best to finish as soon as possible.  And, I know we all want to honor these six ponies right here in their hometown!" The crowd again gave some stomps and cheers. "And now, we will unveil the design of the monument." At this, the unicorn lifted the cloth, revealing a model of the monument.  The crowd craned their necks to see and generally muttered their approval. "We call it the Friendship Tower.  As you can see, it is a tower in the shape of a hexagonal prism, with the top smaller than the base.  Each side will be decorated to match one of the six elements of harmony.  There will be a staircase inside and an observation room at the top where ponies will be able to look out across Ponyville.  Our company looks forward to working here to honor these ponies in the coming weeks." Ami stepped away from the microphone and Princess Celestia again took center stage. "My ponies, I want you to know your mayor and I approved this project and we are grateful for it.  We hope there is little disruption and that this monument will serve as a reminder of the service of these six friends.  Thank you all for coming, and I believe there will now be a reception in the Town Hall." The crowd cheered again and moved toward the Town Hall entrance for the snacks and to get an up-close look at the model. "They planned a party without me?" said Pinkie.   Dash replied, "Ah, don't sweat it Pinkie.  Maybe they just wanted to throw YOU a party for a change." "Hmmm...orrrr maybe they need my help!" Pinkie answered as she trotted inside.   Ami approached the five remaining friends.  "I apologize for the surprise, but Princess Celestia thought it best to keep it a secret until the announcement." Rainbow Dash, of course, was the first to reply. "No problem, this is awesome!" The others agreed, with an additional "eep" from Fluttershy. "I actually need your help.  I could use your talents in the construction process.  It may seem odd that you would help with your own monument..." "Darling, we are happy to help however we can," responded Rarity with her usual generosity. "Good.  I'll talk with you all individually soon.  First, I need to speak to Fluttershy." The shy pegasus peeked out from behind Applejack but said nothing. "Fluttershy, we want to make sure the wildlife in and near the town is safe while we're doing construction.  We could use your knowledge of them to..." Fluttershy flew out from behind Applejack and actually interrupted Ami.  "Of course!  Oh, I must talk to the birds, and moles, and skunks, and bears, and mice, and..." "Ah, yes," said Ami, taking a surprised step back.  "Please talk to my forepony, Square Beam, about what you need."  Ami nodded in Square Beam's direction as he walked toward the group. "Well, I must start on some preparations now.  I look forward to working with you all." "And we with you," said Twilight, smiling.   Ami nodded and walked into the Town Hall. Twilight moved toward the model while her friends followed Ami into the Town Hall. Twilight eyed the model and put her hoof to her chin. "This is an unusual design for a monument.  It reminds me of something...hmmm.  Maybe I'll think of it later...or research it!"  Her face immediately lit up.  She then realized she was alone and followed her friends to the reception. Four after the big announcement, the six friends were found eating lunch at the Ponyville Cafe.   "Oh, I'm so glad for lunch on this side of town.  All that noise near my boutique makes it hard to concentrate on creativity," sighed Rarity. "Whelp, the noise is right much, but the extra bits from serving Sweet Apple Acres goods to the workponies at the construction site has been mighty helpful.  And they hired Big Mac for a day or two for some tough hauling jobs.  Speaking of the construction, looks who's here." The yellow earth pony with the big blue curly mane was walking by the café.  Ami noticed the six friends and turned to walk over to their table. "Hello everyone.  I don't think I've seen you all together since we were on stage." "Well, you have some of us busy working for you, after all," smiled Rarity. "Yeah, keeping the weather under control and keeping the Weather Service happy has been a full time job!" said Rainbow Dash.   Ami frowned.  "Yes, and that storm last week was a bit of a problem."  "Hmph. You'd think that one little stray raincloud was a big deal," said Rainbow Dash quietly.  But not quietly enough. "Well that stray raincloud left us with so much mud we had to stop construction for two days." Dash ignored her. "And a pegasus can hardly find a good place for a nap near town anymore with all that noise." Ami gave Dash a hard look, but then quickly hid it with a smile.  "Well, I hope our construction hasn't been too much of a problem for the rest of you." "There are good sides too," said Fluttershy in her quiet voice, turning to her friends.  "Ami and her forepony have worked very hard to keep the animals nearby safe." The others grinned and rolled their eyes, except Twilight, who had been looking off toward the construction site with hoof on chin and a thoughtful look. "And I appreciate being made creative consultant to ensure the colors match well," said Rarity with a happy laugh. "The Apple family surely is glad for the business too," added Applejack. "I am curious," said Twilight, "where your design for the monument comes from. It reminds me of something but I can't place it with anything I'm familiar with in Equestria." "Ah!" Ami chuckled, "The monument is my own design.  I tried for simplicity, balance among the six sides, and have a sense of weightiness.  There are more grand and ornate monuments elsewhere, but in my study of the six of you, it seemed to fit best." "You studied us?" asked Twilight, somewhat surprised. "Uh, well, yes.  You know many in Equestria want to know more about these six ponies that are such good friends, yet so different...and saved us all from two disasters."  The six friends shared an embarrassed smile at someone's interest in them.  Fluttershy shrank under her mane. After a brief pause, Ami continued.  "Well, I would like to spend more time with you all but I must be going." Ami kept the smile on her face this whole time. "I hope you have a pleasant afternoon." The group said goodbye, except Twilight who looked absently after Ami as she walked away toward the construction site. "You ok there sugarcube?" "Huh, what?" said Twilight, turning her attention back to her friends. "You seem a mite distracted by Ami and that construction, Twi.  'course we all are a bit with all that noise." "I'm sorry.  It's just...the design of it reminds me of something, but I can't place it.  I've looked through my books on architecture and I can't find anything that resembles it." "Well, maybe it's from something not significant enough for the books," suggested Rarity, "possibly in (sigh) Canterlot. There are little squares, fountains, statues, and such all over the city." "Hmmm.  Maybe you're right Rarity." "Um, Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy. "zrk, huh, what?" said Dash coming out of a doze.  She had nodded off at the mention of books. "That looks like a little thunderhead coming from the Everfree Forest." "Aw man.  Sorry gals, gotta split and break that up before it hits town."  Dash tossed a few bits on the table to pay for her lunch and flew off in the direction of the forest.   "I suppose I should be going as well.  I have paint to match! It should only take all afternoon," Rarity said happily. Applejack and Fluttershy also left for the direction of the construction site to attend to their duties. Twilight turned and realized Pinkie Pie was still at the table and sliding around to sit next to her.  Pinkie looked bothered by something. "Hey Pinkie, you seem unusually quiet today.  Are you ok?" That was all it took for a flood of words to spill from Pinkie Pie.  "Oh Twilight I gotta talk to someone and since you came around to trust my Pinkie Sense I'd like to talk to you if it's ok but it seems weird cause it's about the monument construction, well not the construction itself, but about the constructor, that is this Ami Cleave pony, and she actually seems nice and though the construction is a pain she seems to be trying hard to include and respect us ponies including us and..." Pinkie finally ran out of air and drew in a huge breath.  Twilight took this moment to interrupt. "Pinkie, if something is bothering you, I'm happy to listen as a friend.  But you might want to calm down." Other ponies at the cafe were starting at Pinkie Pie at this point, though most now went back to their own meals and conversations with a shared mutter of "that's Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie calmed down a bit and spoke more quietly.  "Twi, you trust my Pinkie sense, right?" "Yes, Pinkie.  Whatever in Equestria it is, I do." "Well...nearly every time I'm around Ami Cleave…” she leaned close to Twilight and her voice dropped to an intense whisper, “my back left leg wobbles from my knee up to my hip!" Pinkie Pie looked very seriously at Twilight, who only returned a confused look.   "Uh, Pinkie, what does that one mean?" Pinkie leaned closer.  "It means there's someone near who can't be trusted!" Twilight furrowed her brow.  "Now Pinkie, that's serious.  I happen to know her company is one of the best contractors in all Equestria.  She's worked hard to build her company and appears to genuinely appreciate us enough to build this monument.  I also happen to know that she's doing it with her own money, and that amount of design and construction are not cheap." Pinkie looked down as her hair deflated. "I know, Twilight.  I'm not sure I believed it myself, but it happened again just now.  It's every single time I'm around her.  And even I don't think it makes sense." Twilight sat back and looked at her friend. "Ok, Pinkie.  I'm not convinced she's untrustworthy..." Pinkie looked even more sad. "...but," Twilight continued, "I want to help you figure out what your Pinkie Sense is telling you.  Maybe we should keep a closer eye on her and..." Pinkie Pie had already re-inflated her hair and was giving Twilight a huge hug.  "Thanks Twilight." "…oof.  I'm glad to help a friend, Pinkie." "Oooh, we could be super-secret-agent-ninja-spies and follow her every move!" Pinkie somehow disappeared and reappeared on the other side of Twilight, carefully examining her empty plate. "Uh, Pinkie," said Twilight slightly shocked, "I think we can just hang out with our friends and help them around the construction site.  That will give us an opportunity to observe and maybe talk to Ami." "Oh, that would work too," said Pinkie Pie, suddenly back in her seat.