A Tale not Told

“Well, if you don’t mind, my next question is, how did you six meet?” Luna continued. The six ponies before her were so close, they must have known each other for years. “You seem like such good friends.”

“Well, ta be honest, it’s kinda a long story.” Applejack responded. “Rarity and Ah have always been in Ponyville. We’ve know each other for as long as I can remember. Went to school and everything together. Had our share of fights, and, ta be completely open, we’ve never been on the best of terms. She cares for little more than prettifying, and Ah try to get the big work done. We’re good friends though. Ah wouldn’t trade the time I’ve spent with her for anything.”

“I must agree with her there.” Rarity interjected. “While she and I may have different interests and priorities, we get along well enough. I’ve often gone to her when I need help with Carousel Boutique. She’s the only pony I know well enough to discuss the ups and down of business. Many times she has helped me balance my books, find the minor errors, and in general help me. Our friendship was cemented though when she trekked through the snow to deliver an order for me.”

“Ya, Ah remember that. She had gotten an order finished for a client over in Manehattan. Thing was, the pegasi had decided we needed a freak blizzard. Still don’t know what happened.” Applejack shot Rainbow a quick glare before continuing. “But anyways, Rarity needed the dress delivered, but there was no way she would be able ta make it. I’ve walked ta Manehattan before, and Ah knew Ah could do it again. Once the snow stopped falling Ah showed up at her shop, let her know Ah could get the dress over.”

“How did you know she needed a dress delivered?” Luna inquired, interrupting Applejack. “If you weren’t the best of friends how would you have known when she needed help?”

“Ohh, that’s easy.” Applejack continued, taking the interruption in stride. “Everypony knew she had an order. She hadn’t shown up in town all week, and she was always a regular at mah apple stand. The last day she showed up in market before vanishing she told me she had recently received a wonderful order. Ah wished her luck. Didn’t see her for a week. But anyways, Ah got ta her house, told her Ah could get her order delivered. She didn’t seem happy about asking me to do such a thing, but she was a friend. Maybe not the best, but still a friend.”

“So Ah grabbed to package, and Ah walked to Manehattan. It was a long trek, but Ah knew Ah could make it. Before this trip, I thought Rarity was a bit stuck up, never doing any actual work. Then Ah met her client.” Applejack visibly shuddered at the memory. “Never in all mah days have Ah met a more stuck up, self-entitled, prissy little mare. Ah don’t think she’s ever lifted a hoof to help herself in her life.” Applejacks voice clearly dripped venom as she spoke, her displeasure with said mare quite apparent. “Ah stayed respectful, knowing that this was an important client, or at least in her eyes. Told her I was there to deliver a dress she had ordered, as Rarity was unable to make it through the snow. She scoffed, clearly offended that Ah was in the same room as her. Don’t know, and don’t wana know what her problem with me was. Ah collected the payment, and hurried out of there. While Rarity doesn’t do near the physical labor Ah do on mah farm, she more than makes up for it with dealing with those stuck up ponies. Ah gained a great amount of respect for her after that.”

“Why thank you darling.” Rarity said sweetly. “I must admit I have always admired the work you do on your farm, your apples are always delicious. And thankfully, that mare was a special case.” Rarity’s voice slowly turned sour as she spoke. “One of the most annoying clients I have had to deal with. And I still thank you for delivering that dress Applejack. She would have made it very hard on my business had she not gotten it.”

A slight pause hit the girls as Rarity reminisced about the past. Applejack took the moment to think, figuring out who was the next pony to come to Ponyville. “Ah think it was later that month that Fluttershy showed up.” Applejack said slowly, trying her best to determine if Fluttershy or Rainbow arrived first.

“Actually darling,” Rarity put in, “The first time I saw her was while you were off delivering that dress. She showed up at my boutique, obviously quite scared from all the snow. I immediately offered her a place to stay while we waited for the snow to clear. She was shyer than she is now. I don’t think I got a clear word out of her the entire time. When I asked where she was staying she just gestured in the direction of her house.”

“Um, excuse me.” Fluttershy’s quiet voice drifted, being heard in Rarity’s pause. “May I say my piece, if that’s alright with you.” The others nodded, giving their shy friend a smile. “I had been living in my house for almost a year when that storm hit. All my little animal friends scattered the day before, without a word to me. Then when the clouds rolled it, I knew something bad was going to happen. I walled up my door, and tried to just ride it out. I didn’t want to impose on anypony in Ponyville. I had grown enough food in my garden, and knew what wild plants to pick, that I was able to get through the few days while it snowed.” Fluttershy’s voice slowly grew in volume as she spoke. Gathering her confidence, she continued, her voice strong. “But, by the time the blizzard ended, I was almost out of food. I needed to get into town and buy something. But I didn’t have any bits. I quietly flew into town and saw Applejack leaving Rarity’s. I thought she would be able to at least give me some food.”

Sighing, slightly embarrassed, Fluttershy continued her tale. “I gathered all the courage I could and flew down, knocking on her door. I could only shiver from the cold and fear as she opened the door. Thankfully she took me in, gave me a warm bowl of soup, and housed me. The only thing she asked of me the entire time was to be a model for her.”

“Well, she is simply the perfect model.” Rarity chimed in. “So many ponies strive for a tall, regal look that it has become very fashionable. They see the princess and strive to be like her. I had been unable to find any who were tall enough and were willing to model for me, making it very hard to know how a dress sits on them. The height changes so many of the measurements for a dress. When I saw Fluttershy I simply had to ask her to be my model.” She turned to give the yellow mare a warm smile, but instead was confused as to why her friend was curled up in a ball. It then occurred to her that Fluttershy was likely surprised and a bit scared at being interrupted. “Oh, I’m so sorry dear. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She quickly trotted over to her friend, wrapping a hoof around her. After a short exchanging of words, Rarity nodded, giving her friend a small nuzzle.

“Well, to continue from where Fluttershy left off, she spent a few days as my model. When the snow had finally melted enough I sent her on her way. She took the bits I gave her in payment for being my model, and enough food so she could last until her garden was back in order. She’s been helping me as a model for years now,” Rarity finished with a smile, staying next to her friend. “It took her awhile to finally be ready to come out of her little home and meet the rest of Ponyville. I think it was Rainbow showing up that gave her the confidence boost. Those two seem to have known each other forever.”

“I must’ve been the next to arrive then,” Rainbow put in, picking up the story.

“You showed up just over a week after I met Fluttershy darling.” Rarity confirmed.

Rainbow nodded before continuing, “I had just dropped out from flight school and needed a job. It was my goal to join the Wonderbolts, even then. When I applied though they said I was too young. Said to come back in a few years.” The mare with a chromatic mane rolled her eyes at the memory. “Knowing I would come back, I left for Ponyville. I had heard Fluttershy was living there, and hoped she would let me stay with her while I found a job and place to stay.” Taking a deep breath, Rainbow continued. “I found her quickly, she’s the only pegasus I know that stays on the ground. After a short talk with her she agreed to let me stay until I had a place of my own.”

“The next day a huge storm came in.” Rainbow continued. “Something had gone wrong up in the cloud factory in Cloudsdale, and a huge storm was rolling in. I’m guessing this one followed the previous one that dropped so much snow. I later checked with the factory and found out a grey pegasus with a blond mane had leaned on a lever. Turned the snow production into overdrive. I think that’s what caused that first blizzard. I hope they’ve gotten rid of that lever. Anyways, the other pegasi around Ponyville were trying to clear it out, but weren’t doing so well. I flew up, building as much speed as I could, and hit the cloud. I don’t think I made a Sonic Rainboom but I think I was close. I managed to split the cloud into smaller chunks, which the other pegasi quickly cleared out. Though I’m the best flier in all Equestria,” Applejack gave a small snort at Rainbows boasting, “blasting apart such a huge cloud took it out of me. I don’t remember leaving the cloud to be honest, must have blacked out from the impact.”

“I awoke a few hours later in the hospital, barely able to move. I had broken most of the bones in my forelegs and wings. Shortly after I awoke a steel gray pegasus came in, Clear Skys. He was the head of the weather team for Ponyville back then. He offered me a job clearing the skies, and informed me of an open cloud home just outside Ponyville. I quickly took both.”

“Yes, that certainly was an impressive feat Rainbow.” Rarity chimed in, taking over the story. “I must say, word spread quickly of her achievement, and I’m glad to say she’s been clearing the skies ever since. She has done a most wonderful job. Pinkie was the next to arrive to Ponyville I believe.”

At this Pinkie bounced over, having somehow freed herself from the ropes. She sat down with her friends before beginning her part of the story. “Yep! I left the rock farm I grew up on a few years before I arrived in Ponyville. I traveled around a lot, trying to find a place that needed my parties. But nopony seemed to like them. I couldn’t figure out why. I mean, why wouldn’t somepony want to smile? Then I remembered the Cakes in Ponyville. I’ve known the Cakes from way back, and they quickly agreed to let me stay with them, as long as I helped out in the bakery. I may be a party pony but parties have cakes, and cakes need to be baked, so I’ve been a good baker for years. Then, when I realized no-one knew who I was I knew I had to throw a party so ponies would get to know me. So I threw my first Ponyville party, a ‘Welcome Pinkie Pie’ Party! Everypony in town showed up, at least I think they all did, and I met each and every one of them. I’m just so happy everypony in town likes my parties so much!” The ponies stared at Pinkie as she rambled, never taking a breath.

Recovering first, and deciding to ignore how Pinkie got free, Rarity spoke up. “How could we not love your parties Pinkie? While Ponyville was nice before, it got so dull at times. Your parties help to liven up the town.” The others nodded, smiling at the pink party pony.

“I guess it was a few years later that I arrived.” Twilight said, knowing her introduction to the group was next. “To be honest, I arrived the day before we had our fight with Nightmare.” Twilight proceeded to tell Luna how she met each of the others, and how they became friends. From the feast at the Apple family farm to the all-night party Pinkie threw, all the way to the challenges they faced, Twilight explained how she had joined the group, cementing their friendship forever.

“I must say Twilight, you six became fast friends.” Luna commented, smiling at the tale. “Those obstacles Nightmare threw at you must have pushed you together very quickly.”

“They did Luna. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have made my closest friends.” Twilight smiled as she joined her friends for a group hug. Luna grinned inwardly, surprised that she had helped Twilight make her closest friends. For the rest of the night they continued to talk, only interrupted once as one of Luna’s assistants came in to deliver some news.

Next Chapter: A Day at the Fair Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 26 Minutes