Hello Everyone. Sorry for the long wait. Here is chapter 3. I hope you will enjoy it. :)
It's a bright sunny day in the town of Ponyville, where Twilight Sparkle and Shining Star now resides. Speaking of the two ponies, they are currently helping Applejack in doing a job of picking apples off trees in the Sweet Apple Acres Orchard. They both are currently carrying bags filled with apples, while Spike is busy going through them in getting ridding all of the bad apples and keeping the healthy ones while sitting on Twilight's back as the four make their way through the Orchard itself.
"No...Nope, nope" mutters Spike as he throws away the unhealthy apples.
"Thank you kindly, Twilight and Shining Star, for helping me out" said Applejack as she shows her appreciation. "I bet Big Macintosh, that I could get all these golden delicious in the barn by lunch time. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's Girdles."
"No Problem at all, Applejack" said Twilight as she accepts the appreciation from Applejack. "I'm glad the goal is lunchtime, all this hard work is making me hungry."
"Me too, I'm always happy to help" said Shining Star as he takes the time to rub his belly in hunger. "I can't wait to have some food, in fact I can almost taste it."
"I know, right?" asked Spike as he tosses an apple that ends up hitting Twilight in the head, resulting in Twilight giving him a glare as Spike smiled innocently in response.
"Ooh-Wee, Spike" said Twilight as she couldn't believe what Spike was claiming. "You've been lounging on my back all morning, while we worked."
"She's right, Spike" said Shining Star as he agrees with what Twilight is saying. "You know, it would have been a lot quicker, if all four of us worked together."
"Exactly" said Spike as he completely ignores what Shining Star and Twilight are telling him. "You three were taking so long, I missed snack-time."
Unfortunately for Shining Star and Twilight in that very moment, their stomachs have started rumbling. They gave each other looks of worry, knowing that they need to eat food the first chance they get as they both know they haven't eaten any food in quite a while. Despite their stomachs rumbling, the two ponies continue to walk with Applejack in the knowledge that they can go for food after completing the rest of the task that has been set out for them.
"Heh-heh, I guess we better get some food" said Twilight as she laughs nervously at her own stomach rumbling.
"Nope, worm" mumbled Spike as he continues to go through the apples until he found the one he had been looking for. "A-ha!"
"Oh, Spike, that looks delicious" said Twilight as she looks at the shiny red apple in hope until Spike ate it all himself. "Spike!"
"Now, that was completely, rude" said Shining Star as he could only look at Spike with an annoyed facial expression. "Do you have any idea, how much we needed that?"
"What?" asked Spike as he tries to maintain his innocence.
The conversation was quickly interrupted not long after that, due to Spike burping up a mysterious letter. It hovered in the air for a few seconds, until it slowly had made it's way to the four of them as they gathered around it to find out what contents the letter is holding. It was just the mere sight of the letter, that caused Twilight and Shining Star to look at each other before nodding their heads in acknowledgement to who had sent it as they refocused on the letter.
"It's a letter from Princess Celestia" said Twilight as she can only look at the letter in wonder.
"I agree without a doubt, Twilight" said Shining Star as he nods his head in agreement. "Though I wonder, what she has in store for us, this time."
"Hear ye, hear ye" said Spike as he begins to read the letter after clearing his throat. "Her royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is proud to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the 21st day of...yadda,yadda,yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, Shining Star, plus one guest."
"The Grand Galloping Gala!" gasped Twilight and Applejack in excitement, while Shining Star can only respond with a look of utter horror.
(Theme song)
"The Grand Galloping Gala!" cheered Twilight and Applejack, while jumping up and down in pure joy.
Shining Star smiled with happiness at the two being in such joy, before remembering what the Gala means for him. He can only imagine the event, until it makes him shiver in increased horror as he tries his best to put it to the back of his mind to focus on the task before him. He manages to find a much-needed distraction, when he quickly turns his head to see Spike with an unamused expression on his face as he expresses his disgust until he burps the three mentioned tickets.
"Look, three tickets!" said Spike in excitement at the sight of the tickets.
"Wow, great!" said Twilight as she can only smile at the tickets before facing Spike. "I've never been to the gala, have you Spike?"
"No and I plan to keep it that way" said Spike as the mere mention of the gala brings back his disgust. "I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense."
"Aw, come on Spike" said Twilight as she tries to make the Gala more appealing to him. "A dance would be nice."
"Nice?" asked Applejack after she manages to recover from the giggles. "It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes, if I had an apple stand, ponies would be chowing our tasty vitties till the cows came home. Do you have any idea, how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why with all that money, we could do a heap of fixing up round here, replace that saggy old roof and Big Macintosh could replace that saggy old Plow and Granny smith can replace that saggy old hip."
While Applejack was explaining of this to Twilight and Shining Star, she imagines a long of ponies queuing at her store. She sells her apples, while being paid by the customers in the process as she puts the pile of coins collected into a chest full of coins that have already been collected. She imagines the roof being fixed, while Big Macintosh's plow is replaced with a brand new one while Granny Smith's old struggling hip is replaced with a new one that gives her the chance to move freely without pain.
"Why I'd give my left hind leg to go to that Gala" said Applejack as she hopes to be given the extra ticket.
"I gotta admit, she does have good reasons" said Shining Star as he and Twilight look at each other. "If anyone deserves to go to the Gala, it's definitely Applejack."
"Oh, well in that case, would you like to-" said Twilight as she was just about to give Applejack the last ticket until they heard another voice make it's presence known.
"Whoa!" shouted the voice as the source of it belonged to a familiar female light Blue blur landing straight on top of Applejack and Twilight.
Luckily for Shining Star however he had moved out of the way this time, though it didn't stop him from wincing at the landing. He becomes briefly confused, before he starts a search for the specific area where his Pegasus friend had just dropped from as he knows it can't be too far away. He keeps looking around for it, until he finally sees what he'd be looking for as he can see both a pillow and a blanket on a tree branch hovering over their position.
"Urgh" groaned Rainbow Dash as she is the first to recover from the hard landing. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"Rainbow Dash" said Applejack with annoyance in her voice as she rose back to her hooves. "You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spying?
"No, I was busy napping" said Rainbow Dash before approaching Shining Star and Twilight. "And I just happened to hear, that you two have an extra ticket?"
"Yeah, but-" said Twilight as she tried to explain the situation to Rainbow Dash only to be interrupted by her.
"Yes!" said Rainbow Dash with happiness in her voice. "This is awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now. Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow Imagines a whole crowd of Ponies sitting in a big stadium together, where they would see the Wonderbolts over them. They enjoy the sight of them, each pony being a big fan of the famous flying goggles wearing group as they all look forward to seeing more performances from them. Suddenly in comes a newcomer, which catches the eyes of the crowd as they see a light blue female flying Pegasus making her presence known to all of them.
"I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut" said the present Rainbow Dash as she continues to narrate. "Then I would mesmerize them with my Fantastic Filly Flash and for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The Ponies would go wild!"
Rainbow Dash imagines herself strutting in front of the crowd with lots of speed, before she takes to the air for her next trick. She performs a dive to the crowd, only to pull up in order to fly past them with the crowed becoming indeed mesmerized by the sheer skill of the move she'd performed. When she does her final skill, Rainbow Dash flies at tremendous speed in the air which results in a big ball of fizzling light being performed as the crowd cheers and causing the Wonderbolts to drop their jaws in shock.
"The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine" said present day Rainbow Dash in joy. "And then, welcome me as their newest member."
After being impressed by Rainbow Dash's signature moves filled performance, the Wonderbolts shake hooves with her in pride. When she is next seen with them, Rainbow Dash is in full Wonderbolt gear as she flies alongside them over the awe-inspired watching crowd below the entire group. The Wonderbolts leave a trail of smoke, while a trail of rainbow is left by Rainbow Dash as she continues to fly off into the distance with each member of the team she idolizes.
"Don't you see, Twilight and Shining Star?" asked Rainbow Dash as she hovers with joy in front of her two friends. "You gotta take me!"
Before either Shining Star or Twilight could even give a single word in response, Applejack takes time to bite Rainbow Dash's tail. It isn't the first she did this either, due to the fact she did it twice before with one being to hold her back from doing something reckless and the other to pull her back. The latter purpose has come into play again, while it gave Shining Star and Twilight a chance to give each other a look of concern before turning their attention back to their arguing friends.
"Hold on, just one Pony picking minute here" said Applejack as she successfully pulls Rainbow Dash back. "I asked for that ticket first."
"So? That doesn't mean you own it" said Rainbow Dash as she begins a literal back and forth with Applejack.
"Oh yeah?" said Applejack as she maintains her stance on the matter. "Well, I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle, the winner gets the tickets."
It isn't long after Applejack's challenge was quickly accepted by Rainbow Dash, they begin the hoof-wrestle on the nearest stump. The match was a few seconds in, only for it to be broken up by Twilight who has only become by her two friends fighting over the last ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala. Shining Star himself was busy thinking, knowing a hoof-wrestle would make it easier to decide who should get the last ticket only for him to dismiss the idea on grounds of it only making the situation worse.
"Girls, these are mine and Shining Star's tickets" said Twilight as she looks at them both firmly in the eyes. "We'll decide who gets it, thank you very much."
"Twilight's right, plus fighting over it won't help" said Shining Star as he looks at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "We need to think it through, very carefully."
"Whoever has the best reason to go, should get the ticket" said Twilight as she hopes to settle the matter herself. "Don't you think?"
"Drumming up business for the farm?" proposed Applejack as she stepped forward first.
"A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?" proposed Rainbow Dash as she overtakes Applejack.
"Money to fix Granny's old hip" said Applejack as she steps back in front of Rainbow Dash.
"Living the dream" said Rainbow Dash as she steps back in front of Applejack again.
Unfortunately for both Shining Star and Twilight Sparkle in that very moment, the situation has only got that much harder to solve. Shining Star looks at Twilight, who returns the same look of concern at the fact that choosing who to give the last ticket to the Gala to had just only got that much harder. After sharing the same look together, Twilight's back to talking to their friends while Shining Star decides to think of a solution only to put it on hold for the time being.
"Oh my" said Twilight as she can only give a small nervous laugh. "Those are all pretty good reasons, aren't they?"
"I'll admit" said Shining Star as he agrees with what Twilight's saying. "As am concerned, those are definitely good understandable reasons to go to the Gala."
"Heh-heh-heh" said Twilight as she hears her stomach grumble in hunger. "Listen to that, I'm starving."
"Same here" said Shining Star as he gently pats his own grumbling belly. "I agree with my belly, it's food time."
"I don't know about you" said Twilight as she starts backing away. "But I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach."
"Neither can I, I'm hungry" said Shining Star as he groans in hunger. "We have been working all day, so that's another reason to get food."
"So, we will think about it" said Twilight as she walks away with Spike on her back. "Over lunch and get back to you two, okay?"
"Okay" said Applejack and Rainbow with sad looks on their faces.
Shining Star was just beginning to follow Twilight and Spike in getting some food, when he decided to take a look back at their friends. He was unsurprised, when his eyes saw the two glare at each other again before going through with their previously interrupted hoof-wrestle for the last ticket to the Gala. He watched them for a few seconds, before he continued his journey with Twilight and Spike in order to fill their empty stomachs with some much needed food.
"So, who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight and Shining Star?" asked Spike as they walked through town.
"I have no clue, it's definitely going to be a long hard decision though" said Shining Star as he takes time to ponder it. "One thing's for sure, we need time to think."
"I don't know, Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry" said Twilight as she looked a bit weary. "So, where should we eat?"
The three of them had just made their way towards the door of Sugarcube Corner, when they were tackled out of nowhere by a pink blur. It was a hard tackle, considering it'd caused Twilight to collide with Shining Star as they along with Spike all ended up laying on the ground in a heap with the pink blur. It turns out however, the pink blur is Pinkie Pie herself as it's revealed that her tackle caused the last Gala ticket to leave Spike's claws only for it to go up into the air and land on Pinkie Pie's nose.
"Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!" shouted Pinkie Pie as she mistakes the tickets for bats until she realised what they actually are. "Wait, these aren't...Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala, the most amazing incredible tremendous super fun wonderful terrifically humungous party in all of Equestria! I've always, always, always wanted to go!"
After being knocked down by the sheer force of their hyper active Pink Pony friend, Shining Star manages to get back to his four hooves. He helps Twilight up, before he helps Spike as they watched Pinkie Pie run around in a panic after she mistook the last ticket for the Gala for a bat until she realised her mistake. They can only watch, while Pinkie Pie had begun to imagine herself at Canterlot with a party-like surrounding filled with cake stores and balloons until she begins to break out into a song out of sheer joy.
Oh Grand Galloping Galla is the best place for me
Oh Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip Hip
Hooray!
It's the best place for me
for Pinkie
"With the decorations, like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and Pinatas and pin cushions" said Pinkie Pie as she continued her imagination. "With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play favourite-est favourite fantabulous games like pin the tail on the pony!"
She spends the first part of her song imagining herself jumping around the place, until she had come across sights of many decorations. She plays a bit, before she spots all of the different food on the table including the Surgarcubes as well as Sugar Canes. She imagines herself play the game of pin the tail on the pony, before she goes back to doing her usual jumping around self as she continues trying out doing like taking a photo of herself before she imagines herself being carried away by Balloons.
Oh Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip hip
Hooray!
Cause it's the most galarrific superly terrific Gala ever
In the whole Galax-ieeeeeeeeeeee!
Wheeee!
After she had finished singing a song about her imaginations of the Gala, Pinkie Pie is now jumping around Shining Star and Twilight. The two have different reactions, Shining Star has a smile on his face as he enjoys seeing Pinkie Pie looking so happy. Twilight has a look of concern, knowing that Pinkie Pie's presence and knowledge of the last ticket to the Gala has made her and Shining Star's decision-making that much harder as Shining Star takes note of the situation himself.
"Oh, thank you, Twilight and Shining Star" said Pinkie Pie as she appears in front of them. "It's the most wonderful-est gift ever."
"I'm glad to see, that you're happy, Pinkie" said Shining Star as he remembers the situation. "Though there is one thing, you need to know."
"Um actually-" said Twilight as she tries to explain the situation to Pinkie Pie.
"GASP" said a voice as Spike had just picked the last ticket off the ground. "Are these what I think they are?"
Shining Star along with Twilight and Spike and Pinkie Pie looked to see Rarity, who had just made her appearance behind Spike himself. She had her eyes set on the ticket, it'd increased the difficulty of the decision-making for Shining Star and Twilight. The latter two looked at each other, both silently acknowledging the situation before them with the two returning their attention to Rarity in time to focus in on what she and Pinkie are saying to each other.
"Uh" said Twilight as she again tries to explain the situation.
"Yes, yes, yes!" said Pinkie Pie as she interrupts Twilight. "Twilight and Shining Star are taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot."
"Whoa, whoa" said Shining Star as he tries to settle Pinkie down. "Easy there, Pinkie Pie, Twilight and I haven't made-."
"The Gala?" asked Rarity as she accidentally interrupts Shining Star. "I design ensembles for the Gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It's where I truly belong and where I'm destined to meet him."
"Him" said Pinkie Pie as she joins in on the joy before becoming confused. "Who?"
I was thinking the same thing thought Shining Star as he goes on to reveal his inner horror. Wait a minute, she can't be seriously thinking about-.
"Him" said Rarity in a dreamy tone as she begins her imagination. "I would stroll through the Gala and everyone would wonder "who is that mysterious mare?", they would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself and the Princess would be so taken by the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her Nephew. The most handsome eligible Unicorn Stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt, our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage and of course I would say 'YES', we would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is...(present Rarity giggles)...What I would become upon marrying him, the Stallion of my dreams."
Her imaginations start with her showing up at the Gala itself in a beautiful dress, where she catches the attention of the other guests. They look at her in wonder, before she's next seen in the throne room coming face-to-face with Princess Celestia herself. She performs a bow to the Princess, who is impressed with Rarity enough to go on to reveal a male white Pony with a blonde mane and tail as well as light blue eyes along with wearing a smart suit.
They are next shown slowly starting to fall in love together with each other, until they are next seen dancing together in the ballroom. It is only after that, the male white Pony proposes to Rarity with his horn holding a ring on it as he aims it at Rarity. The latter accepts the proposal, which leads to a royal wedding with Rarity walking towards the love of her life down the aisle in a white-golden dress as her imagination ends with the two being married together.
"Twilight, Shining Star" said Rarity as she confronts the two Unicorns. "I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie, so she can...Party and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph!"
"Hold on a minute, Rarity" said Shining Star as Rarity turns away from him and Twilight. "How can you be sure he's the one, when you haven't met him yet?"
"I just simply, believe it" said Rarity as she refuses to look at him. "What exactly are you saying, Shining Star?"
"Well, I'm saying" said Shining Star as he continues talking to Rarity. "It isn't true love, until the two would-be lovers actually meet and get to know each other."
"I agree with you" said Rarity as she still maintains her back on him. "But still, there is a thing such as love at first sight, even you should know that."
"Of course I do" said Shining Star as he tries to make his point further. " But realistically speaking, falling love takes a long period of time like days, weeks even."
While the two Unicorns are having this very conversation between them, Spike is unaware to someone sneaking their way up to him. Before he even knew it, the someone has snatched the last ticket from his grasp before running over to Fluttershy. It turns out to be a small rabbit, who jumps onto Fluttershy's Pink tail and over her back until arriving on top of her head before lowering the ticket to her eyes in order to see the last ticket to the Gala for herself.
"GASPS! Angel, these are perfect" said Fluttershy upon seeing the ticket.
"Um, listen guys" said Twilight as she tries to get her friends attention. "We haven't decided, who to give the last ticket to."
"You haven't!?" asked Rarity and Pinkie Pie as they both looked at Twilight and Shining Star.
"No, we haven't" confirmed Shining Star as he rubs the back of his neck nervously. "That's exactly, what we have been trying to tell you-."
"Um, excuse me, Twilight, Shining Star" said Fluttershy as she catches their attention. "I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven't given it to someone else."
"You" said Rarity as she quickly figures out what her friend is trying to say. "You want to go to the Gala?"
"No" said Fluttershy until Angel gives a repeated firm tap on her left fore hoof. "I mean yes or actually kind of. You see, it's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wonderous private gated garden that surround the dance. The Flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the Gala and that night alone would they all be in bloom...And that's jus the flora. Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loon and Toucans and bitterns, oh my! Humming birds that can really hum and buzzards that can really buzz. White Blue Jays and Red Jays and Green Jays, Pink Jays and Pink Flamingos!"
Fluttershy's imagination begins with her standing in front of the entrance gate, where she takes the time to look around in pure wonder. After looking around, she heads to the air as she begins to lightly fly past all of the flowers and bird-houses she can see with her own eyes and she even looks at an alive flower. When she's done, she looks at all of the animals in her line of sight before her imagination ends with her surrounded by birds until they fly away as a Pink Flamingo lands on Fluttershy.
"Gee, Fluttershy" said Twilight as Fluttershy hovers in the air while holding Angel in her hooves. "It sounds...Beautiful?"
"It sounds nice" said Shining Star as he smiles at the thought of Fluttershy enjoying the garden. "One's for sure, we'll certainly take that into consideration and-."
"Wait just a minute!" said a familiar voice as it caused Twilight and Shining Star to turn their heads to see Rainbow Dash standing on a roof looking at them.
"Rainbow Dash" said Twilight as Rainbow Dash lands on the ground in front of her. "Were you following us?"
"No, I mean, yes" said Rainbow Dash as she tries her best to defend her presence. "I mean, maybe, look, it doesn't matter, I couldn't risk a goody four hooves like you two giving that ticket away to just anybody."
"Oh come on" said Shining Star as he can't believe what he's hearing right now. "Rainbow, we talked about this, Twilight and I just need time to think and come to-."
"Wait just another minute" said another familiar voice as it's revealed to be Applejack making her way towards Twilight and Shining Star again.
"Applejack" said Twilight as she asks the question that she dreads the familiar answer to. "Were you following us too?"
"No" said Applejack as she points an accusing hoof at Rainbow Dash. "I was following this one to make she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take my ticket?"
"Whoa" said Shining Star as he tries to get the two Ponies to calm down. "Easy there girls, we still have plenty of time to discuss this-."
"Your ticket?" asked Rainbow Dash as she glares at Applejack while hovering in the air.
"But Twilight and Shining Star are taking me" said Pinkie Pie as she joins in on the argument.
It wasn't long until all five of Shining Star and Twilight's friends started arguing, each defending their own claim on the last Gala ticket. While all this is happening, Twilight has sunk herself down to the ground in horror and distress at what is happening all around her as Shining Star caresses her back in comfort. They again share a look, which leads to the two Unicorns to nod in agreement at the fact the argument between their friends has gone on long enough as Twilight goes on to break it up.
"QUIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEETTTTT!" screamed Twilight as her voice briefly turns child-like while succeeding in breaking up her friend's arguments.
"And then I said "Oatmeal are you craze-" said Pinkie Pie as she tries to carry on the argument before realising everyone has gone silent. "Oh."
"Girls, there's no use in arguing" said Twilight as she begins to firmly stamp her authority on the matter once and for all.
"But Twilight" said Rarity as she tries to protest Twilight's decision.
"EH!" said Twilight as she shushes Rarity from furthering her protests. "This is mine and Shining Star's decision and we are going to make it on our own."
"And we certainly can't think straight with all this noise" said Shining Star as he and Twilight's stomachs give a familiar grumble. "Not to mention hunger."
"Now go on, shoo!" said Twilight as her friends begin to disperse in different directions. "And don't worry, we'll figure this out...Somehow."
After all five of their friends had all disappeared from both of their line of sights, Shining Star gives Twilight a hug to keep her comfort. Twilight returns the hug, until they both agreed to go find Spike in order to find the nearest restaurant or café to get some much needed food to satisfy their grumbling stomachs. They reunited with Spike, which has led to them to do the second part of the agreed plan as they finally managed to find a restaurant to get food.
"Oh Spike" said Twilight as she slouches on the seat facing next to Shining Star and facing Spike. "All our friends have very good reasons to go to the Gala."
"I agree" said Shining Star as he looks up from reading his menu to speak his mind on the matter. "It's going to be very hard, no matter what decision we make."
"Exactly" said Twilight as she agrees to what Shining Star is saying to her. "But who do we choose? Applejack or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy? Rarity? Oh who should go with us?"
"It's ok" said Shining Star as he comforts Twilight while she's busy picking off petals one-by-one. "We'll figure this out together, Twilight, we have all the time in the world."
"Have you made your decision?" asked a male French speaking waiter Pony called Savior Fare only for his question to push Twilight's patience past breaking point.
"I CAN'T DECIDE!" shouted Twilight as she releases her frustration in an outburst that catches all the other customer's attention.
"Twilight, he just wants to take your order" said Spike as he points at the menu with the sight causing Twilight to recompose herself and briefly smile nervously.
"Oh" said Twilight as she begins to ask for her food order. "I would love a Daffodil and Daisy Sandwich."
"Can I have a Daffodil Sandwich on it's own, please?" asked Shining Star as he cheerfully gives his order.
"Do you have any Rubies?" asked Spike only to be given a glare from the waiter in response. "No? Okay, I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy."
After they all had given their food order to the patiently waiting male waiter Pony, Shining Star begins thinking about the Gala invites. He thinks deeply about it, knowing there are only three tickets with only one being available for any potential guest who needs it with the identity of the guest proving to be difficult. Thought after Thought, Shining Star is finding it challenging to come up with an answer until a brand new thought came into his head that made him smile brightly.
"What do you think, Spike?" asked Twilight as her voice brings Shining Star back to reality.
"I think we have to try another restaurant" said Spike as he expresses his displeasure. "I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?"
"I mean about the Gala and the ticket and who we should take" said Twilight only for her clarification to end up annoying Spike.
"Oh, you're still on that?" asked Spike as he pinches his nose and this causes Twilight to put her front hooves up on the table briefly before sitting back down.
"Spike, listen" snapped Twilight as she manages to keep Spike's attention. "How should I choose and what we do choose, will the other four be mad at us? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed Ponies."
"Even if I give up my ticket" said Shining Star as he offers his opinion. "That leaves only two disappointed Ponies, which is still not good, so I think I have a solution."
"What is it, Shining Star?" asked Twilight as she gives her full attention. "What solution are you thinking of?"
"Well, I was just thinking" said Shining Star as he rubs the back of his neck. "That we return our tickets to Princess Celestia, since it would be unfair to our friends that-."
Unfortunately before he could even try to finish the rest of his own sentence, Shining Star is quickly interrupted by Twilight Sparkle. The latter looks at him, her jaw is dropped at the mere suggestion that he was making with the expression causing her friend to only respond with a small nervous laugh at the sight. Spike can only watch, while both of the two Unicorns can only give shocked and nervous looks respectively before Twilight had finally managed to speak again.
"You want to do WHAT!?" asked Twilight as she jumps up to put both of her fore hooves on the table. "We can't do that to Celestia, she gave us the tickets, remember?"
"I know, but trust me" said Shining Star as he puts up his own fore hooves in a protective position. "All our options is limiting, Twilight, Princess Celestia will understand."
"Yes, we have limited options" said Twilight as she seemingly agrees with what Shining Star is saying. "But still, I will not waste Celestia's time by returning our tickets."
"But Twilight please, just-" said Shining Star as he tries to convince Twilight again.
"No! I've made my decision" said Twilight as she firmly maintains her position. "I understand your reasoning Shining Star, but we must try something else, what if we..."
"Ah, your food" said Savior Fare as he brings out their ordered food to their table.
"Oh, thank you" said Twilight as she looks happily at her Daffodil-Daisy Sandwich. "This looks so good, I'm sure everything will be much clearer once we eat."
The sight of their meals caused Twilight and Shining Star to smile in delight, while causing them to rest the ticket decision-making. They are given their food, which leads to a full-on munching by the hungry male White Unicorn as he eagerly digs into his Daffodil-only sandwich upon it being set on their own table. Spike eats his hay, leaving Twilight the only one yet to start eating as she begins her attempt to have her first bite only notice her fellow customers running away.
"Madam, Monsieur" said Savior Fare in concern as his customers entered his restaurant. "Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?"
"It's not raining" said Twilight only to notice her table is still dry unlike the rest of the area. "What's going on?"
"Good question" said Shining Star as he notices the situation concerning the weather itself. "Our spot is still sunny dry, the rest is raining, which means only one thing-."
"Hi there" said a familiar Cyan Pegasus as she looks down on them from the gap in the clouds. "Best friends forever I've ever had, enjoying the sunny weather?"
"Rainbow Dash" said Twilight as she directly aims a glare straight at her rainbow Pegasus friend. "What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" asked Rainbow Dash as she tries to play innocent with Twilight and Shining Star. "I just saw the smartest, most generous Ponies about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep them dry so they can dine in peace, that's all."
Throughout Rainbow Dash's explanation for keeping the both of them dry, Twilight had kept a unamused expression on her face. While that was happening, Shining Star's face had become one of suspicion as he and Twilight briefly glanced in silent agreement at the actions and explanation from their Pegasus friend. Once they're done, they both turn their attention back to their friend in order for them to get to the bottom of why the both of them are being given special treatment.
"Rainbow" said Twilight as she begins to ask the very important question. "You're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing extra special favors, are you?"
"Whatever you do" said Shining Star as he keeps eye contact with his friend. "Do not try and smooth talk your way out of this, Rainbow Dash."
"Me?" replied Rainbow Dash as she continues to play innocent. "No-no-no, of course not."
"Uh-huh" said Twilight as she refuses to believe what she's hearing.
"Seriously, I'd do it for anypony" said Rainbow Dash only to gulp and laugh nervously at the sight of Ponies trying to get out of the rain. "Heh, heh, heh."
"Rainbow, we're not comfortable" said Twilight as she makes her opinion of her friend's actions more clear. "Accepting unwanted favors."
"We do appreciate the gesture" said Shining Star as he assures Rainbow that her gesture is still well-received. "Just make sure, that you do it for other Ponies too, ok?"
"So I appreciate if you closed up" said Twilight as she doesn't realise the consequences of what she is saying. "That rain cloud, right now."
"Um Twilight, be very very careful" said Shining Star as he reacts with horror at he's hearing from Twilight. "It would be wise, if Rainbow does not closed that-."
"Ugh, fine" said Rainbow Dash as she closes the cloud with the sight causing Shining Star to stuff the rest of his sandwich in his mouth in a hurry.
"That's better" said Twilight as she returns to looking forward to eating her sandwich.
Unfortunately the rain had returned in full with the gap now being closed, resulting in Twilight getting wet from the entire rain. She isn't the only one, considering both Shining Star and her sandwich are now completely soaked by the rain as Twilight can only groan in frustration at her chance to eat being ruined again. Spike can only laugh, until they received a visit from Rarity who had arrived at their table holding an umbrella to protect herself from the pouring down on her.
"Twilight, Shining Star" said Rarity as she gets their attention. "It's raining."
"No, really?" said Twilight as she becomes annoyed with Rarity talking the obvious.
"Yes, Rarity, it's raining" said Shining Star as he begins to shiver in the rain. "I wished we had an umbrella, it would've been nice to-."
"Come with me" said Rarity as she interrupts him by pulling him and Twilight away. "Before you catch a cold."
After being pulled away from their table and the pouring rain by Rarity, they along with Spike are taken to the Carousel Boutique. Upon arriving there, Shining Star remembers the first time he and Twilight had first entered the building with memories of trying on suits entering his mind. The memory gives him an idea, though he had to put it into the back of his mind for the time being as he shook himself to get the water out with Twilight doing the same only for the water to hit Rarity instead.
"Heh, heh, oops, sorry" said Twilight as she saw Rarity's unamused expression.
"Yep, sorry about that" said Shining Star as he lets out a nervous chuckle. "We'll make sure, not to do it near you next time."
"Oh no, it's quite alright" said Rarity as she reveals she isn't really bothered. "After all, we are the best of friends, are we not?"
"Heh, heh, yep, it's true" said Shining Star as he and Twilight get nuzzled tightly by Rarity.
"Thank you, Shining Star" said Rarity as she shows her appreciation for his comment. "And you know what best friends do?"
"Uh" said Twilight and Shining Star as they looked at each other in uncertainty and confusion.
"Makeovers!" said Rarity as she shoves a dressing screen in front of Twilight and Shining Star with the impact knocking Spike away in the process.
"Ugh, Rarity, ow" said Twilight as Rarity begins to dress her up rather roughly. "This isn't really fixing it, I mean, thank you, but, ooh, it's too tight."
When the rough dressing up was finally done after such a very long time, Twilight is revealed to be dressed up in a glittery dress. Shining Star is impressed, considering that it is rare for him to see his friend in a dress like that with the sight of it making him aim a smile straight at Twilight. She didn't get to see it, though it didn't matter because it all came down to the fact Shining Star being able to see her looking so beautiful is all that really mattered to him in that very moment.
"There, oh, you're simply darling" said Rarity as she admired her work and admiring how Twilight looked in that dress.
"Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?" replied Twilight as she turns round to show her dress to Shining Star. "What do you think, Shining Star?"
"Twilight Sparkle, my friend, I'll say" said Shining Star as he smiles upon seeing Twilight in the full clothing. "You look beautiful in it, beautiful indeed."
"Awww, thank you, Shining Star" said Twilight as she blushes upon hearing the compliment from Shining Star. "That really means a lot, coming from you."
While the two Unicorns are sharing a tender moment just between them, Spike is pointing a claw at his own mouth once again. It isn't the first time either, due to the fact he'd done it upon seeing how joyful Twilight and Applejack became upon the mere mention of the Grand Galloping Gala. Unfortunately for Spike, Rarity had snuck up on him with a lot of speed that his claw was pushed straight into his mouth as he listens to every single word that Rarity is telling him.
"And you" said Rarity as she looks cheerfully at Spike. "Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent."
"Heh, heh" laughed Shining Star as he can't help himself. "I'll admit, I cannot wait to see the end result of this."
"Oh, dear" said Rarity as she catches Shining Star's attention. "You didn't think, that I would forget about you, did you?"
"W-well" said Shining Star as he rubs the back of his neck nervously. "I think we can agree, that it was coming sooner or later."
"D-ah" said Spike after Rarity had pushed the dressing screen in front of him and Shining Star. "Ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!"
"Ow!" said Shining Star as he begins to feel the pain of being dressed roughly. "Rarity, that is a bit too much, oh, ow! Don't you think?"
When Rarity was finally finished dressing the two of them up in the clothing, she pulls the dressing screen to reveal them both. It couldn't be anymore stark, Spike is in a Blue smart suit that appeared to be very traditional almost renaissance-like along with wearing a blonde wig on his head. Shining Star, on the other hoof, is wearing a smart Tuxedo suit with a black bowtie along with wearing a black Bowler hat on his head just behind his sharp White magical horn.
"Oh Spike, Shining Star" giggled Twilight as she looked at the two in their clothes. "I'll admit Shining Star, you look handsome in that suit."
"Thank you, Twilight" said Shining Star as he has his turn in blushing at Twilight's compliment. "Yeah, it is really nice, it doesn't feel itchy at all, anywhere."
"I'm glad to hear it" said Rarity as she appreciates the compliment before facing Spike himself. "Now you just need a hat."
"Let's admit it, Spike" said Shining Star as he looks at Spike wearing a pirate-like hat with a feather. "That hat looks good on you."
"I have to agree" said Twilight as she shares her own positive opinion on Spike wearing that hat. "Shining Star's right, that hat does look good on you."
"Ugh, I told you" said Spike as he reveals to be the only one not having a positive opinion on his hat. "I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk, I'll see you back at the Library."
"Oh, who needs him anyway" said Rarity after Spike got out of his clothing and out the Boutique. "This is all about you two and how fabulous you two will look at the Grand Galloping Gala."
After Spike had left the Boutique in a hurry to avoid being dressed up again, Rarity pulls a mirror in front of her now two guests. They looked in the mirror, which has resulted in Twilight smiling with content at the clothing she's wearing while Shining Star examines his smart suit with a big smile. Apart from doing that, he also took a few glimpses at his life-long friend who begins doing the same until Rarity had mentioned the Grand Galloping Gala as this got their attention.
"Wait, the Grand-?" asked Shining Star and Twilight as they turn their heads to look at Rarity in suspicion.
"And, oh, my goodness" said Rarity as she begins to try to busy herself with admiring her other clothes. "What a coincidence, I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches Twilight to a T..."
Shining Star and Twilight can only share worried expressions with each other, knowing Rarity has been doing favors for the ticket. They are interrupted, when Rarity has begun to hold them both close as she continues to talk about the Grand Galloping before she turns their heads to face her own. She holds their cheeks, which begins to make the two feel very uncomfortable at the contact as they hope Rarity will eventually let them go when she is finally finished talking.
"...We would be the belles of the ball, you and I" said Rarity as she takes the full view. "Everyone would be clamouring for our attention, all eyes would be on us and then everyone would finally know who, the most beautiful, the most talented, the most sophisticated in all of Equestria is Rarity the Unicorn."
Unfortunately for Rarity after she had finished speaking about the Gala itself, she takes notice of her two friend's reaction to her. Twilight is suspicious, which she shows with a glare aimed at her female White Unicorn friend and her fore-hooves are crossed while Shining Star just looks unamused. It's clear to Rarity, she had let slipped the fact that all of what she had been doing was an attempt to gain their favour to get the last ticket as she meekly tries to salvage the situation.
"Ah" laughed Rarity as she begins to pat the grounded Unicorn's manes. "And Twilight Sparkle and Shining Star, of course."
"I see what's going on" said Twilight as she gets up to point an accusing hoof at Rarity. "You're just buttering us up, so we give you the extra ticket."
"Well, it's not going to work" said Shining Star as he gets out of his clothing before giving them to Rarity. "We appreciate the clothes, but we have a decision to make."
"You're going to have to wait" said Twilight as she gets out of her clothing before tossing them to Rarity. "For our decision, just like everyone else. Now if you'll excuse us, we've been trying all day just to get some lunch."
Twilight begins to make her way over to the door with Shining Star following, though he returns to Rarity for a favour of his own. He whispers it to her, before he returns back to his Lavender Pony friend to make their way out in order to get some food to eat after such a long exhausting for them both. They approach the door, which is wide-open to the sight of Applejack making her presence known to them with the sight of her catching them off-guard as they didn't expect to see her.
"Did somepony say lunch?" asked Applejack as she suddenly pulls Twilight and Shining Star away by the hoof.
They are pulled with such force that they landed hard on the grassy ground, before picking themselves back up from the ground. When they both did, they looked up to see a wooden wagon filled with food such as Apples along with tarts as well as other types of such delicious food laying inside of it. After seeing the wagon, Twilight and Shining Star can only look at each other in wonderment before returning to look at the wagon with Shining Star's eyes widening at the sight.
"You've got to be kidding me!" exclaimed Twilight as she can't believe what she is actually seeing.
"Look at all that delicious food" said Shining Star as he smiles at the sight until his stomach grumbles. "I sure wish, we can eat them."
"I got Apple Pie, Apple Fritters" said Applejack as she explains the types of food in her own wagon. "Apple Tarts, Apple Dumplings, Apple Crisps and Apple Brown Betty. Uh the dessert, not my Auntie, what do you say there best friends? Is that a yes?"
"I've got to try one of those" said Shining Star as he reaches out for an Apple Tart while Twilight's stomach grumbles. "Oh boy, does my stomach need-."
"No, NO" said Twilight as her voice stops both her friends in their tracks. "We don't know, who we're giving the ticket to."
"That's true" said Shining Star as he pulls back his out-reaching hoof. "We still have a decision to make, except it's only getting much harder."
"And" said Twilight as she can only barely hold in her frustrations. "All these favours aren't making it any easier to decide, in fact, we're less sure now than we were this morning, UGH!"
"So, uh, that's a maybe?" asked Applejack as she watches Twilight run off.
Shining Star can only shrug uncertainly in response to his friend's question, before he hurries after Twilight to keep her company. After he caught up, they begin to jog back to the Golden Oaks Library to try to get themselves more time to think on what to do with the last ticket to the Gala event itself. When they are approaching it, Shining Star kept listening to Twilight letting out her frustrations at the fact their friends keep trying to do special favours for the both of them.
"Ugh" said Twilight as she talks to Shining Star about their friend's actions. "I never thought being showered with favours could be so aggravating!"
"I understand" said Shining Star as he nods his head in agreement with her. "We have clearly seen why, there should be a limit to these things."
"I fully agree" said Twilight as she sighs before giving her full attention to him. "I just hope all our friends will understand, why the special favouring is not helping."
"I think they will" said Shining Star as he gives an comforting smile to Twilight. "Especially when put in the same position, they wouldn't be enjoying it either."
Twilight responds with an appreciative smile as she gives him a small nuzzle, until they finally arrived at the Golden Oaks Library. They open the door, only to see Fluttershy fly from wall-to-wall doing cleaning activities with her birds helping her birds and squirrels giving her some much needed help. While cleaning up the Library, she is singing a tune that Shining Star quickly realises to be very familiar as she continues to dust things off while Shining Star and Twilight can only watch on.
"Fluttershy" said Twilight as she couldn't believe what her eyes are seeing. "Not you too."
"Uh, Twilight" said Shining Star as he gets Twilight's full attention on him. "Is it just me or is that the same tune to a familiar song that you often sing?"
"Yeah, you're right" said Twilight as she blushes to what Shining Star is saying. "I do often sing 'that' song, I'm honestly surprised you still remember it."
"I'll never forget it" said Shining Star as he smiles proudly before they face Fluttershy. "Still though, it's nice to see you Fluttershy, but, may I ask, what are you doing?"
"Oh, well, hello" said Fluttershy as she realises she's been spotted by the two Unicorns. "Twilight and Shining Star, I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a bit of Spring cleaning for you."
"It's summer" said Twilight in an matter-of-fact tone.
"Oh, well" said Fluttershy as she tries to salvage the situation. "Better late than never, right? It was all Angels idea."
"Well" said Shining Star as he briefly spots Angel doing cooking. "It's very nice of you both to do all this, though we just need to ask you one question."
"You're not doing this for the ticket" said Twilight as she gives the Yellow Pegasus a suspicious look. "Are you?"
"Oh no" said Fluttershy as she continues to defend herself. "I'm doing this because you two are my very best friends, right Angel?"
She turns her attention to her bunny companion hoping he helps her out, only to receive a glare in response from the bunny. It is that same glare, that reminds Fluttershy not to lie to her friends as she realises she won't be getting the much needed back-up from Angel the bunny after all. She turns to face Shining Star and Twilight, who look at their Yellow Pegasus friend patiently waiting for her to honestly answer the very question that had been put forward to her.
"Yes, we are just doing it for the ticket" said Fluttershy as she finally gives the honest answer.
"No, no, NO!" said Twilight after becoming briefly shocked by Angel offering her food. "Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but we're not accepting any extra favours until we've made our final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Unfortunately for Twilight after she had only just opened the Library door, she was confronted by the sound of party trumpets. That wasn't the only thing, due to the fact she'd confetti sprayed in her direction before Pinkie Pie pulled her straight out of the Library in front of Shining Star. The latter quickly follows them both out, until he finds himself in Pinkie Pie's grasp as well as the grasp of a crowd of four different coloured Ponies as they threw them up into the air.
Twilight and Shining Star are my bestest friends
Whoopie, whoopie
"Pinkie" said Twilight as she falls back down to the crowd.
"This is really nice, but..." said Shining Star as he gets cut off by the crowd.
They're cutest, smartest, all around best Ponies, Ponies!
"Pinkie" said Twilight as she begins to grow annoyed.
"...It's not helping..." said Shining Star as he tries to warn Pinkie Pie.
I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!
"Pinkie" said Twilight as her temper nears breaking point
"...Twilight's temper" said Shining Star as he finally manages to finish his warning.
They'll give their extra ticket to the Gala to me!
"PIIINNNNKKIIIEEE!" shouts Twilight as she finally manages to get the Pink Earth Pony's attention.
Despite getting Pinkie Pie's attention by the usual losing of her own temper, Twilight couldn't have picked a worse moment. She was still in the air, before finding herself on the ground again with a painful landing with Shining Star falling on top of her not long after she had landed. While they manage to get off each other, Pinkie Pie looks at them with an innocent expression as she knows that the two Unicorns already have an idea of why she's doing what she's doing.
"Yes, Twilight? Shining Star?" asked Pinkie Pie as she batts her eyelids at them.
"You need to be more careful" said Shining Star as he sits up on his bottom. "You going to hurt somepony someday, if you keep doing that."
"At leas the other Ponies..." said Twilight as she sits up to face Pinkie Pie. "...Tried to be subtle about the ticket."
"Wait, what ticket?" asked a Purple Pony with a dark Yellow mane. "What Gala?"
"Oh didn't you know?" said Pinkie Pie as she clearly can't wait to tell the gathering crowd.
"Pinkie, please, don't-" pleads Shining Star as he tries to encourage Pinkie not to let the secret out.
"Twilight and Shining Star" said Pinkie Pie as she ignores Shining Star's pleads. "Have an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!"
"The Grand Galloping Gala!?" exclaims the huge crowd of Ponies that have now gathered around.
"Have I ever told you how much I love your mane?" asked a Pony.
"I'll wash your dishes" suggested another Pony as Twilight is pulled away by an incoming Spike with Shining Star following not far behind.
"Would you like help with your gardening?" asked a Pink female Pony with a Green Mane as she holds out some flowers.
"I have a cartload of extra Carrots" said a light Blue female Pony with a silver mane as she holds out three Carrots.
"What are we gonna do?" asked Spike as he holds onto Twilight for dear life with the personal space closing rapidly around them.
"Good question, Spike" said Shining Star as he looks at Twilight with the latter giving her brief attention to him. "What's the plan, Twilight?"
"We're..gonna..." said Twilight as she tries think of what to do until an idea quickly enters her head. "RUUUUUUUNNNNNNN!"
Twilight jumps up into the air with Spike trying to keep a grip on her tail, before launching themselves away from the crowd. Shining Star teleports away, which allows him the chance to catch up with the Lavender Unicorn and young Dragon respectively in an instant as he appears. The crowd begins to follow them, though the two Unicorns as well as the Dragon ran past Sugar Cube Corner to hide behind a wagon only for two other ticket-interested Ponies to spot them from behind and in the wagon.
They go off on the run again with the crowd still following close behind them, though the two Unicorns manage to get disguises. Twilight pretends to be mom, while pushing a baby pram with Spike taking the role of a baby while Shining Star pretends to be a father and husband. The crowd successfully passes them, until one member looks round to spot them trying to make a run for it as they are followed to the bridge with the crowd rushing over it while Shining Star, Twilight and Spike hid under it.
The three next manage to hide themselves inside an nearby clothes shop, where Twilight takes on the appearance of a clown. Spike wears beach-style clothing, which includes the coconut-bra top with Shining Star wearing a Santa costume as they watch the crowd run by their position. Once the coast is clear again, they get rid of their clothes in the attempt making another run for it only to find themselves trapped inside an alleyway with no way out other than the path that is blocked by the incoming crowd.
Despite their own personal space is getting ever smaller by the second, Shining Star gets himself in front of Twilight and Spike. He manages to buy a few seconds, until he had decided to look back to see Twilight's horn is activated as he does the same with his own horn to help her out. They create enough energy, so they can teleport away all of the crowded Ponies with the latter beginning to wonder about what just happened and where the three might have gone.
"Where is she? Where did she go? She disappeared" exclaimed members of the crowd in response to what they've just seen.
Unknown to the lots of many members of the confused crowd however, they had no idea the three teleported back at the Library. When they had arrived there, the three have become quite dizzy because of the spells power while Spike is the only one of the three to have been scorched. Shining Star checks on him, before checking on Twilight hoping to make sure she's ok as the latter assures him that she's alright with the two turning their attention back to Spike.
"Ugh...Warn me next time you two are gonna do that" said Spike as he still feels very dizzy.
"I didn't even know it was gonna happen" said Twilight as she defends herself.
"I tried to lower the power surge of the spell" said Shining Star as he rubs his neck in concern. "Clearly, it wasn't quite enough."
"You did your best, Shining Star" assured Twilight as she comforts him before getting back to business. "Now quick, lock the doors."
They each run to different parts of the Golden Oaks Library to do so, which led to Twilight blowing out the candle of the lower floor. She closes the doors there, while all of the top floors doors is shut and lights are put out by Shining Star with Spike doing the main entrance doors and lights. After doing the tasks, they rest for a breather until they all heard the sound of a light being switched on before looking up to see their five friends looking at them from above.
"YAAAAAARRRRGGHHH!" screamed Twilight as she loses her temper once again. "We can't decide, we just can't decide."
"Look, it's important to all of you" said Shining Star as he tries again to get their friends to see sense. "And we just can't stand to disappoint any of you and giving us gifts and doing us favours won't make any difference."
"Because you're all our friends" said Twilight as she finally all her frustrations out. "And we wanna make you all happy and we just can't! WE JUST CAN'T!"
Twilight lowers herself to the ground again like she had done before, while putting both of her fore-hooves over her at the same time. Shining Star comforts her, while silently pleading with their five friends to come relieve the pressure of his friend as he hopes the whole thing is finally settled. Luckily for them, Applejack makes her way over to them to give them her apology causing the stress in the first place with the others following suite not long afterwards.
"Twilight, Shining Star, Sugars" said Applejack as she joins Shining Star in patting Twilight's back. "I didn't mean to put so much pressure on the two of you and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore, you can give it to somepony else, I won't feel bad, I promise."
"Me too" added Fluttershy as she lands next to them. "I just feel awful, that I made you feel awful."
"And me too" said Pinkie Pie as she gives a guilty expression. "It's no fun upsetting your friends."
"Twilight, Shining Star" said Rarity as she gives her own apology. "It was unfair of me to try and force you as I did."
"Yes! That means the ticket is mine, ha-ha" said Rainbow Dash as she begins a victory dance. "I got the ticket, I got the ticket-."
"Rainbow Dash" scowled Shining Star as he along with Fluttershy, Applejack and Spike glared up at her while Twilight just looked up.
"You know" said Rainbow Dash as she could only laugh nervously in response. "I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway, I don't need that ticket either."
"We all got" said Applejack as she makes a further apology. "So gun-ho about going to the Gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-oh we were making you."
"We're sorry, Twilight, Shining Star" said all five of the friends.
After witnessing their friends finally coming to their full senses again, Shining Star and Twilight Sparkle smiled brightly at all of them. When that was done, they both got back to their feet as an idea comes into Twilight's head because she remembers a certain Unicorn had first suggested it. While that was happening, Shining Star becomes very busy in explaining to their five friends about the need to limit the special favours until he hears Twilight speaking again.
"You know, Shining Star" said Twilight as she gets Shining Star's attention. "You're right, your solution is the right one after all."
"What do you mean?" asked Shining Star as he becomes very confused.
"I'll show you" said Twilight as she begins to make a familiar request. "Spike, take a note."
"This shall be interesting" said Shining Star as he listens to Twilight speaking again.
"Dear Princess Celestia" said Twilight as she picks up the three Gala tickets. "We've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there is not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though we appreciate the invitation, we will be returning all three tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."
"What!?" exclaims the five friends in pure shock.
"Oh boy" said Shining Star as he begins to smile widely in realisation to what Twilight is doing.
"If our friend's can't all go" said Twilight as she finishes the rest of the letter. "We don't wanna go either."
"Cha-La-Head-Cha-La" sings Shining Star as he briefly jumps up and down in joy. "I knew, you would come around."
"Twilight, you don't have to do that" said Applejack as she can't believe what she just heard.
"No, I have made up my mind" said Twilight before she turns to face Shining Star. "Plus, I'm not the only one, right Shining Star?"
"You are correct indeed, Twilight" said Shining Star as he smiles even brighter at her. "There is also the fact, I'm not exactly a fan of the Gala."
"Why?" asked Twilight along with Spike and all five of their friends.
"Well" said Shining Star as he chuckles nervously in response. "I had to wear those tight suits, also dancing is not exactly my thing anyway."
"It's ok" said Twilight as she giggles light-heartedly at him. "I can teach you on how to dance, you're up for free dance lessons?"
"You bet" said Shining Star as he smiles at the thought of dancing with Twilight.
"It's a deal" said Twilight before she turns to face Spike again. "Spike, you can send the letter now."
The young Dragon opens the window before blowing the letter away, which begins it's long journey to Princess Celestia herself. While watching it go, Shining Star shares a hug with Twilight as the two Unicorns look out into the night sky in the knowledge that everything has worked out. They smile at each other, until the voice of Fluttershy gets all of their attention leading to the female Yellow Pegasus taking note of what their decision also means for Shining Star and Twilight.
"Now you won't get to go to the Gala either" said Fluttershy with concern in her voice.
"It's okay Girls" assured Twilight as she looks at her friends. "We couldn't possibly enjoy ourselves without our best friends being there with us."
"I fully agree" said Shining Star as he shares a cuddle with Twilight. "So we would rather not go at all, besides, once a friend, always a friend, we all stay together."
Their words are greeted with a big group hug from all of their friends, which led to Spike pointing a claw at his mouth in disgust. It's quickly interrupted, when he starts to feel the familiar pain of stomach-ache as he tries his best to hold it with his attempts catching Shining Star's attention. He isn't the only one, due to Applejack also seeing Spike in pain as she mistakes it for Spike not showing much appreciation for the joys of happiness that is happening right in front of him.
"Well, wallop my withers, Spike" said Applejack as she gives him an unamused look. "Isn't that just like a boy? Can't handle the least bit of sentiment."
"Best be careful, Applejack" said Shining Star as he can see the signs for himself. "Whenever Spike does that, it means we're about to get a letter from-."
BURP!
"Whoa, Nelly" said Applejack as she ducks out of the way of Spike's Green flames.
"A letter from the princess?" asked Twilight after the letter was revealed. "That was fast."
"That has to be a record" said Shining Star as he looks at the letter himself. "We don't usually get a response that quick."
"My faithful students, Twilight and Shining Star" said Spike as he reads out the letter. "Why didn't you just say so in the first place? Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Now we can all go" said Twilight upon seeing the seven tickets before facing Shining Star. "Do you want to be my date to the Gala, Shining Star?"
"Twilight Sparkle" said Shining Star as he playfully performs a bow to his life-long friend. "It would be my honour, but only if you want to be my date too."
"Of course, I do" said Twilight Sparkle as they both share a nuzzle before their stomachs grumbled.
"Allow us to treat you both to dinner" said Rarity as she appears alongside the two other Unicorns.
"What a great way to apologize" said Rainbow Dash as they grabbed a ticket before exiting the Golden Oaks Library.
"And to celebrate" said Pinkie Pie in her usual cheerful tone. "Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!"
While nearly everyone had left to go get some much needed food, Spike watches Applejack make her way to the door. He holds the last ticket, which is taken away from those claws of his as he tries to walk in the opposite direction with the loss of the last ticket making feel left out completely. He ponders on what could've been, knowing he has lost out on the chance to go to the Grand Galloping Gala with his friends as he knows only a miracle will get him there now.
"How come I don't get a ticket to the Gala?" asked Spike only for him to burp out a letter and a ticket. "And one for you, Spike."
Unknown to him however his burp gotten Applejack's attention, who had looked back upon hearing the sound of the burp. She decides to wait, which leads to her seeing Spike coming out of the Library giggling to himself with the sight only confirming Applejack's unspoken suspicions about him. Spike stops upon seeing her, which leads to him having to think quick on his feet on how to respond to Applejack giving him a sly knowing smirk as he came up with a familiar idea.
"I mean gross, I have to go too?" asked Spike as he returns to his previous disgusted reaction.
He tries to keep it up while walking past the knowing Applejack, before revealing his actual reaction as he giggles again. Applejack chuckles, before they both went to catch up to the rest of their friends as the laughter catches the attention of Shining Star who looks behind him only to smile again. He can see Spike is invited, which takes his joy up to a new level in the knowledge that he along with Twilight and Spike can all go to the Grand Galloping Gala with their friends.
(Shining Star voice-over as Dragon Ball Super's Preview A theme plays in the background)
"Hey there! I'm Shining Star! On the next episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Season 1), Twilight and I try to help Applejack with a big problem."
A clip of the next episode is shown with Shining Star standing next to Applejack, while they look at acres of Apple-filled trees. Shining Star tries to help her, only to be brushed off by the hard-working Earth Pony as she struggles to do the task on her own. Shining Star is next seen with Twilight Sparkle, who helps him in his attempts at trying to get a stubborn Applejack to let them help her only to be brushed off once again by the clearly over-worked Earth Pony.
"Can we convince Applejack to let us help her out? Find out next time on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Season 1), see you there!"
Well, you heard Shining Star, you gotta have to wait for the next chapter to see how Applejack's doing with her lone work.
Also, I want to take this time to express my condolences to Master Mr B's family, for the tragic loss of a author who has inspired me to do this series.
I have seen the comments in the comment section of his series, people asking whether the series will continue or not.
Unfortunately the answer is as clear as day: Master Mr B's series won't be continuing because the author himself has passed away.
What does this mean for the fate of the character Mario Star? Well, it likely means the character goes on to fulfil the whole adventure. After that? He'll likely live out the rest of his life with his wife Twilight Sparkle and their friends all the while leading to the events of My Little Pony: A New Generation. It certainly would've been nice to see what plans Master Mr B had in store for the character beyond Friendship is Magic, but those plans tragically died with the author.
I'll admit it would've been nice for both our characters to have met in a crossover story, but due to the death of Master Mr B, that isn't happening.
While Master Mr B's series has come to a tragic early ending, there is a reboot of his series written by ghostdog2AD. If anyone is interested, please go see it for yourselves and read about how that version of the character of Mario Star fares on his adventure. Apart from that, I look forward to seeing you all in the next chapter of season 1 of my series and I do hope you all will continue to enjoy witnessing Shining Star continuing his own journey. I'll see you there.