CYOA: A Day in Ponyville

You did it! You saved the party and are the hero. You feel like a million bits as you wander around the town square and the other ponies putting up the finishing touches.

Fluttershy steps up toward the stage, meekly climbing onto it. "Um, excuse me? Excuse me?" She looks around, pausing when she sees you. She gestures for you to come up. You gesture at yourself confusedly, then scramble up to join her with a new smile.

Fluttershy seems relieved, one of her hooves dropping into yours. "Thank you. I never feel good about speaking to a big crowd." She turns back towards the milling ponies below, some still setting up the rest of the party. "I just wanted to say, that, well. I'm thankful for everything all of you have done today."

She continues on as the ponies slow down, looking up at her. "I know it must seem like we're asking a lot. Pinkie does get in that, um, excited mood. She means the best, really." She shuffles her hooves across the stage. "I'm not sure why some of you chose to help her, but it's better if I just let her handle things. But I am thankful. We wouldn't have this party without all of you taking time out of your days."

The crowd stomped and clapped as she finished. You laugh lightly and clap for her as well. She blushes at the praise, trotting back down to your side. "And thank you." She rubs her muzzle against yours. "For being such a great friend."

You color at the attention. "You're welcome!" You glance away and back at her. "But they never said who this party was for."

She looks away with a giggle. "My birthday! Isn't it silly? I tried to tell Pinkie not to make a big deal of it, but, well. She always makes a big deal of everything."

You start, tail twitching. "Really?! Happy birthday!" Other ponies echo the sentiment around you. Fluttershy nearly falls over from the response, chuckling nervously.

"Well, thank you all! It really means a lot." She peeks up at you from between her forelocks. "I'm really sorry you had to go through so much trouble. Pinkie told me you got that scale, from a living dragon! An adult living dragon! I could never..." She sank to quiet a moment. "I'm sorry. You did all that for me. Just for my birthday. You didn't have to."

You hold up a hoof with a smile. "You don't need to apologize for anything. I'd do it again, but even harder if I had known it was for you. And the dragon was still alive when I got there and left."

Fluttershy perks up a little at that. "Really? That's good. I'd hate to think a poor dragon was hurt just for me. Um, not that dragons usually need protection. Or anyone, really. They're just big."

"They sure are!" You trot around her, waggling your eyebrows. "Maybe one day we can see one together?"

She flutters in place at that, giggling. "Only if they can't see me. Dragons are fierce creatures." She leaned in a little closer. "I could tell you a little about them?"

Hearing some dragon facts from Fluttershy? How does one deny that?

This has been a rewarding day in Ponyville.

The end.