Chapter 8
Anniversary Or Bust

A Wedding Anniversary is the most important date for a married couple. Most of the time, it's the husband that forgets it, which can lead to some pretty awkward 'I'm Sorry' situations. Come on guys, you know what I'm talking about. However, that's not the case for Prince Flareon and Princess Twilight. Not once during the 30 years they've been married has either of them forgotten the day they were married. That's actually pretty impressive. During some of their Wedding Anniversary trips, Flareon and Twilight went to places like Las Hooves, Manehattan, Tenchi Islands, Kyriako, and Pink Blossom Resort. This time around, Flareon and Twilight decided to spend their Wedding Anniversary at the one place where it all started. Ponyville. Twilight thought it would be nice to celebrate the day they were married in the town where they first met. It all began one peaceful evening in Ponyville. Flareon and Twilight were visiting Ponyville today because they decided this was the place they were going to celebrate their 35th Wedding Anniversary. The two ponies were speaking with Summer at Golden Oak Library. Prey was busy eating her dinner and paying no attention to their conversation. "Aww...I'm so happy you're celebrating your Wedding Anniversary here," Summer said, "I hope it goes well."

"Thanks Summer," Twilight replied with a smile.

"So...what have you two love birds got planned?" Summer asked curiously.

"Let's see...first a movie, second is ice skating, after that is the amusement park, then dinner at La' Mane, and to top it off a fireworks show at the park," Flareon replied.

"So romantic," Summer sighed, "I wish I could find that special pony that I'm meant to spend my life with."

"I'm sure you will Summer," Flareon replied as he put his right hoof on her shoulder, "There's a pony out there for everyone. You just have to be patient." He then turned to Twilight. "We should probably be going now. The movie starts in ten minutes." After saying goodbye to Summer, Flareon and Twilight left the house and headed for the movie theater. After buying tickets for the movie they were planning to see, Flareon and Twilight got some soda and popcorn, and then proceeded into the theater. Barely thirty minutes later after the movie started, the screen suddenly went black. The lights in the theater soon lit back up. At that moment, a female pegasus from the theater staff appeared in the room.

"I'm sorry everyone, but we are having some technical difficulties in the movie room. Unfortunately, we have this cancel this movie's showing," she said amongst the disappointed groans from the audience, "I would once again like to apologize for this inconvenience. Please head to the ticket booth in front for your refund." Everyone, including Flareon and Twilight, headed back outside and were given their money back.

"Do you want to see a different movie Flareon?" Twilight asked.

"No...not really," Flareon replied, "There's nothing else good playing. Let's just skip the movie and go ice skating." Soon after, Flareon and Twilight left the movie theater and flew over to the ice skating rink. Sadly for them, it was closed for repairs. Another unfortunate event. "Really? Repairs? For what? The rink it made of ice! Why did they have to do this now anyway?"

"Forget it Flareon. Let's go to the amusement park," Twilight said as she turned around, "Hopefully that isn't closed for repairs too." Unfortunately for Flareon and Twilight, that was exactly the case. The amusement park was also closed for repairs. Unfortunate event number three. Flareon looked at Twilight in a 'you've gotta be kidding me' way.

"You just had to go and say it didn't you?" Flareon asked sarcastically.

"La' Mane...now," Twilight replied angrily. Flareon didn't bother responding as he flew after Twilight to La' Mane. A few minutes later, the two of them entered La' Mane and headed for the front counter. To Flareon's surprise, they were met by a familiar face. It was Chez.

"You!" Flareon and Chez shouted at the same time. The ponies nearby just stared at them.

"Wait...you two know each other?" a confused Twilight asked.

"Ah yes...I remember him. Very well indeed," Chez replied at Flareon, "He and his little dragon friend were the reason I got fired. It took me years for them to hire me back. Mind me asking what you're doing here tonight?"

"We have a reservation for two," Flareon said sternly without making eye contact with Chez. This in turn allowed Chez to erase Flareon and Twilight's names from the reservation list.

"I'm sorry, but I don't see you on here," Chez replied as he held up the list.

"What?! I could have sworn I got a reservation here! Check the list again!" Flareon exclaimed.

"Checking it more than once will not change anything...sir," a smug Chez replied. In a blink of an eye, Flareon used his magic to bring the list over to him. However, after Flareon looked at the list with his own eyes, he slowly sent it back. Chez was trying his best to hold back a mischievous smirk. He was finally getting payback for what Flareon did to him those many years ago. After leaving La' Mane, a deeply depressed and exhausted Flareon and Twilight made their way to the park for the fireworks show finale. Hopefully this would make up for the cruddy day they were having. As they took their spots on the grass, Flareon and Twilight waited for the show to begin. Just then, as luck would have it, rain started to fall. Flareon and Twilight were shown sitting on the grass with emotionless faces. They didn't even bother moving or responding when one of the ponies in charge of the fireworks show told them it was cancelled due to the rain getting the fireworks wet. The two of them continued to sit there for at least a good fifteen minutes before they eventually left the park. It was safe to say this was the worst Wedding Anniversary they ever had in all their years married to each other. Without any destination in mind, Flareon and Twilight flew in a random direction. They ended up going to Apple Acres. As Flareon and Twilight sulked on a picnic table, they were suddenly met by Applejack.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, "You two look like you've had a horrible day." Neither Flareon or Twilight bothered to respond as they just kept their heads lying face down on the table. Applejack eventually gave up trying to get a straight answer out of them and went back inside her house. Shortly after, Flareon and Twilight were surprised when something was suddenly slammed down on their table. When they lifted up their heads, they saw a cake in front of them. It read 'Happy Anniversary'. When they looked around, Flareon and Twilight saw Applejack, along with her family, huddled around the table. Summer was also present.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked.

"Helping you celebrate your Wedding Anniversary of course!" Summer replied with a smile.

"We heard from Summer that's what you two were visiting Ponyville for," Applejack said, "When I saw you two just sitting here like that, I knew it wasn't going well. That's why we decided to bake this cake to make up for the terrible day you were having. I know it's not much, but I hope this cake helps."

"Thanks everyone," Flareon replied happily, "We really appreciate this." Twilight was wiping tears of joy from her eyes. After Apple Bloom brought out some plates and ice cream, the ponies were shown eating cake and ice cream under the starry lit night sky. Even though the day started out terrible, it ended on a very satisfying note. Flareon and Twilight were beyond happy to have such caring friends and granddaughter. In the end, Flareon and Twilight had a great Wedding Anniversary despite the part about everything that they were planning to do being absolutely ruined. Luckily for them, Summer, Applejack, and the Apple Family were able to help make a horrible day become a memorable one. Just goes to show you that friends will always be there for you.