Thunderspite

“I just don’t know, y’all," said Applejack, between sips of her milkshake. “He’s nice enough and all, and I reckon he’s the hardest-working I farmhand I ever did see, but he sure don’t like talkin’ none. Kinda suspicious-like, y’know what I mean?”

It was Saturday, and the gang had all gathered at Sugarcube corner for sweets, as was their custom. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash were all present, plus Applejack and Apple Bloom. Twilight Sparkle and Spike were absent, away on Royal business in Canterlot. Sadly, they hadn’t seen much of their old friend since her coronation.

“Hmm,” said Rarity thoughtfully. “Fluttershy, you’ve met our mysterious farmhand, haven’t you? What was your impression of him?”

“Oh… ” Fluttershy shrank in her seat from the sudden attention. “Well… he seemed… nice.” She then bashfully recanted the story of her encounter with the donkey in the marketplace.

Rainbow Dash fell off her seat and rolled on the ground, laughing. “Did he really say ‘You just watch your ass?’” Another bout of laughter.

“Hmph!” said Pinkie Pie with a huff. “Well that donkey sounds like a grade-a, mean-old meanypants!”

“And this Thunderspite sounds like my kinda pony,” said Rainbow Dash, miming a few punches in mid-air. “Kickin’ asses and takin’ names!”

“Well, it seems the only thing we really know about our Thunderspite is that he doesn’t like bullies,” said Rarity, taking a ladylike sip from her straw.

“But what should do about him?” said Applejack. “I mean, I do need is help on the farm, but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s bein’ dodgy about somethin’.”

Apple Bloom set her milkshake down and looked up at her sister. “Applejack, what do you reckon Princess Celestia would want us to do if she were here? Run him out of town for bein’ too shy? Or do you reckon she’d want us to try make friends with him?”

Applejack looked down at her sister. The little twerp was right again. “Shoot. I hadn’t thought of it like that. I reckon we should try to make friends with him. Maybe we’ll learn somethin’ about friendship to tell the Princess about.”

“But how?” asked Fluttershy. “It doesn’t sound like he really wants to make friends.”

“I know what to do!” said Pinkie Pie, jumping up and down excitedly. “Throw him a party!” She threw up a hoofull of confetti and blew on a noisemaker.

“Hold on there, sugarcube,” said Applejack, brushing confetti off her shoulders. “Thunderspite don’t seem like the partygoin’ sort. If we go off an’ throw him a big ol’ hoedown, we might just end up scarin' him off for good.”

“Aww,” said Pinkie Pie through the noisemaker, which made a depressed-sounding toot.

“Seems to me like he's just sad or something,” said Apple Bloom. “I reckon he needs somebody to talk to, but maybe he don't know how.”

"Oh!" Rarity suddenly had a thought. "I know what to do! Let’s ask Twilight!”

“Yeah!” said Rainbow Dash. “She is Equestria’s expert on friendship, after all. She’s bound to have some ideas.” There was a round of nods and affirmations around the table as everyone agreed.

Using her magic, Rarity brought a pen and quill out from her bag. The gang all gathered around the table on her side, and listened as she began to compose aloud.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

Your friends here in Ponyville hope you are doing well in your new role as Princess. We miss you very much and hope you will be able to visit soon.

We are writing with a particular problem that we thought you might be able to help with. There is a new pony in Ponyville, a pegasus who seems to drift from town to town. He is very withdrawn and doesn’t seem very interested in making friends. We get the impression that he is very sad about something, but we don’t know what.

We would very much like to be his friends, but we are unsure about how to go about it without scaring him off. Any advice you could provide would be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Your friends in Ponyville

When they were all content with the letter, Rarity took it outside and dropped it in the mailbox. “There,” she said, taking her seat again. “I expect we should have a reply the day after tomorrow.”

Applejack spoke up. “In the meantime, I think it would be good if he could meet the rest of y’all.”

“A party!” said Pinkie Pie, with another hooful of confetti.

“No parties, Pinkie Pie!” the entire group said as one. Pinkie Pie sulked and crossed her arms, but a moment later an idea struck her.

“I know, I know! The Cakes are delivering a wedding cake to town hall tomorrow! Thunderspite could help us move it there!”

“Well that’s a wonderful idea, Pinkie Pie!” said Rarity. “Can everyone meet here at noon tomorrow?” Nods all around the table. “It’s settled then.”

“Go team friendship!” said Rainbow Dash, and they all put their hooves together at the center of the table and cheered.

* * *

As planned, the gang all met up at Sugarcube corner the following day. Applejack and Thunderspite were the last to arrive.

“Thanks for comin’ along, Thunderspite,” she said to him as they walked up to the shop. “Last time we did something like this we had Big Macintosh carry the cake, but with him bein’ out of town and all, I reckon’ you’ll fill in nicely.”

“I will certainly do my best, ma’am.” Thunderspite usually remembered not to call her "ma’am," and the fact that he didn’t this time betrayed his nervousness.

Applejack smiled reassuringly. “And don’t worry about a thing. I’m sure the gang will like ‘ya.”

Thunderspite held the door open for Applejack as she entered. “Hey y’all!” said Applejack in greeting. The gang all turned and said their greetings.

“Everypony, this here’s Thunderspite. He’s that pony I’ve been tellin’ y’all about. He’s been helpin’ out on the farm while Big Mac’s been away. Thunderspite, this here’s Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie.” Thunderspite returned Pinkie Pie’s wave, greeted Rainbow Dash by slapping wings, gently took Fluttershy’s hoof in his, and returned Rarity’s curtsy with a perfect bow.

“Oh my ... ” said Rarity. “Applejack, you didn’t tell me your friend was such a gentlepony.”

“Anywho, said Applejack, “Thunderspite, we need your help carrying this here wedding cake down to town hall. It’s about six blocks. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will be flying above, helping to stabilize it with ropes, and Rarity will be behind you, casting a spell to protect it with her magic. Me an’ Pinkie Pie will be up front, clearin’ a way for y’all. Think you can handle it?”

Thunderspite eyed the cake, and then the group, before nodding. “Sounds like a good plan.”

“Swell! Let’s get you loaded then.”

Thunderspite went over and squatted low, then Applejack and Rainbow dash slid the cake off the table and onto his back. There was a tense moment as the cake swayed precariously, but Thunderspite spread his wings and was able to stabilize it in time. He kept his wings spread out under the base of the cake, making a makeshift platform. The team surrounded him as he carefully made his way out the door, ducking down low to clear the doorframe. Once they were out, everyone assumed their positions.

“Alright y’all. Let’s move out,” said Applejack, trotting some distance ahead.

It was slow going. They moved at a pace just slower than a walk, as Thunderspite did his best to smooth out his steps. As they crossed Mane street, Applejack and Pinkie Pie blocked traffic on both directions. Three-quarters of the way there, and their efforts were nearly thwarted by a pair of fillies kicking a ball down the street, not looking where they were going. Applejack sternly shooed them away.

“Almost there, gang. Hang in there, Thunderspite!” Thunderspite only nodded acknowledgement. Sweat was beginning to form on his brow from the exertion.

“I can see town hall!” Cried Rainbow Dash from above. We’re almost there!”

“Um... guys?” Fluttershy said, softly.

“Pinkie Pie, do you remember which room they wanted it in?” shouted Applejack over her shoulder.

“The main reception hall. It’s just through the doors!” Pinkie Pie shouted back.

“Um... Everyone? There’s a... ” Fluttershy pointed skyward.

“Okay. When we get a little closer, I’ll run ahead and hold the doors open while you all work on gettin’ it through.”

“Look out!” cried Fluttershy, whose warning was finally heard. They all heard a great crash, and a surprised grunting noise from Thunderspite. The gang turned around to see that Thunderspite and the cake was no longer in the center of their little formation. He was a few yards away, almost completely covered in frosting and fondant. Another pony was with him, even more covered in cake remains than he was.

The gang all gasped and trotted over. “Oh my goodness, Thunderspite! Are you alright?” Rarity asked.

Thunderspite groaned and rubbed his head. “I’ll be alright. What happened?”

All eyes turned to the second pony. After a moment, two eyes opened from behind the mask of frosting. Then, with a few quick shakes of the head, the pony’s head became visible. It was a pegasus mare, with a blue mane and gold highlights.

“Snow Bolt?!” The five exclaimed as one.

“Snow Bolt, what the heck happened?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Oh... ha ha, hey guys... ” Snow Bolt blushed and scratched behind her head. “Well, uh, funny story... I was flying, on my way back from the market, and I guess I sort of... fell asleep?”

“You? Fell asleep? While flying?” Rainbow Dash shook her head incredulously. “Snow Bolt, how does that even happen?”

Thunderspite began brushing bits of cake from his coat. For lack of anything else to say, Applejack made the introductions. “Snow Bolt, this is our friend Thunderspite. Thunderspite, this is Snow Bolt.”

Thunderspite extended a hoof. “Charmed,” he said simply, though his icy stare suggested otherwise.

“Heh heh... Nice to meet you,” she said, nervously taking his hoof. She surveyed the splattered remains of the cake all around her. “Wow. I am really, really sorry you guys. Your poor cake.”

“It’s okay!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “The cakes and I always bake a backup cake for big events like this – in case of cake emergency!”

A relieved cheer went up from the group. “You guys need another hand with the move?” asked Snow Bolt helpfully.

“Well, that depends,” asked Applejack. “Reckon’ you can stay awake that long?”

They all laughed and headed back to the bakery, and even Thunderspite managed a small smile as the gang helped brush the last of the cake out of his mane.