It was a beautiful day at Sweet Apple Acres, where there was something to do everyday, (mostly work.) And it was this day that Twilight Sparkle, personal student of princess Celestia, recently designated to learning 'Magic of Friendship' after she became 'Element of Magic', was currently helping her friend Applejack with her chores. And there was nothing that could destroy this moment.

"No. Nope. Nope..." Nothing except for some baby dragon that was at the moment thrashing freshly collected apples out of the basket. (Really?)

And of course his actions were unnoticed by two mares that were busy with their talk.

"Thank ya kindly, Twilight, for helping me out. Ah bet Big Mc'Intosh Ah could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If Ah win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of granny's girdles." she finished chuckling.

"No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry."

"I know, right?" Spike said while discarding another apple that actually hit Twilight in the head.

She then turned towards the lizard."Puh-leez, Spike, you've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked."

"Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time." On this statement Twilights stomach decided that it was time to announce his existence with loud grumbling.

"Heheh. Eh, I guess we better get some food." she said to the dragon that went back to scouring of the basket.

"Ah get'ch ya Twilight, but before a meal, wasn't ya telling me that this fella Druid would want to see how we work on the farm. So where is he?"

"Oh you know, he told me that he would've wanted to come but today he is finishing the building of his new home. And after this whole week with him and Nightmare under one roof I am really glad that it's finished. Besides after this time I spent with him I know that he is probably still sleeping."

Applejack looked on Twilight with quite concerned eye."How can he sleep, it's almost noon, nopony sleep so long. Ah thought that he's more morning pony than that."

"Ahh no Applejack, it's not like that. He is sleeping only five hours per day, sometimes even less. He just sleep only during day and never at night."

"What, how is that so?"

Twilight then looked up and stroked her chin. "You know, I once asked him that question and he just laughed at me and asked that when else should he sleep. It also looks like Nightmare's sleep exactly at the same time as he, so he is probably just actually some kind of pony that is most active during night, it also explain his eyes. It is not so uncommon, after all almost all batponies are like this, many other creatures too." She finished.

That was also moment for Spike to find an incredible apple.

"Oh Spike, that looks delicious." Said drooling Twilight when she saw it.

And of course unaware of the suggestion the drake ate it before her very eyes, by the way spitting apple juice onto her face.

"Spike!"

"What?" Asked oblivious baby before burbing out a letter, what actually dropped him from Twilights back.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Said Twilight. (Captain obvious.)

Spike swiftly catched it, cleared his throat and began: "Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest."

On this announcement AJ and Twilight both looked between themselves and gasped. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" And started to cheer.

Spike looked on them with an annoyed face and vomited two tickets. "Look, two tickets." (Ok he's captain obvious.)

"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" Twilight said excited.

"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense." Spike finished, exasperating his words with a waving of his claw.

And of course Twilight must have her last word. "Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice."

On this AJ had to intrude into Twilights personal space. "Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. Ah'd love to go. Land sakes, if Ah had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles till the cows came home. Do ya have any idea how much business Ah could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip.

"Why, Ah'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala." At the end of her sentence her eyes even sparkled with exasperation.

Then Twilight went into AJs space with a simple invitation: "Oh, well in that case, would you like to..."

Or rather would invite her if not a sudden crash of Rainbow Dash atop of them, which was followed by a swift landing of a big raven atop Rainbows mane.

"Ugh. Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?" Rainbow asked still lying on the other girls.

"Cra Wait a minute. What the hell is this Grand Gallopa Gala anyway Cra?"

Applejack then standed from under Dashs body with a angry frown. "Rainbow Dash, ya told me ya were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were ya busy doing, spyin'?"

On that Rainbows answer was. "No, I was busy napping," then Twilight looked at the tree from which Rainbow had fallen. "And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" Dash said while hovering upside down over Twilights head.

Then the raven landed on Twilights head pecking into her ear."Cra Gal I don't like to repeat myself but for you I can make exception Cra. I asked: 'What the hell is this Grand Gallopa Gala anyway' Cra?"

"Auch. Sorry and it's 'The Grand Galloping Gala'. It is a big celebration first time organized by unicorns from Canterlot, in honor of completion of the construction of their city. It was so good that from that day it is organized every year and I just got two tickets for this year and was about to..."

She couldn't finish 'cause of Rainbows sudden excitement. "YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at The Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now. Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on The Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, The Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member."

She then flew straight into Twilights face. "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me! Wah!" And her rambling was abruptly stopped by Applejack that pulled her by her tail.

"Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here." She spit out Rainbows tail. "Ah asked for that ticket first."

This of course made the two begin to compete for the ticket. ('Cause why not?) And meanwhile.

"Cra You know, I can understand why you Celestia's student get a ticket for herself Cra. But I don't get why she haven't sent one to her sister as well Cra?"

"Blurb* Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Nightmare Moon plus one guest."

"Cra Ok I withdraws my question Cra. By the way you should probably take care of them Cra." the raven said pointing towards the hoof-wrestling ponies before he flew towards Spike who was now burbing out tickets. He catched them in mid-air with one of his claws and the letter in the other, "Cra in the meantime I will take this to this kidos Cra." Before he flew away towards Golden Oak Library.

'Kidos?' Was all that left behind crow in Twilights head before she rushed towards Applejacks and Rainbows duel.

"YAWN*" 'There's nothing that can surpass a good sleep.' I thought while stretching. I then got off my sleeping stone and slowly trudged towards the bathroom, it's quite the interesting place 'cause while this toilet is waste of precious manure and this bath is slightly small compared to hot springs back home, yet it is a convenience to have it all inside home so I haven't forgotten to install it in tower.

After I disposed of my morning needs and took care of hygiene, I went slowly towards Nightmares bed.

Heh I still remember this day when Twilight let us stay in her library, as against letting us go to the city hotel, suggesting that it would be better for us that way.

"Why in the name of Celestia is there this stone? And why are there so many spiders in here?!"

I still don't fully get what made her so angry, after all what other way could I make a bed for a princess if not with the use of the best materials. And nothing is so good to sew than spider thread or spiders to sew it.

When I was standing next to Nightmare's sleeping form I just had to admit to myself that I had done a really good job with this bed.

The base, legs and pillars were my biggest pride as I bred them from the very oak that we were currently leaving in, their color is dark brown, they are durable yet very elastic and big enough for three Nightmares in their full form, also I might say that this night engraving I made is greatly composed with the whole bed. Canopy, mattress, pillows and coverlet were made by the best spider weavers I could find in this town, they were even so kind to make it with the nights emblems, the moon on the canopy is most spectacular, it all is really matched to her. The hardest was the mattress filling, 'cause while the pillows were carefully filled with prepared feathers of my raven friends, I just couldn't find enough birds for it, so after a while I just filled it with water ('cause why not it proved to be very comfortable earlier.) And most importantly she just looked gorgeous while sleeping in it so peacefully.

I came closer to her and began to delicately shake her, (which isn't very easy with hooves.) "Hey sleeping beauty wake up."

She groaned and turned on the other side of the bed. "Ugh* What madness posses you to wakes lady at so unholy hour?"

I silently rolled my eyes, "Come on Moonie it's already past noon! Your eight hours for beauty has ended already, so if you won't stand up within the next five minutes then I won't make you breakfast."

"And what it is for today one?" She asked with still closed eyes.

"I thought about making these so called pancakes that Spike showed me how to the other day." I answered.

"Monster." She stated before slowly sliding out of her bed with one loud thud* when she get onto floor.

That made me laugh for about two minutes before I could speak again. "Really... I am big scary monster 'cause you told me to wake you... And for making meals for you, very scary."

"Umm yes?" She said pretending innocence, while standing back on her hooves, which looked quite adorable.

"Haha very funny. Now go wash yourself while I try to answer to ours stomachs requirements." I told her before I went down the stairs and later into the kitchen.

I must say that cooking without hands is freaking me out, mostly when it's me who cooks, but thanks to very long training I was able to become almost as good in this as I was before, (after all to survive you must learn how to make your own meal.) Also I have learned many new recipes, even if I am unable to eat most of it after my transformation. Who the hell even thought that frying hay was a good idea?

I was about to apply the last pancakes on the table, when Nightmare went through the door. As always she looked dazzling, her mane and tail were slowly moving on the nonexistent wind, her black coat were groomed, her eyes were sparkling and her smile shining, if not that her steps were uneven I would've thought that she was trying to impress someone.

"Hello there sleeping beauty," I'm not sure but for a brief moment she looked slightly redder, "I hope that you will like dish made by humble person," she giggled, well good for her and sat down next to me. "As I am about to devour as much as I can, until my mind won't went into oversugar rush to lend me strength during work."

"Then you better hurry or else you can find that there is not enough for your case." She said as she began to eat one pancake after another.

I don't even want to know how the guys from royal families are able to eat so fast and still do it with their elegance.

Well I will stay with my simple devouring food as if it was going to be the last meal in my life.

"Oh don't you worry about that, besides I can always do more, it's not as if I used Twilights last bag of flour on a few, dozens failed trials before I was able to properly turn the pancakes with my hooves." I admitted with a slight grin which probably showed something unpleasant judging by her scolding expression.

She then stopped for a moment, "You know that I don't really mind your eating methods, but it's just impolite to talk with full mouth." Before she went back to her pancakes.

"Ah sorry about that, but while in home it actually was expected to talk while eating, even more it was considered a custom to talk the way so your words would be understandable, and to not choke yourself during your speak." I explained it to her, after all I don't need any misunderstandings.

She was about to say something more but unfortunately for her, (and quite fortunate for me,) she was stopped by an abrupt intrusion of my first friend.

"Cra Hey dude, hey gal Cra, I have some news for both of you Cra.

"Cra First one are this things that go to lady Cra," he said before he gave Nightmare two brown parchments and one official looking letter, "Cra and second is so that the tower to be finished needs only to have last enchantment Cra, you know which one I'm talking about Cra."

When he finished I saw that he was about to steal some of Nightmare's pancakes while she was distracted with a letter, when a swift swap of Moonie's mane sent him sliding through the table. "CRA!"

I looked on him quite amused. "Here old friend take this." I told him before I gave him my last pancake.

Nightmare looked on me from above her lecture. "You know, I'm quite confused, why would someone like you stick with this thieftly creature? After all you are surrounded by other much stronger creatures, so why this crow?"

Of course she had to ask me in a way that offend him. "Hey Cra, I'm raven not some little crow Cra."

Well I will better answer now than later. "Sigh* You know that you could have asked it much nicer, considering the fact that he surpasses you in the terms of a title."

She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "How is that so I was a princess and he..."

"And he was a king of all birds from northern Sanctuary." I cut her off. "Going back to your question as you have probably noticed, I can't make anyone or anything to bind themselves to myself against their will, it isn't I that choose to stuck with him it is he that choose to stay with me.

"And to tell you how that happened," I continued, "It was the very time that I was deemed capable of performing tests for becoming a fully recognized druid, I was 6 or 7 I don't remember exactly. First test was easy, it was to perform the act of sprouting a plant from three seeds that a future druid must choose between thousands possible, if you don't know they are my three creepers, that were from that day put into my care.

"Second test much harder for me was to show your talent to communicate with elements, it never was my good point and while there is nothing that I am unable to do with wind and snow now, or rather before this... change, I was having grand trouble with communicating fire and earth, fortunately it was enough to pass.

"Third and last test was as you probably understand now to find a suiting partner that will teach next druid of the animals ways. That day could be the worst or best one in my whole life, as from my choice between many gathered creatures depended my future. There were wolves, bears, tigers, lions, crocodiles, hippos, and even one elephant. All of them strong, mighty and they all took it with pride if whenever one of them were chosen by someone. But when I looked them in the eyes I just knew that none of them were good for me. So I was standing there for two longing hours unable to make a choice. It was about time for Elder to announce end of the ceremony when I saw him, sitting on the branch of the oldest tree, one lonely old raven whose life was about to end. He looked into my eyes with something that none of the others had it wasn't strength or pride or anything that they had. No what I saw was the eyes of someone experienced and they were filled with wisdom. So I show my hand toward him and he landed on it accepting the link between us.

"From that day he was my mentor, my friend and my father as it is he who showed me the world and let me know its inhabitants, then peoples and lastly my companions."

She then looked on me dumbfounded. "So basically you are telling me that this insufferable little thief,"

"Hey!"

"is actually a king... and to be more specific a wise one?" If her disbelieving look was able to kill, I would have been able to check if death looked the same as in my new form.

"Why don't you just look him into the eye and find out yourself?" I asked simply. I still don't understand why this ponies don't even bother to try and see what is hidden behind a sapient eye but as she is linked to me she is supposed to see at least part of this what I can.

And she saw it, but the vast knowledge of the bird king of the north isn't something to take lightly so after ten minutes of staring contest I interjected her with a question. "So what's this letter about?"

She then slightly shook her head. "What? Oh right, it's an invitation for us to some kind of gala in Canterlot."

I then slightly tilted my head, "And by gala you mean?"

"Probably some kind of official banquet, or ball, given the way the letter is written, in the castle where nobility will be showing off with they wealth." She frowned on the end of sentence.

I then felt this strong need to facepalm, but given my current lack of palms... I was left with an facehoof, (not a good idea considering how hard they are). Or given that I was able to transform for several seconds I shifted into werewolf to get one good facepaw, before changing back to my current self. 'Ugh* Ok so I will have to visit jeweler and maybe Rarity later, but for now...' "I will just clean here before I will go to take care of last thing in the tower."

I went to the kitchen with the dirty plates, washed them and was about to exit when I saw this paper hovering in front of me.

"Don't forget your ticket, without it you won't be able to enter the gala." Said Nightmare when I looked toward her with questioning eyes.

"Ok," I put it into my pouch with all my belongings that now I was always wearing around my neck, as not like earlier by my belt. (I still find it fascinating how sorcerers are able to make them.) "There I go, have a nice day and be safe while I'm not around."

I entered into the sunny street of Ponyville's town, leaving behind a chuckling Nightmare and loudly laughing Raven, before I headed in the direction of the tower.

I still can't believe that I'm doing this. How the hell master was able to convince me into following Twilight Sparkles every move is beyond me, granted yesterday it was ravens spying on Rainbow. Granted she is very interesting pony and quite important no less, but after first few attempts of her friends to make her give them her remaining ticket it become rather troublesome. And now bear is sleeping, crows are at the library, vines are exploring, ghosts stayed at the castle, spirit pack is at the lake and rest of my pack is doing Diablo only knows what while I'm stuck here. Life sucks.

So as I saw that she was currently stumbling back to library, (which I saw that was recently leaved by Nightmare (who was about to buy some more flour to the kitchen,) and now being occupied by Fluttershy.) I was able to see that Twilight was on the verge of mental breakdown, I had no heart to let her suffer any longer.

"Twilight, wait!"

She jumped startled on the sound of my voice, "Um hello there... eh dire wolf it was right?" Really she remember only my species.

I rolled my eyes while coming closer to her. "Yeah Omega from dire wolves pack that would be about right."

"Sorry I'm quite stressed today." She showed me her sheepish smile before she quickly told me about the letter, tickets and what confusion resulted after this, finishing with "Please don't tell me you also want it."

I just furrowed a single eyebrow on this. "And what would I do with it, eat it?" I shook my head, "No I just saw your distress and I decided to help you."

She looked on me confused "How?" she asked after a moment with pleading eyes.

I smirked towards her, "If you can't decide between which friend you want to help then you have only three choices.

"First is the simplest don't help any of them, just go there yourself and live with the consequences, I don't really recommend this one as it could be first step to lose your friends and we wouldn't want this would we?" She quickly shook her head.

"Second one is considered the hardest as to fulfill it you must find a way to share with all of them, 'cause it would need hell to freeze before you could choose one of them not hurting the rest." She was about to say something but I stopped her with a swift move of my paw.

"Third method is probably the best for you as it just need you to send these cursed tickets back to your princess with small apologies and simple explanation and before you say something I really doubt that she won't understand considering the circumstances.

"Ok I have shared my humble knowledge about friendship with you to ease your troubled mind. Bye Twilight!" I then quickly merged into shadow, before she even realized I was already invisible, yes I can disappear when in shadow great power I know.

After that I watched as she entered the library only to after a minute be pulled outside by Pinkie (don't ask how she appeared there even I don't want to think about this party powers of this world bellwethers.) Then there was little commotion as whole town was about to chase after her, (really guys for one stupid ticket I'm really disappointed in these ponies sometimes.) And finally she was left with her friends in the library to have a little talk (oh the way she had broken on the middle of the room that was precious.)

But after all she had made her decision and as I knew she had chosen number three. She then got a replay and tickets to spare with the rest of her friends, the only thing that was better than little happy ending was when Nightmare returned with: "Can somepony tell me why the hay I was chased by a mob of ponies that asked if I gave them a spare ticket for a gala?!"

Author's Note

Next chapter: Enter of griffin.

Edited by: Gadgetphile