Chapter 2: Hi-jinks

By a stroke of luck, our girls got the train wagon all for themselves. They were all having a good time, relaxing with the comforting shaking of the train and doing fun activities. Twilight was reading a book, Fluttershy was discussing calmly with Starlight and Rarity, Rainbow Dash was napping, and Applejack and Pinkie Pie were playing cards.

‘’Haaa! Ha have what ya may call a winning hand. So ya better hold yer hand because, hummm, ha have absolutely confident in mine and stuff.’’

‘’Well play Applejack. But you can hide nothing from me, miss honesty. Ha, check this out, one pair and three of a kind. Sorry, but when it is question of games, I am here to win and eliminate the competition without mercy.’’

‘’Wooooo, not so fast partner, hold your horse.’’

The nervous face of Applejack immediately disappears and was replaced by a cocky smile. She then holds her cards on her hoof and spreads them like a fan.

‘’Behold, FLASH ROYAL. Now who says that Miss honesty can’t bluff, hahahaha.’’

Pinkie Pie jaw drop to the floor, for her case, literally, and Rainbow Dash awakens with sand in her eyes.

‘’Hey, keep down a level, I nearly miss this vacation so I want to profit it to the max.’’

This got the attention of Twi.

‘’Eh Rainbow, what is this story about nearly missing it?’’

‘’Well you see, I was supposed to have Wonderbolt training today, but all training has been canceled because the halls must go to some serious renovations due to the accident. The academy is nearly impracticable to use.’’

‘’An accident! What accident?’’

‘’Oh, that is a very funny story. You see, Spitfire was training new young cadets on how to properly transport mini thunder clouds with safety and efficacy. It is harder than it sounds. Anyway, the objective was to take those clouds to a goal right above the academy and when they did it, Spitfire ordered them to warp-up and to make the salute. Turns out, theeey really should have done the wrap-up first. They accidentally punch the clouds they were holding, who at their turn, accidentally activate them and the lightning blows up the hall. Luckily the cadets had the reflex to run away. Well, Spitfire, her, was not so lucky. Did you know that gold medals of honor could attract lightning? How come nopony has ever guessed that until now?’’

Though she had said that as a joke, Fluttershy was horrified to have heard that.

‘’Oh my gosh Dash, that terrible!’’

‘’Oh oh no, don't worry about Spitfire Fluttershy, she is fine. Just a little roast. But our sergeant is made of hard stuff, she will be out of bed in just one week. And luckily, it made her forget about the incident. Because otherwise I really would not want to be in the shoes of these cadets. Anyway, the damages are so serious that we had to even hire several workers coming from outside Cloundsdale. But it means I can be with you sooo let’s thank those cadets. I suppose.’’

‘’Oh. Huuum anyways let’s talk about something else. You know, this is the very first time that I heard of this Happy Town. It sure doesn’t ring any bell.’’

‘’Well darling, I am pretty sure that no one of us have ever heard of this place. We must say that it is often the major cities that we go traveling like Manehattan and Applelossa.’’

‘’And you Twilight, did you ever hear of it?’’

‘’I am like you on that level. But I did some research on this town yesterday. Allow me to tell you what I had found.’’

She then had taken from her bag a bunch of notes. Seeing that, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

‘’Great. Another Twilight history lecture full of fun trivia and cultural facts. I was sarcastic if you did not have guess.’’

‘’Well it is important to know about where we are going. Do you want to look like a tourist? So embarrassing.’’

‘’But... but we are tourists!’’

‘’There is tourist and tourist. Although, there is not much to say. From what I read on it, Happy Town was founded ten years before Ponnyville. Apparently, the settlers were ambitious ponies and want to create a place that will be a true paradise on Equestria.’’

Starlight was a little taken aback.

‘’Paradise? What did they mean by that?’’

‘’That part is rather ambiguous. All I can say is that it was their own words. And that among the first buildings was a clock tower that they use as a symbol for the town. From what I gather, the size of this town is rather modest, I will say as modest as our town, and it is rather isolated and the citizens rarely go outside its borders.’’

Fluttershy, who was prone to an anxious imagination, answered:

‘’Oh my! Does... does that mean that... that they don’t like strangers?’’

‘’No. No it’s… rather the opposite. They are known for being very welcoming and cordial. You see, the reason this town is call… ‘’Happy’’ town, is that it venerates the concept of happiness in some sort. All the tourists that come to visit it say that it is a place where it is good to live and that everypony is so nice to everypony. They are always trying new things to have fun so at least a new shop or attraction always open each two years.’’

‘’Oh, sounds like my kind of pony. This place look like super-duper fun.’’

Hearing that, Starlight felt she could relax.

‘’You know, you were right. It does sound a lot like Ponyville.’’

‘’Humm, maybe Celestia was right by saying they were similar. But from my research, all show that it will definitely be a nice place to stay.’’

‘’Perfect, I will surely like a relaxing vacation for a change. … ... Say Twilight, does this mountain we see could be Mount Heaven?’’

Everypony went to look through the window Starlight was pointing and saw at the horizon, coming ever closer, the huge rock spire that was Mount Heaven. This mountain, this ancient volcano, was a sight to behold under the vivid blue sky. Its height was rather modest and only with a quick look you could see that it was easy to climb, but still, it was like this gray formation was giving a kind of majestic air. That was at least what was thinking the ponies who were looking at it with awe.

‘’There is no doubt, this is it. So, that Mount Heaven. And in its deep are hiding the remains of the ancient civilization. Ooooh I can barely contain myself, my hooves are shaking, look, look how much they are shaking. Alright girls, we are nearly at our destination. The station is at a few distance from the town so we will have to walk for a little bit. But don’t worry, it should not be long.’’

‘’Great, so I take back my job as a heavy lifter of books. Geez that was not really what I had in mind when I took the post of your personal student. Sometimes I think I am Spike number 2. ... ... Oh! Please don’t ever tell him I said that.’’

Once they all boarded off the train to the station, the only thing they could see, except for the mountain, was a vast expanse of green at perpetuity and the wind softly blowing on the grass. Without a word, they immediately went walking on the gravel road that will bring them to civilization.

A few minutes were spent and still the only thing they could see was grass and a few trees and hills. But it was mostly because they were trotting at a relaxing pace to enjoy the peace and the perfect weather. And then, a butterfly went flying before the eyes of Fluttershy. Its wings seem to shine and its color to change between blue and pink.

‘’A rosea hyacinthum kaleido! Here! But this is far from the region where they live!’’

Fluttershy was known for being a diehard enthusiast of butterflies and her knowledge on them was nearly encyclopedic. And naturally, seeing this rare sight was tickling her interest and forgetting about her friends, she went to follow it, flying softly and slowly to make sure to not scare the beautiful insect. Her friends, although annoyed a little, couldn’t help but to find that endearing and stop waiting for her. The yellow pegasus went so far to go flying up a hill, but once to the summit, she stopped right on her track and let herself land delicately on the ground. She then stood there to just look at the horizon, making back to her friends. Slightly worried, they went running to see her.

‘’Fluttershy? Fluttershy, is it something wrong? Have you seen something?’’

‘’Yes. A piece of heaven.’’

Not understanding what she meant, Twilight went to see what Fluttershy was looking at and once she did, she was aghast and could not say a word and soon, all the others were doing the same. At the foot of the hill was one of the most beautiful ponds they had seen. Its size was quite impressive. The sun was at its zenith and so it gave its light directly from above and the reflection was making many shining spots on the spring, as if pure light was floating on the calm but still moving water. Like if the water was a diamond. It was a beautiful sight straight from a fairy tale. Water lilies were floating and on some of them were growing flowers shining with a fluorescent magenta color. Twilight recognized them immediately.

‘’These are Midnight Lotus! They are rare flowers shining with a light even more beautiful at night.’’

Butterflies of all colors were flying in all directions and birds were nesting on a nearby tree, chirping harmonious sounds. But the final thing that was making this sight perfect was a voice. A singing voice that seems to come right from an angel. Searching where it came from, they saw that resting on the trunk of a twisted tree overlooking the water, a young mare was looking intensely at the spring and reciting a simple melody.

The smiles into your heart

seem like now far apart

The colors that used to stay

change into sad gray

But true beauty is never took

if you know how to look

Your treasure

you never should misspend

Always there

with you as a friend

The ponies, who had walked to the bottom of the hill, felt the notes going directly at their hearts, filling them with peace. Rarity and Fluttershy even shed a few tears. Once the young mare had stopped her singing, the ponies couldn’t resist and clap their hooves to congratulate her.

‘’Who's there!?’’

Surprise that she was not alone, the young mare had lost her footing and nearly fell on the water but at the last second, Twilight grabbed her with her magic and levitated her to the ground.

‘’Oh I am so sorry, we didn’t want to scare you nor eavesdropped. We were just so impressed by your beautiful voice that we couldn’t just help but to listen. Please accept my apology.’’

‘’Oh no it’s alright, it's quite alright. I am the one that shouldn’t have reacted like... that… ...!!! Is that you!’’

‘’What?’’

Twilight didn’t understand what she meant. She takes the opportunity to give a better look at her. The mare was younger than everyone but a bit older than the CMC. Her fur had the color of wheat and her hair, which was as red as a sunset, was arranged in a braid hanging to the right of her face. The cutie mark on her flank was of a sunflower and the color of her eyes was of a vivid green emerald. Speaking of her eyes, they seem to look at her with a kind of admiration.

‘’It’s you it’s you it’s you it’s you, it is really you!’’

‘’Um yes, yes it’s me… … who I am supposed to be?’’

‘’You are Twilight Sparkle, the one and only. I can believe that you are here right in front of me. It is like a dream come true.’’

‘’Oh yeah, yeah of course, whole princess of friendship thingy. I always forget that.’’

‘’No you don’t understand, I was a fan of you way before you became a princess and… and how could I have not noticed all your friends! Applejack. Pinkie Pie. Rarity. Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash. And even Starlight! You are all here! All of you.’’

Our heroines were perplexed and were throwing looks at each other in confusion. Especially Pinkie

‘’Ummm I am kinda lost. Have we become somehow so famous that ponies talk about us?’’

And to that, both Rainbow Dash and Rarity answered with perfect synchronicity.

‘’Of course we talk about us.’’

‘’Well let’s put aside the two egos, ah must remember you all that we did save the world a dozen times. Which for some reason, not many seem to know it. Ah always find it very strange.’’

‘’Well yes, I do know about your heroic exploits but that is not the main reason that I am such a big fan of you. You are such an inspiration, you have a natural to bring out the best in everypony and and… *cough**cough* I am very sorry, of course you must be confused. I knew you would come but I have been a little overwhelmed to see my idols without preparation. Let’s start at the beginning. First allow me to introduce myself. My name is Floral. But everypony calls me Flo. I am a pony living in Happy Town and my job is… a little special. It is nice to meet you.’’

Twilight was also a little overwhelmed before such praise. She has never been able to get used to it.

‘’Oh well, the same is for us Flo. So, you knew we were coming?’’

‘’Oh yeah, the entire town awaits you with impatience.’’

‘’Heh, the… entire town?!’’

‘’I could explain to you buuut it would be much simpler to show you. I could guide you to the town if you want.’’

‘’That would be very nice of you. Alright, we in your care.’’

‘’Thanks. Then follow my lead. … … But before, I… I must warn you. The ponies of Happy Town are very nice but with you all, they might be… a little too welcoming to say politely.’’

Rarity tilted her head in incomprehension.

‘’I do not understand.’’

‘’I am just asking you to prepare yourselves. (If it is possible in the first place.)’’

‘’Let me first describe to you in more detail my little town. The layout is built as a circle that continues to grow year after year. It has seven main streets that go from the border to meet at the center of the city called Plaza Central. What is particular is that it is at the sides of the main roads that you can find the majority of shops, service establishments and attractions. All the rest in the angles between those rows is generally the houses and habitations. It is in Plaza Central that there are all the administrative buildings like the town hall, the courthouse, the bank and so forth because they are the firsts and oldest buildings to have been made by the first settlers. I have fun to imagine that my town is like a pretty ever-expanding star at seven branches.’’

‘’I see. But I find that it is a rather unusual way for a town to grow. I mean yes it gives the advantages that all the shops and commerce are all in easy access roads for receiving delivery and also it is hard for any of them to be ignored since they are all in plain sight. But... I don't know, it's like your house are in second plan.’’

‘’You have to understand that entertainment and distraction is the heart of this town. After they completed the plaza first, which contained all the essential needs for a town, then they immediately went to all the shops and the roads and after, the houses. The settlers had even resorted to live in temporary housing building before making their homes.’’

Applejack made a small chuckle.

‘’Really! And me who thought that mah family was dedicated but that is a whole new level.’’

‘’I understand that we are kind of unique compared to the rest of Equestria. But I personally do think it is our charm. Ah, and now it is time that I show the very symbol of Happy Town. The clock tower. That you can all see in front of you.’’

Our heroines were, at present, in the place called Plaza Central and before them was the famous clock tower. Though she wasn’t that imposing. The walls were old and have seen better days and the red roof was missing a few tiles. But the clock seems to be in a state as pristine as the day it was made. Rainbow Dash was not really impressed.

‘’I am not really impressed. Our clock tower is bigger.’’

And Flo made a cocky smile at the pegasus.

‘’But wait, you have not yet seen what makes it the pride of our town. It won’t be long.’’

The clock was only a few seconds before the big and the small hand reunited themselves to announce noon. And when the twelve hour came, bells were ringing from inside the tower. And to hear them was simply pure beauty. The sound they made was of purity and the harmony between them was perfect, making it sound like it was not bells but a choral that they were hearing. Rarity was so touched that she couldn’t hold back her tears while also covering her mouth with her hooves in pure awe.

‘’Beautiful! It’s… like the notes go directly into me to hug my heart.’’

And Fluttershy was closing her eyes to listen calmly to the music while her pink mane was floating by the wind.

‘’I feel so serene just by listening to it. You were right, it is really a wonder.’’

‘’I know. This town was built on the concept of happiness. The settlers had hired the best mechanics of their time to build what would be the very symbol of our philosophy that would last for generation and generation. They wanted something that will remind us to always find joy in life. This is its purpose. Oh look at that, I see mayor Paternal. Let’s go see him, he will be overjoyed to see you all.’’

The clock tower happens to also be the Town Hall. From a window, they could see a grown stallion drinking coffee at his table with a relaxed air. His fur was brown and he had a short red beard who was beginning to have gray hair. His cutie mark was an open book with writing quill on it. Even though he was a fairly elderly stallion, one look and you could immediately see that he still had the spring of youth in him. Flo then leaned on the open window for better talk to him.

‘’Hello mayor Paternal, it is good to see you.’’

‘’Ah, is not our little angel. It is always a pleasure to see you. Didn’t you have a pleasant trip to the spring?’’

‘’There is something more important than my usual trip. I am here because I brought some visitors that//

‘’Visitors! Could it be they have arrived?’’

‘’Yes, yes they have more than arrived, they are right here behind me. Look.’’

‘’Greeting mayor and thank you for your hospitality. I am Twilight Sparkle, the//

She never could finish her sentence because she was interrupted by the sound of the coffee cup falling on the floor with half of its contents. It was mayor Paternal that dropped it and its eyes were wide open. He stayed there still for a few seconds but then, went running with energy through the hall. The noise of galloping was soon followed by those of broken ceramic and falling furniture. Twilight was hit out of nowhere by a dreadful feeling.

‘’(I don't know why but I feel a disaster will fall on us).’’

Flo, her, was slightly annoyed. A subtle hint that this was not the first time.

‘’Forgive him, his enthusiasm can be out of this world but he is a really nice guy. But now that I think about it I really should have warned you that he, no, that all the citizens//

But she was interrupted when Mayor Paternal opened the door with near hysteria and nearly tripped on the stairs.

‘’It’s you, it’s you, it’s really you, all of you. YOU HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!’’

Everypony that was going to their occupations, stopped dead on their tracks by hearing this. And in several houses, doors and window shutters were simultaneously opened by curious residents. And once they saw our heroines, it was like a switch had flipped in them and they all came rushing to the plaza. So many ponies were coming that the ground was shaking.

‘’Whoa whoa, what in tarnation is happening, an earthquake?’’

‘’I don’t like where this is going. (I feel more and more that a disaster is coming.) Flo, can you explain what HEY WHERE ARE YOU GOING!!?’’

Flo was running away discreetly on her tip-hooves then turn her head to them and whisper something like:

‘’Sorry to abandon you, but I don’t want to be crushed by them.’’

‘’What did you say? How can I understand you when you whisper from so far?’’

But she ignored her and went galloping at the distance, leaving them all alone in the middle of a plaza. They were right now encircled by an incalculable number of ponies. Rarity was so in panic that tears started to form on her eyes.

‘’Oooh oooh. I do love a little attention but this make me feel claustrophobic.’’

All the ponies were now coming closer to our mares, slowly, so slowly, fixating them with strange looks without even blinking. Fluttershy was terrorized and went hide behind Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were ready to fight. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were holding each other in fear. Starlight Glimmer used the mountain of books as a barricade. As for Twilight, she exploded.

‘’Okay, I am scared to death now. Can sompony can please explain to me what going on here?’’

‘’… It’s them… it is really them… OURS IDOLS ARE HERE IN OUR TOWN!’’

And all the plaza was filled with cries of joy and they all rushed to grab them. Except Starlight who was well protected in her barricade. They make them fly in the air again and again in shouting ‘’hip hip hooray’’ Our heroines were so lost that their brains had stopped working.

‘’My citizens! My citizens, please, I understand your joy but those poor girls must be confused. Give me a least the time to explain to them.’’

The Happy Townians listen to their mayor and drop them on the ground. More like letting them fall flat on the concrete. Which did not please Rainbow.

‘’Ouuuch! Right on my muzzle. All right now, what is that circus!’’

‘’Yes yes. First as mayor, let me say sorry for everypony. We were just so excited, me include, to see in person the six mares that we admire so much.’’

Again with that. Twilight was starting to be really, but really puzzled.

‘’Admire? I don’t understand?’’

‘’ It’s quite simple. As the name of our home suggest, we citizens of Happy Town venerate the concept of happiness in all its forms for generations. We are always on the lookout for new ways to bring joys and beauty to our lives. But then long ago, we learned about six special ponies representing friendship. And they quickly became such an inspiration for us. And of course I am talking about you. Applejack, the element of honesty. Pinkie Pie, the element of laughter. Rarity, generosity. Fluttershy, kindness. Rainbow Dash, loyalty. And Twilight Sparkle, the element of magic who then became princess of friendship. By simply being you, you constantly give valuable lessons about forming valuable bonds and how well nurturing it and that for years. How can we not admire you? In fact, you have enriched our lives so much that you have become the biggest celebrities of all the town.’’

‘’Whaaaaaaaaat!’’

‘’Come on everypony, they need to have a proper greeting. Let us all give our best salutations to these wonderful mares//

Two pegasus went flying above them, each carrying the end of a large rolled poster, then went and stuck it to the wall of the clock tower to unroll it, revealing the image of our six mares.

‘’and our greatest idols, THE MANE 6.’’

And every single ponies stumps their hooves on the ground again and again as cheer clapping, filling the entirety of Happy Town with this sound of adulation for our dumbfound Mane 6.

From the inside of his chamber, one pony could clearly hear the clapping that was only slightly muffled by the wood walls. He slowly comes closer to the window covered by a white curtain. With his gray hoof, he softly pushes out the ivory silk to see outside and look at the plaza with our heroines at the center encircled by admirers.

‘’They’re here. At last… they’re here.’’

Applejack suddenly got the strange impression to be observed. She turned her head to look at a building with blue walls and saw at the window of the second floor, a pair of eyes fixate on her. It was too dark to see to whom they belong and anyways, he promptly covers the window with the curtain.

‘’What was that?’’

She could not help but ponder.

‘’Wo wo wo, please stop. Just... stop. How this story of admiration or whatever you call it, did even start?’’

‘’Yes Miss Twilight, allow me to explain. It all begins during the summer sun celebration when Nightmare Moon came from her thousand years of imprisonment to plunge the world into eternal night. One of our citizens was in visit in Ponnyville and when he came back, he told us an amazing story. About six amazing mares who go on a heroic adventure and who manage to free princess Luna from the darkness with a mystic and divine power call the Elements of Harmony and reunited two long-lost sisters. Naturally, we were all intrigued by this. You may have guess it but we all are admirers of stories with happy endings, especially if it is about real events. But then, it is about you that we became intrigued. Who were those six ponies who become heroes and why they represent friendship? We were just overwhelmed with an urge to know more about you. So we regularly send some scouts to observe you discretely.’’

Rarity was shocked beyond belief.

‘’*gassssssp* YOU WERE STALKING US FOR ALL THESE YEARS!!!’’

‘’Oh no no, I assure you that it was very legal. They were always at a safe distance but they never invaded your privacy. We will never dare to do that to our idols. But we were not disappointed. We soon find out that you had the gift to go into all kinds of crazy adventures that always end in a valuable moral lesson. Hell, ever since the incident with the tickets for the Gala, we quickly wanted more and more. And more, you were always providing. Then, even before we get aware of it, it was like you became a part of our town and of our lives. We all became diehard fan of the legendary Mane 6.’’

‘’The… Mane 6! … That's a little… I mean… is it really how people call us?’’

Twilight was looking at her friends, AJ, Dashie and Pinkie and they all had different reactions.

‘’Don’t look at me like that Twilight, that the first time ah hear that.’’

‘’I am not sure I like that nickname. It’s a little cheesy. It looks like a superhero group name.’’

‘’Personally, I kinda like that name. Go go go Mane 6!’’

As for Fluttershy, she was more interrogated by something else.

‘’Wait, I find had to believe that you could learn so much about us just by observing us from afar?’’

‘’Oh we also interviewed several witnesses, do a trough check on your backgrounds and got all the friendship reports Twilight send to the princess.’’

‘’What! ... ...WHAT! My reports! How did you get them?’’

‘’Oh I reassure you we did not steal them. The ones we have are only copies of the true ones. We paid somepony to make copies of the one in Celestia office.’’

Twilight could just not believe what she had heard. They will really go as far as to ransack the belongings of their ruler! It was so unthinkable that she had difficulty at forming coherent sentences.

‘’Her off... off, off, office... Cecececelestia quarter... you you... the princess... ... ... well... come to think of it, I suuuupose these reports are not really secrets of state.’’

Rarity was murmuring under her breath:

‘’I find more and more that it really looks like stalking.’’

‘’And don’t forget the journal that you had given to the public. It was a true gold mine and nearly every citizen has one. Like this one I have in my hoof.’’

Mayor Paternal took out from his jacket a purple cover book with a horseshoe and the elements of friendship on it. At its sight, Twilight pushes herself backward with panic.

‘’No no no no, not this again. Now I see where this is going. I thought this mistake was finally behind me.’’

‘’Oh I can assure you that we are not at all like those… superficial fans. We admire you because of what you represent and how you enrich our lives. All my citizens will agree. Is it not?’’

Two ponies from the crowd then came forward.

‘’Yeah, thanks to you, my friendship has become stronger and intense than ever.’’

‘’You give us hope that everyone have the potential to get along with everyone.’’

‘’You see. When Princess Celestia says that she will send you to investigate those ruins in Mount Heaven, you cannot guess how we were all overjoyed. Also, I am sorry to say but I couldn’t have resisted and asked her that Twilight brings all her friends so that all the Mane 6 could be here. Please understand, it was the chance of a lifetime.‘’

‘’Oooh so that's why she made that suggestion! (But wait! At that time...)’’

[… … No… no you will know soon enough.]

‘’(So she knew it would happen! Oh princess, you may be the mentor that I admire and respect so much but sometimes I hate your damn humor. Well, in her defense, I doubt even she could have guessed that they would be so… fanatical.) But will you still help me for the job I have here? You know it is the main reason I am here?’’

‘’Of course. We have already prepared a housing house for all your friends and luggage. You will have the whole building for you alone.’’

‘’Great but Twilight may have forgotten to say that another was added on the list of guests.’’

Starlight finally decides to come out of the barricade of books when she hears that although strange, these ponies were harmless. But as soon as she opened her mouth, every single face turned their sight to her, giving her a massive dose of anxiety.

‘’Hum did, did I… say some, something wrong?’’

‘’IT’S STA STA STA STA STA STARLIGHT GLIMMER! THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE MANE 6!’’

A bunch of ponies went running to her to the pink unicorn who was now like a statue and showered with praises and compliments.

‘’I can’t believe that you too also came. It is like a dream come true.’’

‘’When you rejoin the group, you immediately became my favorite.’’

‘’You are a true symbol of hope, showing that no matter how far we fall, we can always redeem ourselves and find happiness. Can I have your autograph?’’

That was so confusing for her and she was not sure how… well, how to think.

‘’… … Hum, sure.’’

She grabs the pen and paper with her magic and signs her name on it, not knowing if she should feel warmth for being accepted or feel uncomfortable.

‘’Wait! I am the seventh member and we still call the MANE 6?’’

‘’What's wrong with that? Evereypony know that there are four musketeers in the three musketeers.’’

‘’(There are so many things wrong with that!)’’

As for the mayor, he seemed to be even more overjoyed than usual.

‘’You have brought Starlight Glimmer too! We felt that it was already a huge favor to ask for all the six that we did not dare ask for more. This is really the happiest day in our lives. Miss Sparkle, you will not tell me you also bring Spike?’’

‘’No. He had no choice but to stay behind.’’

‘’What a shame. Many fans of this little dragon will be upset.’’

‘’(First the Crystal Empire, now this town. How does he do it to be so popular?)’’

A young voice then came from afar.

‘’*sigh* I knew this would have happened. You really need to know how to control your enthusiast.’’

Floral force her way between passersby, and everyponies seems to calm down by seeing her. Twilight on the other hoof.

‘’There you are Flo. Thank you for having abandoned us.’’

‘’Forgive me all but I know them, I had to go hide to safety.

She then turned toward the Happy Townians and looked at them with severity.’’

‘’As for all of you, you shall be ashamed of yourselves. You think they will want to stay if you scare them like that? I mean I understand your feelings, I am myself the number one fan of the Mane 6, but this is exactly why we should treat them with restraint. Don’t you think that as fans you will love nothing more than to receive their thankfulness?’’

For all her speech, she did not raise a single time her voice and she keeps a serene and kind look. Everyponies smile and nod affirmatively at each other. Twilight was finding it strange that such a young filly could have so much authority. Flo turned back to her, clearly stroked by an idea.

‘’I know! You should take the occasion to go exploring our little town and see what it can give. It seems to me that the princess did not give you a time limit to do your job. So that means that you have free time for some fun. And believe me, having fun is kinda the specialty of Happy Town. And it will give us the chance to show you that we can be a proper host. Sometimes. What do you think mayor Paternal?’’

‘’That sounds like a wonderful idea. We will be glad to bring your stuff to your chambers while you go exploring our home. I am sure you will love it. And nothing will please more my citizens to give them the chance to bring you joy.’’

Soon everyponies in the plaza go happily beg them to give to this idea. The wings of Twilight go flap down from all this pressure and discomfort. She really did not know what to decide. It is then that Pinkie Pie came closer and put her hoof on the shoulder of Twilight in a reassuring manner.

‘’Come on Twilight, you will not miss an opportunity to have fun. I admit they can be a little weird but, just take a look at them. They are nothing more than a bunch of nice and innocent ponies. Nothing to be scared off.’’

‘’… …(I guess she is right. And I am the princess of friendship, I am supposed to be friendly with every nice person no matter how weird they are.) I did say that we will have some time to have fun. *sigh* Oh what the hay. Why be so reserved? So girls, what do you say that all of the Mane 6, *pfftt*, go see if the hospitality of Happy Town is really top notch.’’

‘’Woohoo, now you talking.’’

Even Fluttershy and Starlight became more relaxed.

‘’I’m game. They surprise me a little but now I am sure that they all very nice.’’

‘’Then it will be best that we all separate to see the most and then come back later at the plaza to be reunited. Though I still feel a bit uncomfortable so I would like to go with you Twilight.’’

Seeing that all had agreed to their idea, Flo and the mayor could not be happier.

‘’I see that it is decided then. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed princess.’’

‘’I suppose you’re right, mayor. That let us seperate and let us meet here in,umm let’s see, two hours. Is it alright? Good. Then I guess there is only one thing left for me to say. Go have fun.’’

So to celebrate, the Mane 6 went all around Twilight who announced:

‘’All right girls, are you all ready? Theeen…’’

‘’LET’S GO.’’

And the Mane 6 go separate themselves to take each one of the main streets, except Starlight who went with Twilight. They did not know but they will soon have the time of their life.

Way of speaking.

Rarity was walking on the street, looking at the shop on what will be good for her while not taking attention at the gaze of the many fans. Or rather, she was doing her best not to take attention.

‘’(Well I never thought I would say that, but being the center of attention can be a little overwhelming. Oh woe is me, popularity can be such a burden to bear. But I will not let it ruin my day. I just need to find HUMMM!!) What is that?’’

She was looking at a boutique where the showcase was showing all an assortment of jewels shining with so many bright colors. The shop sign was saying that it was called:

‘’Starry Sky. Go come here to wear the stars on yourself. Ooooh that look like the place just for me.’’

She enters the door who then makes the soft and relaxing sound of a bell door that Rarity knows so well. She also could hear that someone was approaching.

‘’Alright alright, I coming.’’

The one who said that was coming from the back door. He was a little higher than Rarity. He enters walking backward and seems to carry a crate in his hands. Oh! It was not a pony.

‘’So, how can I help the little Madame?’’

He turned around, revealing his gray fur, his yellow eyes and his canine face. He was a diamond dog. At his sight, flashes and images come by force in Rarity mind, remembering her the time when she was kidnaped by them and were forcing her to find gems. Instinctively, she grabbed a chair with her hooves and handed it as a weapon.

‘’Stay back ruffian!’’

The dog just stayed there with an exasperated face.

‘’Racist.’’

This commotion alerted those who were in the back store.

‘’Heh what happening back there?’’

From the back store came two other people. The first one, the one who had talked, was a female pegasus of cyan color, brown hair and wearing a shop clerk vest. The second was another diamond dog who was twice the height of the first one. The fur on the side of his face made him look like he was wearing side whiskers and Rarity could not resist to note that his eyes were exactly the same as the little one. Speaking of him, he nonchalantly pointed his index to Rarity, saying:

‘’Oh it is alright Miss, just a little lady who have too much prejudice.’’

‘’Oh my, oh my, but it’s Rarity! Please I swear there is no reason to be afraid of them, they are just my delivery boys. I work with them for long so I can assure you they are very good dogs.’’

‘’Can you not have used another expression?’’

Being now aware of what she just did, she immediately fell guilty to have treated so bad just because of how he looks. The very thing that she loathes the most. She drop the chair and bow her head as an apology.

‘’I am so sorry for how I treated you. What I did was so rude and I will understand if you could not forgive me.’’

‘’… … Tch. Bah, let’s just forget that.’’

Though his tone seems to suggest that he was only half-sincere. But he tried his best to go looking cordial once again.

‘’Well, I suppose I should at least give a proper introduction. Here my card.’’

He gave to her a simple white card where she was reading:

''The brother Dirt and Dust, extraordinary jack-of-all trade''.

‘’That right Miss. I am Dirt and the big one is my little brother Dust. We do nearly all kinds of jobs. Delivery, builders, movers, bouncers and so forth. If you ever need capable hand, you know who to call.’’

‘’Hummm thank, I will think about that.’’

Dirt went to drop the crate on a corner and turned to talk to the clerk.

‘’All right with that, that would be all. Sorry to go early but we still have to make a delivery to Mel and you know we can’t make wait our best client.’’

‘’There’s no problem, all the rest will be easy for me alone. You did a good job. And you to Dust. Have a good day.’’

Dirt exit by the door with his brother, but not before slightly waving his flat cap as a salutation gesture. The clerk then came back to talk to Rarity.

‘’They can look rough, but they are no more hard workers than them. They recently, about a year I think, were called here to do work and since then, they often receive demands from our town. But oh my gosh, I can’t believe that the great Rarity herself have come in my boutique.’’

‘’Hohoho, great is a tad exaggerate, I just a humble fashionista.’’

‘’Oh no no no no, you are simply amazing. You build a small fashion empire by yourself. It inspires more than one.’’

‘’(I do not think that three shops can count as an empire.)’’

‘’I am almost ashamed to have only modest articles to offer you.’’

‘’Nonsense. Anything has beauty. The trick is to simply know how to see it and to understand that there is always a way to accentuate it. Oh! Oooh! If I may say, your collection is quite sublime. Do these jewels were made here?’’

‘’No, the majority were brought here from outside. Actually, we often bring things from outside. We of Happy Town, we have eyes for what is great and fun. We tend to stay all our life in this city. This place is such a paradise that no one has any desire to live. But we are always on the lookout for what good things the outside can offer to us, and we bring it here to make our paradise even more beautiful. When you think that way, it is like having the best of both worlds. Stay in your comfy house and bring the best part of the outside world to you.’’

‘’I see, I see. (But I do think this way of living is a little… no, no, that would be impolite to say my opinion.) So can I try some before buying them?’’

‘’Of course, you can try as much as you like.’’

‘’A huge grin was slowly forming on her lips and Rarity was looking frantically in all directions. She then went to massage the temples of her head.’’

‘’Yes, yes, I can feel the creative juice coming into me. So many choices, so many possibilities. Ha! Something came to me, something big! I think I will try that and this and then this, oh this will be perfect to accentuate it, of and of course this and this and this.’’

She was taking jewel after jewel in gestures that may look like dancing. When her hooves were full, she levitated her precious bounty and took it with her to the fitting room. After only a minute, since she was good at quickly changing, she opened the curtain to reveal to the clerk herself wearing so many jewels that she had managed to assemble them in a way they accentuated each other, making them even brighter, giving off a blinding light. No, literally a blinding light. The eyes of the clerk went red from the burn and mascara was dropping from them.

‘’AAAAAAH MY EYES MY EYES, I AM BLIND, I AM BLIND!!!’’

In her panic, she went running out of the store to the street, still shouting her ocular woe. But Rarity understood this the wrong way.

‘’Oh my! She was so impressed by my dazzling beauty that she has lost her sight. Quickly, I need to find a mirror so I can see my result. Ah there it is AAAAAAAAH!!! MY EYES MY EYES, I DID IT AGAIN, I AGAIN WENT OVERBOARD!’’

‘’Wooo, I now blind.’’

The reason if Pinkie Pie had said that is a long story. She was bouncing on the road with her usual squikies sounds, wondering where she should start when appearing out of nowhere, a pony with a camera came before her and started to take many snapshots as fast as a riffle, dilating her pupils to nearly the size of the tip of a pencil. Okay, in the end it was a very short story.

‘’Annnd my view came back. Fiouf, I was nearly scared I could no longer see and it would have taken me years of training for blind pony to bake cupcakes and do party decoration. Oh by the way, who are you?’’

The pony in front of her was of a pale yellow. He had a scientist coat who has seen better days and he was wearing a pair of glasses so opaque that you cannot see his eyes. Which was not necessary to see how much he was jubilating.

‘’Me! Oh I am not important but what is important is that you are Pinkie Pie, the scientific wonder that seems to break so many laws. Since I heard about you, I have always been fascinated by this pink pony who can do so many exploits that others can’t do. And you are her in front of me. Oh I must study you to finally understand the mysteries hiding in you. You have to come at my lab.’’

‘’Well, I am always eager to help another. And it was asked so nicely. I presume.’’

‘’Splendid, then let go right now, every second count.’’

He grabbed her by the front hoof and dragged her with him, leaving a deep trail on the dirt. Pinkie didn’t resist and just kept smiling.

‘’Alright mister scientist, I am just behind you. Seriously, with how strong your grip is, I can’t be anywhere else.’’

*latter at the laboratory*

‘’Backer, we’re here. Look who I bring.’’

They were in a room full of machinery, gadgetry and chemicals. Though Pinkie noted that the way they were disposed of was a little sloppy. The scientist was talking to a female earth pony wearing chemist glass, brown hair arranged in a ponytail and a scientist coat with burn marks.

‘’I must be hallucinating! Pinkie Pie! The scientific wonder!’’

‘’Again with this strange surname! You know, I come here to help but I do wonder what you find so special about me. I am just a normal pony.’’

Pinkie then felt that her tail was twitching and that can only mean one thing. She had taken a step backward and a piece of metal piping went to fall to where she was a second earlier.

‘’Fiouf, this could have given me a big bump on the head.’’

The two ponies that had seen this were aghast with wonder and were running all around her to observe her in every angle.

‘’See, this is exactly what we were talking about. Your ability to predict to a degree the future. Your Pinkie senses.’’

‘’That! It just something that I always had.’’

‘’But not a single pony can boast to have such a unique talent. What could it be, a gift of super deduction?’’

‘’There also how you are capable of controlling your hair and tail like they were additional limbs.’’

‘’You mean like this.’’

Her hairs were moving by themselves and wrapped themselves around the piping piece and grabbed it like a tentacle.

‘’It is fascinating, it’s truly fascinating!’’

‘’I don’t know, I could always do that since as long I can remember.’’

‘’The answer must be in how your body works. We are going to do an experiment to understand its working.’’

‘’I got a feeling of déja vue. Twilight has already tried to do that without success.’’

‘’For us it will be different, we thought for years on how to understand you. Backer, prepare the mixture, I will install Pinkie Pie in the machine.’’

The scientist put her on a metallic chair and tied her up with a belt. She was beginning to have second thoughts and then she remarked that the assistant Backer was mixing a bunch of chemical with her bare hooves.

‘’Wait! You don’t use any protection equipment.’’

‘’Ah to hell safety. We are here to find great discoveries that will advance science and above all else improve the daily lives of society. That noble quest brings to us so much joy that we simply don’t care what happens to us. No time to lose when you create wonders. Here, the mixture is ready.’’

Backer had brought to Pinkie a backer full of green liquid. Without fear, Pinkie had it and drank all the mixture in one gulp.

‘’Humm, fruity. So mister scientist, what exactly I should do?’’

‘’Just stay sitting there. This machine will send you an electrical discharge. The mixture will make it easier for us to read how your electrical drive circulates in your brain and nervous system by a process of [a lot more of scientific terms ridiculously complicated that seem to look like what he says is clever but in reality make no sense] and that is how it works. Oh and reassure yourself, the electrical discharge is absolutely no lethal.’’

‘’Oh great, hehehe, abs… absolutely no nerve wracking, not at all, haha, should be fun. Wait, did you at least test this machine before?’’

‘’We are doing it right now.’’

And he pushed the lever of activation. From outside the house, you could see through the window light flickering on and off with short-circuit sounds. In the end it had caused a major blackout to all the town that luckily did not last for even one minute. When the light went back in the labo, Pinkie, who had just received a massive shock, seemed to be perfectly fine.

‘’Ho! That's all! It was not that terrible in the end.’’

She turned her head and saw her reflection on a silvery machine. And the thing that jumped through her eyes was her hair. The electricity had made them stand up into long pink spikes, making her look like she was dressing like a punk.

‘’… … Interesting. Maybe I should keep that look.’’

‘’Well, ah know ah say that I will go have fun but there are just so many things, it so hard to choose.’’

Applejack was having difficulty choosing where to begin. But then, a male unicorn with a red beret burst from a door and talked to her.

‘’Miss Applejack, I couldn’t resist hearing what you had said. Then should I propose that you try my atelier.’’

‘’Heh! Now that is coming out of nowhere. Atelier! What kind of atelier?’’

‘’The one where we build monuments that will last forever. Where we show all our skills in crafting. Where we assemble part to create ultimate beauty.’’

‘’(Wait, do she’s talking about… masonry? Sound awfully like it. Now that sound like a mighty fine idea. There is no better that mah in this domain.) Ooooh ya got mahn attention. Ah’m in.’’

‘’I knew you will agree. It’s just thought that door.’’

‘’Ah show them all that Applejack can do wonders with a wood chisel. Wait, what in tarnation!!!’’

Once she had entered, she saw a bunch of ponies punting paint on canvas. That was said nicely because in reality, they were throwing paint furiously without even using brushes and then using their hooves with a near-maniac glint in their eyes.

‘’Okay, that kind of crafting. Hum listen, ah’m not sure this is a place for meh.’’

‘’You don't need a place to do painting. You don’t even have to be good. All you need is to let flow your creativity like a wild beast devouring flesh and tearing everything on his way.’’

‘’Hum, ah’m sure you could have found a better metaphor but seriously, ah’m more a practical pony than an artistic one. It is just not my style. So ah afraid WAHHH INCOMING!!!’’

With high reflex she grabbed a canvas for protection against a bullet of black paint, making a big splash on the white rectangle.

‘’This is not atelier, this is a warzone! Okay ah getting out of BLUUURG!’’

She had received another bullet, this time of white paint, right on the face. It was ideal to conceal that her orange face was changing to red.

‘’Oh you want war? Ah give you war! Give me that pot.’’

She was holding this metallic recipient of ivory high for throwing it at the group, but she got distracted. Outside a pony was running frantically on the street and she was shouting things like: ‘’I AM BLIND, I AM BLIND.’’.

‘’… … … Ya know, something tells me that ah don’t want to know what this was about. BLUUURG *kouf*kouf* Oh not again.’’

In her distraction, she had accidentally dropped all the white paint on her, making her a unicolor pony. And if it was not enough, she then had received many black splashes on her person. A fragile rope snapped in her head, making her only think about hitting back.

*LATER AFTER CALMING DOWN FROM HER BATTLEFIELD RAGE*

‘’I am sorry everypony for the way ah… turn lunatic. (At mah defense, ah was just trying to go at your level.) The good news is that by a miracle, ah think ah made a masterpiece. Maybe it is a revelation. So tell me, what do you think?’’

She showed to everypony the canvas who was bearing the painting she made in the paint battle. And once everypony had taken a glimpse at it, their faces… stiffened. Actually it was more than they were scared.

‘’Hum… hum… Miss Apple. I am afraid to say that picture is a little… disturbing.’’

‘’Heh really! … … Okay, after taking a look, ah admit it could be the case but does it mean that it is bad? Disturbing and scary could be good art ya know.’’

‘’Sorry to say that but in Happy Town this kind of thing is… well… how I should I say that politely?’’

The pony with red beret was visibly embarrassed and was softly scratching the wooden floor with his hoof in a nervous tic.

‘’The thing is, we principally make happy and uplifting things. If we show them the opposite, there is a risk that it can bump them out. And that is the last thing that a citizen of Happy Town would want. So… you understand?’’

Applejack was silent and then made an irritated scoff.

‘’Oh ah understand. It is impossible to escape critique.’’

She then went outside, fuming and threw away the canvas in the garbage can. Many ponies were running away at the sight of that angry earth pony.

‘’And here’s how my new passion to become an artist, which had begun a few minutes ago, was just crushed in another few minutes. … … … Woooo! It sound so stupid say at high voice.’’

‘’There you are Miss Bovine. We’ve searched everywhere for you.’’

‘’Heh what what!’’

A grown and muscular stallion had interpellated her and was looking at her with a gentle smile.

‘’I was waiting for you with impatience. It is hard for the brotherhood of the barrel builders to do work without their lead cow chorister.’’

‘’With just one sentence ya give me so many questions. Do ah really look like a cow choristerrrrrrr… … ohoh!’’

In this pandemonium, Applejack completely forgot that she was covered in white paint with black stains on her. In other words, she was the spitting image of a cow.

‘’No no no no you are mistaken, ah am not a cow! There is an explanation for that.’’

‘’Oh it is alright, you don’t have to come with a poor excuse just because it’s your debut. We’re not a hard audience. We will love your performance, we can promise you. Boys, let’s show that we will give her a warm welcome by helping her to go to the factory.’’

Other muscular stallions came from the sides and they all grabbed Applejack and brought her with them. She was moving her arms frantically and legs, trying to claim again and again without success that they got the wrong person.

‘’No please listen to me. My anatomical size is clearly all wrong. Ah am really not a cow. A cowgirl maybe. But not a cow.’’

‘’Oooooh, I like what I see. This is where I should be.’’

That’s what Rainbow Dash had proclaimed in front of a big building with flashlights of all colors and a billboard made of neon saying: dancing club.

‘’That looks like a cool place just for me. Flashy, colorful, loud and full of action. Just like yours truly. Wait, is it narcissism? Hummmmm... nahhh. But regardless, I was starting to get bored and I now have the urge to move like crazy. But above all, it could be the perfect occasion to... heheh... use that. Alright, time to skyrocket this party to the stratosphere.’’

She wanted to make an awesome entry and so she had burst open the door with her front hooves and had shouted:

‘’Guess who here.’’

However… the music was so loud that it snuffed out any sound that was coming from her mouth and the sound wave was so powerful that it knocked her to the ground and made her rainbow hair now all mess up. The music then came to an abrupt stop and all dancers turned their heads to the new visitor.

‘’Look, it’s Rainbow Dash! The coolest, awesome pony in the world.’’

‘’Haha, glad you heard of me. Although, can you help me get-up? This position is so, but so embarrassing. (Way to make an entrance.)’’

They did not lose time and brought her inside. The dancing club was rather spacious with lamps of all the colors of the spectrum, a big and iconic and unavoidable disco ball on the ceiling and a stage with a floor made of colorful panes also known as disco dance floor.

‘’Awesome! You really go all-out on this.’’

‘’I am glad you like it. We wanted to bring our passion to the highest high. But nothing will make us happier that you share a few steps with us. Do you know how to dance?’’

‘’If I know how to dance! Heheheh. BWAHAHAHAHAHA. I guess it is time to unleash my secret power. You see, I might be known as the fastest pegasus of all Equestria, but I am also in the shadow an extraordinary dancer.’’

‘’What, it’s true?!!’’

‘’Oh yeah. Even my friends don’t know that, but I practice in the confines of my living room to perfect my moves. (But I think it would be best to say that my main motive for learning how to dance was to show off. Hehe.)’’

‘’No! Nooo! You. Got. To be. Kidding us. Then please you have to show us, you could not do to us a greater honor.’’

‘’That all I wanted to hear.’’

She went flying to the stage and when the music went to a start, Rainbow was rising high her right hoof to the sky, proclaiming:

‘’ARE YOU READY FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER?’’

And she went moving to the rhythm of the energetic music. But let me tell you something about her dancing style. Although it was showing that she knew some rudimentaries, her coordination and rhythm was far from being… top-notch. She was principally relying on big and flashy move sets that, though amazing, was also helping in hiding her less than stellar performance. Having wings also helps in doing elaborate stunts, especially if you know how to use it. But for these hopeless worshippers, her dancing was like coming from the goddesses of disco herself.

‘’Come on everyponies, check all my sick moves.’’

She then did even more amazing stunts like spinning on her head like a spinning top or doing the reverse moonwalk.

‘’And now the big finish.’’

Rainbow went running and then slid on her knees on all the stage when suddenly, all lights went flickering and then shut down completely, leaving everything in a complete blackness and it seems that some ponies heard the noises of a commotion. By the way, I think we all know what the cause of this blackout was. It did not last and the light and music quickly turned on again. But the dancers saw to their surprise that Rainbow Dash had mysteriously disappeared.

‘’But! ...But where she is!’’

‘’I got it! She must have used the blackout to make a last second exit. Because she must have understood that a mysterious disappearance would have made the greatest finale. Oh such a genius, such a showmare.’’

Behind the stallion who was singing the praise of Dashie, another stallion was transporting a metal cart full of towels. Nopony took notice but something seems to be moving inside the pile of towels. And from them came out a bleu hoof waving frantically and asking for somepony to free her.

‘’*mufle**mufle**mufle**mufle**mufle**mufle**mufle*’’

But unfortunately for her, not a pony had taken notice of her cries for help.

‘’To have been blessed by her presence of… coolness. Even for Such a short time. to her. But we have to take an example of her awesomeness and at least come to the closer that we can be of her magnificence. I know! The best way to celebrate a dance is with another dance. So are you ready? LET’S DANCING.’’

Rainbow Dash, frustrated to be ignored though she was right under their muzzle, did her waving and muffling with all the energy she could give. A hopeless endeavor against these airhead ponies. The unicorn pushing the cart, used his horn to levitate another huge pile of towels that he had put on the top of the one in the cart, burying for good her hoof, voice, and all chances to escape. Rainbow Dash was full of angry thoughts, saying to herself that it was the last time she went dancing and that the others surely had a better day than her.

‘’It is really nice of you to accompany me. I was feeling anxious to be on my own in this town that I know nothing about. I wanted to try to be brave but I guess I should have gone with somepony. I hope I don’t indisposed you.’’

‘’Ah of course not Miss Fluttershy, it's instead a great honor to accompany my favorite of the Mane 6. Besides, I have a lot of time in the end since my job was canceled. I think it is at least. I was supposed to be a chorister for the brotherhood of the barrel builders but they never came to the rendezvous point. A little rude if I may say. But this give the opportunity to meet you so I say I am a winner.’’

The person Fluttershy was talking to was none other than the cow Miss Bovine. A rather amiable person who seems to be the perfect fit with the shy and polite pegasus.

‘’I must say, I have not often the occasion to talk with cows which I find a shame. Even though my friend Applejack has a lot on her farm. … Strange when you think about it. So you are a moorister? Oh my! Did I really did this bad pun?!’’

‘’It’s alright, I hear it so many times. Yes, I just debuted in the profession and it was supposed to be my first day. What a shame that it was canceled. Especially because of this new job, I had no choice but to give up my position as judge WAIT! ... Wait. I just got a genius idea.’’

Miss Bovine grabbed Fluttershy by the shoulder and brought her closer to her. Fluttershy was beginning to feel nervous. It was too familiar for comfort.

‘’You see, there is today a special contest that happens every year. A humorist contest. I have always been a big fan and this year was my chance to be a judge until my first day job came the same day. But now I can still take my position and here is the best part. You should come and be a judge too.’’

‘’Me! But I know absolutely nothing about humor. It is more Pinkie Pie domain.’’

‘’That is not a problem because the trick is not to take it seriously. This show is so dumb that it is awesome. There is no greater feeling than to take your brain to holiday. I always laugh so hard that my throat becomes sore. You will love it and everyone will love you too.’’

‘’Hum, I am flattered but it really doesn’t look like my cup of tea. I am afraid I can’t accept.’’

‘’But we are already here.’’

‘’What!’’

She was right. Without noticing it, Fluttershy was brought up during the conversation inside a room full of a cheering crowd.

‘’But... ... but I was sure we were outside just a few seconds ago!’’

‘’Ah, too late, now you have no choice but to accept. Hey everyponies, look who I have brought to become judge of the best show ever.’’

Miss Bovine takes Fluttershy to put her in front of the eyes of all the crowd whose cheer intensified at the sight of this yellow pegasus. Pegasus who had a look of absolute confusion.

‘’Wait what! I’m suppose to be what?’’

White projector lights went on and went moving in all directions, illuminated a stage. And then, loud speakers took life to broadcast the voice of the announcer.

‘’Are you all ready? Today it is the tenth annual day of our contest: Are you retarder or what! The show where you go beyond the limit of stupidity, making us die of laughter as we become as dump as them. Let's celebrate our loss of IQ. But first, let me show you our judges for the contest.’’

The projectors turned their lights to show a table where three people were sitting. They were wearing jester hats on their heads and on their neck they were wearing baby pacifiers.

‘’At the left, we have the ancient contestant who became the favorite for years and is here now to show his expertise: HILARIOUUUUS TROWUP. At the middle, the biggest fan of the contest who by miracle could have come: MISSSSS BOVINE. And to the right, the one that needs no introduction and who had kindly accepted to judge us! It is really a great honor. Give your applause to FLUUUUUTTERSHY.’’

Fluttershy was frantically looking everywhere, confused, and had no idea how she got her or of what she was hearing.

‘’Hummmm... I humm... I am... I am where exactly?’’

‘’And now, let us bring our first contestant.’’

‘’Look I… I really think I have no place here OH MY GOSH YOU NEED TO HAVE NO SELF-RESPECT TO DO THAT!!!’’

*LATER AFTER... ... THINGS BEYOND COMPREHENSION HAPPEN*

Fluttershy exited the building by the back door, throwing on the way the jester hat and pacifier to the garbage. Her eyes were in a daze and she seemed to have no destination in mind.

‘’… … … I think I just lost many brain cells.’’

Since I don’t want your brains to go to rot, I won’t describe you on just how stupid this show was. Trust me.

Twilight escapade compared to the other was rather uneventful. Actually, she even had a good time. She was returning to the Plaza Central with Starlight and she was happily liking a caramel ice cream cone floating with her magic.

‘’I tell you Starlight, this town is amazing. The ponies are so nice, there is always a thing to do and the food is amazing. No wonder it is a popular tourist spot. This may even be my most relaxing adventure. I think I may come back in the future.’’

‘’I must agree with you, Happy Town is a very nice place. Everypony accepts me and even admires me, though that part is a little baffling. And everyone has a genuine smile on them. … … Although…’’

‘’If only I could find a library or a bookstore, my day would truly be perfect. How can we have found no one?’’

‘’They must simply have none in the road we were. If we go to another, I am sure we will find at least one.’’

‘’Yes, you must be right. … (Something is wrong. There is something she is not telling me.)’’

Twilight stopped in her tracks and quickly swallowed her entire cone in a few bites. Once she finishes, she turns to look at Starlight with a smiling but emphatic look.

‘’Starlight, is there something wrong? I notice that you were not all there.’’

‘’Oh! … Oh you saw it. I was trying to hide it. Is not a big deal, it’s just I kinda feel… nervous.’’

‘’Why is that?’’

‘’I don’t know. It’s… it’s this town. As I say, it is a great place and ponies are so nice, I really think that. … But… I don’t know. Something in this town makes me feel uncomfortable.’’

‘’What make you feel uncomfortable if you think this place and its peoples are all right?’’

‘’That's just it, I don’t understand it myself. But I cannot shake the feeling that… that… urghh I don’t know. I have really no idea if it is serious, if I am just upset over a small detail or if it is just my imagination. That's why I wanted to say nothing. I did not want to throw a dark cloud on your good day when I have difficulty to take what I feel seriously.’’

‘’Oh Starlight, we are friends and you should not feel obliged to hide your worry for my sake no matter how small you think they are. After all, friends share everything. The good, and the bad stuffs.’’

She put her hoof gently on the cheek of Starlight and at this warm contact, Starlight felt all her worries dissipate.

‘’Thank you Twilight. I already feel way better thanks to you.’’

‘’Glad to help. I know! Why don’t you decide where we should go next?’’

‘’Well, now that you mention, why don’t we go to this chapel-like building. I would like a calm and relaxing place.’’

She pointed to the direction of an old but still well preserve building that all seems to tell this was a chapel. Its look was simplistic yet beautiful, like it was showing its pride in its humbleness. The bricks were of a perfect white and its doors were made of brass, reflecting the light in a welcoming way.

‘’Then to the chapel it is.’’

They went in its direction and opened the doors to enter and once inside… they become breathless because for a moment… they thought they went to heaven. The eight windows were letting the light flow inside in a way that they did not look like rays of light, but like curtains of white silk. But the most striking was the melodious voice singing with great acoustics. It was so beautiful that they did not immediately recognize the owner of this voice. It was Flo, standing on a podium and singing eyes closed for an audience of ponies sitting on benches. They were in awe before her. But a serene awe. Starlight was pointing an unoccupied bench to Twilight.

‘’Let us sit here and let not disturb anypony.’’

And so they did and quietly sat to listen to this wordless intonation. The first time they had heard her singing was nothing compared to that. It was like the angels of heaven had come to take them in their warmth embrace, filling them with love and peace. When Flo ended her song, our duo could not stop crying. A testament of how it touched them.

‘’Ah yes. It always makes this effect the first time you hear her.’’

Surprised, they turn their heads and see that without knowing, mayor Paternal had sat with them.

‘’Mister Mayor! We did not see you.’’

‘’So, how did you find her? Though I think I don’t need to ask this question.’’

‘’It was… it was… I simply find no word. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. So that’s what Flo does? She is amazing! She has said that her job was special and I see now why.’’

‘’Wellll I don’t think that is what she meant. Her position in our community is… rather unique. You remember when I had said that you were the biggest idols of Happy Town? Well, the truth may be that our true greatest idol might be… our dear Floral.’’

After taking a few breaths, Flo went singing another wordless song, filling the chapel with her crystalline sounds.

‘’Allow me to tell you two of her story. Only a few days after she was born, her parents died in a landslide. They were… *sigh* the kindest and best ponies our town could have and it was a hard time for all of us. And they were gone before Flo could even know them. Anyway, we all did our best to make sure she could have a happy life, but even at a young age we could all see that she was special. When she was a filly, she was always smiling, and was kind beyond her years. She had an air of maturity that you do not see even in adults and she already had the voice of an angel. And she was always eager to help just like her parents, if not more. When someone feels sad, she always finds the right words to bring them a smile. When we proposed that it should be her profession, she was overjoyed, saying how she could not have understood something so obvious. But you never guess what? It was then that her cutie mark appeared. A sunflower. The flower that always grows upward to the sun. There could be nothing more fitting. And that was when she officially became the angel of Happy Town, doing her best to bring smile and happiness.’’

‘’What a beautiful story. That she can do all that at such a young age!’’

‘’Even now, she still amazes us. Often, she also goes to sing in this chapel to fill our hearts with peace. But she will soon be finished. Would you like to accompany me? There is something I would like to show you.’’

After the recital, they went to the cemetery at the back of the chapel. Mayor Paternal silently told our two mares to discreetly stay at the entryway and to watch Flo. She was walking in the direction of another young mare who had the same age as her. This other mare had fur and a mane with the color of mocha and she was sitting before a tombstone with a smile that was a mixture of sadness and happiness. Flo went to sit beside her and put her hoof on her shoulder.

‘’Still thinking about your father.’’

‘’Yes. Most days I feel alright, go about my daily life without problems and have a good time with my friends. But… sometimes without me knowing why… the days feel just empty without him. And then my feet just seem to guide me here by themselves. It just… feels a little good to be here. Afterwards, I can have normal days. Is it weird?’’

‘’No. No, not at all. As long as it doesn't stop you from smiling, I think it is all right to say hello from time to time. The importance is to remember that you always have the strength to go forward and see all the good things life can offer you. I know you do have this strength.’’

‘’You really think so?’’

‘’I do not think so. I am sure of it. Besides, I am sure that what your father wants the most, is that you can be happy.’’

‘’Thank you Flo. You always find the right words to make my depression go away.’’

‘’That what friend does.’’

Flo grabbed her with more strength to do a hug and they both burst in laughing. Twilight was rubbing a little tear from her eye with her wing and Starlight was speechless.

‘’You were right. She is unique.’’

‘’Yes. She constantly goes to give advice to those who have problems. Especially to her friend Twig Green. She knew she was here and she told me she would go to see her after her recital. You see now why she is so special to us. We all try to find happiness but nopony does that better than Flo. Just looking at her is an inspiration to go further and further.’’

‘’That's enough mister mayor. Why do you always have to sing exaggerate praise about me?’’

They had seen that without noticing it, Flo had joined them. They were all uncomfortable though Flo seemed more amused than bemused.

‘’Oh Flo! Well, hum, I just… I just wanted to show them, hummm…’’

‘’Also you bring these two to spy on me. Why I am not surprised. Please don’t listen to a word he said. I am not the great mare that everypony said, I am just a normal girl.’’

‘’I have no doubt. But you also seem to be particularly wise for your age. I think I may have to learn a thing or two from you.’’

‘’Please Miss Twilight, not you too. Let us change the subject. How have you found our town until now?

‘’I simply love it. This place is simply so peaceful and great. Now if I can just find a little literature it will be perfect.’’

‘’Humm. I don’t know much about the places concerning that domain but if you are searching for literature, then maybe you should try the blue house. It is a little boutique in Central Plaza not far from here and I think you will love it.’’

At this mention, for a strange reason, the mayor got a little worried.

‘’Wait Flo! I know why you propose it but maybe//

‘’Do not dare finish that sentence.’’

Flo immediately interrupted the mayor and changed her face to one of cold irritation. The mayor was aghast and then felt remorseful and our two heroines could see that there was some history between these two.

‘’I am sorry Flo. You know this was not what I mean.’’

‘’I wonder. Anyway, back to the topic, you should certainly go. But please, don’t find the clerk of the shop off-putting. He can be… a little eccentric.’’

‘’Do not worry, dealing with eccentric ponies is kinda what we do. We will go at the end of the day. I would like to keep the best for last.’’

Author's Note

And here is the first half of my comedie chapter. The other will come soon.

You know, I feel a little conflicted about this chapter because I am not sure I have truly managed to make it... well, funny. Ironicaly I feel more confident in writting drama that comedy. At least I have try my best to make it original. (And that I am sure, no one would have seen those scenes coming.) I also wanted to take this opportunity to clearly show what twon is Happy Town, how its citizens thinks andwhat make it different compare to all Equestria. You could nearly said that the town is also a caracter in this story.

Stay tune for the other half for seeing the Mane 6 in more ridiculous situations and also... ... ... you will see.

UPDATE:To those who want to know how little Floral look like, here is a image that I had commissioned from Scheadar. Thanks a lot Scheadar. A true ray of sunshine is she's not?