Writing is Magic

          “…and 28 inches from shoulder to flank, did you get all that Art?”

          “Of course, Rarity, I got it all.”

          It was a particularly busy day at Carousel Boutique. Rarity was in the process of making multiple custom orders for some bigwigs over in Canterlot. I can only assume that usually she would take down all these notes herself, but since I was here, I was more than happy to help.

          “Excellent,” Rarity continued, “only ten more sets of measurements to go.”

          *DING-A-LING*

          The shop door opened, it was Twilight.

          “Twilight, darling,” Rarity greeted, “how are you doing this afternoon?”

          “You know; the usual, trying to finish a report to Princess Celestia. Actually, that’s why I came over here, to see if Art could help me with it, but he’s obviously helping you, so I’ll be on my way.”

          “Oh no, no. He’s been helping me all day with these measurements. I can finish the rest on my own, he can help you. You don’t mind, do you Art?”

          “Of course not,” I answered, putting down the quills and paper I had been working with.

          “You two have fun then,” Rarity said, returning to her work.

          Soon, both Twilight and I were busy at work. Twilight was reading multiple books at once, dictating to me the important things in them.

          “Thanks for your help,” she said after a short time, “I would normally have Spike help me, but he’s in Canterlot today. And Owlowiscious is asleep.”

          “No problem.”

          “So, where was I, oh right. Taking into account the various permutations of the spell, it would appear that there is infinite magical potential in the world, and the only thing that could possibly make it finite is the miniscule possibility that there comes a point where you can only make new magic through new magic. Got all that Art?”

          “Naturally,” I answered, “what’s next?”

          “Well, let’s see.”

          *SLAM*

          “Art, are you here,” it was Pinkie Pie, “I’ve been looking all over town for you. Then I went to Rarity, who told me you were here, and now that I’ve found you, I need your help.”

          Pinkie picked me up and started to carry me out of the library. Twilight hadn’t even seemed to notice her there, as her muzzle was deep into yet another book.

          “Well Pinkie, I’m happy to help, but at the moment, I’m helping Twilight with something pretty important.”

          “Oh Art, there isn’t anything that Twilight can’t handle.”

          Before I knew it, I was taking down notes from three different sources: Mr. and Mrs. Cake as well as Pinkie. Each of them were giving me different sorts of instructions to write down, all talking at the same time. I may be able to manipulate multiple quills at once, but I only have two ears to listen with.

          “Pinkie,” I finally got a word in, “you’re planning a party. Party-planning and throwing is what you do. I don’t see why you need my help.”

          “Because this isn’t just any party. This is a birthday party for Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. Having a party for foals is a lot different than any other kind of party.”

          “Besides,” Mrs. Cake continued, “everything has to be just right. And because of all the work we do, we don’t have as much time as we thought we had, and you’re the fastest writer around.”

          Before I could get another word out, I felt a rope wrap around my legs. The rope tightened and I got dragged out of Sugarcube Corner. Only one pony I knew was capable of doing such a thing.

          “Applejack,” I yelled as I was dragged, “what in Equestria are you doing?”

          “Sorry Art,” she called behind her, “but I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’m way behind on the inventory and I can’t find that little Apple Bloom anywhere. I saw you in the shop and had a brainstorm.”

          “You could have just asked. I’m sure Pinkie would have let me go with you.”

          “No time for asking, time for action.”

          Thus I got dragged to Sweet Apple Acres.

          “OK, so if you just help me count all the things in this barn, I’d be most grateful.”

          The big barn was filled to the brim with baskets of apples, jars of apple products, and bales of hay and other vegetables. This wasn’t going to take a second, that’s for sure. But as AJ went into the barn, I felt myself being lifted off of my hoofs.

          “Fluttershy,” I said, a little annoyed, “what are you doing?”

          “Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologized, “but I could really use your help. It’s the time of year where I need to take census of all the different animals that I take care of.”

          “Can’t you do that on your own?”

          “Well yes, I suppose, but it would go a lot faster if I had some help. And you were the first pony I thought of.”

          “But…fine.”

          I allowed Fluttershy to fly me to her cottage near the Everfree Forest. She has animals of all kinds, birds, rodents, rabbits, even aquatic mammals. We got through the otters and seals before I was interrupted again.

          Fluttershy and I were in the middle of gathering all the different kinds of jays when I was suddenly lifted off my feet again, but much faster this time. Unlike Fluttershy who was a gentle, graceful flyer, this time I found myself in the clutches of a speed demon.

          “Rainbow,” I said, my voice thick with annoyance, “what are you doing with me?”

          “Well it’s like this,” she explained, “I’ve come up with a sick new trick that I’ve almost completely perfected. The trouble is the last bit, but I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. I need a fresh pair of eyes on this one. I already asked Twilight, but she said you were with her and didn’t know where you had gone off to.”

          “Well there’s a reason for that.”

          “Just take a look, will you?”

          “Rainbow Dash,” Applejack yelled, running below us, “bring Art back down here on the double.”

          Rainbow stopped in the air.

          “But he’s helping me fix my latest trick.”

          “Well he was supposed to be helping me with the apple inventory.”

          “Wait, he was helping me with the Cake foals birthday party,” Pinkie said, coming up on the scene.

          “But that was after he was helping me with my latest project,” Twilight announced.

          “And my dresses,” Rarity, who was with Twilight, reported.

          “And, uh, I wanted his help with the animal census,” Fluttershy admitted.

          The six of them began arguing amongst themselves, all trying to talk over the others. Rainbow even brought herself down to ground level to get in AJ’s face. I watched them for a minute, turning over the situation in my head.

          “Everypony quiet,” I shouted, “Now look, I am more than willing to help everypony as best as I can. But it’s hard for me to want to do that when everypony is stepping on everypony else. This has been my day so far: Rainbow, you robbed me from Fluttershy, who flittered me away from Applejack, who absconded me from Pinkie, who pulled me away from Twilight, who took me from Rarity.”

          They all looked a little ashamed of themselves.

          “Like I said, I’m would like very much to help all of you. But I’m just one pony, and I can’t do it all at the same time.”

          “I’m sorry,” Rainbow said, “I guess I don’t really need help. I just have to practice more.”

          “I’m sorry too,” Fluttershy agreed, “I shouldn’t have taken you away from Applejack while she needed your help.”

          “I’m right sorry,” AJ admitted, “I should have asked Pinkie if I could take you, and not tied you up like a steer.”

          “I’m sorry Twilight,” Pinkie apologized, “I shouldn’t have taken Art, especially not when your back was turned.”

          “I’m sorry for yelling at everypony,” Twilight articulated, “Pinkie’s right; I didn’t need Art’s help as bad as I thought I did.”

          “Now that that’s all settled,” I smiled, “how do we rectify the situation?”

          …

          “…and 32 inches at the shoulder,” Rarity relayed, “that’s the last one, Art.”

          “Excellent.”

          “And there’s 25 jars of apple preserve,” AJ announced, running up.

          “Got it down.”

          “The final count is 22 blue jays, 28 red jays, and 18 green jays,” Fluttershy flourished.

          “That takes care of the birds, Fluttershy. The rabbits are the only thing left.”

          “You got the last count, right,” Pinkie presumed.

          “Down to the last balloon, Pinkie. Everything’s set.”

          “Is there anything you want me to write down,” Twilight took out a quill.

          “Yes. Twilight, take a letter.”

          Dearest Princess Celestia,

          It is often said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Well today I learned that there is such a thing as having too many friends in need. Any friend should want to help another friend, but those friends should try their best to not step on the backs of other friends to do so.

          Your faithful servant,

          Art Colter

          *WHOOSH*

          Twilight and I looked into the clouds above us. Rainbow was finishing her trick. She twisted in mid-air multiple times, drilling holes in multiple clouds. Then she pitched higher into the air, flying upside down for some time, causing a self-enclosed, artificial rainbow to be created underneath her.

          “Just like I thought,” I thought to myself.