The Ticket Master
[At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack, AppleLily, Twilight, and Spike are carrying Apple in baskets, well the ponies are, Spike is looking through the basket Twilight is carrying throwing apples on the dirt road behind them]
Spike: No. Nope. Nope...
Applejack: Thank you kindly, Twilight, for helping us out. I bet Big McIntosh we could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If we win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles. [chuckles and jumps into the air]
AppleLily: [Chuckles] He's so gonna regret making that bet
Twilight Sparkle: It's No problem at all, girls. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry.
Spike: I know, right? [He accidentally hits Twilight with an apple, making her look at the dragon with a frown while he looks at her sheepishly]
Twilight Sparkle: Puh-lease, Spike. You've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked.
Spike: Exactly. You three are taking so long, I missed snack-time.
AppleLily: I guess we are a little past our scheduled snack time. I'm surprised Apple Bloom didn't ring the snack bell.
Twilight Sparkle: [her stomach grumbles and she laughs nervously] Eh, I guess we better get some food.
Spike: [He continues his search, throwing apples on the ground] Nope. Worm. A-ha! [Pulls out a giant gleaming red apple]
Twilight Sparkle: [licks her lips] Oh Spike, that looks delicious!
[He eats the apple sending apple juice everywhere]
Twilight Sparkle: [A little angry] Spike.
Spike: [Swallows] What? [burps as a letter appears]
Twilight Sparkle: It's a letter from Princess Celestia.
Spike: [grabs the letter and clears his throat] 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, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest.
Applejack, AppleLily and Twilight Sparkle: [gasps] The Grand Galloping Gala!
[theme song]
Applejack, AppleLily and Twilight Sparkle: The Grand Galloping Gala! [jumping up and down and cheering]
Spike: [Shows his discust at the three girls enthusiasm and burps] Look, two tickets.
Twilight Sparkle: Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?
Spike: No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense.
AppleLily: [Giggling] What? Is he serious?
Twilight Sparkle: Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice.
Applejack: Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes...
[A fantasy of Applejack selling the Apple family sweets plays]
Applejack: If I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til 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.
[End of fantasy]
AppleLily: Don't let Granny know you said that, she won't be happy
Applejack: Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala.
Twilight Sparkle: Oh, well in that case, would you like to—
Rainbow Dash: Whoa! [crashs into the other three] Ugh. Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?
Applejack: Rainbow Dash. You told me you were too busy to help us harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?
Rainbow Dash: No, I was busy napping [It just so happens she was napping in one of the trees] and I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?
Twilight Sparkle: Yeah, but—
Rainbow Dash: YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now...
[A fantasy of Rainbow showing off her tricks plays]
Rainbow Dash: Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash!
[The audience gasps]
Rainbow Dash: I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut.
[The audience cheers]
Rainbow Dash: Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild!
[The ponies go wild]
Rainbow Dash: The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member.
[The fantasy ends]
Rainbow Dash: Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me! [grunts as she sees Applejack holding onto her tail]
Applejack: Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here. [spits out Rainbow's tail] I asked for that ticket first.
Rainbow Dash: So? That doesn't mean you own it.
Applejack: Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket. [They put their hooves on a tree stump and starts their hoof wrestle as AppleLily picks up the apples that fell after Rainbow crashed into them]
Applejack and Rainbow Dash: [groans]
Twilight Sparkle: 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?
Applejack: Drummin' up business for the farm?
Rainbow Dash: A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?
Applejack: Money t' fix Granny's hip.
AppleLily: Don't say that so loud A.J
Rainbow Dash: Living the dream.
Twilight Sparkle: Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they? [her stomach rumbles and she chuckles] 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?
Applejack and Rainbow Dash: Okay. [They continue the hoof wrestle]
AppleLily: Hey Twi, here [She hands Twilight an apple]
Twilight Sparkle: Let me guess you would also like to go, because the Apple family needs money
AppleLily: [Looks at her sister then back at Twilight] No, I wouldn't know what to do with myself if Applejack and I were invited, to be honest I'm not that great at selling things, it's kinda the reason why she's seen selling apples in town and not me. [Twilight tries to pay for the apple she was given] oh no, free of charge I'll see you later. [she carries her basket of apples back to the barn.]
[A bunny swipes the apple from Twilights hoof before she can eat it and the two friends walk back into town hungry]
Spike: So, who you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?
Twilight Sparkle: I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?
[They pass by Sugar Cube Corner where something pink crashes into them, it was Pinkie and the tickets flew from Spike's claws and onto Pinkie's face]
Pinkie Pie: Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help! [She gets a second glance at what fell on her face] Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!
[A fantasy of Pinkie at the Gala starts]
Pinkie Pie: It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go.
[Pinkie Pie]
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...
Pinkie Pie: 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!
[Pinkie Pie]
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!!
[End of fantasy]
Pinkie Pie: Oh thank you, Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever.
Twilight Sparkle: Um, actually— [Spike grabs the tickets and Rarity notices]
Rarity: [she gasps] Are these what I think they are?
Twilight Sparkle: Uh—
Pinkie Pie: Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot.
Rarity: The gala? 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. [She looks at the sky starry eyed]
Pinkie Pie: Him! ... Who?
Rarity: Him.
[A fantasy of Rarity at the Gala with other sophisticated ponies starts]
Rarity: 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. 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 [giggles] what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams.
[End of flashback]
Rarity: Twilight, 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.
[A bunny runs up and grabs the tickets from Spike's claws]
Spike: Hey!
[The bunny was Angel Bunny and he took the tickets back to his owner, Fluttershy]
Fluttershy: [She gasps] Angel, these are perfect.
Twilight Sparkle: Uh, listen, guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie: You haven't?
Fluttershy: Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else...
Rarity: You? You want to go to the gala?
Fluttershy: Oh, no. I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see...
[A flashback of Fluttershy in a garden starts]
Fluttershy: It's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds 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 just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. 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!
[The flashback ends]
Twilight Sparkle: Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful...?
Rainbow Dash: Wait just a minute. [She flies in]
Twilight Sparkle: Rainbow Dash! Were you following me?
Rainbow Dash: No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody.
Applejack: Wait just another minute.
Twilight Sparkle: Applejack, were you following me too?
Applejack: No. I was followin' this one. [She points to Rainbow] To make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket.
Rainbow Dash: Your ticket?
Pinkie Pie: But Twilight's taking me.
[They all start arguing]
Twilight Sparkle: QUIET!
Pinkie Pie: And then I said, "Oatmeal, are you craz—" oh.
Twilight Sparkle: Girls, there's no use in arguing.
Rarity: But Twilight—
Twilight Sparkle: [She cuts off Rarity] Eh! This is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise... [stomach rumbles] not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo.
[They grumble and walk off]
Twilight Sparkle: And don't worry, I'll figure this out... somehow.
[Twilight and Spike are now at a restaurant]
Twilight Sparkle: [sighs] Spike, what am I gonna do? Five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala. [She starts picking at a flower, picking off a petal everytimeshe said one of her friends names] Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me? Or do I take AppleLily, even though she didn't give me a reason I could see she still wanted to go. [Her stomach rumbles and she eats the six petals]
Savoir Fare: Have you made your decision?
Twilight Sparkle: I CAN'T DECIDE!
Spike: Twilight, he just wants to take your order.
Twilight Sparkle: Oh. I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.
Spike: Do you have any rubies? No? Okay. I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy.
[He takes the menus and walks off]
Twilight Sparkle: What do you think, Spike?
Spike: I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?
Twilight Sparkle: I mean about the Gala and the ticket and who I should take.
Spike: Oh. You're still on that?
Twilight Sparkle: Spike, listen. How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other five be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave four disappointed ponies. What if I—
[Two plates are placed in front of the two friends]
Savoir Fare: Ah, your food.
Twilight Sparkle: Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat.
[ponies start galloping inside]
Savoir Fare: Em, madam? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?
Twilight Sparkle: It's not raining...
[Suddenly thunder strikes and Ponyville is being drenched with rain except where Twilight and Spike are sitting]
Twilight Sparkle: What's going on?
Rainbow Dash: [Peaking over some clouds] Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?
Twilight Sparkle: Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?
Rainbow Dash: Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all.
Twilight Sparkle: Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?
Rainbow Dash: Me? No no no, of course not.
Twilight Sparkle: Uh-huh.
Rainbow Dash: Seriously, I'd do it for anypony. [As she says this, ponies are running past trying to get out of the rain and Rainbow gulps] Heh heh, eh.
Twilight Sparkle: Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now.
Rainbow Dash: Ugh, fine. [zips the cloud]
Twilight Sparkle: That's better. [Rain falls on her, ruining her sandwich as she groans]
Rarity: [With an umbrella] Twilight, it's raining.
Twilight Sparkle: No, really?
Rarity: Come with me before you catch a cold.
[They are now at Carousal Boutique]
Twilight Sparkle: [She shakes the water off her coat only to realize she splashed Rarity, who is now soaked] Heh heh, oops, sorry.
Rarity: Oh no, it's quite all right. After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?
Twilight Sparkle: Uh...
Rarity: Makeovers!
[She brings in a dress divider and strange construction sounds errupt as Twilight try to protest]
Twilight Sparkle: Ugh, Rarity, ow, this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight.
Rarity: [She pushes the divider away, revealing Twilight in a beautiful dress] There. Oh, you're simply darling.
Twilight Sparkle: Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?
Rarity: [Spike gags once again and Rarity takes notice of him] And you. Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent.
[She brings the divider back as she does the same to Spike]
Spike: D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!
[She pulls back the divider revealing Spike in a suit]
Twilight Sparkle: [giggles] Oh, Spike.
Rarity: Now you just need a hat.
[She brings out said hat]
Spike: Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk. See you back at the library. [He runs off]
Rarity: [laughs] Oh, who needs him anyway. This is all about you, and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala.
Twilight Sparkle: Wait, the Grand—
Rarity: [gasp] And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn. Ah, [nervous laughter] and Twilight Sparkle, of course.[She pats the purple mares head]
Twilight Sparkle: I see what's going on. [Rarity starts to back away] You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch.
Applejack: Did somepony say lunch?
[The earth pony pulls her friend outside revealing a cart full of apple treats, as well as AppleLily with her ears folded, a grumpy look on her face, and an apple headband on her head]
Twilight Sparkle: You've got to be kidding me!
Applejack: We got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty. Uh, the dessert, not our auntie. What do you say there, best friend?
AppleLily: [Still with a grumpy expression on her face] Applejack leave the poor girl alone.
Twilight Sparkle: [her stomach grumbles]
Applejack: Is that a yes?
Twilight Sparkle: No. No. I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!
Applejack: So, that's a maybe?
AppleLily: AJ!!!
[Twilight arrives at the library]
Twilight Sparkle: Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating.
[She opens the door only to reveal Fluttershy cleaning the bookshelves]
Fluttershy: [humming a familiar tune]
Twilight Sparkle: [gasps] Fluttershy, not you too?
Fluttershy: Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you.
Twilight Sparkle: It's summer.
Fluttershy: Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea. [Angel Bunny is making a salad]
Twilight Sparkle: You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?
Fluttershy: Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel? [Angel looks at her with a frowning face] Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.
[Angel brings the salad over to Twilight as her stomach growls once more]
Twilight Sparkle: No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Ponies: SURPRISE!
[A trumpets blows]
[The ponies of Ponyville start tossing Twilight into the air everytime Pinkie Pie finishes a verse of her song]
[Pinkie Pie]
Twilight is my bestest friend
Whoopie, whoopie!
Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie...
[Pinkie Pie]
She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!
Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie.
[Pinkie Pie]
I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!
Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie!
[Pinkie Pie]
She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!
Twilight Sparkle: PIIINKIIIE!!
[The ponies accidentally drop Twilight and Pinkie get into her face]
Pinkie Pie: Yes, Twilight?
Twilight Sparkle: At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket.
Drizzle: Wait, what ticket? What gala?
Pinkie Pie: Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!
Ponies: [in unison] The Grand Galloping Gala?!
[offscreen: Have I ever told you how much I love your mane?]
[offscreen: I'll wash your dishes.]
Daisy: Would you like any help with your gardening?
Shoeshine: I have a cartload of extra carrots.
[offscreen: I'll paint your cart.]
[ponies offer favors]
Spike: What are we gonna do?
Twilight Sparkle: We're... gonna... run!
[The two friends start running around town to get away from the crowd of ponies as Benny Hill-esque music plays and it stops as the pony and dragon pair are cornered against a wall]
[ponies offer favors]
[offscreen: I'll do your taxes!]
[Twilight panics and out of panic teleports Spike and herself out of the corner]
[offscreen: Where is she? Where did she go? She's disappeared.]
[The two friends appear back inside the library their appearances a little mis-shappened]
Spike: Ugh... Warn me next time you're gonna do that.
Twilight Sparkle: I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Now quick, lock the doors!
[They lock the doors, and turn off the lights in a panic]
Twilight Sparkle: Phew. [The lights turn back on only to reveal Twilights six friends in her bedroom] Yaaaargh! I can't decide, I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!
Applejack:[Walking up to her friend] Twilight, sugar, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on 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.
Fluttershy: Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.
AppleLily: I did want it, a little, but seeing you all worried and sad [sighs] I don't want to go knowing I made my friend feel horrible.
Pinkie Pie: And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends.
Rarity: Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did.
Rainbow Dash: Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha, [sing-song voice] I got the ticket, I got the ticket—! [All of her friends look at her with angry faces] You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either.
Applejack: We all got so gung-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gung-ho we were making you.
Rest of main cast: [in unison] We're sorry, Twilight.
Twilight Sparkle: Spike, take down a note. Dear Princess Celestia,
I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's 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.
Rest of main cast: [in unison] What?!
Twilight Sparkle: If my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either.
Applejack: Twilight, you don't have to do that.
Twilight Sparkle: Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.
Spike: [gasp]
Fluttershy: Now you won't get to go to the gala either.
Twilight Sparkle: It's okay, girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me...
Rest of main cast: [They all hug their friend]
Twilight Sparkle: ...So I would rather not go at all.
Spike: [Gags once again] Hgh... hgh... urk... urk...
Applejack: Well wallop my withers, Spike. Isn't that just like a boy? Can't handle the least bit of sentiment.
Spike: [burps out a letter, which almost hits the orange earth pony]
Applejack: Whoa Nelly!
Twilight Sparkle: A letter from the princess? That was fast.
Spike: "My faithful student Twilight,
Why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.
Rest of main cast: [gasps]
Twilight Sparkle: Now we can all go!
Rest of main cast: [cheers]
Twilight Sparkle: [her stomach rumbles as she laughs nervously]
Rarity: Allow us to treat you to dinner.
[They all start walking out taking a ticket with them]
Rainbow Dash: What a great way to apologize.
Pinkie Pie: And to celebrate! Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!
[As Applejack takes the last ticket Spike looks down disappointed]
Spike: How come I don't get a ticket to the gala? Hurk! [burps which causes a massive glow which doesn't go unnoticed by the Apple twins] "And one for you, Spike." [giggles and runs out with the ticket and the twins look at him with smug looks] I mean, gross, I have to go too? [continues giggling and runs by]
Applejack and AppleLily: [chuckles and runs after their friends]