//------------------------------//
// Chapter 23 
// Story: Friendship isn't just Magic, it can heal hearts too 
// by Raumo 
//------------------------------//

	Grounded? How did I let a timid pony, half my size ground me?! I flopped backwards on my bed feeling like a teen again. I had been flying better, but I still had trouble landing after being at higher speeds. Fluttershy saw one of my worst times. She then proclaimed I needed a break and took my wings. I've only been doing this for a week. How can I get better if she hides my wings? I scowled at the thought of the bear Fluttershy had put in charge of keeping me from them.

Twilight walked in and noticed my scowl. "Alright then. How about you and I go for a walk?" I nodded and we left.

We walking near the abandoned well, when we heard a filly cry for help. Rainbow then streaked down into the well and then cam back up with the filly. Everyone cheered. Nice one. As we walked in a different area, my head snapped up at a scream. My eyes widened. A baby carriage headed straight for a cliff. Then a colorful blur grabbed it and slowed it to a stop, just at the edge. Why in the world is there a road going directly to a cliff?

We overheard Scootaloo saying, "There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe Rainbow Dash's awesomeness." I rolled my eyes at that and chuckled at Applejack saying modest wasn't one of them. She did good though. Though I think in the right situations, the other girls can do good things too.

A couple days later I was working on my helmet in the library. Twilight and the girls walked in looking slightly angry. "What's with the angry frowns?"

"Rainbow Dash is starting to get arrogant. The attention is getting to her head." Applejack stated.

"Hmm, yes I've noticed." I answered.

Twilight turned to me, "You saved a lot of people. Did the attention ever get to you?"

"I was a spy. Spies are unknown." To everyone except your enemies it always seemed like. "If you did something amazing, it was considered a legend. Nothing is ever confirmed, otherwise it makes you a target." The girls winced at that. "Anyway...show Rainbow she is not the only pony who can do heroic things and that heroes are humble. They acknowledge what they have done, but they don't flaunt it"

I walked into SigarCube corner sulking at my failed attempt to get my wings back. Darn bear. Really I would've stunned you by now, if it wouldn't make Fluttershy cry. I listened as the girls talked of the new hero in town. I tilted my head in question at Twilight. She nodded. Ah, well seems they took my advice. As Dash left to prove she was a better hero, I turned to my little sister, "Please let me have my wings back. Please? I can't improve if I don't use them."

She sighed. "You promise to be as safe as you can?"

I nodded and brought out my helmet. "See, I improved the helmet to have even better protection, and I built guards for my legs."

"Alright, I'll let you have your wings back." I thanked her. We left, and she told the bear I could have my wings. I quickly grabbed them and put on the pack.

Before I took off, I gently reassured Fluttershy, "I'll be fine. I'm getting better." She gave me a small smile, and I flew off a grin on my face.

I took a break for the parade thing in honor of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. As Rainbow confronted the mare I sighed. That is not a good way to prove you're the better hero. I went to the nearest building and climbed up to the roof. I went from roof to roof to find one with the best vantage point. I wanted to see what Rainbow did when she caught one of them. 

I nearly jumped when Rainbow leaped onto the rooftop I was on, to do a sneak attack. She tackled the mare revealing Pinkie. As Dash stuttered in confusion, the others appeared and revealed their roles. As Rainbow asked why and don't they want her to be a hero, I dropped from my perch and answered, "Of course they do. Real heroes though, don't brag."

She admitted she may have bragged a little. "A little!?" All the girls yelled.

"Okay a lot."

They then told her it is great to be good at something, but it is important to act with grace and humility. "Oh I get it. It is also important to act with grace and humility when someone outshines you like Mare-Do-Well." She then wrote a letter to Celestia after scaring Spike and Pinkie. 

I shook my head in amusement and took off. Now, to actually land standing after going at a high speed.



I breathed in the evening air. I love it as it gets closer to night. Suddenly I was on my back staring into Pinkie's blue eyes. "Okay first off, hello. Second, what is the reason for the tackle?"

"So," she drew out the 'o' into a long syllable. "Twilight's birthday is coming up soon." Unease filled me as I realized why she tackled me. "I was planning a party for her when I realized something huge." She spread her arms wide. "I don't know your birthday."

"Pinkie...I don't like celebrating my birthday."

"Why?"

I was about to make an excuse when I remembered that I was going to try let them in. Might as well try to now. "The last one I celebrated was when I was fifteen. It was with Jack and Tom. I lost them a few months later. Since then birthdays are something I avoided."

"What if celebrating your birthday with us, is making new memories? Not to replace the old one of you and your friends, but to put new ones of us next to them. You enjoy celebrating us, let's celebrate you."

"Not much to celebrate about me."

"We disagree. Please Alex? Let me throw a birthday party for you. When is your birthday and how old are you turning?"

I sighed. "You're not going to let this go, are you?" She shook her head. "Fine. On February 13th I turned 26."

She gasped in horror. "We completely missed your birthday!" She then dashed off to do who knows what.

I pushed myself up into a seated position. I really hope I don't regret telling her that.



"We're going to Canterlot! Since Rarity couldn't come here, Pinkie said she could move my birthday party there.The princess also gave us the ballroom to use," Twilight squeaked in happiness as she walked out onto my balcony and told me the news.

"That's wonderful. Speaking of birthdays, I put my present for you in your room. Sorry I didn't wrap it." I told her. As she dashed inside I calmly walked in and packed a bag for the trip.

Suddenly arms wrapped around me, "Thank you so much. I love it. How did you do it though? Spike and I never posed for you."

"I painted it from memory. I imagined you and then Spike in a certain pose and painted it. Turned out very well I have to say," I gave a joking grin. She giggled nodding.

"Come on we have to catch the train." We then ran off to the station.

Later we surprised Rarity. My, her outfit is slightly fancier than usual. What's the occasion? The girls walked into the room she was staying in. I stayed in the doorway. Twilight loved the simple dress Rarity made for her. 

We walked into the ballroom for Twilight's party. As Twilight mentioned another party on the lawn I watched Rarity. Why is she so nervous to be seen? She loves being seen, unless... As the party began, I watched her constantly glancing out the window. As I was eating my piece of cake a little ways off from the group I watched Rarity slip off from the conga line and out the door. Ah that's why. She has been invited to other party and she doesn't want to be seen at this one.

The party progressed. I watched Rarity slip back and forth. Then she came back with a croquet mallet. She stuttered to explain. Twilight interpreted her actions as a business maneuver. As Rarity grabbed on to that explanation and went to walk out, the girls invited themselves to the other party. Rarity panicked.

I silently walked up to her side. She looked at me in surprise. "Interesting situation you have gotten yourself into." What will you choose when the time comes? I walked out, and watched a proper party be turned into something only these girls could do.

I walked to the food table. A stallion walked up to me. I was introduced to this guy at the gala. What was his name again? Oh yeah, Fancy Pants. he isn't so bad if I'm remembering correctly "These your friends here?" He asked.

I nodded. "Indeed they are. Quite an interesting bunch aren't they?"

"Yes they are." He gave a small chuckle then walked to Twilight, asking her about her dress.

I watched Rarity as she was making her choice. She has always wanted this recognition, but I know she loves her friends. I was proven right. I smiled at her as she looked at me. Then Fancy Pants proved he wasn't a snob when he declared he liked the girls. 

The party went on. Rarity walked up to me, "You knew all along, didn't you? That I was switching parties."

I smirked, "Knew it and watched you every time."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"No point in causing a scene. I knew something was going to give though, the way you were dashing back and forth. What happened isn't what I expected though. It is nice you met Fancy Pants, he is actually not a snob like most of the others."

"Alex!" I shrugged at her reproach. "You are right though. And I learned a very important lesson." She then walked off to mingle.

Pinkie bounced over to me. "Since it is so late and you don't really enjoy them, I decided not to throw you a party, but here is a gift from all of us." She shoved a box into my hands then ran off to the sweets.

I walked back into the empty ballroom and opened the box as I leaned against a wall. I slid down and just stared at the contents, tears threatening to fall, and a shaky smile.

It was a simple frame, but the photo was everything. It was a photo of all of us in the doughnut shop. We were all disheveled, but had the happiest smiles.

I looked at myself in the photo and laughed slightly. I should've admitted it then, that these girls were my friends and family. For in the photo my smile was genuine and the spark that my uncle used to comment on was there. Something that had disappeared as I slipped into solitude.

I looked towards the door to see the girls crowding there. I got up and walked to them. In a soft voice I thanked them. "This is wonderful girls. It really had been one of the best nights ever. I truly hope I will be having plenty more with you all." 

They all hugged me. I still stiffened at first, then relaxed. Friendly contact was still somewhat new to me, but I was getting there. The girls were patient with me. Perhaps birthdays wouldn't be too bad with these girls.

"Hey Pinkie?" She looked at me. "If you keep it small, I'd like to celebrate my birthday with you girls next year."

"You'll have a party? If it is small?" I nodded. "Whoo hoo! Oh it is going to be great." She then squeezed us all into a tighter hug.

"Alright then, lets go back to celebrating Miss Sparkle." They agreed and we partied a little while longer.