//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: My Little Pony: the Harmony of Friendship // by Godzilla313 //------------------------------// Chapter 17 Some more weeks passed, and everyone involved with the show was practicing hard. It seemed everypony was calm, collected, but still a bit nervous heading into the big night…everypony, that is, except for Twilight Sparkle. As the time approached, she was becoming more anxious than ever. She had faced down great problems, became a princess, solved friendship problems, even defeated Tirek, and yet, somehow, this seemed worse. The fate of the entire gala rested on her shoulders, and she knew just how important this was. She had changed the order of events time and time again, had certain performers or orchestral musicians cancel, forcing yet another change in things. She was organized, but it was hard to keep to a game plan when the factors keep changing on you. Now it was just days from the actual event, and all those involved gathered at Canterlot to get things going. This is when things took a bad turn as far as Twilight was concerned. She checked on Fluttershy to see how the animal entertainment was going, but instead of some simple kind of animal event where the foals could just experience them, Fluttershy had a circus going. When asked why, Fluttershy said, “Oh, but these dear sweet creatures have far more to offer than just being a petting zoo. They have many talents, and the foals could learn a thing or two.” “No, we can’t do that!” she protested, “I mean, this is supposed to be a formal and quiet affair. Besides, that’s never been done before. We need to stick to what they expect.” She trotted off, and Fluttershy now looked sad and felt bad that she may have ruined everything. Twilight then went to check, on Rainbow Dash. Since she was going to be working with the Wonderbolts this time, she knew that could not go wrong. After all, she was not going to be in charge of that per se, but her skills could enhance the show they normally did. Yet, when she went to watch the practice, they were doing all sorts of stunts that had never been seen before, and what’s more, riskier than the Wonderbolts had ever tried before. A couple of runs at it almost ended in disaster, and she wondered just what could go wrong if disaster struck with all those dignitaries watching. She spotted Spitfire taking a break and she rushed up. Spitfire called the few Wonderbolts around her to attention and they all saluted, “Good afternoon, your highness. Come to see our progress?” “Indeed,” she said, “And I’m glad I did! What is going on? This isn’t the normal stuff you do.” “True that, ma’am!” chirped Spitfire heartily, “We were preparing to do what we always do, but with Airpony First Class Dash in this, (her rank in the reserves,) we knew we had a top notch flier in the squadron, and we couldn’t pass that up. Besides, she had some great ideas, and we know that, by show time, we’ll give those guest a show they’ll never forget!” “I’d say so!” she said, “Especially if you mess it up like you did a moment ago, or worse!” “Nah, no sweat,” said Spitfire confidently, “New things take practice, but we’re the Wonderbolts after all, and we’ll have it ready! You can count on us.” She looked at the ones around and said, “Okay, break time’s over. Let’s get up there and get our maneuvers down pat. The safety of the guests are priority, as the princess said.” They took of as she said, unheard, “That’s not what I meant…ohh…this is going to be bad!” As the others went up, Dash came down with her crew and saw Twilight. She trotted up and said, “Hey, I’m glad you got to see this. It’s a bit rough, but we’ll have it hammered out.” “No, no, no!” protested Twilight, “I can’t believe you were able to convince her to make all these changes.” “Hey, she knew she had the best flier in all Equestria,” said Dash confidently, “All I did was share some things I wanted to try, and she ate them up.” “You have to change it back!” Twilight protested again, “We can’t take chances, not with this! This is too important.” A bit perturbed, Rainbow Dash asked sternly, “Important for who? Now, look: do you want this some hum drum thing, or do you want this a night to remember? Stop worrying, I’ll be the best night ever! Now, I need to get some chow. See ya.” She went her way, not even taking notice of Twilight’s amazed face, full of confidence, and, as usual, not thinking about the kinds of consequences Twilight was contemplating at that moment. Yet, if Dash knew just what those thoughts were, she just might have dismissed them as silly anyway. With that, she headed to the kitchen where the Apples were hard at work preparing the banquet. She figured that, considering how they were, they’d keep it conservative. Imagine, then, the shock that Twilight had when she saw the menu they were whipping up. Sure, it was a complete and varied one, but it was all some kind of down home cooking, normal for country ponies, but not ever really seen at a banquet like this, with baked this and deep fried that, and nothing of the kind of thing one would expect to see. The only thing that seemed to be standard was the bread. At least you couldn’t mess that up too badly. However, Big Macintosh was sitting at a butter churn, pumping away, as Granny Smith passed her, saying, “There ain’t nuthn’ like fresh and homemade butter with homemade bread!” “Yep,” answered Big Mac, confidently. Granny Smith spotted her and said, “I knew we was makin’ up some good vittles! Yer nose musta lead y’all straight in here!” Remembering her manners with older folks, Twilight said, “I beg your pardon, Granny Smith, but, what are you doing with the menu?” “Bah!” protested Granny Smith, “That ol’ thang? Are you kiddin’? That stuff even a starvin’ pony on his last leg woulda turned his muzzle up to it, not that it’d take care of his starvin’ problem. It’d probably take more calories t’eat than the food had t’start with. Why, you could die a starvation just tryin’ t’ eat it! Thems ponies are gonna know what good eatin’ is by the time we’re dun with ‘em!” “But, that’s not the point!” protested Twilight, “They’re not expecting this. They’re used to the fancy restaurant kind of fare. I’m not even sure they’d eat this.” Granny Smith caught the gist of it, and she became cross. Twilight suddenly found a spoon being wagged in her face from a very sore Granny Smith as she said, “Now, you jus wait one cotton pickin’ minute there, little missy! Y’all may be sum high falootin’ princess now, but that ain’t no excuse for sassin’ yer elders! Besides, I still remember you when you was just a stumblin’ unicorn still tryin’ t’make yer way around in things, so don’t more highly of yerself than y’ought! On top of all that, we’re in private, and y’all ain’t too old fer me t’take y’all over my knee, comin’ in here and insultin’ our cookin’ like that, and suggestin’ we ain’t got five-star credentials. There ain’t nopony what’s ever turned their muzzles up t’Apple family cookin’, and it ain’t about t’start now! Now, if y’all know what’s good fer ya, y’all better skedaddle before I get madder and decide t’redden up that cutie mark a yours and teach y’all a lesson yer momma, daddy, and Princess Celestia seems not t’have taught ya. Y’all asked us t’cook, and this is what yer getting’! Now git!” Granny Smith turned around and went back to her duties, muttering one thing or another about her attitude, saying, “She used t’be a nice little filly, but give her a crown and wings and she gits all heady!” If it had been anypony else, Twilight would have fired her for that. Yet, this was Granny Smith, and the grandmother of her friend Applejack. She could not do that. However, it was about to get worse. Just then, Applejack was coming to the kitchen and said Howdy to Twilight before heading into the kitchen. However, about 30 seconds passed, and down the hall, Twilight heard, “Tarnation, Twilight! I can’t believe y’all!” She galloped out and got in front of Twilight, saying, “Shoot, Sugar Cube! What’s the matter with y’all? I know yer all flustered an’ all ‘bout the whole shindig, but I can’t believe you’d talk like that t’Granny, especially all the times y’all sat down and broke bread with us! Y’never had a problem with it then. What makes this any different? Why, I’m a bit cross with y’all myself fer that. Anypony else, and I just might ah taken y’all behind the woodshed fer actin’ like that before kinfolk, especially t’Granny. But, because yer my friend and all, I’ll give y’all a chance t’explain yerself.” Twilight collapsed and said, “Ugh, what IS the matter with me? I can’t believe me. I’ve never been this worried. I’m just trying to get things the way they are supposed to be, but everyone keeps having their own ideas on what to do, and no one wants to keep with the script!” “Who said anythin’ ‘bout a script?” answered AJ, “Do ya really think things need t’be all stuffy and uptight?” “That’s not it,” answered Twilight, “It’s just that this is the biggest social event of the year. I can’t mess this up. Princess Celestia is counting on me to get this right, and I can’t let her down. I can’t take chances. Look, I’ll apologize to Granny Smith once she’s cooled down a bit, but I just wish you could see this from where I stand.” “What I see is somepony who, if she keeps gettin’ herself worked up ‘bout this, she’s gonna cause what she’s tryin’ t’prevent!” answered AJ, “Y’all need t’go somewhere and think this thing through. Fer right now, I’d steer clear of the kitchen. She’s gonna take a few t’cool down.” Twilight sighed, wondering just what came over her, realizing she just came close to losing a friend; a twist of irony being the princess of friendship! She decided to head over to the ballroom where the socializing would be taking place, as well as the stage show, thinking that maybe Rarity could put some common sense into things. However, once she got there, there did not seem to be much in the way of harmony, as Rarity was protesting over Pinkie Pie’s attempts at decorating. “Pinkie, darling,” protested Rarity, “I know you can throw a party, but this is not that kind of party! Honestly, this looks more like a foal’s birthday party, not something for a grand ball.” “Aw, c’mon!” said Pinkie Pie, all cheery, “Once this thing gets going, they’ll have a ball for sure!” Twilight face hoofed and said, “Oh, not again!” Rarity spotted Twilight, and she said, “Oh thank goodness you’re here. Maybe you can talk some sense into her.” Twilight rolled her eyes, knowing that that might be a more monumental task than trying to plan for this. She saw some of the refreshments Pinkie planned, seeing all the cakes and pies she had prepared, and she said “Pinkie, where’s the little sandwiches? Where’s the hors-d'oeuvre?” “That’s no fun,” said Pinkie, swinging down on some streamers Twilight was sure she should not have been able to swing on due to her weight, but she learned long ago not to question the Pinkie! Pinkie then said, “Everyone has a sweet tooth, and I bet they’d like more than just a stuffy affair.” “You’re the second pony today to say that,” she sighed, “But, I have to agree with Rarity. This is not what they are expecting.” “But, that’s good!” added Pinkie, “Who’d want to get what you’d expect? Why even come if you get there what you’d get here, or get here what you’d get there. I get those two confused sometimes. Anyway, what fun is that when you get what you always get?” “But, I… Ooh,” she said, her head hurting as she left the hall and went to her room. Rarity shook her head, and turned herself back to Pinkie Pie, saying, “But, at the least, could you keep the colors from clashing? Honestly, darling, those colors are far too loud…” Spike had already had Twilight’s bath drawn, and he said all proud, “Your bath is ready, and I have your favorite tea ready to go.” However, Spike saw the frustration in her eyes and said, “Whoa, is it all that bad?” Twilight practically oozed into the bath and just slowly sunk into the water until submerged. After a few moments she surface and laid back as she flopped her fore hoofs over the sides of the tub, saying, “Spike, I don’t know what to think, or what is wrong with me.” “Okay,” he said, “You not knowing what to think is rare for you. Sounds like you’re pulling your mane out.” “Oh, Spike,” she moaned, “Nothing’s going as planned, everypony seems to have their own ideas, and I got so frustrated that I actually insulted Granny Smith’s cooking.” “Ouch!” said Spike with some surprise, “You ARE off your rocker! I’ve seen you worked up before, and I figured that, by now, you’d have this kind of thing under control. I mean, this isn’t like trying to find the Crystal Heart or face down Tirek. I mean, it can’t be all that bad.” “Nothing is going the way it should,” sighed Twilight, “Everypony is going to come in and wonder what happened to the gala. This a grand ball, not some local dance at the grange hall. I can’t risk doing things different than what they would expect.” “And why not?” asked a familiar and welcome voice. Twilight looked over to the door to see Princess Celestia entering with her usual calming presence and gentle demeanor. She then said, “I hear somepony is so worked up that she insulted Granny Smith’s cooking.” Twilight face hoofed again, and muttered, “Great! I just wonder if it’s being printed as front page news in the Canterlot Press. I am really going to have to make it up to her.” Celestia still smiled, but sighed as well, and said, “I know you know how to delegate, Princess Twilight, but I think you still want some control over things.” “Well, maybe you’re right,” she answered, “But, can you blame me? This is the biggest social event on the calendar, and I can’t afford to have anything go amiss. Everything has to be just right, and changing things from what they usually are is just too much to risk.” “Are you so sure of that?” asked Celestia, “I knew that if I picked you this year, I knew you would turn to your friends to get the job done, rather than the usual sources, and that was what I hoped would happen. It is because you trust your friends that you even instinctively turned to them for this.” Twilight looked a bit down now, starting to see what was happening now, and seeing that she just might be doing what AJ said she might be doing: causing the disaster she was hoping to avoid. She sighed and said, “Some trust I’m showing! I mean, I trusted them, but I trusted they’d do things the way things had always been instead of just trusting their better judgment.” Celestia came over to the tub and said, “Twilight, you have grown much, but there is one thing I know about you that you have yet to resolve. You have a grand fear of failure. You fear that, if you fail, the whole world is going to come down on you. Now, as a princess, I wonder if that has compounded itself.” A tear rolled down Twilight’s face. Celestia was right. She had a fear of failure and retribution. She saw Celestia like a second mother to her own, but because she was one of the top two princesses in the realm, she was scared to fail before her. Celestia then said, “Twilight, I always had great expectations for you, and you surpassed them no end. Yet, sometimes I wonder if you just put far more expectations on yourself than I would have ever demanded of you.” “I…I’ve always been scared of…of…” stuttered Twilight, and she was close to a good cry, and managed to utter, “I’ve always loved you, and that you loved me enough to want to tutor me, guide me, and I never wanted to lose that…to lose being with you. I’ve been so scared to make that one mistake that might push you over the edge…” But Celestia was stroking Twilight’s mane and interrupted her, saying, “… that you were always scared to take risks. Twilight, let me tell you a secret: at first, I saw you as a prize pupil. But as the years have passed, you have become like a daughter to me, and I do not think there is anything you could to make me stop loving you. Sure, you had that issue where you almost caused a riot with that spell some time back, and indeed, I was ready to discipline you for that had your friends not stuck up for you. I would not have kept you from Ponyville for too long, because I know what you did was not out of greed or power, but that you just wanted to make me happy, and I would have just waited until you had a bit more maturity before I sent you back. You had too much potential to cut you off from your destiny like that. But, no matter what would have happened, I never would have stopped loving you.” At this, Twilight embraced Celestia, and though she was all wet, Celestia didn’t seem to mind. She then said, “Finish your bath, and I want to walk with you and see how things are going. I bet you can mend some fences in the process.” Once she was finished and out of the tub, she and Celestia went out to look at things. As they went, however, Celestia then said, “There was another reason why I picked you. Because I knew you would turn to your friends to help you, I knew that your friends could come up with things that would shake up the monotony of the gala. Every year, it’s the same thing, gala in and gala out: same food, music, refreshments, entertainment, and so on. We need things different for a change.” “But, aren’t you afraid of offending everypony?” asked Twilight curiously. Celestia winked at her and said with a smirk and raised eyebrow, “It’s good to be the princess! I’m in charge. If I asked for this, whose going to question me? I normally don’t make much of my position, but it’s nice to fall back on when you really need to!” As they walked, she wondered just what kind of a foal she’d been. If Celestia had had a tutor as Twilight had had, she wondered just how much of a headache she had been to that mentor. She dearly loved Celestia, but there were times, she had to admit, that she could be a real imp! However, as they walked, she began to ponder this, and she now wondered if, by doing this, she was teaching the ponies of Equestria something about humility. Celestia indeed seemed like fame was something she never sought, but that was thrust upon her and Luna, and something that, save for Luna’s “sick time”, never let get to their heads. Twilight then pondered past galas as she was growing up, and she remembered all the power brokers that would come to these things, how they themselves desired fame and power in their own realms of business and whatnot, and how they had been trying to schmooze with her as much as they could to further their own goals, and maybe get that royal endorsement that they could hold over other ponies heads. Indeed, the gala never seemed something they actually enjoyed, but was more something that was a means to an end. Moreover, if there was one thing Twilight had learned about what had happened to her, those who try to run from fame and power will always have both catch up to them and take them prisoner, so to speak. The more you run from them, the more it comes to you. At this, the lights were coming on in Twilight’s head. Celestia wanted to shake things up. She wanted to make the affair fun for her if for nopony else, and the devil may care what anypony else thought. What were her guest going to do? Would they insult her, and take a chance on losing everything they were trying to gain? Would they try to dispute her actions, try to question her over this, or break off diplomatic relations and shoot themselves in the hoof? She could now see two goals in this: teach them that there is more to life than power broking and trying to use other ponies for their own gain, and if they did want to get anything out of her, they were going to have to work for it and show her they were humble enough to be worth expending that kind of effort on them. It was an odd method of diplomacy, but when one had all the cards, what could anypony else say? Twilight was now smiling, and now smirking, the wheels now grinding in her mind. Celestia looked down at her and said, “And just what are you thinking?” “Princess Celestia,” she said, “I think we need to get ready to rock their worlds!” First, she went to Fluttershy and she told her to put on the kind of show that would make every foal that came to the gala never want to leave. Fluttershy was all smiles now, happy that she was doing the right thing. She then went to Rainbow Dash and Spitfire and watch the dress rehearsal, pleased that they had gotten it down just like they had promised, and complimented them by saying how they had put the “dare” in daredevil. She then went into the kitchen and apologized to Granny Smith, saying she was wrong, and that she should cook to her hearts content. She would question nothing. Granny Smith gently put a hoof under her chin and said, “Now that’s the Twilight Sparkle I always knew!” She then went in and was relieved to see that Rarity had managed to get the décor to be better coordinated with color, but everything else was no less than what she would expect from Pinkie Pie, seeing that she indeed had party games, but nothing childish in any of them. In fact, she had set up some croquet, lawn bowls, and even some darts and snooker for some of the business ponies to talk out their deals and such as they socialized. Indeed, her friends were once again proving that her trust in them was not misplaced. It was then that the entertainment was practicing their acts, and the twins cut into a song called the 59th St. Bridge Song, also called more commonly as “Feelin’ Groovy.” The song spoke of just taking time to get every ounce of time out of the morning and not just let it slip by, taking time to enjoy every ounce of what they day could bring. She just sighed and laughed, wondering why she couldn’t have heard that song a bit sooner. Indeed, this was going to be the best Grand Galloping Gala ever.