//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 // Story: Friendship isn't just Magic, it can heal hearts too // by Raumo //------------------------------// I watched as Spike and Twilight walked up the highest hill in Ponyville. Spike had his wagon full of stuff for the girls. Hmm, he really has earned that title of number one assistant. I tuned out and watched the stars, then the meteor shower. Once in 100 years...I am glad I was brought here when it happens and I can enjoy it. It is beautiful. The shower ended and the girls were socializing. Spike though was sound asleep. Everyone headed home. Twilight tucked in Spike then went to her studies. I fell asleep on the balcony, it was more my bed than the actual one I had. I woke up and headed inside to see an owl near Twilight's study area. That's new. I noticed a note near him with my name. I walked over and read it. So, Twilight has a new junior assistant. He'll be good for her nighttime studies. I looked at the owl to see it staring at me. We blinked at each other. "Nice to meet you. My name is Rider. I'll be seeing you around." It nodded and I left for my workout. I had trained longer today, so it was quite late in the morning when I returned. I entered the library to see Spike talking to the owl. He stalked off, claiming he had eyes in the back of his too, and ran into the door. "Well, not really, but you know what I mean!" He slammed the door as he left. "What was that about?" I asked the bird. it just went 'who'. "Oh never mind. I'm taking a shower. Maybe when Twilight returns, we can test the wings again." I went to the bathroom. After Twilight introduced Owlicious to her friends, we did test them. This time I could get off the ground more than a few feet, but the power source still cut off too soon, so I couldn't propel myself anywhere. I couldn't work on the finer flying till, I could stay in the air for longer than 5 min. So, we studied some more. Owlicious kept helping, as Spike tried to. As Spike ran off to find a quill, I warned Twilight, "He is getting jealous, Miss Sparkle. You need to talk to him." She ignored my words. We eventually left to go to Fluttershy's picnic, Twilight going back to get Spike. She returned without him, mad that he tried to set Owlisious up. "He think you are going to replace him. You have to talk to him Twilight." She agreed to do so later. We returned to the library to find Spike gone. Seeing his prints were going into the Everfree I went with them. We found Spike at a dragon's cave. How is it, that every time we go in this blasted forest we end up running away from something? We reached safety and all was explained and forgiven. Spike then fell asleep writing a letter to Celestia. I shook my head in amusement. The next week we were studying power gems as yet again previous ones didn't last long. I don't get it. We've used multiple gems, one big gem. Why aren't they working? I just need a working power source. A gem that is self-sustaining. Oh that is an idea. We had been using gems that Twilight had infused with magic. We had tried infusing them with larger amounts, but it still wasn't working. A knock sounded. Twilight answered it to find Pinkie doing a singing telegram for Gummy's birthday. I don't like crocodiles, or alligators, but Gummy is pretty cool. I turned back to the book we were studying when I stiffened in shock. I missed my birthday. By a couple months. Oh crap, I hope Pinkie doesn't ever think to ask me about my birthday. I hate celebrating it. Twilight returned, "Hmm, Pinkie's parties are fun. I think we'll go and take a break tomorrow." I nodded. She turned to me a light-bulb seeming to go off. "Hey, when is your birthday?" "Doesn't matter. I don't celebrate it." She was about to argue when I coldly said, "No. I don't want to celebrate it." She backed off. I never really used that tone anymore unless the topic was untouchable for me. We went back to studying. After a moment I hesitantly brought up my idea. She nodded and began searching specifically for making a power gem self-sustaining. The next day we partied. That night my thoughts turned to my birthday. The last one I had celebrated had been with Jack. I had just returned from a mission when she had reminded me. It wasn't the happiest day, as all my missions had made so exhausted emotionally and physically. It had been wonderful though as Tom and Jack spent the day with me. I felt tears gather and longing flow through me. I missed them, 10 long years and I still missed them. I had never allowed myself to grieve over Jack though, so that wound was still bleeding. I kept pushing away the pain. Same with Tom. Though he never died, I still lost him by my own choice. Again, I pushed the pain away and settled to sleep. My dreams were bittersweet, but at least they weren't nightmares. The next morning I was at Sweet Apple Acres helping set up a surprise birthday party for Pinkie. I helped set up streamers and balloons. Rainbow flew in yelling about a problem and Applejack slammed the door. Pinkie sounded mad. As Applejack made up a ridiculous story and the girls made construction noises I just shook my head. Later, Rainbow returned with the star of the party. Whoa. I don't know why, but Pinkie should not look like that. Straight hair just doesn't suit her. And what is with her coat? What happened? As Fluttershy commented on her lack of excitement she started yelling, "Excited? Excited?! Why would I be excited to attend my own farewell party?!" The girls started to explain why they had made excuses this morning. As Pinkie saw all the evidence, her hair when all curly again, and she was so excited. "How could I forget my own birthday?" Uh, easy to do when you have a lot on your mind. "You are all such great friends for throwing me a surprise birthday. How could I have ever doubeted you?" The girls assured her it was okay and they began to party. I smiled as I watched them. I don't like my own birthday, but it is fun to celebrate the others. I sulked and watch Twilight study a spell for the Gala tonight. Wonderful, the time has come. I'm wishing I had thrown the ticket away and been stuck with guards. At least then I could have fun messing around with them. The other girls arrived and Twilight did her spell. I completely cracked up. Perhaps it was nerves or whatever, but Twilight turning an apple into a carriage and mice into horses just made me laugh. I waved the others off as they looked at me as if I was some strange creature. I tried to control my laughter. "Sorry, it is nothing really. Go get ready girls." "You have to get ready too , Rider," Rarity reminded me. That shut off my amusement. I sulked into her house and got ready. We were riding to the event. I sat on the drivers seat with Spike. He was listing things off to do , but I could tell the girls weren't listening. We arrived. The girls exited the carriage. A surge of pride flowed through me. My, they look amazing. My little sister, teacher, and their friends. they began singing about the gala. The scenes flowed through my mind again. I sighed, but moved forward to the door. Oh girls. I don't think this night will go quite as some of you have planned. They immediately split up after greeting the princess. Although Twilight chose to stay with the princess, I was forced to stay to introduce myself to some ponies. I put on my pleasant mask and endured it. As soon as I could though, I slipped off to have some food and observe the party. I saw Rarity with some stallion. I frowned at that. He seems stuck-up. Oh, isn't that Prince Blueblood? Yeah, I don't see what Rarity sees. Or at least think she sees. I walked into another room and saw Rainbow talking with the Wonderbolts. Hmm, lucky her. I silently moved to another room in time to see Pinkie bounce in through another door. She starting singing, hopping, and dancing everywhere. I sighed as she noticed the glares. I walked up to her. "You alright?" "No, this isn't quite what I expected." She answered sadly. "Unfortunately these parties are quite different from yours. They are quite proper and formal. Another word I believe is boring." I was going to continue when she perked up, "That's it. I just have to spice it up and make it fun." She ran off beofre I could raise a protest. I face-palmed. That was not what I was going for. I walked back to the room that had the VIP area to see Rainbow looking very frustrated. It was quite loud in this room, so I left. I passed by the entrance to see Twilight looking sad and frustrated, as the princess had to continue greeting guests. I sighed in boredom as I leaned against a table. So bored. This is definitely how I expected the night to go for me. I pony watched sipping on a drink. The stares were making my nerves go nuts, so I stared back and enjoyed watching them squirm. I wanted to do some pranks or something, but I needed these darn ponies to like me, so I could freely roam if I chose. Then Pinkie's voice suddenly sounded everywhere, singing of the pony poky. I watched as the Prince made Rarity put her scarf over the spilled liquid and open a door for him. Oh boy. I hope Fluttershy and Applejack are having better luck. Oh yeah. I was going to escape to the garden. I walked outside, I noticed Applejack having trouble making sales, then as I walked into the garden I saw Fluttershy having no luck with the animals. I walked up to her, "So, what are you doing?" I noticed she had a rope. Is that a net? "The animals won't come out, so I will lure them out. Then we will be friends and they will LOVE ME!" She started manically laughing and random thunder sounded. Then she tripped and fell into her own net. I stood next to her as she hung in the air. "So, if I cut you loose, will you promise to calm down and try to talk to the animals normally, not this slightly terrifying way?" She nodded. I tilted my head skeptically, but cut her loose. Still a bit terrified of this Fluttershy, I headed to the lawn. I bought a couple fritters from Applejack. "Thanks Rider." I nodded at her. I stayed by her and ate my fritters, enjoying the night air. Rarity came with Mr. Stuck-Up. She tried to get him to buy the treats, but he refused. As he spit out the bite he took and spouted something about a royal tongue and common food, I felt like punching him. That was uncalled for. Even if he didn't like it he should have the grace to say it politely. Some prince. I turned to Applejack, she was muttering about her foods being just as good as the buffet's and pushing her cart off. Oh boy. Why do I get the feeling something big is going to happen? I walked into the main area where I could Pinkie setting up a turn-table. Rainbow was still trying to get the attention of the Wonderbolts. I just stood on the aisle rug near the door, trying to enjoy the architecture of the place. That statue looks like no pony I've seen. Legs are to skinny. Pinkie started her music trying to get the party more lively. I chuckled as Applejack carted in a huge cake, talking of the guests hoity-toity tongues . Pinkie did a dive jump thing, hit the cart, and sent the cake flying. I watched wide-eyed as it arced towards Rarity and the prince that had just walked in. I dived in front of Rarity, who the prince was trying to use as a shield. I got a face-full of tasty apple cake. "Hey, great cake Applejack. Sorry most of it was wasted," I called to the farm pony, wiping frosting from my face. She just nodded eyes wide and mouth open. I watched as Rarity reached her boiling point, and yelled at the prince. Haha. Royal pain sounds right. As he spoke of me staying away from him as he had just gotten groomed, she turned to me, "Pardon me Rider, but could I have some of that cake?" I gave her a piece from my shoulder. She promptly turned and smashed it into his face. He fell back in horror and hit a statue. It promptly tipped. Dash tried to catch it, and caused columns to fall like dominoes, and the statue broke anyway. As the princess walked in with Twilight, Fluttershy burst in with stampeding animals, a look of rage on her face. Okay, she did not calm down. I made a mental note to never make Fluttershy that mad. As chaos began, Celestia leaned down to Twilight and said, "Run." Twilight whistled and we ran out the door and out of the party. We ended up at a doughnut shop. Spike was already there. He asked how the night went, how was their best night ever. They began to tell their stories. "That sounds like the worst night ever," commented Spike at the end. The girls agreed and began laughing. Twilight was worried the princess was mad. "That was the best Grand Galloping Gala ever," exclaimed the princess. "It is always boring. I was hoping you girls could liven it up. Though it may not have turned out as you hoped, it still turned out well for these group of friends." "Yes, well being with friends has made this terrible night into the BEST NIGHT EVER!" They all exclaimed. "Do you agree Alex?" Twilight turned to me where I was leaning against a window munching on a doughnut or three. "Hmm, yes. I thought it was going to be the worst night ever, but you girls turned it into something memorable." I turned to Rarity. "I am sorry though that the wonderful tux you made me got ruined." "Oh it is fine, darling. You saved me from being creamed by cake. I'm grateful for that. In my opinion, you are the prince." "Oh I don't know about that. How about a dark knight? Suits me more don't you think?" I did a silly pose and all the girls agreed and laughed. Hmm, best night ever indeed. Maybe, it is because I spent it with the ones I care about.