My Little Pony: True Friendship or Equality

Chapter 7

Doesn't Feel Like Home

For the next 2 days, Neo constantly avoided the castle by either working overtime in performances and practices, overdoing his performances or just going out smoking somewhere in Ponyville, and Twilight was with him all the time. The morning after, Twilight's friends were having pancakes at her castle, the ponies were already at the table eating, Neo came down a few minutes later to join them, he looked very, very tired and he had a headache. When Neo sat down at the table, Pinkie Pie happily gave him a plate of pancakes, but Neo dosed off at the table, Twilight was also dosed off as well.

The ponies just kept eating their pancakes, Applejack said the pancakes were delicious, Pinkie Pie said, "Thanks! Twilight and Neo spent all night helping me pick the flavor! I kept thinking we'd found the right one, but they insisted I make even more to try. And more. And more and more and more and more! It was like they never wanted to—" Fluttershy quietly said, "Leave?" Rainbow Dash said, "Up all night, huh? Is that why they're so, uh... out of it?" Twilight snored and Neo just quietly slept a little bit, Fluttershy said, "Um, I don't mean to sound unappreciative, but has anypony else noticed that Neo has been um... overdoing it lately?" Applejack said, "Now that you mention it, Neo has been constantly going around town, performing for the Ponyville ponies a lot lately, he even performed for 3 hours straight." Rarity said, "He spent an entire afternoon practicing for future concerts and performances over by my boutique. An entire afternoon, and Twilight was there helping him." Rainbow Dash said, "You think that's weird, Neo and I flew together and raced each other like 100 times the other day, Twilight joined in a few times, Neo won some and I won some, but even when he lost, he just kept going, I know hanging out with me is awesome, but it was like he'd rather keep racing and lose rather than..." Fluttershy said, "Leave?" Rainbow Dash said, "Yeah, who does that?" Applejack looked at Neo asleep at the table, she said, "Somepony who's avoidin' somethin', that's who. Soon as he wakes up, we're gonna find out what."

Neo slept for a few more minutes, Twilight woke up with a yawn, the ponies wanted to ask her as well but they decided to wait for Neo to wake up. Neo slowly opened his eyes, he rubbed his eyes and his head, the ponies looked at him with concerned faces, Neo looked at them and said, "Good morning girls." In a tired voice, Fluttershy said, "Um.. Neo, are you feeling alright?" Neo said, "I have a headache." Fluttershy said, "Oh dear, I hope you'll feel better later, but until then, we'll be here to make you feel better." Applejack gave Neo a concerned look and said, "Uh, Neo. Is there somethin' you wanna tell us?" Neo said, "What?" Fluttershy said, "Don't worry Neo, you can tell us, we're very concerned about you." Rarity said, "We've noticed that you've been overdoing it lately, and we know how much you love performing for everypony and we just adore having you around and seeing you perform just for us... but... we worry you might be... ahem... avoiding something else?" Neo said, "Is it really that obvious, well... you see girls... um... the thing is..." Fluttershy said, "Now now Neo, you can tell us, don't be nervous, remember, we're your friends, you can tell us anything, so go ahead and tell us." Neo took a breath and said, "I know this sounds weird... but I... I've been avoiding... this place."

The ponies except Twilight gasped at what he said, Twilight said, "He's right, in fact, I've been avoiding this place too, that's why I've been helping Neo out so much." Rarity said, "But why in Equestria would you want to avoid such a gorgeous castle?" Pinkie Pie said, "Yeah, this place has everything! Big tall ceilings that make you feel tiny! Shiny new floors that are cold to the touch! Brrr! And it even has loooong empty hallways!" Pinkie Pie's voice echoed throughout the hall. Rarity said, "Okay Pinkie Pie, we get it." Applejack looked at Neo and said, "Hey Neo, why have you been avoidin' this castle?" The ponies focused their full attention on Neo, Neo said, "I love this castle, it's an amazing place, it's just that it feels weird to be living in a castle, I'm just an ordinary everyday boy and I'm living in a castle, I'm not a prince or any royal person, I'm just a typical boy, a Heavy Metal singer, and I'm living in this huge castle, I guess what I'm saying is... this castle just doesn't feel like home."

Now the ponies understood why Neo had been avoiding the castle, Fluttershy said, "We understand Neo, thank you for telling us." Twilight said, "To be honest, I feel the same way, this castle is amazing, but like Neo said, it doesn't feel like home." Rarity said, "Well if that's all, Why not simply decorate the castle darling, make this space your own?" Twilight said, "It's just so daunting! Look how big it is! I-I don't even know where to start!" Neo said, "Plus, I wouldn't know how to make this castle feel like home for me." Rarity said, "You can start by letting us do it for you. We will make this the castle of your dreams while you and Neo go to the Ponyville spa for some much needed rest and relaxation. I'm saying this with love darling, but... have you two looked in a mirror lately? I've never seen the both of you look this... mmmm..." Fluttershy said, "Frazzled?" Rarity smiled and said, "Yes! That is absolutely the word I was going to use." Neo said, "You're probably right Rarity, my working overtime for my performances has been giving me cramps, headaches and a sore back, I could really use a massage." Twilight stretched and said, "Ooh, I guess I do need a little help. And so does my castle. And I just know you'll do a great job, because nopony knows me better than you." Applejack smiled and said, "Don't you two worry, we'll make this place feel cozier than hot cider on a rainy day."

Then Spike came into the room, he yawned and said, "Good morning everypony, boy, I slept like a baby under that cavernous ceiling." Rarity said, "Spike dear, I'm so glad you're here." Spike said, "You are, really?" Rarity said, "Oh yes, would you please take Neo and Twilight to the spa?" Spike said, "Um... okay, if I can get my claws done while we're there." Twilight said, "Of course you can, come on Neo, let's go to the spa." Neo, Twilight and Spike walked out of the castle, when they were gone, Applejack said, "Come on, y'all! We've got work to do!" And the mane 6 left the castle and went to look for things they could use to decorate the castle.

End of chapter 7, chapter 8 coming soon.