Chapter 25 - Ticket Trouble...!
Yet another warm and sunny afternoon washed over the town of Ponyville as the first days of August greeted the town. Upon the province of Sweet Apple Acres one of the land owners Applejack was gathering Apples. Assisting her was none other than Naruto and Twilight. While Spike indeed had come along he seemed more content in sitting in the art and criticizing apples he deemed not good enough to eat.
"Ah thank ya kindly for helping me out. Ah bet Big McIntosh ah could get all these Apples in the barn by lunchtime. If ah win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of granny's girdles." Applejack explained her reason in inviting them down to the farm. Taking off her hat she began to fan herself off.
"What would have happened if you lost?" Naruto couldn't help but wonder as he lifted up a full barrel of apples as he dumped it in the cart, nearly burying Spike under the ensuing mini avalanche.
Applejack pause as the memory came to her mind.
"An' what do Ah hafta do if YOU win?" Applejack challenged to which Big Macintosh smiled smugly.
"WHEN Ah win," he said. "Y'all hafta lie ta Granny Smith fer a day."
"Easy!" Applejack whooped but the look in her eyes indicating she wasn't too happy with the possibility of having to life is she lost. "That's all?"
"Nnope."
"What?" Applejack was taken out of her thoughts of sweet, early victory. She quickly regained her composure. "Okay partner, what's th' catch?" she inquired cautiously.
"Ya gotta tell her that ya got knocked up by Naruto," Big Mac whispered to her with a grin being sure that a nearby playing Applebloom wouldn't have to hear that tidbit. AJ gulped as her blood ran cold. If Granny knew that someone was fooling around with HER grandchildren, the culprits would be at the alter within the hour, or six feet under. "What's th' matter, Applejack?" Big Mac playfully he taunted, playing upon his sister's pride. "You ain't chicken, ain'tcha?" With that, a fire lit up inside Applejack stomach.
"Ah ain't never been no chicken, an' Ah'll never will!" she roared, her nostrils flaring as she summarily jabbed Big Mac in the chest with her finger. "Ya got yerself a bet!"
"N-Nothing. Same thing is all. Y'all know how it is." Applejack lied, badly. Drawing herself out of the memory.
Applejack could not say a convincing lie to save her life, but Naruto figured whatever it was it was too embarrassing for the farm pony to admit.
"We were glad to help, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry." Twilight remarked as she wiped her brow and softly exhaled. She was nowhere near as fit as the two orange ponies. She was about ready to keel over and they hardly broke a sweat.
"I know, right?" Spike asked as the others gave him a mean stare.
"Spike, you been in that cart while we worked." Twilight noted as Spike responded with an apathetic shrug.
"Exactly." The baby dragon aloofly countered as he merely sat back. "You guys are taking so long, I missed my early afternoon snack." At the end of his statement all of their stomachs growled.
"Eh, I guess we better get some food." Twilight laughed nervously.
"Nope. Worm. A-ha!" Spike said as he went through more apples until he came upon a good looking apple.
"Oh Spike, that looks delicious." Twilight longingly said as her gaze settled on the red treat. At that moment Twilight's hope plummeted as Twilight devoured the apple.
"What?" Spike questioned as Naruto shook his head. Spike then suddenly materialized a scroll.
"It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Twilight explained with glee.
"What does it say?" Naruto asked as Twilight cleared her voice and began reading.
"Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, " she summarily skimmed over the flavor text "… cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest." Applejack and Twilight both gasp. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" shouted the two mares.
"Woo-hoo!" Applejack let out a whoop of surprise. Spike stuck out his tongue like he was gagging but he then burped out two tickets.
"Look, two tickets."
"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" Twilight without a doubt was beyond excited.
"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense." Spike dismissively remarked.
Aah yes the Grand Galloping Gala. If he was remembering correctly he heard about it once. I twas a royal party held every year in Canterlot. Many ponies would come to attend and only the most famous are ever invited.
"That sounds kind of nice."
"Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go." Applejack remarked with a sigh. "...Land sakes, if I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 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 fixin' up 'round here. 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." Applejack added with a sigh. "...Why, I'd give my left leg to go to that gala."
"Oh, well in that case, would you like to…" Twilight began to invite the farm pony until a certain Pegasus crashes onto Twilight full throttle.
"Ugh. Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?" Rainbow Dash questioned as she recovered from the crash.
"Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing, spyin'?" Applejack demanded with a glare.
In typical Rainbow Dash fashion she seemed ignorant of the situation at hand. Turning her gaze back to AJ for only a moment to dismissively declare her own innocence. "No, I was busy napping, and I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket."
"Yeah, but…" Twilight began to speak until she was cut off.
And before she managed a third word, it was an instant interruption as Rainbow Dash launched herself into the air, thrusting a fist high overhead while she exclaimed with bold pleasure. "YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at The Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now."
A rally is taking place with the Wonderbolts watching.
"...Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on The Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash!" said Rainbow Dash. The audience gasps by the Pegasus's appearance. "I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut." Rainbow Dash performs an awesome performance. The audience cheers for the performance. "Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, The Buccaneer Blaze!" The Wonderbolts' mouths drop after seeing the "Buccaneer Blaze". "The ponies would go wild!" Sure enough, the audience did go nuts for this performance. "The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member." Finally, the Wonderbolts put her in as a Wonderbolt. "...Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!" Rainbow Dash pleaded.
"Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here. I asked for that ticket first." Applejack challenged with a flare of her nostrils.
"So? That doesn't mean you own it." Rainbow Dash challenged by sending a glare and showing her teeth, but Applejack was not going to sit back and take it.
"Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to arm wrestlin'. Winner gets the ticket." Before both of them could try and arm wrestle Twilight puts a stop to this contest.
"Girls, these are my tickets, I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?"
"Drummin' up business for the farm?" Applejack asked with a bit of hopefulness.
"A chance to audition for The Wonderbolts?" Rainbow Dash threw in.
"Money t' fix granny's hip."
"Living the dream."
"Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?" Twilight asked herself. Her stomach growls too. "Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?" Twilight darts towards Ponyville.
Seeing as Twilight was on her way Naruto decided it would be a wise decision to remove himself from the situation. "Yeah, well I'll go too. I already know this is a disaster waiting to happen and I don't want to be a part of it. See you girls later."
"Okay."
"See you later."
AJ and Dash bid him farewell as they looked at each other and continue their arm wrestling.
Just as Naruto began leaving the area he received feedback from a kagebunshin he left at his house. Apparently Ditzy just dropped off a letter and news of him getting his own ticket to the Gala. "Hhm, that's interesting. I guess I better go see and Rare and get an outfit made." He thought as he began making his way to Carousel Boutique. Per usual Rarity was happy to make an outfit for him.
The only odd thing was that it seemed to take her so much longer to do his measurements then any of her customers. "You need to move darling. If you are acting like a statue it will remain simply impossible for me to finish."
"I thought you prefer it when I didn't move so much." Naruto playfully remarked, remembering how he used to be unable to sit still when Rarity made him something.
"I prefer it when I can work without stopping to jostle you awake. By the way you never told me what this suit is for."
"I got an invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala and considering I didn't have any fan…" he found himself cut off with a loud cry.
"THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA?" Her loud outburst startled the blond as fell back off the standing dish. "Yeah, I take it you would love to go as well?"
"Oh my goodness you are so lucky. Oh how wonderful it would be to go to the Gala. Everypony clamoring for moi's attention. In my finest dress all my eyes would be on me. Then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn. Ah..." Rarity then made a nervous laugh. "...but it's all just a silly little fantasy. I mean it's not that big of deal."
"Rarity I'm sorry, if I had a ticket I really would like you to go. I wasn't given an extra like Twilight; I guess the tickets are rare."
"Twilight has an extra ticket you say?" Rarity's expression certainly perked up at that juicy bit of information.
'Ah crap.' Naruto thought. 'Sorry Twilight.' Naruto mentally added. Moments later Naruto found his suit mended with ridiculous speed. He figured that he could at least give the Unicorn a heads up. He began making his way through Sugarcube Corner when he heard an all too familiar voice singing.
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip hip
Hooray
It's the best place for me
For Pinkie...
With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever
In the whole galaxy
Wheee!
Naruto arrived just in time to catch the end of a conversation. Pinkie Pie had got it in her head that she was going and Rarity was arguing against it.
"Oh, the society, the culture, the glamor! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet him."
"Him!" said Pinkie Pie as if she knew whom Rarity was speaking about. "...Who?"
"Him." Rarity said as she went into detail of her own vision.
In Canterlot, the rich folks are in the ballroom talking when they suddenly see Rarity with a dress walk in.
"...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 with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot." You then see a handsome stallion looking at Rarity. "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" a giggle escaped her lips "...what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams." Then and maybe only then she could work past her feelings for Naruto and not risk losing his friendship. "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party, and prevent me from meeting my true could you? Hmph." Rarity said as she looked at the Unicorn, disappointed by Twilight's decision even though Twilight did not invite anyone yet.
"Girls, don't you think you should ask Twilig…" the sound of scampering caught his attention. It was known other than Fluttershy's bunny angel taking the tickets from Spike.
"Hey!" Spike exclaimed in surprise by the bunny's actions. Angel showed them to Fluttershy who replies with a small gasp.
"Angel, these are perfect." Fluttershy softly cooed.
"Uh, listen girls, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to." Twilight finally spoke up.
"You haven't?" the party and proper pony spoke at once.
Naruto stepped forward, realizing how this situation was going to play out if some modicum of control wasn't added. "Of course not. She just got them and hasn't decided yet. Don't you think you girls are pushing her a bit much?"
"Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be alright, if you haven't given it to someone else-" Fluttershy softly and indecisively began to ask until being rudely cut off by Rarity.
"You? You want to go to the gala?" Rarity asked, a bit awestruck at this revelation. For all the time she known Fluttershy she had never known her to have an interest in such an event.
"Oh, no. I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of." Fluttershy stammered with a faint blush.
"...You see, it's not so much The Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance." The garden shows a huge variety of wildlife. "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 just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna." Then you see a lot of animals. "There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!"
"Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful?" Twilight remarked with a sigh. All her friends really wanted to go and she didn't want to disappoint any of them.
"Wait just a minute." Rainbow Dash shouted from outside the window.
"Rainbow Dash, were you following us?" Twilight asked in a more nervous tone.
"No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like Twilight giving that ticket away to just anybody
"Wait just another minute." Applejack interrupted as she entered the scene.
"Applejack, you as well?" Naruto supposed he shouldn't have been surprised.
"No. Ah was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket." Applejack reasoned.
"Your ticket?" Twilight asked.
"But Twilight's taking me." Pinkie Pie interjected with a pout. The rest of the Mane Six keep arguing.
Naruto sighed, knowing that the next step would be bribes and buttering her up. He remembered hearing about this exact same situation when team ten were trying to curry favor with a Shinobi to get an item so they wouldn't fail the mission.
Placing a hand on her Naruto disappeared with Twilight in a swirl of leaves before the others could ever react.
"What…what just happened?" Twilight remarked with a loud exclamation as they found themselves in the forest.
"Pretty sure I saved you from practically being eaten alive." Naruto answered cheekily. "Are you alright?"
"I…I'm fine." She remarked a bit more subdue. "D-Did we just teleport?"
"Yeah I'll explain that later, but let's solve the whole the other bearers attempting to mob you situation. So how bad is it?"
"Money! Wonderbolts! Party! Prince! Animals! So many reasons, how do I choose?" Twilight remarked as she dipped her head slightly. "Applejack wants to make enough money to fix up Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash wants to impress the Wonderbolts, Pinkie Pie thinks it'll be a gigantic version of her parties, Rarity wants to get together with some high-class Unicorn, and Fluttershy wants to see the animals in the royal garden. How do I choose? I don't want to make any of them upset with me if I don't choose them."
Naruto chuckled and patted Twilight's head.
"H-Hey!" Twilight exclaimed a blush adorned her cheeks.
"You silly pony. Do you really think that any of them would hold it against you enough to damage your friendship over it? I know them and they wouldn't do that."
"You have so much faith. How do you avoid being afraid that one day the ponies you consider friends might stop liking you?"
"Friends. Real friends will respect your decisions. They will never betray you intentionally and will be willing to listen to you. You have to talk with them Twilight and make them understand that you understand their reasons for wanting to go and why you made the decision you eventually have to make." The two of them talked and tried to figure out the best response to give the girls. "I'll go gather the others and you can make them understand your feelings on the matter. Trust me Twilight, being honest will hurt them less in the long run then stringing them along."
"You're…okay." Twilight nodded. She was still a bit nervous, but if she didn't speak her mind she could lose her new friends. The ponies were gathered asked to be quiet until Twilight was done speaking.
"Applejack I understand your reasons for wanting to go. Your reasons for the Gala are the most noble. Naruto and I talked about it a bit, and we're both willing to help you fix up the Sweet Apple Acres free of charge whenever we can. I hate to damage our friendship or something like money.
Rarity I understand your reasons for wanting to go. For all those of high class nobles there are some who are decent and kind like Princess Celestia, but there are just as many that aren't noble. I know your heart is set on meeting a special somepony of your specifications, but do you really want to meet him in a superficial way or do you want him to like you for you. I hate for our friendship to be damaged over something like that.
Fluttershy while I think you're idea is beautiful I can already tell you that the ponies attending my not be so welcoming to your idea. I would hate for you to be hurt when those attending the Gala wouldn't be interesting in your animals."
Naruto stepped forward and began speaking. "Rainbow and Pinkie, sense I have more social experience Twilight and I agreed it was better for me to breakdown the reasoning behind the negative repercussions that could happen with the two of you. The gala is no way suited for your interests. I know just how…wild you two can be and I can assure you partying or showing off in the way you're thinking would definitely get you two thrown out. I'm not the most formal pony, I can admit that, but I've dealt with people of noble like class and trust me, ponies like us and our antics would not be welcomed.
Pinkie despite the Gala being a party of sorts the gathering will be rather formal. Somepony with your energy would be scorned and looked down upon by the nobles.
Dash while I know the Wonderbolts are your heroes they'll probably be so swamped by the other guests because of their status I highly doubt they'll be able to give you the time you want."
Twilight stepped forward, thanking Naruto before speaking again. "I know how important it is for all of you and I decided, no matter the reasons I can't choose just one of you. I want you all to be happy, but if I choose one of you it'd be the same as saying I favor one of you over the others and I don't want to do that." Twilight found herself sniffling, almost moved to tears. Thinking of how easily these ponies accepted and cared for her without a thought during the Nightmare Moon incident moved her tears and the thought of straining that bond over something as simple as a party saddened her greatly.
"Twa'light, sugar, ah didn't mean to put so much pressure on ya, and if it helps, ah don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. ah won't feel bad, ah promise." Applejack remarked.
"Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful." Fluttershy stated, almost moved to tears herself.
"And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends." Pinkie Pie as she deflated slightly.
"Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did." Rarity couldn't help but feel ashamed.
"Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha, I got the ticket, I got the ticket"- Rainbow Dash gloated until the others shot her a mean glare. "...you know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for The Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either." She ended sheepishly.
"We all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you." Applejack added.
"We're sorry, Twilight." The ponies apologized.
"Spike, take down a note." She told the baby dragon who groaned; finally having caught up to ponies. Curse his short legs.
[Dear Princess Celestia,
I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there are not enough blessings to go around, having more 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.]
"What?!" The other ponies incredulous cried out.
"If my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either." Twilight decisively decided.
"Twa'light, you don't have to do that
"Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now." Spike breathed his magic fire on the scroll and it disappeared.
"Now you won't get to go to the gala either." Fluttershy noted.
"It's okay girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me, so I would rather not go at all."
"Couldn't you have just asked for more tickets?" Naruto asked, cocking his head as Twilight's eyes widened.
Twilight promptly face palmed. How could she have overlooked something so simple? So obvious?
Suddenly, Spike looked like he was going to vomit.
"Hgh... hgh... urk... urk..." Spike grunted before he exhaled a letter.
"A letter from the princess? That was fast." Twilight remarked.
[My faithful student Twilight,
I hope you can forgive me for the oversight. It had not occurred to me the other bearers would be interested in attending the Gala. At the moment I am still in the midst of handling much of the political and social outcry of the Summer Sun Festival incident. With the meeting of the other nation's leaders having finally been scheduled on the first Saturday of November I found it suitable to finish certain tasks to lighten my schedule. I look forward to seeing you and the others in Canterlot for the Ceremony which will be held the day for.
Until then my faithful student.]
"You know, we really should have thought about this. Would have saved a lot of time and headaches." Naruto remarked with a sigh.
"And look, seven tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala." The ponies gasp. "Now we can all go." Twilight announced as her expression morphed into one of happiness. Her stomach rumbles louder than ever which makes her laugh. She never did get that meal.