Malibu's eyes opened to the sound of the breakfast bell at Sweet Apple Acres being rung. A smile showed on his face when getting up, looking forward to eating breakfast with the Apple Family.

My first morning in Ponyville. And my first Friendship lessons, too! The former gargoyle clone thought with excitement as he came down the stairs to the smell of eggs and pancakes. He had learned from his mother that the ponies in this world didn't eat meat like gargoyles did. But he was fine with that as the food he ate was pretty good, even those dandelion sandwiches.

Applejack smiled at him as well as the rest of the family. He gave his own smile back, sitting down with them.

"Mornin', youngin. Enjoy your first night?" Granny Smith asked in her elderly voice. Malibu nodded when having some juice. "Sure did, thanks," he said. "Looks like pancakes for breakfast, looks good!" Big Mac nodded. "Eyup!" Though he looked a little awkward about something.

Malibu looked questioningly at Applejack who was laughing quietly while serving. "What's going on?"

"Well, Big Mac and I made a dare; if I can collect all the golden delicious into the barn by lunchtime, he'll have to walk down the street wearin' Granny's girdle!" She snickered. Big Mac glared a bit but didn't say anything, since he hardly speaks at all. Applebloom too was laughing.

"If you're getting apples I can help," Malibu said wanting to try his hand at applebucking. A.J. had told him about it. The orange earth pony smiled a bit.

"That's mighty generous but you're a guest, I can't let ya do all that hard work," she said. Malibu shook his head. "It's no trouble, besides, I want to try this applebucking."

Eventually they finished breakfast, sent Applebloom to school, and after that Applejack brought Malibu and Twilight to the orchard. Malibu had invited Twilight and Spike to come on their way back from dropping off Applebloom.

It wasn't too hard to applebuck at first. Malibu had a hard time figuring out where to hit his hooves on the tree until on the fifth time he felt the satisfying slam of his hooves on the bark; golden apples falling off the branches into the basket. Malibu smiled proudly for himself.

"Great job!" Applejack praised, as the three of them gathered more apples, getting huge amounts.

Applejack was smiling as they walked back that afternoon around lunch, Spike trying to find an apple to snack on. "Thank ye kindly enough Malibu and Twilight for helpin' me out. Soon I shall be seein' Big Mac in Granny's girdle!" She chuckled after that. Twilight nodded.

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

Malibu too felt his stomach growl. "Yeah, me too. I can go for an oat burger!" He found a love for them when Celestia once took him to a fast food restaurant.

"I know, right?" Spike asked, throwing an apple that landed on Twilight's head. She glared, and he grinned nervously.

"Puh-leeze, Spike. You've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked!" Spike nodded. "Exactly! You guys take so long I miss snack time!" Malibu just rolled his eyes. "I declare, Spike, there's no end to your bottomless stomach," he said, before being hit on the head. "Hey, watch it!"

Twilight giggled before feeling her stomach growl. Malibu flinched a bit from his growling as well. "I guess we better get some food," she said. Malibu nodded. "For sure," he said. "Being hungry is making me feel a bit sour," He stated. Spike kept up his moment of finding the perfect apple.

"Nope. Nope. Aha!" He pulled out the perfect ripe juicy red apple. Malibu stared, mouth open in longing. Twilight smiled, slurping. "Oh, Spike! That looks delicious-!" Spike automatically put the apple into his jaws, swallowing whole. The two ponies frowned. "Spike! You could've shared!" Malibu said grumpily, stomach growling even more. Spike grinned sheepishly before he suddenly belched out a letter from his mouth. Twilight caught it with her magic.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaimed. Malibu smiled, he was happy his mother was going to be sending them letters while living here. She gave the letter to Spike who read it aloud.

"Ahem, Hear ye, Hear ye! The Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the grand national city of Canterlot on the 21st day of... yada yada yada, cordially extends invitations to Twilight Sparkle and Malibu as two guests!" Malibu gave a grin. He knew of the Gala for he was there once with Mother the previous year. But now he gets to go again with his best friend Twilight!

Twi and A.J. both smiled too. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" They cheered, bouncing up and down. Malibu felt himself joining in as well until Spike belched out three tickets. "Look! Three tickets!" This made Twilight happy. "Wow! Great! I have never been to the Gala. Have you, Spike?" Spike narrowed his eyes. "No, and I plan to keep it that way! I don't want any part of that girly frilly froo froo nonsense!"

"Aw, come on, Spike! A dance would be nice," Twilight insisted. Malibu nodded. "I have only been there once with Mother. Excited about exploring more of it with my new friends!" Applejack grinned with excitement. "And nice? It's a heaps more than just nice! I'd love to go! Land sakes!"

She then talked about her dream of going to the Ball, which was mostly of selling her apple treats then using her earnings to fix up the farm and Granny Smith's hip. Malibu smiled. That was a nice thought from Applejack. She sighed. "I'd give my left hind leg to go to that Gala!" She murmured. Twilight glanced at her. "Oh, in that case, would you like to-?"

But then suddenly something crashed down on the three ponies; it was Rainbow Dash, who was looking excited. Malibu flushed from having Rainbow land on him. "Did I hear you talk about the Grand Galloping Gala?" She exclaimed. Applejack glared. "Rainbow Dash! You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples! What were ya busy doin'? Spyin'?" Malibu raised his brow at the rainbow pegasus. Rainbow too flushed. "No! I was busy... napping," she argued. Malibu looked up to see the pillow and blanket in a tree branch.

"And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" She said excitedly. Malibu and Twilight both looked at one another when trying to answer but Rainbow answered for them. "Yes! This is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform for the Grand Galloping Gala every year!"

Malibu just watched on in concern as Rainbow went into her own fantasy of what her night at the Gala could be. This was trouble. How can they bring two friends when they only had three tickets? He was snapped out of his thoughts when Rainbow finished.

"Don't you see, you guys? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff! You gotta take me!" Applejack tugged on her tail just then.

"Hold on just one pony picking minute here!" She spat the tail out of her mouth. "Ah asked for that ticket first!" Rainbow glared. "So? That doesn't mean you own it!" Applejack glowered back. "Oh yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof wrestling! Winner gets the ticket!"

Malibu heard the term hoof wrestling which reminded him of arm wrestling that Talon told him about, seeing the two girls beginning to do it, he quickly pushed between them.

"Hey, listen. These are mine and Twilight's tickets. We decide who gets them." He stated. Twilight nodded.

"Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?" Rainbow and Applejack blinked, both then spouting terribly good reasons from both sides. Malibu and Twilight's ears both fell, then felt their stomachs growling.

"Oh boy, we are starving. I don't know about you but we can't make important decisions on an empty stomach. Just going to grab some lunch and we'll get back to you two, ok?" Twilight asked, dragging Malibu and Spike with her to the nearest restaurant. Malibu looked back to see them starting to hoof wrestle again.

....

The three walked through Ponyville, still concerned about their decision. "So who are you guys going to give the ticket to?" Malibu flinched.

"We can't choose now, Spike. Still starving." Twilight nodded. "Yeah, it's hard for us to think straight. So where should we eat?" That was when a pink blur slammed head on into them; Pinkie Pie. The two tickets landed on her snout when the dust cleared, making her squeal.

"BATS! BATS ON MY FACE! HELP!" Malibu raised his hoof. "Pinkie, calm down, those aren't bats, they are—." He was interrupted when Pinkie saw the Gala tickets, her eyes shining.

"Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!" She exclaimed in joy. Oh boy, more trouble... the former clone gargoyle moaned in silence while Pinkie Pie sang about the Gala being the biggest party of her dreams. She bounced around.

"Oh, thank you guys! This is the most wonderfulest gift ever!" Pinkie said with enthusiasm and hope. Malibu felt his anxiety grow. The more ponies that saw this the tougher their choices will be. It got worse when Rarity saw the tickets too, fantasising about meeting her Prince Charming which was Blueblood. Malibu groaned just a bit from her description of him. Which wasn't completely true.

"Twilight, Malibu, I cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she could 'party' and prevent me from meeting my true love! How could you?" Malibu tried to explain. "Er, Rarity? Two other ponies before Pinkie had already..." he was interrupted from Angel, Fluttershy's rabbit stealing the tickets from Spike and bringing them to Fluttershy. She approached with her own request to go to the Gala.

"Listen, guys, I still haven't decided who to give the extra ticket too," Twilight said. Both Pinkie and Rarity's eyes widened. "You haven't?!"

"Uh, Twilight? Malibu? I just want to ask... that if it will be alright? If you haven't given it to somepony else..." Rarity rudely interrupted her. "You? You want to go to the Gala?" Malibu gave her a glare. "Let her talk."

Fluttershy smiled at him before speaking. "Uh yeah, but really kind of. It is mostly to visit the animals in the gardens," she whispered with her own little animal fantasy. Malibu and Twilight glanced at one another. "Er, gee, Fluttershy. That sounds... beautiful?" Twilight said.

"Wait just a minute!" It was Rainbow again. Malibu flinched a bit from it. "Rainbow? Were you following us?" He asked accusingly. Rainbow flushed. "No. I mean, yes! I mean, maybe? Look it doesn't matter! I can't let two goody horseshoes like you two give that ticket away to just anypony! And Malibu, I thought you liked my reasons to go!" She complained. Now this was awkward.

"Oh, uh, I..." Malibu stuttered, backing away, not wanting to hurt Rainbow's feelings. He bumped into Applejack. Twilight was flabbergasted. "Applejack, were you following us too?" She exclaimed.

"No, I was following this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business!" Applejack snapped. "Still tryin' to take my ticket!"

"Your ticket?!"

"But Twilight and Malibu are taking me!"

Twilight and Malibu stayed close to each other, feeling overwhelmed from both their hunger and the yelling of their friends, until finally, Malibu had enough, eyes shimmering red.

"Grrh... ENOUGH!" Malibu bellowed, wings outstretched and horn lit up. Spike's eyes widened in fright from how angry Malibu looked and Twilight. The other ponies instantly stopped, except Pinkie Pie.

"And then I said, Oatmeal, are you crazy—?" Everypony else gave her weird looks.

"Oh."

Malibu stomped his hoof. "Now listen. There's no point in this silly arguing." He snapped. Rarity looked pleading. "But—" Twilight interrupted. "Ah! This is our decision, and we're gonna make it on our own. And we certainly can't think straight with all this noise!" Their bellies growled again. "Not to mention hunger!"

"Now go away until we can figure things out!" Malibu said, glaring around at them. The other 5 mumbled under their breaths. "And don't worry, we'll figure this out!" Twilight called. Malibu's ears flattened. "Uh, how?"

Twilight hid her face. "I don't know!" She whimpered. Malibu gave Twilight a wing hug. "How about we feed our bellies first? Look, a restaurant. Let's go," he suggested gently. Twilight gave him a grateful look and followed, Spike behind them.

They sat outside, waiting for their waiter. Twilight still pondered over whom to give the ticket, until the waiter came.

"Have you made your decision?" He asked. Twilight glared and screamed. "I CAN'T DECIDE!" Malibu winced from this.

"Twilight? He just wants to take your order," Spike said, pointing to his menu. Twilight blushed. "Oh. I'll have a daffodil and daisy sandwich," she said. "I'll have her order, too," Malibu requested. The waiter nodded.

"Do you have any rubies? No?" A look from the waiter. "Oh, ok. I'll have the hay fries. Extra crispy!" Malibu recalled dragons liking to eat gems in this world. He now wondered what they tasted like from their POV. Berries, perhaps? Who knows.

"What do you think, guys?" Twilight asked them?

"I think we have to try another restaurant. I like grass just fine but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" He grumbled. Malibu elbowed Spike. "That's not what she meant," he huffed. Spike facepalmed. "Oh, you're still on that?" The baby dragon asked in exasperation. Twilight nearly blew up there.

"Spike, listen! How do I choose? I mean, I can give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave 4 disappointed ponies!"

Malibu put a hoof on the table. "Twilight, I can always give mine up, too." Twilight shook her head. "No, because that would still leave us 3 upset friends and I don't want you left out! What if I never-!"

"You're food." Plates were put in front of them. Malibu grinned at his sandwich. Finally. This will cure everything for certain. But then suddenly he saw ponies running to the building. Huh?

"Are you three going to eat your food in ze rain?" The waiter asked in his accent. Malibu was confused. "I don't see any rain," he said, until he spotted that they were the only ones dry, whilst it poured rain around them. He looked to see Rainbow up there with an innocent but seriously cheesy smile.

"Hi there, best friends forever I ever had! Enjoying the sunny weather?" Malibu folded his hooves.

"And what are you up to?" He demanded. Rainbow still had her innocent routine. "What do you mean? I just saw these smart most generous ponies about to get rained on. So I just thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds so they can dine in peace, that's all!" Malibu and Twilight didn't buy it one bit.

"You're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing the extra special favors, are you?" Twilight asked hotly. Rainbow kept on looking innocent. "Me? Oh no, of course not!"

Malibu just shook his head. "Sure."

"Seriously, I'd do it for anypony!" Rainbow insisted. But they saw the other ponies running for shelter. Malibu kept glaring. "I'd consider Rainbow that you'd close up the cloud right now. Twilight and I aren't in the mood for unwanted favors!"

Rainbow sighed. "Ugh, fine!" She closed the cloud with a zipper like noise. Malibu licked his lips at his sandwich, lifting it with his magic. But then the rain poured down, soaking him right away. Malibu lowered his head in sadness that he couldn't enjoy his sandwich while Twilight growled and Spike stifled his laughter.

Rarity spotted the three of them under her saddle umbrella. "Twilight, Malibu, it's raining!" She exclaimed. Malibu just rolled his eyes.

"No, really?" Twilight grumbled. Rarity then took them both to the Carousel Boutique. "Come with me before you catch a cold!"

Once indoors, Twilight and Malibu shook themselves dry, but ended up getting Rarity soaked. They both flushed. "Uh, sorry Rarity," Malibu said in regret for shaking himself in front of her. She only looked mad for three seconds. "Oh no! It's quite alright! After all, we are the best of friends, are we not?" The three glanced at one another before nodding.

"And you know what the best of friends do? Makeovers!" Rarity squealed in excitement. Malibu leapt back when she snatched Twilight behind a curtain. Malibu flinched as he watched Twilight going through the fastest dress up, finally appearing in a pretty outfit. Rarity eyed Malibu next but he shook his head. "No, I'm good," but she kept on pleading. "It's the least I can do!" Sighing, he nodded.

Rarity then did the same to Malibu, and even Spike. The two in the end wore new manly outfits, though not as much as Spike who had a wig. Thankfully Malibu didn't mind his too much but he laughed at Spike who wasn't amused. Rarity took a hat out.

"Now you just need a hat!" But Spike refused. "Bleagh! I told you I want no part of this girly Gala gunk! See you back at the library!" He zipped off. Malibu looked his outfit over.

"This is nice, Rarity." He complimented. Rarity smiled, as she glanced at both his and Twilight's outfits, laughing at Spike's exit.

"Oh, who needs him anyway? This is all about you two and how fabulous the both of you would look at the Grand Galloping Gala!" Just saying the name snapped them both to realization. "Wait, the Grand—?" Twilight began but Rarity interrupted. "And my goodness! What a coincidence! I just happen to have an outfit that matches Twilight's to a tee! We will be the bells of the ball, the three of us! Everypony will be clamoring for our attention! And you can be my date Malibu to catch the eye of my Prince. He could be jealous, and beg to spend time with me! Soon, everypony will see that the most talented, glamorous, and sophisticated pony in all of Equestria will be Rarity the Unicorn!" Her eyes lit up with stars from her statement.

Malibu though felt tricked, a frown on his face again, as well as Twilight. Rarity saw, laughing nervously. "Ahem, and Twilight Sparkle and my date, of course," she quickly added, but this made the gargoyle clone pony throw his outfit off in anger. He couldn't stand it anymore.

"If you think I and Twilight would buy this for one minute to give into handing you that ticket and being your date, you're wrong Rarity! And guys are supposed to ask women on dates, not the women! Maggie Reed taught me!" He snarled, remembering her still. Rarity backed away, sadness in her eyes from it. "I'm—." Malibu just shook his head. He was still hungry, too. "Save it. Let's get out of here, Twilight..." he growled, guiding Twilight out with him.

But then the door opened. "Is somepony hungry for lunch?" Malibu's stress levels grew more; now Applejack, the one who let him stay at their farm was involved now. She pulled them all outside and the two landed in front of a cart full of baked goods shining in the sun. Malibu's mouth watered while Twilight stared.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"I got apple pies, apple fritters, apple crumble, apple strudel, and apple brown betties! Uh, the dessert, not my nannie. So what do ya say, best friends?"

Both Twilight and Malibu felt the temptation rise, but the anger won over it, and they both snapped.

"Is that a yes?" Applejack asked hesitantly, seeing their frowns.

"No. NO!" Twilight screamed. "I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to! And all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide! In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning!" Twilight then ran off. Malibu gave Applejack a disappointed look before going after Twilight.

The three of them ran to the Golden Oaks Library now Twilight's home. They panted. "Ugh! I never thought being showered with favors could be so aggravating!" Twilight huffed in anger. Malibu just kept quiet now, hoping soon their friends will come to their senses about the stupid ticket. But upon opening the door they saw Fluttershy inside; dusting the library and humming a tune.

Both Twilight and Malibu stared in fear at yet another extra favor. "Fluttershy, not you too!" Twilight moaned. Fluttershy blushed at their arrival. "Oh, hi, you two. I hope you don't mind Twilight, but we all did a little spring cleaning for you," she said, referring to herself and the animals. Malibu smiled slightly at the work they did. "But, Fluttershy, it's summer," he pointed out gently. Fluttershy blushed again. "Oh, well, better late than never right? It was Angel's idea."

The gargoyle clone gazed at the white rabbit making a salad. Twilight raised her brow. "You're not doing this just for the ticket, are you?" She demanded. Fluttershy landed. "Oh, no. I'm doing this because you two are my very best friends! Right Angel?" Angel just gave her a deadpan look, changing her view in 3 seconds. "Uh, yes. We are just doing this for the ticket." Angel handed the salad to the two of them. It looked tempting but no.

"No, no, NO!" Twilight shouted; making Angel fly off his feet to the floor. Fluttershy ducked her head in sadness. Malibu tried to cheer her up. "Listen, it was a thoughtful gesture, Fluttershy, but Twilight is still struggling, as am I. We need alone time right now." The yellow pegasus nodded in understanding. That was when the door opened.

"SURPRISE!"

Malibu gritted his teeth. "Aaand, cue Pinkie..." he mumbled. He ducked out of the way as the ponies snatched up Twilight, tossing her into the air while Pinkie sung about getting the ticket. This made Twilight super mad.

"PINKIIIEEEE!" She shrieked, making the ponies drop her. Pinkie stood above the purple unicorn. "Yes, Twilight?" Her eyelashes blinked super fast. Twilight pushed herself up.

"At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket!" She pointed out. But this drew attention to the other ponies. "Wait, what ticket? What Gala?"

Not good... Malibu thought in dread, as Pinkie Pie blurted out their ticket offer. The ponies began to crowd them.

"Guys, what do we do?" Spike asked in fear. Malibu couldn't speak, holding his wings over his head, shaking. Twilight's eyes popped. "We're... gonna... RUN!" She screamed, dragging her two friends with her. Malibu didn't hesitate when picking up his hooves, running as fast as his legs could take him, the herd of ponies on their tail.

The three of them ran for it through town but kept getting cornered each way they went. Once they hid underneath a bridge. Twilight and Malibu held on ok but Spike fell into the water.

It was all pointless in the end when once again the trio were cornered, hugging one another, wondering what to do. Malibu felt his horn igniting, magic surrounding the three of them. His eyes squeezed shut, wishing to be at the library. That was when they disappeared in a flash of light to the shock of the ponies.

...

They teleported right to the library, all ashened faced. Malibu felt a bit awkward since Celestia had given him teleportation lessons but he couldn't control this one. Spike moaned.

"Warn us next time you're gonna do that!" He mumbled, face ashened. Malibu himself was flustered, unable to talk.

"He didn't even know it was gonna happen!" Twilight defended. Malibu then shook himself.

"Lock the doors and windows!" He exclaimed, breathing erratically, beginning to panic. Twilight was looking concerned at her friend but did as he said, closing everything and turning off the lights. The trio let a breath go, thinking they were safe, but to their surprise and fear, the lights blinked on; revealing their five friends all smiling.

This sent Malibu off the deep end, his shyness coming back after struggling to defend himself from all these unwanted favors, crying in fright and going to hide in Twilight's bedroom. He heard Twilight scream but cared mostly for his own sanity, hiding under the bed, quivering. He couldn't stand it anymore!

He waited under there for a while until the sounds downstairs died, then hoofsteps up the stairs. Malibu clenched up, looking away, when a couple faces peeked under.

"Uh... Malibu? You alright?" Spike asked. Malibu shook his head. "G-go away..." he mumbled softly. Spike didn't know what to do but Fluttershy took charge now.

"We're awfully sorry, Malibu, about putting all that on your and Twilight's shoulders. C-can you come out? We don't want the ticket anymore," she said in a quiet voice. Malibu hesitated at first, but after a bit he timidly crawled out with Fluttershy's help. Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Applejack all looked apologetic, giving him gentle gazes. Fluttershy then gave him a gentle wing hug, Twilight stroking Malibu's shoulder.

"I already talked to them, and they really mean it. It's all ok now," Twilight said gently. Despite Malibu growing used to having friends now, he still can get pretty stressed and timid. Malibu's eyes gazed around at them all before eventually a smile appeared.

"T-thanks. We still friends?" He asked. The ponies nodded. Twilight then had Spike take a note.

"Dear Princess Celestia. We had learned that one of the many gifts of being friends is sharing your blessings. But when there's not enough blessings to go around having more than your friends can feel pretty awful. Though me and Malibu appreciate the invitations I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."

Malibu was a bit startled by that but could understand. He didn't feel like going after all that stress now. He nodded to Twilight. The ponies were shocked. "If our friends can't all go, we don't want to go either." Twilight finished with a smile. Applejack looked upset for them. "Twilight, Malibu, ya don't have to do that!"

"Nope, we've made up our minds. Spike, you can send the letter now." Spike used his magic fire to forward the letter to Malibu's mother. He gave a little sigh, Rainbow landing next to him, a hoof around him. "You feeling ok about not going?" She asked. Malibu nodded. "Think so," he said timidly.

But suddenly Spike burped in just two seconds. Another letter appeared. "Another letter from the Princess? That was fast!" Spike read it.

"My faithful student Twilight and loving son Malibu. Why didn't you two say so in the first place?" He was confused but seven tickets then showed up; making the dragon smile. "Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!"

At seeing this, Malibu instantly cheered up, ears perking up straight, while Rainbow did a trick in mid air while cheering. But then his belly rumbled again as well as Twilight's, making Malibu blush.

"How about you allow us to treat you three to dinner?" Applejack suggested. Twilight and Malibu agreed, leaving with their friends and tickets. Spike looked down. "But why don't I get a ticket to the Gala?" Right then he burped; a letter appearing again. "And one for you Spike."

He raced out, giggling but stopped from AJ and Malibu's amused looks. "Uh, I mean, gross! I have to go too?" Spike grumbled, but then smiled again, making Malibu laugh once more which felt good after feeling stressed all day. The dinner with his friends was delicious.

After that when he was on his way back home, Rainbow stopped him.

"Malibu, I know you forgive me, but I just can't ignore how awful I still feel," she said glumly, looking down. Malibu sat with her. He had a full stomach now and felt better.

"Maybe, I can cheer you up by asking you to hang out with me on the Gala night?" He suggested with a smile. Rainbow gasped slightly, a tint of red on her cheeks, but nodded. "I'd like that," she said. The two friends hugged one another before heading off on their own ways to their waiting homes and beds.