Element of Faith

Chapters

Friendship is Magic: Part 1
Friendship is Magic: Part 2
The Ticket Master
Applebuck Season
Griffon the Brush-Off
Boast Buster
Dragonshy
Look Before You Sleep
Bridle Gossip
Swarm of the Century
Winter Wrap Up
Call of the Cutie
Fall Weather Friends
Suited for Success

Friendship is Magic: Part 1

None of this is mine. It all belongs to Hasbro. I only own Fairy Wishes.

This was awful. Downright awful. I was supposed to be getting a special paint sent in from Trottingham, the exact color I needed to finish my painting for a very important client, and Ditzy dropped the box holding it! To say I was mad was an understatement. It took everything I had not to hurt Ditzy, I knew she was trying her hardest but UGH that mare sometimes pushed my buttons.

Breathe Fairy, breathe.

Using my lavender magic I quickly picked up the box and cleaned up the paint that spilled out.

“Fairy I’m sorry about all of this.” Ditzy apologized. Again. “I know how much you wanted this paint and I messed it up again.”

“Don’t worry about it Ditzy. I can still use this paint, just not as much as I could have. See you when I get a letter!” I cheered as I walked back into my house. It was one of the many Ponyville houses stretched out from Town Square and that old tree nopony uses.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Fairy Wishes. I’m a unicorn with a chocolate brown mane with midnight blue streaks, curled of course, and a caramel coat. My eyes are the same color as a lilac. I have a cutiemark of sparkling dark pink heart with a golden six point star resting in the center.

My life’s goal was to sell a painting into an art gallery in Prance. With all the other artists. Hopefully I'm not too far from meeting it. I also worked as a Decorator, helping ponies redecorate their homes. I worked part time as I decorator but I was an artist first and foremost. Decorating just put food on the table.

The painting was for the Summer Sun Celebration tomorrow. The scene was of ponies playing out by the Ponyville Park, each of them dancing in the light of sun. The paint was a shade of blue I needed for one of the ponies whom was left blank on the canvas.

I just had to finish it for the Princess and I would be a Somepony in the Art World.

My stomach rumbled as I finished the painting. Lunchtime already? It was a good thing I already finished the painting or I would’ve been screwed. Using a quick paint drying spell I trotted to the kitchen, got a daffodil sandwich, and trotted out the door with my painting in tow.

Just before I got to the Meeting Hall I noticed a chariot fall from the sky. Without another second’s delay I moved the painting as the ponies inside came to view.

The pony was a unicorn mare. Her coat was a darker shade of purple than my eyes, her mane and tail were midnight with purple and hot pink streaks. Her cutiemark was a large pink six point star with six white mini six point stars around it. She looked unhappy about something. Her friend was what almost made me drop the painting.

A purple and green dragon.

Normally, I would've gotten to know this dragon before fearfully running off. But seeing how I had a stressful morning, I wasn't feeling entirely myself.

Running into the Meeting Hall, I saw my only friend since coming to Ponyville.

Rarity.

She looked the same as always. Her coat was white as fresh snow on Hearth Warming’s. She said it was always a pain to keep clean when the Lead Weather Pony made it rain. Her cutiemark was still three small diamonds, which she received on her first costume design.

She had blue eyes staring hard at a design she was currently working on. A flag for the Princess. The curls she had always made me jealous, the color was a royal purple that I always had trouble finding for a painting.

“Rarity.” I said, relieved to see a familiar friendly face.

“Oh Fairy Wishes! How good it is to see you darling! Tell me do you think this flag should be Rose Red or Ocean Blue?”

“Blue. Definitely Ocean Blue.” I told her. Rarity looked at my painting and smiled.

“Why darling that painting is marvelous!” She cheered. I know I blushed underneath my coat.

“Thanks, I’ve been working on it for almost two months. Finally got the right paint to finish it.” I explained.

“But dear Fairy I have to get this flag done before tomorrow. I think the set up a place for the painting right over there underneath the flag of an apple tree.” Rarity pointed out. “And if it isn’t any trouble dear could you help me in finishing the flags?”

“Of course, what else would I do? Fly?” This got a small chuckle from Rarity.

For the next hour Rarity and I got to finish the decor. Rarity got in the zone so I was sent to my own thoughts. My job in helping Rarity was to hang finished flags with my magic while she got to make the next one.

As she chose which bow to hang up on one of the columns, that mare from earlier walked in. Looking like that party pony. Her once calm mane was poofed, twirled, stretched, you name it her hair became it. I tried to not laugh.

“Decorations. Beautiful.” Said the dragon. I hid behind a curtain.

“Yes. The decor is coming along nicely. This outta be quick. I’ll be at the library in no time.” The unicorn reasoned.

“Not the decorations. Her...” Celestia tell me this dragon wasn’t crushing on my friend.

“No. No. No. AH goodness no.” Rarity said, not even knowing she said it out loud probably.

“How are my spines? Are they straight?” The dragon asked.

“Good afternoon.” The mare said.

“Just a moment please. I’m in the zone as it were. Aw yes, sparkle always does the trick. Rarity you are a talent. Now...um... how can I AHHH!” Rarity probably got a look at that mane. Peeking out from around the curtain, I saw she did. “Oh my stars darling whatever happened to you’re...?” Another Prench word that Rarity said that I didn’t know. Rarity

did love fancy stuff.

“Oh, you mean my mane? Well it’s a long story. I’m just here to check on the decorations then I’ll be out of your hair.” Uh oh.

“MY HAIR! What about YOUR hair?!” Rarity said dramatically. She then proceeded to push the poor mare away while the dragon just drooled.

“Wait where are we going? HELP!”

I laughed silently as the poor mare was dragged to her fate.

Little did I know that pink pony I mentioned earlier grabbed me and dragged me to the old tree that didn’t look so

old anymore. It looked pretty decent actually.

After an hour of waiting, the door opened and the purple mare walked in.

“SURPRISE!” I had learned earlier this was a surprise party for the new mare. She didn’t know this of course but didn’t give us a cheerful greeting. Her mane was back in the state in which I first saw her in.

Pinkie walked right up to her and yelled surprise again.

“I’m Pinkie Pie and I threw this party just for you! Were you really surprised? Were you? Were you? Huh? HUH?”

“Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet.” The mare complained.

“Silly, why would a party be quiet? I mean DUH boring!” I didn’t really catch the rest but I did catch the mare gasping and running up the stairs.

Pinkie had apparently let her drink hot sauce.

The party lasted well into the night stretching into the morning hours. Pinkie had games galore. I talked with Rarity some more and she explained to me some stuff about the mare. Her name was Twilight Sparkle and she was from Canterlot. That was basically all I got because then Rarity went on and on about how amazing Canterlot was.

At one point during the party I managed to sneak away to try and talk with this Twilight Sparkle. She immediately used her magic to teleport me away. But I kept a strong front. All ponies deserve the benefit of the doubt.

The time had come for the Summer Sun Celebration to begin. Ponies liked my painting. They liked Rarity’s designs a lot too. A timid yellow pegasus got her birds to play as the Mayor walked out to introduce the Princess.

Twilight looked a little nervous though, especially after the Princess didn’t show.

We were starting to get panicked.

“I love guessing games! Is she hiding?” Pinkie asked.

“SHE’S GONE!” Rarity yelled from the balcony.

Okay, now we can panic.

“Oh she’s good.” Pinkie said. Failing to notice our Princess was gone!

I saw the dark blue smoke appear and was quickly replaced by a black alicorn that would definitely give me nightmares for weeks.

“My little ponies, how good it is to see you.” She cooed.

“What did you do to our princess?!” A rainbow maned pegasus yelled, an orange earth pony stopped her from attacking this beast.

“Am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am?” The alicorn asked

“More guessing games! Pokey Smokes, how bout Queen Meanie? OH OH BLACK SNOOTY!” The orange mare stuffed an apple in her mouth.

The black alicorn flew over to the yellow pegasus.

“Does my title no longer count now that I’ve been imprisoned for a thousand years?” She flew up to Rarity, “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” I was having a hard time seeing this mare in a good light.

“I did. And I know who you are. You’re the Mare in the Moon. Nightmare Moon.” Gasps.

“Well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I’m here.” We all turned to Twilight.

“You’re here to...to...to.*GULP *.”

“REMEMBER THIS DAY PONIES FOR IT SHALL BE YOUR LAST! THE NIGHT SHALL LAST FOREVER!”

This so can’t be good.

Friendship is Magic: Part 2

Still don't own any of this. all goes to Hasbro. I'm innocent.

Nightmare Moon continued cackling insanely.

The mayor alerted, "Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!" The royal guards charged at her.

"Stand back you fools!" Nightmare Moon warned as the hasty scene occurred. Her eyes glowed and she laughed once again while bolts of lightning attacked the royal guards.

Nightmare Moon then transformed into a mist of darkness and bolted out the door while every pony could only stare and gasp. The pony with the rainbow mane managed to free herself from the orange pony's grasp and chase after Nightmare Moon, stopping outside. Twilight Sparkle raced outside with her dragon it tow.

While I was freaking out about the Eternal Night. I noticed Twilight run off. She knew a little too much about all of this so I followed, apparently Rarity and a few others joined in with me.

We followed her to the library. The rainbow pegasus interrupted Twilight's panicking.

"And just what ARE the elements of harmony?" She screamed in Twilight's face. "And how did YOU know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a SPY?" The rainbow pony yelled just before the orange pony grabbed her tail.

“Slow down Sally, she ain’t no spy but she sure knows somethin' don't ya Twilight?" Applejack asked. The six of us circled her.

Twilight looked at us, then lowered her head.

"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her. But I don't know what they are, where to find them. I don't even know what they do!"

Elements of Harmony? I thought I saw that book last week. Now where was it? I remember!

"Element of Harmony: A Reference Guide." Pinkie Pie and I said as we both found the book and were knocked over by Twilight.

"How did you find that?!" She asked us.

"It was under E!" Pinkie cheered.

"What she said." I answered. Twilight simply rolled her eyes at both of us.

"Oh" Twilight pulled the book out with her magic.

"There are seven Elements of Harmony but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth and seventh are a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five Elements was the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. It is located in what is now The Everfree Forest."

All of us, minus Twilight, gasped.

"The Everfree? That place is scary." Came the yellow pegasus.

"It's full a timberwolves." The orange earth pony.

"I heard that it's so dark that even in the day there's no light in it." I said.

Despite our warnings, Twilight went towards it. The six of us followed.

"Rarity do you think this is a good idea?" I asked her.

"Of course darling. Twilight needs all the help she can get." Rarity told me as we followed the purple unicorn.

Once we arrived we all waited by the forest for a moment. I was scared out of my fur.

"Wee! Let's go!" Pinkie cheered. Twilight stopped her.

"Not so fast. Look I appreciate the offer, but I really need to do this on my own." Yeah right.

"No can do Sugarcube," The orange pony said, "we sure ain't letting any friend a our's go into that creepy place alone!" Twilight made a face of disgust.

"Yeah. Besides, the more the merrier!" I cheered.

"We're stickin to you like caramel on a candy apple." The rest of us nodded and began walking into the forest.

"Especially if there's candy apples involved!" Pinkie said. I gave a small giggle. The yellow pegasus did too. "What? Those things are good!"

Twilight conceded and let us be.

After a little walking time, I thought we should all introduce ourselves.

"My name is Fairy Wishes, what are you all called?" I asked them.

"My name is Rainbow Dash, don't wear it out!" Said the rainbow pegasus above my head.

"Applejack, mighty kind to meet ya Fairy." The orange earth pony.

"You already know this, my name is Rarity. And it's a pleasure to meet the rest of you." Rarity said in her sophisticated voice.

"I'm Pinkie Pie!"

"I'm Fluttershy." The pegasus said in a barely audible whisper.

"What about you?" I asked Twilight Sparkle. "It's nice to meet you." She groaned.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle. I live in Canterlot. I came here to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration." Wow. Somepony was having a bad day.

"So none of you have been in here before?" Twilight asked from the head of the group.

It had been around five minutes since we all introduced ourselves. We also managed to form a single file line.

"Why heavens no, just look at this place. It's dreadful!" Rarity dramatically explained.

"And it tain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria." Applejack explained.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked.

"Nopony knows." Rainbow Dash said as she flew creepily out of the darkness, "you know why?" She began to crawl towards Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie and me.

"Rainbow quit it!" Applejack yelled. Rainbow Dash went on as if Applejack said nothing.

"Because everypony who’s ever come in has never. Come. OUT!"

The rocks beneath my hooves fell.

I screamed loudly but Fluttershy caught me. When I was placed back in the ground I noticed Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight were missing.

"Does anypony see Twilight?" I asked Pinkie and Rarity.

"Look!" Rarity pointed her hoof up and I saw Applejack holding Twilight off a cliff. Rainbow and Fluttershy floated below them. Twilight suddenly let go and was caught by both pegasi.

Twilight nearly fell again.

"Sorry girls. I'm not used to holding more than a bunny." Fluttershy explained as they came to the ground.

"Thank Celestia you're alright." I said as we ran to Twilight.

"Yeah, thanks. Let's get going."

When Applejack rejoined the group we trotted on towards the Castle.

Rainbow Dash had been going on for the past minute about how she saved Twilight. She flew over us showing us just how they saved Twilight.

Finally Twilight stopped her.

"I know Rainbow Dash I was there and I'm very grateful but we really gotta-AH!"

A huge manticore showed up right in our path.

"A manticore we gotta get past him!" Twilight ordered.

He jumped on front of Rarity, who gave him a swift buck to the face.

"Take that you ruffian!" The manticore roared in her face and ruined her mane. "MY HAIR!" Rarity cried as she ran back towards me and used her magic to try and fix her mane.

Applejack began riding the manticore liked a crazed pony.

"wait." I turned and saw Fluttershy.

"What is it Fluttershy?" I asked her.

"I was trying to stop them. I think I know what to do." She explained. "Wait." Rainbow began to attack the manticore.

It knocked her down.

"I think now would be a good time to show off that plan Fluttershy." I told her as it looked like everypony was about to charge him.

"WAIT!" Fluttershy yelled as she flew into the path of the mares. They all stopped.

Fluttershy trotted up to the manticore. The mares flinched but I stared on.

"It's okay," Fluttershy cooed. The manticore revealed a thorn in his paw. "Oh your poor little baby."

"Little?" Rainbow questioned.

"Oh, this might hurt for just a second." Fluttershy comfort as she pulled the thorn out.

The manticore roared again and grabbed Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy!" The others yelled.

I almost laughed when they stopped their resumed charge as the manticore licked Fluttershy's mane.

The manticore but Fluttershy down as we all trotted past. Fluttershy's mane was stuck up from where the manticore licked it.

“My eyes need a rest from all this mucky gunk.” Rarity complained. I rolled my eyes at my friend of four years. We trotted into a pitch black part of the woods. "I didn't mean that literally."

"The ancient ruin could be right in front if our faces and we wouldn't even see it." Twilight grumbled.

The others spouted arguments.

Until we began to notice the scary faces inside of the trees.

The seven of us screamed. Ending up in a group

Huddle to hide from the red scary faces.

I heard Pinkie start laughing.

"Pinkie, what are you doing? Run!" Twilight yelled as Pinkie kept making funny faces at the trees.

"Aw girls don't you see?

"When I was a little filly and the sun was going down!"

"Tell me she's not." Twilight started as Pinkie jumped in front of her.

"The darkness and the shadows they would always make me frown!"

"She is." Rarity said flatly.

"And it's pretty good." I commented

"I'd hide under my pillow, from what I thought I saw.

But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way you deal with fears at all!"

"Then what is?" Rainbow yelled.

"She said 'Pinkie ya gotta stand up tall! Have ta face your fears

You'll see that they can't hurt you just laugh to make them disappear! Ha ha ha." the scary face she laughed at vanished.

*GASP*

"So, giggle at the ghostly

Guffaw at the grossly

Crack up at the creepy

Whoop it up with the weepy

Chortle at the kooky

Snortle at the spooky"

I was too busy laughing to hear the rest of the song. Soon all the faces were gone and all seven of us were roping around laughing.

We finally walked away from the scary trees, I kept laughing with Pinkie. A part of me was a little scared about all of this but that laughter made me feel better. I sure hope we find this castle soon.

"Just great, a bridge!" Twilight shouted from the front of the group.

It wasn't just a bridge. It was a rotted, plank missing, hanging over a deep cavern with seemingly no end bridge.

"Hello Ponies." Came a voice above my head. We all looked up and saw a creepy ghost thing wearing a tattered coat over his fur. He floated over the bridge and gestured to it.

"The path starts up just on the other side of this bridge."

"This bridge couldn't hold a feather let alone seven ponies!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"I'll catch anypony if she falls."

Oh good. Now we're safe.

And no. That wasn't sarcasm.

I began trotting toward the bridge when a white hoof blocked me.

"Fairy what are you doing?" Rarity asked me.

"Crossing the bridge." I said flatly.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Twilight said. "If the bridge collapses with you on it you'll fall to the bottom."

"But he said he'll catch me. Didn't you hear him?" I told them all. They all stared at me like I had grown a third eyeball. "Come on, let's just cross the bridge." Nopony moved. "Fine. If nopony will, then I guess I'll just go by myself. Nopony is gonna stop me."

I gulped as I took one step onto the bridge. Not falling to my death, I went on as if the bridge was brand new.

"The bridge is fine girls. Just come aAHH!" The plank snapped and I fell.

"FAIRY WISHES!" Rarity screamed.

My chocolate brown mane with midnight blue streaks blew in front of my eyes as I fell. During the fall I hoped the creepy ghost stallion would catch me.

Just when I thought I was gonna crash I felt myself stop and somepony's hooves holding me up.

Opening my eyes I found it was the Stallion.

"Thank Celestia." I breathed out as the Stallion cared me to the other side of the bridge. "Mares come on! We don't have all day!" I shouted across the cavern.

Rainbow flew over, the rest were simple carried when they fell just like I was by Stallion.

Rarity wrapped her hooves around my neck when she came across last.

"Why did you do something so dangerous? That stallion could've just let you drop and then I would've lost you! How did you know he was telling the truth!" She cried into my fur.

"I didn't. Rarity, sometimes we just need to show a little faith in ponies. No matter how scary they look." I told her as we trotted on. Pinkie even waved to the ghost as it left our sight.

I led the group away from the bridge, stopping quickly when we ended up at a river.

Before I could ask what we do I heard something crying.

Following it, we found a purple river serpent with orange hair.

"Excuse me sir, why are you crying?" Twilight asked him.

"Well I don't know. I was just swimming along minding my own business when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just wisped on by and took half of my beloved mustache off! And now I look simple horrid!" Stallion, this guy was just as bad as Rarity.

The serpent splashed down. The water landed on us.

"Ah gimme a break." Rainbow growled.

"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack asked. I could almost sense Rarity tearing up at the loss of hair.

"Why of course it is!" There she goes. "How can you be so insensitive?" Rarity went on about the shame of losing the mustache.

I almost trotted up to her when out of nowhere she pulled a purple scale from the serpent and cut off her tail!

"Rarity!" I yelled.

With her magic Rarity placed the tail in place of the facial hair.

The water calmed and the serpent offered to help us across.

Rarity looked like she was going to burst at the loss of her tail. But she said it would grow back.

"So would the mustache." Rainbow whispered to us as the seven of us went on.

Of course. Another thing blocking our path. A fogged over bridge. Rainbow flew across as go clear the path and tied the end to the posts.

She was taking longer than she should've.

Twilight yelled across the cavern for her and Rainbow finally cleared the fog.

This place was older than Granny Smith. Vines hung every which way, dust filled the air. Finding the elements was easy, Rainbow and Fluttershy flew all five down.

Twilight said that the book said a spark would bring the sixth element and the sixth would bring the seventh.

She told us she would need some peace to create the spark.

While we waited we heard Twilight gasp. We ran in after her and she disappeared with the elements.

"Where'd she go?" Pinkie asked.

I looked over and saw some lights coming from a tower.

"Look!" I pointed towards the tower.

"Come on ya'll. Let's go get Twilight." Applejack said as we ran up in the direction of the tower.

We soon arrived to find Twilight and the crushed remains of the Elements. Nightmare Moon was laughing evilly at our defeat.

"But the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!"

"Applejack, who reassured me when i was in doubt, represents the Spirit of Honesty!" Shards in an orange glow floated towards Applejack.

"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the Spirit of Kindness." Pink shards floated to Fluttershy.

"Pinkie Pie, who laughed in the face of danger, represents the Spirit of Laughter." Blue shards flew over towards Pinkie Pie.

"Rarity, who calmed a sultry serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the Spirit of Generosity." Purple shards went over to Rarity.

"Rainbow Dash, who stood by her friends even when gifted with her heart's desire, represents the Spirit of Loyalty." Red shards magically moved to the rainbow colored pegasus.

"All five got us thru every challenge you threw at us.

“You still don’t have the sixth!” Yelled Nightmare. "The spark didn't work!"

"But it did…" The purple pony replied. " A different kind of spark…I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you… to see you…how much I cared about you… the spark ignited inside of me… when I realized you all… are MY friends!"

Suddenly, the sixth element came down upon her, showing brightly.

"You see Nightmare Moon… when those elements are ignited by the… the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element. The element of… MAGIC!" A bright flash and an orb with a six point star appeared, glowing over all our heads.

"But you still forgot the Seventh Element!" Nightmare Moon shouted.

"No I didn't." Twilight said. I felt myself wrapped in magic and carried to the group.

"Fairy Wishes, she crossed the bridge knowing that it would break and a creature would catch her simply by him telling her he would. Even when the rest of us told her against it. This shows her as the Element of Faith!"

A white flash revealed another orb like the ones from downstairs but with a heart carved into it. It floated to right above my head and started to glow a lime green.

Suddenly the orbs and the shards begun to glow brightly. I felt a strange feeling around me, one I had only felt once before.

Complete Peace.

I floated up as I felt the orb above my head fill. The others were looking the same and a beautiful rainbow appeared and headed towards Nightmare Moon.

"NNNNOOOOOOO!" She screamed as the rainbow hit her.

I felt dizzy as I stood back up. Looking at the others I saw they were alive.

"Everypony alright?" Applejack asked. Rarity gasped.

"Your tail!" I shouted.

"Why, Rarity. It's so lovely!"

"I know! I'll never part with it again!"

"No, your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark!"

"Oh! So does yours!"

"Look at mine! Look at mine!"

"Aww! Yeah!"

Rarity had a purple diamond on the golden necklace, shaped like her cutie mark. Fluttershy had a light pink butterfly like hers, Rainbow Dash had a red lightning bolt, Pinkie had a turquoise balloon and Applejack had an orange apple.

Twilight had a tiara with her cutiemark as the gem. A dark pink six point star.

But what did I have?

"Fairy, you have a tiara as well!" Rarity said while pointing a white hoof at me, the others gasped.

Looking up I saw a lime green heart with a golden casing on my head. Just like my cutiemark of a dark pink heart with a yellow six point star shining inside it.

"Did you really mean all that stuff you said about us Twilight?" I asked her.

"Yes I did." Twilight said. A burning in my eye told me I was about to cry.

"Gee Twilight, I thought you were just spouting a lot of hooey… but I reckon… we really do represent the elements of friendship!" Applejack exclaimed.

Suddenly, a light appeared. "Indeed you do…"

Princess Celestia appeared in front of us from a ball of light! Everypony bowed.

However, Twilight spoke. "Princess Celestia!" She ran over to the princess as the princess replied.

"Twilight Sparkle! My faithful student." Princess Celestia said in a very heartwarming voice. "I knew you could do it!"

"But…" Twilight responded. "You told me it was all a pony tale."

"I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew you had the magic inside to defeat her. But you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart." Wow. That’s a beautiful statement.

"Now if only another will is well…" They looked over to the defeated pony. "Princess Luna…"

The defeated pony was startled when Princess Celestia began walking towards her.

"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this… time to put our differences behind us… we're meant to rule together, little sister."

"Sister!?" We questioned.

"Will you accept my friendship?" Princess Celestia asked Princess Luna.

Everypony leaned forward, even having Pinkie Pie fall towards the floor.

"I'm so sorry!" Princess Luna exclaimed. "I missed you so much, big sister!"

"I've missed you too!" Princess Celestia replied. Both the princesses were in tears.

However, Pinkie Pie began crying and blowing into a tissue, loudly. Suddenly, her tone shifted and she exclaimed, "Hey! You know what this calls for? A PARTY!" We all laughed at Pinkie, she threw a party every other day.

The journey back to Ponyville was much more exciting than the journey to the Castle. When we arrived the sun was raised and the entire town was waiting for us. Two little pegasi fillies placed a flower necklace on Princess Luna.

Looking over at the girls I saw Twilight sad.

"Spike, take a note, please." Princess Celestia ordered politely.

The baby dragon, who must have been Spike, took out his tools for writing as Princess

Celestia began speaking.

"I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new journey for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville!"

The six of us gathered around her and cheered.

"Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before!" Twilight exclaimed.

Every other pony cheered and the party resumed.

I finally had friends that fill me with more faith than I could ever hope for.

The Ticket Master

I OWN ONLY FAIRY WISHES. The rest goes to Hasbro

Five Days. Five Whole Days. This is how long the seven of us have been friends. Pinkie Pie had decided to give us a party a little after the Princesses left.

A get to know each other type party.

Rainbow Dash apparently worked head on the Weather Team in Ponyville. Applejack owned Sweet Apple Acres, the best apples in Equestria were grown there. Fluttershy worked with animals all day long and Twilight Sparkle was going to live in the library.

About a week after the Celebration, Applejack said she needed help on the Acres because of a bet she made with her brother, Big Macintosh, that she could harvest all of the 'Golden Delicious' Apples by lunchtime.

Apparently if she did, he would walk down Straw Street wearing one of Granny Smith's girdles.

Twilight, Spike and I arrived to help.

“Thanks yah’s fer helping with the applebucking.” Applejack greeted me as I trotted up with two baskets of apples.

“It was nothing Applejack, I’m sure you and the others would do the same for me.” I told her.

"No...Nope...” Turning around, I noticed Twilight walking over with Spike. He was tossing some of the other apples out of the two bushels Twilight had collected.

"Hiya Twilight, I was just tellin' Fairy how happy I am that ya could help." Applejack explained.

"No problem at all Applejack." Twilight told her. "I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this work is making me hungry."

"Me too, and working with these apples doesn't really help."

"I know right?" Spike said, ridding an apple on Twilight's head.

"Have you even done anything besides throwing apples?" I asked the dragon.

"I've been working!" Spike exclaimed.

"Pah lease Spike, you've been sitting on my back all morning while the three of us worked!" Twilight explained as we carried our full baskets towards the Barn.

"Exactly, you three are taking so long I missed snack time!" He complained.

*growl* *growl*

Both Twilight and I's stomach growled loudly.

"I guess you have a point." I agreed.

"We should probably get something to eat." Twilight reasoned.

"No problem." Spike began the no's again until he pulled out a really beautiful red apple.

"Wow, that looks really-"

*crunch*

"-good..." I trailed off as the dragon at the apple. I kinda laughed at it for a second.

"Spike!" Twilight yelled.

"What?"

"Nothing." I quickly said.

*burp*

A letter in the form of green fire. I learned a while ago this was how Twilight talked with the Princess.

Dragon Burp.

*ahem*"Hereye, Hereye, the Grand Royal Highness Princess Celestia of Equestria is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent city of Canterlot on the 21st Day of yadda yadda yadda"

This letter was very long winded.

"...cordial extends an invitation to you to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest!"

Grand galloping Gala? That huge 'party' thrown by the fanciest of the fanciest for the fanciest of the fanciest?

My two new friends gasped.

"THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA!"

They both turned into teenagers, bouncing around like Pinkie on a sugar high.

Or maybe just regular Pinkie.

*burp*

Two tickets covered in gold, oh yeah. Nothing says 'fancy invite' like having a dragon burp it out.

"Look! Two tickets!"

"Wow great! I've never been to the Gala? Have you Spike?"

"You would've had to been with him Twilight. So I'm pretty sure that answer is no." I said, trying not to laugh at them for their little 'Pinkie Moment'.

"And I plan to keep it that way!" The dragon cheered. "I don't want any of that 'frilly frilly frou-frou nonsense."

"Aw...come on Spike! A dance would be nice."

"For who?" I silently asked. All three seemed to ignore my comment.

"Nice? It's a heap more than just 'nice'. I'd love to go!" Applejack got a dreamy look on her face. "Land sakes! If I had an apple stand set up... ponies'd be charging up fer it til the cows came home! Do ya have any idea the business I could drum up fer Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money we could do a heap of fixin' up around 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! Why I'd give my left hind leg to go to that Gala."

Now that she mentioned it, the roof did look a little saggy.

"Oh, well in that case. Would you like to-?"

"WOAH!"

"Rainbow!" I yelled as she nearly fell onto of me.

She did, however, fall on Twilight and Applejack. Making them spill the apples.

"Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?!"

Why did I have the strange feeling something would go wrong?

Not wanting to hear what Rainbow Dash's plan would be for the Gala. I walked on towards the barn to drop off the apples. After all…

I had a job too.

Trotting away from my house after having a small lunch, I got to my client's house to begin the Redecoration.

Thankfully I got in before it started raining.

"So Ditzy, what did you need help with?" Again.

But I left out the last part.

"I was thinking of re-painting the walls the same color as blueberries." Right now, the walls were darkish brown.

Muffin Brown. That was the label on the paint when I painted it two months ago.

"Well, we could but that would make it hard to see the-" The door was opened wide and Raindrops was on the other side.

"TWILIGHT HAS AN EXTRA TICKET TO THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA!" Raindrops dashed off after that.

"This is bad." Turning back to Derby, I saw she was gone too. "Just plain bad."

Going into Twilight's house, I saw the others inside fighting over the ticket.

*SLAM*

The fighting stopped as I trotted inside and closed the door with magic.

"Could somepony please explain to me why my appointment was cancelled after Raindrops ran in screaming about that ticket? Or why you all are fighting?" My voice was calm, but these ponies could tell I was angry.

Rainbow flew right up to me.

"Because that ticket is supposed to be mine! If I don't go then I'll miss out on the chance to live my dream!"

"Well my family needs that ticket so we can spruce up our home!"

"It's the biggest most superendes party EVER!"

"If I don't go I'll miss the chance to meet my Prince Charming!"

"If I don't go, then I'll miss the little animals and the flowers."

I gave each mare an emotionless nod.

Applejack explained a little more.

"And Pinkie Pie had this big song so Twilight would pick her which led to everypony findin' out bout the ticket."

Taking a breather, I began my rant.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, you guys are acting like foals." They gasped. "Don't tell me I'm wrong. I mean, most of you do have good reasons, but let me explain what I am hearing.

"Rainbow, you want to go to the party and go show off to the Wonderboltz.

"Pinkie Pie, you realize this party is in Canterlot where the fanciest ponies live, the Princesses being two of them.

"Rarity, you want to go to meet Mr. Perfect.

"Applejack, you just want to go for profit.

"Fluttershy, you can probably just ask the Princess if you could go into the gardens. You don't need to waste a ticket on the party if you won't even attend it."

The girls all took my explanations into account, probably realizing I was right.

"And that's not even the worst part!" I exclaimed. "The worst part is you guys are making Twilight decide, after five days of friendship, which one of you is her favorite! And when she chooses, there are the months before the Gala probably where the rest of you break all ties with her. The Winner will ditch Twilight at the party and do what she wanted to do.

"Now you know how I see this. Got an explanation for me now?"

Rainbow still looked angry.

"You're just trying to have the ticket for yourself!" She yelled.

"Rainbow Dash, if I wanted to go to that party I would be fighting with you not trying to get the fighting to stop. I just got more friends in one week than I have ever received in my life. I don't want it to end because of a gold painted piece of paper."

A tear fell down my cheek, the thought of losing them now just crushing me.

Preparing to walk off, I opened the door.

*Pop*

Turning back I noticed Twilight and a burnt Spike.

"Ugh...warn me next time you're gonna do that." Spike groaned.

"I didn't even know it was gonna happen! Now quick, lock the doors!" Not wanting to get hit, I moved away from the door.

Soon it was pitch black and all the windows and doors were locked. Until I turned on the lights revealing the five of them.

"AH!" Twilight screamed. "I can't decide! I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can’t stand the thought of disappoint any of you and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference because you’re all my friends and I want to make you all happy and u can't! I just can't!"

Seeing now that I was telling the truth, the mares started to explain to Twilight about it.

"We know Sugarcube. I feel gosh darn awful having to make you choose like I did. I don't want the ticket anymore. I promise not to feel bad." Applejack explained to our friend.

"Me too. I feel awful that I made you feel awful." Fluttershy added.

"And me too! It's no fun upsetting your friend." Even when apologizing Pinkie sounds cheery.

"Twilight, it was unfair of me to force you like I did." Rarity apologized.

"YES! THAT MEANS THE TICKET IS MINE!" As she stated doing a happy fly, I gave her a look. "You know...I haven't perfected my signature moves for Wonderboltz anyway. I don't need that ticket either."

I gave Rainbow an approving smile.

"W-what made you change your minds?" Twilight asked.

"Me." Turning towards me, Twilight suddenly looked scared again. "I never wanted the ticket in the first place. It was making us all fight and putting too much pressure on a new friendship." This seemed to calm her down.

"Fairy explained to us that we were acting foolish about this and for making you choose out of us," Rarity explained, "it made me realize that she was right. If we made you choose to choose then not only were we beings foals, but the biggest kind of foals."

"We're sorry Twilight." All the mares finally said.

"Spike, take down a note."

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I have learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessing but when there isn't enough blessing to go around having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, thought I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala..."

"WHAT?" The others yelled.

"Good choice Twilight." I told her.

"If my friends can't all go. I don't wanna go either."

"Twilight you don't have to do that!" Applejack assured.

"Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now."

With a quick breathe, Spike sent the letter off. Taking the curse that nearly broke our friendship with it.

"Now you won't get to go to the Gala either." Fluttershy pointed out.

"It's okay girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me."

Proud that the others overcame that obstacle, I joined in on the group hug.

Til Spike burped seven tickets plus letter explaining all Twilight had to do was ask for more tickets.

I never said I wanted to go, but to make the others happy I would do it. Because really...

It can't be as bad as last time right?

Applebuck Season

Fairy Wishes belongs to me. Steal her and I steal from you. Everypony else goes to Hasbro

Three Days after The Ticket Master

Waking up that morning, my first thought was to check the calendar. For a couple days now, Applejack has been explaining Applebuck Season was coming up and how much money it brought to the farm, not nearly as much as Zap Apples, but still a lot.

It started today.

Applejack also agreed to help me bring some supplies over to Ditzy's house for the renovation next week. After the ticket, the two of us finished the planning and came to an agreement on the design plan. But some of the furniture needed moving and Applejack was the strongest earth pony I knew.

Getting ready for the day, I made myself a small blueberry muffin for breakfast and went off to go meet Twilight on some friendship stuff.

About halfway there, the ground started shaking.

"STAMPEDE!" I heard Rainbow Dash yell from the sky.

The whole town started freaking out, they closed the windows, locked doors and brought in door mats.

Pinkie Pie was laughing about how weird her voice sounded. Twilight ran up to us both before running off.

Pinkie looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. Going back to vibrating along the ground.

"Pinkie Pie are you crazy? RUN!" She shouted.

"Everypony calm down! There is no need to panic." Mayor Ivory Scroll yelled to the townponies.

"But Mayor, whatever shall we do?!" Rarity cried dramatically.

Looking over in the direction of the dust cloud, I saw an orange blur.

"Girls look!" I yelled, pointing on the direction of the stampede.

"Yeehaw!" A familiar farmer voice yelled from the herd.

"Go Applejack!" I screamed. "Woohoo!"

"This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen!" Pinkie cheered.

"Me too," I laughed, "Could I have some of that popcorn?"

"Sure!" Grabbing a small hoofful I watched Applejack steer the cows away from town.

The stampede was getting close to the town, almost too close for them to stop.

Applejack appeared on one of their backs, lassoed the lead cow's neck and got the whole thing to turn before getting to the bridge!

"Yeah! Go Applejack!" I cheered from the small crowd gathered to see it.

Applejack soon left the cow herd and was greeted by the cheers of what looked to be all of Ponyville.

"Yeehaw! Ride um cowpony!" Pinkie cheered while doing a strange dance.

Laughing at the strange party pony's ways I turned towards Mayor Ivory Scroll, Twilight and Rarity.

"Applejack was just...just..." The Mayor began...

"AppleTASTIC!" Pinkie cheered from above us, soon falling on her head. She bounced it off soon after.

"Exactly. We must do something to thank Applejack for single hoofidly saving the town!" Ivory announced.

"I know."

Here it comes.

"A party!"

Never would've guessed.

A week after the stampede, we had the town center decorated for the 'Thanks for Saving Ponyville Party' for Applejack. All planned by Twilight.

Balloons were hung almost everywhere, streamers wrapped around tree trunks, Rarity even made a golden banner with an apple on it for the event.

"This place looks fantastic!" I told Twilight.

"I know. But we still need to find Applejack." Twilight said as Rainbow Dash flew over.

"Couldn't find her." She admitted. Pinkie walked up next to me.

"Haven't seen her since the stampede!" She cheered.

"But she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late!"

Later though... as the time for the party came close Applejack was still nowhere to be found. The townsponies had arrived and the trophy we had made was ready to go.

Twilight walked into the stage and began her very long speech. Half of which I believed the ponies would zone out during.

"Did you see Applejack slick moves out there!" Rainbow interrupted. "What an athlete! This week, she's gonna help me with my new flying trick and I know it's gonna be so awesome!"

At least Twilight hadn't gotten too far into her speech.

"Exactly!" Twilight shoved Rainbow aside. "And..."

Pinkie Pie took the stand by jumping in front of Twilight, continue the interruptions.

"This week I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time!"

"What does that have to do with Applejack?" Twilight asked, oblivious to the fact she had been interrupted. Twice.

"Oh! Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me! Applejack makes everything great so free samples for everypony!"

The whole crowd began cheering. It was always fun to get free samples from Sugarcube Corner.

Twilight pushed Pinkie aside, mumbling about something, then brought the card pile back up.

Fluttershy took the stand, Twilight looked pretty mad at this point.

"Umm...I'm so sorry... but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the Official Bunny Census. When we count all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. She's gonna help gather them using her wondrous herding skills."

"Any pony else? Anypony?" Twilight dared as Fluttershy quietly trotted off the stage.

"She's helping me with some work this week also buts that should be it." I said from the crowd.

"Well then now as I was trying to say..." We all noticed Mayor Ivory Scroll come towards the stage. "UGH! Forget it!" Twilight cried as her cards became confetti.

Walking up to Twilight, I patted her on the back.

"Maybe next time." I comforted.

"Yeah right..." She grumbled.

"...Ponyville's Most Capable and Dependable Friend... APPLEJACK!"

The whole crowed cheered, but no Applejack. After an awkward moment from Spike, the Mayor tried again and still no Applejack.

"I'M HERE!" Turning towards the direction if the tell I saw a cowpony hat and big bushel of apples walking towards the stage. I'm here. *yawn* sorry I'm late. Woah! I was jest- did I hit yet tail? Wope!"

When the orange mare finally arrived onto the stage, she looked like a wreck.

Her usual bright demeanor was dimmed, parts of her body looked tired from over-use, hugs bags appeared under her forest green eyes. Her hair was a frantic mess that not even those red mane ties were working on them. From the looks of it...

Applejack looked exhausted.

She walked onto the stage like some drunk, looking into the reflective surface of the trophy.

"Twilight, does Applejack look a little off to you?" Twilight to a card look at the earth pony *ahem*ponies making fools of themselves on stage.

"She does. Looks exhausted. I should go back up there." Going up to our two friends, Twilight thanked Applejack, who kept yawning and even fell asleep at one point.

Shaking the sleep off, Applejack took the trophy away.

"Did anypony else notice how tired Applejack looked?" I asked the others.

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said, "She looked like she would drop at any second."

"Oh I noticed it too! What do you think it is?" Fluttershy asked.

"I would like to find out." Twilight stated.

"What are you mares talking about? I thought she looked great!" Pinkie cheered.

As Pinkie went on wooing I walked over to Twilight.

"We need to go to the farm and check on her. Maybe it has something to do with the start of Applebuck Season." Twilight wordlessly agreed.

I loved Sweet Apple Acres. The place always smelled of fresh fruit and air. Apples tress as far as my eyes could see, other food stock too of course.

A big red barn-shaped house served as the living arrangement for the Apples, the bright apple red made me want an apple desperately.

But I didn't have time for that. Running out towards the orchards Twilight and I found tress without apples, and the further we walked the more and more fruitless trees we saw…

And the more apple bucking we heard.

"What on earth is that pony doing?" Twilight asked me.

"Working herself to death." I replied as I walked over to the orange pony bucking air. "Applejack…Applejack…"

*snore*

"APPLEJACK!" I screamed.

"Who hah what?!? Oh, just you Fairy. What brings ya… down...here." Applejack nearly fell asleep three times during that sentence.

Twilight trotted up to us, trying to check on Applejack.

"Why are you doing this all alone? Didn't you tell us it was a family thing?" Twilight asked.

"Cause Big Macintosh hurt himself." Twilight teleported in front of Applejack.

"What about all those relatives I met when I first came to Ponyville? Can't they help?"

"They were just here for the Apple Family Reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvesting their own orchards."

I quickly stood in front of Applejack, blocking her escape as she was trying to buck another tree.

"So I'm alone and I should really get back to work." Applejack groaned.

"You should be getting some sleep!" I yelled. "Applejack you're exhausting yourself. You can't even stand on your hooves!" It was true, Applejack was swaying back and forth.

Shaking her head and walking around me, Applejack laughed.

"Fairy now that's ridiculous. You six don't go worryin' yerselves." Applejack explained.

Twilight teleported in front of Applejack after she failed to buck a tree.

"Do you want some help?" Twilight asked.

"Help? No way no how!" The stubborn mare refused.

"Isn't there something you can do? You look like you're about to drop." I reasoned. Applejack locked me right in the eye, closing in on me.

"Is that a challenge?" She asked.

"I'm not challenging you I’m asking if you need help!"

"Well I'm gonna prove to you that I can do it! No if ya'll excuse me I've for apples to buck!" Applejack yelled as she walked away from us.

"This is bad. Really bad." I told Twilight.

"I know but she won't accept our help so what can we do about it?"

Knowing she was, the two if us left the farm. I was hoping Applejack wouldn't do something stupid during the season.

Arriving at Ditzy's house, I slowly began moving the furniture around. Knowing Applejack was probably still exhausting herself I thought it would be friendly if I did it without her help.

Ditzy was being very helpful even with her… condition.

Soon enough we had both moved most of the furniture by the time Applejack came in.

"I'm not late am I?" She asked, possibly looking worse than when I last saw her.

"No, Ditzy and I just started early. Have you gotten any sleep AJ?" I asked her.

"I was just helpin' Pinkie Pie at the Corner so now I can help you and Ditzy." Applejack explained.

"Maybe it would be better if Ditzy and I finished without you. You look like you still need sleep." I explained.

"I said I's gonna help and I'm gonna help!" Applejack went over to the large dark brown couch by a wall we had yet to move.

"Applejack…" I warned her. This wasn't my house and I didn't want Applejack to embarrass herself.

*CRACK*

*BOOF*

My jaw dropped. Applejack had accidentally pushed the couch towards the wall. Breaking it and making the couch fall out the other side.

"Ah shoot! I've gotta get ta Fluttershy!" Applejack yelled as she ran out the front door of towards the woods.

"Ditzy, I am so sorry. I had no idea she was going to do that! I knew I should have told her to cancel helping me!" I apologized.

"Don't worry about it Fairy. I was meaning to put a window their anyway." I knew Ditzy was trying to spare my feelings, but I still felt responsible.

"I'll go get Twilight. Applejack needs some help before she wrecks something else. Again, I'm so sorry!"

Ditzy waved a grey hoof at me. "Fairy don't worry about it! If Applejack hadn't done that then I might have."

"I told you that you have to stop blaming all your problems on that." I explained to her. "I'll be back in twenty minutes. You stay here and try moving some of the lighter things around."

Running off to get Twilight, I found a large tent filled with ponies. All of them sick.

"What happened?" I asked Nurse Redheart.

"Apparently there was an accident with some cupcakes. All of these ponies came in sick as dogs."

Applejack.

"Oh my. Have you seen Twilight?" I asked the white earth pony.

"She went off that direction." Redheart pointed off towards a small cafe.

"Thank you." I said before running off.

I soon found Twilight and Spike.

"Twilight!" I yelled.

"Fairy Wishes? Weren't you supposed to be helping Derby with redecorating?" Twilight asked me.

"I was! Until Applejack showed up and broke Ditzy's wall!" Twilight and Spike gasped.

"She did what?" Spike asked.

"While moving one of the couches she pushed it the wrong way and it broke the wall! Completely broke it!" I explained.

"First Rainbow, then the cupcakes and now this!" Twilight yelled. "What else could that mare possibly do?"

"Fluttershy! Applejack was going to help Fluttershy with the Bunny Census!"

Twilight for a scared look in her eye.

We both ran off in the direction of the woods and found an ugly sight. The three flower ponies were lying across the ground. All of the flowers being eaten by small bunnies, Fluttershy was trying to coral them all together.

"All right. Enough is enough!" Twilight yelled.

The two of us began running towards the Acres, bent on getting Applejack help.

"Alright Applejack. You're apple bucking hasn't just caused you problems, it's over-propelled a pegasus, practically poisoned plenty of ponies, busted a wall, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing bunnies. I don't know what you say…"

"You. Need. Help!" We both told her as last of the apples in the tree fell into the baskets.

"Ha, no I don't. Look" she gestured towards all of the fruitless trees. "I did it! I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without yer help. How'd ya like them apples?"

Looking over on the other side of the orchard I saw lots and lots of trees still filled with apples.

"How do ya like thems apples?" Big Mac gestured towards the other trees.

Applejack fainted.

When she woke up, Applejack finally relented and let us all help her. We got all the trees bucked and all the apples ready to sell. She got some much needed sleep.

Soon after, Applejack came to us with seven glasses of apple juice.

"Why don't y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' fer ya!"

Glad for the break, I ran up to the small table and stood next to Applejack.

"Girls, I can't thank y'all enough fer thus help. I was actin' a bit stubborn-" Applejack started.

"A bit?" I asked her.

"Okay a mighty bit stubborn! And I'm awful sorry. Now I know the town gave me the Prized Pony Award but the real award is having you six as my friends."

Smiling, I began drinking the apple juice.

"That apple bucking sure made me hungry!" Rainbow cheered.

Spike walked over, holding the weirdest looking muffins.

"And I've got the perfect treat!" Spike said.

"EW! Spike, I threw those away! Where'd you get them?" Pinkie asked, looking at them like they were made of rocks.

"From the trash."

"EW!" The seven of us yelled as Spike tried talking us into eating them.

Griffon the Brush-Off

FAIRY BELONGS TO ME. Mane 6 go to Hasbro.

After having a small breakfast, I went out into town to meet with Twilight. She said she didn't know all that much about me wanted to find some stuff out about me.

When I found her, Pinkie was bouncing away screaming to Rainbow Dash and she was reading a book.

"Hiya Twilight." I greeted.

"Hi Fairy," Twilight greeted back. "I can't believe it's taking us this long to do it." She laughed.

"Me too. So, I've been wondering this for a while how did you get a dragon?" I asked her as we walked out around the park.

"Oh, well my parents signed me up for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. I had to pass the entrance exam which was to hatch a dragon egg. After a few attempts nothing happened but then I heard an explosion and had a magic outburst. The Princess got me out of it and made me her personal student. Spike hatched and has been with me ever since, and my cutiemark." Twilight explained.

"So you can explain Spike, your cutiemark and your training under Celestia all in one story?" She nodded.

"Kinda wish I could do that."

"How did you get your cutiemark?" I almost stopped, but I didn't want to scare Twilight so I just made something up.

"Not too big a story. I was working on something at my school, clay. Most of the other fillies and colts said that clay was stupid but I didn't think so. So I tried to make something out of it. It looked like wet clay. When they laughed I told them beauty was in the eye of the beholder, everything is good in its own right and bang." I shook my flank, "cutie mark."

Twilight accepted the story without hesitation.

Before we could discuss anything else, I noticed a shop that I loved going to.

"Hey Twilight, mind if I step into that bookstore for a minute?"

"Bookstore? No. Take all the time you need." Quickly going in, I tried to find the next Daring Do book that had come out last week. I wanted to by it then but the whole Applebuck thing made me miss out.

When I got back out, book floating in my magic grasp, Pinkie was hoping away.

"What are those two up to?" I asked her. Twilight shrugged her purple shoulders.

"Just Pinkie being Pinkie I guess." Made sense to me.

"I noticed you didn't bring Spike." It was more of a question than observation.

"I sent him to Town Hall to get some more scrolls. I'm almost out." Twilight explained.

We continued our walk until lunch, asking small things that friends like to know.

I still had to finish the renovations for Ditzy because the repairs finished today and Ditzy said she would really like to finish it today.

After painting the walls white with a special painting spell I had created years ago, I told Ditzy it would be a good idea for her, Dinky and Sparkler to stay at a friend’s for the night.

When I got back home, a bucket of water spilled on my head. Putting my brown and blue mane over my eyes.

*snicker* *snicker*

Carefully looking up I noticed Rainbow Dash and Pinkie. On my roof.

"Very funny Girls." I yelled as they went into full on laughter.

I went inside, desperate for food and a towel.

The next morning, I found Pinkie Pie and Rainbow had pranced others yesterday. One causing a misunderstanding with the Princess.

Twilight asked me over again, if only to help with her filing and Spike's hiccups.

"Journey to the Center of Gaia?" I asked Twilight.

"Classical Fiction." The mare replied.

"Got it." Walking over to the area if the library labeled 'fiction', I pushed the book into a small opening and heard the door open wide.

"Twilight you won't believe what just happened to me!" Pinkie Pie yelled.

"What happened Pinkie?" I asked her.

"RainbowDashhadagriffonoveratherhouse,anoldfriendfromFlightCampnamedGilda,andIthoughtshewasnicesoIaskedherifshewantedtohelpinaprank.AndGildasaidshewouldbutsheandRainbowweregonnaflyfirst.SoIpulledoutmyEmergencyTrampolinesoIcouldmetthemuponthecloud.Buttheymovedagain,highersoIgotballoonsthentheywentevenhighersoIgotmyFlyingMachineandbrokeitcompletely! Can you believe that Big Meanie!"

My brain only got the words Rainbow Dash, Gilda and Emergency Trampoline.

"So Pinkie Pie, are you sure this friend of Rainbow Dash was really a 'big meanie'?" Twilight asked, flipping thru a book.

"Umm...yeah! Didn't you hear me explain it? She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she popped my balloons and she told me to buzz off! I never met a griffon this mean!" Pinkie grumbled.

"Have you ever met a griffon?" I asked her.

"Nope. But I bet if I had she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda!"

I felt bad about the whole what Pinkie explained. From the sounds of it I wouldn't want to know that griffon either.

"You know what I think Pinkie Pie? Well, I think you’re jealous." Twilight explained.

"JEALOUS?" Pinkie shouted.

"What reason does Pinkie have to be jealous? From what I'm hearing Gilda sounds like a jerk." I explained to Twilight.

"Green with envy or in your case pink with envy." Spike quipped.

"Well…yes. Jealous. Listen Pinkie, I don't wanna upset you but just because Rainbow Dash has another friend doesn't make Gilda a grump. I mean- perhaps it's you Pinkie who needs to improve her attitude." Twilight calmly explained.

"Improve my attitude?!? But I-it's Gilda-a-an-and are you serious?!" Pinkie asked Twilight. "Fairy? You believe me right?"

"Of course I do! What kind of Element of Faith would I be if I didn't believe one of my best friends?" I placed a light brown hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "How about you take a walk, calm down a little bit. Maybe then we can Gilda for an apology."

Pinkie smiled, walking out of the library.

"I don't know how you so it Fairy. It just sounds all confusing. Pinkie has to be jealous of Gilda and is giving a bias result." Twilight explained t me.

"Twi, I learned a long time ago that sometimes the best show of faith is to let them throw the tantrum. Allow them a cooling off period so they can get their head on straight then confront the problem. Worked every time." I prided to Twilight, looking like she was taking my explanation into count.

"But what if the pony just goes more into the belief?" Twilight asked.

"Wait longer til they don't. I should go. The paint on Ditzy's walls has definitely dried by now. Bye Spike, bye Twilight." I cheered before running off in the direction of Ditzy's house.

Passing Sugarcube Corner along the way.

I noticed Fluttershy walking some ducks across the street and smiled brightly at my friend.

"A CADDLER EVERYPONY RUN FER THE HILLS!" I heard Granny Smith yell as the Corner disappeared from my sights.

Ditzy and I were having fun painting, she only got paint on my coat twice. Being smart I placed covers over some of the furniture to keep them clean in case I spilled paint.

*knock knock*

"I'll get it Ditzy, you stay here and paint." I instructed.

Opening the door I saw Pinkie Pie dressed as a confetti canon.

"Let me guess. Party at the Corner?" She drowned a little, sad at not getting to do her song. "I love the song Pinkie, but I'm trying to help Ditzy. If I finish it quickly enough I'll get to come to the party, sound okay?" Pinkie's smile looked like it would split her face in two.

"Okie-dokie-loki Fairy Wishes! The Party's for Gilda and I know she'll be so happy to meet all of us!" Pinkie ran off, probably to give the next invite.

At lead she got over the anger.

Painting finished a little later than I thought, I ran off towards the Corner to see what I could only guess to be Gilda standing in the door frame.

Her white head had purple around her gold eyes, brown feathers and thick fur covered the rest of her body except for the yellow talons on her forelegs.

Gulping, I calmly walked into the bakery.

"Fairy Wishes! Right on time!" Pinkie cheered.

"I would never miss a Pinkie Party I was invited to Pinkie. Especially one with a new pony." Seeing her happy face made me think the anger towards Gilda was over.

"Everypony! I would like you all to meet Gilda! A long time dear friend of Rainbow Dash." Pinkie hugged the griffon. It looked pretty tight. "Let's honor her and welcome her to Ponyville!"

Noticing Twilight on the other side of the room, I walked over to her.

"See, I told you if you just let her loose Pinkie would give up on the whole 'Gilda' thing." I told Twilight.

"That's why you’re the Element of Faith. Not me." I laughed at Twilight's slight anger.

"AAHHH!" Turning towards Gilda I saw Pinkie burning a marshmallow in the flames Gilda breathed out.

"G! The punch!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

The griffon ran over to the lunch bowl and tried to drink but ended up spilling if over her feathers.

Laughing at the use of dribble cups, I turned over to Fluttershy.

"How are you Fluttershy?"

"Hi Fairy, I'm fine." The pegasus replied.

"Do you know Gilda?" I asked innocently.

I noticed the tears forming in her eyes.

"Shy, are you okay?" I asked.

"No."

"Tell me what happened? Did Angel Bunny fight with an animal again?" Fluttershy shook her head. "Prank gone wrong?" Another shake.

Wondering what could've done it, I looked around the room.

Eyes landing on the griffon just opening a peanut brittle can.

"Was it Gilda?" Fluttershy squeaked and backed up at my question.

Warning. Anger levels starting to rise.

"Shy what did she do?" I asked her.

"Oh nothing! It was my fault." Fluttershy excused.

"Why was it your fault?" I asked her.

"No reason. Can we please stop talking about it now?" Shy asked.

"Fluttershy, when somepony hurts a friend I become more stubborn than Applejack. Why. Was. It. Your. Fault."

"CAKE TIME EVERYPONY!" Pinkie yelled.

"Oh. Cake. Let’s go see it Fairy." Fluttershy flew off in the direction of the cake.

Arriving at the three tear cake I saw Gilda repeatedly blow out the candles. Each time they came back to life.

"Re-lighting Birthday Candles. I love that prank! What a classic!" Spike, along with the rest of us, laughed.

"Now I wonder who could've done that." Pinkie asked.

"Yeah, I wonder."

*chomp*

"SPIKE!" Twilight yelled as Spike apparently had started eating the cake.

Looking over at Fluttershy, I tried my best to give her a look saying 'our conversation wasn't over'.

"Hey y'all it's Pin-the-tail-on-the-pony!" Applejack cheered.

I just about stormed over to Fluttershy.

"You know I'm your friend right?" She nodded. "You know I care about you right?" Fluttershy nodded again. "Then to make me stop worrying could you please tell me what Gilda did to you?"

Fluttershy looked for an escape route, but knew I had her cornered.

"I was walking some ducks over to a lake on the other side of Ponyville. I didn't see which way I was going so I bumped into her. She got a little mad." Fluttershy finally said, sounding like she was on the verge of tears.

"Rarity ruined a dress mad or somepony burned a letter from Celestia to Twilight infront of her mad." A scaled.

You may think it’s funny, but think about how funny it is when you are posing as Rarity's model because you caused a rip in her dress.

"The Twilight one." Shy squeaked.

Now entering Red Vision Mode

"ROAR!"

"This is your idea of a good time? I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all of my life! And Pinkie Pie. You are Queen of the Lameos with your weak little party pranks! Did you really think you could make me lose my cool? Well Rainbow Dash and I have ten times more cool than the rest of you put together!" She screamed. "Come on Dash, were bailing on this pathetic scene."

Gold walked towards the door.

"GILDA…" I growled. Everypony gasping when they turned and saw me. "I get that you wanted to hang out with Rainbow for old time’s sake, I get that those prank were foalish, I even get why you think you're better than the rest of us. And I would have given you another chance about it but nopony makes my friends cry! Especially poor Fluttershy who couldn't hurt a fly even if she wanted to!

"So get out of this 'lameo' town and take your attitude with you!" I screamed at her.

Gilda looked at me with disgust at first, then she looked into my eyes and found half of the rage I was keeping inside for everypony's sake. I wouldn't go all out but I was getting dangerously close.

The Griffin scoffed me off, insulting Rainbow Dash by calling her a lameo for not joining her then flew off.

Slowly letting my anger disappear so as not to repeat what happened last time I for too angry, I turned my attention back to the party.

"Can we just go on like that never happened?" I asked.

The party went on, Twilight wrote a letter to Princess Celestia about friendship, I noticed Pinkie slip Spike an invisible ink jar to send to the Princess. I almost wished I could see her face when the ink vanished.

My 'Anger Moment' caught the attention of Twilight.

"Fairy Wishes what happened? I've never seen you like that before." Twilight yelled at me.

"It was nothing. I just get angry like that in high pressure situations." I explained.

"You liked like you were about to hurt Gilda!" Twilight revealed.

"I was holding back a lot." I admitted. "You should see me when I let it all out."

Twilight looked her purple eyes at me. They were mixed with horror and confusion.

"That wasn't your real cutiemark story was it?" Twilight realized. I lowered my head, not really knowing what to say. "What really happened?"

Memories of that day came rushing. There was a boom, crying, and the cutiemark. The anger. The poor colt…

Thinking about him broke whatever lock I had placed on my tears. I ran out of the Corner towards my home.

Missing the friend I lost all those years ago.

Boast Buster

FAIRY WISHES IS MINE! Mane 6, Trixie, and Spike got to Hasbro. I hate writing this disclaimer

After the whole 'Gilda' thing, I stayed home for a day. Just to cool off. Nopony came to visit and the memories of my cutiemark were still fresh in mind. I almost couldn't stand it.

Thank Celestia, a goodnight of sleep fixed me right up. The memories were still there just not as much as they could've been.

Brushing my dark brown and dark blue mane, I kept seeing the look in those ponies' eyes after my first anger streak. It looked just like everypony's eyes during the Summer Sun Celebration.

Taking a deep breath, I put down the brush and ran off towards Sugarcube Corner. Hoping for just a moment of peace.

Before I could, I saw Twilight running towards Town Centre with Spike and those two colts, Snips and Snails.

Not knowing what else to do I ran with them. Finding a big yellow and red box in front of the Town Hall.

"Come one come all! Come and witness the magic of the Great… and Powerful... TRIXIE!"

The box opened, revealing a stage. A poof of smile revealed a light blue mare with silver hair wearing a purple cloak and hat covered in stars standing in the middle on the stage. Taking a closer look I saw a light blue jewel holding the cloak to her neck, in almost perfect shade as her coat.

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" Smaller fireworks burst from the stage. Causing the ponies watching to 'oh' and 'ah'.

"Wow. This mare is pretty good." I said, walking up towards the others. Applejack noticed me first.

"Hey Fairy, how ya been holding up?" Applejack asked me.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I feel just fine." I half-lied. I was saying it more for my sake then theirs.

"My, my, my, what boasting!" Rarity complained.

"Come on nopony's has magical as Twilight! Twi-Twi-oh! Hey Rarity..." Spike mumbled. "Mustache!" The purple dragon yelled before running to Celestia knows where.

Twilight walked up, taking Spike's place in the crowd.

"There's nothing wrong with being talented is there?" Twilight asked.

"Nothin' at all. Except when somepony goes around showin' it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons." Applejack grumbled.

"You can be as talented as you want, but only when you use it for personal gain do you become boastful." I said, sounding like some book writes by Starswirl.

"Exactly, just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make on better than the rest of us." Rarity explained.

"Especially when you got me around being better than the rest of us." Rainbow laughed. Applejack and I gave her a stare. "I mean-yeah! Magic smagic Boo!"

Looking over at Twilight, she looked kinda disheartened. I wanted to ask her what was wrong but was interrupted by Trixie.

"Well, well, well it seems we have some neighsayers in the audience."

I don't even think Pinkie laughed at that pun.

"Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they are in the presence of the Most Magical Unicorn in all of Equestria?!" The show mare yelled.

"Just who does she think she is?" Rarity said.

"Yeah! Since we all know Twilight here is-." Spike started.

"Spike shh!" Twilight dragged the dragon off and I followed.

"Twilight are you okay?" I asked her.

"What's wrong?" Spike asked her.

"You see the way they acted to Trixie! I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show off." Twilight whispered.

"Twilight, look at me." I told her. She looked up at me.

"Do you show everypony you’re magic by standing on a stage?" She shook her head. "Do you perform spells to get attention?" She shook it again. "The rest of us aren't complaining because of her magic, we're complaining about how Trixie uses it." I explained to my friend.

Turning towards the stage, the three of us noticed fireworks again. Rainbow Dash flew up to Trixie on stage.

"That's not a good sign."

"…the dreaded Ursa Major!" The crowd gasped.

Above the stage, a scene played out of a bear with a star on its head being beaten by a pony shaped like Trixie.

"Twilight, are you hearing this?" I asked her. The mare remained quiet.

The three of us walked to the stage, hearing Snips and Snails praise Trixie.

"No! In all of Equestria!" Snips yelled.

"How would you know? You didn't see it. And besides Twili-mmph mmph!" Twilight literally zipped Spike’s mouth shut.

"Hahahaha, it's true my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville!" Trixie boasted.

It was almost too quiet.

"Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie mm? Well then, I hereby challenge you Ponyvillians…anything you can do I can do better. Any takers? Anypony? Or is Trixie destined to be the Greatest Unicorn whoever lived!"

More fireworks.

Spike unzipped his lips and begged Twilight to make it stop.

"We won't be angry Twilight." I assured her. "You’re the Element of Magic, show Trixie how you got it."

"There is no way I'm using my magic now Fairy. Especially since…"

"How about you!" Trixie yelled. Pointing her blue hoof at Twilight. "We'll how about it hmm? Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?"

Looking hopefully at Twilight, I waited for her to answer Trixie with a yes.

"I-I-I-" Twilight stuttered.

"Well little hayseed?" Trixie asked Applejack.

"THAT'S IT!" Applejack yelled before running into the stage.

"AJ…" I whispered. This wouldn't end well.

The orange earth pony began with a lasso, trapping herself under the cone created by spinning it before lifting it up, turning it on its side, jumping in and out of it, and finally grabbing an apple and eating it.

Trixie, after showing off her horn, grabbed the rope and started making it move around like a snake. While Applejack stared at one end, the other curled around her an apple and stuffed in her mouth after hog tying her.

The six of us gasped while the crowd roared.

"Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails!"

AJ hoped off the stage, Rainbow taking her place.

"There's no need to go strutin' around and showing off like that!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Oh?" Trixie asked, mocking Dash almost.

"That's. My. Job!"

Rainbow flew off, spinning the windmill, breaking a straight line in the crowds and flying so high her silhouette was seen in front of the sun. Flying down the same holes, spinning in the mil again Rainbow landed on stage. A rainbow coming around her as she puffed out her chest.

"They don't call me Rainbow and Dash for nothing!"

I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The rainbow circled Rainbow Dash like the Elements on Nightmare Moon. Carrying off my other friends towards the ground. Making her do a head stand.

"Seems like anypony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

*crash*

"OW!" Dash yelled as a rain cloud shock her flank.

The crowd laughing at the terrible pun and cruelty to Rainbow and Applejack.

"What we need is another unicorn who can challenge her. Somepony with some magic of her own!" Spike hinted.

"Yeah! A unicorn who could show this unicorn who's boss!" Rainbow yelled. Twilight still looked afraid.

"A real unicorn ta unicorn tussle." Applejack agreed.

"Could you at least try?" I asked Twilight.

"Enough. Enough all of you. I take your hint but Rarity is above such nonsense. Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace."

"You're talking like Trixie now Rarity." I told her.

"Oh! What the matter? Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rests nest you call a mane?"

Now. The others have only known Rarity for a little over a month. I've known her for our years. She values two things: her clothes and her image. When somepony insulted one Rarity would get mad.

Very mad.

"Oh it. Is. On!" Rarity shouted before running into the stage.

"This won't end well." I whispered.

"You make think you're tough will all you’re so called powers but there is more to magic than your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle. A unicorn needs to have style." Rarity explained before using her magic to turn the curtain into a beautiful gown with a golden saddle and neckline, the rest being blue like my mane.

Her hair was packed in a bun on the back of her head, matching the eloquence of the dress.

"A unicorn's not a unicorn without grace and beauty."

"Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her. She strong, she's beautiful, she's-"

*flash*

What I saw on stage was so, horrifying, so un-Rarity. I was sure that if Rarity wasn't mad now she would be out for blood when she saw the mane.

I was too shocked for words. Too shocked to hear the others. All I saw…

Was green.

Rarity discovered her moss hair and ran off. Probably to shun herself until this whole thing was forgotten.

"Come on Twilight. Show her what you’re made of!" Spike told her.

"What do you mean? I'm nothing special." Twilight lied.

"You were trained by the Princess herself Twilight! If that's not special I don't know what is!" I exclaimed to her.

"I'm not better than anypony!" Twilight yelled.

"Ha! You think you’re better than Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magic talent? Well come on! Show Trixie what you've got! Show us all." Trixie said, nearly coming off the stage to face down Twilight.

Working every nerve to stay calm, I stood by my friend. Waited for her to assert herself.

"Who me? I'm just your run of the mill citizen of Ponyville! No powerful magic here." Twilight lied. "I think I hear my laundry calling! Sorry gotta go!"

Twilight ran off.

Grabbing Spike I ran after her, ending up at the treehouse.

"Twilight. What happened back there?" I asked her.

"I'm sorry Fairy Wishes. I just couldn't do it! I couldn't stand the thought of you all leaving me because I showed off." Twilight said.

"Twilight, none of us would do that to you. If anything we would be closer to you because you stuck up for yourself." I told her. "For your sake please just try it!"

"I can't. I just can't."

Knowing it was a losing fight, I carefully placed Spike down.

"I believe in you Twilight. Even if you don't believe in yourself." And with that, I walked away.

That night, I was asleep. Dreaming of my friends and something else.

ROAR

Jumping out of bed I team to the shutters, I used my lavender magic to open it.

Ursa. An Ursa was running towARDS MY HOUSE!

"AH!" I screamed.

It was standing over my house when a soft breeze carrying a lullaby dragged it away. Before it fell to the ground a pinkish purple aura wrapped around it, moving it away.

I ran outside, I saw the whole town was awake and Twilight's horn was glowing brightly.

Giving them now sleeping Ursa a bottle shaped like the water tower, Twilight moved the Ursa back to the Everfree Forest.

"What. Just. Happened." I asked, still tired.

Ditzy was the only one that heard my question.

"Snips and Snails brought an Ursa Major into town. Trixie admitted to never fighting one and Twilight finally used her magic against Trixie." He explained.

"Tell her thank from me. That bear almost recked my house."

"That was your house?" Spike asked.

"Yeah. Now, also tell Twilight I'm proud she finally stood up for herself. From the looks on their faces I'm seeing they don't hate her-"

"That was just a baby!" Trixie yelled.

"And it wasn't rampaging it was just cranky because somepony woke it up."

We all turned to Snipe and Snails.

"Aw." They both groaned.

"We'll if that was an Ursa Minor then what's an Ursa Major like?" Spike asked

"You don't wanna know." Twilight replied, smiling.

"Ha! You may have vanquished an Ursa Minor but you will never have the amazing show stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

"Give it a rest already." I yelled, now a little angry that it as her showing off that nearly cost me my house.

Before she could say anymore, Trixie dropped a smoke bomb and ran off.

"Let her go Rainbow." I told the blue pegasus. "She won't be coming back anytime soon."

"She'll learn someday." Twilight agreed. "Now what to do with these two?"

Snips and Snails were trying to run off before Twilight cut them off.

"We're sorry we woke up the Ursa Minor." Snips said.

"We just wanted to see some awesome magic!" Snails yelled.

"Yeah and the way you vanquished that Ursa Minor was AWESOME!" Snips yelled.

I glared at them, Twilight joining me.

"We deserve whatever punishment you give us." Snails explained.

I leaned into Twilight.

"Let 'um off easy. They learned there lesson."

"For starters, you can clean up this mess. And what do you think Spike? Should I give them Number 25?"

"Oh 25! Yes, and I think I deserve it too."

Okay, wasn't a punishment.

*pop* *pop* *pop*

Mustaches.

"Sweet…" The three boys said.

I laughed, then went back home. I had a brilliant idea for a painting and I would need all the sleep I could get.

Dragonshy

FAIRY WISHES IS MINE! Mane 6, Trixie, and Spike got to Hasbro. I hate writing this disclaimer. But I have too.

Before the Ursa destroyed my house last week, I was having the strangest dream. All I can remember about it was that my friends were in it alone with the strangest pair of blue/green eyes.

Not really knowing what else to do. I painted them.

The whole canvas was painted black except for the two eyes staring evilly out of the darkness. They had slits in them, like Spike, but I knew it wasn't dragon. Something about the eyes told me to fear them, to run if I ever saw them coming. Run and never stop.

Placing the painting in my Art Room, I walked outside and saw a massive black cloud coming over.

My first instinct was to start telling ponies. I ran to the park and saw Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

Dash was bouncing a dark pink ball with tiny white stars on her head.

"We're all going to have to start over." I heard Fluttershy whisper.

"Fluttershy! There's a cloud of weird black smoke coming towards Ponyville!" I yelled.

"I saw it too. But nopony is listening to me." Fluttershy explained. "Everypony it's an emergency. Please…"

"LISTEN UP!"

Twilight.

Almost everypony turned to see the purple unicorn coming over the bridge with a baby dragon on her back.

"Smoke is spreading all over Equestria."

The ponies all gaped when they looked up to see the trail of smoke.

"That's what I've been trying to…" Fluttershy whispered next to me.

"But don't worry. I've just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me it is not coming from a fire." Twilight explained

"That’s good. For a moment there I was worried about-" I began.

"It's coming from a dragon."

Oh this is so much better than a fire. What purpose would a dragon have for covering us in black smoke?

"A d-d-d-dragon?" Fluttershy stuttered next to me.

"Fluttershy I'm sure the dragon has a good reason for this. Or maybe he doesn't even know he's doing it." I explained to my scared friend.

"I'm sure Twilight has an explanation. Let’s meet her at the library." With that, I dragged Fluttershy towards the big tree Twilight and Spike called home.

The others had the same idea. We found AJ, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Rarity at the tree house waiting on Twilight.

“What in the name of all things cinnamon swirl is a full grown dragon doing here in Equestria?” Applejack asked as Twilight immediately began searching books.

“Sleeping.” Twilight answered.

“Huh?” We all asked.

“According to Princess Celestia, he’s taking a nap. His snoring is what’s causing the smoke.” Twilight explained to us.

So the reason the sky is slowly turning black is because a dragon wanted some shut eye but he snores?

That makes logical sense.

“He should really see a doctor! That doesn’t sound very healthy at all!” Pinkie added.

“Well, at least he’s not snoring fire! What are we to do about it?” Rarity pointed out.

“Smoke is just as bad. If it’s not cleared we’ll run out of sunshine, food, clean air. All of it.” I explained to my oldest friend.

Not age wise. Not that kind of old at all. Rarity would kill me if I meant it that way.

“Fairy is right. Apparently, if we don’t wake him up soon the smoke will stay for a hundred years!” Twilight added.

“Talk about getting your beauty sleep!” Rarity groaned.

Twilight was busy packing her things inside her bag, the one with her cutiemark on the clasp.

“Alright everypony. I need you to gather supplies. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. Meet me back in here in less than an hour.” Twilight ordered.

We all nodded.

“You heard here girls!” Rainbow Dash cheered, flying between us all. “Equestria’s fate is in our hooves! Do you have what it takes?”

“YES!” Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and I cheered.

As the others trotted, flew and bounced out of the house I noticed Fluttershy still there.

“‘Shy, you can do this right?” I asked the timid pegasus.

“Umm...well.” She mumbled. I placed a light brown hoof on her shoulder.

“Fluttershy, I’ll be with you the whole way. All of us will. Don’t worry.” I assured her.

The pony nodded, but I could still tell from the look in her sea foam green eyes that she was unsure.

I placed the survival stuff inside my saddlebag, a lime green with two pink hearts on both sides for clasps, carefully making sure I had everything. But as I walked out the door, my eyes locked with the ones on the painting. While painting, I didn’t think I put that much detail into them.

Now, they pulled me in. Making next to impossible to move them away.

Thankfully, the reminder to meet the others came back at me. Forcing me to look away long enough for me to run outside.

That painting was weird.

When I got to the others they had begun to form a single file line, minus Fluttershy and Twilight who was leading. I finally saw Fluttershy, hiding behind the line.

“Alright girls listen up. I’m mapping out the fastest route. We’ve all got to keep a good pace if we want to make it up the mountain by nightfall.” Twilight explained.

“M-m-m-mountain?” Fluttershy mumbled next to me.

“The dragon is in that cave at the very top.” Twilight pointed to the giant mountain covered in smoke.

Never would have guessed.

Looking over at the shaking pegasus, I tried to look her in the eyes.

“Fluttershy, remember I’m right here.”

During one of Rarity, Fluttershy and I’s weekly spa visit, I had asked Fluttershy why she wasn’t living in a cloud home. I knew she worked with animals but I wondered. She could still work with animals from a cloud home.

Fluttershy explained she was scared of heights. This mountain was HUGE.

“Thanks Fairy.” She smiled.

“No problem. Just if you get scared at anytime just tells me okay?” She nodded her butter yellow head at me.

I realized I hadn’t been paying attention, so I looked back at the others.

“Yeah. That’ll keep you nice and cozy.” Rainbow mocked.

“It might Rainbow, at first. I know Rarity and she has a plan for herself in case it gets too cold.” I explained to Rainbow Dash.

“Do you?” Rainbow asked Rarity.

“Of course Rainbow Dash!” She pulled another scarf out from her saddlebag. “See!” Rarity beamed.

“Okay. Good.” I smiled.

“HEY! WAIT!” Immediately looking towards the noise, I saw Spike chasing after woodland creatures. He must be pet-sitting for Fluttershy.

Fluttershy also looked like she was trying to get out of the journey. I walked up to her as the others started getting ready. “‘Shy, you’re not backing out are you?”

She nodded.

“I’m scared too. It’s a dragon, asleep. And I’ve seen Spike when you wake him up early.” I cringed, if I moved some fur the right way I would still see the red skin slowly fading. “But we have to at least try.”

Fluttershy still looked downcast.

“Could you try for all the animals? For the next generation of ponies that might have to go without sunshine? For all the plants that need fresher air than this smoke?” I slowly moved her eyes into my lilac ones, “Try for me?”

After what looked like a small inner battle, she nodded.

“Alright girls. MOVE OUT!” Twilight yelled. The others started running off in the direction of the mountain.

“The sooner we leave the sooner we come home.” I explained to Fluttershy.

Soon, all seven of us began the journey towards the mountain.

*BOOM* *CRACK* *WHOOSH*

*eep*

“WOAH! What was that?!” Rainbow yelled from above us.

“That is what happens when a dragon snores.” Twilight explained so matter-of-factly.

“It ssso high.” Fluttershy said, full of fear.

“Well it is a mountain!” Rainbow Dash pointed out to the terrified mare.

Rolling my eyes at Rainbow, I grabbed Fluttershy’s shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

Dang it, I keep missing conversations with my kind caring gestures!

“Safety in numbers ya know.” Applejack decided.

“Oh all right.” Rainbow groaned.

“Don’t get too happy Rainbow, or we’ll start to think you’re switched with Pinkie.” I joked.

“*GASP* SHE IS!” Pinkie gasped.

“No Pinkie, I was kidding. A joke.” She laughed, the others did too but Rainbow seemed to shrug it off.

“Oh I get it! Because she was being a grouchy and stuff, right!” Pinkie realized. I nodded as we started to climb.

The others were getting ahead, when I noticed Fluttershy wasn’t following. Inward laughing at her persistence, I trotted down to her.

“I would tell you to not look down as you climb but that wouldn’t end well. So I’ll just tell you to look ahead, never look in any other direction than forward. Can you do that for me Fluttershy? Can you just look forward?”

“Look forward. I think I can do that.” Fluttershy agreed.

“Promise?” I asked her, looking right in her eyes.

“I promise.” She said before giving me a smile.

“Good, no friend left behind.” I laughed while helping her up the mountain.

By the time we reached the others, they all seemed to be laughing about something.

“Mares this is no laughing manner!” Twilight roared. “Fluttershy, you’re the expert on wild creatures. What do you think the dragon will be like?”

At the word ‘dragon’ Fluttershy squeaked, but she kept looking forward as promised.

“Twilight, I think it would be best to give Fluttershy a little space.” I suggested.

Twilight eyed the two of us strangely, but the walk continued.

Twenty Minutes of Walking Later...

“Fairy...I don’t think I can keep doing this.” Fluttershy squeaked.

A part of me knew it was coming, so I tried to think of a way to get her mind off the height.

“An old friend from my fillyhood once told me the best way to get your mind off fear was to think about something else.” This did little to nothing. “How is Angel Bunny doing?”

Her eyes almost popped out of her head.

“Oh! He’s great. It was him who showed first showed me the smoke this morning.” Fluttershy beamed.

Her mind was slowly coming off this.

“What kind of books do you like to read?” Let’s try a subject that has little to nothing to do with this hike.

“Oh...just some nature and animal care books. A few romances but that’s about it.” Fluttershy was starting to loosen up. She was getting closer.

“Me too. Something about the idea of a mysterious stallion coming and sweeping me off my hooves. But I do find one thing wrong with them.” Fluttershy looked over at me.

“Oh?” She asked.

“Yeah. Almost every single romance I’ve read it’s the same thing. The villain wants something from the mare, the stallion comes along, kills the monster and everypony lives happily ever after.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Fluttershy asked.

“Most of the villains have a good reason for being alone. Harsh childhood, old flame brutally wisped away and the ever so popular, unrequited love from the lead mare. It just doesn’t seem fair. Those stallions had lives too; all they wanted was so somepony to look at them with something other than fear. To at the very least be a friend, somepony to confide in. And right when they feel like they get that pony, their ripped away too.” I explained.

Fluttershy looked at me a little wearily.

“Wow. I never noticed that before.” Fluttershy explained. “How did you notice it? If you don’t mind my asking...”

“An old friend. He was almost like the villains in some other books. Ponies picked on him for his biggest flaw, making nicknames for it. Parents began to fear for their fillies and colts going to school with him. Until, I befriended him and afterwards it was like we were conjoined at the hip.” Fluttershy smiled.

“Whatever happened to him Fairy? I haven’t heard you talk about him before...sorry if it sounds like I’ve being pushy.” Fluttershy squeaked.

Memories of school came back to me, all the jokes, the pranks, and the occasional good grade on an assignment.

“It’s okay. And Life. I guess life happened and we drifted apart. I moved to Ponyville and because ponies were still focusing on the flaw they never let him get letters, jobs or stuff like that.” It almost looked like Fluttershy would cry.

“That sounds awful Fairy! How long ago was this?” Her voice was still soft, but if she wasn’t so kind I bet she would’ve yelled.

“Five years. I haven’t seen him in five years.” Before I could stop it, a tear fell out of my eye. The one away from Fluttershy so she didn’t notice.

“Wow. That seems so long.” Fluttershy said.

“It was much shorter once I met Rarity and all of you.” I explained happily.

The two of us smiled, before we came across something I wasn’t expecting.

A jump.

“You two need to jump!” Twilight yelled from across the short gap.

“‘Shy, you can do it. Remember, just look forward.” I explained.

I know it was short but to Fluttershy it might seem like a hoofball field.

“YEAH! There’s nothing to be afraid of! It’s just a hop, skip and a jump!” Pinkie cheered.

She did the moves and joined Fluttershy and I on the original side of the gap.

“See? It’s not very far just move your little rump! You can make if you try with just a hop, skip and jump! A hop skip and jump just move your little rump! You can make if you try with just a hop, skip and jump!”

After one final jump, I was smiling about it.

Following the moves I jumped across.

“Come on Shy! Just look at me okay!” I told her.

“Okay. Just a hop...” She did the hop.

“That’s right.” Twilight whispered.

“Ya can do it.” Applejack said.

“A skip...” She skipped. “And jump.”

“Just don’t lo-mmph!” Twilight mumbled as I pushed my hoof into her mussel.

“NEVER! Say those words to somepony afraid of heights Twilight. Bad things happen when you say that.” I whispered as Fluttershy joined us.

We walked for another hour. Fluttershy got a little scared about looking over the edge so I stood on the left side of her to keep her from looking that way. I asked her some other conversation starters, small ones that got her mind off the heights. Fluttershy was very quiet so some of the conversation was mostly me trying to help her.

“Let’s keep it down. According to my map we’re entering an Avalanche Zone. The smallest peep could cause a huge rock slide.” Twilight whispered.

Fluttershy’s ears lowered at the mention of avalanche.

“An ava-ava-”

“Shh!” Twilight said.

We kept walking, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Dash was flying sorta low, hitting a small branch. The leaf moved around, slowly leaving in the breeze.

“You okay Fluttershy?” I whispered to her.

“I think so- Avalanch-boomph!” Applejack had stuffed her hoof in Fluttershy’s mouth.

Fearing an avalanche, I began to run across the space. The others soon followed but realized there was no avalanche.

We all breathe sighs a relief.

Then the avalanche.

After a little screaming and help from Applejack, the avalanche rested behind us all.

“Everypony okay?” Applejack asked.

“Thanks to you I am.” Twilight said, slowly standing up.

I looked around, where was Fluttershy

“Woohoo! Let’s do it again!” Pinkie cheered.

“Where’s Fluttershy?” I asked nopony.

“This is why a mare always extra accessories!” She brought out the Spare Scarf. “Oh please tell me I brought the tiara that goes with this!”

“Fluttershy?” I asked nopony again. I saw a pink blur move behind some rocks. “There you are!” Ducking behind the pile I squeezed the pegasus. “Don’t scare me like that! I thought something happened to you during the avalanche! And then I would’ve lost a friend and I didn’t want to lose a friend!”

While gripping Fluttershy, I felt a hoof pat my back.

“It’s okay Fairy. I’m sorry about scaring you like that.” She apologized. Slowly backing off the hug I looked at Fluttershy, happy to know she wasn’t crushed by the rocks.

“Everypony, we need to get moving!” Twilight said from the head of the group.

Walking side by side with Fluttershy, I was happy to want to tell her something.

She looked off the mountain as she apologized and didn’t lock up.

Before we could get another conversation going, Twilight said we had arrived at the cave.

The hole into the cave looked the same size as Twilight’s house. A tunnel of smoke was leaving from the head of the cave filling the giant almost storm like cloud over head. The lighting was terrible so I could barely get a good view of the inside of the cave.

“Rainbow Dash, you’ll use your wings to clear the smoke.” Rainbow nodded and jumped up into the cloud just ten feet above our heads. “Rarity, Fairy Wishes and Pinkie Pie, you’ll create a diversion to distract the dragon if things get a little hairy in there.” Before anypony could ask, Pinkie zoomed off.

Only to be seen holding a rubber chicken in her mouth, Rarity made a ‘does this make sense to you?’ look at Twilight. Whilst I simply shrugged. It was just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. The purple unicorn only stared in what looked like confusion.

“Applejack, you’re ready with the apples in case he decides to attack.” AJ tossed two apples up into the air and bucked them into a tree. Rainbow came down during this time. Apparently the smoke breaking wasn’t working.

“But it shouldn’t come to that because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up and between the two of us, we should be able to get him to understand why he needs to go. Is everypony ready?”

We all stood at attention, except Fluttershy.

“Okay then. Goin’ in.” Twilight walked off, Fluttershy stayed with us and buried her head in the dirt.

A moment later, Twilight walked out.

“Fluttershy, come on!” Twilight pulled on her long pink tail, effectively pulling her out of the hole. “We have to do this! Now!”

I stood on the sidelines, watching as everypony got behind Fluttershy and started pushing her towards the cave.

“I-I-I-I can’t go into the cave.” Fluttershy said flatly. The others collapsed onto the ground.

“Oh come on! She’s scared of caves know too!” Rainbow Dash groaned.

“You’re not scared of the cave.” I suddenly said, catching everypony’s attention. “You’re scared of what’s inside it.”

It all made sense now. The attempts to avoid the mountain, the slowness while coming up and the unwillingness to enter the cave.

“The dragon?” Twilight asked. “You’re scared of the dragon?”

Fluttershy nodded.

“Well why didn’t cha say anything for we came up here Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“I was too afraid.” Fluttershy explained. Rainbow Dash groaned loudly.

“But Spike’s a dragon and you aren’t scared of him.” Pinkie cheered.

“Yes. Because he isn’t a huge gigantic terrifying enormous teeth gnashing sharp scale having horn wearing smoke snoring could eat me in only one bite totally all grown up dragon.” Fluttershy explained

*SNORE*

“Come on Sugarcube, go on in there and show us what yer made of!” Applejack cheered Fluttershy.

Fluttershy looked at each of us, and then walked off towards a hiding place.

Twilight went in alone. She came back a few minutes later. Rarity went next, coming back after she tried to take some of the jewels the dragon kept inside. Pinkie went in next, dressed like one of her parties (I am not kidding, almost every decoration from her parties was on this outfit) and came out with deflated balloons and missing flippers. Rainbow tried next and ended up no better than the rest of us. Pushing the others onto a rock.

“HEY!” The big scaly red dragon turned towards me. “LEAVE THEM ALONE!”

His tail swatted at me like a bug towards the stone wall.

Then there was darkness.

Opening my eyes, I found I was back home. My head felt soar. How did I get back here? Wasn’t I with the others? Last thing I remember was a hike, then a...a...dragon and the mares.

THE MARES!

I shot out of bed and Twilight put me back down.

“Twilight? What happened? Where are the others? And Fluttershy? And the dragon?!?” I shouted.

Twilight simply chuckled, getting a small washcloth from my bathroom and started dabbing my head with it.

“The mares are fine, alive. The dragon is long gone by now.” Twilight explained.

“But-how?” I asked.

“Fluttershy. Apparently she hid behind the rock that we were thrown into and when she saw you lying unconscious she went crazy. Yelling at the dragon about how rude he was and what he did to you was wrong. The dragon looked more scared than Fluttershy. He even cried a one point.” Twilight explained.

That made me laugh. I just got an image of Fluttershy making a dragon cry.

“We brought you back home and Fluttershy made sure you were okay, are you feeling okay?” Twilight asked me.

“Just fine, a small headache but other than that I’m good.”

Twilight smiled, she began to walk out but I stopped her.

“Umm...when you see Fluttershy... can you tell her not to tell the others what we talked about on the hike?” Purple eyes stared at me, worriedly, “It was nothing big, just something I’d rather not turn into gossip.”

Twilight nodded, understanding my wish of privacy.

“I’ll tell her that. Thanks Fairy, I think you really helped Fluttershy during all of that.”

I nodded, then fell back to sleep. I was still tired even after all of that.

Look Before You Sleep

Rainbow had told us a big storm was coming in, so to be sure I didn't spend the night alone in my house I asked Twilight if I could stay the night. Spike was busy doing something in Canterlot so it would just be the two of us.

The storm was beginning, I was looking out a window.

"Twilight, don't you just love when it rains?" I asked the unicorn.

"Kinda, I'm guessing you do." Twilight laughed.

"It's the only time that I can actually get some quiet. Being friends with Rarity meant two things: Being a model and constant drama. Rain equals peace. Peace equals rain." I explained. I saw two blurred images off in the distance.

One white. One orange.

Running to the door, I swung it open.

"Rarity! Applejack!" I yelled. Neither seemed to hear me. "Rarity! Applejack!" This time both turned towards me and I motioned them in.

"Woah nelly. Is inside a tree really the best place ta be in a lightning storm?" Applejack asked

Twilight joined me at the door, noticing our friends needed help.

"It is if you have a magical lightning rod on your home like I do. Come on in!" Twilight cheered.

I walked off with Twilight towards the book she pulled out when I decided to stay the night. Twilight really did have a book for everything.

"We are most grateful for your invitation." Rarity cheered.

"Thank ya kindly fer ya hospitality." Applejack thanked.

"Ah, so be a polite house guest and go wash up please. Won't you." Rarity told Applejack. Looking at AJ's mud covered hooves explained it.

Applejack mumbled something as she walked outside to get the hose. A plan formed in my mind. A evil plan. But a good evil.

"Some storm huh? The Pegasus Ponies really out did themselves this time. Hope you and Applejack don't have any trouble getting back home." Twilight explained.

"Actually Twilight. I had an idea."

Both unicorns turned to me.

"What would that be Fairy?" Twilight asked me.

"Why don't Rarity and Applejack join us for the sleepover?" Rarity's blue eyes widened.

"Us? Stay here? Together? All night?" Rarity asked.

"That's a great idea Fairy! The More the Merrier right?" Twilight smiled, lifting the book with her magic.

"It's Twilight's Very First so she had to pull out-" I started.

"‘Slumber 101: All You've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Party's but Were Afraid to Ask'. My own personal copy!" Twilight cheered.

"I've tried to explain to Twilight sometimes the best part of a slumber party is just letting thins happen but she refuses to listen to me." I explained to my fashionista friend. "Come Rare, it'll be fun! I just know you and Applejack will have barrels of fun!" I gave a wink to Rarity, letting her know she wasn't getting out of it.

"It's gonna be great!" Twilight cheered.

"Yes. Umm…great." Rarity groaned.

Twilight gripped the book, moving it towards her again.

"It says the first thing to do is Make-overs and it envolves something called a mud mask." Twilight explained.

"I think the stuff for it is in the kitchen, Rarity could you be a dear?" I asked her. She cheerfully nodded her head, not wanting to upset Twilight's first sleepover.

Rarity placed the cucumbers over my lilac eyes, blinding me from the world around me. Twilight laughed next to me as Rarity put the green mud on her purple face.

"What in tarnation is goin on in here?" Applejack yelled. "Now wait just a goddarned minute! Ya make me wash the mud off my hooves but its okay fer y'all ta put mud all over yer faces?"

"Hey AJ. We're having a sleepover. Make-over Mud Mask." I explained.

"We'll that's dandy. What're ya wearing on yer face?" Applejack asked.

"Cucumbers darling, to remove puffiness around ones eyes." Rarity answered. "And it's a Mud Mask! To rejuvenate and refresh your completion."

"We have to do it. It's in the book." I heard the sound of Twilight's magic floating around.

"It's Twilight's first. And she wants its to be perfect. Us four friends here, together and getting along. Wouldn't want anypony to wreck it right?" I asked.

*BOOM*

"I guess I could stay fer a spell." Applejack submitted.

"Yay Slumber Party!" Twilight squealed like a filly.

I heard some sounds of more mud being placed on a face, Applejack's most likely.

"What in the world is this for?"

Cucumbers.

"I told you. To remove puffiness around the eyes."

"Puffiness smuffiness." *slurp* "that good eatens!"

Smiling as Rarity explained the situations to Applejack, I trotted over to Twilight. As best I could, being blind at the moment and all.

"Isn't it exciting! We'll do everything by the book and that will make my slumber party officially fun!" Twilight cheered.

"Twilight, it can go a little off track. Maybe we could have-" I started.

"Ugh! You know there is messy and just plain rude!" Rarity yelled/whispered.

Applejack whispered something back but I couldn't hear it quite well.

The two went back a forth. I left Twilight with her organizing and trotted over.

"You know there was a reason I got you into this right?" I carefully placed the slices over my eyes with my lavender magic and lifted it off. I saw them nod. "Well it wasn't to hear you to fight." I whispered. "It was so you would stop fighting. We've been friends for over a month and from what I can tell you two are the only ones who haven't become close yet. I get that you two have little to nothing uncommon but at least try for one night. Could you try?"

They both gave the other a warning glance.

"Fine." They both said. Twilight popped up from the middle of us.

"This is gonna be the best slumber party ever!" She cheered, wrapping AJ and Rarity in a hug.

"Yeah."

With make-up done, Rarity helped us with everypony's mane. Placing them in curlers.

"So…how are you getting along over there Applejack?" Rarity asked.

"Jest fine Rarity."

It was a funny sight. Applejack downright hated this, but I made sure she stayed 'happy' for Twilight's sake. First Sleepover is very important to a filly. No matter how old she is.

"This is so awesome!" Twilight cheered, laughing like a school filly. "Makeovers:check!"

In a flash the almost painful curlers were gone. Our mane's returned to normal.

"Aw…I wanted to see how it would turn out." I complained. Rarity trotted over to me and gave me a quick smile.

"Don't worry Fairy, I'm sure we'll have more time later for this." She wishfully thought.

"Good. That means you'll have a good enough attitude until that happens." I put on my best Pinkie Smile, before Twilight named our next event.

"It says we have to tell Ghost Stories! Whose first?" Twilight cheered.

"ME!" Applejack yelled.

Wincing at the sudden increase in noise, I listened to what story Applejack had to tell.

Should be good.

"Ah'm gonna tell y'all the story of the Prissy Ghost, who drove everypony crazy with her unnecessary neatness. Ooooo!"

Or not.

"I don't think that's an actual story AJ."

"I have a much better one! It's the horrifying story of a messy, inconsiderate, ghost. Who irritated everypony within a hundred miles! Ooooo!"

"That's not a real story!" Applejack complained.

"Neither was yours." I added. "Twilight, I have one that's real. So real, the last party I heard that told this story had nightmares for weeks."

*CRASH*

"AH!"

The lights went out.

Before anypony could scream, Twilight turned on a lantern.

"Okay Fairy, what's your story called?" Twilight asked while hoofing my the lantern.

"Bloody Marey."

*CRASH*

We quickly got into a circle, as I began my tale.

"It was Shelly Parkson's 14th Birthday Party, she decided to have a sleepover with two of her friends and, by force, her 11-year-old sister, Caramel..."

"…And Caramel replied 'Nah, I'm not crazy. I'm just different since I saw Bloody Marey. You're going to have to listen to me now.'

‘You did not see Bloody Marey.' Shelly explained, but she was starting to get nervous.

'Oh, yes I did.' Caramel insisted, and she leaned closer towards her sister. ‘I saw Bloody Marey. And she looked just. Like. Me.'

"This time, the girls parents responded to the screams in half the time. Oddly enough, though, there was twice as much blood...… mares behind you!"

The mares turned back, I quickly put on my disguise.

"Hehe, very funny Fairy...now we can-AAAHHH!" Twilight screamed.

Rarity and Applejack turned around and saw my face. Covered in dark red paint, scratches, even a knife raised in my hoof, like Bloody Marey.

*CRASH*

*BANG*

"AAAHHHHHH!"

"Hahahaha!" I laughed, using a paint removal spell to get rid of the paint and out down the knife as the mares stopped screaming. "You should've seen your faces! You all looked ridiculous!"

Rarity and Applejack(who were wrapped in a hug together) pushed the other away while awkwardly laughing. Twilight trotted up to the book to check off Ghost Stories.

"That was some story Fairy Wishes. Where'd ya hear it?" Applejack asked me.

"Caramel told me." I joked, Rarity gave me a scared glance. "An old Ghost Story Book. Read it cover-to-cover. Bloody Marey was my favorite, as well as 'Foals of the Tracks'. Still makes me laugh."

Before we could chat anymore, Twilight popped up behind me.

"Who wants s'mores?"

"Me." Applejack and I cheered.

"I could go for a good s'more." Rarity asked politely.

Soon after, Applejack was roasting marshmallows on a nearby fireplace while Rarity was going over the instructions on making a s'more.

"Then you place one marshmallow on the top of the chocolate and be sure it's centered - that's critical - and then carefully put another perfectly square graham cracker on the top. And done. Ta-da!”

“You always did know how to make the perfect s’more.” I said while eyeing the treat.

"Ooo!" Twilight gazed at the treat.

"Nah, ya just eat 'em." Applejack munched loudly on the treat as Rarity stared at her, very annoyed. Finally, Applejack belched.

Rarity sighed. "You could at least say excuse me."

"Aw, I was just about to, but you interrupted me." Applejack replied. "Pardon."

"S'mores, check. Now the next item of fun we have to do is Truth or Dare." Twilight announced, writing in her book.

“My favorite game.” The four of us gathered back where we had Ghost Stories, Twilight carrying the Book the whole way.

“Okay, who wants to go first?”

Raising my hoof, knowing exactly whom to pick.

“I dare Applejack to do something carefully and neatly for a change." Rarity began fighting.

“Rarity, you know that’s not how the game works.” I tried, looking Rarity in the eye. Applejack pushed me aside.

"Oh yeah? Well I dare Rarity ta lighten up and stop obsessin' over every last little detail, for a change." Applejack fought back.

"I think the truth of the matter is that SOME pony could stand to pay a little more attention to details."

"And I think the truth is SOME pony oughta quit with her fussin' so the rest of us can get things done."

I grew more annoyed with each argument they made. Twilight walked over to her book and flipped through the pages. "Um, I don't think this is how the game's supposed to work. You have to give an honest answer to any question or do whatever any pony dares you to do”

“Ah dares you ta step outside and let your precious, tidy mane get ruined again!" Applejack began first.

Rarity gasped.

“You have to. It’s the rule.” Twilight added. Rarity gave me a hope filled glance.

“Sorry Rarity. It needs to be done.”

Even though I’ve known her four years, I know Rarity sometimes needs a reality check. Doing the dare might convince her to stop the nonsense.

“HAH!” Applejack laughed.

"Fine!" Rarity slowly walked to the door and then outside. The only thing stopping me from joining her was the fact that I didn’t want to upset Twilight. Applejack snickered as she came back in with her mane and tail shivering. The only other normal unicorn and I just stared with unease. Applejack began laughing but was cut short when Rarity walked straight towards her.

"Okay! I dare Applejack to play dress-up in a fru-fru, glittery, lacey outfit!”

Applejack gasped, but she walked away to put on her outfit. When she came back, she was wearing, what appeared to be, a princess outfit. Or a dress-up gown.

What was that even doing in Twilight’s house?

"Happy?" She asked.

Not Good. So very not good.

"Very." Rarity, replied, giving a smirk.

"Um, do I ever get a turn?" Twilight asked, trying not to interrupt.

"I dare ya to enter the next rodeo when it comes to town." Applejack commenced.

"I dare you not to enter the next rodeo that comes to town." Rarity replied.

“Twilight I think you have betters chance getting struck by lightning.” I said dryly.

"I dare ya to not comb your mane a hundred times before bed."

"And I dare you to comb yours just once."

As much I didn't want to get mad, I couldn't handle anymore… all this fighting… it was getting to me…I was close to that place.

Not wanting a repeat of the ‘Welcome Gilda Party’, I kept my breathing calm and steady.

"I think we should just skip Truth or Dare.” Twilight said as Applejack and Rarity stopped screaming.

Nodding my light brown head at Twilight, carefully walking towards the book myself to see what was next.

“Pillow Fight, sounds fun. Ready?”

"Oh please. I am not at all interested in something so crude." Rarity complained.

*pomf*

Right in the face too.

"Oh! It. Is. On!"

Before I could stop it, the two mares were tossing pillows back and forth, Twilight sitting in the crossfire.

"Oh I get it. Pillow fight! Fun-ah!"

"Time out!" I screamed, running to check on Twilight.

Rarity and Applejack refused to hear me.

I placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Twi, can you hear me?"

"I think we should take it down a notch." Twilight said, her eyes twisting around. The fighting didn't stop.

"Ah will if she will!" Applejack yelled.

"She started it!"

I wanted to get Twilight away but we were both buried under a mountain of pillows.

"I say we go to sleep." I groaned while trying to find an exit to my pillow prison.

"Great idea." Twilight moaned after spitting some feathers out from her mouth.

Soon enough, we had convinced the two mares to stop. Then we tried to get the sleeping situation.

Twilight slept in her own bed, I almost ordered Rarity and Applejack to take the spare while I took the couch downstairs.

The couch was a little uncomfortable but I lived with it if only to get some peace.

The whole place was black, I could barely see my hoof in front of my eyes. The only thing I heard was laughing.

“Please just let her go!” I heard a mare's voice scream. “She's just a foal!”

More evil laughter, it sounded like it was coming from a mare.

Trying to find those voices, a pair of glowing blue-green eyes came into view.

“She's more than just a foal." The voice that kept laughing said, looking right at me.

"ENOUGH!"

The loud noise woke me up, causing me to fall off the couch.

"Ugh." I groaned as I slowly stood up.

"It says right here that the number one thing you're supposed to do at slumber a parties is have fun and thanks to you two, I can't check that off!" Twilight snapped.

Carefully climbing up the stairs to Twilight's room I found all three mares awake and arguing.

"Ah've been tryin' my darnedest ta get along!" Applejack argued.

"No it is I who have been trying my best!"

"No it was me."

"No it was I!"

"It was neither of you!" I yelled.

The mares finally noticed I was in the room.

"I convinced Twilight to let you stay over to get you to be closer but I made it worse somehow! Did either of you think for a second that this wasn't just Twilight's first sleepover? That maybe I wanted to include mares who must'be had more than I can count? Or that for the smallest second tonight did either of you try and think of what was best for us and not your pety fued with each other! Even once!" I yelled at the two mares. "Well obviously you didn't so thanks Rarity and Applejack, you have successfully ruined not one, but two First Sleepovers tonight.

"See you tomorrow Twilight. I'm ging home." I said before running out of her room and running towards the door.

*BANG*

Not paying the lightning any heed I ran to my house soaking wet. I could hear Twilight calling out for me but the rest was drowned out by the sounds of the rain.

Walking into my house, the first thing I did was shake all the water off me. Next I ran to my room to get some much needed sleep.

Only to have that dream again.

This time I was running, my hooves felt like they kept hitting things. It hurt but I couldn't stop.

“Don't just stand there! Go after her!” The voice boomed.

I kept running, meeting cold eyes when I did. Every turn led to them until I finally found some safety.

But then the eyes came up and laughed again.

"Fairy Wishes." A voice called out. "Fairy Wishes are you in there?"

Not getting a chance to find the voice, I felt a darkness wrap around me coming right from those evil eyes. I tried to scream.

*BANG*

Waking up for the second time by loud noise that night, I found Applejack rushing into my room. Rarity and Twilight close behind her.

"Fairy Wishes, are you okay?" Applejack asked. "We heard ya screaming."

Gathering my composure, I looked at the mares.

"What are you three doing here?" I asked.

"Well," Twilight started, "after you left a lightning strike hit a tree by my house. Applejack pulled it into my bedroom." I felt my eyes widden at that. "While I was checking my book for things like that Applejack and Rarity worked together to get the branch out."

"Could you repeat that last part?" I asked her.

"We worked together ta fix it Sugarcube." Applejack explained.

"Then after we realized you were right about it and how terrible we all felt we ran here to apologize." Rariy added.

"And finish the sleepover here at your house." Twilight continued.

Seeing they all were telling the truth, I felt a tear fall down my cheek.

"Really? You all did that for me?" I asked. They nodded. "Thank you so much." Running over to the mares, I gathered them all into a hug.

Once they pulled away, we all went downstairs to finish the slumber party.

"Isis it bigger than a barn?" Applejack asked me.

"Not even close."

"Is it smaller than a saddle?" Rarity asked me.

"Yes. Only three of your Twenty Questions left." I reminded them.

The Slumber Party was going way better than before. Rarity found my curlers and placed them in her hair, Twilight's and mine. We decided to play Twenty Questions and the weren't even close to figuring it out.

"We're never gonna guess what yer thinkin' it could be anything!" Applejack pointed out.

"Are we getting warmer?" Rarity asked.

"No I feel just fine." Twilight said. "Why is it too cold in here? Fairy could you turn on the heat?"

The three of us laughed.

"She means are we getting closer with our guesses." Applejack explained.

"Oh."

"The answer is no. And that counted for a question so only two left." I explained.

Applejack and Rarity waited another minute before guessing again.

"Is it a six-legged pony with a purple polka dotted mane and shootin' stars comin' out of his eyes?"

"Who flys thru the air all over the world to hide magical eggs?"

I gave them a weird stare before answering.

"Yes!"

"Reay?" Both asked.

"No. And that's twenty."

"Well what was it?" Rarity asked. I pointed at a paintbrush sitting on my coffee table.

"It was so nice to see you working together. I wanted you to win." I explained.

The three mares laughed, happy to see them being nice.

"See? We could've been having fun like this all along." Twilight explained.

"If only somepony hadn't been so prissy." Applejack said.

"Well maybe she wouldn't have been if somepony else hadn't been so sloppy."

We laughed. Again.

Applejack and Rarity then went on a apologizing argument, making me laugh even harder.

"I declare our first Slumber Party a success!" Twilight cheered as Rarity and I high-hoofed.

"YEAH!"

Later, I read the letter Twilight planned on sending the Celestia.

Dear Princess Celestia,

It's hard to believe that two ponie who have so little in common could ever get along, but I found out that of you brace each others differences you just might be surprised to discover friends after all.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

I had to agree with Twilight.

Our first slumber party was a success.

Bridle Gossip

i own Fairy Wishes and Shadow. Everything else is Hasbro's. Leave me alone!

A week after the Slumber Party, I was walking in the Farmer's Market and buying some apples. The week had been a peaceful for the most part. Aside from a small matter concerning the beavers at Sweet Apple Acres.

Today, I had made sure to lock my Art Room because if somepony happened to walk in to make a request for a painting or re-decoration and saw that painting it might lead to something.

I was currently walking to Sugarcube Corner when I noticed a figure off in the distance.

A pony-like figure wearing a brown cloak.

“Fairy Wishes!” A voice whispered.

“Fairy Wishes!” The same voice whispered. Looking around, I noticed all the ponies were inside.

Not this again.

Finally, I saw Pinkie’s head popping out of the door. She was motioning for me to come inside.

This happens about once every couple of weeks. That cloaked pony came into town, everypony closed their shops for just about the whole day and anypony who went out was consider crazy.

I don’t see what the problem is. The creature looks a little scary I’ll give everypony that, but it doesn’t mean we should shun her!

Pinkie locked the door as I walked into the closed Bakery.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity were all inside.

“Do we really have to hide here everytime she comes to town?

Applejack nodded. It was a little hard to see with the darkness but I quickly adjusted to the lack of light.

“Course Fairy Wishes! We need ta protect our families from...from...whatever that is!”

Looking behind Applejack, I saw a young yellow filly. Her bright red was held back by a pink and red bow. Her golden eyes were filled with annoyance at the situation. Her little hooves were crossed over her chest.

“Applejack Fairy’s right!”

“Apple Bloom, let the grownups talk.” Applejack explained to her sister.

Every. Single. Time.

“Psst! Twilight! Spike! Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!” Pinkie whispered.

Hoping Twilight would make them see sense, I waited for the purple unicorn and purple dragon to walk in.

After they were dragged in, a flashlight was turned on. Scaring the two.

“Is it the zombie pony?!” Spike asked.

“Z-z-z-zombie?” Pinkie asked. Successfully scaring the dragon.

“Spike, there are no zombie ponies.” Twilight explained. “Pinkie, what are you doing alone in the dark?”

“She’s not alone.” I said, ominously.

“Ah!”

The closed shutters were moved slightly, enough to finally see but still pretty dark.

“Hey Twi, how’s your day going?” I asked.

“What are all of you doing in the dark?” Twilight asked.

“I was foalnapped.” I explained.

“We’re hidin’ from her!” Applejack pointed at the cloaked figure that had finally come into view.

She still looked pretty tall, the brown ragged cloak covered her body. Her face remained unseen. Her striped hooves (one of which held golden bracelets) poked out, one in particular began digging at the ground and as if it knew we were watching her, yellow eyes turned towards the Corner.

Creepy, but not fear worthy.

Everypony shrunk down, except me and Twilight.

On the other side of Twilight, young Apple Bloom used Spike as a hoof stool.

“Did ya see her Twilight? Did ya see Zecora?” Apple Bloom sounded more curious than scared, but the fear was still there.

“Apple Bloom! Ah told ya never ta say that name!” Applejack scolded.

“I saw her glance this way.” Twilight said, confused.

“Glance, evilly this way!” Pinkie warned.

“Zecora just looked at the shop mares. No need to get our tails in a twist.” I explained.

“Fairy, do you know what’s going on?” Spike asked me.

“Yeah, every couple of weeks Zecora comes into town but because everypony is so scared of her I’m dragged into a house and made quiet so I can’t go outside.” I whispered to the dragon as Applejack babied her sister.

“Ah’m not a foal! I can do thangs myself!” Apple Bloom yelled.

“Not from that creepy Zecora.” Applejack ordered.

“AJ, she’s probably trying to meet her new neighbors.” I tried.

“She’s mysterious.” Fluttershy whispered.

“Sinister.” Rainbow added as she flew over our heads.

“And spooOooOooOky!” Pinkie explained.

I facehoofed. Every. Single. Time.

We all crowded around the window again, trying to catch a look at Zecora.

She pulled her cloak down.

Her mane style was mohawked, black and white stripes.

*GASP*

“Would you stop doing that?” Twilight insisted.

“Ah! Just look at those stripes! So garish!” Rarity groaned.

“She’s a zebra.” Twilight pointed out.

“A WHAT?!” We all asked her, sounding like a child’s play.

“A zebra. And her stripes aren’t a fashion choice Rarity. There what she was born with.” Twilight explained, getting in Rarity’s muzzle for a second.

“I told you!” I yelled at Rarity

Last time, Rarity said the same thing about Zecora. I for one, tried to explain it to her that maybe Zecora had as much choice in her coloring as we did.

Shortly after I yelled, Rarity fainted. Most likely at the crime against fashion.

“Born where? Ah never seen a pony like dat in these parts.” Applejack asked Twilight. “‘Cept, her.”

“Well she’s probably not even from here and she’s not a pony. My books say that Zebras come from a faraway land.” Twilight began. “But I’ve never seen her in Ponyville, where does she live?”

Here it comes.

“Thats just it. She lives in...The Everfree Forest!” Applejack yelled.

*BANG* *CLANG* *BANG*

“AHHH!” We all jumped from the loud noise, it woke up Rarity too.

“Spike!” Twilight yelled.

Looking back to the dragon in question, I saw Spike holding a cupcake and candy cane, standing in front of two pans in the kitchen.

“Sorry.” He apologized.

“The Everfree Forest just ain’t natural. The plants grow...”

I leaned close to Twilight, “Which they never do.”

“Animals care for themselves.”

“Which they never did before Fluttershy.” I whispered.

“And the clouds move!”

“Which they never did before pegasi.”

“All on their own!” Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy explained.

“Now you see my problem.” I explained to my newest friend “And great, Rarity fainted again.”

As if to see if I was true, Twilight looked over and saw the white unicorn across the ground.

“Just be glad Pinkie hasn’t showed you Zecora’s theme song.” I whispered.

“Theme song?”

“And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil...stuff!” Pinkie explained. “I even wrote a song about it!”

“oh.” Twilight deadpanned.

“She’s an evil enchantress, she does evil dances

And if you look deep in her eyes she’ll put you in trances!”

Looking over at the Apple sisters, Applejack was shaking like a leaf and Apple Bloom looked pretty unhappy.

Pinkie’s song went on a little longer.

To be painfully honest, this is not one of Pinkie’s better songs. But, it’s better than the last time she sang it I’ll give her that.

Taking the chance, I walked over to Rarity.

“The floor has dirt on it.”

With that, Rarity shot up from her state.

“SO! Watch out!” Pinkie exclaimed, standing on a table.

“Catchy as ever Pinks.” I told her.

“It’s a Work in Progress.” She explained.

Twilight rolled her eyes at us, walking around the room. “This is all just a bunch of rumors. So tell me, what have you actually seen Zecora do?”

“Well” Rainbow started. “Once a month, she comes into Ponyville.”

“Scary right?” I asked Twilight.

“Very.” Twilight faked.

“Then...she lurks by the stores.” Rarity explained.

“The horror!” I pretended to faint.

“Oh my!” Twilight ‘exclaimed’.

“And then...she digs at the ground.” Fluttershy explained.

“Good gracious!” Twilight gasped.

“Whatever shall we do?!” I stood next to Twilight, shivering in mock fear. Apple Bloom stood next to us.

“Okay, I’m sorry but how does any of this bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit.” Twilight tried.

“Yeah! She’s jest trying’ ta be neighborly!” Apple Bloom yelled.

“Maybe Zecora doesn’t lurk maybe she shops! And the stores are closed whenever she comes to town because everypony is too scared of her to stay open.” I explained.

“Yeah, everypony likes ta shop. Ya know what I think...” Apple Bloom started before her sister got in her face.

“Apple Bloom, hush and let the big ponies talk.” Applejack explained.

While watching the poor filly trot off, I followed her. A plan to stop this nonsense finally coming to mind.

The others kept arguing as I walked slowly with Apple Bloom.

“Psst, Apple Bloom.” The filly looked up at me, “Wanna try and earn a cutiemark in peacekeeping?”

After sneaking out of the shop and following Zecora, every once in awhile we would hide behind a tree of house but we kept going. We followed her thru the park, the town and finally ending up at the Everfree Forest.

“Come on Apple Bloom, we can do this.”

The small yellow filly nodded. At first it was safe, but soon enough we ended up near a field of blue flowers. I noticed Zecora making great care to avoid them.

“Bloom, we can’t touch the flowers. Try walking around them.”

We got about two feet in.

“APPLE BLOOM! FAIRY WISHES!”

Horesappales. It’s AJ.

Turning around, we saw six mares each in varying states of anger.

Mostly directed at me.

“Yah get back here right now!” AJ yelled from behind some of the blue flowers.

“Beware! Beware you ponyfolK! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!” Zecora yelled before running off into the newly formed mist.

Not needing anymore advice, I tried to find the way back to the group. As slowly as possible.

“Ya keep yer crazy mumba jumba ta yerself ya hear!” Applejack yelled while picking up Apple Bloom. The others voiced agreements.

“Mares, come on. We’re both fine.” I tried.

“Beware! Beware!” Zecora’s voice rang in the forest before disappearing.

I was still trying to sneak away, I was thankfully behind them all when...

“Fairy Wishes...” A familiar voice started.

Turning around, I saw AJ giving me a harsh glare.

“Yes AJ?” Her green eyes stared at me with the angriest eyes I have ever seen.

“Ya put mah sister in danger.” She said flatly.

“Danger? I don’t see any danger. Do you mares?” I asked the other five. “Because I don’t. Do you Apple Bloom?”

“No. We were just tryin’ ta-”

“Apple Bloom, that is enough!” Applejack yelled. “Why couldn’t ya jest listen ta yer big sister?”

“Ah-Ah-Ah” Apple Bloom muttered. My ears flattened, I’m in such trouble.

“Who knows what kinda nasty curse Zecora coulda just put on you!”Applejack explained. Noticing I was about to touch a flower, I moved

Zecora may be creepy, but I won’t discard advice.

“Just like in my song! She’s an evil enchantress! With the dances! And the trances!”

“Mares, there are no such things as curses.” Twilight explained.

Rainbow flew thru the flowers towards Twilight.

“Interesting to her from Little Miss Magic Pants herself.” Rainbow laughed while poking Twilight’s horn.

When Rainbow backed off, I stared at my friends all surrounded by the blue flowers while I tried jumping out of the field.

“My magic, real magic, comes from within. It’s a skill you’re born with. Curses are artificial, fake. It’s conjured with potions and incantations All smoke and mirrors meant to scare. Curses have no power. just an old ponytail.”

*GASP*

The ponies turned to me.

Being the Element of Faith, means that I tend to lean towards having faith in things. Ponylore, stories, seaponies, flutterponies, wishing on a shooting star, Santa Hooves, the Easter Pony, Cupid, Tooth Flutterpony.

And curses.

“H-h-how can you do that?!” I asked Twilight, still trying to avoid the flowers.

“Do what?”

“Just-Just-Just disregard something like that!?!” Twilight looked at me with confusion.

“Fairy Wishes, it’s true. Curses are-”

“LALALALALALALA!” I yelled, covering my ears with my hooves. Squeezing my eyes shut to avoid the false truth Twilight was trying to give me.

Finally, I decided to run. The risk of touching the flowers was becoming too much and I needed to run.

The next morning, I woke up bright and shiny as ever. Today, I was determined to talk with Zecora. I had a book to return to the LIbrary so I had to drop that off first. So, having an apple from the Acres I ran towards it.

Then I heard the noises. The gaping hole in Twilight’s wall.

When I walked in, it was what could be the...

Greatest thing ever.

Rainbow Dash was flying and crashing all over the place! Rarity had dreadlocks! Pinkie’s tongue was big and polka dotted! Applejack was tiny! Twilight’s horn was all droopy and polka dotted! Fluttershy...looked the same.

But I held my laughter in, the shock really helped with that.

“Aha! This is hilarious! HAha! Look at all of you! We have... Harity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Appleteenie, Flutterguy, and... Twilight Sparkle, I mean, seriously. I can’t even work with that.” Spike explained.

“Harity...” I whispered.

“Fairy Wishes! It’s you!” Looking over at the purple unicorn, I felt whatever resistance I had break.

“HAHAHAHA!” Collapsing onto the floor, I began to laugh at them all.

“We know, we look ridiculous. But... you don’t.”

Still laughing, I began to mutter all the names Spike made. Even came up with one for Twilight.

“Twilight Squiggle!” I shouted. Spike’s face turned to hysterics, realizing it was a good nickname.

“This isn’t a joke! Spike go find more books to find a cure!”

“Those leaves of blue are not a joke.”

Weird, I could’ve sworn I just heard Zecora.

Looking over at Rainbow, I saw she finally unlodged herself from the ladder.

“I think we’ll find the cure at Zecora’s place!”Rainbow yelled.

Wait... these leaves of blue are not a joke.

“It’s not a curse!” Rainbow crashed again.

This seems like a big joke, and if the leaves aren’t a joke then that means it’s effects are like joke-like.

“Ah I agree with Dash!”

Rainbow was right. The cure is with Zecora, not because she cursed us.

But because she knew the plant.

Walking over to the only pony that thought nice about Zecora, I offered Apple Bloom a chance to try and find Zecora again.

After a long run, I heard a voice squeak.

“hold it right there!”

I skid to a stop, causing Apple Bloom to do the same. Then, I saw a small orange pony climb out of Apple Bloom’s red mane.

“Turn around now!” Appleteenie order

“No.” Apple Bloom cheered.

“What!” Appleteenie yelled.

“Ah’m yer big sister and Ah’m tellin’ ya two ta get back ta Twilight’s!” Appleteenie screamed.

“Big sister?” Soon enough, Appleteenie was wrapped in my magic. “You’re no bigger than my paintbrush.” Looking around, I saw a nice branch to keep Appleteenie busy for awhile. “So, until we’ve talked to Zecora Appleteenie. I’m gonna have to ask you to stay right here.”

Appleteenie gave me an angry glare, and then started ranting.

“Come on Apple Bloom. I can tell the others aren’t too far behind.”

The two of us ran for a little while longer, we tried path after path until finally finding what I was sure to be her house. How was I sure you ask? It was the only home in the Forest. It was like Twilight’s in that it was made from a tree. It was surrounded by various masks and bottles.

*knock* *knock*

Apple Bloom and I waited a moment, the sounds of hooves soon came to the door.

The door opened, revealing the cloaked figure only without the cloak. Her face was a little more pointed, she had blue-green eyes and a mark the shape of the sun on her flank from what I could see.

“Hello Miss Zecora.” I greeted.

“Howdy Miss Zecora.” Apple Bloom greeted.

“Oh, now what is this I see? Two ponies that braved the Everfree.” Zecora said.

“What? Oh! Yes.” It took me a minute to get the rhyme. “My friend, Apple Bloom, and I would like to talk to you about something.” But I saw a weird glint in her eye. “Not like that! It’s about those blue flowers.” Her eyes widened.

“So it seems those ponyfolk, walked right in the Poisoned Joke?”

Apple Bloom and I exchanged glances. Poison Joke, it fit. We nodded at Zecora.

“Please come in to my humble abode, for some kindness must be shown.” Zecora backed away from the frame, letting us into her house.

It was small, more bottles of various colors on the walls, more of those masks and a big black cauldron.

“Tell me Young Pony I know the name of young Apple Bloom, but what is the name for you?” Zecora asked as I calmly sat on a bench near a small table.

“Fairy Wishes, but you can just call me Fairy.” Carefully leaning towards Zecora, I asked. “Can you help my friends?”

The zebra walked over to a small book nearby.

"Of Poison Joke I know the cure. But your help is needed for sure." She explained whole turning the pages in the green book.

"Of course. Whatever we can do." They were my friends, and as much as I liked Harity, she needed to go.

"It shrunk mah sister. And Ah'm gettin' her back!" Apple Bloom stomped her hoof on the ground.

Zecora modded at us, she even smilied.

"The cure to this is a special bath, mixed with herbs you can find in that." She pointed a hoof at the Everfree Forest.

"Sounds simply enough." I added.

"You are the first ponies to come in my home, thank you Fairy Wishes and Apple Bloom."

"No problem Zecora."

Zecora smiled and turned to Apple Bloom. "Little Apple Bloom, there is a list of things I need. All of which, must be taken with speed."

Writing a quick list, Zecora hoofed the list to Apple Bloom.

"The forest is too fierce for one small, so leave with Fairy Wishes for if you fall." Zecora added before grabbing a nearby purple bottle.

Nodding my light brown head, I turned towards Apple Bloom.

"Come on, who knows how long we have, til our friends wreck the plan."

As we slowly walked out, I heard Zecora laugh at my small attempt to rhyme.

What? I'm an artist not a poet.

"You sure you grabbed two hoofful a of the roots?" I asked Apple Bloom as the two of us walked back to Zecora's.

Her yellow head bobbed up and down.

"Sure as sugar! Ah also got six of the leaves Zecora asked for." Bloom explained.

"Great! I made sure to her a little extra pu-"

*CRASH*

My ear twitched, the sound was faint but I heard it.

"Zecora." I muttered, using some magic to lift Apple Bloom onto my back. "We need to hurry!"

Running thru the forest, I tried as hard as I could to get to Zecora's and as fast as I could.

But I was too late.

The nice bed she had was tarnished. Broken glass was everywhere. The cauldron was spilled over with a green liquid. The once filled shelves were empty and those masks were broken.

Five and a quarter mares stood in the center.

‘Warning. Anger Levels Over-heating'

"Bloom. Earmuffs."

Quickly complying, the yellow filly covered her ears with her hooves.

Trotting next to Zecora, I faced Twilight.

"Explain." My voice was cold and emotionless but I tried hard to keep my fury away from my eyes.

"Zecora put a hex on us. I didn't believe in it at first but then we saw her-." I held up a hoof.

"Twi, your my friend. The orange mare wrestling another riend's was is Apple Bloom's sister. Tell me what this looks like from Apple Bloom's eyes." They all looked at the filly with her hooves stil over her ears.

*gulp*"She sees her big sister under a curse because of Zecora?"

Face hoofing, I turned to Zecora.

"It's not a curse.”

"If you remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact." Zecora explained. I motioned for Apple Bloom to take off the muffs and come forward.

"It was a warning."

"About the blue plant, it's called Poison Joke." Apple Bloom explained.

"That plant is much like Poison Oak, but it's results are like a joke!" Zecora explained, laughing at the end.

"What in the hay does that mean?" Appleteenie asked.

"It means after you mares decide to play in the leaves, the plant devised to play a joke on you. All your problems are just little jokes it played on you, save for me and Apple Bloom." Hugging the filly next to me.

"Little?! Jokes!?!" Appleteenie yelled.

"Okay fine, but what about the cauldron?" Rainbow Crash asked.

"And the chanting."

Woah. Now I get Flutterguy.

"And the creepy decor." Harity explained.

"Treasures! From the land where I am from. This one speaks 'hello' and this 'welcome'." Zecora explained.

"Not welcome at all. If you ask me." Harity mumbled.

"The words I chanted were from old pony times. Something you call a nursery rhyme." Zecora explained.

"An the cauldron held the cure for Posion Joke that Apple Bloom and I finished getting the ingredients for." I motioned at the book. "It was a bubble bath."

Twilight walked over to the book. "But all tge other books I had didn't have the cure in!"

"Here is the book you see. Too bad you lack it in your library." Zecora explained, closing the green book revealing a strange shaped plant.

"Actually... I do have this book but the title was so…"

"Weird?" I tried. Twilight nodded, making the horn bounce. "Twilight, sometimes you just have to look past the odd cover and see something for what it is. Whether its an odd book title or a zebra who lives in the woods. HWFH."

"Huh?" They all asked.

"How Would Faith Help."

"Oh." The others grumbled.

"Zecora, I'm so sorry. I had the a cure the whole time, if only I had bothered to look." Twilight explained.

"Maybe next time you will take a second look and not judge the cover of the book." Zecora pointed out.

Bloom and I giggled.

"Zecora, could you be kind enough to mix a second batch of the herbed bath?" Twilight asked.

"Mix it up I certainly will. Yet I am missing an herb from Ponyville." Zecora explained.

"But whenever she comes over, all the stores are ‘mysteriously closed’." I added.

"Oh! I think we can help with that." Twilight Squiggle bargained.

Once the nine of us got back to town, the shops were closed again. Twilight and I walked into the Flower Shop and explained to Daisy and Roseluck that Zecora wasn't evil and that it wasn't a curse.

Soon after getting the flower, we all went to the spa to convince Aloe and Vera that we needed to borrow the large tub so we could use the cure. After another round of explaining, they agreed to help.

As Zecora and I started making the cure, we both laughed as I explained the nicknames from Spike.

Once everypony was good and cured, I heard Twilight writing the letter to Princess Celestia.

Dear Princess Celestia,

My friends and I learned an important lesson this week. Never judge a book by its cover. Somepony may look unusual or funny or scary but you have to look past and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't cars what your cover is, it's the contents inside a pony that count and a good friend, like a good book, is something that will last forever.

Your Fairhful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

PS- Fairy Wishes also would like to point she learned the lesson before, but was glad to learn it again.

After getting home, I walked around my house and made a daffodil sandwich for a late lunch. Remembering the day's course, I chuckled.

"Harity. I will never let her live that down." I said to myself.

"Let who live what down?" Came a voice from behind me.

"AAAAHHHHH!" I screamed. I ducked below my dining room table, closing my eyes

"Fairy it's Shadow!" The voice said.

I stopped screaming and cowering. Squinting my eyes open I locked my lilac eyes with yellow cat-like eyes.

A Batpony was in my house.

"Shadow?" I asked warily.

The black stallion lowered himself down to show himself to me. His short silver mane was messy around his black fur. Yellow slit eyeballs filled with humor stared at me. On his back I could see the bat wings. They were folded but you could still tell they were bat. His cutie mark, thought unseen, I remembered to be a grayish eye mask to show his skills at hiding. He was really good and hide ‘n’ seek if memory served.

Over his chest was a dark blue vest, most likely he liked the fabric or he needed something for the cold.

"So, like what you’ve done with the place." He joked.

I punched his shoulder angrily and crawled out from under the table.

"Don't scare me like that! What are you doing here?" I asked him happily.

Rubbing his shoulder jokingly, his smile showed of his white teeth.

"I heard you lived here. And that you Bear an Element of Harmony."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"Yeah. What about you?" I asked.

"Same old same old."

"That bad huh?" Shadow shrugged.

"We'll it couldn't get worse." I gave him a glare. "Sorry, I thought I would surprise you here. Get to know before I have to go."

I laughed.

"You always could get a laugh outta me." I walked over to the living room.

"You can stay the night if you'd like. I'm sure ponies would be fine with you staying here."

"Yeah. A strange creature walks into town and they'll throw me a party!" Shadow said grimly.

"Pinkie might actually do that. I even got the invite to Zecora's tomorrow. But trust me Shadow, after today ponies will know not to judge a book by its cover.

Harity. Hehehe

Shadow stared at me with hopeful eyes.

"One night." He said.

"One night… once a month so we don't drift apart again. Deal?" Another smile grew on the batpony's face.

"Deal." With hoofed bumped as to seal it.

"Now get some sleep. Unless you actually are nocturnal?" I joked as we both went to our new rooms. "That's the bathroom Shadow. Your room is the next door."

"I knew that." He lied.

"Yeah, uh-huh. Good night Shadow."

He opened the door to his right, and walked in.

I fell asleep quickly. Finally knowing what happened to the pony who helped me get my cutiemark.

Swarm of the Century

The Morning after the Zecora incident, Shadow and I got to talking about the old times. Back when I was a blank-flank filly and he was a blank-flank batpony. We talked about the day we first became friends and the few years after. I got on to explaining how I began painting and my move to Ponyville, he got started on... nothing. Shadow told me little to nothing of his life since we last saw each other.

So, for the most part the night was alright.

One Week Later

Waking up that morning, I made sure to make sure my saddlebag was packed for the day. Twilight’s habits had rubbed off on me a little, that or they had been forced on me from the many hours of hanging around the library. I had a lot to do today, and Celestia’s coming over didn’t completely alter it.

Finishing off my muffin, I looked over at the painting sitting in the Art Room. The weird green eyes still kept staring, like they were alive. Sent shivers up my spines.

Running outside, I saw hysteria. Ponies were running around the town, decorating it and making it look beautiful. All for the arrival of Celestia.

“Okay, today was a bad day for fix-up that old room.” I grumbled, taking a look at all the chaos.

Walking down the street, I began to look for the first shop I needed.

Bed, Bath and Backyards, Sofas and Quills and a quick stop at Sugarcube Corner to say hello to Pinkie Pie.

Walking inside the sweet shop, I noticed a long table filled with eaten cakes and treats, Fluttershy, Twilight and Pinkie Pie.

“I could take one of your hooves.” I heard Twilight say.

Trotting over, I saw a bunch of cute little creatures in the hooves of my friends. One yellow, one blue, one brown and one green.

“What are these?” I asked Fluttershy.

The pegasus opened her muzzle to answer, but Pinkie jumped in front of me.

“They're parasprites! They're the worstest kind of pest there is!” She warned me.

“Really!” I gasped, “but they look so cut-” Pinkie cut me off.

“I know! They look supercutelicius, buts that's how they get you to let them in! And now i have to find a tambourine!” Pinkie yelled.

“Ugh…Fairy, you don't have to listen to that. I'm sure it's just another pony tale that Pinkie made up.” Twilight suggested.

A look of shock came over my face. I stared Pinkie right in the eyes, unwilling to listen to Twilight at the moment.

“What else do you need?”

Pinkie looked serious for a moment, she nodded. “A drum, a trumpet, a banjo, a harmonica, maracas, a tambourine, a tuba and an accordion.”

“I think I have a drum in my attic and the maracas.” I cheered.

“Then hurry! Who know how long until those things infest the town!” Pinkie yelled.

I nodded to my pink friend, shopping would have to wait. I have to help Ponyville!

As I walked with Pinkie, I couldn’t help but ask what was so wrong about those little creatures. Pinkie happily explained.

“Parasprites are pests, just like I said back at Sugarcube Corner. The only problem is that they eat everything! When they eat then they make another parasprite by burping one. It keeps going until the place is out of food then goes to the next town. I found a way to distract them so they leave the town before tearing it up, cause that’s not nice and I don’t think Princess Celestia would like it all of her sweets were gone before she even had a chance to eat them.”

I nodded, a bit of my brown mane falling on my face as I did. “How do you know all this?”

Pinkie went into storyteller mode again .”Easy! Once I left my home on the Rock Farm to go find a place to use my special talent I found a nice small town (not really small or else I wouldn’t be living in it) but then a huge herd of parasprites came! Crunchy Nutty thought she could fix it by making them parasprites not want to eat food, but the spell made her eat the whole town! I found a bunch of instruments from one of the houses they had already eaten and made a bunch of noise using them. The parasprites followed me into a nearby forest and we fixed up the town til it was all hunky doory!”

“Huh, that’s cool-wait...did you say you lived on a rock farm?” I asked Pinkie Pie. She nodded.

“Yep! But that story won’t be coming for another thirteen episodes, so you’ll just have to wait til then!”

“Episodes? Pinkie what are you-” Pinkie shoved a hoof in my mouth before I could say more.

“No time! We need to find all the stuff before it’s too late and the Princess’ Special Visit is ruined!”

With that, I ran off towards my house.

Rummaging thru the many dusty boxes in my attic, I found my old maracas stored in my boxes from college. The drum was a little harder. Looking out a nearby window, I saw it was nighttime and I had only one of the two objects I had to find.

It was going to be a long night.

The next morning, I trotted into Sugarcube Corner with my maracas and large drum in my magic. Going up to Pinkie’s apartment, I saw she was playing a harmonica.

“Look Fairy, Applejack loaned me her harmonica!” Pinkie said before playing a few notes.

I giggled, “Great, I found my old maracas and drum. Are they alright?”

Lowering the two instruments in front of my friend, she gave them both careful looks (with a very serious face) and smiled at me.

“They’re perfect! Now we just need to find all the other stuff and we’re good to go!” Pinkie cheered.

Nodding at Pinkie, I went off in search of a tambourine, the accordion and banjo.

Once I finished with Lyra (she apparently had an accordion on hoof) I went in search of Pinkie and instead found the rest of my friends herding a huge ball of those cute little parasprites.

I ran up to Twilight and saw her in a conversation with Pinkie Pie.

“We don’t have much time!” Pinkie yelled.

“You’re telling me! The Princess could arrive at any moment!” Twilight yelled. I kept looking between them and the giant ball behind us.

“Exactly! That’s why I need you gals to drop what you’re doing and help me find some maracas!”

“Pinkie I already gave you mine!” I yelled. Pinkie laughed.

“Oh yeah, then I need your help in finding a tuba!” Pinkie told Twilight, who groaned loudly.

“We have bigger problems than finding some tuba!” Twilight yelled.

“You’re right! An accordion has to be our biggest priority!” Pinkie yelled before running off, I followed.

We soon went back, upon finding none of the others followed us. Pinkie going backwards and I going frontwards.

“I said follow me.” Pinkie instructed.

“We don’t have much time remember!” I added.

“Pinkie you are so random and Fairy, you’re nearly as random.” Rainbow said from above us.

“Ugh! And you are all so stubborn!” Pinkie yelled. “Come on Fairy, let’s go see if the music store has some cymbals.” Pinkie and I then ran off towards the music shop in Ponyville. We had only a few more things to find.

And a few hours to find them.

Pinkie and I left the store a while back with the cymbals. After some discussion, Pinkie ended up carrying the symbols around her neck and banging them together every few seconds. Soon, a large breeze began and blew my mane in the wind. Looking around I saw a very big and dull tornado in Fluttershy’s yard.

“Looks like all our problems ‘er solved!” Applejack yelled.

“They will be with these new cymbals!” Pinkie cheered, before they too became swept up in the breeze and inside the tornado.

It soon broke, letting nearly twice as many parasprites as the ball and a very dizzy Rainbow Dash.

“Pinkie Pie! Fairy Wishes! You’re ruining our chances of saving Ponyville!” Twilight yelled while the others gave us death glares.

While taking a fear gulp, I saw Pinkie gasp next to me.

“Us? Ruin? We’re not the ruiners! We’re the Ruinees! Or is it Ruinest?!” My partner in crime yelled. She slumped down onto the ground, trying to find the right way to describe us. “Ruinettes?”

“Come on girls,” Applejack ordered as she galloped next to us. “There’s no reasonin’ with these two. They’re a few apples short of a bushel.” Applejack whispered the last part, but I could still hear it and I felt insulted.

“Hey!” I yelled, Pinkie joined me,

“We’re trying to tell you the ruining is on the other hoof!” Pinkie yelled at our friends as they ran off. “IF YOU JUST SLOW DOWN AND LISTEN TO US!”

But our warning came to deaf ears, the mares kept on running towards the giant herd of parasprites. Leaving myself and a slightly upset Pinkie alone.

I gave my friend a careful pat on the back.

“Come on Pinkie Pie, I’ll go find those cymbals. You go and get the rest and I’ll meet you back at your place. Sound alright?” The party pony’s foul mood left and quick as it came. Her large smile appeared on her face.

“You’re right! We still haven’t found an accordion or tuba or a flute or those tambourines!” Pinkie then ran off towards the town.

Looking around the wooded area, I began searching for the lost cymbals.

Before me, sat a pair of maracas, a tuba, some cymbals, an accordion, a tambourine, my drum, a trumpet, a banjo and a harmonica. Pinkie stood across from me and was quickly putting the strange contraption together.

I had to make sure that all the parts would fit on Pinkie so she could play them all, I was given the task of playing the maracas. Such an honor!

Quickly, I noticed Pinkie’s anger. She wasn’t smiling but the frown wasn’t from sadness. Maybe, mild irritation was a better word.

“Pinkie Pie, are you okay?” I asked her. She nodded.

“Of course I’m okay, why wouldn’t I be alright Fairy?” A few hard smacks from the hammer she was using told me she wasn’t.

“Because none of our friends listened to us.”

My sentence made Pinkie stop, her head moved up and swirled towards myself. The lighting made it easy to see her sad look.

“Yeah? That was only because they tried fixing it the same way Crunchy Nutty did. I wasn’t mad at Crunchy so I’m not mad at Twilight or the others.” Pinkie cheered. Her familiar cheeriness clear as day.

“But-you know Pinkie, just like Applejack and lies, I can usually see when somepony doesn’t believe in something. You don’t even believe your own sentence so how can I?”

Pinkie looked shocked, she blinked a couple times before lowering her head.

“Am...am I really to random like Rainbow said? Is that why or was it because none of them had any of the instruments? Or is it what Applejack said about me being short on apples. I still have a lot in the kitchen so I knew she didn’t mean it that way so I thought what other way she meant. I figured it out, and I didn’t like it.” Pinkie picked up the blow torch and began working again. This time a little faster.

Walking up to her, I placed a hoof on her shoulder. “She said it about me too Pinkie, but I know she was stressed so I let it go. Sure, it might come up in an argument later, but I won’t let that stop me from being friends with her. And you know what else helped me see that?” Pinkie shook her head.

“Nope, was it special goggles?” Pinkie asked, slowly turning off the blow torch. I wasn’t sure if she meant it, but I gave a small laugh.

“No, it was this moment here. You’re putting a lot of random instruments together. You made that party cannon which I know was probably no easy task. Back with Gilda, you thought of the party to improve her mood. All of those, so I that’s how I knew Applejack was stressed.”

Before Pinkie could say anything, I hugged her. She hugged back.

“Thanks Fairy Wishes.” Pinkie said as we ended to hug.

“It was no trouble Pinkie, now, what do you say we fix this thing and save the town?”

Pinkie winked at me, going back to working on the large costume made of instruments.

Huh, so this is what happens when parasprites are turned to eating buildings. Ponyville looked like a complete wreck; carts toppled over, buildings missing walls, bits of apples and other foods scattered everywhere, ponies running away from the parasprites.

Pinkie stood next to me, wearing the instruments we had both gathered throughout town.

“It’s now or never.” I told Pinkie, holding the maracas with my lilac magic next to me.

“I know Fairy. This is our only chance. Let’s party!” Pinkie cheered, beginning to play the instruments all at once.

We began walking across the town, playing the instruments into a nice song as we did. After a solid minute, I began to notice the bugs trailing us. All dancing in tune with the song.

“Pinkie we got ‘em!” I told her.

Pinkie’s only response was turning towards the Everfree Forest, being careful to make sure none were left behind.

As we approached, I notice the Princess flying down. We just barely made it in time.

The two of us played our little song until all the little critters were safely inside the Forest. We noticed the others right after.

“Hey, what happened to the Princess?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Emergency in Fillydelphia.” Twilight explained quickly.

Ah, we manage to save the town but we still missed the Princess’ visit.

“Some sort of infestation.” Rainbow Dash explained, a knowing look in her pink eyes.

Pinkie and I gasped.

“Oh no! Did parasprites get there too!” Pinkie cried.

“We have the solution!” I cheered, we both began playing our instruments.

Twilight stopped us.

“I think the Princess has it covered.” Twilight said.

I let out a sigh of relief. I wasn’t in the mood to go to Fillydelphia.

“So ya’ll knew what them critters were all along huh Pinkie Pie and Fairy Wishes?” Applejack asked.

“Actually, only Pinkie Pie knew. She explained it all to me so I decided to help.” I explained Pinkie nodded.

“It was why I was so frantic to get all of this stuff! I tried to tell you!” Pinkie added.

“We know Pinkie,” Twilight started, “And we’re sorry we didn’t listen.” The others gave their apologies. “You’re great friends. Even if we don’t always understand you.”

“Thanks guys! You’re all great friends too!” Pinkie smiled, but her face changed from the big smile. “Even we I don’t understand me.”

“You both saved my reputation with Princess Celestia, and more importantly you two saved Ponyville!”

We all stood in the center of the disaster, smoke was rising from a few areas and it looked a lot worse once I was able to get a better look at it all.

“Or not...” Twilight grumbled.

Up ahead of us, Pinkie Pie played the trumpet. Making me laugh.

A day or two later, the shops were all fixed and I was able to get all the things needed for my guest room. Dark blue curtains, new black bed sheets, a nightstand I’m planning to paint black, new lightbulbs and finally a newer supply of black and dark purple paint.

Once I was done with the designing, the walls were black with Shadow’s cutiemark painted on random spots around them, the bed was made with the new sheets, curtains were placed and the nightstand was drying. It should be done in plenty of time for Shadow’s return. And return he would, after all...

He made a Pinkie Promise.

Winter Wrap Up

You know the drill, I hate this as much as everybrony else. Don't steal Fairy Wishes and you shall see another day. I have not stolen the Mane 6 and company.

Walking to Town Hall bright and early, I made sure the straps on my brown vest just a slightly darker shade than my coat fit right. Winter Wrap Up was today and I am assigned to work on the baskets with Rarity. Hopefully we would finish today and not have to work overtime tomorrow.

It was difficult without using magic, but I was fine with it. Some good old work the hooves never hurt.

Nearly everypony was gathered for the Meeting. Mayor Ivory Scroll stood atop the stage and prepared to give the speech.

“Thank you everypony, for being here bright and early! We need every single pony's help to Wrap Up Winter and bring in Spring.”

The crowd cheered, some pegasi flew over the crowd before re-joining the crowd.

“Now all of you have your vests and have been assigned to your teams. So least do even better than last year and have the quickest Winter Wrap Up Ever!”

The crowd cheered louder, myself included, to try and Wrap Up Winter. We had always been a day or more late and sometimes had to call for outside help.

But pray Celestia not this year.

“Alright everypony… find your Team Leader and lets get galloping!” Mayor Ivory Scroll cheered.

Trotting over to the Animal Care group leader, Sparkler, I listened as she instructed the Animal Wakers (Fluttershy helped in that area, not surprising) and sent of Rarity and myself to make the nests.

That's when the song began.

“Three months of Winter coolness

And awesome holidays!” Rainbow Dash sang.

“We kept our hoovzies warm at home

Time off from work to play!” Pinkie Pie sang.

“But the food we stored is runnin' out

And we can't grow in this cold.” Applejack sang.

“And even though I love my boots

This fashion's getting old!” Rarity sang, showing off her beautiful yellow boots.

Looking over, I noticed Twilight without a vest, trotting around town with Spike on her back.

“The time has come to welcome Spring,

And all things warm and green,

But it's also time to say good-bye

It's Winter we must clean

How can I help I'm new you see,

What does everypony do?

How can I fit in without magic

I haven't got a clue!” Twilight sang.

“Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up

Let's finish our Holiday Cheer!

Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up

'Cause tomorrow Spring is here! (Cause tomorrow Spring is here!)”

Rarity and I headed in the direction of the Boutique, where the Nest Building Station was made. Both of us eager to finish in time this year.

“Bringing home the southern birds

A pegasus jobs begins

And clearing all the gloomy skies

To let the sunshine in

We move the clouds

And we melt the white snow

When the sun comes up

It's warmth and beauty will glow!” Rainbow Dash, Weather Leader sang.

The town went thru another chorus as the nest supplies arrived at Rarity's. I got to work, quickly putting one together.

“Little critters hibernate

Under the snow and ice.” Rarity sang next to me.

“we wake up all their sleepy heads

So quietly and nice.” I heard Fluttershy sing.

“Help them gather up their food

Fix their homes below!” I sang.

“We welcome back the southern birds

So their families can grow!” The Animal Team sang.

The town entered another chorus, I was carefully putting together the nest to Rarity's Perfection (she tended to take mine once it was done to add some finally changes) and get started on the next within the hour.

“No easy task to clear the ground

Plant our tiny seeds

With proper care and sunshine

Everypony it feeds

“Apples, carrots, celery stocks

Colorful flowers too!

We must work so very hard

It's just too much so do!” Applejack and her team sang.

Another chorus went around, I could clearly hear Pinkie at one point.

“Now that I know what they all do

I have to find my place!

And help with all of my heart

Tough task ahead I face

“How will I do without my magic?

Help the Earth Pony way

I gotta belong so I must to my best today

To my best today!” Twilight sang.

Another chorus went around, everypony cheering and doing their tasks. I could hear Twilight sing the last of it as the music faded away.

I quickly got to work on the nest, making it look pretty with the streamers, sticks and hay. Glancing at all the piles of nesting materials, I knew it was going to be a long day.

It was just about an hour after the song that anything interesting happened. Rarity and I had only been having small talk during that time, talking about her sister Sweetie Belle (whom she claimed was a slight annoyance, and somehow manages to liquify toast), that cat that has some kind of vendetta against me and my art, how our respective businesses are going and what would look nice on the basket.

As I finished my first nest (I’d been practicing since last year) I noticed Twilight and Spike approaching. Spike looked a little tired and Twilight looked like she was about to freak-out from the boredom.

“Rarity, Fairy Wishes, please tell me there’s something , anything I can help you with?” Twilight asked while Spike stared at the three now completed nests. I carefully took a few more sticks from our pile to get started on the third.

“Well, how would you like to help create Ponyville’s Finest Bird Nests?” Rarity asked our friend.

“Birds Nests?” Twilight asked.

“Of course!” I cheered, “when the Weather Team guides the birds back north for spring they’ll need a place to live and lay their eggs. For as long as I’ve been in Ponyville that job has gone to Rarity and myself, we could sure use a helping hoof.” Twilight and Spike nodded, giving happy looks to the two already done.

“Wow mares, those two are really beautiful!” Twilight complemented. Rarity and I had colorfully laced some of the streamers into the nests and made fancy red ribbons to show off their newness.

“Oh why thank-you most sincerely.” Rarity said, giving Twilight a knowing look. “Would you like to try your hoof at a nest?”

Twilight looked like we just asked if she wanted to own every book on the planet.

“Would I?!” The purple unicorn cheered. “Yes! Where do I begin?” Twilight looked at all the piles of hay and sticks to be used later.

Rarity lifted one of the baskets in her true blue magic (yes, I believe that is the shade) and poured out the contents in front of Twilight. I watched half-intently so I could focus on my basket.

In the short amount of time, Twilight had organized the supplies. I believe she did it size, type and space.

“Now, weave them thru there. *boing* Yes! Uh...take some ribbon, yes! No, not there...umm...”

Watching as Twilight tried her hardest to make the nest, I merely listened at this point. It sounded like she had a whole zoo or one of Pinkie’s animal noise makers.

“There!” Twilight finally cheered. “It looks just...like...yours.”

“That nest needs to be condemned!” Spike said in an almost foal-like manner.

“Oh, Spike! It’s not so bad!” Rarity tried.

“It’s certainly better than most ponies on their first tries!” I commented, trying to boost her spirits.

“Spike, it’s just fine. It’s just a little rough around the edges.” Rarity gently shooed Twilight from the table we had set up, working now to try and fix the nest as I added another streamer to mine. Twilight gave us a semi-confident smile that started to fade as Rarity tossed away streamers and sticks from the broken nest.

Something tells me I’ll be working alone for a while.

“Sorry Twilight, good luck with finding your place!” I cheered. Twilight only nodded before walking off with Spike.

Eight hours had passed, so far we had created, umm...I had created fourteen nests, Rarity being at a total of one. I had tried telling Rarity to just put that nest aside so we could get the others done, that it could be used later when we had more nests, but Rarity refused. I swear sometimes that mare is more stubborn than Applejack!

It was around this point, when ponies had shown up and organized our piles. Hay in one pile, sticks in another, streamers in another. It was easier also when other ponies came to help. That, and Rarity giving up on her nest.

Soon we had piles of nests! Tens of piles! While Rarity went to work on them, I was helping others place the nests in the trees. I could almost hear the music from the Winter Wrap Up song playing as all this was done.

Once a majority of the nests were placed, I noticed Spike checking something off a checklist. I guess Twilight put her organizing skills to good use.

Overhead I saw the pegasi make a tornado of clouds, nearly taking all the snow and ice with it. It felt so good to feel the spring sun on my coat. The Mayor had also asked Rarity to make another vest, one just a little different from the rest so I was asked to help make the last of the baskets.

I don’t remember the last time I actually got some rest the night of Winter Wrap Up.

The next morning as the last of the snow melted and animals began to play along the fresh grass, the town of Ponyville gathered just outside of town to see Spring arrive.

“I can’t believe it!” Mayor Ivory Scroll cheered. “Spring is here! On time! And we have you to thank for it.” I noticed Twilight standing next to the Mayor, overlooking the town as well. “If it weren’t for your organizing skills we would still be arguing!”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac agreed.

The whole town laughed at the sentence.

“It was a team effort.” Twilight said, still being oh so humble.

“And because you helped every team we have an official vest for you.”

Rarity trotted up, holding a best with brown borders and blue and green sides. When it was placed on Twilight, she glowed for a small second. As it faded, I could see the vest on Twilight.

“I don’t even know what to say. Thank you everypony!” Twilight cheered.

“And hereby I declare that Winter is...Wrapped Up On Time!”

The town went into hysterics, cheering like they had never cheered before.

“Spike sure gonna be in fer a hog sized surprise when that there last piece of ice melts.” Applejack added.

The group laughed as they noticed the dragon sleeping on a piece of ice, floating out in the lake.

Of course, later a thought came to me.

Wasn’t it summer just last week?

Call of the Cutie

I'm not a thief. Only Fairy Wishes is mine, the rest of Ponyville is Hasbro's. Disclaimer complete.

Today, I had been asked to pick up Sweetie Belle from school. Rarity was working on an important order and simply couldn’t do it herself. She always hated when her sister came to visit so her parents could go traveling. I liked it, it was always nice to see Rarity being civil with her sister.

So I approached the school house as the bell was ringing, I saw the many foals walk out. One was Apple Bloom, she looked upset, and next to her was a pale white earth pony with a red mane that reminded me of Pinkie Pie and adorable purple glasses.

After I saw them trot by, I saw a familiar white unicorn foal.

Sweetie was as her named implied, sweet, with the most adorable light pink and purple curls. She had bright green eyes which were often lighting up with a new idea for a cutiemark (that whenever she visited involved Rarity’s cloths). She was wearing her white saddlebag with a plain green clasp. When she noticed me waving to her, the filly nearly ran me over.

“Hi Fairy Wishes!” Sweetie Belle greeted, her voice slightly cracking.

“Hello Sweetie Belle.” I said, carefully getting back on my hooves and beginning the trot back. “So, was school okay? Some of the others look upset.”

Sweetie nodded. “Ms. Cheerilee talked to us about cutie marks today.” Was her answer.

“Ah, cutie marks. That explains it.” I said. “Well, did everything else go alright?”

“Mm-hmm. We had a quiz in History and some homework in Math and Science.” Sweetie Belle explained.

“Perfect. You can do that before the Cuteceanera Party this afternoon at Sugarcube Corner.” Rarity had also asked me to take Sweetie Belle to this party, which can’t help make me feel like Rarity is pushing her sister onto me.

“UGH! Do I have to go? Diamond Tiara is gonna laugh about my blank flank if I go!” Sweetie explained.

“No. Maybe you can makes some friends if you go, you never know when you’ll make a good friend.” I explained to the filly who groaned again. Sweetie looked up at me with her green eyes. Oh dear, she really didn’t want to go. “Young Filly, if your about start making excuses I won’t fall for it. Unless you can give me a decent excuse, like Sugarcube Corner is gone or the party was canceled, you are going to that party.”

Sweetie looked down at her hooves, realizing I wasn’t going to let this slide.

Luckily, the Boutique was only another five minutes away.

After dropping Sweetie off I decided to check on Rarity, who was dealing with a client.

This filly had a light pink coat, a purple mane with a white streak and royal blue eyes. Atop her head was a diamond tiara, the same tiara was on her flank as her cutie mark. On the side was a silver filly, with a silvery white mane done in a braid. The second filly had purple eyes, sophisticated blue glasses and a pearl necklace. A silver spoon served as her cutie mark.

“Hello Rarity, is everything alright?” I asked her as she appeared to be showing a dress for one of the fillies.

“Oh yes darling, just putting the final touches on Ms. Diamond Tiara’s dress.” Rarity explained, barely looking up from her sewing table. “You wanted the lacing purple correct?”

“Yes. I also want it a darker shade of pink than my coat. This is my Cuteceanera and I have to look perfect!” The pink filly who I guessed was Diamond Tiara explained.

Oh, this was the filly Sweetie Belle was going on about. I’m sure she wasn’t as bad as Sweetie Belle implied.

Rarity was working on the dress from what I could see and a delightful dress it was. She was in The Zone so I wouldn’t be getting much out of her.

“I’ll be back later to pick up Sweetie Belle. I’ll see you later Rarity.” My friend only gave a mumbled good-bye as I left her shop, making the bell ring.

I was commissioned to make a painting for Mr. Rich of his daughter for her Cuteceanera. He sent me a picture and it was of the same filly in Rarity’s shop. The picture was of her shortly after getting her cutie mark, a large smile of joy was spread across her face as well as on the look of the silver filly behind her.

It shouldn’t be too hard to get the painting done in three hours.

The painting looked nearly finished. I was having some difficulty with the tiara on the head/flank. Yes, I had the layout but I just couldn’t get the colors right. After ten minutes of searching, I mixed some of the leftover paint from the Summer Sun Painting with a light gray. Mixing them created just the color I needed.

Using the paint drying spell, I picked the painting up in my magic and carefully began walking towards the Rich Manor.

It was huge. A large front yard with various bushes cut into sculptures, beautiful gardens, a fountain. It looked glorious! The wrought iron gate was opened in a field of dark green magic and a butler named Jeeves guided me to the door so I could deliver the painting.

When I arrived at the office of Mr. Rich, I delightfully gave him the painting and he gave me a two hundred bits! He explained after I asked why so much, that his daughter was very special to him and her happiness meant a lot to him.

So, I accepted the bits and tried to fit them inside my saddlebag without spilling them over as I trotted home. This was surely enough to pay for some paints and food for when Shadow visited next week. And visit he would, for if Pinkie can tell when things fall just from a twitch in her tail then she can tell when a Pinkie Promise is broken and drag Shadow’s plot back here.

But, that was just a back-up plan. I never needed them!

Carefully placing a small amount of the bits in my piggy bank (a gift from when I was younger, never had the heart to break him) and the rest into my bit purse I went on to pick up Sweetie Belle from the Boutique to take her to the party.

When I opened the door at the Boutique, Sweetie immediately came to the door. looking no different than when I dropped her off. Beside her was an orange filly pegasus with a mane cut almost like Rainbow Dash’s, a very dark pink mane and dark purple eyes. And a blank flank.

“Oh, hello. Sweetie Belle who’s this?” I asked, hopeful Sweetie met a friend.

Sweetie gave me a half smile, gestured to the filly.

“My name is Scootaloo, can we get to party? I wanna get this over with.” The orange filly answered.

Yep, this filly was an almost Mini-Rainbow.

“Perfect, we need to get going or we’ll be late. I hear Pinkie worked hard on it.” I explained as the two fillies left the building and we trotted towards Sugarcube Corner.

“Yeah, Pinkie Pie’s parties are the best.” Scootaloo said, sounding only a tinsy bit excited.

I nodded, happy to see at least one of these two was showing joy.

“How did you two meet?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Sweetie turned to Scootaloo then back at me.

“Scootaloo’s in my class. Apparently she didn’t wanna go to the party either but we decided to go together. Strength in numbers I think.” Sweetie explained, her voice cracking here and there. I could see Scootaloo rolling her eyes.

“Oh, how delightful. I’m confident you two will have the best time!” With a slight skip in my step I continued on the way to the party.

When we arrived, it seemed the party had recently begun. Mares, stallions and foals were running all around the bakery that was decorated in balloons and cakes. Looking around I noticed Apple Bloom hiding behind a chocolate pony as Pinkie dropped a hat onto her head.

I turned to the two fillies next to me, both giving the room fearful looks.

“Fillies, try to be social. Wouldn’t be much of a party if everypony hid under tables.” I explained before walking over to Pinkie Pie.

The party pony turned her head to me, giving me a party hat before I could blink.

“Hiya Fairy! What are you doing here? Are you here to try the cupcakes or the scrumptious cake?!” Pinkie cheered. It was at that moment I noticed a tall orange colt take a large bite out of the cake.

“Uh, no. I came here with Rarity’s sister Sweetie Belle and her friend Scootaloo.” Then I noticed Pokey Pierce popping balloons with his horn.

“Oooh! Thats sounds great! I bet I can throw them a ‘Congratulations On Being Friends Party!’” Pinkie gasped. She loved the idea of parties.

I chuckled, “Yeah, I’m sure they’ll love that.” Looking around to see if Sweetie and Scootaloo were having fun, I noticed the punch bowl moving on it’s own. “I’ll be right back. I think the fillies are trying to make a getaway.”

“Okie Dokie Lokie Fairy! See ya later.” Pinkie cheered before walking away, singing lalala.

Carefully trotting to the table, I lifted up one of the sides and was surprised to see Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom? What are you doing?” I laughed, crawling under the table with her.

The yellow filly turned to me, then looked out under the table.

“Ah’m hidin’ from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon! Them fillies makin’ fun a mah blank flank and Ah couldn’t get a cutie mark ‘fore the party! Ah’ll be a laughin’ stock!” Apple Bloom explained. “What are you doin’?”

“I dropped off Rarity’s sister and I’m sure you won’t be a laughing stock.” As I said this, I noticed a dark pink mare drink straight from the punch bowl. Drat, I was hoping to have some punch later.

Apple Bloom shook her head before lifting up the table and began walking towards the door. I had to walk with her.

Once she was close, Apple Bloom and myself made an escape. Apple Bloom ended up walking right into her sister.

“Apple Bloom! You made it! After Ah heard about Twist Ah was afraid ya wouldn’t show up. Sure am glad ya came to yer senses about this cutie mark thing.” Applejack explained, unknowingly pushing her sister away from the door. I meanwhile was searching for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Where could those two fillies have gone?

I looked around all the other tables, only seeing presents or food trays. One had those cupcakes I think Pinkie Pie was talking about.

Trying one with yellow icing, I had the icing first (a foalish habit I never seemed to drop) I found the cupcake was burned underneath. Not wanting to eat a burnt cupcake I carefully placed it into the trash. Looking around again, I noticed a table with more punch (two tables with punch, how nice) that had lost it’s cover and two fillies hid under it.

“Gotcha.” I whispered.

When I began sneaking towards the table, the music suddenly stopped and all heads turned to the record player. I noticed Apple Bloom with a tablecloth next to her. Those two fillies from earlier were standing not too far behind. Both laughing at Apple Bloom. Slowly beginning a chant for blank flanks.

Warning. Vision about to turn Red.

“You got a problem with blank flanks!” Scootaloo’s voice called out.

*gasp*

“I said, You got a problem with blank flanks!” Scootaloo yelled as she and Sweetie Belle came out from underneath the table.

“The problem is, I mean, like she’s totally not special.” The silver filly said.

Warning. Red Vision nearing completion.

If those two prissy fillies keep going, I’m gonna have a repeat of Gilda’s Party.

“No, it means she’s full of potential.” Sweetie Belle explained, she and Scootaloo standing side-by-side to Apple Bloom.

“It means she could be great at anything. The possibilities are like, endless.” Scootaloo said in a tone similar to Diamond Tiara’s.

“It means she could be a great scientist, or an amazing artist, or a famous writer. She could even be Mayor of Ponyville someday!” Sweetie Belle encouraged Apple Bloom, all three fillies wearing smiles on their faces.

“And she’s not stuck being stuck-up like you two!” Scootaloo joked, causing th nearby fillies and mares to snicker. Myself included. This brought back memories, I’ll have to tell Shadow about it next week.

“Hey! This is my party. Why are you two on her side!” Diamond Tiara yelled.

“Because-” Scootaloo started before she and Sweetie showed off their blank flanks.

“*gasp* You don’t have yer cutie marks either?!” Apple Bloom gasped. “Ah thought Ah was the only one!” Her voice went a little high pitched and cracked.

“We thought we were the only two!” Scootaloo added.

Twilight Sparkle walked up, going Teacher Mode.

“I for one think you are three very lucky filles.” She explained.

“Lucky? How can they be lucky?” Diamond Tiara said as she and her friend made looks of disgust.

Somepony hold me back.

Twilight made a face of confusion before going back to Teacher Mode.

“They still get to experience of discovering who they are and what they’re meant to be.”

“And they got all the time in the world ta do it, not just an afternoon.” Applejack added, ruffling her sister’s mane.

The fillies and colts gathered around the three, all eager to ask about cutiemark to the three fillies.

Sadly, Diamond Tiara began to vent about how great her party was. Oh sweet Celestia I was gonna blow. Before I could begin to yell, both fillies left the party in anger.

This, gave me some time to breath.

Later on, as the party came to a close, I saw the three fillies giving a mighty cheer of Cutie Mark Crusaders!

The memories that came from the party brought me back to the day I met Shadow. It was nice to see foals sticking up for each other, hopefully they won’t get into as much trouble as Shadow and I did.

Did you know that you can get covered in tree sap just by having a snowball fight? I spent a week getting all that sap out of my coat!

Fall Weather Friends

Somehow, Autumn had finally arrived and a few short weeks after Winter Wrap-Up. The year has been so hectic I don’t think many ponies noticed. The leaves were lovely shades of yellow, red and orange, all ready for the Annual Falling of the Leaves tomorrow. It was an event where many athletic ponies, or ones looking to lose a few pounds, run thru the Whitetail Woods to make the leaves fall for autumn.

It was still early in the day, nothing too exciting happening. For me, I was simply cleaning what I didn’t yesterday in the Art Room. Plus, Shadow was supposed to be here in a a few days so I was getting his room ready. I don’t know how I missed the half-eaten cupcake or the orange peels stuffed into a drawer, but I made sure to get them this time.

*knock* *knock*

Dropping the peels in a small trash can, I trotted to the door.

“Hello.” I greeted while opening the door. Rarity was on the other side. “Did I miss the spa date?” Rarity laughed, politely though.

“No, that was yesterday remember Fairy?” Oh, right. It’s a wonder I get anything done. “Fluttershy and I heard Rainbow Dash and Applejack were going to have an Iron Pony Competition by Sweet Apple Acres, we were wondering if you wanted to come view it with us?”

“I would love to! Let me just check on one thing.” Turning back to the house, I ran up to Shadow’s room. I spotted one last piece of rotted orange and carried it down to the trash can I had downstairs, smiling up at Rarity when I approached the door. “Okay, let’s go.”

Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and myself approached the gaming area. It surprisingly had bleachers and a scoreboard. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were busy getting ready, while Twilight and Spike stood off. Spike, for some reason, was holding a stick with a small leaf on it.

“Hello everypony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition!” Spike chanted out as we began to cross over a small hill.

“Uh, Spike, who are you talking to?” Twilight asked

“Um... Uh, them!” Spike yelled, pointing at us. “Let the games begin!”

The four of us cheered as we sat down on the bleachers.

The first event was a barrel run, Applejack going first. Fluttershy was asked to keep the scores, she accepted with just a little shyness. Pinkie, Rarity and myself cheered for the three of them from the stands.

I leaned towards Pinkie Pie, making sure to keep my voice in a whisper. “Pinkie, do you know what this is all about?” I asked.

The party pony smiled. “Rainbow and Applejack are having a contest to see who is the strongest in this, an Irony Pony Competition! The winner is to be declared the Iron Pony!” Pinkie Pie said in an almost announcer voice, making me giggle.

“So…it's to see who's the strongest out of the two of them?” I asked.

“Yepperdoodles!”

Glancing over at the competitors, I saw three friends prepare to compete for the title of the Strongest.

“Honestly, I don't see why anypony would want to engage in such a foalish way all for some silly little title.” Rarity said from my right.

“Come on, Rarity, this probably means a lot to Rainbow and Applejack. I'm sure it'll be fun once it gets going.” I told the purple maned unicorn.

Rarity smiled, waving a hoof. “Oh alright, but if I get dirty I am leaving.”

Giving Rarity a small laugh, I looked towards Applejack as she prepared for the first event.

“Ready. Set. GO!” Twilight yelled.

Applejack went off, it took less than half a minute for her to get to the other side of the finish line.

“Time, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“17 Seconds!” Spike announced.

Wow. That's sounds like a great score!

Applejack rushed over from the finish line to where Rainbow, Twilight and Spike were located. She looked pretty excited. Rainbow on the other hoof looked like a nervous wreck.

“Yer kiddin’! That breaks mah record from last years rodeo!” I heard the orange earth pony cheer.

Spike looked at the stopwatch he had been using. “But you got a five second penalty for nudging the barrel.” He reminded her.

Applejack kicked a rock by her hoof. “Grr, nuts ‘n shrews!” She lightly tapped her chin with her hoof, “still, that's 22 seconds. Not too shabby.” Rainbow Dash’ apprehension finally became noticeable. Applejack smiled up at her. “Hey, don’t be nervous.” She nudged the blue pegasus’ side enough to nearly topple the pegasus over. “Remember, it's all in good fun. Now git on up there.”

Rainbow lightly flew over towards the starting line. For a brief moment she reminded me of Fluttershy.

Her blue wings stretched out in readiness for the next event, Spike held his claw over the stopwatch’s button and Twilight was looking at it with him.

“Ready. Set. Go!” Twilight said quickly.

In an instant, Rainbow dashed off from the line and in just a couple seconds she flew back over towards the starting line.

“Woo! That was some fancy hoofwork there Rainbow!” Applejack cheered, making a galloping pose.

“*pant*Thanks, but I *pant* couldn't have been as fast as you.” Rainbow said modestly.

“What was the time on that Spike?” Applejack asked.

Spike’s eyes widened. “18 seconds!”

Rainbow beat Applejack by a whole second! Amazing!

“18 seconds! Rainbow, are ya sure yet not secretly a rodeo pony?” Applejack asked, I'm not sure of she was joking or not.

“Rainbow Dash wins the barrel lead!” Twilight announced, lifting up a surprised Rainbow’s hoof.

Fluttershy flew towards the scoreboard and placed a red apple with a ‘1’ next to a drawing of Rainbow Dash.

The three of us in the bleachers cheered for the first victory in the game and for Rainbow.

“Oh, I can't believe I won.” Rainbow said, hovering the ground.

Applejack gripped her hoof on Rainbow’s back and pushed her to the ground. “Yeah, well, don't you get gettin’ used to it.”

The next few events went by in a flash. More and more ponies had gotten word about the Competition and had come to see. By the midpoint of the games, the stands were filled with at least half the townsponies!

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were tied now. The round that was nearing it's end was push-ups and the two athletes had reached 94.

“95...96...97...98...99...” It was at 98, I noticed Applejack was having difficulty getting up, Rainbow was the same. Yet, at 99, Rainbow used her wings to lift herself up as Twilight called out “100!”

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash cheered.

Applejack fell to the dirt, unable to reach the one hundredth push-up.

All I could think of, was how Rainbow Dash cheated.

That wasn’t the last time either, over the next few events Rainbow Dash used her wings to gain an unfair advantage. Like in the next event (a jumping sort of contest) Rainbow used her wings to jump ahead of Applejack a few more hoofsteps. The one after, Rainbow used her wings to carry the chicks across. This occurred a few more times, but I felt it reached an obvious level at the last event.

“Alright you two,” Twilight began, “This is the Final Event. Give it all you’ve got.”

It seemed alright at first, both of the mares giving equal effort before it looked as though Applejack would win.

“Looks like the workhorse is coming out ahead in this one.” Spike announced it his make-shift microphone.

Applejack gave another tug of the rope, pulling Rainbow over the mud. The prismatic mare used her wings to float over the mud and fly above the pit, lifting Applejack off the ground.

I could barely hear Applejack mumbling something to Rainbow Dash, it was difficult to hear her as well. Their words became clear when Applejack released the rope.

“AH SAID- uh-oh.”

With that, Applejack fell into the mud below.

The crowd cheered, Rainbow hung an apple saying 15 on the scoreboard. I was looking towards Applejack with sympathy. Why did Rainbow so obviously cheat at the last events?

“Woo-hoo! I win by a landslide!” Rainbow cheered, flying over beside Applejack. “or mudslide...in your case.” The mare chuckled. “I am the Iron Pony!”

“Only ‘cause ya cheated!” Applejack called out.

“What?” Rainbow said, almost offended. She flew up nose-to-nose with Applejack, the orange farm pony glared.

“You used your wing power ta help ya win over half the contests!” Applejack explained.

“Sounds like sour apples to me!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Are you sayin’ you didn’t use yer wings?” Applejack asked accusingly.

“Well...no.” Rainbow admitted. “But you never said I couldn’t use my wings!”

‘Nopony thought they would need to.’ I thought.

“Ah didn’t think Ah needed ta tell you ta play fair!” Applejack argued.

“I still would have won even without my wings!” Rainbow said,

bragging only slightly.

“Hah! Prove it!”

“Gladly, how?”

“Tomorrow is the annual Runnin’ of the Leaves, Ah challenge you to race me in it.” Applejack challenged.

“Heh! Easy shmeasy.” The pegasus said as she started flying off only to be dragged down by her tail.

Applejack held the mare down by her tail, said mare looking unamused. “Hold on! There is one condition: the point is to run! So, no wings allowed.”

“No wings?” The blue mare bucked Applejack off her tail. “No problem!” Rainbow said confidently.

The two ponies spit into their hooves (making Rarity faint) and shook.

Well, my plans for the week suddenly became more interesting.

The next day, I awoke to the smell of autumn filling my room. I must’ve left my window open last night. Silly me. Shadow had always been telling me to be more carefully with these sorts of things. With only another day until he got here, I was getting excited.

Climbing out of my bed, I looked out over the many tree tops fading into bright shining colors. It all looked so amazing! I was inspired to paint one of the trees. I’ll just have to bring some paint over to the Running of the Leaves.

First I got myself ready for the day, brushing my mane and teeth and having some fruit for breakfast. Next I packed my lime green saddlebag with my oranges, reds, yellows, browns, paintbrushes and a canvas, slowly beginning my trek towards Whitetail Wood where the race was taking place.

Then I noticed the sky was orange, I guess I woke up pretty early today. How strange of me.

Setting my make-shift workstation up, I began painting a lovely scene of a group of trees with bright and colorful leaves.

Before I knew it, ponies were slowly coming in and either signing up or finding a good seat. I was still painting a tree. I also noticed Pinkie Pie getting a hot air balloon setup for her announcements.

After what felt like an hour, i had finally finished the background in the painting as well as a tree.

“Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves! This is Pinkie Pie, your official eye-in-the-sky announcer.” Pinkie’s voice came from overhead. I guess the race was starting soon. “As everypony knows, the running is a very important tradition, for without it, the autumn leaves of Equestria would never fall. So get ready, ponies. The Running of the Leaves will begin in five minutes.”

Five minutes? I should really get to finishing this up so I could find a good seat!

No... wait... good art takes time. That’s exactly what I’ll do. Take my time.

In the blink of an eye, I heard Pinkie start up again.

“Racers! Please take your positions!”

The surprise of Pinkie’s voice nearly caused me to paint half the canvas orange. That sure would’ve been a funny painting. I was nearly two-thirds of the way thru, and the race was starting up in just a few minutes.

How would I be able to finish...

Wait...I’ve got it!

Soon enough, I had the base of the last few trees painted. Then Pinkie Pie spoke again, signaling the race’s start.

“All, right ponies, are you ready?”

“Get set.” Spike’s announcing too? Oh that’s great!

*brrrg*

“And they’re off!” Pinkie cheered.

The ponies began running, slowly the leaves began falling off the trees as they raced by. Once a large crowd of ponies ran across, I saw Twilight slowly following behind them.

“Oh, hello Twilight. I didn’t know you were planning to race.” I smiled up at the purple unicorn.

“Neither did Applejack or Rainbow. Fairy Wishes, that’s a lovely painting.” She complimented.

“Thanks. Have a good day!” I cheered as Twilight trotted off.

“You too!”

Letting out a small laugh, I got back to my painting.

“Welcome to the official coverage of the Running of the Leaves! You know, Spike, despite it’s name, the leaves don’t do any of the actual running. No, that’s left to my little ponies!”

“Why, yes Pinkie, it’s the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall.” Spike said after a small moment of silence.

“Ugh, those lazy, lazy leaves. But this year, the run is about more than the weather. It’s about the race to the finish and the two runners who want to win it: Applejack and Rainbow Dash.” Pinkie Pie announced.

Remembering the challenge Applejack gave Rainbow yesterday reminded me of the Iron Pony Competition. Overall, it was an okay day. I still managed to find some leftover orange peels stuck to the bottom of my bed when I got home. Seriously, I need to talk with Shadow about his eating habits.

“You know, Pinkie, these two ponies have a bit of a grudge match they’re trying to settle. Trying to prove who’s the most athletic.” Spike’s voice echoed over Ponyville.

“Yes, and grudge rhymes with fudge.” Pinkie said, making me laugh.

“Yes it...does. What?”

“And I like fudge. But if I eat too much fudge I get a pudge and then I can’t budge.” Pinkie was starting to sound like Zecora, all that rhyming.

“So...no fudge?”

“Oh, no thanks. I had a big breakfast. Let’s check in with our two competitive ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Having come fast out of the gate, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are evenly matched running neck in neck. But what’s this? Applejack is making a move, she’s now ahead by a nose. But Rainbow Dash pulls at Applejack’s have-it and takes the lead. She’s ahead by half a nose. Or maybe three quarters of a nose. No, about sixty-three point seven percent of a nose...roughly speaking. Applejack sees this move and pushes forth with her strong workhorse legs, slinking ahead by three hundred and fifty noses!”

And that, was why Pinkie Pie was the official announcer for these events. She could talk up a storm before the clouds could arrive.

“Hold your horses Pinkie! Rainbow Dash is catching up to front runner Applejack!” Spike cheered.

“What an upset! I thought Applejack had this is the bag!” Pinkie almost whined from the hot air balloon flying above Whitetail Wood.

It was another five or so minutes before anything else was spoken. I was putting some more details on my painting and trying to wipe some orange paint of my brown coat.

“I don’t believe it. After a huge setback, Applejack is back at the front of the pack!” Spike announced.

“She's the head of the pack, all right. The pick of the litter! The CAT'S PAJAMAS! Oh wait, why would Applejack take some poor kitty's PJs? That's not very sporting of her.” Pinkie said, sounding a little upset.

“oookay...let’s get back to the race.”

Laughing at the antics of the announcers, I painted some more falling leaves onto the path, showing the slow fall of the leaves as autumn finally came.

“Welcome back,” Where did I go? “Ponyvillians, it’s me, Pinkie Pie!”

“And Spike! Looks like rainbow is doing her best to catch up.”

“I’m not sure how ketchup is going to help her in this contest. Now, in a hot dog eating content it can make them doggies nice and slippery, but personally I prefer mustard. How about you, Spike?”

“Uh...I... like... pickles?” Spike said slowly.

Great. Now I’m hungry. Taking a small break from painting to let some of it dry, I reached towards my saddlebag and hoped I had packed an apple or a hayburger. I think it was past noon, judging on how hungry I had gotten.

“Aaand it looks like Applejack has found herself in quite a pickle as Rainbow overtakes her.” Pinkie Pie said.

“As the racers enter Equestria’s Whitetail Wood, Rainbow Dash is back in the lead.” Spike’s voice echoed.

“Hello Fairy Wishes.” Fluttershy’s voice came from behind me.

“Oh, hello Fluttershy.” I greeted. “Nice to see you here.”

“You too...” Fluttershy said, hiding behind a bit of her pink mane. “Oh, that’s a lovely painting.”

I lowered my head, it surely wasn’t that impressive. “I know it’s not my best, but I’m trying.”

Fluttershy nodded, slowly reached into her saddlebag and pulling out an apple. “I-I-I thought you could use something to eat. I...um... noticed you hadn’t really moved much since I got here.” She rolled the bright red apple towards me.

“Wow! Thanks, Fluttershy, you’re a life saver!” I told her.

The pegasus nodded, slowly beginning to walk away.

“Hey, wait,” I said.

The yellow pegasus turned back. “Yes.” She whispered.

“You want to stay here for a little? It’s getting kinda lonely painting out here with nopony to talk to.” I admitted.

“Oh, of course, what are friends for?” Fluttershy said, slowly flying up next to my and resting on her hooves.

“Applejack, what are you doing up here?”

“What?” I asked, looking up in the direction of the balloon.

“There aren’t even any trees.”

“That’s strange.” Fluttershy commented.

“I bet Applejack and Rainbow Dash are gonna have quite a story for us later.” I added.

Another few minutes later, we both heard Pinkie’s voice echoing over our heads. My painting was nearly done, so Fluttershy and I had walked back to the finish line.

“I must say, Spike, that this has been the most interesting Running of the Leaves in Equestria history!”

“With the most interesting announcing.”

Fluttershy and I giggled.

“But it isn’t the running that’s been fascinating. It’s the lack of running!”

“Huh?” The two of us said.

It took a few minutes, but a large herd of ponies came running thru the finish line. No sign of Applejack or Rainbow Dash. I did see Twilight, she came in 5th place if I looked at the line correctly.

“Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are neck in neck, jockeying for position. Applejack inches ahead, now it’s Rainbow, it’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash, it’s Applejack-”

“Oh no she di’int!” Spike said.

“Oh yes she di’int!” Pinkie replied.

From just ahead of the finish line, I noticed dust ball approaching with the figures of Applejack and Rainbow Dash inside.

“It’s Applejack. It’s Rainbow Dash. It’s Applejack. It’s Rainbow Dash-”

The ball finally crossed the finish line, revealing two dirtied ponies.

“I won!” Rainbow yelled triumphantly.

“No I won!”

“I won!”

“You tied!” Spike cheered.

“Tied?!” Rainbow Dash and Applejack gaped.

“For first?” Rainbow asked.

“For last!” Pinkie cheered.

“LAST?” Applejack asked, shocked.

“Then who won?” Rainbow asked.

I noticed Twilight, who had received her medal, walk forward and show it to the two athletes.

“You?!” They both asked.

“Oh, no, but I did get fifth place, which is rather good considering that I’ve never run a race before.” Twilight said.

“What? How’s that even possible?” Applejack asked.

Rainbow was completely shocked. “You ran so slow and looked at the scenery.”

Twilight nodded. “Exactly. I paced myself, just like my book said. Then at the end, when all the other ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish.” Twilight explained, motioning towards some of the exhausted ponies who were either drinking lots of water or deep breaths.

“I don’t believe it. Twilight beat us.” Rainbow said, still in shock.

“Well, with all your horsing around, it was quite easy.”

I get it. Horsing around. Because we’re ponies. I see what you did there Twilight.

“Yer right, Twilight. Our behavior was just terrible.” Applejack admitted.

“We weren’t very good sports.” Rainbow said, her head lowering.

*gasp*

Slowly, the ponies around us bowed. Fluttershy and I did as well.

“Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned.”

The Princess of the Sun walked towards the three ponies standing by the finish line, making their already lowered muzzles go wider.

“Princess Celestia?!”

“W...What are you doin’ here?” Applejack stuttered.

“Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves.” Celestia answered, standing tall and proud. I got up carefully at walked over towards the three ponies who ran in the race.

“Ah’m sorry ya had to see us being such poor sport, Princess.” Applejack apologized.

The Princess just kept smiling. “That’s all right Applejack. Anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition.”

Twilight stepped forward. “It’s important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition.”

“Exactly, Twilight. Now, unfortunately, because the two of you were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered.” The Princess explained.

“Why, Princess, Ah bet we knock those leaves down for yah lickety-split.” Applejack said proudly. “Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “I’d love to stretch my legs.”

With that, the two of them ran off. I was pleased to see the two of them so close together.

Later that day, my autumn painting hanging in the Art Room. It was going thru the last bits of drying. I thought it was nice.

It was of the edge of Whitetail Wood. Half of the trees were still full of leaves, the other half held various amounts of leaves falling. I had added a few more touches after arriving home. I thought it looked alright overall.

“Wow, You have some nice paintings, Wishy.”

My head shot back, turning to see a black night pony walking into my Art Room.

“Shadow! I thought you weren’t coming for an hour!” I nearly laughed.

The stallion smiled. It took me a moment to realize he was looking at them for the first time.

“Get out!” I yelled in embarrassment. “Don’t look at any of them!”

“Oh? Why?” Shadow asked as I pushed him out of the room and locked the door using my magic.

The stallion just laughed as I guarded the door with my body.

“So, is this what you do when I’m not around?” Shadow asked.

“Shut up.” I said, annoyed.

The two of us laughed, walking towards the living room and starting our monthly meeting.

“What have you been up to Shadow?” I asked him.

His black shoulders shrugged. “Nothing much. I did try to get a job, though. It didn’t pull through.”

“What was it?” I asked him, looking at his slitted yellow eyes.

“A job at a costume store.” Shadow admitted.

“Wow. Why didn’t...” Shadow lifted up his bat wings. “...again?” He nodded. “Sorry Shadow, would you like an orange?”

“Love one.” He admitted.

Trotting into my kitchen, I picked up an orange with my magic and gave it to the gray maned stallion.

“You know, it’s actually kinda nice.”

“What?” I asked as he slowly peeled the orange and took a bite.

“Coming here, spending time with you, it’s nice.”

I smiled, I liked him too.

I mean it...I liked it too.

Suited for Success

I own Fairy Wishes and Shadow. The rest belong to Lauren Faust and the others. Leave me be and stop calling.

Twelve Weeks.

That’s how long until the Grand Galloping Gala. All of my friends were going: Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Spike. Whenever I thought about that , I thought about the last time I went to the Grand Galloping Gala.

My adoptive mother had agreed to take me. I had received the tickets when I entered an art show in Manehattan back when I was a teenager. When I won, I was told both my mother and I would be let into the Gala. We were both overjoyed. For weeks all we talked about was the Gala. Who would see, who we would meet, what we would wear, and how we would look. The night finally came, and fell apart.

Not in the literal sense. Mom and I just found it so...boring! The food was as big as a bit and filling as air. Nopony came and spoke with us, thinking us to be mere common ponies. I heard one say our dresses were tacky. The worse bit of the night was the one unicorn stallion that kept hitting on me. He seemed nice enough, but he creeped me out just as much. What was his name again? Blue Something. I’ll remember it later.

After that Gala, Mom and I went down to a restaurant in Canterlot to have some real food. It was a good memory.

Twelve weeks.

I’m fully confident that this Gala will be the best one ever!

I just jinxed it didn’t I?

I was going to Rarity’s today. She was the best designer I knew and I knew she would be able to make me a great dress for the Grand Galloping Gala. When I arrived at the Carousel Boutique, I noticed Applejack and Twilight walking inside. Twilight was wearing her pale blue saddlebags with her cutiemark on the sides, I guess she had something for Rarity.

Quietly following them inside, I heard the sounds of Rarity working. Applejack and Twilight didn’t seem to notice me. Walking thru Rarity’s nearly empty home made me remember Sweetie Belle was staying with her parents this week. The filly was so...well...sweet.

Soon, the three of us reached Rarity’s door and Applejack opened the door wide.

“Howdy Rarity!” Applejack said loudly.

“Shh! Can’t you see Rarity is trying to concentrate!” Twilight lightly scolded Applejack.

They were silent as they walked up to the alabaster unicorn. Rarity was working on a dress, it looked dark pink on the skirt with a dark pinker belt and collar with light pink vesting.The dressmaker was even wearing her red glasses. She had to be in The Zone.

“What do ya think she’s making’?” Applejack whispered to Twilight.

Twilight lifted her head to look over Rarity’s shoulder. “Looks like a dress.”

“Well, that makes sense. Since this is a dressmaker’s shop and all.” The farm pony whispered.

Rarity suddenly turned back. A look saying ‘I’ll deal with you now’ on her face. She smiled up at our two friends. “Is there something I can help you with?”

I walked up to join them, watching Twilight lift up the cloth with her magic.

“Oh, so very sorry to trouble you Rarity, but I need a quick favor. Could you please this button for me? It’s my dress for the Grand Galloping Gala.” Twilight asked.

That was a dress?! It looked old and tattered, also way too small. A button was lose, the colors were faded and probably covered in dust.

“Oh no, no, no!” Rarity said. “You can’t wear this... old thing” She covered up, trying not to sound rude. “You need a glamorous new outfit for the Gala and I’ll make it for you! No problem at all. It will be my pleasure!” Ah, Rarity, still as generous as ever.

I could tell Twilight was blushing. “Oh, that’s really sweet of you to offer, Rarity, but I can’t let you do that. It would be so much work. This dress is fine.”

“Twilight Sparkle. I insist on making you a dress.” Rarity said, firmly and kindly.

“But...”

“Not another word! I won’t take no for an answer!” Rarity said.

“Well...in that case, thank you for your generosity, Rarity. Knowing your handiwork, I’m sure it’ll be absolutely beautiful.” Twilight said, looking at the dress and Rarity.

Rarity moved her gaze towards Applejack, noticing myself. “Let me guess, Applejack. You don’t want a gown either?”

“Gown? Shoot. Ah was just gonna wear my old work duds.” The mare answered.

Rarity looked shocked. “You can’t possible be serious, Applejack! You absolutely must wear formal attire!”

“Hmm...nah.”

“What if I spruce up your...duds for you a little bit?” Rarity offered.

“Okay, sure. Why not? Since yer up for it and all. Just don’t make them too... froufrou-y.” Applejack requested.

“Deal! And what about you Fairy Wishes?” Rarity asked, notifying Twilight and Applejack to my presence for the first time.

“I would love a dress by you Rarity. In fact, it’s why I came over today.” I told Rarity.

“Look out below!” A voice called out.

A pegasus suddenly crashed from Rarity’s bedroom window. She crashed into some ponyquins and cloth. A blue head poked out, wearing a bucket helmet and covered in various colored cloths.

Rainbow Dash.

“Sorry. New trick. Didn’t quite work.” The race pony apologized.

Rarity suddenly lit up. “Idea! I’ll make you an outfit for the Gala too, Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Outfit for the what now?”

“I’ll make one for you and you and all of you! Oh ! And of course Pinkie and Fluttershy too. Oh, and when I’m done, we can hold our very own fashion show!” Rarity chimed.

“Great idea Rarity!” I encouraged.

“Are you sure you can handle it?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, it’ll be a little bit of work, but it will be a wonderful boost for my business. Plus, fun!” Rarity said.

“Oh, I love fun things!” Rainbow decreed.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll have a fashion show starring us!” Rarity cheered as she started working with some dark purple fabric, cutting it with scissors floating in her pale blue magic.

The four of us cheered.

“So all ya have to do is make a different stunning, original, amazing outfit for, one, two, three, four, five, six...plus yerself, seven ponies? And lickety split?” Applejack asked, eyes wide.

Rarity and I laughed. “Oh, Applejack. You make it sound as if it’s going to be hard.”

As Rainbow, Applejack, Twilight and I slowly filed out of the Boutique, I realized that the night of the Gala was the same night Shadow came over for his monthly visit. That was gonna be fun.

Of course, because two days ago Shadow was in town, I had to clean up his room... again. The stallion had an unhealthy obsession with oranges. Once the room was all cleaned up, I went down to the Art Room and made some touch-ups on various paintings.

There was the Autumn Painting I made last week, then there was one of ponies playing in the park, the school yard, Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash’s cloud home (that one took a while), Sweetie Belle playing with Opalescence, and finally...the Eyes.

It had been there for a long time. The canvas painted black with green eyes. I had tried hiding it, but it kept coming out of it’s hiding spot. I knew it was a painting, yet it always felt like it was staring at me. Also... I couldn’t help but feel like I had seen those eyes before.

They still felt incomplete...now that I think about it. The painting had creeped me out, so I must’ve been putting off the finishing touches. Seeing as I was waiting for my dress, I guess now was as good a time as any.

Lifting the painting up in my lavender magic, I placed in carefully on the easel and got to work.

An hour later, I slowly returned to reality. It took a few shakes of my head to realize I had been in The Zone. My light brown hooves were covered in dark paints; dark purple, dark gray, dark green, and dark red. Looking up at the Eye Painting, I had one thought.

It was finished...and it was scary.

The background was now black-ish with tints of purple, above the eyes was a dark red faded line. The eyes were also now more than just green, now where it’s normal white is bright green with traces of dark green and the pupil is dark red. Leaking out from the eyes was a lavender gas, with the areas closest to the eye being dark neon blue.

It was scarier than before, I’ll give myself that.

Taking a quick glance at a nearby clock, I noticed it was only a hour until Rarity had asked us to come back to see the dresses.

Where had the time gone?

My lavender eyes were still closed as Rarity guided me and the others into her room. The fashionista had demanded our eyes be closed until she said otherwise. I had been estacitic since I walked in the door, if I knew Rarity my dress was going to look amazing!

“That’s it. Keep ‘um closed. Don’t look.” Rarity’s voice was nearly bursting with joy.

“Okay you can look now!” Rarity nearly yelled.

*GASP*

There were six dresses in the room. I could see which dress was meant for who in a moment. Applejack’s was a perfect mixture of grass green, red, the same shade of brown as her hat and dark brown. Twilight’s looked like the night sky. Fluttershy’s was as if nature itself came together to form the dress. Rainbow’s looked like the Old Greeks, with a grape necklace and leaf tiara. Pinkie Pie’s was unsurprisingly pink.

Mine was next to Pinkie Pie’s. It was mostly white, with a view areas with touches of colors as if it was lightly brushed with the colors. The skirt was as big as the one Fluttershy was given, with a shorter train. It had some long sleeves on the front hooves, leading up to some white bows that connected with some cloud white horseshoes. The clasps around my neck was different, being that there was none. It didn’t take me long to figure out Rarity wanted me to use one of my necklaces for the dress. The collar around my neck as well as the trimmings were all lime green. An earpiece was placed in the ponyquins ear, looking very similar to a paint brush.

It looked... stunning.

Rarity’s voice brought me out of my gazings. “And Fairy Wishes! I worked oh so hard to get those colors on correctly, and I’ll assume you know what I’ll need for you to wear with it. Lime green is your color.

“Aren’t they all amazing?” Rarity asked us, gazing at us thru her red glasses.

The others were silent.

Rarity blinked. Twice.

“Wow...” Twilight started. “They’re...”

“Yeah! They’re...” Rainbow dragged off.

“They sure are...” Applejack joined in. “somethin’.”

“Yes! Something!” Twilight said, pointing at Applejack with a hoof and giving a smile.

“I like something! Something is my favorite!” Pinkie Pie cheered.

“It’s...nice.” Fluttershy whispered.

“I love mine Rarity! You always know just what kind of dress I’m looking for!” I told my closest mare friend. Walking up to my dress, I checked the fabric and other details I might’ve missed.

“Oh how wonderful! But...mares... what’s the matter? Don’t you like them?” Rarity asked, gazing at the others as her smile faded away.

The mares were looking skirmish, particularly Twilight, Rainbow and Applejack.

“They’re very nice.” Twilight said, giving a strained smile.

“And we’re plum grateful you worked so hard on them.” Applejack said, giving the same smile as Twilight.

“Mine’s just not as cool as I thought it would be.” Rainbow said, making Twilight and Applejack glare at her. “She asked.” Rainbow said.

“I guess what we’re saying is... that they’re just not what we had in mind.” Twilight said. The other four soon voiced their agreements.

Rarity looked surprised for a moment, giving her a head a brief shake before smiling up at Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie.

“That’s okay. Not a problem. Plenty more where that came from.” My friend said, sounding a little hurt. “They were only a first pass. You’re my friends and I want you to be 110% satisfied!” The white unicorn spoke with confidence. “Not to worry, I re-do them.”

“Oh, Rarity, you don’t have to do that. They’re fine.” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah. I actually really love my dress.” I told Rarity.

“I want them to be better then just fine.” Rarity said as she removed the hat and star from Applejack and Twilight’s dresses. “I want you to think they’re absolutely perfect!”

“Are you sure? Ah mean we wouldn’t wanna impose-” Applejack said.

“Oh, ho, ho, it’s no big deal. Really, I insist.” Rarity said, lifting up Twilight’s dress off the ponyquin and placing it on the ground.

We all slowly started clearing out, the mares wearing smiles at the idea of what their newer dresses would like I imagine.

“Well, in that case, thank you again Rarity,” Twilight said.

Rarity gave a soft laugh as we all walked out. I was the last to leave and made sure to get a good hard look at Rarity, giving her an ‘are you alright?’ look. The purple maned unicorn nodded, keeping up that smile that had been there for a few minutes.

I closed the door, silent hoping she didn’t do anything to my dress.

I honestly adored it.

As I dropped myself into my bed, I thought over what I had been thru the last few hours.

Rarity had asked us back to the Carousel Boutique some time ago. She claimed she wanted us there so we could help her with our dresses. When the seven of us all made it upstairs, the others began giving Rarity the designs for their Dream Dress. I mostly sat in the back, my dress was fine the way it was. Rarity had gotten the skirt for Twilight’s dress together, it was dark purple with yellow and black constellations on it.

That’s when music started.

“The stars on my belt need to be technically accurate.” Twilight had explained to Rarity. “Orion has three stars on his belt, not four.”

“Stitch by stitch

Stitching it together

Deadline looms, don't you know the client's always right?

Even if my fabric choice was perfect

Got to get them all done by tonight

Pinkie Pie, the color's too obtrusive

Wait until you see it in the light

I'm sewing them together!”

The song went on as my friends all gave Rarity different instructions for the dress.

“Don't you think my gown would be more 'me' with some lollipops?” Pinkie Pie had asked.

“Well, I think...” Rarity began

“Balloons?” Pinkie suggested.

“Well...” Rarity said hesitantly.

“DO IT!”

“Hour by hour, one more change

I'm sewing them together, take great pains

Fluttershy, you're putting me in a bind

Rainbow Dash, what is on your mind?

Oh my gosh, there's simply not much time

Don't forget, Applejack's duds must shine!”

“Dressmaking's easy, every customer's call

Brings a whole new revision

Have to pick up the pace, still hold to my vision.”

“That constellation is Canis Major, not Minor.” I remember Twilight saying at one point.

“French haute couture, please.” Was Fluttershy’s main request.

“What if it rains? Galoshes!” Applejack said.

“More balloons! Oh no, that's too many balloons. More candy! Oh, less candy. Oh wait, I know. Streamers!” Pinkie cheered.

“Streamers?” Rarity said with a lift of her brow.

“Whose dress is this?” Pinkie questioned.

“Streamers it is.” Rarity almost groaned.

A little later, this conversation happened.

“What?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Rarity glanced at Rainbow Dash for the fifth time in the past minute. “Aren't you going to tell me to change something too?”

Rainbow Dash had shrugged. “No, I just want my dress to be cool.”

“Do you not like the color?”

“The color's fine, just make it look cooler.”

“Do you not like the shape?”

“The shape's fine, just make the whole thing... you know, cooler. It needs to be about 20% cooler.”

Then everypony started singing.

“All we ever want is indecision.”

“All we really like is what we know.”

“Gotta balance style with adherence.”

“Making sure we make a good appearance.”

“Even if you simply have to fudge it.”

“Make sure that it stays within our budget.”

“Got to overcome intimidation.”

Remember, it's all in the presentation!”

“Piece by piece, snip by snip

Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip

Bolt by bolt, primmed and pressed

Yard by yard, always stressed

And that's the Art of the Dress!”

By the end of the night...I wasn’t sure which was pretty. Frankenstallion’s Monster, or these dresses.

The next day, Rarity had invited the others to see their new dresses. I was perfectly content with staying as far from those dresses as possible. I told Rarity I would make it for the Fashion Show, I even made a Pinkie Promise to be there on time.

With nothing else to do, I looked thru my calendar to see if any clients had a reservation. Apparently, Cheerilee requested I come over to begin a re-design of her cottage. It should be interesting.

What was even more disturbing... I heard Cloudchase talking with Flitter and apparently Hoity Toity is going to be at Rarity’s Fashion Show.

Things would turn out just fine, though, I’m sure of it.

When I arrived at the Carousel Boutique for the Fashion Show, a crowd of ponies was beginning to form. I could see it was getting to Rarity as she fixed up my mane.

“Are you alright?” I asked her.

“Hmm?” Rarity said, shaking her head slightly. “Oh, yes. Of course, Fairy, why do you ask?”

“Because you’ve been brushing the same strand of my mane since I sat down.”

“Oh.”

Turning back to look at the stressed unicorn, I gave Rarity a sympathetic look. “Rarity...you know I believe you’re a great designer...but are you sure you want to got thru with this?” I asked.

Rarity, hesitantly, nodded. “My friends love their dress, so will Hoity Toity.” Rarity said, going on to brush the next bit of my mane.

After a moment of silence, I spoke again. “I brought the necklace.”

“Why, thank you. You didn’t have to do that, if it makes you uncomfortable.” Rarity said.

“It’s alright. The necklace goes with the dress perfectly. Yet another reason I need to thank you for making it.” I said, looking over towards my saddlebag where my treasured necklace rested.

Here it is. Show time.

My mane had been brushed down, Rarity had rinsed it out to help with the process of it. It was much flatter than my mane usually was, brushed off so most of it was on one side of my head. Same for my tail. A special necklace hung around my neck, not my Element of Harmony, no sir. This was one...belonged to my birth mother.

It was nothing spectacular. Just a woolen string and a charm shaped like an ice blue raindrop with lime green wings.

My birth mother had left me at an orphanage in Manehattan when I was a foal, with nothing but this necklace. Sad story, I know. It wasn’t until I was almost six that I was taken in by Orange Blast. That’s my adoptive mother. A lovely orange unicorn with a pale peach mane, golden eyes and an orange exploding for a cutiemark. She was a great mom.

Now, I prepared to walk out in a Runway wearing the necklace with my friends, in a lovely dress, and... whatever I should call the things the others are wearing.

The lights faded and the mares and I got into our positions. All we had to wait for was Spike’s introduction.

“Since the beginning of time, the elite of Equestria have longed for pony fashions that truly expressed the essence of their very souls. Patiently waiting decades- no, centuries for the perfect pony gown. Today, at long last, Equestria, your wait is over! Let's hear it for the breathtaking designs of Ponyville's own Rarity!”

We were all posed under the spotlight. I stood next to Twilight and waited as the others walked out, single file. First Twilight, in her constellation dress. Second, Applejack in her work outfit. Third, Fluttershy in her extreme nature outfit (the pegasus was wearing a nest on her forehead, ponies). Fourth, was Rainbow in her Warrior Armor. Fifth, was Pinkie Pie in her Party Outfit. I followed behind her, noticing all the surprised faces of the ponies below.

The six of us began rotating at the end of the runway on the spinning stage. My friends looked confident in their outfits, but it was falling. A few ponies, I also noticed, pointed at me with confused expressions and then at the others. They were probably wondering if I was a part of this or just somepony thrown in to not make it seem as bad as it was.

“Why's everypony lookin' at us like that?” Applejack whispered.

Slowly, my friends began to notice how ridiculous they looked.

“Oh dear.” Twilight said.

“You think we overdid it?” Rainbow Dash whispered.

“Nah.” Applejack said.

“You’re wearing galoshes.” I whispered towards her.

“Okay, maybe a little.” Applejack admitted.

The stage kept rotating around, despite my silent request that it would stop.

“Oh, those amateurish designs look like a piled-on mishmash of everything but the kitchen sink!” I probably shouldn’t tell him Pinkie wanted that on her dress. “It's a travesty, it's what it is. Those outfits are the ugliest things I've ever seen, except for that one that I’m not even sure is a part of all this.” I knew it. “Who is responsible for subjecting our eyes to these horrors? Not to mention wasting my valuable time?” A purplish gray earth pony asked. I guess that was Hoity Toity.

It was silent for a moment.

“Come on out and take a bow, Rarity. You worked really hard for this.”

Spike.

The dragon began clapping as I was spun to see a downcast Rarity slowly walking towards us. “Yes! Alright, woohoo! Go, Rarity!”

The music had stopped. I could hear the gears in the table turning. My friends were starting to look embarrassed by this whole thing.

I just hope Rarity was going to be okay.

Rarity was most definitely not okay.

For three days, the unicorn had locked herself away in her home. She missed our Weekly Spa Trip. She never misses those. What’s worse was that ponies all over town were making jokes or side comments about her designs, and wondering what store Rarity had bought my dress from.

Suffice to say, Rarity was a laughing stock.

Everything was still going to be fine. She’ll find a way out of this, I believe she can!

It was at Day Three, that I had convinced the mares to come with me to Rarity’s to try and help.

Pinkie Pie knocked on Rarity’s bedroom door. “Rarity? You okay in there? You haven't come out for days.”

“I’m never coming out!” Rarity cried out. “I can’t show my face in Ponyville ever again! I used to be somepony. I used to be respected. I made dresses. Beautiful, beautiful dresses! But now everypony is laughing at me. I'm nothing but a laughing stock!”

“You're not a laughing stock, Rarity...” Twilight comforted.

“She kind of is.” Rainbow pointed out.

“Shhh!” Twilight and I ordered.

I leaned close to the door. “Come on out and talk to us.” I requested.

“Leave me alone! I want to be alone! I want to wallow in... whatever it is that ponies are supposed to wallow in! Do ponies wallow in pity? Oh, listen to me, I don't even know what I'm supposed to wallow in! I'M SO PATHETIC!”

Poor Rarity...

“Now what do we do?” Twilight asked.

Fluttershy shrugged. “Uh... panic?”

“That's your answer for everything!” Rainbow Dash almost yelled.

“I don’t know, panicking sounds like a good solution. Maybe we could go into exile, exile seems fun.” I suggested.

“We can't just leave Rarity like this.” Applejack said.

“She'll become a crazy cat lady!” Pinkie said.

“She only has one cat.” Twilight deadpanned.

“It has already begun.” I said.

Twilight almost rolled her eyes at Pinkie and I. She leaned down to look into the keyhole, making a hmm sound.

“I think I have an idea.”

This bit of the plan was a little complicated. Twilight explained she saw a design for a dress inside Rarity’s room along with the dress itself. We quietly got the dress out of the room by reasons I’d rather not explain to the public eye. What I can tell you is that it involved; a thimble, a haystack, four gallons of ice cream, a pear, and some fire.

Like I said, not to the public eye.

The next bit was easier. Get Opalescence out of the house.

That job went to Fluttershy.

Rainbow lifted the demon cat up into a tree, waiting for Rarity to come outside to chase after her cat as the rest of us gathered in front of the dress.

It didn’t take long.

Rarity’s head poked out from the Boutique, her mane a mess and she was wearing fuzzy pink slippers and a robe. “Opal, how did you get up there? Hang on, you poor dear! Mama's coming!”

In a minute, the unicorn was outside and glaring at a prismatic pegasus.

“Rainbow Dash?! How dare you strand my poor Opal in a tree?”

“Well, how else were we gonna get you out here to show you this?”

Taking that as our cue, the five of us backed away and revealed the dress we had finished for Rarity.

“What is it?” Rarity began, starting to look towards us. “It's not... You... *gasp*”

“We all finished your dress for you!” Pinkie explained.

“Thanks to Fluttershy's freaky knowledge of sewing.” Applejack commented.

The pegasus looked at Rarity “Do you like it?”

I think I saw Rarity’s eye twitch just a little. “Like it? Like it?!”

“Uh-oh.” Fluttershy started. “She doesn't like it.”

“No, I don't like it.” Rarity said, lifting her nose up.

“Do you love it?” I asked, hopeful.

The unicorn was silent for a moment.

“YES!” Rarity cheered, a smile wide on her face.

“Yay!” We all shouted.

“You ponies did an amazing job.” The fashionista said, walking up to the dress. “It's exactly the way I imagined it.”

“We just followed your brilliant design.” Fluttershy explained.

Twilight’s lowered her head slightly. “Like we should have let you do for our outfits. Those first dresses you designed were perfect.”

Pinkie and the others followed. “We're so super sorry.” Rainbow even flew down from the tree and walked up next to Rarity.

“You worked really hard to make our dresses exactly the way we wanted them. We all saw how well that turned out.”

Rarity waved a white hoof. “Oh, I forgive you.”

“Well, that's mighty big of you.” Applejack said.

“But my whole career is still ruined!” Rarity sighed dramatically.

“Oh, right. That.” I said.

Looking off to the side, I noticed a purplish gray earth pony walking up to the Boutique.

“Maybe not.” Twilight said.

A half hour later, we all had Rarity’s first designs on. Hoity Toity was waiting out in the Main Room.

“All right, I haven't got all day. Take two!” Hoity announced.

Rarity walked out, her horn glowing brightly as the music that went with Twilight’s dress started. Twilight slowly walked out as the effects began and showed off her dress.

“Hello... Oh, this can't be the same designer.” I could hear Hoity Toity say.

The music for Applejack started. The farm pony walked out and showed off her new ‘work duds’.

“Simply magnificent! And I suddenly have a fierce craving for some Dutch apple pie, candied apples on a stick, apple turnovers, apple cobbler...”

Pinkie’s music started and the pony hopped onto the stage, a smile threatened to break her face in half.

“Brilliant!”

*thunder*

Rainbow’s music started and the pegasus flew out onto the stage.

“Oh, spectacular!”

Rarity started the effects for Fluttershy’s dress. The pony calmly trotted onto the stage as the flower petals fell down.

“Now this is a fashion show!” Hoity Toity cheered as Rarity started the music for my dress. It was old Reneighsancian. Walking out with my dress on, I waited as the effects faded off and Hoity could see me in Rarity’s design.

“All of these dresses are absolutely amazing. Who is responsible? Step forward, show yourself!” Hoity cheered.

The final music started playing and Rarity walked out in her dress. She had to work very fast from the show’s start to get in the dress in time. All seven of us walked out to show off our dresses.

“Brava! Brava! Magnifico! Encore!”

Rarity smiled. “Oh, thank you. Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!”

Now the day had ended. I was lying in my bed just staring at the necklace. Hoity Toity had asked Rarity to make dozens of the same dresses for his business in Canterlot. She was ecstatic...once she woke up that is.

The dress was hung very carefully in my closet, the necklace was waiting for me to put it back in the drawer where I was keeping it when I didn’t wear it. Looking at the necklace, made me remember to do something I had forgotten.

Trotting downstairs, I found a quill, ink and a scroll. I began writing.

Dear Mom,

It’s me Fairy Wishes. I know it’s been awhile since I wrote to you. You won’t believe how my life has been since I saw you last...