It has been several days since Marcus’ party and the human has managed to adjust pretty well to his new life in Equestria. Fluttershy gently yawned, before getting out of bed and walked right to Marcus’ own. Since it would take weeks for a bedroom to be added, this was a temporary spot for it.

“Time to wake up, sweetie,” Fluttershy greeted softly, before gently shaking him.

Marcus gently yawned, before wiping his eyes and slowly getting out of bed.

“Good morning, mom.”

“Good morning, sweetie,” Fluttershy greeted back with a gentle smile, “Since you don’t start school until the next school week, I guess we can visit Twilight and play with Spike.”

Marcus simply nodded.

“Now go brush your teeth and after we feed both my animal friends and us, we will pay a visit to Twilight.”

Marcus carefully walked through the large group of bunnies, whom upon noticing the human, stumbled near him. He gently petted a few of them, as he carefully placed food in their bowls in equal amounts. After becoming a permanent resident plenty of the animals have become almost as fond of him as Fluttershy.

“Never thought being around animals all the time would be fun. It’s hard work, but rewarding,” The human mumbled to himself, as the bunnies would spend time trying to cuddle with him, before he left them to their breakfast

Marcus was riding on Fluttershy into town, as per usual. Plenty of ponies openly waved at the two, causing the pegasus to nervously hide behind her mane and for the human to nervously wave back. Finally that died down, as the pegasus got more into the town. She smiled when she noticed her friends talking to one another, but lightly frowned when she noticed Twilight seemed nervous and the others seemed to be arguing with one another. Confused, she quickly and without anyone noticing walked behind them and listened closely.

“Sorry girls I just haven’t decided on who to take with me for the gala.”

Fluttershy gasped as she realized what Twilight must be talking about. She smiled as she imagined her at the private garden with all the wonderful plants and new animal friends to meet. Then she remembered Marcus and frowned at the idea of leaving without him. Not even this opportunity could compare to her new special animal friend. Though perhaps leaving him with a foal sitter won’t be too bad. It will only be for one day Afterall. Then again maybe not since it feels too soon to leave him, even if it’s just for a day.

“Um… Girls?” Fluttershy asked.

The others shook a little, only to calm down and even facehoof when they realized they were spooked by Fluttershy of all ponies.

“Um… Sorry for scaring you all,” Fluttershy apologized.

The girls simply looked at each other and came to the agreement that they wouldn’t speak of this again, though Rainbow would forever be shamed that her, the bravest pegasus in all of Equestria, was ever spooked by the pegasus notorious for being the easiest to scare.

“That’s ok, Fluttershy. Oh, and hello Marcus. What brings you two here?” Twilight asked with a nervous smile.

“I was hoping Marcus could play with Spike, then I saw you all here and it seems something is going on.”

“Oh… Well….”

“Yes, Twilight. If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Well…”

“Egghead was sent two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala and she’s taking me with her, so I can finally meet the Wonderbolts and become even more awesome,” Rainbow bragged.

“Keep telling yourself that, Rainbow. Twilight is taking me so I can sell my apple products to new clients to help expand the business.”

“As if. Twilight is taking moi, so I can finally meet my prince and live happily ever after.”

“Please, ditch the fairy tales, Rarity. It’s childish. I am going there to experience the best party ever!”

“Well, I never! You are the last person to say that to anyone, Pinkie!” Rarity snapped.

“What are you saying?” Pinkie asked, annoyed.

Twilight simply groaned, before taking Spike and getting away from the group of arguing ponies. Fluttershy and Marcus simply blinked, as they watched the bickering ponies and Twilight leaving, before Fluttershy sighed.

“Well, sweetie why don’t we stop at the town playground for a little bit then see if Twilight calms down a little.”

Marcus simply nodded, before the two took off, leaving the oblivious group of arguing ponies.

Sometime later Fluttershy and Marcus entered the library to find Twilight freaking out with Spike trying to calm her down. When she saw Fluttershy she took a relaxing deep breath.

“Fluttershy here to bring Marcus to play with Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Yes,” Fluttershy nodded, while walking closer to the two, “Oh and could we talk? Forgive me for asking, but you don’t look too well, if I may say and talk to you.”

“Please don’t tell me you want to go to the Gala too.”

“I have thought of that,” Fluttershy admitted nervously, making Twilight groan, “But, I can tell the others arguing is getting to you which is reason number two that I am not going to ask.”

Twilight noticeably relaxed and took a calming deep breath.

“That’s great to hear! I…” She froze when the second part of Fluttershy’s response fully registered, “Wait, what is the first reason?”

“Marcus, of course. I know it’s only for one day, but I just don’t think I can handle getting a foal sitter when I only met him about a week ago. Besides not even the amazing private garden could compare to interacting with a one-of-a-kind species, especially a sapient one. I am loving being a mother,” Fluttershy explained with a smile.

Twilight smiled back, before remembering there’s still a problem that needs solving.

“Fluttershy, I just don’t know who to pick!”

Fluttershy gently hummed as she pondered the question. Despite being so smart, Twilight really doesn’t know how to think outside the box and find a third or even a fourth option.

“You could ask the princess for more tickets, if you and her wouldn’t mind.”

Twilight froze as she pondered that simple solution before sighing.

“That’s a great idea, but I don’t think it’s proper to write to her for more than what she has given me.”

“Twilight, if I may say. You are her prized student and if she is kind as you always say then she would have no problem granting this request of yours, but if you don’t want to, you could always just send them back. Feel free to do what you see fit and I will help you with whatever you choose, if you don’t mind that is,” Fluttershy assured her with another gentle smile.

“Thank you, Fluttershy,” Twilight began, sharing the smile, “I was never one for friends before coming here, but after forming a bond with you all after defeating Nightmare moon and continuing to learn more about friendship, I am glad this all happen, and I have you girls as friends.”

The others stormed into the library, as Twilight’s letter was sent. Twilight took a deep breath and was ready to face the others.

“Twilight, we have been patient and I am ready to get the ticket,” Rainbow announced impatiently.

“For once today I half agree with Rainbow and would like to make preparations to sell my produce to more fancy ponies. Perhaps you could give me pointers, Rares,” Applejack added.

“Please, it won’t be necessary since I am going. I want to prepare for the best night ever with my prince, as soon as possible.”

“I just want the ticket now!”

“Girls, after thinking hard on it and with a little help from Fluttershy here I made my decision. It was hard to make when my closest friends kept on bugging me about it. I am new at friendship, and I didn’t want to screw up, especially so soon with such a wonderful group I bonded with,” Twilight paused to take a relaxing breath, unaware of the rest of the group listening with interest, “It wasn’t just us managing to defeat Nightmare Moon, but spending time with you at sleepovers and bonding at different things, were some of the best times of my life and to think I could screw something like that up, this soon, by having to pick which one to take with me to the most prestigious event, was terrible to bear,” Twilight paused to rub her forehead, unaware of four others wide eyed and looking guilty, “I just want to be a great friend and please all of you, but I was stuck and couldn’t do that, until Fluttershy gave me a great idea. That’s why I decided to ask Celestia that I would like more tickets so all of us can come and that I can’t just pick only one of my wonderful friends to take with me. I’m sorry for not deciding sooner and for not coming to this great solution. I don’t want to be a bad fri…”

Twilight was interrupted when she was embraced in a group hug by Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack, and Pinkie. Fluttershy gently smiled, before slowly joining the girls in the group hug.

“Twilight, we are the ones who need to apologize,” Rainbow admitted, “What we did wasn’t cool, and I won’t do that again. I am better than that.”

“We all are. We just got caught up in our own goals and interests. We didn't see how badly we were affecting you,” Applejack added.

“Darling don’t ever consider yourself a bad friend. You were simply trying your best. We gave you an impossible task and we regret it. You have been a great friend so far and don’t worry about screwing up,” Rarity assured her.

“Yeah, egghead. No way are we going to let anything get in the way of our bond and it’s just going to keep on getting stronger,” Rainbow agreed.

“Yeah, if Nightmare Moon can’t stop us and our bond, nothing can,” Applejack said with a smile.

“Thanks girls,” Twilight responded right when Spike puked up Celestia’s response.

He quickly handed it to her, before going back to reading comics with Marcus. Twilight smiled as she revealed eight tickets to the gala.

Twilight,
I have to say I am proud of you. You have come a long way from the introverted book worm that couldn’t bother to make time for friendship to where you are now. In such a short time you managed to go from that to somepony that refused to take part in the Grand Galloping Gala without all of your friends there. Of course, they should all be there, along with Spike and our little human, since I am sure Fluttershy wouldn’t want to be without her son so soon. As always feel free to keep writing to me on what you learn and I will gladly meet you and your friends there.

Sincerely, Celestia

“There we all get to go now,” Twilight told the others.

“Oh this means making dresses for all of you girls and a suit for Marcus. It was a nice challenge to make clothing for him,” Rarity added with a huge smile.

The others simply smiled and shook their heads.

“Perhaps, sometime later Rarity,” Twilight responded with a chuckle, “Now that’s over, I am going to relax for the rest of the day.”

Author's Note

The first adaptation of an episode with changes, naturally, as simply Marcus taking part would cause more changes, than simply what exactly happens with just lines for Marcus added in. Sorry Fics like those annoy me. Here I tried to be original by not copying off the transcript and made changes like Fluttershy new position as mom making her question going and she notices the others getting on Twilight nerves and helps her out. One minor issue was how to call the girls out. I didn't want to use Marcus since it doesn't feel right for him to be in a position to call the girls out. Then it hit me. Have Twilight go on a little rant about it but paint it in a way showing she feels guilt about the whole thing, which hit that much harder than any direct scolding could ever hope to achieve. Hope you enjoyed.