It was a warm, spring morning. The skies were clear and cloudless, with the fresh warmth of the sun on a new day. The new spring flowers were just blossoming, the grass still with a touch of morning dew. The many ponies of Ponyville would be gathering in the town square soon for this occasion. In some towns, there were so many ponies that the drawing would take a few days, but in Ponyville, there were only around two hundred ponies. This amount caused the drawing to take an hour at most. The drawing would begin at ten o’clock in the morning and there would still be enough time to allow everypony to get home for their brunch.
All the young foals were the first to get there. The schools let out early that day for the very special occasion. All the children had many mixed emotions that sat uneasily on most of them. They had all gathered quietly for the time being, deep in small conversations, energetic play would then break out after a few moments. Their talk was still of the days prior lessons from the classroom, who had learned about what, and what they planned on doing after. One colt had already started to collect stones, some of the others soon followed the example he set. They would select the smoothest and most rounded stones. They would pile the collected stones in one corner of the squares open area, and then they would guard it against the raids of the other colts. The fillies, on the other hand, stood aside from the colts’ playfulness. They mostly talked amongst themselves, taking close eye over the smaller foals. Those children would be rolling around in the dust or clinging to their siblings.
Soon all the stallions of Ponyville began to gather in the Square. They surveyed for their foals, while speaking to one another. They spoke of business, planting, and of the weather. They all stood together, away from the pile of stones. Their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed. The mares were the next to arrive, wearing their faded gowns and sweaters. They greeted all of their friends and exchanged bits of gossip as they joined into small groups. One colt ran to his mother, but ducked between his parents legs and ran, laughing, back to the pile of stones. Finally after the parents of the colt spoke up, he came quickly back and took his place in between his father and mother.
The drawing was conducted, as were all the main happenings of Equestria, by Equestria’s Princess Celestia. She had time and energy to put towards all these activities of her followers. Princess Celestia was kind enough to do this for the ponies of PonyVille, for being the ruler of Equestria she had a lot on her plate to do all around her kingdom. When she arrived in Ponyville square, she was carrying the black apple crate. There was a murmur of conversation among everypony, as she called,
"I’m sorry my loyal subjects, I am a little late today."
Her sister, Princess Luna, followed her, carrying a small stool. The stool was set in the center of the square and Celestia set the black apple crate down on it. Everypony kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool. Celestia asked,
"Would any of you be so kind as to help me with this?"
There was a slight hesitation before a large stallion with something in his mouth stepped up. It was Big Macintosh and his toy, Smarty Parts. He came forward to hold the apple crate steady on the stool for Celestia as she stirred the parchment magically inside of it.
The original equipment that had been used for the drawing had been lost many ages ago. The apple crate the currently sat on the stool had been put into use even before Granny Smith, the oldest mare in town, had been born. Both princesses would commonly speak of making a new crate for the drawing, but no pony wanted to upset what tradition still remained today. There was a story that the current crate had been made from the same tree as the crate that preceded this one. That crate had been constructed with the first ponies that settled down to make a home. Every year, after the drawing had finished, Celestia and Luna would began speaking about the new crate. Every year the subject would soon fade off after, without anything being done about it. The black crate grew more decayed each year, by this time it no longer was completely black but was splintering badly along one of the sides to show the original wood color, and in some places it was faded or stained.
Big Macintosh held the apple crate securely on the stool until Celestia had finished stirring the parchment. So much of the original ritual had been lost over time. Celestia had been successful in having the original apples that had been used, substituted for small pieces of parchment. She had argued that apples had been fine to be used when Ponyville was a small settlement, but now that there were many more ponies, with an increasing numbering. It was easier to use something that would fit more easily into the crate at such a high number. The night before the drawing, Celestia and Luna would make up the slips of parchment and put them in the crate, and it was then taken to the a safe in Canterlot Caste. It was then locked up until they were ready to make their way to the Ponyville square the next morning. The rest of the year, the crate was not in use. It was somewhere around Ponyville for the rest of the year, sometimes there, another times here. One year it was spent in Celestia’s students home, another year was spent in Sugercube Corners basement.
There was a great deal if things that needed to be done before Celestia would finally declare the drawing open at last. There were lists to be made, which ponies would be grouped together, who were to be the heads of each of the groups. Celestia, being the official of the drawing, remembered a time, there had been a rehearsal of some sort, performed by the few officials of the drawings. There also used to be a tuneless song that was sung off duly for each drawing. Others believed that they were supposed to do a march beforehand, but years and years ago, these parts of the ritual had been allowed to be lost along time. There at one point had also been a salute done, which the official of the drawing would have to use when addressing everypony who would come up to draw from the apple crate. This as well had been changed over time. Now it was necessary only for the official to speak to everypony approaching the crate. Celestia was very good at all of this. With one hoof resting carelessly on the crate, she seemed very proper and important as she talked interminably to Luna about current affairs.
Just as Celestia finally left off talking and turned to the many awaiting ponies, Fluttershy came hurdling along the path to the square. Fluttershy without missing a step slid into a stop near the back of the crowd, somepony late did not go unseen by anypony.
“I’m so sorry for being late, I was just finishing up feeding some animals.” Fluttershy squeaked.
No one seemed to really notice, Fluttershy squeaked again nervously to herself and began to make her way through the crowd. She found her way to her five friends standing near the front. The many ponies separated to let her through, a few ponies said in voices just loud enough to be heard throughout the crowd,
"Looks who is finally here, it”s Fluttershy!"
She finally reached her friends, and Celestia, who had been waiting. Celestia said cheerfully, "Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Sweetie."
Fluttershy replied with a grin, "Wouldn't want to leave a few animals unfed now. How would the others feel?"
Soft chatter ran throughout most of the crowd as everypony stirred back into their awaiting positions.
"Alright, then." Celestia said plainly, "guess we better get this started and over with, so we can all get back to our lives. Anypony still missing?"
"Ditzy." several ponies chimed in together. "Ditzy. Ditzy."
Celestia stared down at her list. "Ditzy Doo." She said. "That's right. She's gone and broke a wing, hasn't she? Who's drawing for her?"
"Me. I guess," a voice said. Celestia turned to look at her. "Close Friend draws for her." Celestia said. "Doesn’t she have a grown daughter to do it for her, Carrot Top?" Although Celestia and everypony else in Ponyville knew the answer perfectly well, it was one of those questions of the Drawing that had to be asked formally. Celestia waited with an expression of polite interest while Carrot Top answered.
"Dinky is not but a filly." Carrot Top said regretfully. "Guess I have fill in for that silly pony this year."
"Alright." Celestia said. She made a note on her list. Then she asked, "Blue’s boy drawing for himself this year?"
A tall stallion in the crowd raised his hoof. "I’m here," he said. "I’m drawing for my mother and me."
He blinked his eyes nervously as he ducked his head as several voices in the crowd started up, things such as, "Good Luck, fellow." and "Glad to see your mother has got a stallion to do it."
"Well then," Celestia started, " I guess that's everypony. Did Granny Smith make it this year?"
"Here," a soft voice said. Granny Smith nodded.
A hush fell over the crowd of eager ponies as Celestia cleared her throat and gave the list one last look. "Are we all ready now?" she called. "Now, I'm going to read the names, heads of families and groups first, then come up and take a piece of parchment out of the crate. Keep that piece of parchment folded without peeking at it until everypony else has had their turn. Now is everything clear?"
The ponies had followed this ritual so many times that, at this point, only half listened to the words of Celestia, while most of them stayed quiet. Uneasiness fell over anypony that had not felt it. No pony was looking around.
Then Celestia raised one hoof high and said, "Ace." A Stallion moved himself from his family and made his way through the crowd and came forward. "How are you?" Celestia said. Ace replied. "Feeling fine." They grinned at one another nervously. Ace reached into the crate and took out a folded piece of parchment. He held it firmly by one of its corner as he turned and went hastily back to his place in the crowd. His new spot was a small distance from his family. Never looking down at his hoof.
"Aloe." Celestia said. "Lyra.... Junebug, Dr. Whooves." Slowly, she went down the list calling names, this continued for a while.
"Seems like there's no time at all between these drawings." Fluttershy said to Rainbowdash after Twilight had been called.
"Seems like that last one was only last week."
"Time sure moves fast, almost as fast as me.” Rainbowdash said with a weak grin.
"Mr Cake.... Lily" Celestia continued.
"Oh my... Twilight is coming back." Fluttershy said, shaking. She held her breath while Twilight made her way back.
"Ditzy," Celestia said, and Carrot Top went steadily to the crate while one voice called out. "Go on. Carrot Top!" and another said, "There she goes."
Celestia stopped for a moment, she then gave a look to Luna. Luna let out a heavy sigh and walked from the side of the box, greeted her sister gravely and selected a slip of parchment from the crate. By this time, all throughout the crowd there were many ponies holding the small folded pieces of parchment in their hooves. turning them over and over nervously. Twilight stood holding her piece, all five of her friends.
"I heard over Applelossa..." Apple Cider started to say to Granny Smith, who stood next to her, "Those ponies are talking of giving up on having Drawings."
Granny Smith snorted. "Pack of crazy foals," she said. "Listening to those youngin’, nothing is good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to gathering food - not growing it. No pony wants to work any more. Used to be a saying 'Drawing in June, apples be ready soon.' First thing you know, we'd all be eating berries and acorns. There's always been a Drawing." She said getting worked up. "Bad enough to see Celestia up there joking with everypony."
"Some places have already quit Drawings." continued Apple Cider.
"Nothing but trouble in that." Granny Smith said growing angerier. "Pack of young foals."
"I wish they'd hurry," Fluttershy said to her friends softly. "I wish they'd hurry." She was shaking a bit.
"They're almost through darling." Rarity said.
"You get ready to run and tell your mother, Dinky," Carrot Top said.
Celestia called her own name and then took a stepped forward precisely, grabbed a slip from the crate and stepped back. Then she called, "Apple."
"Seventy-seventh year I’ve gotten to been in a Drawing." Granny Smith said as she slowly made way through silent crowd. "Seventy-seventh time."
"Zecora." Celestia said letting out her breath.
Everypony knew that was the last name that would be called. There was a breathless pause, until Celestia held her parchment into the air.
“Alright everpony.” She called.
For a minute, no pony moved or made a noise. The only noise heard was pieces of parchment being opened. Suddenly a panic went through the crowd, all the voices asked one question,
“Who is it?”
“Who’s got it?”
One voice broke through, “It’s Twilight! Shes got it!”
“Go tell your mother.” Carrot Top said to Dinky.
Everypony began to look around to locate Twilight and her friends. Twilight with a blank expression standing quietly, staring down at the parchment in her hoof.
Suddenly Fluttershy shouted to Celestia, “Please Princess she didn’t have enough time to take one she wanted! It wasn’t fair!”
“Be a good sport, Fluttershy” A few voices said.
Luna finally said “ All of us had the same chance, no matter which was taken.”
“Fluttershy please stop.” Twilight said coldly.
"Well then, everpony," Celestia began, "That was done nicely, now we've got to wrap up in a slight haste to get done in time." She consulted her list again. "Twilight Sparkle my student." she said, "You drew for your group of friends. Are they the entire group you draw for, or is there more?"
"There is my parents.." Twilight said nervously. "I can’t remember if they count."
"It is alright Twilight. No, since they are still in Canterlot and your father would have drawn." Celestia said gently. "You should know as well as anypony else."
"It wasn't fair." Fluttershy muttered again.
"How many did you draw for, Twilight?" Celestia asked back in her formal way.
"six." Twilight replied faintly. "There is Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and me."
"All right, then," Celestia said. "Luna, can you give them each another piece of parchment?" Luna gave a slight nod and held up five slips of the parchment.
"Put them back into the crate," Celestia directed. "Take Twilight’s and put it in as well."
"I think we should have a redo," Fluttershy squeaked, as quietly as she could. "I tell it just didn’t seem fair. You could have give Twilight more time to choose. Everypony got more time."
Luna had selected the five slips of parchment to be used again and put them back into the crate. She dropped all of the others slips onto the ground. The light breeze caught them, lifting them off the ground.
"Please listen, everypony," Fluttershy was trying to get the attention of few the ponies around her.
"Ready, Twilight?" Celestia asked calmly. Twilight gave one quick glance to her friends and nodded.
"Remember," Celestia began again "Take one parchment out and keep it folded until the rest of your friends have taken one."
Luna levitated the box in front of each of them, for a brief second giving them time to choose.”Take a parchment out of the box." Luna said impatiently. Luna moved the box over to each of the friends slowly. Rainbowdash hesitated at first, she had never made it this far into the ritual.
“Please just pick one.” Luna had always hated this part, it seemed to drag on the longest.
Rarity was next down the small line of friends. Rarity had been to this part once before. Tears filled her eyes and she remembered the past experience. She couldn’t help but remember her little brother back when she drew with her family. She grabbed her parchment without a word as the tears began to flow.
Everypony else reacted in different ways none quick as extreme as rarity, this was always the most nerve racking part. The mixture of feelings made them wish they had drawn with their families rather than form a friends group, they all felt this but no one spoke. Twilight took hers, Applejack got hers, Pinkie Pie got hers as well.
"Fluttershy you have to choose." Celestia said. Fluttershy without protest put her hoof into the crate and reached around, taking the last piece that was left in the crate.
The crowd was quiet..
"It's not the way it used to be." Granny Smith said clearly. "No Pony is the way they used to be."
"All right," Celestia said, "Open the parchment."
All the friends opened their slips one at a time. Twilight opened hers first, she held it up showing it was blank, she let out a heavy sigh. Apple Jack took a deep breath and opened hers, she also held up a blank parchment. Pinkie Pie opened hers, without holding it up she beamed. As Rainbow Dash was opening hers a young voice could be heard, “I hope it isn’t Rainbow Dash.” She excitement but not a lot. Rarity held hers closed, she didn’t want to open it. The weight of lifetime was on Rarity’s as she opened her parchment.
“Come on we need to get this over.” Celestia said. “Rarity can you please open your parchment, it is just and Fluttershy now.”
Rarity began to open her parchment. Tears filled her eyes and she gazed onto the piece of paper. She slowly held it up to show it was blank.
“It’s Fluttershy” Celestia said, her voice was soft now. “Twilight can you get her parchment so we can see it.”
Twilight went over to Fluttershy who was as still as a stone., forcing the slip of parchment from her grasp. It has a small black spot on it, the black spot was put on by Celestia the night before. Twilight held it up and the crowd began to stir.
"All right, everypony." Celestia said slowly packing up. "Let's finish this quickly."
Although most of the ritual had been lost one key fact still remained, they still remembered to use stones. The pile of stones that had been made earlier was ready; there were stones on the ground mixed with the blowing scraps of parchment that had come out of the crate. All the ponies slowly began to collect the rocks, trying to get the biggest and roundest before anypony else. Some had larger, other had multiple small ones. Some didn’t have the stomach to participate or watch, and just left.
Fluttershy was in the center the cleared space. She held her hooves over her face,
“Please, it is not fair” her voice trailed off a blunt stone struck her in her side.
She fell to ground tears streaming her face, holding her now bleeding side where the rock had hit her. Another stone was thrown at great force.
Granny Smith could be heard over most of the crowd, “Come on, come on, everypony.”
“It just isn’t fair, it isn’t right.” Fluttershy screamed a the top of her lungs. Her many pleas were drowned out by the stones.
