The Element of Empathy

~Eleanor's POV~

It was just before noon, in Sweet Apple Acres, as Applejack, Twilight and I just finished picking for the Golden Delicious apples. Of course, Applejack asked us and Twilight and I had no schedule today.

Spike was looking through the apples, for a snack, "No. Nope. Nope--"

"Thank you both kindly, Twilight, for helping me out. I bet Big McIntosh I could get all these golden delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles." Applejack thanked, giggling on the last part, which caused me to giggle on the thought.

"No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry." Twilight answered with a smile on her face.

"I know, right?" Spike added, accidentally throwing an apple over Twilight's head. Twilight glared at him.

"Puh-leez, Spike, you've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked." Twilight pointed out, putting emphasis on the 'we'. As we walked back to the barn.

"Exactly. You three are taking so long, I missed snack-time." Spike explained.

I rolled my eyes at him, in humor.

As Spike continued looking through the apples, Twilight's stomach growled in hunger. She laughed nervously, "Eh, I guess we better get some food."

"Nope. Worm. A-ha!" Spike said as he searched, until he found a large, bright red apple.

Twilight licked her lips at the sight of the apple, "Oh Spike, that looks delicious." However, Spike ate the apple. Twilight glared, "Spike!"

Spike looked at Twilight, and swallowed before speaking, "What?" Then, he put his claws over his stomach and burped out a green flame, which transformed into a scroll.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Twilight identified as Spike opened the scroll.

He clears his throat and read, "'Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of', eh, yadda yadda yadda, 'cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest'."

"The Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight and Applejack shouted in excitement.

I shrunk me head into my shoulders. I'm not very fond of parties. Including the annual Great Galloping Gala. High society Ponies mingling, talking about businesses, casting down the lower classes. *Shudders*

"Woo-hoo!" Applejack cheered as she and Twilight jumped around together in joy.

Spike silently gagged, then burped up two golden tickets from his fire breath, "Look, two tickets."

"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" Twilight said, then asked Spike.

"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly, frilly, frou-frou nonsense." Spike answered, lying through his teeth.

His lie made me giggle lightly and give him a look, "And who said it was girl-y and frou-frou?"

Twilight smiled, "Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice."

"Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go." Applejack told Twilight, before going into her dream land, "Land sakes, if I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles till the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip."

Applejack returned to reality, "Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala."

"Oh, well in that case, would you like to--" Twilight began to ask, before I felt tense and pushed her and Applejack back a few steps. "Ellie, what was-"

"Whoa!" We heard Rainbow Dash shout, until she fell from the tree on the other side of the fence, and crashed on top of me. "Ow..."

"Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?" Rainbow asked, putting landing on me behind her.

"Rainbow, could you... Maybe... I dunno... GET OFF ME?!" I asked Rainbow, struggling to breathe.

Rainbow looked at me and quickly hopped off me, "Oh, I'm sorry. Ellie. You should've said something."

I stood up, dusted myself off and glared at her. I said 'ow' and 'get off'. What else could I say? 'Quack'?

"Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing, spyin'?" Applejack told and asked Rainbow, annoyed from her lying from before.

"No, I was busy napping, and I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" Rainbow answered, then asked Twilight with a huge smile on her face. I shook my head, knowing where this was going.

"Yeah, but--" Twilight tried to answer, but Rainbow cut her off.

"YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at The Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now." Rainbow Dash went into her dream world, "Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on The Wonderbolts, but then in would fly, Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, The Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member."

Rainbow left her dream world and looked at Twilight, "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!"

Applejack pulled Rainbow away from Twilight, "Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here." She let go of Rainbow's arm before continuing, "I asked for that ticket first."

Rainbow glared at Applejack, "So? That doesn't mean you own it."

Applejack glared back, "Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a arm-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket."

With that said, Rainbow Dash and Applejack went to a tree-stump and locked arms. Both struggled to overpower each other, but Twilight got in between them.

"Girls, these are my tickets, I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?" Twilight told them.

Applejack dashed in front of Rainbow, "Drummin' up business for the farm?"

Rainbow dashed in front of Applejack, "A chance to audition for The Wonderbolts?"

"Money t' fix Granny's hip."

"Living the dream."

Twilight got a little lost, "Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?" Her stomach growled again. She chuckled, "Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?"

Spike hopped onto Twilight's back, and we walked off to Ponyville to get some lunch.

"Okay." Applejack and Rainbow agreed with a sad tone. Then, they resumed their arm-wrestle.

I felt Twilight look at me, "Why aren't you asking for the ticket, Ellie?"

I gave her a light smile, "I don't want to go with just one of my friends, Twilight. If all my friends are going, I'm going too." Twilight smiled at me. Then my smile went serious, "But, I must warn you, Twi. Like the Leprechauns of my world, you're holding something everyone wants. Best to keep this quiet, until you make your mind up."

Twilight nodded in understanding, and we continued to walk to the town.

*Later, in Ponyville...*

"So, who you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?" Spike asked, as we were walking down the town.

"I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?" Twilight answered, then stated thinking.

I gasped, as I sensed a lot of pink, and pushed Twilight aside. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie dashed out of SugarCube Corner and crashed into me. However, she caused me to crash into Twilight and Spike. The crash caused Spike to drop the tickets on to Pinkie's nose.

"You really need to stop doing that." Twilight told me.

I gave her an apologetic look, "Sorry. Force of habbit."

Pinkie noticed the tickets and screamed, "Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!" She stopped and got a better look, "Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?! It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go!"

Pinkie went into her dream world and began singing,

Pinkie returned to reality and began jumping around Twilight and I, "Oh thank you Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever." Pinkie batted her eyes rapidly.

Spike picked up the tickets, as Twilight began to explain, "Um, actually--"

Suddenly, we heard a gasp from behind Spike. It was Rarity, "Are these what I think they are?"

"Uh--" Twilight was lost for words.

I face-palmed and shook my head in annoyance. Here we go. So much for trying to keep the tickets quiet.

"Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to The Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot." Pinkie answered with a large grin on her face.

Rarity smiled in excitement, "The Gala? I design ensembles for the Gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet Him."

"Him!" Pinkie joined, then got confused and asked, "Who?"

"Him." Rarity explained, as she entered her dream world too, "I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, 'Who is that mysterious mare?' They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, 'Yes!' We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is..." She giggled, "What I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams."

Rarity left her dream world and looked at Twilight, "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... Party, and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you?" She turned her head away in a pout, "Hmph."

"Rarity, are you crazy? Prince Blueblood?" I asked in astonishment, "He's.... He's... He's..." I couldn't bring myself to finish.

"Perfect? Yes, I know." Rarity smiled at me.

"Hey!" Spike shouted, as a white rabbit, Angel, took the tickets from Spike's hand and took them to show Fluttershy.

Fluttershy gasped, "Angel, these are perfect."

Twilight got her voice back and spoke up, "Uh, listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to."

"You haven't?" Pinkie and Rarity asked in unison. Pinkie was frowning, and Rarity was smiling.

Fluttershy spoke up, catching everypony's attention, "Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven't given it to someone else--"

"You? You want to go to the Gala?" Rarity asked in disbelief.

"Oh, no." Fluttershy answered. However, Angel thumped her hoof, "I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of." She entered her dream world, "You see, it's not so much The Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!"

Fluttershy returned to reality, floating in mid-air, and hugging Angel. This made me smile.

Twilight looked very unsure, "Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful?"

I put my hands together with stars in my eyes, "I'd be more than happy to show you around, Flutters."

"Wait just a minute." Rainbow voice broke the silence. We looked up and saw Rainbow Dash above our heads.

"Rainbow Dash, were you following us?" Twilight asked, in pure annoyance.

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody." Rainbow Dash asked, slightly lying through her teeth.

"Wait just another minute." Applejack spoke up from behind us.

"Applejack, were you following us too?" Twilight asked, as Applejack walked toward Rainbow.

"No. I was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business." Applejack answered, pointing to Rainbow Dash. Then hissed, "Still trying to take my ticket."

"Your ticket?" Rainbow asked, putting emphasis on 'your'.

Pinkie Pie joined in, "But Twilight's taking me."

The ponies began to argue over the ticket, and who should get it. Getting louder and more into a riot.

Feeling too much pressure, Twilight closed her eyes, put her hands over her ears and curled up into a ball.

Not wanting my best friend in this state, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "STOOOOOP!!!"

Everypony stopped, except for Pinkie, "And then I said, 'Oatmeal, are you craz--' Oh." Pinkie stopped talking.

"Girls, there's no use in arguing." I told everypony.

"But Ellie-" Rarity began, but I cut her off, "Ah! This is Twilight's decision, and I'm gonna make sure she makes it on her own. And right now, she certainly can't think straight with all this noise..."

Twilight stood up and smiled at me, then her stomach growled again, "Not to mention hunger. Now go on. Shoo!"

Everypony left Twilight and I alone, grumbling a little as they went.

Twilight tried to reassure them, "And don't worry, I'll figure this out... somehow."

*Later, At A Restaurant...*

"Thanks for helping me back there, Ellie." Twilight thanked me with a smile.

I smiled back, "That's what friends are for."

"What am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala." Twilight summarized in great confusion, as she started picking petals from a flower, "Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?"

Her stomach growled again, so she ate the petals.

"Have you made your decision?" The waiter asked, in a strong French accent.

Out of frustration, Twilight shouted, "I CAN'T DECIDE!"

"Twilight, he just wants to take your order." Spike clarified, pointing to his menu.

Twilight blushed a little, "Oh. I would love a ham and Swiss cheese sandwich."

"Do you have any rubies?" Spike asked the waiter, but he got a glare. "No? Okay. I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy."

The waiter looked at me. "Make that two ham and cheese sandwiches, please."

The waiter nodded his head, took Spike's menu and left our table.

Twilight sighed, "What do you think, Spike?"

"I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like the regular food just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" Spike answered, then asked in a rhetorical tone.

"I mean about the Gala and the ticket and who I should take." Twilight simplified.

Spike pinched the bridge of his nose, "Oh. You're still on that?"

"Spike, listen. How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies. What if I--" Twilight began to panic, until our food arrived.

"Ah, your food." The waiter delivered our orders.

Spike began eating his hay fries. I quietly ate my ham and cheese sandwich. I have to say, the food in Equestria is not bad. Good thing these ponies are omnivores. I wouldn't be able to live without my meat. Heheheh.

"Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat." Twilight smiled with delight. She was about to take a bite, but paused when she noticed the ponies running inside.

"Em, madames? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?" The waiter asked.

"It's not raining." Twilight said, until she looked around. It was raining, but not on us. "What's going on?" She asked.

"Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?" Rainbow greeted, then asked us with a big grin on her face, popping out of the hole, in the large rain cloud, right above us.

"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Twilight asked, getting annoyed.

"Whaddya you mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all." Rainbow answered with the grin plastered on her face.

"You've got to be kidding..." I sighed in a deadpan tone.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, "Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?"

Rainbow played innocent, "Me? No no no, of course not."

"Uh-huh." Twilight nodded.

"Seriously, I'd do it for any pony." Rainbow admitted, but everypony was still running for shelter. "Heh heh, eh." Rainbow chuckled nervously.

"Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now." Twilight told Rainbow in pure annoyance.

Rainbow Dash sighed, "Ugh, fine." With that, she closed the hole. However, the cloud was still dark grey.

Twilight smiled, "That's better." However, rain poured over her, ruining our lunch, and before she could take a bite. Twilight growled in annoyance.

"Twilight, it's raining." Rarity arrived, under one of her umbrellas.

"No, really?" Twilight asked in full sarcasm.

"Come with me before you catch a cold." Rarity insisted, dragging Twilight to her shop. Spike and I followed closely.

As we arrived, Twilight shook the rain out of herself, but accidentally soaked me and Rarity.

"Heh heh, oops, sorry." Twilight apologized, chuckling slightly. Rarity looked annoyed and cross. I just laughed it off.

Rarity calmed and smiled, "Oh no, it's quite alright. After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?"

Twilight drew a blank, "Uh..."

I flinched in knowing what's going to happen.

"Makeovers!" Rarity called in cheer, as she and Twilight were hidden behind a changing door.

I could hear Twilight mutter from all the noise, "Ugh, Rarity, ow, this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight."

Rarity removed the door to reveal Twilight wearing a light blue and purple, regal dress with a gem encrusted trim and a golden belt for detail.

"There. Oh, you're simply darling." Rarity smiled.

Twilight looked at the dress and smiled, "Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?"

I face-palmed and shook my head, and Spike gagged.

Rarity looked at Spike with smile, "And you. Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent." Then, Rarity called the door again.

"D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!" I heard Spike shout, from the noise. The door was removed again, to reveal Spike in a purple, Victorian squire uniform. Spike sulked.

"Oh, Spike." Twilight giggled, along with me.

"Now you just need a hat." Rarity added, placing a black hat with golden trimmings. Then she looked at me, "Ellie. I have just the outfit for you."

I backed away and warned with a glare, "You stick one pin in me, and you'd wish you've never met me."

Rarity nervously giggled and stepped away from me.

"Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk, see you back at the library." Spike told us, rushing out of the store, leaving the outfit behind.

Rarity laughed a little, "Oh, who needs him anyway." Rarity put a mirror in front of Twilight, before she continued, "This is all about you, and how fabulous you'll look at The Grand Galloping Gala."

"Wait, The Grand--" Twilight began, but Rarity cut her off.

"And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence." Rarity turned and found a mannequin with the same dress as Twilight, "I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I." She hugged close to Twilight, "Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the Unicorn." Rarity realized what she said, and nervously laughed, "Ah, and Twilight Sparkle, of course."

Twilight stared at Rarity with annoyance and anger, "I see what's going on. You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else." She took off the saddle, before she continued, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch."

Applejack appeared at the door, with a smile on her face, "Did somepony say lunch?"

Applejack grabbed Twilight's hand and lead her outside. Where a large cart of apple treats were piled up in.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Twilight smiled.

"I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty." Applejack enlisted, until she realized what she said last, "Uh, the dessert, not my auntie. What do you say there, best friend?"

Twilight's stomach growled, and her smile turned into a look of pure annoyance.

"Is that a yes?" Applejack asked. I tilted my head when I realized that Applejack's aura had little to no obsession over the extra ticket.

"No. No. I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!" Twilight shouted, and ran off.

"So, that's a maybe?" Applejack asked in slight confusion.

*Later, Outside the Library...*

"Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating." Twilight moaned in annoyance.

I nodded my head in understanding. I opened the door, and to our surprise, Fluttershy and some animals were cleaning the library.

"Are you kidding me?!" I shouted in frustration.

Twilight gasped, "Fluttershy, not you too?"

Fluttershy saw us, "Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you."

"It's summer." Twilight corrected.

"Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea." Fluttershy explained, as Angel was mixing a salad.

"You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right Angel?" Fluttershy replied, then asked Angel, who gave her a glare. "Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket." She corrected.

Twilight had enough, "No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Twilight told Fluttershy, opening and pointing to the door.

Outside was bunch of ponies, with Pinkie Pie. This isn't gonna end well.

"SURPRISE!" The ponies shouted, as Pinkie Pie grabbed Twilight and began throwing her into the air,

"PIIINKIIIE!!" I shouted, having enough of everypony harassing Twilight. The ponies let her drop to the ground.

"Yes, Nellie?" Pinkie asked, batting her eyelashes.

I helped Twilight up, as I answered, "At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket."

"Wait, what ticket? What Gala?" A pony asked. I shiver ran down my spine. Uh-oh...

"Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Pinkie Pie told the other ponies.

"The Grand Galloping Gala?" The ponies asked in unison. All the ponies began giving us extra special favors, out of nowhere.

"Would you like any help with your gardening?" A pony said, holding a plant.

"I have a cartload of extra carrots." Another pony offered.

The offers continued, and Twilight, Spike and I were surrounded.

"What are we gonna do?" Spike asked in a slight panic.

"We're... Gonna... RUN!!!" Twilight answered, shouting the last part, then we dashed off.

The ponies followed us all over Ponyville. We tried hiding behind Applejack's cart, but the ponies found us in two seconds. Twilight, Spike and I ran half-way through Ponyville, to get disguises to fool the ponies. Twilight was a mid-aged mother, Spike was a baby, in a crib, and I was the concerned, but very proud aunt. The ponies ran past us, without noticing. Twilight gave me a concerned look. My warning was right. I hate that!

We ran the other directions, but the ponies found out in seconds. Twilight, Spike and I hid under the bridge. The ponies past us again, but Spike lost his grip and fell into the river. Twilight picked him up and we ran again. The splash caught the ponies' attention. We tried disguising ourselves as mannequins, but the ponies caught on after running past us again. They continued to chase us, until we were caught in an alley. The offerings just kept coming. The pressure was overwhelming. The pressure caused Twilight to teleport us back to the library, without warning.

When we reappeared, Spike and I were all slightly burnt up, and a tad bit dizzy. Never teleported before.

"Ugh, warn me next time you're gonna do that." He advised Twilight.

"I didn't even know it was gonna happen." Twilight answered, then quickly ordered, "Now quick, lock the doors."

We all did so. Twilight was blowing out the lights, as Spike and I locked every door in the library. Once it was dark and quiet, we relaxed in relief. Until I felt a tense tingle up my spine, as the lights were switched back on and our friends were of the windowsill, smiling.

Twilight snapped under the pressure, "Yaaaargh! I can't decide, I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you. And giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!"

With that, Twilight curled up into a ball, with her hands over her ears, and tears welling up in her eyes. The ponies looked at Twilight in concern. I stroked Twilight's back and gave them a disappointed stare. They started this, now they fix it!

Applejack was the first to speak up, "Twilight, sugar, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you." She stroked Twilight's hair, "And if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise."

"Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful." Fluttershy apologised.

"And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends." Pinkie sulked.

Rarity nodded, "Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did."

Rainbow Dash smiled and cheered, "Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha!" She started dancing and singing, "I got the ticket, I got the ticket-"

Rainbow noticed the rest of us giving her a look. I glared at her, "Rainbow..." Can she let go of her pride and think about others, for once?

Rainbow thought for a second and spoke up, "You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for The Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either."

Applejack nodded, "We all got so gun-ho about going to the Gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you."

"We're sorry, Twilight." The Ponies apologized in unison.

Twilight got out of her little ball and smiled at her friends. She said to Spike, "Spike, take down a note."

Spike got a pen and parchment and started writing Twilight's words,

"Dear Princess Celestia,
I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful." She put the two golden tickets into Spike's scroll, "So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala."

I smiled, while the other Ponies looked at her in confusion, "What?!"

"Just like what Ellie said to me this morning, if my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either." Twilight answered with a smile.

"Twilight, you don't have to do that." Applejack pleaded.

Twilight shook her head, "Nope. I've made up my mind." She looked at Spike, "Spike, you can send the letter now."

Spike opened the window and sent the letter with his fire breath.

Fluttershy looked back at Twilight, "Now you won't get to go to the Gala either."

Twilight smiled, "It's okay girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me." Overjoyed, the others huddled up in a group hug. "So I would rather not go at all."

I smiled at Twilight, while Spike just silently gagged. Suddenly, he started to look like he was gonna barf.

Applejack glared at Spike, "Well wallop my withers, Spike. Isn't that just like a boy? Can't handle the least bit of sentiment."

My spine tensed in realization, "Applejack, duck!"

As predicted, Spike let out a flaming burp. Applejack quickly ducked out of the way of the flame, "Whoa, Nelly!"

The flamed rolled and transformed into a scroll. Twilight gasped, "A letter from the Princess? That was fast."

Spike unrolled the scroll and read it out loud, "'My faithful student Twilight,
I'm proud you listened to your friend's advise. Why didn't you just say so in the first place?'" Something gold come to view and Spike showed them to everypony, "Seven tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala."

All the girls gasped, as Twilight smiled, "Now we can all go."

The ponies cheered in excitement, until Twilight's stomach growled quite loudly. Twilight giggled nervously. A whole day of worrying and not a bite to eat. Hehehe.

Rarity put her hand over Twilight's shoulder, "Allow us to treat you to dinner."

Everypony else agreed and began leaving the library. As each pony left the door, they grabbed a ticket each from Spike.

"What a great way to apologize." Rainbow Dash smiled, as she left the door.

"And to celebrate. Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me." Pinkie cheered, following after Rainbow.

Applejack and I were the last to leave. Applejack grabbed her ticket, then realized I didn't. So, she grabbed it and gave it to me.

Spike pouted in disappointment, "How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?" Then he burped another letter. He unrolled it and read, "'And one for you, Spike.'"

Spike came jogging out of the library, giggling like a little girl, and holding another ticket in his hand. He stopped and noticed Applejack and I folding our arms and smiling at him.

"I mean, gross, I have to go too?" Spike corrected himself, walking past us. Then he dashed after the others and giggled.

Applejack and I chuckled and followed after the others. This year is gonna be loads of fun in Ponyville. I can feel it.