The Realization
They were all huddled in the castle, with the mobs of ponies still within hearing range. Some of them even pulled a Pinkie, by jumping down the chimney, which was rather scary. Luckily, Spike secured just about every location possible to get in.
Applejack sighed, "Ah suppose that there's ain't no way to get the crowd away?"
Pinkie bounced around, "Maybe if we throw a platter of cupcakes in the other direction, they would become so interested in the cupcakes that they would run away."
Twilight shook her mane, "Pinkie, I don't think that'll work." Pinkie appeared in front of Twilight, holding a cupcake in front of her face.
She said, creepily, "You never know unless you try!"
Twilight levitated the cupcake somewhere else, "All we need to do is stay here until the press would calm down for some time."
Fluttershy whispered, "But what about my animals?"
Rainbow, who was in the air as usual, said, "Yeah, what about Wonderbolt practice?"
Rarity, who was still wearing too many scarves, looked around, "I think I'll just stay here. I don't have anything to do anyways... Of all the worst things. This is. The. Worst. Thing." Her fainting couch that came out of nowhere was levitated to her and she pretended to faint on it. The others just rolled their eyes.
Rarity opened her eyes, "What? I actually mean it this time."
Twilight took a book, "Dont worry girls, I'll teleport all of you back to where you want to be." She closed her eyes as she concentrated on a teleportation spell. All of them, besides Twilight, disappeared to where they wanted to be.
Starlight trotted in, "I know that the two fillies made you feel better, but are you sure that they are going to be alright?"
"Starlight, you're getting too paranoid. I trust in my friends."
"Your call then, I'll be in the library, studying a theory."
Twilight flew to Starlight before asking, "Which theory is it?"
Starlight began trotting towards the doors, "Well, Star Swirl created this theory that it is possible to hypnotize ponies through their eyes. He began it but never really finished it. Unfortunately, we need a test subject once we finish creating it and nopony would be foolish enough to do it."
Twilight grinned, "Don't worry Starlight. I've got it covered. Spike! Could you accompany us to the library?"
Applejack appeared in her bedroom and she shook her mane quickly. Teleporting was a new experience and she felt like she never wanted to go through that again. She looked around to see the sun shining and a few clouds for shady areas. Applejack looked outside the window to still see her admirers cheering and eating her juicy apples that's they made with care. They didn't even thank Granny for the free food she made for all of them. Applejack trotted downstairs, avoiding being in sight, and got into the kitchen to see Apple Bloom asleep on the table.
Apple Bloom woke up as soon as she heard the curtains close, "A-Applejack? Ah thought you were in Twilight's castle, singing some song."
Applejack paced around the kitchen, "Well, the song ain't workin' so Ah might as well help."
Granny trotted in with a bag of flour on her head, "It would help if you stay out of sight for some time and let things cool right down. We made an announcement about you not being here and some of them already went."
Applejack sighed, "At least let me help with a few chores."
Big Mac walked in, pulling a wagon of materials for food, "Eeenope." Applejack sighed once again before walking to her bedroom and closed the curtains, preparing to face a long week. It would take ages to get the farm running how it was before. There were ponies pretending that this was any old orchard and that the apples were free, which they weren't.
Applejack stared at a picture of her parents which was hanging on the wall that was opposite of her bed, "Ah sure hope that everypony else is having a better time than Ah currently am."
Rarity closed her purple curtains, but that didn't drown the protests outside the boutique. She knew that the door was firmly shut so nopony could get in. She looked at her mirror, knowing that her makeup was probably ruined. In an attempt to make herself feel better, she levitated a brush to her eyelashes to make them look beautiful. Her sharp ears flickered to the door after a knock and the brush poked her in the eye as she quickly turned around.
She blinked rapidly, "Ouch. Of all the worst things. This is. The. Worst. Thing. And I mean it this time." Levitating one of her many red fainting couches, she collapsed on it.
The pony outside knocked on the door again, "Rarity?" The voice sounded mischievous, sweet, and clear as the day. Rarity immediately knew who this pony was, and she had to stay strong for her.
Taking a deep breath, Rarity called out, "Sweetie Bell, come in." The door opened and her little sister with her proudly earned cutie mark trotted in.
Sweetie asked, "Is everything alright Rarity? I didn't let anypony in but I'm sick of being cooped in here. Can we please go outside?"
"I'm sorry Sweetie, but I just have to say no. The crowds are waiting to swarm me and I'm too miserable to even face that. When Twilight began the song, I was only able to sing two lines alone. I sounded awful... Just awful!"
"Come on sis! You sounded great. Let me cook breakfast." Sweetie Bell began running to the kitchen, and Rarity, knowing that something was going to happen, immediately shot up and followed her. It was a second too late though, there was already a crash in the kitchen. Rarity gulped before walking in to see flour and sugar dumped all over the floor, as well as the new pot for cooking. She saw her little sister out of the corner of her eye, mixing eggs and cinnamon, which wasn't the proper way to cook. Rarity sighed before levitating a broom over. She began sweeping without water to make a large pile in the middle. Her little sister turned around at the sound of the sweeping and lost concentration, making the bowl she was mixing in and the mixture, fall onto the ground. It seemed like Sweetie also mixed in water in the bowl. When it spilled, the flaky flour became sticky.
Sweetie sheepishly said, "Sorry Rarity. I was just trying to help."
Rarity took a deep breath, "I'll make a snack for both of us."
"Can I do anything to help?" Rarity was going to snap at her sister, but then realized how well that turned out last time. She looked around before remembering Sweetie's talent in drawing and singing. Even her cutie mark had a musical note, marking that it was one of her specialities and that was how she differed from the rest. Apple Bloom had gotten an Apple since she was strong and able to help with the far. Scootaloo got a lightening bolt that wasn't as sharp as it should've been. Maybe it signified that she was the only Pegasus?
Rarity finally said, "Actually, why don't you make another drawing in the living room to surprise me later? Here's a few gems to help you." She levitated two green emeralds from one of the drawers that she kept gems in, just in case Spikey Wikey wanted a few for being a great helper. Rarity knew about Spike's obvious crush on her but she didn't feel the same way to him. Back to cleaning, Rarity reminded herself. She turned around to hear tiny hoof steps fading away and smiled. Then, she turned around and looked at the giant mess she needed to clean up.
She sighed, "I hope that everypony else is having a better time than I am."
Rainbow finished wearing her blue Wonderbolt's uniform with pride as she turned around to see Spitfire waiting for her. Silently, then trotted to the runway. Still remembering rule number one, she looked at both sides of the runway to make sure that nopony was there.
Spitfire turned to all of them, "We will be practicing the routine. This time, it won't be fake fireworks. There will be real fireworks shooting in the spots so make sure that whatever you do, don't get hit. Clipper, you will be the closet to the fireworks so make sure to be careful. Got it?"
The others chorused, "Got it." They went to their starting positions. After a horn sounded, Spitfire flew in, spinning around quickly. Rainbow and the others flew the other way, skimming her uniform. There, they split up and used smoke to create the special effects to make the Wonderbolt's symbol. A firework went towards their way, and they each dodged in different directions to make sure that the firework wouldn't touch them. They all flew upwards and began to do series of loops and twists that were really complicated. Clipper's tail almost got burned while Soarin almost got knocked down by a quick one heading towards his way. Spitfire, who was not aware that there was a firework heading towards her tail, flew around. Rainbow kicked Spitfire out of the way of it and it skimmed past them.
Spitfire looked around, confused, "There wasn't supposed to be one there. Nice work though, Crash."
One of the attendants shouted, "Somepony on the job fell asleep and there are mobs of fillies and colts shooting fireworks everywhere on here. We can't get them out."
Spitfire quickly flew to the ground, dodging another firework, "Wonderbolts, practice is over. I'll take care of the fillies and it'll take a day or so until this mess it cleaned up. The show that's in two days is cancelled." Rainbow, although upset, had to agree that it was necessary. The banners and the stands were scorched, the obstacles turned into ash, and they probably ran out of fireworks also. Rainbow flew up to dodge another one before quickly fleeing to the locker room.
She sighed as she took a shower, "I hope that everypony else is having a better time than I am."
Pinkie appeared in Sugar Cube corner, feeling a little dizzy with the spell. She preferred to break the fourth wall and just appear rather than using magic. She waved at the Cakes, who were really busy and saw that there was an overflow of customers, even more than usual.
"Would you be a dear and please take care of the twins?"
Pinkie replied cheerfully, "Okie dokey lokey!" She bounced to the room upstairs to the crib where the Cake twins were. Both of them were awake.
The female smiled, "Pinkie Pie." The flying one looked down and landed on her back. The unicorn bounced to her back and she tugged on Pinkie's hair.
They said together, "Sing the Flawless song!"
Pinkie smiled, "If you say so!" She began singing the song in a cheerful voice that didn't match the tones of the other voices that had sung with her before. Nevertheless, the twins still cheered.
One of them asked, "What about the Pincess? What flaws?"
Pinkie giggled, "It's Princess and she said... well... that her mistakes are all written in ink? Wait... we all wrote in there. Let me think, did she sing anything specifically? Let me break the fourth wall and check." She set the twins in their crib as well as their favorite stuffed animals that they began to chew on. Before she popped back in time (don't question Pinkie), she heard a mob of ponies screaming,
"That was Pinkie singing!" Then, she heard a chorus of laughter. Pinkie popped back in time, being extra special to not be seen. She saw herself and waved although the other her only gave a small wink. Pinkie listened to the whole song before scratching her chin, knowing that she definitely didn't hear Twilight listing her flaws. She broke the fourth wall again and went back in time before sitting down on a beanbag. She sighed, still hearing the others laughing and being reminded when Discord had balloons laugh at her.
Pinkie looked outside before glancing at the sleeping twins, "I hope that everypony else is having a better time than I am."
Fluttershy immediately collapsed on her bed, head spinning as if a hydra had snapped her head. It had been ages since that incident but it still didn't help calm her fears of meeting such a creature like that. She still remembered the hope and pain etched on Twilight's face when she made the leap. Fluttershy just wondered why she and Rainbow didn't fly down to save Twilight instead of watching her fall to her doom. Angel tapped her and made a noise about how hungry he was.
Fluttershy sighed before standing up, "I'm sorry Angel but I'm just so nervous about going outside. The curtains are all open and I'll be seen. Maybe I'll find something in here that you'll like."
She opened cabinet after cabinet before sighing, "I think I'm out of food. Angel, do you mind going downstairs and get some food for yourself?" Angel shook his head and tapped him cute foot on the desk rapidly.
She glanced downstairs, "Okay, I'll do it." She placed a hoof on the top and began to walk down, peeking in both directions, as if Pinkie Pie would pop out. Fluttershy trotted to the drawer and looked at Angel.
Fluttershy sighed, "I think that I was supposed to go to the market today. I'm sorry but..." With the strength of a bunny, the door crept open with his feet. Then, he pushed her outside and locked the door. Fluttershy decided against using the stare since she vowed to never use it unless it was absolutely necessary. She shakily began walking to the market. Before she even got off of the porch, there were ponies surrounding her. Some of them were shaking their fists, some were cheering, and other were doing random things. It was like when Photo Finish made her become a model for everypony.
She sighed and muttered, "I hope that everypony else is having a better time than I am."
Pinkie decided to break the fourth wall and talk to the author right now so Ahhh! Pinkie!
Hehehe. I'm a genius at breaking the fourth wall!
Pinkie, I'm trying to write a story here.
Pinkie want a cupcake! Pinkie want a cupcake!
Pinkie!
What? Fine, Auntie Pinkie will finish collecting the other ponies.
Whew! She's gone. I guess I could continue narrating now.
I am never truly gone.
PINKIE!!!
Pinkie ate a cupcake that she made when she broke her fourth wall as she grabbed the other members and let them go through the fourth wall. Everypony sighed when they eventually made it to the tree they hid in when there were many Pinkie clones.
Rainbow rubbed her head, "Pinkie?"
Pinkie bounced around, "What?"
"You are soooo random."
Pinkie faked a bow, "It's my special talent."
Applejack raised an eyebrow, "Ah don't reckon that this means that we are to trot back? And where's Twilight?"
Pinkie sat down, "That's what I wanted to talk about. Remember the song we sang around forty five minutes and thirty three seconds ago about our flaws?"
Rarity levitated a small mirror that she always carried, "Yes, my memory is quite clear. I don't think that I would like to be dragged to this uncouth place to discuss a song that we sang. If we did that, then we would be here daily."
Pinkie giggled, "I could do that if you want to but nah, it's too much work. Anyways, do you remember the flaws you said?"
Fluttershy nodded and said quietly, "Yes. I said that I'm too shy, Rainbow said that her ego is big, Applejack said that she's too honest. You said something about not being serious and Rarity said something about being a drama queen."
"Yeah! But could you recall what Twilight said?"
Applejack though for a moment before shaking her head, "If Ah'm being perfectly honest here, no. Ah don't think that she said anything."
"Exactly! Why?!"
Fluttershy looked at the ground, "Maybe she forgot?"
"Can you recall Twilight forgetting to do anything?"
"N-No..."
"Exactly!"
Rainbow said, "That is soooo not cool of her. I think I need to subtract cool points from her."
Pinkie blinked, "And you say that I'm random."
"You are random."
"But you're the one with points and everything. Is friendship a game or something?"
Rainbow shook her mane, "No but it's just a fun thing. Anyways, what's so devastating about Twilight not listing her flaws?"
"The thing is that she might think that she's just soooo perfect and above us!"
Fluttershy sighed, "Let's just talk to her about it. I'm sure that she just forgot and will apologize."
Applejack turned to the bouncing Pinkie, "Ah reckon that you're going to teleport us?"
Pinkie shook her head, "No sireeee, I can't teleport. I can just break the fourth wall."
"Ain't that the same thing?"
"Nope! Let's just go and give Twilight a cupcake!"
"Ah think that you mean a lecture?"
Rainbow banged her head on the floor, "Can't we just go already?"
Pinkie smiled, "Of course we can silly! Just one little thing first." She stuck two hooves somewhere and pulled out a party cannon. She blew it and confetti went over them. Then, Pinkie pushed all of them through something and they appeared in a heap in the middle of Twilight's library. Rainbow, being the first one to recover, saw Twilight and Starlight closing their books and trotting towards them.
Twilight blinked, "How did you get in here?"
Pinkie appeared in front of Twilight, "Well... We kind of teleported back in a serious head case and then we all went to different places and I think that Applejack was in her room and Rainbow was doing some sort of flying thing or was just flying for her life with everything exploding that was not as fun as my party cannon. Rarity was sewing or cooking. I don't know since I don't think that she would purposely pour flour or cinnamon or sugar or water or anything else on the floor for her to clean it up and then maybe get her little teeny sister who by the way has a cutie mark out of the way to draw a picture. Fluttershy was doing karate with Angel wait Actually it was something about food and I was taking care of the twins. Anyways I broke the fourth wall and got everypony in a cave to chat and then I got everypony here after blowing confetti all over them."
Twilight blinked once again, "Okay then. So, why are you here?"
Rainbow looked at Twilight, "We are here to talk about how you lost twenty cool points."
"Cool points?"
"A mental game."
Applejack threw a glare at Rainbow before saying, "Ah reckon that you mean about the song where Twilight forgot to sing about what she is flawed about."
Twilight looked down, "I-To be honest, I did it in purpose."
Fluttershy flew to her, "But why?"
"Can we please discuss this during dinner which would be in an hour? That way, Starlight could have some rest and you can do something." Twilight teleported to her room to take notes and write a few flashcards. The others exchanged looks before walking to their separate rooms to clean up.
Finally, an hour was over and Twilight trotted to dining room, "Hi everypony."
Fluttershy muttered, "Hi Twilight." The rest just nodded at Twilight, waiting for her to start to explain.
Twilight took out the flashcards, "I've made a few flashcards to start."
Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Yep, that's Twilight all right. Doing egghead stuff."
Twilight whacked her on the head with the cards, "It might help if you just tried for once in your life."
Rarity sighed, "Darling, let's just get started." Her eyes traveled from her small mirror that was hanging over her tomato soup to Twilight.
Twilight sighed, "Right. Anyways, I wanted to say if you've ever seen-"
Starlight banged the door as she walked in, "Hi everypony! I feel so refreshed." Rarity, startled by the bang, dropped her mirror into her soup.
Rarity pulled a fainting couch out from nowhere, "Of all the worst thing. This is. The. Worst. Thing. And I actually mean it this time." She collapsed on it.
Twilight looked at the flashcard once more, "I was going to say that I am sorry for not listing out anything but the song was rather sudden. I mean, we usually blurt out songs that work but I just didn't think that I should add anything. Also, have you ever seen princesses saying or being shown that they're flawed."
They immediately nodded, "Yes!"
"When?"
Rainbow drank some of her soup, "Remember you admitting that you're jealous? Actually, that wasn't you. Discord kind of made you do it. Anyways, Nightmare Moon is an example. Never mind, Princess Luna never mentioned it again after it. How about Princess Celestial and the cake addiction? Actually, it was Gabby Gums who... You know what? You princesses are really bad at admitting things."
Twilight gasped, "You just put the words, 'princess' and 'bad' together! And it's making me nervous!"
Rarity sighed, "That's another thing, darling. You are... very studious and a little apart from the social world, although you are the Princess of Friendship. I don't mean to trouble you or anything, but there aren't exactly many ponies who have book organizations every month. You also think that princesses are perfect, which not all of them are."
Starlight defended Twilight, "Twilight is practically flawless."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure that you aren't a little biased since she was the first pony to accept you and show you friendship?" Starlight looked at her food, suddenly very interested in it.
Twilight levitated a few napkins and said, "I'm sorry girls. I guess I made another mistake in thinking that I'm perfect."
Rainbow blinked, "You kind of accepted that too quickly."
Pinkie squealed, "Do you think that she would pull out a few zombies out of the napkins or something? That would be cool! Maybe we could use it for our next prank."
Twilight sighed, "Look, as the Princess of Friendship, I should be willing to accept when I make mistakes. That you for bringing this to my attention."
Pinkie took a party cannon out of nowhere, "This calls for a party!"
They decided to resign the song while Twilight added,
"Even I make mistakes,
Being too much of a reader or even eating too much cakes,
I get jealous sometimes,
And I'm not afraid of admitting it because..."
They sang the chorus a few more times,
"We're not flawless,
We're working progress,
We've got dents and we've got quirks,
But it's our flaws that make us squirt,
Yeah,
We're not flawless,
We're working progress,
So tell me what flaws you got too (you got too),
'Cause I still like what's flawed about you..."