Chapters "BBBBBRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!"
I groaned and turned off the alarm clock with my wing. I got my eyes to focus and peered at my calendar. Wait.
"Today's the summer sun celebration!" I jumped off my bed and shook my friend Ivy awake.
"Wha-huh!?" Ivy jerked awake.
"ITS THE SUMMER SUN CELEBRATION TODAY!"
"Stroke left, up down..."
I was muttering to myself while I was switching brushes with my magic and plastering them on the easel. We were assigned to help Rarity with the decor. So we did: Art.
"Um, hi?"
I turned around to see a unicorn with a lavender coat and an indigo-blueish mane with magenta and violet streaks. Her eye color is deep violet.
"Oh, um, hey."
"My name is Twilight Sparkle and this is Spike, my assistant." Twilight introduced while Spike just waved.
"Oh well, hi there, uh—"
"Whoa, are you an alicorn? " Twilight asked, looking me up and down.
"Yes, I am, but—"
Twilight saluted.
"WHOA at ease, I'm no royal." Twilight stood back up.
"So, if you're no royal, why are you an alicorn?" Twilight asked.
"I was just born that way, same with Ivy here." I cocked my head over to Ivy, who was busy painting.
"Oh! That reminds me. What's your name?"
"Oh, me? I'm Singing Star. You can call me Star. Me and Ivy are in charge of the Art around here," I pointed towards the many easels with completed art. "For a unicorn named Rarity."
"Oh, well, they look cool." Twilight commented.
"Yep, and—" I stopped in mid-sentence. I stared at Twilight and let out a snort.
"What?" Twilight asked defensively.
I giggled at the sight of how Twilight's mane was. I knew this was the doing of Rainbow Dash. When she practices her tricks, she usually does THIS.
"Ok, ok. C'mon, I'm not crazy, but you need to go to Rarity for help. She's at the Town Hall. Careful, she has a HUGE fashion sense."
"Oh. I see." Twilight nodded.
She went off in the direction of Town Hall. I went to chat with Ivy.
"Wow, you sure missed the intro."
"I know." Ivy turned to me. Before I could reply, there were two invites floating down out of nowhere. Then there was a bump.
"Ow, Pinkie!"
"Oopssorrygottarungirlsandhere'syourinvitestothewelcomeparty!" Pinkie was talking a mile a minute as the envelopes fell softly on the ground. Pinkie did the military hoof and zipped away.
"Well that was normal."
"No kidding."
I was at the party hiding under a table.
"Humph. Rude much?"
"Sorry Spike...."
I wasn't paying attention. I was asking Pinkie when the light can be on.
"Later, silly!"
"....Now, where's the light?"
"Now!"
"The lights were flicked on, and everypony shouted, "SURPRISE!"
"Ugh...."
"SURPRISE!!!!"
I decided to get some punch while Pinkie hassles Twilight with questions.
I motioned Ivy to a corner which Pinkie literally marked "Private conversations."
"Hey... You know about Nightmare's return, right?" I asked her promptly.
Ivy nodded.
"Well, she's coming back."
"Yeah, and we'll be dealing with the Elements!" Ivy replied. I nodded.
"Whelp, let's get back to partying."
"Alright."
I drank more soda than punch (I think I'm obsessed with Coke right now...)
But since I was so close to the staircase to Twilight's bedroom, I could hear Spike's and Twilight's conversation.
"...The ponies in this town are CRAZY! Excluding the two alicorns though, but do YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS!?"
I inched backwards every second.
Ok then.
15 minutes lata...
"C'mon it's time to watch the sun rise!"Spike beckoned Twilight so she is convinced.
We got to the Town Hall and we were squashed in groups. Then someone yelled, "PERSONAL SPACE OK!?" and the ponies scattered a bit.
Phew.
After Mayor Mare's speech, the curtains opened up, and revealed: nothing.
Beside me, Twilight said, "This. Can't be good."
"No kidding." I replied.
"She's gone!" Rarity announced from above. Ponies gasped in horror. Except for Pinkie, of course.
"Ooh, she's gooooooonnnnnnneeeeee..." Pinkie said, then shrieked.
Bits of blue smoke rose up from the balcony. Every pony gasped and screamed.
Then the smoke became a figure. Nightmare Moon.
"Oh noooo..." I squeaked.
"Ok. What?" Ivy asked.
"Dunno."
Nightmare finally finished ranting because Twilight interrupted her.
"I did. And I know who you are. You're the mare in the moon. NIGHTMARE MOON." Everypony gasped at how Twilight described Nightmare.
"Aww, some pony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."
"You're here to...to..." Twilight gulped.
"Excuse me, Nightmare... I know." I said bravely. Nightmare Moon turned to me.
"And that is...?"
"TOBRINGETERNALNIGHTTIMETOEQUESTRIA!!!! " I screamed in her face. Ponies became shocked at my outburst, excluding Ivy.
"That is right, little filly. For the night. Will last. FOREVER!" Nightmare cackled.
Author's Note
Yeah, I got nothing else to do, other than throw me and my friend in the episodes of My Little Pony.
"Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!" Mayor Mare commanded the Ponyville guards. They flew up to Nightmare Moon. But the villain wasn't giving up that easily.
"Stand back, you foals!" Nightmare Moon's eyes glowed bright white. As soon as she did that, lightning flashed out of nowhere and it hit the guards.
"C'mon! We gotta follow Twilight!" I grabbed Ivy by the hoof and we galloped after Twilight who was running away into the distance.
When we got to the Grand Oak Library, we heard some books toppling down from their shelves. We went inside a second before the other five ran over.
"Elements, elements, elements! Ugh! How am I supposed to stop Nightmare Moon without the elements of harmony!" Twilight said, obviously frustrated.
Rainbow Dash barges in.
"And just what ARE the elements of harmony? How did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh!? Are you a spy? WHOA!"
Applejack comes in on time to seize her tail to stop her from advancing on Twilight. We went in the library's first floor.
"Simmer down sally, she ain't no spy. But she does know what's goin' on, dontcha, Twilight?" Applejack asked as we inched closer to her.
Twilight hesitated, then started talking.
'' I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon....''
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, bla-
''The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.''Pinkie randomly read.
''How did you find that?!''Twilight asked, impressed.
''It was under E!'' Pinkie chanted, bouncing around.
''Oh.''Twilight said. She then levitated the book out of its shelf and opened it and began reading.
''There are eight Elements of Harmony, but only seven are known. Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Motivation, Creativity, and Loyalty. The eighth is a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five elements...''
I didn't hear anything else.
"It is located in what is now-"
"The Everfree Forest!"
I just stared.
"Whee, let's go!" Pinkie started walking, but is stopped by Twilight.
"Not so fast. Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own." Twilight replied.
"No can do, sugarcube. We sur ain't lettin' any of our friends going into that creepy place alone. We're sticking to you like caramel on a candy apple!"
We all agreed to that and went in the Everfree Forest.
"Especially if there's candy apples in there!" I heard Pinkie say. I looked behind me and saw Twilight staring at her. "What? Those things are good!" Pinkie Pie said before trotting towards us. I kept walking.
[CUT]
"So, none of you have been in here before?" Twilight asked nervously.
Rarity replied, "Ugh, heavens no! Just look at it- it's dreadful."
"And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Can we not exaggerat-" I began.
"Nopony knows..." Rainbow Dash said, in a ghost-like voice. Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie froze. "You know why?"
"Rainbow, quit it." Applejack said relentlessly. Me and Ivy said, "What in Equestria are you doing?"
Rainbow Dash ignored us. "Cause everypony who's ever come in... has never come OUT!"
I heard a crack. Oh no.
The cliff cracked off and the wingless ponies screamed in terror as they fell towards the abyss.
Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, me and Ivy flew up to avoid falling.
"Guys, quick!" Rainbow Dash called to us before racing down to get Pinkie Pie.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness..." Fluttershy muttered under her breath as she flew down to get Rarity.
We went to get Applejack and Twilight, but they were too fast for us to catch up.
We got as far as possible to hear their conversation.
"...What do I do?"
Applejack looked up. "Let go."
"Are you crazy?" Twilight asked as she glared at Applejack.
"No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe."
I almost fell asleep.
Twilight's eyes widened, like she trusts AJ,(of course she does) and lets go.
I heard the 4-second scream, and I looked down to see Twilight safe.
"Whew. Whoa!"
Twilight was lowered to the ground as Fluttershy said, "Sorry girls, I'm not used to holding more than a bunny or two."
[CUT]
"...And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, WHOOSH..."
"NOPE." I told Dash.
"Fine." Rainbow grumbled.
"Alright guys, stop fidgeting! We need to focus here and--- A MANTICORE!" Twilight gasped.
The thing bellowed and roared. It obviously doesn't like the 8 visitors inside the Everfree. I know. It's that idiotic Nightmare Moon behind all this.
"We gotta get past him!"Twilight said, determined. When she said that, I saw Fluttershy isn't agreeing with her plan.
After a bunch of attempts, we decided to charge towards the manticore. I kinda agreed with Fluttershy here.
Then Fluttershy finally got the courage to shout "WAIT!!!" towards us. Then she settled down in front of the manticore.
We all thought the manticore was going to eat Fluttershy, but she took the first step before the thing could crush her.
"Shhh, it's okay." Fluttershy said as she nuzzled the manticore's open paw. The manticore stared at Fluttershy for a sec and then lowered his paw, revealing an blue-indigoish thorn.
"Oh, you poor, poor little baby."
Rainbow looked confused. "Little?"
I shrugged at her.
Fluttershy took out the thorn. It must've hurt, because the manticore picked Fluttershy up and roared in her face. We all thought he was finally gonna eat her, so we screamed, "Fluttershy!"
But then the manticore purred and started licking her mane. Fluttershy was giggling and talking to the manticore. I guess beasts also say their thank-yous.
I left Twilight and Fluttershy alone and trotted toward everyone else.
We were only a few meters away from our second scary encounter when Rarity started complaining about "This icky muck."
That's when I heard AppleJack step in mud. Fluttershy screamed.
"It's just mud..." Applejack trailed off when she saw the scary thing in front of her.
Five of us were scared. I literally screamed at them while they were screaming, "THEY'RE NOT THAT SCARY!!! CALM DOWN!"
"CALM DOWN!? HOW CAN WE CALM DOWN WHEN THERE ARE CARVED TREES AROUN---" Rarity started to bellow. She had heard Pinkie laugh.
"Pinkie, what are you doing? Run!"
"Leave it." I whispered.
"Oh, girls, don't you see?" Pinkie started singing.
When I was a little filly and the sun was going down...
"Tell me she's not-"
The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...
"She is..."
I'd hide under my pillow
From what I thought I saw
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way
To deal with fears at all
"Then what is?"
She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall
Learn to face your fears
You'll see that they can't hurt you
Just laugh to make them disappear."
Ha! Ha! Ha!
We all gasped.
So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!
We all fell to the ground and laughed.
[CUT]
We were still laughing when we reached the creek.
We then heard a crying sound from the bushes and went towards the sound.
There it was, a sea serpent about 50 feet tall and 1 foot wide, with a purple body and orange hair. But the guy was still sobbing.
"Excuse me sir, why are you crying?" Twilight asked in a polite way.
"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid!" The sea serpent cried, then went back to sobbing and the water he splashed on drenched us.
"Um, excuse me, sir, what's your name?" I asked him as politely as possible.
"Name's Steven Magnet." He said between sobs.
Then Rarity came over and started complimenting Steven. It was until the last words Rarity said that he went back to crying.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" Rarity vowed, and ripped a scale off Steven. The serpent yelped.
"OW! What did you do that for?" Steven asked
"Rarity, what are you-" Twilight asked before being shocked.
Rarity had cut her tail. Officially.
But I guess it gave Steven a new mustache.
"Rarity was generous enough, huh." I told Ivy. She nodded.
[CUT]
We were closer to the castle but something managed their way into this part of the forest. A timberwolf.
"Star, be careful!" Twilight called before the wolf's stinky breath hit her and she fell asleep.
I racked my brain to remember the spell to wake the girls, but no spell came. The breath got me after all.
"THAT'S IT!"
I marched towards the timberwolves. They conjured up the breath smell. I blocked it with a Shield spell.
"Can I ask why you are doing this?" I asked the wolves. They did not reply. Tapping. For some apparent reason, wolves can learn Morse code. I learned them too. Survival skill. They are saying, A pony has sent us. We obliged after her promises. We cannot stop, even by the means of you. Unless....
"May I use a spell to help you? I didn't come for no reason, you know." The timberwolves shifted back and forth, thinking about it. Alright. Fine. We may not be able to stop that pony, but we won't bother you until you have what you want here and forevermore, but only you.
"Okay, remember your promise!" I did an Aromatherapy spell. The timberwolves left the clearing. Thank you.
I finally remembered the thing and cast it upon the girls. They finally woke up.
"Let's get outta here before the timberwolves come back." I told everypony, and we trotted away from the scene.
"How did you do that?" Twilight asked me.
"Just coaxed them. They got me motivated, that's all."
"Oh."
Then a invisible wall appeared in front of us. We bumped into it. I only saw black for a few moments before seeing that Ivy was painting a really complicated and artistic flower to open up the wall.
"Such creativity..." Twilight said. She's deep in thought.
The wall opened and we ran in before it closed again. Ivy swooped in at the last minute.
"Ha!Creativity wins all!" Ivy said cheerfully, and we hoof-bumped.
"Ah! The castle of the two sisters!" Twilight yelled.
We saw a pretty much broken-down castle and a broken down bridge.
"We're almost there! Whoa!" Twilight yelped, she couldn't get up.
Rainbow Dash pulled her tail and she got on land. "What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" She asked.
"Now what?" Pinkie sighed.
"Duh." Rainbow told her, wiggling her feathers at Pinkie, then flew up.
"Oh yeah!" Pinkie said.
Dash flew down and grabbed the rope. I saw her at the other side.
"I'm gonna see what's up- whoa!" I yelped when somepony grabbed my tail. It was Applejack.
"She's gonna be alright. You saw her at the town hall."
"Oh ok..." One thing I know is that I can't get motivated at my friends.
We don't know what else happened because a Shadowbolt covered the bridge with fog.
"OH COME ON!" I screamed.
Then Rainbow flew quickly toward us and did a pose before we walked across the bridge.
"See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'." Rainbow told Twilight as we walked to the other side.
"OH. MY. GOD."
We entered the castle. But I see the elements in sphered stone. Wat.
"The book said: when the seven are present, a spark will cause the eighth Element to be revealed."
"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" AJ asked.
"It means that the eighth element will appear when the other seven are available and the pony puts their magic on it." I told her in the most descriptive way.
"Alright."
"I just need everypony to stand back." Twilight instructed us.
We left because she needs to focus.
While we were outside, I drew in the grass with Ivy. Then I heard Twilight and we barged in. Twilight was nowhere to be seen.
We looked all over the place.
Then Rarity called to us and we galloped next door.
We were just up the stairs when Twilight finished her battle. She had lost. But I levitated two orbs out of Nightmare Moon's reach before she can destroy it.
"...because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here!"
We all posed for no reason.
"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty!
"You still don't have the eighth Element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare Moon stammered, frightened.
"But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!" Twilight said. Then light shone on top of her. Nightmare Moon shielded it with her wing. "You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!"
Then the stoned elements began to shine brightly and it became necklaces and tiaras. We joined them together and a gigantuan rainbow shot out of us and towards Nightmare. I heard her scream "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Then everything went black.
We then woke up. It was still night.
"Ow, my head!"
"Everypony okay?"
"Did we do it?" I asked everypony.
I heard a squeal and saw Rarity admiring her tail. I face-hoofed.
Everypony started admiring their elements. Then day came.
A few seconds later Celestia appeared. We all bowed. Well, except Twilight, who went up to her mentor.
Celestia congratulated us and went to a mare with a lighter blue coat, light blue mane and a black mini tiara.
"Princess Luna."
Luna woke up with a gasp.
"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister." Princess Celestia said to Princess Luna.
"Sister?" everypony asked. I said, "DUH!"
"Will you accept my friendship?"
Luna hesitated, then jumped towards Celestia. Said her apologies. Yay.
Pinkie started to cry. Then stopped. "Hey you know what this calls for?"
[CUT]
"A party!"
We were having fun. Then Ivy tapped me on the shoulder.
"Star, look." Ivy was pointing to Twilight, who was looking gloomy.
Celestia came over. "Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"
Twilight said her reason. We were looking gloom anyway.
Celestia smiled, then said, "Spike, take a note, please. I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville!"
We all cheered and crowded around Twilight.
" Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before!"
YAY.
[END OF SEASON 1 PREMIERE.]
"So, BAM! I kicked them out of the clearing and then woke you up." I said. Me and Ivy were chatting about our encounters in the Everfree.
"Ooh, my turn! So after you guys blacked out, I took a brush out of my saddlebags and painted the flower onto the-huh?"
I looked at what Ivy was staring at.
"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."
"Wait what?" Me and Ivy whispered to each other. AJ and Twilight were jumping and cheering about the Grand Galloping Gala.
Then Rainbow crashed.
"Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?"
"Rainbow Dash. You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?"
"What's this about a Gala?"
The three ponies jumped.
"Star? Ivy? What are you doing here?" Twilight asked us.
"We were just chatting..." I said.
"Wait. THE. GRAND. GALLOPING. GALA?"Ivy said.
"Yes."
"OOH YES! I WANTED TO GO SOOO BADLY! I'VE ALWAYS, ALWAYS WANTED TO SHOW MY PAINTINGS THERE AND EVERYPONY COULD COMMENT!"
"Especially your painting gallery of you and Snowy?" I asked bluntly.
"Wha-no! H-How did you find out?" Ivy stammered.
"You told me your password for your room remember?"
"I'm changing it."
"Go ahead."
"Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here. I asked for that ticket first."
"Oh man, another argument!?" I said.
Twilight left us alone to get lunch.
"ER..."They're STILL wrestling.
When we went over to Sugarcube Corner we saw Pinkie singing:
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip hip
Hooray!
It's the best place for me
For Pinkie...
" With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!"
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever
In the whole galaxy
Wheee!!
"Let's keep quiet." We hid behind a bunch of bushes.
Pinkie FINALLY stopped singing and asked,"Why do I feel somepony is hiding behind these bushes?"
"Huh?" Twilight asked and turned around.
We ducked back in.
"Let's try an invisibility spell."
Me and Ivy conjured up an invisibility spell when Twilight came over.
"Still feel it." Pinkie said.
"Oh. Probably an invisi-" Twilight cut off when we rustled and ran off.
I stared at Ivy. “You desperately want that ticket, don’t you?” I asked. Ivy nodded.
I looked back. Rarity had gotten into the picture. “Him. I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams! Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party, and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph!” Rarity pouted.
Pinkie whispered to Twilight, and she looked in my direction. Before she could react, Fluttershy came.
Angel had stole Spike’s tickets and gave them to Fluttershy. She gasped happily. “Angel, these are perfect.”
Twilight groaned silently. She looked in my direction again. I questioned myself, then a blast exploded behind me. I screamed as I was flung through the air. Ivy crashed beside me.
“Okay.” Twilight said. “Listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to.”
“You haven’t?” Pinkie asked.
“Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else—“
“You? You want to go to the gala?” Rarity sputtered.
“Oh, no. I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see, it's not so much The Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!” Fluttershy implied.
Too mushy. It was also weird. I wasn’t very into nature, so I was dumbfounded.
“Um, Ivy wants the ticket, not me. So, I’m just following her and, of course, helping.”
Then everypony else came, and we argued and argued, then Twilight yelled, “QUIET!” We all quieted.
“And then I said, "Oatmeal, are you craz--" We all stared at her. “Oh.”
“Eh! This is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise...” Her stomach grumbles. “Not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo!”
We groan, leaving her to herself.
A FEW HOURS LATA
“I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Now quick, lock the doors.”
She turned around.
“Yaaaargh! I can't decide, I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!” She started to sob.
“Twilight, sugar, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise.”
“Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.”
“And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends.”
“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did.”
“Yea. There’s another year, and I can show the art next time.”
“Yes!” Rainbow flew up. “That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha! I got the ticket, I got the ticket—“ We glared up at her. “You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for The Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either.”
“We all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you.” Applejack said.
We all apologized.
Twilight stood up. “Spike, take down a note. Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala.”
“WHAT!?”
“If my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either.” She declared. We stared at her, shocked.
“Twilight, you don't have to do that.” Applejack said, in a sympathetic way.
“Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.”
Spike blew on the letter, and it went on its way to Celestia.
We waited. And waited. Then Spike threw up a letter.
"My faithful student Twilight,
We gasped. YAAAAYYYY!
“Now we can all go!” We cheered. Twilight’s stomach grumbled.
“Allow us to treat you to dinner.” Rarity offered.
“What a great way to apologize.” Dash implied.
“And to celebrate. Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me.” Pinkie ushered us out, each of us taking a ticket.
“How come I don't get a ticket to the gala? Hurk! "And one for you, Spike." He giggled. “I mean, gross, I have to go too?” Spike faked, and then continued giggling. I ignored him.
It was a normal day in Ponyville, that is, until the cows attacked.
Now, you wouldn’t believe me, but it happened at around 3:00 or so.
I was just walking around in the Town Market; trying to find the art supply stand, when I heard Rainbow Dash yell, “STAMPEDE!”
That’s when I heard. A million cows coming in our direction.
Ponies were screaming and hiding in their homes. Maybe I should go home. I tried to look for Ivy, to alert her about this.
“Hey...! This makes my voice sound silly!” Pinkie called, vibrating as she talked.
“Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?! Run!” Twilight yelled, running.
“Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic.” Mayor Mare tried to say.
“But Mayor, whatever shall we do?” Rarity asked.
Rainbow Dash pointed. “Look there!”
I followed her hoof. A bright orange figure with a brown-white one was among the stampede. Applejack and Winona.
We cheered. AJ is coming to save us! Yay! Ivy came over.
“What’s going— oh.” Ivy seemed confused and amazed at the same time.
“This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen.” Pinkie had whipped out some popcorn out of nowhere.
“Applejack was just... just...” Mayor Mare couldn’t find the right word.
“Appletastic!”
“Exactly. We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town.”
“I know. A party!”
“Is Applejack all set?” Twilight asked Rainbow Dash.
“Actually, I haven't seen her all week.” She admitted.
“Well, I saw her at Sweet Apple Acres, and she looked busy. In fact, when I asked her about it, she said she’d be around, but she also looked tired too.” I observed.
“Then she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late.” Dash offered.
AT THE PARTY
We gathered at the Town Hall as we waited for the speech.
Twilight Sparkle came up. “Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to—“ Dash interrupted her.
“Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete. This week she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome.”
Twilight got back on. “Exactly. And...” But this time, Pinkie interrupted.
“This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time.” Pinkie announced.
“What does that have to do with Applejack?” Twilight asked.
“Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!” Pinkie announced. Everypony cheered. Of course. Free muffins.
Twilight pushed Pinkie down. Somehow, she got offstage. “Oh-kay, that's great. Now if I could just make a point without being inter—“
“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked meekly.
“--rupted.” Twilight groaned.
“Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills.” Fluttershy said.
“Anyone else? Anyone?” Twilight asked. “No? Well then, as I was trying to say...” Twilight said happily, turning through her index cards when she saw Mayor Mare. “Urgh! Never mind.” Twilight got offstage.
“Ah-ahem. And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, Pony of Ponyville Award, to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend: Applejack!”
The curtains opened, but Applejack wasn’t there. What?
Spike was cheering. “Cool! Way to go Applejack, that was awesome!” We glared/stared at him. “I mean-- heh.” Spike said, embarrassed.
“Ah-ahem.”
“Awkward.”
Just then Applejack came. “I'm here. I'm here.” Applejack yawned. “Sorry I'm late--whoa--I was just... whoa... Did I get your tail?” AJ came up. “Miss Mayor. Thank you kindly for this here... award thingy.” Applejack looked at the trophy weirdly. “It's so bright and shiny and, heh, heh heh, I sure do look funny heh. Ooo-ooo.” She started “Wooo-ooo” –ing.
Twilight said awkwardly. “Okay. Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony.”
Applejack stared at her, then yawned. “Yeah. I like helping the ponyfolks and—“ AJ yawned again. “--and stuff.” Applejack started snoring. Then she woke up. “Oh, uh, yeah. Uh, Thanks.” She started dragging the award backwards.
Twilight stared at her. “Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little—“
“Tired?”
“Dizzy?”
“Busy?”
“Messy?” We all stared at Rarity. “Well, did you see her mane?” She complained.
“She seemed fine to me. Woo! Woo!”
“Hmm…”
A FEW DAYS LATER
I came to the market again, because of paper. I searched, but there were no more paper and we have to wait till next week.
“STAMPEDE!”
HUH? MORE? I looked. But I saw bunnies instead of cows.
Ponies were screaming and hiding again. I tried to hold them off with a shield, but they were strong. Wow.
HOURS LATER
“Guys! GUYS!” Twilight came galloping over.
“Twilight! What’s going on?” Dash asked.
“Applejack needs help now. Come on!”
Dear Princess Celestia,
“How about y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!” We came over to the table. “Girls, I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn.”
“A bit?” Twilight asked.
“Okay. A mite stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you seven as my friends.” We all drank up.
“Phew! That applebucking sure made me hungry.”
“And I've got the perfect treat.” Spike came, with eaten-up muffins.
“Eeew... Spike, I threw those all away. Where'd you get them?”
“From the trash.” Spike answered.
“EWWWW!” We all said. Disgusting.
“Just a little nibble? Come on.” Spike coaxed.
“Ew! Gross!”
“That will be 20 bits please,” The store clerk said.
I was at the grocery store picking up some fruits to make a fruit tart. Ivy’s doing that, since I’m not good at cooking.
As I walked out of the store and into the Main Square, I can see Pinkie going around asking something. I really don’t wonder what.
“Hi, I'm looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her? Hi there, have you seen Rainbow Dash? Okay, thanks anyway.”
I walked towards the direction of my home. That’s when I heard, “Hey Star, before I ask Twilight, do you know where Rainbow Dash is?” I kinda freaked out.
“WHOA! Pinkie, I have no idea where Dash is. I haven’t seen her.” I answered.
“Oh. That’s okay.” Pinkie trotted off to Twilight, who pointed out exactly where Dash was. Then what I saw was that Dash was flying off somewhere. Pinkie was bouncing off, following her.
LATER
Ivy was handling the tart in the oven while I was drawing because I’m bored. Then while I waited, I played with my phone.
When Ivy came back with the fruit tart, it looked cold.
“Something’s wrong with the tart.” I told Ivy.
“Huh?” Ivy looked at the tart as if she doesn’t know what happened.
I heard laughter. Pinkie and Dash were laughing and holding what looks like a can of colder-rizer. I glared at them, and then smirked. Then I swooped down and left Pinkie and Dash wondering where I was.
“BOO!”
“AHHH!!!!” Pinkie, Dash, and Ivy all screamed.
I giggled. Pinkie and Dash both joined in. Ivy just smiled and shook her head.
NEXT MORNING
I heard swooping when I woke up the next day. I stared at the window and saw Rainbow Dash and a griffon laughing about something. I decided to open the window and talk.
“Rainbow Dash?” I asked, peeking out the window. Dash looked over at my direction.
“Oh! Hey!” Rainbow Dash waved me over. I swooped from my bed to my bathroom to my door to where Rainbow and the griffon were.
“Hey. My name’s Star and-huh?” I saw pink cut me off in mid-sentence.
“Hello! Star! Hi! Dashie! What’s! Up?” Pinkie Pie said between breaths.
“What are you doing-“ I trailed off when I saw Rainbow tell the griffon where she’s going. Then when she was gone, the griffon grabbed Pinkie by the neck and said, “If you cross paths with me and Dash again, I swear it will be the last time.” Pinkie looked very scared or something. I decided to follow the griffon to see what happens next.
As I went where she went, a balloon appeared out of nowhere.
“Star! Come over here!” Pinkie was ushering me.
“Pinkie Pie, you are LITERALLY right in front of me. How can I come over?” I asked.
Pinkie literally tugged at my ear and told me something that sounded like a party plan, with Rainbow Dash already planning the pranky part of the party so we can get some sweet revenge. Well, Pinkie anyways.
SUGARCUBE CORNER.
Pinkie was greeting everyone at the door while the other guests made themselves comfortable and settled down. Twilight and Fluttershy were having a conversation.
“You've met Gilda, right? What's she like?” Twilight asked. That must be the griffon’s name, I thought.
“Oh, um, well, I'll tell you later, Twilight.” Fluttershy answered right back.
While Pinkie Pie welcomed the other guests, Fluttershy walked up to her and asked, “Um, Pinkie Pie, about this party for Gilda. Umm... Do you really think it's a good idea? I mean–“
“Don't worry your pretty little head about mean old Gilda. Your auntie Pinkie Pie's got it all taken care of.” Pinkie answered right back, patting Fluttershy on the head and bounced off, obviously seeing someone, while Fluttershy just said back, “I’m a year older than you.”
“Gilda! I'm so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties, and I really, truly, sincerely, hope you feel welcome here amongst all us pony folk.” Pinkie greeted.
Gilda grunted, as if she’s not amused. Seriously, Gilda? Pinkie’s parties are lots of fun and action-packed as always. But there are some things here that aren’t even normal…
As Gilda shook with Pinkie, she activated a buzzer of some sort, because of the electricity that is zapping her right now.
Everyone started laughing, including me, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. It was priceless!
Rainbow said, “Oh Pinkie Pie, the old hoof-shake buzzer. You are a scream.”
“Yeah! Uh, good one, Pinkie Pie.” Gilda managed.
“Come on G, I’ll introduce you to some of my other friends.” Rainbow gestured.
“Right behind you Dash.” Gilda mustered, and then eyed Pinkie Pie. “I know what you’re up to.”
“Great.”
Gilda groaned quietly. “I know what you’re planning.”
Pinkie giggles. “Well, I hope so. This wasn’t supposed to be a surprise party.”
“I mean, I’ve got my eye on you.”
“And I got my eye on you.” Pinkie shot right back. Gilda gave up trying to reason with her. And so, Pinkie Pie continues with her introduction.
“Everyone, I'd like you all to meet Gilda, a long-time, dear friend of Rainbow Dash. Let's honor her and welcome her to Ponyville.”
Everypony cheers, and me? I cheer quietly, since I saw what happened with Gilda and Pinkie Pie a few hours ago.
Pinkie gestured Gilda to a bunch of vanilla lemon drops. “Please help yourself.” Pinkie gestured politely.
Gilda looked pleased. “Vanilla lemon drops. Don’t mind if I do.” She said, and then popped one in her mouth. A few seconds later, Gilda spewed out what looked like Flamethrower. “HOT!!!!”
Dash showed Gilda some punch in a glass. “G, the punch.”
Gilda ran over there just to get a glass, but the punch just spilled all over her. Everypony was chortling.
“Well, whaddya know, pepper in the vanilla lemon drops, and the punch served in a dribble glass.”
Even Rainbow Dash can’t help but laugh so hard. “Priceless. Priceless!”
Gilda finally got a sip from punch, and then gulped. “Yeah, hilarious.”
“Hey G, look, presents.” Dash pointed over to the presents table.
Gilda walked over to the table, and then opened a present. The present exploded in her face. Everypony burst out with laughter.
Applejack said, “Spittin' snakes. Hah, somepony pulled that prank on me last month.”
Gilda said back through sarcasm, “Ha ha. I bet I know who that was.”
Pinkie looked at her. “You do?”
After a while of partying right on the spot, birds started to chime, and everypony gathered at the gigantic cake.
“Cake time, everypony!” Pinkie announced.
“Hey, can I blow out the candles?” Spike asked.
“Why don't we let Gilda blow out the candles, Spike? She is the guest of honor after all.” Twilight said, pushing Spike aside.
“Ugh.” I feel bad. Gilda shouldn’t be the guest of honor, but let’s see what Pinkie had planned for this time.
“Exactly.” Gilda bragged, as she walked over to the cake, ready to blow out the candles. She did, but the candles flickered back on, and leaving Gilda to keep blowing at the candles, while everypony else laughed at how silly it was. I managed to squeak a giggle, but since I saw most of these kinda pranks on PonyTube, I wasn’t so amused.
Spike started to laugh. “Re-lighting birthday candles, I love that prank. What a classic.”
Pinkie pretended to think. “Now, I wonder who could’ve done that.”
“Yeah, I wonder.” Gilda said.
Spike dove into the cake. “Mmm, who cares? This cake is AMAZING!”
“Spike.”
“What? It's great, try some.” Spike said, shoving a bite towards Twilight’s direction.
“Hey G, you're not upset about some silly candles, are you?” Rainbow teased.
“No way, Dash. Like I said, I’m down with a good prank.”
“Come on then, let’s have some cake.” Rainbow left, while Gilda stood there innocently until the perfect moment to swoop Pinkie Pie behind the cake. I caught her by two whole seconds.
“Hey y'all, it's pin the tail on the pony. Let's play.”
“Oh, my favorite game. Can I go first? Can I have the purple tail?” Rarity reached for it, but then Gilda rudely snatched the tail away from her.
“Well, I am the guest of honor, and I'll have the purple tail.”
“How rude.” I whispered to Ivy, who was quiet.
“Yep.”
“Yeah, Gilda should definitely go first. Let's get you blindfolded.” Pinkie stated.
“Hey what-- ugh-- what are you doing?” Gilda groaned as she was blindfolded and given the purple tail.
“We're spinning you around and around and then you can pin the tail on the pony. Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail.” Pinkie Pie instructed.
“Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail.” Gilda mocked. “Humph, yeah, right. This is another prank, isn't it? I'm going this way.” Gilda turned 180 degrees and walked away from the poster.
“Wait. The poster is this—“ Pinkie told her, but she wouldn’t listen. Gilda slipped on the materials that were used to make the cake.
Pinkie came over and joked, “Uh, Gilda? You pinned the tail on the wrong end.” Everypony laughs again, but none of us notice that the fact Gilda is turning so angry she is going to pop.
“This is your idea of a good time? I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life. And Pinkie Pie, you! You are queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks. Did you really think you could make me lose my cool? Well, Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together. Come on Dash, we're bailing on this pathetic scene. Come on Rainbow Dash. I said, we're leaving.” Gilda nudged Rainbow to gesture their exit, but Rainbow Dash just stared at her angrily.
“You know Gilda, I was the one who set up all those weak pranks at this party.” Rainbow admitted.
Gilda gasped. ”What?”
“Ooh.” Pinkie said.
“OH! BURN!!!!” I yelled from the back of the room.
“So I guess I'm queen lame-o.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Come on, Dash, you're joshing me.” Gilda said uncertainly.
“They weren't all meant for you specifically, it was just dumb luck that you set them all off.” Rainbow said.
“Well, there’s a classic, Gilda.” I replied.
“I shoulda known. That dribble cup had Rainbow Dash written all over it.” Pinkie realized.
“No way. It was Pinkie Pie. She set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me.” Gilda said, defending herself.
I was sure Pinkie was just being Pinkie, trying to twist Gilda’s mood. Sure enough, Pinkie said, “Me? I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down.”
“Though the pranks weren’t that well played for a changed griffon, Pinkie.” I piped in.
“True, true.” Pinkie Pie agreed.
“And you sure didn't need any help making a fool of yourself. You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else.” Rainbow told Gilda.
Gilda seems miffed. “Yeah? Well you, you, you are such a, a flip-flop: cool one minute and lame the next. When you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call.” She shrieked, and then ran out of Sugarcube Corner.
Well, that happened. Now Gilda’s gone, and we can party normally.
I just hope it’s permanent.
Everypony started whispering since Gilda had left abruptly. Even Twilight was baffled.
“I'm sorry everypony, for bringing Gilda here. I didn't know how rude she was. And Pinkie Pie, I'm really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her.” Rainbow Dash apologized.
“Hey, if you want to hang out with party poopers, that's your business.” Pinkie replied.
“I’d rather hang out with you. No hard feelings?” Rainbow Dash stuck out her hoof.
“No hard feelings.” Pinkie joined her hoof with Rainbow’s, and an electrical zap coursed through both their bodies. They turned their hooves, and saw the button wristbands they put on for the prank. They both started laughing. Nopony cared, and we just partied for the time being.
Lesson:
Dearest Princess Celestia,
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.
