Struggle

Fluttershy looked at the six ponies as they awaited the reason of the meeting. She wondered if allowing this new pony in was such a good idea.

"Before we start," the grey unicorn requested, "can you girls introduce yourselves?"

"I'm Rarity. If you need any clothes, I'm the one to ask." She was bobbing her curl in her mane.

"I'm Pinkie Pie! I love parties! Partypartypartypartypartypar-"

"I'm Rainbow Dash," she said with her hoof pressed against Pinkie's mouth.

"I'm Fluttershy..."

"And my name is Twilight Sparkle." It was the first time the new pony noticed the purple unicorn. He looked as if he'd seen her before. But, before he could ask anything...

"Tea anypony?" Trey trotted in with a platter on his back. He gave Fluttershy a peck on the lips as he passed. Her heart fluttered once again.

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Frank wanted to know if he's seen Twilight anywhere, but a white pegasus walked in with tea. Why can't he find his special somepony like this fellow did?

"Hello, sir." Trey looked up to see who spoke.

"Why, hello. I didn't know we had somepony extra. Who might you be?"

"Frank. Frank Einstein."

"Ahhh. Mr. Einstein." He stuck out his hoof, and Frank shook it. "I've heard about you. Very high IQ."

"And who are you?"

"Bandmaster Anacrusis III, but call me Trey. I'm the band teacher for Ponyville High."

"Is that so? I teach up there too. Math teacher."

"Ain't that something?"

"Tell me, am I the only one who thinks there's something up with Alvin?"

"Huuuuuh! Oh no you didn't!"

The two started cracking up. "That's Professor Ribuk to you." Frank mimicked.

"But, to answer your question, yes."

"Man, I like you." Frank gave Trey a playful punch.

"Can we start, if you don't mind?" Fluttershy asked. Trey set the drinks on the coffee table while Frank cleared his throat and sat down.

"I was thinking...maybe, if you don't mind, that we could...tell...of our struggles."

Just as Fluttershy said this, Rainbow flew from the chair. "Sorry Fluttershy, but I'm not gunna stick around for these mamby pamby stories. Good bye." She flew out of the door and started racing home. She couldn't tell them! It'd ruin her reputation!

She finally got home, burrying her head under her pillow, and cried herself to sleep.

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Twilight couldn't tell these ponies her problems. That was for Luna and Luna only. Hopefully somepony will go before --

"Granny Smith died last night." Phew, AJ saved her.

"Oh, Darling." Rarity gave the cowgirl a hug.

After many words of encouragement and comfort, it got really late, and Trey told them they should get some rest.

On her way out of the house, the new pony happened beside her. "Have I seen you before somewhere?" he asked.

"Not that I know of. Why?" She looked him in the eye. "Do I look familiar?"

The pony lost his breath and struggled to recover. "I...I..." Scratch that. He didn't recover.

"Well, I should get some sleep. Night" She started trotting away.

"Wait!" She turned around and looked at Frank. "Twilight, is it?"

"Yes."

"I guess...I'll be seeing you around then?"

"Of course."

"See you later, My Sparkle...I mean, Ms. Sparkle." O....k.....