Chapter 3: Sweetie Bot And New Friends

"Do you think Sweetie Bot is really going to come?" Spike asked the next day.

The Mane Six along with Spike were in a chariot, riding their way to the Grand Galloping Gala. Behind them, was another chariot, pulling Cheerilee and Big Mac. Behind them, were the Cutie Mark

Crusaders, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.

"She has to come." Rarity gasped. "I spent so much work into making her dress that it'd be a shame if she didn't come to the Gala to show it off."

"You made a dress for a robot?" Applejack raised an eyebrow.

"Why of course!" Rarity was surprised. "This is a special occasion after all. Sweetie Bot must look her very best."

"Don't tell me you put makeup on her too." Fluttershy covered her mouth with her forehooves.

"Oh please Fluttershy." Rarity rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't dream of damaging that sweet little robot face with makeup!"

"Good, 'cause that could probably short her facial circuits." Fluttershy smiled.

"But wait," Rainbow Dash suddenly cried out. "Didn't Discord say that Sweetie Bot has the ability to eat?"

"Yeah, he did say that." Pinkie nodded.

"So, what's the difference between makeup and food?" Rainbow shrugged.

"The difference is that food goes inside you, but makeup doesn't." Twilight explained. "Maybe Sweetie Bot's insides are protected, but her outsides are not."

"Heh, point taken." Rainbow nodded.

"I just wonder how everypony else are gonna take it when they see a robot at the Gala... made by Discord no less."

"Oh, not to worry Twilight." Rarity placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Sweetie Bot is such a sweet little robot. She really lives up to her name, just like my dear Sweetie Belle. Everything

will be alright."

"Let's just hope that nopony accidentally confirms to her that she really is just a robot." Fluttershy sighed.

"What will happen if she does?" Rainbow asked.

"Discord told me that if Sweetie Bot was to find out that she was just a robot, she'll be so upset that she'll go into a terrified rampage, destroying everything in her path!"

"Then we must make sure that nopony tells Sweetie Bot that she's a robot." Twilight put her hoof down.

"Mm-hmm." The others nodded in agreement.

Back up in the mountains, Discord and Sweetie Bot looked down at the Gala from their cave.

They both looked very flashy and nice for such an event.

Discord was wearing a white buttoned shirt with a black texedo shirt on top of it, black texedo pants, and a black top hat. He also carried a fancy cane.

Sweetie Bot looked lovely as well. She was wearing the dress Rarity had made for her. It was like the dress that Sweetie Belle had worn at her play, but it was less frilly, making sure that none

of the frills would get caught in her circuits. She also wore sparkly glass slippers, and she had a small blue bow (somehow) attatched to her metalic hair.

"You look beautiful Sweetie Bot." Discord complimented.

"Thank you Discord." Sweetie Bot smiled, but dropped her robotic ears. "But it doesn't make me very confident about this Gala."

"What's got you so worried, my dear Sweetie Bot?" Discord knelt down to the robotic filly.

"Well... it's just that... I don't really know anypony except for you and your friends." Sweetie Bot explained. "I'm a bit nervous of meeting new ponies in a big crowd."

"Ah yes..." Discord smiled. "You're just like Fluttershy, she's always shy about crowds too. But, if you don't explore in the crowds, how are you supposed to make any friends?"

"But, you are my friend, you took me in." Sweetie Bot looked up at the draconequus. "And your friends are my friends too."

"But Sweetie Bot," Discord placed his eagle claw around her. "You need to make friends who are your own age. If you don't, you'll be all alone again once you start school."

"School?" Sweetie Bot tilted her head.

"Yes," Discord nodded. "You'll have to go to school, otherwise we could get in trouble with the traunt officer for you not being in school."

"I wouldn't want that." Sweetie Bot shook her head.

Sweetie Bot sighed and stepped out of the cave.

"I'm ready to go to the Gala." She said confidently.

"That's my girl." Discord smiled, following the little robot after.

As Discord and Sweetie Bot made their way down the mountain to the Gala, the guests in the chariots had finally arrived.

The Mane Six and Spike stepped out of their chariot first. They were all wearing the same thing they wore at the last Grand Galloping Gala and they all looked stunning.

Cheerilee and Big Mac were next to step out of their chariot.

Ms. Cheerilee was wearing a dress that was a little darker that her coat. She was wearing matching slippers and she had a rose in her hair. Big Mac stood next to her, wearing a similar outfit to

Discord's, minus the cane and pants.

"I'm glad it was you who asked me to the Gala." Ms. Cheerilee batted her eyes at Big Mac.

"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded.

"Oh, you two look so dazzling." Rarity gasped.

"Thank you Rarity." Cheerilee smiled. "And thank you Princess Twilight for the tickets."

"It was my pleasure Ms. Cheerilee." Twilight nodded.

Next, the Cutie Mark Crusaders stepped out of their chariot, and they were beautiful.

Applebloom wore a glittering red dress and had shiny red slippers on her hooves. Sweetie Belle wore a blue dress with translucent trimming and had glass slippers. Scootaloo wore a dress with a

magnificent blend of orange and purple... her favorite colors, and she wore purple slippers. STUNNING!

"Well, don't you three look sharper than an eagle's claw." Applejack smiled at the girls.

"Thanks big sis'." Applebloom beamed.

"Speaking of eagle's claw," Fluttershy noticed. "Where's Discord with Sweetie Bot?"

"Yeah, they should've been here by now." Rainbow Dash nodded.

"I beg your pardon," Cheerilee said confused. "But who's Sweetie Bot?"

"She's Sweetie Belle's new twin." Pinkie Pie explained. "Discord created her!"

"Discord made me a twin sister?!" Sweetie Belle asked, shocked.

"No dear," Rarity giggled. "Sweetie Bot's not your sister. She's actually a robot pony that looks exactly like you."

"A robot?!" Scootaloo flew five inches off the ground. "That looks like Sweetie Belle?"

"Discord created her without using magic." Applejack nodded. "Said that he found a pile of robot scraps in the middle of the road and decided to create Sweetie Bot."

"Well, isn't that exciting?" Ms. Cheerilee turned to Big Mac.

"Eeyup."

"Surely, he's going to have Sweetie Bot inroled in school, right? I wouldn't want him to get in trouble with the traunt officer."

"Discord treats Sweetie Bot like she's a real pony." Twilight nodded. "All of Equestria must do the same."

"If we don't, the poor child will be so terrified that she'll go in a rampage! Destroying everything!" Fluttershy explained.

"I guess that means we need to be carefull with what we say around her." Applebloom nodded.

"OOH! I think I see them!" Pinkie Pie bounced.

"Sorry we're late everypony." Discord appoligized as he and Sweetie Bot landed back on the ground. "Had a little trouble with Sweetie Bot's confidence."

"Oh sure, why don't you tell the whole world." Sweetie Bot frowned.

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with being nervous." Fluttershy told the robot. "I'm nervous all the time."

"Look, the CMC are here." Discord smiled, noticing the three fillies. "This is your chance to make new friends."

Sweetie Bot looked over to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, scanning all three of them. They were smiling at her with confidence.

Sweetie Bot suddenly felt shy. She was nervous to go over to the girls and start a conversation with them. Discord noticed this and pushed her forward. Sweetie Bot's eyes were wide, she rubbed her

left foreleg shyly before speaking.

"Hello, my name is IMPUT NAME: Sweetie Bot."

"Hey Sweetie Bot." Applebloom smiled. "It's nice to meet ya'. I'm Applebloom, and these are my friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo."

"I'm the one who's your twin." Sweetie Belle explained. "It is really nice to meet you Sweetie Bot. And you look really nice for the Gala."

"I bet Rarity made you that outfit, didn't she?" Scootaloo wondered knowingly.

"Yes, she did." Sweetie Bot nodded. "Do you really like it?"

"It's perfect on you Sweetie Bot!" Sweetie Belle squeeled.

"Hey Sweetie Bot," Applebloom suddenly said. "Would you be willing to join our club?"

"Club?" Sweetie Bot tilted her head.

"Yeah, it's called The Cutie Mark Crusaders." Scootaloo nodded.

"Where we go along, preforming different acts of talents to get our Cutie Marks." Sweetie Belle finished.

Sweetie Bot looked at her bare flank and smiled. She turned back to the CMC and nodded.

"THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS ARE 100%" Sweetie Bot cheered.

"Sweetie Bot..." Sweetie Bot turned around at Discord's voice. "I'd like you to meet Ms. Cheerilee, she'll be your teacher when you start school tomorrow."

"It is very nice to meet you Sweetie Bot." Cheerilee bent down to the little robot. "I look forward to having you in my class."

"That means you'll be going to school with us!" Sweetie Belle bounced.

"SET PHASORS TO CHEER, HOORAY!" Sweetie Bot cried.

"YAY!" The CMC cheered after.

"Princess Twilight..." Twilight turned at the voice of Princess Celestia.

"Princess Celestia..." They all bowed, including Discord and Sweetie Bot.

Celestia bent down to Twilight and whispered in her ear.

"It is safe to come in now." She whispered. "The last guest has finally arrived and I have warned the other ponies about Sweetie Bot."

Twilight smiled at Princess Celestia's heads up to the other ponies. Before anyone of them entered the Gala, Celestia was to make sure that everypony knew about the little robot so that nobody

would make a mistake.

"Thank you Princess Celestia." Twilight smiled.

"Thank you for telling me." Celestia stood. "You all may now enter the Gala, I have told the others about Sweetie Bot so that nopony would get confused."

"You told everypony about me?" Sweetie Bot asked the white Alicorn.

"Well of course." Princess Celestia giggled. "We wouldn't want anypony getting you confused with Sweetie Belle."

"Thank you."

And with that everybody entered the Gala. When they went in, let's just say that Sweetie Bot was not ready for what came next.

"Look! That must be Sweetie Bot!"

"Oh my, isn't she lovely?"

"What a friend Discord's got."

"Aww! She's so adorable!"

"It's great to have you here Sweetie Bot."

"Welcome to Canterlot Sweetie Bot."

"You are very lucky Sweetie Bot."

Ponies... ponies everywhere. Smothering Sweetie Bot with praise and nice comments. It had a good feeling, but the little robot thought that it was a little too much.

"I appreciate all of your nice feedback." Sweetie Bot said nervously. "But, could you please give me some room, I am getting uncomfortable."

"Of course Sweetie Bot."

"We're terribly sorry Sweetie Bot."

"Please, enjoy your night at the Gala Sweetie Bot."

With that, the ponies scattered out of Sweetie Bot's way.

"What was that all about?" She asked her friends.

"It's nothing, that's just their way of greeting new friends." Discord explained. "Don't let it get to your pretty little head."

"Come on Sweetie Bot!" Applebloom galloped in front of the robot pony. "Let's head to the dance floor."

"In time Applebloom." Princess Celestia interrupted. "First, I believe my sisters would like to meet Sweetie Bot."

"Your sisters?" Sweetie Bot gasped. "You mean Princess Luna and Princess Cadence?"

"Yes, and Prince Shining Armor is here too, as well as Prince Blueblood." Celestia nodded.

"UGH! Do not mention his name around me." Rarity growled. "Whatever you do Sweetie Bot, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT fall for that uncaring scoundrel."

"I won't." Sweetie Bot promised.

"This way now, Sweetie Bot." Celestia then led the robot, with Twilight and Discord close behind while the others stay on the dance floor.

Sweetie Bot took this opportunity to look around the ballroom. It was MAGNIFICENT!

Blue and pink streamers hung from the rafters and twisted in with each other. Confetti was all over the floor, getting in her dress, but Sweetie Bot didn't care. A crystal chandelier hung gracefully from the ceiling, reflecting everyone in the room. The food wasn't as fancy as it was last year, and instead of Octavia and her band playing, it was Vynal Scratch (or DJ Pon3) playing her music (her wubs).

The group finally came up to the thrones in the room and Celestia and Twilight took a seat, but not before greeting the other royals. Sweetie Bot and Discord bowed to the princesses and princes, they smiled at them.

"Welcome, Discord and Sweetie Bot." Princess Luna greeted. "But mostly, welcome Sweetie Bot. It is wonderful to have you in our castle. I am Princess Luna, princess of the night. I raise the moon as my sister Princess Celestia raises the sun."

"I am Princess Cadence." Cadence introduced herself. "I am the ruler of the Crystal Empire, bride of Prince Shinging Armor and Princess Twilight's sister-in-law."

"I am Prince Shining Armor." Shining Armor then went next. "Also ruler of the Crystal Empire, groom of Princess Cadence, and Princess Twilight's brother."

"Hmm, and I am Prince Blueblood." Prince Blueblood finally introduced himself. "I am Princess Celestia's nephew, an honor to have you here tonight, young Sweetie Bot."

'This prince seems really nice.' Sweetie Bot thought. 'I wonder why Rarity hates him so much.'

"Are you enjoying the Gala so far?" Twilight asked.

"Well, it was off to a shaky start with all those ponies smothering me, but so far, yes. I am." Sweetie Bot said truthfully.

"We're glad, now, go enjoy yourself, I believe Applebloom has asked you to dance with them?" Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"Right!" Sweetie Bot nodded and ran off to find the CMC.

"And Discord," Cadence turned to the draconequus. "You must ask Fluttershy to dance."

Discord's eyes popped and he tensed up, blushing madly.

"Of course." He rolled his eyes. "Of course the princess of love would find out."

"Ooh, what's this all about?" Twilight asked teasingly.

"Nothing!" Discord shook his arms. "It's just a school-pony crush."

Discord suddenly placed his hand over his mouth. He couldn't believe he had just said that outloud to Twilight.

"A school-pony crush on Fluttershy?" Twilight clapped her forehooves playfully. "You certainly MUST ask her to dance."

"So, you're not mad?" Discord was shocked. "Shocked, disgusted at all?"

"Of course not." Twilight laughed. "To be completely honest, I knew this day would come... and I've kinda been shipping you two in my mind."

"Fluttercord huh?" Discord stroked his beard. "Not bad! *Sigh* Alright, I'll ask her to dance."