Ticket Master
It's been a little over a month since the defeat of Nightmare Moon, now Night, Twilight and Spike are almost finished helping Applejack. Although Spike seems to have something else in mind. "No. Nope. Nope-" he says, looking through the apples that Twilight has in the basket on her back.
"Thanks for helping me out with this you two. I made bet with Big McIntosh that if I could get all these Golden Delicious to the barn before noon he'd have to walk down the center of Ponyville in one of granny's girdles" Applejack says, chuckling at the thought.
"No problem Applejack, I'm glad the goals lunchtime. All this work is making me hungry" Twilight responds as Night's stomach growls in agreement.
"Yeah. I'm so hungry, I could eat a tree, bark and all" Night says.
"I know right" Spike says still looking through the apples.
"Please Spike. You've sat on my back the whole time we worked" Twilight pointed out.
"Exactly. You three were taking so long I missed snack time" Spike complains as Twilight's stomach growls as well.
"Most be so terrible" Night says sarcastically. Spike then goes back to digging through the apples.
"Nope, worm. Aha" he says pulling out an extremely ripe apple.
"Spike, that looks delicious" Twilight states but before she can do anything Spike shoves it in his mouth, swallowing it whole.
"Spike!" Twilight says to him, unhappy that he just did that.
"What?" Spike asks, not seeing a problem, when he burps out a letter.
"I forgot he do that" Night remarks scratching his chin. Spike then unrolls the letter and it reads…
"Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala will be held in the magnificent capital of Canterlot on the 21st of… yadda yadda yadda… cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle and one guest" Spike finishes reading and Twilight and Applejack are about to burst when Night remarks to Spike…
"Is my sister always making herself seem like a goddess or is this a fan who gets paid to over glorify certain ponies?" Before Spike can answer that's when Twilight and Applejack lose all sense of calm.
"The Grand Galloping Gala!" they exclaim and look at each other with pure excitement in their eyes.
"Woo-hoo" Applejack says as Spike takes out the two tickets that were rolled in the paper.
"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala before, have you Spike?" Twilight asks.
"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want to deal with any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense" Spike said seeming unhappy by the question.
"Aw, come on Spike, a dance would be nice" Twilight noted, but Spike lifts one of his eyelids up while Night groans after hearing the word 'dance'.
"Nice?" Applejack says in disbelief. "It's a heap good more than just nice. I love to go. Land sake, I could set up an applestand, and ponies would be chowin' down on our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. Do you know how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all the money, we could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh 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 the gala" Applejack finished, imagining everything she could do to the farm with the gala earnings.
"Oh, well if you want to-" Twilight says before Rainbow Dash comes out of nowhere and crashes into Twilight.
"Ugh" Rainbow groans then speaks to Twilight. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?" she asks but Applejack pulls her away.
"Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples" she notes. "What were you doing? Spyin'?"
"I was busy napping, and I so happen to hear that you have an extra ticket" she says, looking at Twilight like a little kid about to get the greatest gift of all time.
"Yeah, but-" Twilight starts but Rainbow interrupts her.
"YES! That is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the gala every year! I can see it now. Everypony would watching the Wonderbolts, but then Rainbow Dash flies right in!" Rainbow also starts to envision how it would play out. "I'd draw their attention with a Superspeed Strut. Then, mesmerize them with my Fantastic Filly Flash. Then, to top it all off, the Buccaneer Blaze! The Wonderbolts would then insist that my signature moves be included in their routine, then welcome me as their newest member. Don't you see Twilight?" she asks. "This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff."
"Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here" Applejack intervenes. "I asked for that ticket first."
"So? That doesn't mean you own it" Rainbow counters.
"Oh yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket" Applejack says. The two then get ready but Twilight interrupts them.
"Girls. These are my tickets, and I'll decide who get it. Now I think that the pony with the best reason should get the ticket" she says then turns to Night who nods in agreement.
"Drummin' up business for the farm" Applejack starts.
"A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts" Rainbow counters. The two go back and forth till Twilight says…
"Oh my, those are all real good reasons, aren't they?" Twilight and Night's stomachs then rumbling having a different opinion. "I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach. So I'll think about it over lunch and get right back to you two, sound good?" Rainbow and Applejack nod their heads but the moment the two ponies and dragon are gone the two go back to hoof-wrestling.
"So, who are you going to give the ticket to Twilight?" Spike asks once they're in town.
"I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight with an empty stomach. So where should we eat, any ideas Night?" she asks looking at the black alicorn who seems to be lost in his own thoughts, but before he can say anything a pink flash hit them.
"Ah! Bats! Bats on my face! Oh, wait… are these…" Pinkie Pie then looks at Twilight extremely excited. "Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. The most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always wanted to go." She then starts a small song about all the fun things she would do. A/N Which frankly, I don't want to write, watch the actual episode if your interested. "Oh thank you Twilight, it's the most super wonderful-est gift ever. Before Night or Twilight can contradict her, Rarity walks up and gasps seeing the tickets still on the ground.
"Are these what I think they are?" Rarity asks, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.
"Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to the gala" Pinkie states.
"I design ensembles for the gala every year, but never got the opportunity to attend" she states then starts to describe a very romantic night, which in the end, she marries Prince Blueblood, Celestia's extended cousin. Rarity then gets a look of disappointment and frowns at Twilight. "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie to,... party and prevent me from meeting my true. How could you." Spike then dawns a look of extreme jealousy but Night hits his head with one of his wings before he can say anything.
"These are perfect, Angel" Fluttershy says then sees the commotion.
"Uh, girls, I haven't decided who is getting the ticket yet and-" Twilight starts.
"You haven't!" the two mares are immediately on Twilight's case.
"What she needs, is time to think about who to give it to" Night says then Nights and Twilights stomachs growl. "And some lunch." Fluttershy then gets Twilights attention.
"Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would like to ask, I mean, if it's okay with you, if you haven't given it to somepony already-"
"You? You would like to go to the gala?" Rarity asks in complete shock as Fluttershy usually avoids parties like a plague.
"Oh no, I mean, yes, but for the gardens surrounding it more than anything" Fluttershy corrects then starts talking about the flora and fauna that live there.
"Hold on a minute" Rainbow says swooping in out of nowhere.
"Rainbow Dash, why were you following us?" Night asks.
"To make sure goody-four-shoes doesn't give the ticket to anypony" Rainbow answers. Applejack then shows up.
"Applejack, were you following us too?" Twilight asks.
"No. I was following this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to steal my ticket" she explains, but soon the ponies who want the ticket get into an increasingly heated argument.
"Girls! There's no use arguing" Twilight says. Rarity then tries to counter but she's interrupted. "This is my decision, and I can't think straight with all this noise…" Twilight's and Night's stomach then growl again, a little louder, "not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo." The ponies grumble as they leave. "And don't worry, I'll figure this out… somehow." The three then head to a restaurant to get some food. "Night, Spike, what am I going do? Five of my best friends all have very good reasons to go to the gala. Applejack or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie, Rarity or Fluttershy… oh who should go with me?"
"My I take your order?" the waiter then asks.
"I CAN'T DECIDE!" Twilight screams.
"Twilight, he just wants to take our order" Spike says.
"Oh. I'll take a daisy and daffodil sandwich" she says then notices that Night looking undecided. "You good Night?"
"Not entirely sure what to get" he responds.
"Night, any kind of food on their is good for all kinds of ponies so you might as well try something" Twilight notes.
"In that case, I'll have the daisy and daffodils sandwich as well" Night says to the waiter.
"Of course, your highness" he answers. Night looks slightly embarrassed by 'your highness' but Twilight doesn't notice.
"Do you have any rubies?" Spike asks. "No? Okay, then I'll get the hay fries, extra, extra crispy."
"What do you think Spike?" Twilight asks.
"I think we should try a different restaurant. I mean, I guess grass is fine but seriously" Spike complains.
"No. I mean about the ticket and who I should take" she said to him.
"Oh, your still on that" Spike said. Twilight then looks at Night.
"Night, how do I choose? When do I choose? And will the other four be mad at me? I could give up my ticket and send somepony else, but that still leaves three unhappy ponies. What if I-" Night then cuts Twilight off.
"Twilight, calm down. Your getting into your panic routine. Just forget about the reasons they want to go and focus on who you want to go" Night advices.
"Then, why haven't you asked for the ticket?" Twilight asks.
"Four reasons. One: it would destroy our friendship. Two: I would just be spending the night chatting with my sisters, which I can do whenever. Three: I've gone to countless dances back on Earth because of my moms diplomatic position. Four: dances aren't really my thing" Night explains, which makes Twilight fell a little better. The waiter then shows up with the food.
"Thank you. Everything will be much easier after some food" Twilight says and Night agrees. Ponies then gallop past and the waiter asks…
"Your highness, madam, are you going to eat you food in the rain?"
"It's not raining" Twilight says then sees an angry Night and a soggy sandwich.
"Hey, best friend forever" Twilight looks up to see the sky dark with Rainbow Dash looking through an opening. "Enjoying the sunny weather?" she asks.
"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Twilight demands.
"Whaddya mean?" Rainbow asks. "I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry and dine in peace, that's all" she then noticed Night. "Hey, are you planning to take the ticket?"
"No, I was planning on eating some well deserved lunch before you brought this inconvenient rainstorm" Night states in a 'matter of fact' voice, lightning sparking between the clouds near them.
"Your not trying to win the ticket by pulling favors, are you?" Twilight asks Rainbow suspiciously.
"Me? No no no, of course not." Twilight then sends a look showing she's not buying it. "Seriously, I'd do it for anypony. *nervous gulp* Heh, heh, eh" Rainbow says, starting to get nervous.
"Rainbow, I'm not comfortable taking unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you closed up that cloud" Twilight says. Rainbow then compiles and zips up the clouds. "That's better." she says then immediately gets poured on.
"I was going to suggest having her clear the sky, but, you do you" Night says with a small smirk that didn't go unnoticed.
"Night, I don't need your smart alec routine right now" Twilight says, now realizing her mistake.
"It's a routine?"
"Twilight, it's raining" Rarity says, walking up in a full raincoat and umbrella on her back.
"I hadn't noticed."
"Come on, you'll catch a cold out here" Rarity says, pushing Night out of the way.
"What about Night?" Twilight asks.
"Oh, don't worry about him, he'll be fine" Rarity says, not being reassuring. "Besides, we're the best of friends." Twilight is then taken to Rarity's shop/house where she starts a makeover.
"So that's what they're doing" Night thinks to himself as the two unicorns walk away, "I'd better help her once I clear the clouds." He then flies up and gets to work.
Meanwhile
"Ugh, Rarity, ow, this isn't really fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's to tight" Twilight complains, then Rarity finishes.
"There, you look fabulous" she says.
"Uh, yeah, it's kinda pretty, isn't it" Twilight responds. Rarity then turns to Spike.
"Oh Spike, I have a dashing outfit for you" then starts to work on Spike.
"D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa" Spike is then revealed in a baby dragon sized suit with a bow tie.
"Oh Spike" Twilight says then giggles a little.
"Now you just need a hat" Rarity says, going to get one, but Spike takes everything off.
"Ugh, I already told you, I'm not doing any of this girly stuff. I'll see you at the library and maybe find out what Night's up to" Spike says then slams the door shut.
"Oh, who needs him" Rarity says, turning her attention back toward Twilight. "This is all about you, and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Wait, the Gala-" Twilight gets interrupted.
"And oh my, what a coincidence, I've made an ensemble that matches yours to a T" Rarity notes, Twilight then realizes where this is going. "We would be belles at the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn. Ah, *nervous laughter* and Twilight Sparkle, of course." This confirmed it for Twilight.
"I see what's going on" Twilight starts. "You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not going to work. Your going to have to wait for my decision like everypony else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all afternoon just to get some lunch." She then opens the door prepares to leave.
"Did somepony say lunch" Applejack said, showing up out of nowhere with a cart full of apple related foods. "I've got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisp, apple cucumbers, and Brown Betty. Uh, the dessert, not my aunt. What do you say best friend." Twilight's stomach then growls its opinion. "Is that a yes?"
"No no no, I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't helping. In fact, I'm less sure than I was this morning" Twilight say, starting to get a headache.
"So that's a maybe?" Applejack asks.
"I didn't think being showered with favors could be so aggravating" Twilight states then runs back to the library. When she gets there, she sees Fluttershy and her animals cleaning her home.
"Oh, well, hello Twilight" Fluttershy says. "I hope you don't mind, but we're doing a little spring cleaning for you."
"It's late summer" Twilight points out.
"Oh, well, never late than never, right?" Fluttershy asks. "It was Angel's idea."
"You're not doing this just for the ticket, are you?" she asks.
"Oh no" Fluttershy answers. "We're doing this because your my best friend. Right Angel?" the bunny then has a look of disapproval. "Oh, yes, we are doing this for the ticket" she finally admits.
"No, no, no! Well, this was very nice of you, but I'm not accepting and extra favors until I made my final decision. Now, I must kindly ask you to leave" as Twilight opens the door-
"SURPRISE!" Pinkie then puts Twilight on a pony style trampoline. (using their hooves to throw her up, for those who are wondering) "Twilight is my bestest friend whoopie, whoopie."
"Pinkie…" Twilight starts.
"She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony."
"Pinkie."
"I bet if I threw a super-duper-fun party, party."
"Pinkie!"
"She'll give the Gala ticket to me, to me."
"PIIINKIIIE!" Twilight screamed, the ponies throwing her then let her hit the ground.
"Yes, Twilight?" Pinkie asked innocently.
"At least the other pony's tried to be subtle about the ticket" Twilight responds.
"Ticket? What ticket?" somepony asked.
"Oh, you hadn't heard, Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala" Pinkie answers.
"THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA!" everypony then starts offering favors to Twilight and Spike starts to panic.
"What do we do?" he asks Twilight.
"We're, gonna, RUUUUUN!" Twilight screams. Ponies then start chasing the two and almost get away a couple of times, but eventually they're caught in a corner. *Favors continue* Twilight's horn then glows and her and Spike are teleported back to the library.
"Warn me next time you do that" Spike says, slightly singed.
"I didn't even know that could happen" Twilight states. "Now quick, lock the doors." She and Spike then run around the library blowing out candles, closing doors, and getting the lights off.
Meanwhile outside
Night is flying around, looking for Twilight when he sees his friends heading to the library. As he approaches, he hears them arguing. "Get out of the way Rainbow" Applejack demands. Night then lands and they see him. "Are you here for the ticket Night?"
"No way, stay out of the way Night. I'm getting the ticket" Rainbow says, about to enter.
"You mean me" Rarity says, pushing Rainbow out of the way. The ponies continue with their argument.
"ENOUGH!" Night screams as a lightning strike then lands right in the middle of them, knocking them back. They turn to him to see his eyes glowing a dark blue and in raged. "Do you see what your doing! Twilight is enough stress as it is, and you five offering her favors isn't helping! You're letting this dumb ticket destroy your friendship. I didn't think you all were so, so, selfish…" As he talks the glow disappears and tears start to form. He then runs into Twilights home and, reluctantly, the five mares follow. As Twilight sees them she just broke.
"I can't decide, I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I can't stand to disappoint you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because your all my friends and I want to make you all happy and I can't, I just can't" Twilight finish about to cry on the floor.
"Twilight, Night just set us on straight I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and, if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't mind" Applejack said.
"Me too. I just feel awful that I made you feel so awful" Fluttershy agrees.
"Me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends" Pinkie says.
"Twilight, it was wrong of me to force you as I did" Rarity apologized.
"Yes!" Rainbow yells out. "The ticket is mine. Ha ha *sing-song voice* I got the ticket. I got the ticket." This earns her glares from everypony except Twilight. "You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts. I don't need the ticket either."
"We were all so gun-ho about the gala, we didn't realize how un-gun-ho we were making you" Applejack wrapped up. The five mares then give a formal apology and Twilight felt a lot better.
"Spike, take a note" she said. "Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more less than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala." Placing them inside the scroll Spike was writing on.
"What?!" everypony exclaimed.
"If all my friends can't go, I don't want to go either" Twilight finishes.
"Twilight, you don't have to do that" Applejack said.
"Nope, I've made up my mind. Send it Spike" Spike then lets out a green plume of flame and the letter starts its journey.
"But, this means you won't be able to go to the Gala either" Fluttershy points out.
"It's okay. I'd rather go with all my best friends than with just one, so I'd rather not go at all" Twilight responds. Spike then appears to start choking on something.
"Well whomping willows, Spike. Isn't that just like a boy, can't handle the least bit of sentiment" Applejack proclaims. Spike then burps out a new letter.
"A letter from the princess?" Twilight questions. "That was fast." Spike then reads it out loud.
"My faithful student Twilight, why didn't you say so in the first place." He then pulls out- "Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!"
"Now we can all go" Twilight points out. *ponies celebrate* Twilight and Night's stomach then rumbles with hunger.
"Allow us to treat you two to dinner" Rarity suggests.
"That's a good way to apologize" Rainbow says.
"Come on everypony. Cupcakes are on me" Pinkie proclaimed.
"And Night, thanks you setting us on straight" Applejack said.
"Treat me to a descant meal and all consider it" Night says. At first their scared but see the smile on his face.
"How come I don't get a ticket?" Spike asks himself, he then burps out another ticket for him. Chuckling as he leaves Applejack catches him. "I mean, gross! Now I have to go too?" He then continues to chuckle as he runs away and Applejack laughs at this.
A/N Thanks for reading. This has been a hassle to get this done and finals are coming up in school, so I'll be taking a short break and won't continue writing this till the 17th so please be patient. Anyways I hope you enjoyed, and have a pleasant day (or evening, I don't know when you read this)