I woke up to a bright late morning in Ponyville with a smile, getting out of bed and preparing for the day. As I left the house, I saw Twilight and Spike walking along.

"Good morning, you two." I called to them.

"Oh hey Bond Racer, we were on our way to help Applejack with collecting apples, wanna come?" Twilight asked.

Seeing that I had nothing to do today, I replied, "Sure, I'll gladly help."

We then walked along to Sweet Apple Acres where we saw Applejack about to buck the first apple tree.

"Well, howdy there, ya'll." Applejack greeted, "You come to help me?"

"We sure have." Twilight answered.

"Sweet, lemme get ya some empty baskets." Applejack grabbed a couple for us to put on our backs.

I went and picked up a pair of baskets with my magic and placed on my saddle.

"Alrighty then, let's get to work, 80's montage style!" I yelled which was met with confused looks from AJ, Twilight and Spike.

One randomly played uptempo 80's song and a few hours later, we were travelling to the barn to drop off the last full baskets of apples with Spike throwing a couple of bad apples out on Twilight's baskets, repeating no all the time.

"Thank ya kindly you both for helping me out, ah bet Big Macintosh ah can get all these golden delicious apples in the barn by lunchtime, if ah win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of granny's girdles." Applejack giggled.

"No problem at all, Applejack, but I'm glad the goal is lunchtime, all this hard work is making me hungry." Twilight said.

"I know, right?" Spike intervened as he threw an apple on Twilight's head, she gave him an evil stare back.

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

"Exactly, you three are taking so long, I missed snack-time."

Twilight's stomach began to rumble as if right on queue. I then copied the noise by doing an a dubstep impression before going into a beatbox with wubs!

"What in tarnation are you doing?" Applejack asked in total confusion

"Whoops, I got a little carried away there." I replied shuffling my hooves on the ground.

Twilight giggled nervously, "I guess we better get some food."

Spike then continued to go over the apples until he found a bright red one with a window shape on it. I'm guessing Equestria doesn't like Windows 8, that figures.

"Oh Spike, that looks delicious." Twilight smiled before Spike ate the apple, "Spike!" she exclaimed.

Spike then burped out a letter.

"It's a letter from the Princess." Twilight said.

"No, really Miss Sherlock?" I asked sarcastically.

Spike chuckled a little but Twilight didn't seem pleased by my witty humour. He then spoke what the letter said, "Hear ye, hear ye! Your grand royal highness, Princess Celestia, of Equestria is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital of Canterlot on the 21st day of… yadda yadda yadda… cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus two guests."

"The Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight and AJ said in excitement.

I knew what the event was about, so this wasn't new to me. I once tried to sneak into that event in order to get a look at some of the fine-looking mares who play music there and try to score, but their security was tight. I ended up being kicked out of the castle and I had to walk back to Ponyville with a pain in my right leg, but that was way before I learned about being a better pony when I got here, but that's another story.

Spike didn't seem impressed by it either, before he burped out three golden tickets.

"A golden ticket, did Charlie take over The Chocolate Factory from Willy Wonka or something?" I asked out of the blue.

Thankfully, they were more interested in the tickets then my pointless rambling.

"I've never been to the Grand Galloping Gala, have you, Bond?"

"I haven't really, so you could give one to me, Twilight." I said

"Oh yes, here you go." she replied giving me a ticket which I kept in one my suit pockets for safe keeping.

"Thanks, Twilight"

"What about you, Spike?" Twilight asked him.

"No and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frou-frou nonsense."

"Oh come on Spike, a dance would be nice."

"Nice?" Applejack interrupted. "It's a heap good more than just nice. Ah'd love to go. Land sakes, if ah had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles till the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business ah 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 Macintosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip. Why, ah'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala."

"Oh…well in that case…would you like to-" Twilight was then interrupted by a scream.

"Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed after she had fell on top of Applejack and Twilight.

"Rainbow Dash! You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples! What were you busy doing? Spying?" Applejack demanded.

"No!" Rainbow Dash immediately responded. "I was busy… napping. And I just HAPPENED to hear that you have an extra ticket?"

"Yeah but…" Twilight was interrupted once again.

"YES! This is so awesome! The wonder bolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year! I can see it now…"

Rainbow Dash then told about her story and wish which was quite more entertaining than hearing Applejack's I'll admit.

But I wanted to get back to being serious, so I picked up the apple baskets and took them to the barn and in record time too. Looks like Big Mac is going to take a hit in his pride after all. I walked back when I saw Applejack and Dash hoof-wrestling on a tree stump. I put on a referee shirt and then galloped over and behaved as a commentator and referee.

"Looks like AJ's got the head-start, but Dash has got the determination to win this battle and what's this? Dash has given up?"

"Ugh! I'm getting bored of this, I'm outta here." Dash said as she flew off.

"You're not getting away, sugarcube!" Applejack yelled, chasing after her.

I followed them both, seeing I had nothing else to do. I had a quick bite to eat along the way as I was hungry myself. Afterwards, I caught up with them shortly to see the other four mares present.

I heard Applejack saying,"Wait just another minute!"

"Applejack! Were you following me too?" It was Twilight.

"No! Ah was following THIS one!" Applejack pointed to Rainbow Dash, "to make sure she didn't try any funny business…still trying to take my ticket…"

"YOUR TICKET?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"But Twilight's taking ME!" Pinkie Pie interrupted, who was obviously a part of the group too.

Soon every pony was joining in, trying to win their way to the extra ticket.

Okay, I know that certain events can bring out a lot in ponies, but this was beginning to get on my nerves.

"QUIET!" I shouted and they all suddenly stopped talking...well almost everypony.

"And I said oatmeal, are you crazy...oh." Pinkie said.

"Look, I know this sounds like a big deal for you all, but arguing over the last ticket isn't going to help, Twilight should be the only pony to make a decision and I don't think she can with a rumbling stomach!" I exclaimed.

"Bond's right, I'll make a choice in my own time, now go on, shoo!" Twilight yelled.

The other five mares then walked off, muttering and Spike went back to the library, probably to get away from the issue.

"And don't worry, I'll figure this out...somehow." she then looked a little down.

I felt that this wasn't the time to be random, it was about time I started being a more serious friend, "Hey Twilight, are you feeling okay?" I asked her.

She smiled, "I feel a little better now that you helped me to get some breathing space, thank you, Bond."

"It's alright, let's head to the local restaurant, I'm sure you're desperate to have some food."

"I am indeed, let's go."

We walked on over to the restaurant, I told her that I already had something to eat earlier. She ordered her food and while we were waiting, she began to feel better talking about her ticket issue.

"What do I do, Bond? I mean, I could give away my ticket and give it to two other ponies, but that would still leave three other ponies out." Twilight wondered.

"You know, I've been thinking. Why don't you sent a letter to Princess Celestia and asking for more tickets, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." I suggested.

"I could, but I wouldn't wanna offend the Princess. Besides, she only expects a letter from me, when I learn something about friendship."

I shrugged my shoulders and we were both stumped on what to think next. Soon the waiter came by with Twilight's meal and she began to eat away. I however noticed a drip of rain from the sky, looks like it was about to rain. Using my magic, I created a big umbrella and had it covered the whole table and us so that we didn't get soaked.

"Thanks again, Bond." Twilight said as he went on with her food.

"Hello there, guys." a voice yelled from above us.

I flew above and sure enough, it was Rainbow Dash who must've brought the clouds over.

"Dash, you're not doing this just for the ticket, are you?" I asked her.

"Me? No, no, no, I'd do it for anypony." Dash replied with a hint of hesitation.

Suddenly, I saw the words truth, doubt and lie appear in front of me as if I was interrogating Dash, I selected doubt.

"That's funny, Dash, cause the last time I heard, Twilight is not accepting any unwanted favours. So take that raincloud and shove it up-" I got interrupted.

"Woah dude, fine, I'll go." Dash sighed as she closed up the raincloud, it was still raining.

I flew down to underneath the umbrella, Twilight had just finished eating and she looked satisfied.

"I feel much better now. We should get out of this rain and back to the library, I may have an idea."

I nodded, we made our way back to the treehouse to find it locked. I knocked on the door.

"Umm, hello? Anypony in there?" I asked.

The door unlocked, it was Spike who opened the door.

"Quick, you two, get inside." he said.

Twilight and I got in as Spike closed the door.

"Why did you lock the door, Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Cause Pinkie went around and told everypony you had an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala and they were looking for you here." Spike replied.

"Well, good thinking, let's turn out the lights too." Twilight suggested.

It was all quiet and a little dark, until the main light came on and we saw the five mares again standing by the window.

Twilight screamed and spoke. "I can't decide! I just can't decide! It is important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me some gifts and doing me favours won't make any difference because you're all my friends and I want to make you all happy and I can't! I JUST CAN'T!" she then placed her hooves above her head and wept.

"Oh NOW look what you five have done?!" I scolded at them.

All of them felt guilty for how they behaved today. Applejack walked gently up to her. "Twilight, sugar. Ah didn't mean to put so much pressure on you. And if it helps, ah don't want the ticket anymore. You can give the ticket to somepony else. Ah won't feel bad, ah promise."

"Me too." Fluttershy flew near Twilight. "I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful."

"And me too!" Pinkie Pie joined as well. "It's no fun upsetting your friends!"

Rarity walked over to Twilight. "Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did."

"YES! THAT MEANS THE TICKET IS MINE!" Rainbow Dash laughed as she chanted.

We looked up at Dash, "Inconsiderate, WITCH!" I yelled.

Dash changed her mood suddenly, "You know… I haven't perfected my signature move for the wonder bolts anyway… I don't need that ticket either."

"We all got so gung ho about going to the gala, that we couldn't see how un gung ho we were making you…" Applejack confessed.

"We're sorry Twilight." They all said, apologising.

"Now that's better." I added.

"Spike, take down a note."

Spike got his utensils ready.

"Dear, Princess Celestia. I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing 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 am returning the three  tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."

"WHAT?" Everypony exclaimed, me included.

"Bond Racer was right. If all you ponies can't go with me, then I don't want to go either. And I know I can ask for more tickets… but I don't want to risk upsetting Princess over this situation… so I am returning them."

"Twilight…" Applejack began. "You don't have to do that."

"Nope, I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now."

Spike opened the window and sent the letter with his breath.

"Now you won't get to go to the gala either…" Fluttershy said.

"It's okay… if you all aren't there as my best friends, then I couldn't possibly have a good time."

Every pony went up for a group hug and I joined in.

Spike made a disgusted face for the third time today already. However, he looked as if he was going to throw up.

"Well wallow my withers, Spike. Isn't that just like a boy who can't handle the least bit of sentiment…"

He burped up something else… it was a letter!

"A letter from the princess?" Twilight exclaimed, surprised. "That was fast!"

Spike grabbed the letter and opened it to read it. "My faithful student, Twilight. Why didn't you say so in the first place?"

Something popped out of the letter. Spike grabbed them and held them up in the air.

"Seven Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!" He cried.

Every pony gasped.

"Now we can ALL go!" Twilight announced.

Every pony cheered.

Suddenly, both mine and Twilight's stomachs began to rumble. Rarity walked over to us. "Allow us to treat you to dinner!"

They began walking out the door, grabbing their own ticket on the way. When each of the ponies received their ticket, Spike walked out with his in his hand as I followed behind him until it flew out of his hand and into my pocket.

Before I looked at him, feeling a little sad inside, Spike burped something else out. It was another letter.

"And one for you, Spike." He said as another ticket came from the letter. He grabbed it with much excitement as he began laughing and skipping, but after he saw us and the rest of the ponies, he quickly returned his excitement. "I mean, gross, I have to go too?"

He began walking "cool" at first, then after being far enough, he continued his excitement.

After a quick giggle, we made our way to the event and thankfully, with the tickets, I was able to get in smoothly this time without being kicked out...again. We all had quite a good time as the night began, I showed off my randomness once more and just being myself. After the event was over, we walked back to Ponyville.

"That was quite some event, but ah gotta get straight back home, tomorrow will be the start of Applebucking Season, goodnight ya'll." Applejack said and she left, before the rest of us said our farewells.

I walked on back home and taking off my suit and shoes, I headed straight to bed. It had been quite an interesting day, fighting over a ticket though, how childish is that? Oh well, at least it all turned out well in the end and as I began to sleep, I wondered if the issue was originally set up by the Princess just to teach Twilight a lesson about friendship.

For the time being, I only had three words to describe what I learnt...share your blessings. Next Chapter: Applebuck Season Estimated time remaining: 29 Hours, 10 Minutes