A New Year

The music was blaring through Sugarcube Corner. Ponies were scattered into groups everywhere in the small space, crowding around the dancefloor and drinks tables. Some had split into smaller groups and, with some assistance of liquor, had began going red and laughing loudly at every sentence regardless of whether it was intended to be funny or not. Couples had found secluded spots to romanticize in, which was leading to some going upstairs for a more 'private party'. In the midst of all this, Rainbow Dash lent against a wall in the kitchen, enjoying a cool brooze that was coming through the open window in there. It was quieter in here, everyone else being in the main room or, if the noises upstairs were to be believed, very much otherwise occupied. Just as she closed her eyes to shut out some of the noise, a pink blur shot up to her in a hyper ball of energy. 'OHMYGOSH! I've been looking for you EVERYWHERE! I asked Carrot Top and Derpy and Doctor and -' She was cut off by a blue hoof, and happily continued to mumble to herself until she was asked to get to the point.

'Oh, well I figured since it was about to be midnight you'd stop being a sulky sulkerson and come join us for the countdown!' Her blue eyes remained happy and hopeful, unlike Rainbows current mood.

'Sure, Pinkie. Give me two minutes'.

'Okiedokeiloki!'. And with that, Pinkie shot off back into the main room, and was laughing loudly within seconds. Rainbow sighed. Only she had bothered to turn up here tonight, and was regretting it immediately. She loved a good party, but at the moment she felt like curling up and sleeping alone, rather than being grouped in with a bunch of ponies she didn't know. Sighing, as she made her way back to the party, she began to wonder how all her other friends were spending thier new years eve.

As fireworks went off, the nervous chitter of small animals got louder again, and Fluttershy found herself once again going around all the pens and holes, trying to calm them down with sweet words and food. It was cold out, but the energy she had put out running around constantly to tend to her friends was making her so warm she swore she would start steaming in the cold air soon. Having calmed them down, Fluttershy went inside to sit on her sofa in the centre of the room, glancing out the window. It would almost be midnight soon, and as the clocks counted down she wondered if she wouldn't be happier at Pinkie's party with all her friends. As another firework went off and the chitter resumed, she sighed knowing she had enough work to do for now.

Twilight gave an annoyed grunt as yet another firework split her concentration. Closing her curtains, she immediately returned her attention to the book and paper in front of her. Not a night to be studying she knew, but if she didn't finish work on this spell before next week she would start to encounter some real issues. As she began to go over the next paragraph, Spikes voice came back to her from earlier.

'Um, Twilight, why are you still studying? Pinkie's party is in an hour, and you promised her you would go'.

'I'm not going, Spike. I've got too much work to do'. The dragon seemed a little put-off by this, having expected to be joining his carer at the party and get a shot a kissing Rarity at midnight.

'Whats so important about a stupid book that can't wait?'. Twilight sighed, and turned to face him.

'If i don't have this spell fully researched and ready by next week, when the planned blizzard comes in we'll risk serious damage to the library, if not losing it all together. If i'm right, this spell should in theory protect us but I have to be completely sure before i cast it, or who knows what will happen!'. With this, she turned back to the book 'You can still go if you like, Spike. I'll be just fine here'.

The dragon shifted his feet uncomfortably, unsure what to do. 'I can't just go without you, Twilight...'. Twilight looked up from her book now to where the dragon was snoring soundly in his bed, having fallen asleep as soon as food was finished. She considered waking him up for midnight, but decided he earned his sleep. She turned her attention back to the book, Glancing at the pile of others similar that she would also have to go through. It promised to be a long night.

Rarity laughed a little too fakely at the joke she had just been told, but luckily enough her company did not seem to notice. She had been invited to another of Cantorlots balls by Hoity Toity, and knowing how good it could be for her business had decided to attend-wearing outfits she made suited for the occasion. Looking around at all the ponies gathered here, she got the distinct impression she did not belong, despite the fact they all seemed glad she had attended. Most here were rich folk from high society, while she in relfection was a dress-maker in a small town far from here. Taking a sip of her champagne and turning around, she noticed a hushed conversation between two ponies going on, with occasional glaces at her. Upon being noticed they both immediately went silent, before loudly going into an awkward conversation about the Wonderbolts show last week. Rarity closed her eyes and, taking a deep breath, turned back to her company to join in a conversation about current financial situations. She hoped being here and not with her friends would be worth it.

Applejack laid and stared at the sky, unlooking at the clear night sky. She had come to a private spot near the back of the farm, where in between the trees you could get a spectacular view of the moon. But she had not come here to sightsee, She had come here to reflect upon her current mood. 'Ah just wish...' she began to say to herself, and the thought cut her off that she didn't know WHAT she was wishing for. In the last three months or so, She had found herself feeling more empty than ever before, and despite her friends she felt more and more lonely, especially laying awake at night. After several sleepless nights she had taken to walking into town and looking about to admire the spendour of the sleeping houses, their occupants soundly sleeping and not troubled by such issues she faced. Applejack breathed out, watching the vapours fade into the sky as she absorbed herself in her thoughts. Ah just wish', she decided, 'That ah didn't feel so lonely no more'

As the countdown began, the many voiced echoed around Rainbows ears and formed a painful knot inside her head. Crushed and moved by the excitable ponies either side of her, she found it hard to join in with the festivities. Moving to the back and retreating to the sanctuary of the kitchen, She walked up to the window and stared at the night sky. As fireworks lit up the stars with vibrant colours and reflected off the moon, she found the words she felt she needed 'I just wish...That I didn't feel so lonely'