A Wisp In The Night

Night awoke the following morning. He went and took a quick bath in the strange mystery fountain, put on his saddlebags and went out to Ponyville. As was per usual. But for some reason he simply couldn't put his hoof on, something was different. It wasn't his routine...or that he didn't stop to pick some rare herbs on the way. It was simply something he couldn't quite place. He glanced over his shoulder to check if maybe there was something stuck on his tail. No, there wasn't anything. He turned back, then nearly jumped right out of his skin when he saw a pair of big magenta eyes staring at him with curiousity.

Rainbow Dash smiled and giggled a bit, then went back to her curious gazing. Night backed up a little bit and she hovered forward a bit. Night froze, then finally, Rainbow broke the silence.

"Are you Night Wisp?"
"Yes.....?"
"I'm Rainbow Dash! Have you heard of me?"
"A little...Aren't you that lazy weather pony?"
"I'm not lazy! I just.....procrastinate. Anyway, Twi told me that we were supposed to escort you to the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"Erm.......yes...."
"Well, that's great and all, and it's awesome making a new friend, but..."
"But what?"
"I don't mean to be rude, but you.....kinda look like a mare."

Night's ears flattened against his head.

"I know that.....And yes, it IS confusing. But I assure you, I'm a stallion."
"I know, I know." She smiled. "I'm just curious as to WHY. Did something happen?"

Night Wisp chose not to answer that question. The truth was, nothing DID happen. He was simply born this way. Even his own parents thought he was a filly at birth! But he wasn't! He sighed heavily.

"Well, what's your cutie mark?" Rainbow said, leaning to the side to check Night's flank. He turned away and hid his flank from view.

"Nothing. I don't have one."
"You don't have a cutie mark?"
"No."
".....Cool!" She grinned, which just further confused Night.
"Huh?"
"I never met a pony your age who never had a cutie mark!"
"Ummm...."
"Do you want some help trying to find your special talent?"
"I'm really not into-"
"I know just who you should see!"
"Rainbow, I-"
"Come on!"

She grabbed his hoof and before he could utter another protest, he was being dragged to Sweet Apple Acres, and more specifically, a small treehouse off in the orchard.

"This meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders will come to order!" Applebloom said, standing at her little podium. The other (and only other) two members so far, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sat down on their stools as Applebloom continued.

"Now we have a pretty full list of things we've got ta do today. We're goin' ta try all sorts of things this tahme!"

That's when they recieved a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?"

Sweetie Belle opened the door and Rainbow stood there, smiling at them. Scootaloo immediately ran over and hugged her.

"He he! Hey squirt! Hey girls!"
"Hey Rainbow Dash! What's up?"
"I think I found you a new member for your crusade!"
"Really?!" They all quickly stood in front of her, eyes sparkling and grins plastering their faces.
"Yep! Now, try not to be alarmed...."

Rainbow stepped aside, and Night Wisp shyly waved.

"Hello...." he leaned over to Rainbow. "Dashie, these girls are half my size..."
"Just relax, Night Wisp....If there's anything these girls know, it's how to crusade for a cutie mark."

Meanwhile, the crusaders were staring at Night with bewildered expressions.

"Is this a prank?" Scootaloo accused.
"This is no prank, girls..." Night said. "I really don't have a cutie mark..."

Hearing his voice just made them more confused.

"He's a BOY?" They said in unison.

Night just frowned. He was getting a little sick of hearing that.

"Girls, don't be rude. Yes, he's a boy. And yes, it's...a little.....unusual that he looks the way he does....But he's still in need of a cutie mark and I thought you could help him!"
"Wellllllll....." Applebloom looked at the other crusaders, then they huddled together and started to whisper.

Night and Rainbow exchanged glances, then Scootaloo came up.

"This isn't our normal protocol, but welcome to Cutie Mark Crusaders....uh...what's your name?"
"Night Wisp."
"Welcome to the Crusade, Night Wisp!" They smiled.

Night Wisp put on a fake grin as Rainbow Dash flew off.

"Rainbow Dash, you are SO going to get it after this!"

Night Wisp came home after a long day of 'crusading'. They even made him a custom-sized crusader's cape. He didn't really think he'd ever wear it, but it was a sweet gesture. He was finally all set to just get into bed and relax....

*click*

"SURPRISEEEEE!!!!"

Night Wisp jumped a good 10 feet in the air, then landed and his ears flattened against his head. Pinkie hopped over to him and grinned.

"Hey Night Wisp! I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh? Huh? Huh?"
"Erm...well...yes....But it was hardly necessary..."
"Well I knew you weren't very social and I thought that you probably would interact more with ponies if you had more friends! So I decided to throw you a big party so you can meet everypony and tada! Now you have lots and lots of friends!"

Night Wisp backed up a bit.

"Well, thank you, but....wait...How'd you even turn on those lights? I don't have any light fixtures...."
"Oh, the princesses had some installed for you. They said they wanted to make this boring old castle a bit more lively."
"Well....um......Tell her I said thank you...."
"You can tell her yourself, Wispy! The Grand Galloping Gala is tomorrow!"

Night's eyes shrunk into pinpricks.

"Tomorrow?!"
"Yep!"
"As in the day AFTER today?!"
"Uh huh!"

The other members of the mane 6 approached and noticed how flustered Night Wisp looked.

"Is he alrahte sugercube?" Applejack said to Pinkie.
"I....I dunno! I never seen him act this way!"

Suddenly, Night Wisp leapt into the air and screamed, then sped off into the Everfree Forest back toward Ponyville to find a place to hide. The girls looked at one another with confused expressions, then galloped after him.

Night Wisp was later found hiding in a barrel that was previously full of apples. When Night Wisp refused to come out, they decided to just take the whole barrel to Twilight's house. Once there, Twilight got down low and started to talk to him.

"Night Wisp?"
No response.
"Night Wisp, we know you're in there!"
"No I'm not!"
"Night Wisp, what's the matter? You're acting really funny lately."
"I don't want to meet the princess! I'm not ready!"
"Ready? Ready for what? She's not a pony who judges....She's actually one of the kindest ponies you'd ever meet...Well...besides Fluttershy."
No response.
"Night, can you please tell us what's wrong? We can help you!"
"I'm....too....I'm too shy...."
"Beg your pardon?"
"I said I'm too shy...."
"One more time?"
"I'm too shy! I don't want to meet royalty! What if I do something wrong?"
"Night Wisp, I already told you, she's really kind and gentle. Please come out?"

The lid of the barrel slowly raised up and NIght Wisp's muzzle peeked out. Twilight and the others smiled and got a little closer.

"I promise, nothing bad will happen. Besides, we're your escorts. We'll make sure that nothing goes wrong for you, okay?"
".......Promise?"
"Promise." They all said at once.

Night Wisp removed the lid from his head and climbed out of the barrel, then put the lid aside. The girls gave him a group hug and he even felt one of them nuzzle his cheek. The sudden hug made him blush and shy away from them a little bit, but he knew they meant well.

"So why don't we get back to the party? I'm sure the guests are missing you!"

Night managed a smile and nodded his head, and the 7 of them made their way back to the old castle.