The Ticket Master - Real Episode (3)

by Goatmeal

Rating: everyone
Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life
Length: 4968

The third episode of MLP:FIM in story form.

A written out version of the third episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, The Ticket Master.

I do not own MLP. Hasbro does.

This is my second story in the Real Episodes series, and as always, I am fully open to constructive criticism of any sort. Be it spelling, grammar, or plot. I hope this story is enjoyable reading for everypony.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-12 08:24:02 UTC

Plus One Guest

A/N: There were parts in this episode where the dialogue of certain characters lacked ponyisms. (Somepony, anypony, etc.) I made adjustments where necessary, but I felt compelled to alert you that the dialogue may not exactly match what was said in the episode because of this. For more Real Episodes, be sure to watch me. I plan to do the whole series over time.

The Ticket Master

Chapter 2: Plus One Guest

“The Grand Galloping Gala!” the two excited ponies shouted again, hopping up and down. Spike belched again, two shiny golden tickets materializing in front of the dragon.

Spike noted them. “Look, two tickets.”

“Wow, I’ve never been to the Gala before,” Twilight said fondly. “Have you, Spike?”

“No, and I plan to keep it that way,” Spike said, arms crossed. “And I don’t want any of that girly, frilly, frou-frou nonsense.”

“Aw, come on, Spike. A dance would be nice,” Twilight reasoned.

“Nice?” Applejack said loudly, grinning ear to ear. “It’s a heap good more than just nice! I’d love to go. Land sakes, if I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin’ our tasty vittles till the cows came home. D’you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin’ up around here.” She looked over at the orchard barn. “We could replace that saggy old roof! And Big Macintosh could replace that saggy old plow. And Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip!” Her voice became dreamy. “Why, I’d give my left hind leg to go to that Gala.”

If Spike wasn’t going, Twilight still had an extra ticket. “Oh, well in that case… would you like to-”

“Whoa!” Both ponies looked up. Quite suddenly, Rainbow Dash was sitting on top of them, apples and saddle-baskets alike scattered on the ground. “Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?”

“Rainbow Dash,” Applejack said heatedly, standing up. “You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples.” Her voice became suspicious. “What were you busy doin’? Spyin’?”

“No,” the pegasus said defensively. “I was busy napping.” She gestured to a stray branch above where Twilight and Applejack were previously, and where she presumably fell out of upon hearing about the Gala. She walked over to Twilight. “And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?”

“Yeah, but-”

“Yes!” Rainbow shouted, doing a small flip in the air. “This is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year!” Her eyes became unfocused, lost in thought. “I can see it now… everypony would be watching the skies, their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then, inward flies: Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my super speed strut, then I would mesmerize them 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.” Her voice became normal again, and her eyes refocused. “Don’t you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show ‘em my stuff! You gotta take me!”

She was pulled back by Applejack, her tail in the farmpony’s teeth. “Hold on just one pony-pickin’ minute here,” she said angrily, spitting out the multicolored tail. “I asked for that ticket first!”

“So? That doesn’t mean you own it!”

“Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrassle.” She glared at Rainbow. “Winner get’s the ticket.” She moved over to a nearby stump. Resting her elbow on it, she raised her left hoof. Rainbow immediately flew over and they instantly began wrassling.

“Girls!” Twilight exclaimed, pushing the two ponies away from one another. “These are my tickets. I’ll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don’t you think?”

“Drummin’ up business for the farm?” Applejack persuaded.

“A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?”

“Money to fix Granny’s hip!”

“Living the dream!”

Twilight looked at the two eager ponies. “Oh, my. Those are all pretty good reasons, aren’t they?” Her stomach gave a growl. She chuckled. “Listen to that. I don’t know about you, but I can’t make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I’ll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two. Okay?” She walked back toward town.

“Okay,” Applejack and Rainbow said in unison. They glared at each other band began hoof wrassling once more.

“So, who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?” Spike asked, tickets in hand and resting on the unicorn’s back. They were walking through town.

“I don’t know, Spike, but I really can’t think straight when I’m hungry.” They walked past Sugarcube Corner. “So, where should we eat?” As soon as she said that, a great pink ball of energy shot out of the bakery door, tackling Twilight.

Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and Spike all rested on the ground in a great lump. The two tickets gently floated down and rested on Pinkie’s nose. “Aah! Bats!” she screamed as she got up and began running around. “Bats on my face! Heeelp! Wait!” she paused, looking at the two tickets now laying side by side on the cobblestone street. “These aren’t… tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?” Her eyes lit up. “It’s the most amazing, incredible, tremendous, super fun wonderful  terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I’ve always, always always wanted to go!” She began to sing.

“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!”

She stopped singing, but didn’t stop talking. “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!” She continued singing her song, and when she was done, spoke to Twilight. “Oh, thank you, Twilight! It’s the most wonderful-est gift ever!”

Spike bent down and picked up the tickets. Twilight responded to Pinkie, “Um, actually-” She was cut off by a great, shuddering gasp. Behind Spike, Rarity had seen the tickets in the little dragon’s claws.

“Are these what I think they are?” she asked incredulously.

“Uh-” Twilight began.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Pinkie shouted joyfully. “Twilight’s taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!”

“The Gala?” Rarity asked, eyes wide. Her expression immediately became nonchalant. Snout in the air, she replied, “I design ensembles for the Gala every year, but I’ve never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It’s where I truly belong.” She giggled, playing with her mane. “Where I’m destined to meet… him!”

“Him!” Pinkie shouted enthusiastically, but then became curious. “Who?”

“Him…” Rarity ‘explained’, eyes dreamy. “I would stroll into the Gala, and everypony 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.”

She looked at her fellow unicorn. “Twilight! I simply can’t believe that you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can… party,” she said, distaste etched onto the last word. “And prevent me from meeting my true love? How could you?” She turned around, snout in the air.

Behind spike, a white rabbit snatched the tickets out of Spike’s hands, and raced over to its owner. “Hey!” Spike called. The rabbit climbed onto the back of a timid yellow pegasus, who happened to be nearby. It moved onto her head, bowing low so the pony could see the tickets.

Fluttershy gasped. “Angel, these are perfect!”

Twilight said to Pinkie and Rarity who were now looking at Fluttershy, “Um, listen guys. I haven’t decided who to give the extra ticket to.”

Both ponies shot around. “You haven’t?” They said together. Rarity smiling, Pinkie frowning.

“Um…” a quiet voice said. “Excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, um, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven’t given it to somepony else…”

“You?” Rarity cut her off. “You want to go to the Gala?”

“Oh,” Fluttershy said, seeing danger. “No.” Her rabbit, Angel, gave her a light kick on her hoof. “I- 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 fragrant and beautiful in all of Equestria! For the night of the Gala, and that night alone, will 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. And blue jays, and red jays, green jays, pink jays, and pink flamingos!”

“Gee, Fluttershy,” Twilight said uncomfortably to her friend who was now hovering in the air, hugging Angel tightly. “It sounds… beautiful?”

“Wait just a minute!” Rainbow said, standing on a nearby rooftop.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said accusingly. “Were you following me?”

“No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe! Look, it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t risk a goody four-shoes like you giving those tickets away to anypony!”

“Wait just another minute.” Applejack walked up.

“Applejack!” Twilight exclaimed. “Were you following me too?”

“No,” she said. “I was followin’ this one.” She pointed an accusing hoof at Rainbow. “To make sure she didn’t try any funny business. Still tryin’ to take my ticket,” she muttered.

Rainbow heard. “Your ticket?” She hovered in the air angrily.

“But Twilight’s taking me!” Pinkie said loudly. All five of her friends surrounded the purple unicorn, arguing amongst themselves. Twilight was especially surprised at Fluttershy, who wasn’t so timid when the Gala, or the garden rather, was on the line. She had enough.

“Quiiiet!” she screamed.

Pinkie continued blabbering. “And then I said, ‘oatmeal, are you crazy?’” Twilight gave her a look. “Oh.”

“Girls,” Twilight reasoned. “There’s no use in arguing.”

“But Twiiilight,” Rarity whined.

Twilight cut her off. “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 growled yet again. “Not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo!” Her friends walked away, offended. “And don’t worry! I’ll figure this out!” she called. She was alone. “Somehow.”

Tipping the Scale

A/N: There were parts in this episode where the dialogue of certain characters lacked ponyisms. (Somepony, anypony, etc.) I made adjustments where necessary, but I felt compelled to alert you that the dialogue may not exactly match what was said in the episode because of this. For more Real Episodes, be sure to watch me. I plan to do the whole series over time.

The Ticket Master

Chapter 3: Tipping the Scale

“Oh, Spike. What am I gonna do?” Twilight and Spike sat at an outside restaurant table, her head resting on the surface. Spike held a menu, deciding what to get. In front of the unicorn stood a vase of blue flowers decorated the scene. “All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the Gala.” She levitated a flower from the vase. “Applejack, or Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy. Rarity?” With each friend, she pulled a petal out of the flower. “Oh, who should go with me?” She rested her head next to the now petal-less flower. Her stomach gave a rumble and she ate the petals on the table.

“Have you made your decision?” A handsome-looking tan stallion with a combed black mane addressed Twilight.

Twilight looked angry. “I can’t decide!” she screamed for all of the café to hear.

“Twilight, he just wants to take your order,” Spike said, indicating his own menu.

Twilight looked at him blankly. “Oh,” she said with a sheepish grin. “I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.”

Spike asked the waiter, “Do you have any rubies?” The stallion gave him a ‘seriously?’ look. “No? Okay. I’ll have the hay fries. Extra crispy.” He tossed his menu over his back.

“What do you think, Spike?” Twilight asked her dragon quietly.

“I think we have to try another restaurant,” he said seriously. “I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anypony to offer some gemstones?”

“I mean about the Gala and the ticket and who I should take!” she said frustratedly.

“Oh,” the dragon said exasperatedly. “You’re still on that?”

“Spike, listen!” She sounded desperate. “How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies! What if I-”

“Ah, your food.” The waiter deposited a plate with a very simple, yet tasty looking sandwich on the table.

“Oh, thank you. This looks so good,” Twilight said appreciatively. Across the table, spike was already shoving hay into his mouth in a fashion only Rarity could describe as uncouth. “I’m sure everything will be much clearer once I eat.” She levitated the sandwich to her mouth, about to take a bite, when everypony else at the café ran inside.

“Uh, madam?” the stallion asked, holding the main café door open. “Are you going to eat your food in the rain?”

“It’s not raining,” Twilight responded, confused. Looking around, however, she saw that an enormous downfall was occurring around her. The table at which she and spike sat, however, stood under a solitary beam of light. “What’s going on?” she asked, looking up.

A circular hole in the ceiling of clouds above them revealed a multicolored pegasus looking down at them. “Hi there, best friend forever I’ve ever ever had!” She wore a casual, yet still smug look. “Enjoying the sunny weather?”

Twilight looked angry. “Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” she asked in a falsely innocent voice. “I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on. So, I thought I’d kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she can dine in peace. That’s all.”

“Rainbow, you’re not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?” Twilight asked, though she already knew the answer.

“Me?” the pegasus asked. “No, no, no. Of course not!” She waved her hoof casually.

“Uh huh.”

“Seriously, I’d do it for anypony!”

Around Twilight, many others were galloping about, trying to find shelter from the cold rain.

Rainbow chuckled nervously. Twilight spoke to her. “Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I’d appreciate it if you closed up that raincloud right now.”

“Ugh, fine.” She used a hoof to reseal the cloud at once.

“That’s better.” Twilight said, levitating her sandwich to her mouth once more. Before she could take a bite, however, the sandwich and unicorn both became instantly soaked by the rainwater. She growled in frustration. Spike covered his mouth with his claws to stop himself laughing.

“Twilight!” Rarity’s voice carried over to the unicorn now hunched over, doing nothing to stop the rain. On her back rested a white saddle, attached to an umbrella. “It’s raining.”

“No,” Twilight growled. “Really?”

Rarity grabbed Twilight around the waist. “Come with me before you catch a cold!”

A few minutes later, in Rarity’s fashion boutique, two unicorns stood in a dressing room. Twilight shook off the water drenching her coat, getting most of it off, but also getting Rarity wet in the process. She chuckled. “Sorry.”

Rarity looked angry, but like a switch was thrown, changed her demeanor at once. “Oh, no. It’s quite alright. After all, we are the best of friends, are we not?” She grabbed Twilight’s hooves. “And you know what the best of friends do?”

“Uhh…”

“Makeover!” Rarity squealed, jumping into the air.

Ten minutes later, Twilight stood in the dressing room, wearing a brilliant outfit of blue and green colors. It was the sort of thing somepony might wear to a royal Canterlot party. Rarity said to the astonished unicorn. “There! Oh, you’re simply darling!”

“Uh, yeah. It is kind of pretty, isn’t it?” Twilight commented. Rarity rushed over to the baby dragon standing some ten feet away.

“And you, Spike. A dandy little outfit for the dashing gent!”

“No!” Spike yelled as he ran for the door, but resistance was futile.

Spike later found himself wearing a blue suit with white cuffs and gold trims around his waist and chest. On his head rested a ridiculous golden wig. He looked down at himself in horror. “He he, oh, Spike,” Twilight giggled.

“Now all you need is a hat,” Rarity declared, setting a large black colonial hat on his head, a bright yellow flower sticking out of the top.

Spike sounded frustrated. “Ugh, I told you. I don’t want any part of this girly Gala gunk. See you back at the library.” He darted off, leaving the clothes behind.

Rarity chuckled. “Oh, who needs him, anyway?” She pulled a mirror in front of Twilight. “This is all about you, and how fabulous you’ll look at the Grand Galloping Gala.”

Twilight’s eyes widened in realization. “Wait. The Grand-”

She was cut off by a gasp from her friend. The white unicorn ran over to a pedestal, on top of which sat an identical suit to what Twilight was wearing. “And oh, my goodness! What a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T!” she moved closer to Twilight. “We will be the Bells of the ball, you and I! Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us! And then everypony would know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn!” She caught herself. “And Twilight Sparkle, of course!”

“I see what’s going on.” Twilight pointed an accusing hoof at Rarity. “You’re just buttering me up so I could give you the extra ticket. Well, it’s not gonna work! You’re going to have to wait for my decision just like everypony else!” She walked over to the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been trying all day just to get some lunch!”

Applejack stuck her head in the boutique store. “Did somepony say lunch?” She grabbed Twilight and rushed her over to a wagon full of apple treats outside.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” The unicorn was now bordering livid.

“I’ve got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplins’, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple brown betty!” Twilight’s eyes became more and more wide as she heard the farmpony list more and more treats. Applejack lifted a brown betty, a cake of sorts, to Twilight’s nose. “Uh, the dessert. Not my auntie. Whadda’ ya’ say there, best friend?”

Twilight’s stomach growled again.

“Is that a yes?”

Twilight didn’t look angry. Instead she looked hurt. “No, no! I don’t know who I’m giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren’t making it any easier to decide! In fact, I’m less sure now than I was this morning! Ugh!” She ran off.

Applejack looked confused. “So, that’s a maybe?”

Twilight trotted up to the library. She started to open the door. “Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating!” Walking inside, she saw a yellow pegasus scrubbing a bookshelf high above normal pony reach, thanks to her wings. All around her, small animals were doing similar tasks, from dusting books to sweeping the floor. Fluttershy was humming a tune that sounded strangely familiar.

Twilight gasped. “Fluttershy, not you too!”

“Oh! Well, hello Twilight. I hope you don’t mind, but we’re all doing a little Spring cleaning for you.”

“It’s summer.” Twilight said through gritted teeth.

“Oh, well… better late than never, right?” she said, blushing slightly. “It was Angel’s idea.” Fluttershy gestured to the rabbit, now standing above a bowl and mixing a delectable looking salad.

“You’re not doing this for the ticket, are you?”

Fluttershy hovered down, blushing again. “Oh, no! I’m doing this because you’re my very best friend! Right, Angel?”

The rabbit gave the Fluttershy a look that suggested Twilight deserved better than a manipulative friend that used her to get what she wants. Fluttershy corrected herself. “Oh- yes. We are just doing this for the ticket.” Angel rushed over to Twilight, carrying the salad with him.

Twilight’s stomach rumbled for the umpteenth time that day. “No, no, NO!” The rabbit fell backward in fright, spilling salad over the floor. Twilight walked over to the door and opened it. “Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I am not accepting any extra favors until I’ve made my final decision, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Surprise!” Pinkie yelled from the door. She pulled her outside to a group of ponies and began to sing.

“Twilight is my bestest friend,

“Whoopee, whoopee!”

“Pinkie.”

“The cutest, smartest, all around best,

“Pony, pony!”

“Pinkie!”

“I bet if I throw a super duper fun,

“Party, party!”

“Pinkie!”

“She’ll give her extra ticket to the Gala,

“To me, to me!”

“PINKIE!”

“Yes, Twilight?” the party pony responded nicely.

“At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket!”

One of the ponies from Pinkie’s surprise spoke up. “Wait, what ticket? What Gala?” Hearing this, Spike stepped out of the library.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Pinkie responded joyfully. “Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!”

Shock passed over everypony’s face, and then they put on their cheeriest smiles. Every single one moved forward, complimenting Twilight and offering favors.

“What are we gonna do?” Spike asked Twilight.

“We’re gonna… run!”

And they did just that.

The Solution

A/N: There were parts in this episode where the dialogue of certain characters lacked ponyisms. (Somepony, anypony, etc.) I made adjustments where necessary, but I felt compelled to alert you that the dialogue may not exactly match what was said in the episode because of this. For more Real Episodes, be sure to watch me. I plan to do the whole series over time.

The Ticket Master

Chapter 4: The Solution

Twilight and Spike teleported into the library common room. It was dark out. They had evaded the crowd long enough to get them away from her residence. “Quick! Lock the doors!” Unicorn and dragon raced about the house, locking doors and shutting out lights as they went.

Every door sealed, and every light extinguished, the two let out a sigh of relief. It was to be short lived, however, as the common room light flicked on, and Twilight’s five friends stood there, smiling.

Twilight lost it. She screamed at the top of her lungs. “I can’t take it anymore! I can’t decide, I just can’t decide! It’s important to all of you and I don’t want 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 dropped to the floor, covering her head with her hooves.

Applejack walked forward. “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.” She rested a reassuring hoof over Twilight’s.

“Me too,” Fluttershy said sadly, floating over. “I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.”

“And me too,” Pinkie apologized. “It’s no fun upsetting your friends.”

Rarity spoke in a civilized and respectful tone. “Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did.”

“Yes!” Rainbow shouted in glee. “That means the ticket is mine!” Everypony looked at her. She looked embarrassed. “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 goin’ to the Gala, that we couldn’t see how un-gun-ho we were makin’ you.”

“We’re sorry, Twilight,” the five ponies said together.

Twilight stood up, smiling. “Spike, take a note.” Spike pulled out a quill and parchment. “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.” She stuck the two tickets onto the parchment on which Spike was writing.

“What?” all five ponies said aloud.

Twilight continued. “If my friends can’t all go, I don’t want to go either.”

“Twilight, you don’t have to do that,” Applejack said.

“Nope. I’ve made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.” Spike opened a window, and sent the letter out.

“Now you won’t get to go to the Gala either,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“It’s okay, girls. I couldn’t possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me.” They all joined in a group hug. “So, I’d rather not go at all.”

Spike clutched his stomach, looking like he was about to vomit.

“Well, whallop my withers, Spike,” Applejack said hotly. “Just like a boy. Can’t handle the least bit of sentiment.” Spike burped a large scroll. “Whoa, nelly!”

Twilight said to Spike, “A letter from the Princess? That was fast.”

Spike read the letter. “My faithful student, Twilight. Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?” Spike’s eyes widened. “Six tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” he exclaimed, holding them up. The six ponies gasped.

“Now we can all go!” Twilight cheered. Her stomach rumbled yet again.

“Allow us to treat you to dinner,” Rarity said with a courteous bow. The six ponies started walking out the door.

“What a great way to apologize,” Rainbow said.

“Aaand, to celebrate!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Come on, everypony. Cupcakes are on me!”

Having handed out all six ponies their tickets, Spike felt nothing in his claws. “How come I don’t get a ticket to the Gala?” he asked himself. He burped another very small scroll. He read it to himself. “And one for you, Spike.”

He raced out the door, giggling with glee. He stopped upon seeing Applejack, who was giving him a very amused smirk. “I mean- gross! I have to go too?” he ‘complained’ as he passed Applejack. Glee overcame, however, and he raced off, giggling once more.

Applejack chuckled as she followed suit.

The Tickets

A/N: There were parts in this episode where the dialogue of certain characters lacked ponyisms. (Somepony, anypony, etc.) I made adjustments where necessary, but I felt compelled to alert you that the dialogue may not exactly match what was said in the episode because of this. For more Real Episodes, be sure to watch me. I plan to do the whole series over time.

The Ticket Master

Chapter 1: The Tickets

Twilight, Applejack, and Spike walked through Sweet Apple Acres, the ponies carrying saddle baskets full of apples, and Spike sitting on Twilight’s back. He took apple after apple, judging their quality. “No, nope. No.”

Applejack spoke up. “Thank you kindly, Twilight, for helpin’ me out. I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime.” She now sounded excited. “If I win, he’s gonna walk down Stirrup Street wearin’ Granny’s girdles!” She laughed at the thought.

“No problem at all, Applejack,” Twilight said cheerfully. “I’m glad the goal is lunchtime. All this work is making me hungry.”

“I know!” Spike agreed, tossing an apple into the air, which landed on Twilight’s head. She gave him an annoyed look. He smiled sheepishly.

“Please, Spike. You’ve been lounging on my back all morning while we worked.”

“Exactly,” Spike explained. “You two are taking so long, I miss snack time.”

Twilight’s stomach rumbled. She chuckled embarrassedly. “I guess we better get some food.”

“Nope, no… aha!” Spike pulled out a shiny, bright red apple. Twilight licked her lips just looking at it.

“Oh, Spike! That looks delicious!” she said, though the look on her face disappeared when Spike quickly gobbled it up. “Spike!” she said, annoyed.

“What?” he asked. He suddenly gave a great belch, and a large glimmering scroll landed on the ground at their feet.

“It’s a letter from Princess Celestia,” Twilight noted, curious.

Spike opened it and read aloud. “Hear ye, hear ye. The 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 twenty first day of… yada yada yada,” Spike scanned the rest of the letter. “…cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, plus one guest.”

Twilight and Applejack both looked shocked. “The Grand Galloping Gala!” they said together.