The Gift

Sunlight gave Ponyville its blesses that morning, with nary a cloud  perturbing the wide light blue canvas of the sky, where all sort of flying creatures graced the sight with their flight, from the majestic soaring of a hunting eagle to the rainbow streak left behind by a certain pegasus practicing maneuvers in the clear light of day.

Zooming down to the village below, ponies went out and around in their business, enjoying the glorious day. Ponyville was bursting with life. All across town, the different business carried around their activities; a penetrating, sweet smell of recently baked confectionaries escaped from a certain pastry-shaped building, attracting clients while a cheerful song could be heard from inside.

Close to this bakery, a library enclosed into a tree housed a lavender unicorn mare engaged in academic pursuit, her snout almost diving into the inside of the book she had open in front of her; her little assistant dragon walked around, dusting, organizing and re-shelving other books, humming contently to himself. Nothing more broke the silence in the depository of knowledge.

Abandoning the tree-house, another equally distinctive building, round in shape and featuring horse-shaped mannequins at its midsection. Carrousel Boutique is the name of this business, and inside of it, sewing tools flew around, impulse by a light blue shine covering them, said glow coming from the horn of an elegant purple-maned unicorn. The floating work elements came to rest in a table from which a measuring tape was selected, and directed towards a smaller unicorn resembling the first, save for her two colored pink and lighter purple mane.The tape flew around, stretching and reaching every little inch of the stoic, bored-looking filly, while at her side, her older sister frowned and mussed.

“This chromatic combination of yours is just so difficult, Sweetie Belle!  But despair not, as Ponyville finest seamstress, I’ll find just the perfect combination to make you absolutely gorgeous dresses, you can count on me.”

The younger unicorn let a small sigh escape from her lips, but otherwise presented no sign of opposing her sister’s endeavors, as she was wont to do in a normal situation.

“It’s all fine now, my dear. Now, you can go along, I shall put hooves at work right now!”

The recent circumstances in Sweetie Belle’s life had given her the week off of school, as she was being transferred to Canterlot’s –and Equestria’s- most prestigious magical academy, Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Therefore, while her two friends, -and most fillies and colts in Ponyville- would be engaged at the school at this time of day, she’d be left all by herself. Fortunately, her friends did take her newfound talents in stride. It had been determined that the Cutie Mark Crusaders would go on as usual. Apple Bloom and Scotaloo would be On Duty members, whilst Sweetie Belle would be an honorary member.

She decided to pay a visit to her prospective mentor, the most talented unicorn in Equestria, Twilight Sparkle.

The winged unicorn left the boutique and set off. Her light trot soon put her at the library’s door. She approached the tree and spied through one of its windows, seeing Twilight with her muzzle down a book and Spike going around and organizing.  It was a seemingly normal day for the library’s inhabitants, and after watching them for a while, she went to the door and knocked on it, with just the sufficient strength as to be heard.

She heard the scurried steps resounding through the library’s floor and the door being nosily opened, by a small dragon which looked at her from the other side.

“Oh, hey, Sweetie, nice to see you.Hey, Twilight, Sweetie Belle’s here!”

The lavender unicorn lifted her face from the book and gazed at the filly.

“Hi, Sweetie! Did you come to consult some book for the School? I could recommend you some good ones,” blurted out the mare, excited at the prospect of knowledge sharing, though Sweetie couldn’t shake off that small tone that could be heard in her voice.

“I… just came here to see if I could talk with you, Twilight. I don’t know anything about what’s coming, and I wanted to see if you could help me a little.”  Spike ushered her into the room and closed behind them. Sweetie approached the elder unicorn, whose smile had vanished and now looked at her, frowning, though not seemingly bothered, rather thoughtful.  She turned her back, gathering her books and marking the pages she was in.  Calling out to her assistant, she instructed him to leave the research books on the table, to which he nodded. Twilight motioned for Sweetie to follow her and they went out of the library.

She was led to a small, cozy café two blocks away from Twilight’s home.  A one story building, its terrace housed several round crystal tables covered by umbrellas, with metallic stools around and menus on top of them. Soft jazz music came from the inside of the café, soothing the senses.  A light brown earth pony with a black mane, wearing a waiter’s uniform, came from inside to greet them.

“Good morning, Miss Twilight. It’s good to see you again. Will you have the usual?”

“Yes, please, that’s lovely.”

“Good, Miss Twilight. And the young lady?” inquired the waiter, turning his look at the small unicorn. She had checked the menu in a hurry while Twilight and the waiter spoke, and decided on a small chocolate.  The earth pony nodded and went back inside for their orders.

“Aren’t you going to have anything else?  Everything here is delicious. Not as good as Sugarcube Corner, but very good nonetheless,” said Twilight, smiling softly at her.  Sweetie Belle shook her head, declining.

“Thanks, Twilight. I’m fine.”

Silence reigned among the two unicorns for a while, until Twilight broke it, coming back from her mind’s world. She cleared her throat with a small cough.

“Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns…” spoke Twilight, with the utmost reverence on her attitude, “… is the top educational institute for magical education that can be found in the wide land of Equestria.”

The waiter came back, pushing a tray loaded with plates and cups. Stopping at their table, he served Sweetie’s chocolate, the drink steaming, and another cup of chocolate for Twilight, accompanied with a simple, yet elaborated looking piece of cake, and a fork.

“Bon appetite, Mademoiselles,” said the elegant waiter, with a light bow, and pushed the tray to attend other tables. Twilight took a bite off the cake and savored it before continuing, as Sweetie sipped the hot beverage.

“The Princess herself has contributed many of the investigations and lessons that compose the School’s program, and she herself founded it, of course. But truth is that she rarely partakes on the educational endeavors of the teaching corp. Her royal duties do not leave much time free for such pursuits.  The entry tests and subject’s education are carried by the school’s appointed Professors and staff; her intervention in such matters only happens on truly special cases, such as would be yours or mine.”  The bright red of Twilight’s cheeks contrasted against the lavender coloration of her coat.

Sweetie took another sip of chocolate, her green eyes focused on the mare and her lecture. It was such her concentration that when a high pitched scream erupted at her side, she fell off her chair , gasping and turning her chocolate cup over, dyeing the immaculate white mantel laid over the table with a dirty brown spot.

“Hi!”

She lifted hear head to find Pinkie Pie, whom Twilight addressed with an exasperated, if not surprised, look on her face.

“Good morning, Pinkie. You’re here on behalf of a party, right?” asked the unicorn, as Sweetie Belle got on her feet and put the chair straight, and the ponies in the surrounding tables got over their surprise. The pink earth pony beamed and answered loudly.

“But of course, Twilight! I’m here to deliver the invitations to Sweetie Belle’s Farewell party, which is also a Do-well Party and We’ll-miss-you Party! Many parties in one!”

Suddenly, purple and pink colored cards appeared on every table of the café, with no explanation. Once opened, these read:

You’re invited to Sweetie Belle’s Farewell Party, to be held this Friday in Sweet Apple Acres at 5 p.m. Don’t miss it!

“Sweet Apple Acres? How come it’s not scheduled at Sugarcube Corner?”

“Oh, Apple Bloom insisted, and Applejack accepted, and it’s such a nice place, too! See you later, got to deliver all of these!”   Thus Pinkie shot away, in a pink dust cloud, leaving Twilight rather nonplussed, Sweetie’s mouth widely open and the restaurant in an incredulous state.

The elder unicorn ate a bit of cake, followed by a sip to her chocolate, calming herself, her eyes closed with a regal expression framing her face.

“That’s alright. Now, where was I?”

“Excuse me, Miss Twilight, but I’d like to ask you to move to the table over there, as this one has suffered a rather unfortunate accident.”

“Oh, right! I’m sorry, we’ll get there.”

Once they were moved to the designated table, and Sweetie had got a replacement chocolate serving, the lecture continued.

“The school has several rooms in the Castle assigned for use, as well as access to the Royal Library for study material and research, as befitting of the royal educational program.  Its educational methodologies are very flexible, despite being based on a fixed plan developed by the Equestrian Ministry of Education. The course planning and Magical Focus comprehensive training vary from subject to subject, according to their special talent and their leanings. The very small student group in each generation allows for such arrangements. Those are the basic on which this school operates. Have you understood?”

Sweetie nodded, replaying in her mind Twilight’s words. She looked at the older unicorn, emotions betrayed by her trembling voice.

“Will I do fine?”

Twilight bit her lip, looking at her across the table, for which to Sweetie Belle looked like several hours, as she waited for an answer. Finally, her lips broke apart, in a short but meaningful line.

“Yes, Sweetie Belle. I think you shall do just fine.”

The rest of the week passed quickly enough for Sweetie Belle, between modeling for Rarity’s dresses, evening escapades for the Crusaders, time with her family and all the little things, Friday presented itself in a whim. She marched with her family towards the Apple farm, jumping in the peak of enthusiasm, eliciting amused giggles from her mother and sister. The party would be held at the barn, which was decorated with multicolored balloons, streamers, and festive strings and hangers everywhere, as well as in the surrounding trees.  Two big tables in the center of the barn held delicious food, drinks and sweets, from both Sugarcube Corner and the Apple family.

Above them, attached between two columns, a banner read in huge letters “CONGRATULATIONS, SWEETIE BELLE” with the celebrated unicorn’s face painted at the side.  She blushed, looking at it, letting out a hardly heard “Thank you, everypony”.

The party went on without hitches, bringing wide and sincere smiles to Sweetie Belle’s face, she enjoyed the games, the food, the drinks, the jokes and everything that happened.  As it wore thing, most ponies left, wishing her well, success and lamenting her departure.  Once almost everypony had left, only her family, the Apple family, Scootaloo, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Spike remained in the barn. Rarity took the cue and spoke.

“Sweetie, dear, we’re all very proud and very happy for you. We hope you do great in your studies and excel in everything. But know that we love we, above everything else, and will be always here for you.”

The two sisters embraced tenderly, with the younger sister feeling the warmth that Rarity gave off. She closed her eyes and thanked Celestia for this moment.  The two sisters broke off, and she opened her eyes.

“My little sister, we have some spectacular gifts for you. Allow me.”

With the glow of her horn, Rarity levitated towards her several objects, which Sweetie could distinguish once they were set on the table.  Several high-cut dresses were laid one on top of the other, an astonishing mixture of shining jewelry, expert design, -with her new features in mind- and carefully selected fabrics, created with Rarity’s best hoofcraft. Besides the exquisite garments, a pair of white saddlebags, elegant but sturdy, presented itself to complement her sister’s gifts. A tear scurried down Sweetie’s cheek, as she hugged tightly her sister once again, smiling.

“Thanks, Rarity.”

Her parents followed, and presented her with a set of delicate top-quality writing quills, from several exotic Equestrian bird species, –all legally and amicably obtained, of course- including the phoenix. Needless to say, such a gift was incredibly expensive.  Mother and daughter cried tenderly, -accompanied by the elder sister at their side- while in the father’s embrace.

Twilight Sparkle came forth. Her present was, obviously, a book.  A huge tome, in hardback cover, that brought the little unicorn to the floor attempting to lift it. Celestia’s School: A Story.  They looked at each other wordlessly, and Sweetie nodded in acknowledgment.

Apple Bloom presented her with a portrait of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, which she and Scootaloo had signed in the back, wishing her good luck. It was framed on polished applewood.  The orange pegasus gave her a blue pegasus feather, with a grin on her face, while behind, Rainbow Dash caressed her wing, muttering and casting the filly several unkind looks. Sweetie thanked them both, and embraced them strongly, despite Scootaloo’s unwillingness.

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy came with no gift, but strong hugs, support words and faith in her, which the small filly treasured.

They partied some more into the night, until finally retiring and going back home. That had been her finest night since the incident.

The allotted time came upon them.  Sweetie Belle said goodbye to her friends, crying in earnest. She parted with her family and her sister, as well as the Apples, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash.   She knew it was temporary until vacations, but she’d sorely miss everything that was her loved life in Ponyville.  Still, she had chosen that path and would walk through it, beginning the next day.

A pegasi-drawn chariot was parked outside the Library, in which Sweetie’s belongings were accommodated.  With one last goodbye and the promise to write, she and Twilight climbed into the vehicle that soared in the sky towards Canterlot.