Chapter 6: Tickets To The Grand Galloping Gala

Two days passed since Nightmare Moon was defeated. I kept practicing how to fly properly while carrying heavy objects. It's been a challenge… "I. Can't. Hold. On. Anymore!!!" I fall back down onto the ground. My bag of rocks spill. Oh poowie…

The gifts that I received that day are still inside my S bag. I tried opening it once again, but a note appeared saying I need the roof. And since it doesn't tell me how to get it, I've spent 2 days sleeping on a cloud. I didn't have the courage to ask for help.

Another weird thing happened to me. A picture was my gift for Nightmare's defeat. With a caption I have to question. 'Waking up from a Nightmare. Your nightmare is another's nightmare.' At least I got the chance to see it before it went into my S bag. I've noticed a pattern here. T bag is normal. S bag is for rewards. I can't open it unless I have everything I need.

"Guess I should go help AppleJack buck apples. She always let's me get some when I'm done."

I empty my bag full of rocks and put it on my back again. I fly off towards SweetApple Acres. Wonder when the 3rd episode of MLP will start… As I arrive, I see Twilight and Spike there as well. I land near them.

"Hey Twilight, hey Spike. You here to help AppleJack?"

Spike turns to me. "Oh hey TipStir! Yeah. Twilight wanted to help AppleJack in bucking apples. You gonna help as well?"

"Sure am! I get free apples for helping."

Twilight nods at me. "Well, let's get going then. AppleJack said she needed help for a bet between her brother and her. The faster we get this done, the better."

-time skip-

AppleJack, Twilight, and I are all carrying baskets of apples. Spike is tossing many out. I'm eating them as they land. But why does this feel familiar?

"Thank you kindly Twilight and TipStir for helping me out." AppleJack says. " I bet Big Mac that I could get all of these golden delicious into the barn by lunch time. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of granny's girnels." She laughs.

"No problem at all AppleJack." Twilight talks while Spike keeps tossing the apples out and I eat them. "I'm glad the goal is lunch time. All this hard work is making me hungry."

"I know, right?" An apple hits Twilight's head. Spike smiles apologizing.

"Oh Spike, you've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked."

"Exactly!" Spike pouts. "You three where taking so long I missed snack time."

Twilight's stomach growls. She chuckles nervously. "I guess we better get some food."

"Aha!" Spike pulls out a bright and juicy looking apple. Twilight smiles in surprise.

"Oh Spike! That looks delicious!"

Spike eats it quickly. I stare at him in defeat. "Aw poowie. Should've taken it while I had the chance."

"Spike!" Spike swallows the apple. He looks at Twilight in confusion.

"What?" Suddenly, Spike burps out a letter. So it's that time huh?

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia."

"Well, what does it say?" I look at Spike as he opens the letter.

"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. To be held on the 21st day of ,yadiyadiyada… Courtly extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, plus 1 guest."

AppleJack and Twilight look excited. I sigh, fully aware of how that day will end… They both shout together.

"The Grand Galloping Gala!" They both celebrate as I keep eating apples from my basket. Spike looks unamused. But I know he's excited too. He burps out 2 tickets. Should I watch what will happen?

"Wow! Great! I've never been to the Gala. Have you Spike?" Twilight asks.

"No." Spike frowns. "And I plan to keep it that way."

Twilight turns to me. "Have you ever been to the Gala before TipStir?"

I shake my head. "No. Not that I mind though. I just won't fit in."

AppleJack joins in, excitedly. "I'd love to go! If I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowing down. It would sell like crazy! Do you have any idea how much business I would sell up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why! With all that money, we could a heap of fixing up around here. We could replace that saggy old roof! Big Mac could replace that saggy old plow. And Granny Smith, could replace that saggy old hip! I'd give my left hind leg to go to that Gala."

"Oh. Well in that case, would you like to-"

Somepony screams, interrupting Twilight. Rainbow descended from the sky, crashing into AppleJack and Twilight. I keep eating apples.

"Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?!"

"RainbowDash!" AppleJack gets Rainbow off her. "You told me that you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spying?!"

"No." Rainbow points to a tree with a pillow and a blanket. "I was busy napping. And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?"

"Yeah but-"

"YES!" Rainbow interrupts Twilight again. "This is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year! I can see it now…"

Rainbow smiles gleefully. "Everypony would be watching the skies. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts. But then, who would fly? RainbowDash! I would draw their attention with my super speedy strut. Then, I would mesmerize them with my fantastic filly flash! And for my grand finally, the bumpiner blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine. And then, welcome me as their newest member."

Rainbow bounces up and down happily. "Don't you see Twilight? This could be my one chance to show my stuff! You gotta take me!"

"Hold on just one pony picking minute here." AppleJack pulls RainbowDash away. "I asked for that ticket first!"

"So? That doesn't mean you own it!"

"Oh yeah? Well, I challenge you to a hoof wrestle. Winner gets the ticket." AppleJack and Rainbow begins to hoof wrestle. Twilight gets in between them, pushing them away.

"Girls! These are my tickets. I'll decide who gets them thank you very much! Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket. Don't you think?"

Both AppleJack and RainbowDash keep telling their reasons to go. I can feel my stomach very full. Ohh… Shouldn't have eaten all those apples. Spike pats my hoof.

"You okay TipStir?"

I stop myself from almost throwing up. I look at my empty basket. "Uhhghhh… I ate too many apples…"

"You sure did. Need to rest a bit?"

"I'll be fine. I'll walk it off. Although, soon Twilight won't be fine." I hear Twilight's stomach grumble.

"Haha… Listen to that. I am starving. I don't know about you but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach." Spike gets on Twilight's back. "So I'll think about it over lunch and get back to you two. Ok?"

"Ok." Both AppleJack and RainbowDash say.

I wave off Twilight and Spike. "See you later!" Then walk off towards Ponyville.

_

"Hey you!"

I stop walking. Curious to see who's calling me. I look up. Somepony is looking at me. I look around first before trying to confirm it's me. "Me?"

"Yes you. Can you help us place these rainy clouds over Ponyville? We're short on staff."

I nod. "Sure." Then fly up.

The pegasus points to where I will place clouds. "Place these clouds over there. The others have it covered."

"Yes ma'am."

I fly up towards a cloud. Then push it into my area. I do this until every cloud connects with mine. Then, go back to the pegasus. "I've finished ma'am."

She looks over at my spot surprised. "That was quicker then except. Thank you very much. What's your name?"

"My name is TipStir."

"Well, thank you TipStir. I'm CloudChaser. We're finished here now. We appreciate the help."

"No problem."

I fly off. By now, Twilight should be with Rarity after being rained on. That means Spike is at her home. I should visit him.