The Ballad of Maxie Ruby Part 1: A New Friendship

by DarkMoxand12

Rating: everyone
Tags: Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure, Random, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Main 6, Romance, Princess Luna, Original Character
Length: 3166

Twilight Sparkle wasn't the only unicorn trained under Princess Celestia...

Maxie Ruby, Son of Captain Maximus Ruby, is a unicorn trained in Canterlot under both Princess Celestia and occasionally Princess Luna. He studies just as much as newly-made Princess Twilight Sparkle and like Twilight once before: he has no time to make friends. Princess Celestia now has Maxie to be mentored under Princess Twilight as her first royal assignment. With his small female dragon companion Cathleen at his side; it's unnerving to Maxie. Can Princess Twilight and her friends teach Maxie the magic of friendship in Ponyville like Twilight herself before him? His journey begins...

Published 2013-07-23 04:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-23 04:20:02 UTC

A New Pony, A New Legacy...

The royal city of Canterlot; a place of humble beginning and new tomorrows. About a month has passed since Twilight Sparkle became a Alicorn and Canterlots' new Princess. Since then; Princess Twilight has ruled side along Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Events around Equestria have been silent and threat-free. That was until...

"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" A loud scream was heard from a mile away. A orange stallion with a red flowing mane and red-orange mixed tail galloping frantically towards the castle with a small magenta dragon lying on his back covering her ears from the shrieking sound of her best friend.

"Maxie, could you scream any louder? I don't think they heard you in Saddle Arabia!!!!" The dragon screamed, annoyed at Maxie reactions.

"Sorry Cathleen, But how could you be calm at a time like this?" Maxie Ruby gasped. "Princess Celestia expected me to be at the castle almost two minutes ago. I'M LATE CATHLEEN!! LATE!!!" Maxie Ruby screamed out as he continued to sprint towards the castle. Cathleen raised an eyebrow.

"Really? You are tripping out over two whole minutes? It's not like the Princess is gonna like...punish you or something. The letter I just finished reading was that you needed to report to the castle for a important assignment as her student. Thus come as soon as possible...not at a certain time." Cathleen scowled.

"Oh hush up, my friend. We're here." Maxie soon arrived at the door to the Princesses Chamber. The royal guard Pegasi stood guard at the door as Maxie soon came to a sudden halt. Huffing and puffing; Maxie struggled to speak to the guard. "Maxie...*pant*...Ruby...here to...*gasp*....speak ...to the...*pant, pant, pant*." Maxie couldn't stop gasping for air as his lungs were on fire. Cathleen sighed and jumped off of Maxies' back; approaching the guard.

"Maxie has a royal assignment from Princess Celestia." Cathleen groaned as Maxie, right behind her kept gasping for air. The guards smiled at both Cathleen and the dramatic Maxie.

"You both may enter, The Princess is expecting you Maxie." One of the guard responded as both moved away from the door to let it open. Maxie was now on his back gasping for more air.

"Oh you are such a drama queen, Maxie." Cathleen laughed.

"I am not my sister, Cathleen." Maxie grunted as both Cathleen and Maxie walked into the Princesses Chamber.

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Soon, Maxie Ruby and Cathleen walked down towards the the Princesses throne. Both bowing down at the presence of the Princess of the Sun.

"Maxie Ruby, Cathleen. Wonderful to see you here again." Princess Celestia greeted as both Maxie and Cathleen rose back on their feet.

"Princess Celestia. You summoned me here. Anything you would like me to do? What is my bidding?" Maxie spoke ever so generous towards the Princess.

"Actually Maxie, I'm releasing you as my student so that-"

"WWWWWWHHHHHHAAAAATTTT????? Ohmygosh, I'm sorry Princess. Whatever I did wrong I want to make up for it the best way possible...Just please don't release meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." Maxie bowed and pleaded towards the Princess.

"Oh brother." Cathleen rolled her eyes.

"Oh Maxie, you certianly did not do anything wrong. I'm releaving you as my student and leaving you in the capable hooves of Princess Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia smiled.

"Princess Twilight? May I ask why, My Princess?" Maxie Ruby suddenly asked

"I have to travel to the Crystal Kingdom for a while. Cadence is having trouble with some of the local events." Princess Celestia sighed.

"Wait so...who's gonna lead the castle?" Maxie raised an eyebrow and scratched his mane.

"My sister Princess Luna, Knowing her now I'm sure she'll do a excellent job leading Equestria. As for you Maxie; I need you to pack your belongings because Princess Twilight will be waiting for you in Ponyville." Princess Celestia smiled. Maxie Ruby started pouting and grunting to himself.

"Ponyville? Come on Princess. You know I'm not good at socializing with other ponies. They are so quick to judge." Maxie slammed his face on the marble walking path.

"Uggh why is everything a excuse for you Maxie?" Cathleen shouted. "When it come to making friends you want to avoid trying."

The graceful Princess giggles and glided down towards Maxies' side. "Princess Twilight also had the same problem before I sent her into Ponyville and now she has many wonderful friends that even saved Equestria more than once with The Elements of Harmony." The Princess pointed her wing towards the stained glass windows of the events that has transpired with the Elements and its wielders.

"Hmm good point on that. But that's just one thing; how in the wide world is that gonna help me, Princess?" Maxie asked as the Princess smiled at his question.

"That's for you to find out Maxie. Now go home and pack your things, my student. You have a place waiting for you in Ponyville." The Princess ordered. As Cathleen jumped on his back, Maxie Ruby soon headed out the royal entrance galloping home to gather his belongings.

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Later; Maxie and his female dragon companion were on the Canterlot Express. Looking out the window; Maxie gazed into the sky.

"Hey," Cathleen said poking Maxie's leg. "Are you alright? You don't seem like you."

"Cathleen...I just don't feel right with this exchange. My family has know Princess Celestia for generations. My Great Great Great Grandfather fought by her side against King Sombra. Why would she give me up to Princess Twilight like that?" Maxie soon sighed at the thought.

"The Princess means well; you know she has royal duties to take care of. Don't worry...she'll still raise the sun." Cathleen smiled. Maxie soon had a small smirk.

"You always know how to make me feel better," Maxie responded. "Plus, I've never been in Ponyville before...I just hope the ponies aren't like...uptight."

"You worry too much Max." Cathleen said. "Hey look were here. Ponyville." As the train pulled up into the station; the whistle started to blow loud and the doors opened and both Maxie and Cathleen walked out onto the station.
"Ok so we are here now; Where do we stay at again?"

"Umm we'll be staying near the Ponyville Library. C'mon it's over here." Cathleen started to walk in town towards the large cottage a couple of houses away from SugarCube Corner and the Library. Walking through Ponyville; the mares and gentlecolts were pleasant enough along with the fillies filled with energy while playing. Soon; Maxie and Cathleen opened the door of the cottage to get settled in. A two-story building with furniture, a desk, a small shelf filled with books, a couch and a coffee table in the living room. Finally able to sit down on the couch; Maxie soon sighed again while Cathleen rolled her eyes.

"So...I heard Princess Twilight has an assistant named Spike. Another dragon a little older than me. You'll think he'll be cute?" Cathleen grinned and giggled.

"What the hay kind of question is that?! I'm not a girl dragon. You have your imagination my young, curious friend." Maxie giggled; leaning his face on his hoof. About to close his eyes; Maxie is disturbed by a knock on his door. "Who is that? Cathleen, can you get the door please?" Cathleen sprinted towards the door to open it.

"Maxie...I think this one is for you..." Cathleen soon tuned around towards Maxie with a sudden shocked look as Maxie raised a eyebrow towards his dragon companion.

"I Have To Do What Now?!"

Cathleen couldn't be more stunned at who appeared at the door. A small, male purple dragon soon stood before her as Cathleen started to blush.

"Oh hey! I've never seen you before. I'm Spike. What's your name?" Spike reached out his claw to grab Cathleen's. Cathleen just started daydreaming with an aura of hearts and flowers.

"Oh wow...He looks so handsome...His spikes, his kindness, his generosity...It's like what I dreamed..." Cathleen losing herself in her own world soon interrupted by hoof steps from Maxie walking towards the door; Cathleen soon scurried behind Maxie...blushing.

"What's wrong with her?" Spike scratched his head looking towards Maxie.

"Oh it's nothing," Maxie laughs. "Cathleen hasn't met any other dragons her age so she's kinda shy. I'm Maxie Ruby."

"Yeah I know. I'm Spike; assistant to Twi-I mean Princess Twilight Sparkle. She sent me over to Welcome you to Ponyville." Spike smiled.

"You're Princess Twilight's assistant? You sure are young still." Maxie snickered. "Anyway so what else can I do for you?"

"Well she also wanted you to have this letter." Spike soon opened his claw with the letter as Maxie used his levitation spell to open the letter.

"What's it say?" Cathleen's eyes grew wide.

"It's says, 'Dear Maxie Ruby, I've heard so much about you and your family history. It will be a honor for me to become your teacher. Considering that this is my first assignment of being a Princess from Princess Celestia herself. Anyways, I took a quick trip Canterlot and will be back around sunset. Hope to finally meet you. Princess Twilight Sparkle.' " Maxie raised an eyebrow. Cathleen then looks over back to Spike.

"So Spike...Will we see you again?" Cathleen tried to keep from stuttering.

" Yeah. Later this evening around 3. Oh! Also Pinkie Pie wants you to come to SugarCube Corner for a surprise." Spike smiles.

"Pinkie who?" Maxie scratched his head.

"Just go to SugarCube Corner in a hour. It's the bakery in town with the cupcake on top of the roof you can't miss it." Spike said. Cathleen blushed again and Maxie gave a small smirk.

"Alright thank you Spike. See ya at 3." Maxie waved to Spike dismissively as he walked out the door. Closing it behind him; he turns to Cathleen with a drooped face. "No."

"Oh c'mon Maxie. You need to relax and go to the surprise. It may be fun." Cathleen sighed.

"My idea of 'fun' is not being surprised. I mean what if this 'Pinkie Pie' is...off?" Maxie sat on his couch. Cathleen rolled her eyes.

"Really? Do you have to automatically assume that other ponies are off? You are so paranoid. You are going to the party with me weather you like it or not. Now freshen up; Trust me it'll be fun." Cathleen smiles and pushed Maxie off the couch towards the bathroom. Maxie groans and heads to the bathroom to 'freshen up' involving brushing his mane and brushing his teeth.
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An hour later; Maxie Ruby and Cathleen were nearly at the door at SugarCube Corner.

"This is the right place right?" Maxie observes the pink building.

"Yeah; the sigh does say SurgarCube Corner. Lets go in Maxie. The door is open you know?" Cathleen walks right in first hand.

"Will you slow down?!" Maxie galloped after her. While inside; it was dark all around. "I don't like this. Where is the light swich?" Maxie soon seen the nearest light switch and the lights flickered on. Soon an eruption of noise on many ponies surrounding Maxie and Cathleen.

SURPRISE!!!!!!!

Cathleen smiled. Maxie facehoofed.

"Hi. I'm Pinkie Pie and I threw this special party just for you!!!" Approached by the overjoyed Pinkie Pie; Maxie grinned disapprovingly.

"Hi how are you...?" Maxie tensed up.

"Weeeelllllll...Twilight told me that you were staying in Ponyville and to also become her student in magic which is really awesome and I wanted to throw this party so you can have a BIIIGGG smile and we also have cake, cookies, brownies, fudge, chocolate chip cookies and other goodies you might like and also would like to meet everypony here and I'm also having a dancing party outside with DJ PON-3 and Tech Beat later and I hope you can meet my best friends and hope they become your friends too along with everypony else here like Rarity, AppleJack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinki- wait I'm Pinkie Pie and by the way I hope you are having the best time here at the party so are you enjoying yourself? Are you? Are you? Are you?!" Pinkie Pie gave a speech that made Maxie want to stuff Brownies in his ears instead of eating them. Cathleen was enjoying ice cream cake near the goodies table.

"Well you are very interesting Miss Pinkie Pie...Um can I please have goodies now?" Maxie grinned so awkwardly at Pinkie as she slowly started to walk away from her.

"Go right ahead Maxie. It's your party after all." Pinkie started to skip jump her way to Vinyl Scratch and the outside party. Maxie soon was over at the goodie table grabbing ice cream and brownies from the stand.

"This party is a little pointless; I'd rather have this on my birthday." Maxie mutter to himself.

"Sounds like you're not having a good time Maxie." A blue female Pegasus with standing right next to him eating a piece of chocolate cake. Then looked over to Maxie.

"Well, not a big party person. But if life gives you cake; you gotta eat it." Maxie sighed.

"I'm Novelle. Welcome to Ponyville." Novelle smiled.

"Well thank you...It's different here in town. I came out from Canterlot on a new mission: To train under Princess Twilight Sparkle." Maxie said.

"Really? Your talent is also magic and sorcery?" Novelle smiled.

"Yeah, it's not much but it's a talent of mine." Maxie ate another piece of his brownie.

"Not much? Why think so lowly of yourself? You were trained under Princess Celestia herself like Princess Twilight." Novelle smiled. "You're gonna be great as Princess Twilight's student." Maxie blushed, flattered by her kindness. Novelle smiled. "Anyways I have friends outside waiting for me; I'd like you to meet them as well." Maxie's eyes widened.

"More ponies...to meet...um...ugh...err...Cathleen are you-" Maxie turns to Cathleen as she glares right into Maxie's eyes.

"Maxie, you need to make new friends. I'll be fine in here; Now GO!!" Cathleen shoved Maxie towards Novelle outside to the dancing circle.

"C'mon Maxie; you'll like these guys a lot." Novelle soon started flying towards her small group of friends near the middle of the lot. Sitting at a table was a small trio of ponies; enjoying the sweets of the get-together. Slowly gliding down towards them, Novelle guides Maxie towards the group. " I'd like you to meet my friends." Maxie grins; pretending that he's slightly interested.

"Sup new guy. I'm Summer Breeze," With her mane a yellowish color and her coat Capri; Summer Breeze did in fact look like...summer. "Nice of you to drop by in Ponyville. Heard you are Princess Twilight's new student...seems pretty lame though." Summer's smug smile soon gave Maxie a uncomfortable feeling in his gut.

"Summer..." Novelle facehoofed.

"I mean no offence but you're very two-dimensional. Like come on...you're so uptight and...you're from Canterlot right?" Summer ranted.

"Um...yes?" Maxie raised an eyebrow as Summer decides to invade his personal space.

"Well...cool story bro." Summer laughed. "Well I'll be back. I want soda." She zipped back into SugarCube Corner with her cup in hoof.

"Does she always-" Maxie started.

"Act like that? Oh yeah. You'll get used to it." The teal pony soon approached Maxie. "I'm Tech Beat. I'm...a DJ/Producer. Not as good as Vinyl Scratch but aiming to impress. *sigh* Such a fox..."

"Crush much?" Maxie laughed.

"I wouldn't say crush but..." Tech started blushing.

"Don't beat around the bush Tech." A red unicorn with an Afro laughed. "I'm Crimson Star by the way. I came from Canterlot myself only recently."

"Really? How recent?" Maxie asked.

"Last Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville. I've wanted to travel away from the Royal City for a while." Crimson grinned nervously. "Ever since the Nightmare Moon thing; I kinda wanted to stay here for a while."

"A change of atmosphere?" Maxie said.

"Yeah...Just a bit." Crimson gave a awkward glance. Maxie thought he was looking at him but he was really looking towards-

"Pinkie Pie!" Novelle smiled. Pinkie bounced around near Maxie while nearby Cathleen soon joined.

"Oh my gosh! Maxie! The Cake's were so nice to make this Ruby Encrusted Cupcake for me. It looks so tasty." Cathleen soon started to lick the icing from the cupcake.

"Hi! Enjoying yourself?!" Pinkie mashed her face right into Maxie's with a giant smile.

"Personal space." Maxie grinned.

"I like space too! Even though I've never been there before; but Princess Luna told me stories. How about you, do you like space Mr?" Pinkie soon jolted towards Crimson's face.

"Err...Emm...Umm...Uhhh...*gasp*..." Crimson blushed. (If anypony could see it. He's Red!)

"You don't look too good. Maybe you should see a Doctor. Lalalalalalalala..." Pinkie soon skipped off towards the dancing area of the party. Crimson soon dropped to the ground on his back; pale as a sheet of paper in the face.

"Is he gonna be alright, Novelle?" Maxie turned to the slightly snickering blue mare.

"Don't worry he'll be ok. Now I believe we have a party to get back to-" Soon interrupted by Cathleen who soon burped up a scroll.

"Maxie. It's a letter from...Princess Twilight." Cathleen handed the letter to Maxie. Using his levitation spell, he opened the letter to read it.

"Dear Maxie, I hope you're enjoying your party. It was especially planned by me but Pinkie Pie wanted to add a few touches to it. Anyway I'll be arriving in Ponyville in 5 minutes. See you soon. Princess Twilight Sparkle." Maxie reread then his face soon turned pale. "Oh no..."

"Here we go..." Cathleen rolled her eyes.

"5 MINUTES?!!! CATHLEEN; WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE PRINCESS IS POSITIVE THAT WE CAN HANDLE THIS ASSIGNMENT!!!" Maxie frantically scurried around in circles.

"Maxie it's not a big deal..." Cathleen said.

"IT'S A HUGE DEAL CATHLEEN!!! HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE PRINCESS LIKES ME OR NOT? WHAT AM I NOT WORTHY!! WHAT AM I WORTHLESS IN HER EYES??!!" Letting out deep breaths; Maxie still continued to panic while all the surrounding ponies soon grew silent and stared towards the paranoid pony.

"Maxie..." Novelle whispered.

"MAYBE I NEED TO TAKE A TEST ONCE SHE ARRIVES!!! MY LIFE IS RUINED!!!!!" Maxie soon fell face front after tripping over the chairs near the tables. He soon peeks upward and realizes that he's was under Princess Twilight.

"Um Maximus Ruby...right?" Twilight asked. Maxie quickly jumped back on his feet to face his new mentor.

"Princess Twilight...Terribly sorry for the sudden panic attack...Yes I am Maximus Ruby the Third but everyone calls me Maxie for short." Maxie smiles nervously.

"Oh hello there. Please just call me Twilight. I'm still getting used to this Princess thing." Twilight laughs.

"No big deal... " Maxie grins.

"I would have came by later but I have a urgent assignment for you given to me by the Princess. Changelings have been spotted in areas of the Everfree Forest. I'm not sure that they are a 100% threat but I was informed that we needed to check." Twilight said. Maxie had a weird look frozen on his face.

"I have to do WHAT NOW?!"