This story was inspired by the video below. The plot of this fanfic follows the general idea of the song but with slight deviations. In the song Discord is free but in the fanfic, its going to take a little building up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEYDJi4hv7M The creator of the song.
But if you want pictures here is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA9dFZJtQWc.
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"Daddy told me what to do.
He explained it to me.
He said I had to get close.
And close I will get......"
"Come on Spike, were going to be late." Twilight yelled at the front door of the library to her little assistant who was picking up the last of the scattered books on the ground.
"If you didn't pull out so many I would of had less to put back" Spike replied with annoyance.
"I'm sorry Spike, but I needed them all to be ready for the festival."
Climbing up to the top of the ladder of the bookshelf he called back down, "Why did you need to read all these books? I'm sure anypony could of told you."
"But I wanted to know everything about it and its history, and not everypony knows or wants to talk that much about it. Oh Spike its so exciting! The Hoof Story Festival here is much different than the types in Canterlot. Here they have all sorts of games, stages performing a variety of acts, booths selling things. They even get merchants from other parts of Equestria! Its going to be so much fun!" Twilight couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the thought of the upcoming festival.
"Hmmm, I hope one of the booths will be selling jewels from Denhoof. I hear their some of the rarest and tastiest gems in northern Equestria." Spike couldn't help himself but lick his lips and imagine crunching on some of the most delicious gems he could eat.
"I'm sure they will Spike, now let’s go" Twilight said as she walked out the door. Spike quickly climb down the ladder and ran out of the library shutting the door behind him. With a small jump he hopped on top of Twilights back and said "Ready"
They spent the morning walking around shops in town. The festival was week away but all the ponies were excitedly getting ready with preparations. Banners were being strung across roofs, stages were being built for lots of plays, acts, and a talent show. Every day it seemed as if more booths were being made. Even some ponies not from Ponyville were setting up booths of their own already.
"Wow, everybody sure is busy. I'm surprised that even ponies who don't live in Ponyville come here" Spike said as they passed a mare with a booth deciding what fabrics to put out for display.
"Well this isn't the biggest festival in Equestria but its one of the popular ones. It was originally in celebration of Equestria's history so they would host lots of plays about lore’s and legends. But eventually it turned into a merchant event as well since sometimes ponies outside of Ponyville would come to see the plays." Twilight responded.
"Hey there’s Applejack" Spike pointed ahead. They spotted the orange mare tying down rope for a banner above her booth. "Let’s see if she’s selling anything yet, I'm hungry"
"Hi Applejack." Twilight said when they got close.
"Well hey there Tw'alight and Spike. You two checking out all the booths this morn'in?"
"Yes, I'm so excited for this whole thing. There's so many shops to look at." Twilight responded with a smile.
"Hey, are you selling any apples yet? I can have some please?" Spike insistently asked.
Applejack laughed, "No not yet. The festival is still a week away. I need to make sure my apples are nice and fresh. Big Mac and I will be bringing over everything were selling early morn'in at the start of the festival."
"Aww..then why do you even have your booth out if your not selling anything yet?"
"You see how many other ponies are here trying to sell their stuff? You gotta get a spot real early if you want a good place to sell your stuff. And the Apple family always gets a good spot." Applejack responded proudly. "Granny Smith is even baking some of her special Sweet Apple Pies. There’s not a single other pie that can fit that many apples and still taste so sweet."
"Not as sweet as my peaches!" A voice interrupted. Behind them across the path from Applejacks booth was another with a big sign that said 'Peaches'. The stallion running it had just finished setting up his banner.
"You hush up with that talk now Arnold. You and I both now my grannies pies are sweeter than your peaches."
"HA, that’s a laugh! Every year your apples lose to my peaches. It's a shame I don't have a peach farm here in Ponyville or I'd have ran your business out of here." Arnold replied
"You take that back! It's always your peaches losing to my apples! Everybody knows they'd rather have a juicy apple than a soggy peach"
"My peaches aren't soggy! It's your apples that are bruised!"
Applejack gasped. "My apples are never bruised. Their more ripe and firm than any fruit here in Equestria, including your peaches!"
"Peaches are better"
"No, Apples!"
"Peaches!"
"Apples!"
"PEACHES!"
"APPLES!"
The two ponies stood their glaring at each other with low growls.
"Um.. Applejack," Twilight interjected, "who's he?"
"Oh don't mind him" She replied angrily" that’s Arnold Peach. He always picks a booth across from mine ev'ry year. It's always his peaches against our apples." Arnold sneered and turned away to finish his booth. "Oh if I could just get my hooves on him." Applejack growled.
"I'm sure you will sell more Apples than him. After all the Apple family has years of practice and work towards them." Twilight said, trying to give her friend confidence.
Applejack gave a small smile "Thanks Tw'alight. I'll make sure one of grannies pie is saved for you."
"Well make sure to stop by and pick it up then. Were better get going. Still lots of things to see." Twilight said.
"And get some breakfast" Added Spike.
"Alright then, you two have fun. Let me know if you see any booths selling something I'd like." Applejack waved goodbye and went back to finish setting up her spot.
They walked past alley ways of booths and games until they came to the center of town. Here was where they were building 3 stages for ponies to perform on. Each were separate from each other so they could have different shows on at the same time. The stages were almost complete. Through the commotion of all the other ponies they distinctly heard a voice they recognized.
"CAREFUL! I don't want a mark on any of those outfits. You! Handle those carefully. Oh my no no no, this one won’t do, take it away. Watch it up there. There are ponies here on the stage."
The two of them giggled and headed over to one of the stages to see the pony they already guessed. On the stage Rarity had stands holding costumes and ponies trying to stand still as she worked on them. Deciding the outfits and making alterations. "Oh my, no this one won’t do. Hmmm, this one doesn't match your color. AH! This one has a tear! Oh I have to fix it immediately!"
"Hey Rarity." Twilight said at the base of the stage.
"Oh, Twilight. Is that you? Ah and I see Spike is here as well. You, don't move. I'll be right back" Rarity walked over to the edge of the stage and looked down towards them.
"It looks like its really busy up there. Do you need any help?" Twilight asked.
"No thank you. I have everything perfectly under control. I'm just going over some of the costumes for the plays. I'm designing costumes for three different plays and i've got to make sure they all fit and match their pony." They could see a couple ponies dressed up in garbs starting to sway in their positions. One was beginning to sweat trying to hold his pose. "The problem is I'm missing a few fabrics to finish these costumes and I don't have anything back at my boutique that will be right I'm afraid." Rarity said with concern.
"Oh, I saw a fabric booth near Applejacks stand. I think their from outside Ponyville."
Rarity's eye's sparkled. "Imported fabrics! Ooooo I just have to go and see. Maybe I can find the fabrics I need." Suddenly a loud crash came behind her as they looked to see one of the pony's trying to model had fallen and knocked over a stand holding multiple costumes. "AHHHHH What did I say!" Rarity rushed over to mend the situation and the costumes that got torn.
"Come on, we better leave her to work. Looks like she has alot to do" Twilight announced as they turned to leave.
They then headed over to the park to look at the games that were being set up. All kinds of competitions and games were being made in the large grassy fields. From races, to horseshoe, to barrel kicking and hoof wrestling. They had it all. As the passed the games Twilight spotted something.
"Spike look over there." Twilight suddenly said. Across the park they could see a mare huddled at the base of a tree.
"She’s crying." Spike realized
"Lets go check on her" Twilight stated as she trotted over to her.
"Um... hello?" Twilight had asked her a short distance away. The mare looked up in between her tears. She was a purple mare who’s mane looked like swirly cotton candy and she wore a beanie with a propeller on top. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked again.
She sniffled a couple times, "Ya, I guess so." Twilight raised an eyebrow. " I mean, no...I'm not..." The mare bowed her head still sniffling.
"I've seen you around town before, your name was....Screwball right?" Twilight asked.
"Ya, that’s me."
"Can I ask why your crying?"
Screwball looked hesitant to say, but then looked up. "It's the festival. I'm trying to perform in the talent show but I can't do it by myself and I keep messing up my act."
"What about your friends? Shouldn't they be able to help you?"
Screwball looked away.
"Are they busy with booths? Doing one of the plays?"
Tears were forming again and Screwball said quietly,"...I don’t have any....."
Twilight felt horrible a the ponies situation. A pony in Ponyville that doesn't have any friends? How could that even happen?, she thought to herself.
"Well, maybe I could help." She smiled trying to cheer her up. "What are you doing for the talent show?"
"I...I'm trying to do a clown show."
"A clown show?"
"Ya...clowns always made me smile."
"Food makes me smile" Spike added in. Twilight gave him a glance. "What? Doesn't food make everyone smile?
At the moment they heard a growl come from Screwball's stomach. Her cheeks flared a light pink.
"How about this, why don't you join Spike and I for breakfast and we can go over your act together."
Clearing her nose Screwball meekly said, "Do you mean it?" Twilight nodded with a smile. All three of them then left the park, looking for the first restaurant that caught their eye and talking about Screwball's show.
"Finally, something to eat!" exclaimed Spike as he scooped a handful of hay fries. Taking a moment to smell their crisp scent, his tongue slipped out in hunger of their delicious smell. It wasn't long before he was munching his way through the basket of fries.
"So Screwball," Twilight asked, "you said you wanted to do a clown act?"
"Hm-hm!" mumbled the pink pony as she chewed her lettuce sandwich. Finishing her mouthful with a big gulp she replied, "I know it seems a little silly, but like I said. Clowns just always made me smile." She looked down sheepishly. "It's something I always loved but I know other ponies think they can be to filly'ish or stupid."
"Don't forget creepy" added Spike. Twilight gave him a glare. "What? They can be." With a shrug he went back to eating his hay fries.
"I just want to give other ponies the things that I love and make me happy." Screwball said hanging her head.
"I'm sure your clown act will be great." Twilight said trying to encourage her. "And if I helped you I'm positive you will be able to perform it.” Screwball responded with a small smile. Happy that she managed to cheer her up a little bit Twilight continued, "All you need is to have it organized and planned. And I'm just the pony to do that. So, where do you want to start?"
"Probably the stuff I'll be using like the costumes, gags, and prank toys."
"What do you have so far."
"Well nothing yet.....I've been too nervous to go into any of the stores since I've been here." Screwball said again lowering her head.
"But you've been in Ponyville for awhile, I've seen you around town. Are you saying you haven't even once tried to go into any of the party shops?" asked Twilight. Screwball’s faced answered her question. "How come you haven't gone into any of them?"
Screwball turned her head, staring at the ground as if looking at past memories. "I…..I came to Ponyville hoping to have a good life, but the day I came here something awful happened."
Bringing a hoof to her chin Twilight spoke aloud, "Well its true Ponyville has had some terrible events happen. Which one did you come to? The Parasprites, the Ursa Minor, umm." Twilight thought back at all the events she witnessed, and helped rid of during her time in Ponyville.
"Discord." Screwball said flatly.
"Oh." Twilight softly said. She found it hard for herself to reflect on that time as well. The Elements of Harmony and her friends almost being destroyed and torn apart. She never wanted to go through pain like that again.
"Discord was....definitely a terrible tragedy. But we defeated him and locked him away in stone again so he won't be coming back." She said trying to reassure her. Screwball just looked even more down. What kind of things did she experience when Discord was out that made her so scared? Whatever it was it obviously impacted her a lot. Twilight figured now wasn't the best time to find out happened to her and tried to focus on cheering her up on what was happening now.
"Screwball," she stated brining the pink mares eyes toward her."I know just the pony to cheer you up and can help supply you with your clown act." With a giggle she added, "She might even join you in the act herself. Come on, let’s go!"
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"Oo! How about this? Or this! That'll be great. Oh, and you can't forget that. Definitely will need these! Ohmygosh How could you NOT do it without this! I can't believe how much fun this is going to be!" Pinkie Pie was rummaging through her boxes of party supplies with excitement constantly commenting on what she found or thought of. If there was a pony that could help out Screwball’s Clown Show, it was definitely Pinkie Pie.
They had gone right over to her place. Pinkie Pie was happy to help and led them to her party room. Twilight had never been in it before but it was no surprise then on why Pinkie Pie had so many party supplies. It was a large room with a high ceiling that was littered with party stuff. Dozens of boxes the size of ponies and more covered the floor. The walls had rack after rack of hats, cloths, and balloons. Everything for every imaginable party was in this room. And Pinkie Pie was opening every box and pulling out each piece she could find. Twilight couldn't help but smile at her friends enthusiasm but had to interject, "Pinkie.."
"Well do joke telling, goofy acts, tight rope walking, drive tiny carriages!"
"Pinkie..."
"And balloon animals, pie throwing, ball balancing, pickle throwing"
"Pinkie!"
"Rope jumping, hoop hurtling, water squirting, and and and,"
"PINKIE!" Twilight finally screamed.
"Yes Twilight?" Pinkie Pie asked innocently.
"Pinkie, this is Screwball's act. She wanted you to help her, not do it for her. I know you have a lot of suggestions but we can only fit so many things into one show and I'm sure Screwball is having a hard enough time deciding on which ones....where'd she go?" Twilight asked looking behind her. Screwball wasn't there anymore. Both ponies glanced around the room at the large mess of box's and party supplies. "Uh...Screwball?"
"We definitely need this!" Screwball yelled bursting out of a box behind Pinkie Pie. With a yelp Pinkie Pie jumped and fell down on her back. Looking up she saw Screwball grinning with a giant bowtie that was spinning around her neck and an arrow-through-the-head hat.
Pinkie Pie smiled and pointed, "I have just the shoes for those."
"Great! Let’s find them, let me help you up." Screwball reached a hoof down. When Pinkie Pie grabbed it her entire body shot with electricity making her hair straight. Pinkie Pie looked back up in shock. Screwball turned her hoof over revealing the hoof shaker she had slipped on. Both ponies looked at each other for a moment and burst out laughing. Twilight shook her head with a smile. She was glad that Screwball made friends so easily with Pinkie Pie and felt assured she wouldn't have a hard time fitting in. After all, who isn't Pinkie able to make friends with? she thought.
"Man, there’s so much stuff here. How are you going to decide on what to use in the act?" Spike said rummaging through the boxes.
Screwball looked at the boxes around her; there were at least a couple dozen large boxes of things to rummage through on the floor alone. "Umm....I don't know. I guess the ones that make us laugh the most?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow, "We could spend a whole afternoon going through all this stuff looking for the right ones."
"And you don't even know exactly what you’re doing right?" Spike added. "We need to figure out what will make everyone laugh."
"Everyone?" Screwball asked.
"The crowd, you know the people who are coming to watch it? All of Ponyville and even ponies outside of Ponyville will be there to watch."
"Oh....um...uhh...." Screwball sunk into the box she was rummaging in.
"Screwball?" Twilight asked. "Are you okay?"
"Uh...no. Not really."
"Are you...nervous of performing in front of people?"
"Maybe a little."
"But you wanted to perform in the talent show, you know there were going to be ponies watching you right?"
"I kinda forgot...."
"Then why are you performing?" Spike asked?
"Spike!" Twilight snapped.
"What? I just don't get why someone would want to perform in front of a crowd of their scared of it."
"Spike I'm sure she has a reason for wanting to do this and were going to help her." Twilight said flatly.
"Ya Screwball, well be here to help you." Pinkie Pie added with a smile.
Screwball lifted her head out a little, "Th-thanks you guys. I've never had anyone want to help me with anything."
"Of course, that’s what friends are for aren't they?" Twilight reassured.
"Friends? You mean, you'll be my friends?"
"Of course!" Pinkie Pie added with a chuckle. "I have tons of friends and you’re the newest one!"
Screwball got very quiet and seemed to shrink down in the box. Twilight started to move towards her to see what was wrong but was reassured when a smile that grew on Screwball’s face got bigger and bigger. She even began to have a few tears come down her cheeks.
“Thanks you guys. I….I’m just so happy. I didn’t think I would ever find a pony to be my friend.
Twilight and Pinkie both smiled back. You won’t have to every worry about finding friends again. Twilight thought. As all three ponies sat there, a cannon shot was boomed in the room and they were covered in cake. Stunned they all looked to the corner of the room to Spike standing next to Pinkie Pie’s Welcome Wagon.
All four were quiet for a moment until all of them except Twilight couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “I thought it was supposed to shoot confetti.” Twilight said as she wiped off the cake.
Pinkie Pie giggled, “I hadn’t had a chance to put it in yet. I didn’t think I would be welcoming a pony today.” Suddenly Pinkie Pie shot up with a scream. “I HAVEN’T WELCOMED YOU YET!!! Spike! Grab that bag of confetti; were doing it again!”
“But Screwball isn’t completely new to Ponyville.” Twilight stated as she distanced her self from the next shot.
“I know, but I never got the chance to do it. So I have to do it now!” Pinkie Pie responded
After Pinkie Pie properly welcomed Screwball and cleaned up while laughing, they spent the rest of the afternoon going through Pinkie Pie’s supplies and coming up with ideas for the Clown Show. They all agreed that tomorrow they would rehearse the show at Pinkie Pie’s room. Twilight feel asleep that night feeling very satisfied and happy that she helped another pony. And that Screwball would never be alone again with friends like her to help her.
Screwball stayed up that night looking at the moon. Feeling very pleased on how well the day went. She so happy that she became friends with the ponies and wouldn’t have to be alone anymore. She couldn’t help but giggle now and then at the thought of spending time with them. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow to get closer. She stayed up past even the ponies working on setting up the festival, all the while humming a little song, staring into the night.
