Dear Diary,
I fell asleep yesterday before I could write in this thing so I'm doing it in the morning. Yesterday I spent the day with Starlight. It turns out that she is a guidance counselor at Twilight's School of Friendship and the others are teachers. I'm not entirely sure how different their school is from a normal school, as I haven't seen any classes, but anyways, Starlight also doesn't get much traffic as a guidance counselor. I spent most of the day with her in her office. At one point, I brought up what happened the day before in Canterlot. It went something like this:

“Hey...Starlight…” Jade began nervously scraping the floor with her hoof. “Since you're a guidance counselor and all...do you think you could help me?”

“Of course!” Starlight perked up as she ran to sit in her chair. “What's troubling you?”

Jade sat in one of the chairs in front of Starlight's desk. “Honestly, it's this place.”

“My office?” Starlight asked.

“No!” Jade gasped. “I mean Equestria...I never talked about my feelings or about much at all. Yet here I am, snapping at Canterlot ponies.”

“What happened?” Starlight asked.

“Yesterday in Canterlot, I was with Spike at a donut place. Two Canterlot ponies asked us to move out of THEIR spot.” Jade raised her voice. “But WE had gotten there long before they had! So…” Jade sighed. “I snapped at them, telling them they were snobbish rich ponies.”

“Really? That's awesome!” Starlight exclaimed.

“That's what Spike said too, but I still feel like I was being mean.”

“You were standing up for yourself. That's a good thing!” Starlight insisted. “But...I wasn't there. Maybe you did go too far, I wouldn't know.”

“Pretend I did,” Jade replied. “What should I do next time to ensure that I don't make the same mistake.” It was at that moment that Jade realized that if she spoke like she wrote more often, people/ponies would probably listen to her more.

“Keep standing up for yourself and others for sure.” Starlight answered. “Just don't be rude or hurtful yourself.”

“How will I know where to draw the line?” Jade asked.

“That's your call to make.” Starlight replied. “It will be more clear as time goes on.”

Her advice was pretty helpful. I understand why she was chosen to be a guidance counselor. After school got out, me and Starlight mostly just flew kites. Starlight is really knowledgeable on kites it almost scares me. Though her magical abilities really take the cake in things that scare me about her. She apparently stole and replaced the cutie marks of an entire village and traveled through time and created alternate realities. She has the power to change destiny! Definitely not someone you want to make angry. Starlight is still a good pony though.

“Jade!” A voice called. Jade shut her diary and shoved it under the covers. The door opened, revealing an orange earth pony with light hair, a brown hat, and apples for a cutie mark.

“Hi Apple…” Jade froze before shrugging. “Apple.”

The pony laughed. “It's Applejack.”

“Oh, like the cereal!” Jade realized aloud.

Applejack sighed. “Yes, like that darn cereal. Anyways, today you get to spend the day with me and go figure, today is also the zap apple harvest.”

“What kind of apples now?” Jade asked.

“You’ll see when we get there.” Applejack replied, rushing out the door. Jade jumped up and flew after her down the stairs.
“We have to hurry because the zap apples we don’t harvest today will disappear.” Jade nodded and flew at her side through the town. All she had really gotten was that these were special apples that would disappear if they weren’t harvested. Seemed pretty typical to her. After some walking, Applejack lead Jade to a huge apple farm full of apple trees. However, the apples were rainbow colored.

“I guess that’s what zap apples are.” Jade deadpanned. Applejack smiled. “What’s this place called anyways?”

“Sweet Apple Acres.” Applejack answered. Two other ponies gazed at Jade, flocking toward her.

“Applejack.” The cream colored filly with red hair spoke up. “Who’s this?”

“I’m Jade.” she replied. “I’m...new here.”

“I’m Apple Bloom.” The filly replied. “Where ya from?” Jade’s eyes widened. She guessed that this filly didn’t know about the human world and it probably wouldn’t be wise to blab about it.

“Far away from here.” Jade answered.

“Hey Jade,” Applejack chimed in before Apple Bloom could ask any more questions. “I know it’s not the most ideal way to spend time together, but do you think you could help us harvest the zap apples?”

“Sure,” Jade replied. “How do I do it?”

“It’s pretty easy.” Apple Bloom replied. “Just buck the trees.” Jade had to stop herself from bursting out laughing. She was pretty sure she had simply misheard what Apple Bloom said but it still sounded ridiculous. The red stallion kicked the tree and the rainbow apples fell into the baskets. Jade nodded, showing her understanding. She backed up toward one of the apple trees. Jade raised her back hooves against the tree trunk. Her kick was flimsy and unbalanced. Screeching from the pain in her back legs, Jade assumed no apples had fallen until one hit her in the head.

“It’s hard at first,” Applejack spoke up.

“Yup.” The red stallion agreed. Jade glanced down at her sides, spreading her wings.

“Could I just pick the apples?” Jade asked.

“Well...I suppose if it works better for you and will help things move along.” Applejack replied. Jade flew toward the zap apples, picking or even knocking them off the tree with her hooves and short tail. Jade was tempted to bite into one of the apples but stopped herself. Applejack’s family were probably going to sell these.

“What are y’all gonna do with the zap apples?’ Jade asked curiously.

“Sell em to our business partner.” Applejack answer. “Filthy Rich. It makes us good money.” Jade nodded and went back to picking the apples. She did it as quick as she could. Getting the apples off the trees before they disappeared was more important right now than getting them in baskets. After awhile, Jade had gone through countless trees, not that she was keeping track anyways.

“What is your world like, Jade?” Apple Bloom asked, kicking one of the trees and catching the fallen apples in a basket.

“Boring.” Jade answered. “I mean for starters, there’s no rainbow colored apples.”

“You’ve never tried zap apple jam?!” Apple Bloom interrupted. Her face was one of sheer horror. Jade nodded, prompting a gasp from the filly. “You’ve gotta try it! Trust me, you’ll love it.” Jade nodded and went back to picking apples.

“Jade!” A familiar voice called. Jade turned to see Twilight, levitating something beside her. Jade landed in front of her, folding her wings.

“Hey Twilight.” Jade greeted. “What are you doing here?”

“I came here to give you this.” Twilight showed her what looked to be a golden piece of paper. Looking closer, Jade realized it was a ticket. A golden ticket.

“Is this for a chocolate factory?” Jade joked.

Twilight giggled. “I understood that reference.” Jade perked up excitedly. She watched the Avengers!

“I understood THAT reference!” Jade and Twilight both laughed. “But really, what’s the ticket for?”

“The Grand Galloping Gala.” Twilight answered. “It’s a formal party in Canterlot.” Jade’s excitement faded at the mention of Canterlot.

“Oh…” She sighed. “Must be really boring.”

“It is.” Twilight replied. Her expression suddenly darkened. “Well, it probably won’t be with Discord around.”

“Discord’s going?” Jade asked. Twilight nodded. “Oh thank goodness.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “Come on, he’ll definitely make it more exciting!”

“If you call attempting to send a pony to another dimension ‘exciting.’” Twilight replied, grumpily.

“He really did that?” Jade asked, her eyes wide. Twilight nodded. “I guess you really don’t wanna get on his bad side...Let me guess, another reformed supervillain?”

Twilight nodded, “He turned Ponyville into the chaos capital of the world and ruled Equestria, making ponies miserable.”

“And he was reformed with the power of friendship?” Jade asked. Twilight shrugged. “How many other ponies here were evil but are now reformed? Because that seems to be a common theme!”

“Well let’s see...Luna, Starlight, Discord, Tempest, Trixie, and Stygian.”

“Is that how you deal with threats?” Jade asked, trying desperately not to sound rude as she was simply curious. “Ask them to be your friend?”

“There’s a bit more to it than that,” Twilight replied. “Anyways, I need to get going. I’ve already been away from the school for too long.” Twilight placed the ticket in Jade’s hoof before flying off. Jade dropped the ticket, only to see that there were actually two tickets!

“Wait!” Jade called to Twilight. “You gave me an extra!” However, the alicorn princess was already long gone.

“I think she meant to, sugarcube.” Applejack chimed in. Jade turned to her.

“What do you mean?” Jade asked.

“Princess Celestia sends everypony two tickets.” Jade’s ears pricked. Celestia? That was the same name as her principal!
“One of them is for you, and the other is for anypony else you’d like to take with you.”

“Applejack gave her extra ticket to me!” Apple Bloom added. “And Big Mac gave his to his girlfriend, Sugar Belle.” The red stallion giggled and blushed.

“Yup.” He replied.

“Okay...but I don’t have a date or a sibling. Who should I bring?” Jade asked.

“Anypony who isn’t already goin’. It doesn’t have to be romantic or familial. You can ask a friend.” Applejack replied, kicking a tree. Jade put the tickets down on a nearby table.

“I can figure this out later.” Jade decided. “For now, I’ll keeping helping y’all with the harvest.” Applejack nodded thankfully as Jade continued to pick the apples from their branches.

The sun was beginning to dip when the zap apples disappeared. Jade sighed and landed tiredly on the ground. Her wings were sore from flying so much and she just wanted to go home and lay down in her bed.

“Thank you so much for your help today, sugarcube.” Applejack spoke up.

“Your welcome.” Jade sighed, grabbing her gala tickets off the table. “I’m just gonna...head to the castle now.”

“Bye Jade!” Apple Bloom called. Jade waved as she made her way out of Sweet Apple Acres and back toward Twilight’s castle. She pushed open the castle door with a yawn. In the entry room stood Pinkie Pie and Twilight. Well, so to speak, as Pinkie Pie was literally bouncing around the room. Twilight watched her with a warm smile.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the cupcakes, Pinkie.” Twilight giggled.

“You did a good job making them!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly. Twilight’s cheeks turned a shade of red. Jade smiled. Twilight was kind of cute when she was embarrassed. Wait, what?! That’s just weird! We’re not the same species!

“I was happy to make the cupcakes…” Twilight replied. “But it’s not why I actually invited you here…” It was then that Jade noticed that Twilight was levitating a gala ticket behind her back. “I uh...wanted to ask you something.”

“Well, go ahead!” Pinkie Pie prompted.

“Will...you uh...be my date to the gala?” Twilight asked quickly. Her cheeks were redder than apples. Pinkie Pie squealed excitedly and threw her hooves around Twilight. Her eyes widened.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Pinkie Pie replied, showering Twilight’s face in kisses. Twilight smiled and wrapped her hooves around Pinkie. Jade smiled at the sight.

“I’ve had feelings for you since like, the beginning of time!” Twilight smiled and pressed her lips against Pinkie’s forehead.

“I love you too, Pinkie.” Twilight replied.

“Sorry to interrupt…” Pinkie and Twilight’s gazes jerked toward Jade. “But I’m home.” Twilight and Pinkie Pie blushed and giggled nervously, backing away from each other.

“W-welcome home.” Twilight replied nervously.

Jade smiled. “Sorry to ruin your moment, I think you and Pinkie will make a great couple.”

“Thanks!” Pinkie Pie replied. “I’m happy she said something! She’s been dropping quite a few hints lately! I didn’t really know what to say though…”

Jade giggled. “Well...I’ll just be getting to bed now…” Jade trotted toward her and Starlight’s room.

“Goodnight Jade!” Twilight and Pinkie Pie called. Once Jade made it to her and Starlight's room, she grabbed her diary and began writing.

Dear diary,
I spent the day harvesting zap apples with Applejack and her family today. It was easier for me to just fly up and pick them. I almost broke my back legs trying to kick the trees! I also got some tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala, some party in the snobby city of Canterlot. I got two, so I have to give one to someone else. I'm not sure who yet though.

Author's Note

I've never actually seen or read Willy Wonka but my parents reference it so much that parts of it are ingrained in my memory. Also, Pinkie Pie and Twilight are my OTP for the show so it figures in my first real Pony fanfiction I would put them together.