The Jedi Prince

A week after the defeat of Nightmare Moon, it was a beautiful sunny morning at Sweet Apple Acres, as Twilight Sparkle and Cody Ando spent the day helping Applejack and Sal around the farm. They had both been working hard gathering basket after basket of apples gathered from the orchard. Spike was simply enjoying a comfy ride in a pull cart, pulled by Twilight, apparently entertaining himself by separating the fresh apples from the… Not-so-fresh apples.

“No, nope, nope…” Spike muttered, tossing apples from Twilight’s basket.

“Thanks for allowing us to help on the farm today,” Cody thanked.

“Thank you kindly, Twilight and Cody, for helping me and Sal out,” Applejack said. “I bet Big MacIntosh that 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.”

Hearing the silly idea, Cody rolled his eyes as a picture of Big MacIntosh walking around town in one of Granny Smith’s girdles played in his head.

“It’s not funny, AJ. That’ll be super embarrassing for him,” Cody remarked.

“No problem at all, Applejack,” Twilight replied. “I’m glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry.”

“I know, right?” Spike asked.

A tossed apple hits Twilight along the head. She turns around with a glare, as Spike smiled apologetically.

“Puh-lease, Spike,” She groaned. “You’ve been lounging in that cart all morning while we worked!”

“Exactly!” Spike said, missing her point. “You four were taking so long, I missed snack-time.”

Twilight was about to retort when her stomach grumbled loudly. She just laughed nervously.

“Eh, I guess we better get some food,” Twilight replied.

In the meantime, Spike kept digging into her basket searching for a good apple.

“Nope,” He mumbled. “Worm… A-ha!”

Spike pulled out a large sparkling, shiny red apple. Twilight could feel her mouth water at the very sight of the fruit in Spike’s claws.

“Oh Spike, that looks delicious,” Twilight said, eager for a bite.

Suddenly, Spike devoured the whole fruit into his mouth much to Twilight’s shock.

“Spike!” She called out, annoyed and disappointed.

“What?” Spike asked, innocently.

“That’s alright. I’ve got another one for you, Twilight,” Cody said as he gave her a bigger red apple.

“Thank you, Cody,” Twilight replied before eating the apple.

Just then, Spike gave out a large belch. Twilight ducked as a green flame left his mouth and a rolled-up scroll appears before the two girls.

“It’s a letter from Princess Celestia,” Twilight gasped.

Spike cleared his throat shortly before opening it.

“Hear ye, hear ye,” He read aloud. “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.”

Applejack and Twilight just smile and gasp excitedly.

“The Grand Galloping Gala! The Grand Galloping Gala!” They cheered.

“Whoo-hoo!” Applejack added.

“Yeah!” Twilight exclaimed.

While the two ponies were hopping about, Spike just looked indignant. He stuck a finger in his mouth until he burped again, as another scroll appears.

“Look, two tickets,” Spike said.

“Wow, great! I’ve never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“No, and I plan to keep it that way,” Spike said. “I don’t want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense.”

“Anypony can attend the gala, Spike, female or male, so long as they have a ticket like Twilight does.” Cody replied, “But I’m royalty and it’s mandatory for me to be there.”

The next part Cody spoke softly, “Plus, it’s a great opportunity to ask some pony for a date…”

Cody smiled to himself as Twilight Sparkle spoke up.

“Aw, come on Spike,” Twilight said. “A dance would be nice.”

“I’d dance with you, Twilight,” Cody said, up front.

“I’d be happy to share a dance with you while the night is young. You’re my friend after all.” Twilight replied, looking at him.

“Nice?” Applejack said. “It’s a heap good more than just nice. I’ve love to go. Land sakes, if I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin’ our tasty vittles ‘til the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Hmm?” Cody thought, scratching his chin.

Sure enough, as Applejack spoke, a dream sequence displayed a long line of Canterlot ponies as far as the eye could see. They all came together with bags of bits, more than enough to purchase all the apples and various apple goods the cow pony could sell.

“You could make bank, as the old term goes,” Cody answered.

“Exactly,” Applejack said. “Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin’ up ‘round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big MacIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip.”

Visions of run-down items instantly became brand new, a roof that made the whole farmhouse in solid shape and a plow as shiny and clean as a whistle. Then, there was Granny Smith, walking with a stretcher, until ‘POOF!’ her mane is fixed up, her expression is energetic, and with a swish of her newly repaired hip, she starts dancing like a young school filly again.

Cody nodded his head, lost in his thoughts as Applejack continued.

“Why, I’d give my left leg to go to that gala,” Applejack finished.

Twilight and Cody exchanged quick smiles to each other, before nodding with approval.

“Oh, well in that case,” Twilight began. “Would you like to—”

“Huh?” Cody turned before dodging. “Whoa!!!”

Just when Twilight was about to ask Applejack to go with them, a certain blue Pegasus, from out of the blue, crashed upon all three of them. The impact knocked all the apples Sal, Applejack, and Twilight had in their baskets onto the ground..

“Rainbow Dash, do you have anything better to do than dive bombing us?” Sal asked.

“Ugh,” Rainbow groaned.

It didn’t take long for the Pegasus to quickly hop back into the air, while the others were still crouched onto the ground.

“Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?” Rainbow asked.

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack snapped, rising to her hooves. “You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin’?”

“No, I was busy napping,” Rainbow Dash replied.

It was then Cody noticed a pillow and blanket conveniently on a nearby tree branch. How that was there and how they never noticed was beyond him.

“Hmm… Sure you were,” Cody said, rolling his eyes.

“And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?” Rainbow finished.

“Yeah, but—”

“YES!!!” Rainbow cut off Twilight. “This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now…

“Three… Two… One…” Cody replied.

A picture in her mind showed Rainbow Dash in her moment of glory. A Wonderbolts display was just underway when the audience gasped. Before their very eyes, Rainbow Dash appears from the sky.

“Everyone would be watching the sky,” Rainbow explained, between scenes. “Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash!”

Over the cheering crowd, Rainbow Dash performs one of her signature maneuvers before the eyes of the ponies.

“I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut,” Rainbow continued. “Then I would mesmerize ‘em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild!”

In her fantasy, Rainbow Dash performed all those maneuvers perfectly, although the Buccaneer Blaze is not seen. Still, the ponies cheered for her wildly and even the three Wonderbolts’ jaws dropped.

“The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member.”

By the end of her fantasy, Rainbow Dash shakes hooves with all three Wonderbolts. Before long, she soon donned her very own Wonderbolt uniform, flying and racing with them into the clear blue sky.

By which time, the thought across Cody’s mind made his eyes roll. True, he supported her dream as much as anyone. Add to the fact that he’d want nothing more than to see her make the team someday. But deep down, he knew she needed some serious work on perfecting those ‘maneuvers’ of hers. Less dive-bombs upon him and Twilight, and she especially needed to quit bragging…or else that was going to get her in trouble.

“Don’t you see, guys?” Rainbow asked excitedly. “This could be my one chance to show ‘em my stuff. You gotta take me!”

Rainbow was suddenly interrupted by a tug against her tail, which brought her down to the ground.

“Hold on just one pony pickin’ minute here,” Applejack said. “I asked for that ticket first!”

“So?” Rainbow shot back. “That doesn’t mean you own it.”

“Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to an arm-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket,” Applejack said.

The two ponies find a nearby stump and began to groan loudly trying to out-stretch each other. This didn’t go on for long when Twilight shoved them apart.

“Girls, these are my tickets. I’ll decide who gets it, thank you very much.” Twilight said firmly, “Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don’t you think?”

“Sounds reasonable to me,” Cody nodded, with a smile. “All right girls. What’s your proposal?”

“Drummin’ up business for the farm?” Applejack proposed.

“A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow proposed.

“Money t’ fix Granny’s hip,” Applejack added.

“Living the dream,” Rainbow added.

Hearing all those reasons at once, Twilight and Cody just exchanged nervous looks.

“Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren’t they?” She concluded, turning to Cody.

“Yeah… More than I thought,” Cody replied slowly.

Just then, both their stomachs start to rumble. The two chuckle toward each other.

“Listen to that, I am starving,” Twilight said, as Spike and Cody walked alongside her, “I don’t know about you, but I can’t make important decisions on an empty stomach.”

“A full belly leads to a clear mind, especially since one apple probably isn’t enough,” Cody replied, turning to the girls. “So we’ll, uh, think about it over lunch, and get back to you two, okay?”

“Plus I really need to speak to Twilight about the Gala…alone…” he whispered to Sal.

Sal nodded and said, “I’ll stay here with AJ and Rainbow to keep them occupied.”

“Okay,” Applejack and Rainbow said sadly.

Once Cody and Twilight left the farm, the Earth Pony and Pegasus glared at each other. Not wasting a second, they began to arm wrestle once more, determined to prove who’s the best.

Meanwhile, Twilight, Cody, and Spike had made it back to town contemplating on the matter at hand. They were just nearing a building known in Ponyville as ‘Sugarcube Corner’.

“So, who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?” Spike asked.

“I don’t know Spike,” Twilight admitted. “But I really can’t think straight when I’m hungry, so where should we eat?”

“Well,” Cody pondered. “I was talking to the Mayor just the other day, and she referred to this sweet little café just down the…”

CRASH!!!

“OOMPH!”

Suddenly, something only Cody would describe as ‘the pink blur’ barreled into them at high speed, luckily, Cody got out of the way. The quick impact made the tickets float from Spike’s hands and landed right on Pinkie’s nose.

“GAH!” Pinkie shouted, dashing about. “Bats! Bats on my face! Help!”

In the midst of her excitement, Pinkie Pie came to a stop when she noticed the front of the tickets, looking very closely.

“Wait, these aren’t… tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!” the pink pony asked.

“Oh no…” Cody muttered, rolling his eyes. “Here we go again!”

This time, they were all drawn into Pinkie’s mind, as she imagined the Grand Gala as one big party, with all the wonderful things she could imagine.

“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!”

As if that wasn’t enough, Pinkie began singing.

Pinkie Pie (Sings):
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!
Hip hip
Hooray!
It’s the best place for me,
For Pinkie…

And the party pony kept ranting between lyrics, just as she normally would:

“With the decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and pinatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sunbeams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!”

Pinkie Pie (Sings):
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!
‘Cause it’s the most galarrific superbly-terrific gala ever
In the whole galaxy!
Wheee!!

Cody just stared blankly towards Pinkie Pie during that whole number, which he felt coming from a mile away. Meanwhile, Spike picked up the tickets.

“I’m going to tell her,” Cody stated bluntly.

“Don’t you dare!” Twilight scolds.

“Oh thank you, Twilight,” Pinkie said happily. “It’s the most wonderful-est gift ever.”

“Um, actually—” Twilight tried to explain.

“GASP!”

A pony startled Spike from behind. He turns to see it was just Rarity the fashionista from the Carousel Boutique.

“Are these what I think they are?” Rarity asked.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Pinkie answered. “Twilight’s taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot.”

“The gala?!” Rarity exclaimed. “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 copied her dreamy tone, appearing puzzled. “Who?”

“Him…” Rarity began.

Rarity soon imagined herself at the Gala, all eyes from every pony were upon Rarity, in a beautiful golden yellow dress. She slowly marches down the aisle, approaching the regal Princess Celestia in all her glory.

“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.”

Before the Princess, Rarity bows before her and she seems quite pleased with the display.

“Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself,” Rarity continued. “And the Princess would be so taken by the style and elegance that she would introduce me to ‘him’, her nephew: The most handsome eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot.”

As Celestia stepped aside, there beside her was the ‘eligible unicorn stallion’. With alluring light brilliant arctic blue eyes, his perfectly combed light amber mane feathered and lethal, with the front of a tux with a white flower and matching blue bow tie along the light grayish coat, with a compass rose for a Cutie Mark. Indeed, the way he posed and the way he smiled, he looked like a fairy tale prince come to life.

The two unicorns soon dance regally together amidst the sea of the high-class ponies in attendance. This goes on until he bends on one knee, offering her the most beautiful diamond ever crafted for a mare of such flare.

“Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt,” Rarity said dreamily. “Our courtship would be ‘magnificent’! He would ask for my hand in marriage, and of course I would say, ‘Yes!’”

The last scene shows Rarity and the stallion upon the altar, all the ponies in Equestria gathering to bear witness to holy matrimony. The perfect wedding for the perfect bride and her perfect groom.

“We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is…” Rarity giggled. “… What I would become upon marrying ‘him’, the stallion of my dreams.”

“Oh please, Blueblood’s not that great,” Cody said.

“You know who she’s talking about?” Twilight asked, overhearing him.

“Prince Blueblood. My bantha fodder of a cousin, remember him?” Cody replied.

“Barely, Sunset and I only seen him once,” Twilight said.

“What did he do that was so bad?” Spike asked, curiously.

“Blueblood’s hated me since I was a baby. He insulted me, called me names, and he hit me when I was five. After that, I resorted to pranking him for payback,” Cody explained.

“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? Hmph,” Rarity said turning her head with a huff.

“You don’t know Blueblood like I do, Rarity. None of you. Trust me, you’re better off marrying someone a lot better than that sleemo,” Cody replied.

Spike noticed a white bunny come up and snatch the tickets from his claws.

“Hey!” Spike called out.

But the bunny had already dashed away, straight towards… Fluttershy. He climbs into her arms, presenting the tickets to her which made her ‘GASP’.

“Angel, these are perfect,” Fluttershy replied softly.

Meanwhile, Rarity and Pinkie shot dirty glares at each other. Well, mostly Rarity, as Pinkie Pie bounced about like a beach ball.

“Uh, listen you guys,” Twilight said. “I haven’t decided who to give the extra ticket to.”

“You haven’t?” Rarity and Pinkie retorted together.

“Um, excuse me, Twilight,” Fluttershy said, gently. “I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven’t given it to someone else…”

“You?” Rarity exclaimed, knowing what the Pegasus was asking. “You want to go to the gala?”

“Oh, no,” Fluttershy replied.

That answer received a swift jab from Angel Bunny insisting on the yellow pegasus to go on.

“I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see…”

“Make up your mind, Flutters,” Bucky said.

A sigh escapes Cody’s lips, as he points his hoof to the side signaling for a scene change.

A vision of Fluttershy in a beautiful garden takes the scene. An abundance of colorful flowers not often seen by the ponies beyond the castle. Not to mention the assortment of wondrous critters that appeared and gathered all around the shy yellow pegasus.

“… It’s not so much the Grand Galloping Gala, as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance,” Fluttershy explained. “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!”

The scene shifts back as Fluttershy hovered happily before Cody and Twilight, as she cuddled Angel in her arms.

“Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds… beautiful…?” Twilight asked, unsure of herself.

“Actually, the gardens are beautiful,” Cody replied. “I’d go there a few times when I needed a break from Jedi training.”

“I agree. I’ve seen the gardens too,” Bucky spoke up.

“Oh! Do you know if everything I said is there?” Fluttershy asked excitedly.

“The flora, yes. But all the fauna… Well…”

“Wait, just a minute!”

A familiar raspy voice made Twilight and Cody look up, as Rainbow Dash stared down at them from the roof top of a nearby house.

“Aw, karabast,” Cody remarked in frustrated tone.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight retorted angrily, as the blue Pegasus flew toward them.

“Have you been following us all day?” Cody asked, in the same tone.

“No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe…” Rainbow stumbled. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t risk a couple of goody-two-shoes like you two giving that ticket away to just anybody.”

“Excuse me?” Cody retorted, offended.

“Wait just another minute,” Applejack called out, approaching Twilight.

“Applejack,” Twilight replied sternly. “Were you and Sal following us too?”

“Are you following us too?” Cody asked, heated.

“No,” She replied quickly.

“Thank goodness…”

“We was followin’ this one,” Applejack motioned to Rainbow Dash. “To make sure she didn’t try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket.”

“Your ticket?” Rainbow retorted.

“But Twilight’s taking me!” Pinkie shot back.

Before Cody or Twilight could protest, all the other ponies started arguing over each other. Their voices grew louder and louder, nearly smothering them before Twilight and Cody finally had enough.

“QUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!” They both screamed.

“And then I said, “Oatmeal, are you craz—”

“AHEM!” Cody cleared his throat.

Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped once she realizing that the arguing had stopped.

“Oh…” Pinkie said sheepishly.

“Girls, there’s no use in arguing,” Twilight pointed out.

“But Twilight…” Rarity tried to protest.

“Zip it!” Cody hissed, holding a hand to her mouth.

“This is my decision. I’m gonna make it on my own, and we certainly can’t think straight with all this noise…” Twilight said.

Just then, both Twilight and Cody’s stomachs grumbled loudly.

“Not to mention hunger,” Twilight grumbled. “Now go on, shoo!”

“And no more fighting with each other,” Cody added.

The five mares either walked or flew away, grumbling to themselves.

“And don’t worry, we’ll figure this out…” Twilight added.

But the mares had already disappeared, leaving Twilight alone with Spike somewhere to the side, out of sight, and Cody, who merely sighed.

“… Somehow…” Cody added quietly.

He turns toward Twilight, who looked rather upset. Cody gives her a side hug.

“Come on,” Cody ushered. “Let’s grab some lunch, my treat.”

Twilight just gave a small smile as he guided her… And Spike, who had caught up and was about to walk alongside Twilight as they headed towards the café Cody recommended.

Upon arrival, neither Twilight nor Cody could relax, not with the most important decision on their minds. Twilight was slouching on her seat, while Cody sat next to her with his elbows on the table.

“Oh Spike, what are we gonna do?” Twilight asked worried. “All five of our best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala.”

“Best friends?” Cody asked, sitting up. “We’ve really gotten that close that quickly?”

“Of course we’ve gotten that close!” Twilight answered.

Twilight put her train of thought on her other friends. Using her magic, she pulls the petals off one of the table flowers.

“But who do I choose? Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity… Oh, who should go with me?”

Twilight’s stomach grumbled again, as she used her tongue to eat up the petals. Cody just watched her as their waiter, Savior Fare, approached the table.

“Have you made your decision?” He asked, with an accent similar to the Twi’leks.

“I CAN’T DECIDE!” She bellowed.

Every pony turned and stared at the unicorn sitting straight up, her hands in the air. Cody face-palmed himself, hiding from the embarrassment.

“Twilight, he just wants to take your order,” Spike points out, toward the menu.

Twilight blinked a few times before recomposing herself.

“Oh,” She replied, calmly. “I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.”

“I’ll take a toasted oat burger please,” Cody requested.

“Do you have any rubies?” Spike asked.

The only response from the Professional waiter was an indignant glare.

“No? Okay…” Spike sighed, tossing the menu behind him. “… I’ll have the hay fries, extra crispy.”

Savior Fare was already walking away before Spike finished placing his order. As Savior Fare went back inside, the group had a brief moment to talk.

“What do you think, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“I think we have to try another restaurant,” Spike answered. “I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?”

“Spike, only you can eat gemstones,” Cody answered. “Ponies and humans can’t, it would break their teeth. They prefer them for currency… And in Rarity’s case… fine couture…”

“I mean about the gala and the ticket and who I should take!” Twilight snapped.

“You’re still on that?” Spike asked.

“To answer your question, Twilight. I think we should just write to my mom and ask her for some more tickets, that way you won’t have any trouble choosing,” Cody suggested.

“Why didn’t I think of that? Cody, you’re a genius!” Twilight replied.

Just then, Savior Fare reappeared with their order.

“Ah, your food,” He replied, setting the plates on the table.

Spike was already munching away, while Twilight and Cody smiled at their food.

“Merci,” Cody said.

“Oh thank you,” Twilight sighed. “This looks so good. I’m sure everything will be much clearer once we eat.”

“Down the hatch!” Cody nodded in agreement.

Twilight and Cody were about to start eating their sandwiches when the other ponies ran passed them and into the indoor section of the café. The two friends drop their sandwiches back on their plates, turning in confusion.

“Em, madam, monsieur?” Savior Fare replied, concerned. “Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?”

Cody looked up and saw the rain clouds, “Twilight, Spike, we should eat inside.”

The three of them went inside as it started raining.

“Uh hey, Twi,” Cody spoke up. “There’s one more thing I wanted to ask you while we were here.”

“What is it Cody?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Well you see, I want to know if…” Cody replied, “Never mind. I’ll ask you later.”

Just after the three of them finished eating, Cody took out some gems and paid the bill. It wasn’t long before they stepped out as Rarity arrived carrying a large purple umbrella.

“Twilight! Cody! It’s raining,” She said plainly.

“No, really?” Twilight retorted sarcastically.

“Come with me before you catch a cold,” Rarity said.

“Could you please walk us home?” Cody asked.

“Yes, of course,” Rarity replied.

Twilight, Spike, and Cody stepped under Rarity’s umbrella as the four of them walked back to the Golden Oaks Library. As soon as they were both inside, Twilight and Cody, along with Spike noticed the rest of their friends were there.

“Have you made a decision yet?” Rainbow asked with a grin.

“Actually, we have. We’re gonna write to my mom and ask her to send us some additional tickets for all of you,” Cody replied.

“Spike, take down a note,” Twilight said.

“On it,” Spike replied.

He then grabbed a sheet of paper and a quill. Twilight proceeds to speak aloud, as she picked up the three tickets with her magic.

Dear Princess Celestia,
Cody and I have 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. We’re also writing to respectfully request some more tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.

“Spike, you can send the letter now,” Twilight said.

Spike released a green flame that ate up the letter, sending it on its way.

The other mares shared a group hug together, chuckling with each other. Applejack gives Cody a one-on-one hug, leaning against his ear.

“It’s nice that y’all are thinking about us, Cody,” Applejack said, then whispered in Cody’s ear, “I know you’re eager to take Twilight to the Gala as your date.”

Hearing her say this, Cody’s eyes went wide as a mad blush formed on his cheeks.

“Um—uh---wha---uh—” Cody stammered nervously. “What are you talking about?”

“Aw come on, sugarcube,” Applejack giggled. “Ah’ve seen the way ya look at Twilight. I knew it was only a matter of time before ya asked her.”

“And I’ve seen the way you look at me, Sal,” Applejack said turning to Sal.

“Now’s your chance to tell her how you feel,” Cody whispered in Sal’s ear.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Applejack, you are the most hard working, honest, and gorgeous girl I’ve met, and I love that about you,” Sal confessed.

“I love you too, Sal. Yer the most helpful and determined boy I’ve met,” Applejack replied as she hugged him. The two of them shared a kiss, then broke it and Applejack turned back to Cody.

“Yeah… But it’s just been so crazy today, trying to decide who to take with us, I’ve never got the chance to ask her,” Cody said.

Applejack gave him a reassuring pat on the back with her hands.

“Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, Cody. It’ll happen, one way or the other.” Applejack replied.

“Hhg… hgh… urk… urk…”

Applejack turns as Spike began making faces as if he were grossed out. At least, that’s how Applejack interpreted his grunts.

“Well wallop my withers, Spike,” Applejack said, approaching the dragon. “Isn’t that just like a boy? Can’t handle the least bit of sentiment.”

“Hey, leave me, Sal, and Bucky out of this,” Cody retorted indignantly. “I’ll have you know we like hugs, expressing our feelings, and we’re not afraid to cry… DUCK!!!”

BURP!!!

“Whoa, nelly!” Applejack exclaimed.

She barely missed getting singed by the green flame Spike spat out between her golden mane and Stenson hat. The flame turns into another letter.

“A letter from the princess?” Twilight said surprised. “That was fast.”

“Guess Mom must have had time to sort her mail today,” Cody replied.

Spike opened the letter and read the contents aloud.

“My faithful student, Twilight, your request has been granted.”

And low and behold, a familiar site met their eyes… But ten times greater.

“Seven more tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Spike announced.

All the ponies in the room gasped, excitedly.

“Now we can all go,” Twilight declared happily.

Amazed, Cody turns back toward Applejack, who gestures with her hand to do what he needs to do. Taking a deep breath and nodding his head, he approached Twilight from behind.

“Uh, hey… Twi?” Cody said, tapping her shoulder.

“Yes, Cody?” Twilight asked, turning around.

Cody closed his eyes, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He took a deep breath and asked, “Twilight, would you like to be my date to the Grand Galloping Gala?”

“I’ve love to!” Twilight replied.

Just then, his and Twilight’s stomachs growled. Twilight and Cody laughed nervously.

“Allow us to treat you both to dinner,” Rarity offered.

“What a great way to apologize,” Rainbow declared.

Each of them collected their tickets as they left the house.

“And to celebrate!” Pinkie Pie added, while exiting. “Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!”

Spike giggled happily as he held his ticket and left the library, Sal and Bucky were also happy that they got tickets to the gala. Just then, he spots Applejack, standing casually with a sly smirk on her face. Spike froze for a second, before making a face.

“I mean, gross, I have to go too?” He remarked.

Eventually, Spike dashed away giggling again. Applejack merely chuckled, as she went to catch up with the rest of their friends. Who knows what made Spike change his mind? But in the end, with the Grand Galloping Gala only months away…

That night would be something they could all look forward to.