“Well, this is a snoozefest.”
 
Paint Swirl and Royal Splendor watched the scene before them. Thanks to Roy’s family getting the word out, their charity event wasn’t a total lost cause. They’d gotten everything set up without a hitch. Ponies had even showed up, even if the crowd was smaller than they’d hoped. There was enough money in admission fees for a small donation to a charity of their choice, so at least it wasn’t a complete flop…
 
“Anypony else feel a little awkward just…standing here?”
 
…Except the guests were less than thrilled to be there. All around there were booths set up with simulation activities and inclusive games, but the attendees seemed almost scared to approach the ponies running them. It was almost like there was a plague in the room. Roy shook his head. Just because they’re different.
 
He looked over at Paint, who was extremely frazzled and seemed to be barely holding herself together as she tried to approach the guests.
 
“What ARE these things?”
 
“Oh!” Paint put on a warm smile. “These are just some things to help you experience what it’s like to have, well, a disability. Magic mufflers, wing binders, eyepatches, slings…you only have to wear them for a little while, but they really open your eyes to what it’s like! Would you like-“
 
“I’m NOT putting that on!” The pony sniffed snootily and trotted away.
 
Paint’s smile quickly fell as the pony left her in the dust, as everything she had planned and hoped for seemed to crumble to pieces. She turned to Roy with tears in her eyes.
 
“I…I really thought this would bring ponies together.”
 
”It still could!” Roy smiled, trying to restore her faith even though he hardly had any left himself. “We just need to-“
 
”No,” She sighed. “We tried our best. I…I should have known it wouldn’t get anywhere. I’m sorry, Roy. Thank you for helping.” She drew a deep breath and started walking away.
 
”Paint? W…where are you going?”
 
”I’m calling it off.”
 
Roy froze, wracking his mind for a solution. He couldn’t stand to see the pony he loved most so let down. There had to be a way, SOME way to turn things around and make this event the success she dreamed of. And if nopony else would rise to the occasion, it had to be him.
 
Paint stepped up to the podium and tapped the microphone to get everypony’s attention.
 
”Hello everypony. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience, but I’d like you all to know that this event-“
 
”Is STILL going on!”
 
An audible gasp was heard as Paint and all the other guests turned their gaze to the back of the crowd. Royal Splendor donned a magic muffler and eyepatch of his own as he courageously made his way up to the podium.
 
”Roy, what are you-“
 
”Just trust me,” he assured Paint as he took her place at the podium. “You worked hard on this. I won’t let it fail.”
 
As he turned towards the expectant crowd, Roy felt his nerves tie into a knot. The crowd was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. And all eyes were glued to him. He certainly hadn’t prepared for this…
 
”H-hello everypony,” Roy gulped, failing to hide how nervous he was as his voice wavered with every word. “I’m R-Royal Splendor, Paint’s col—best friend, a-and I, um, helped her set this up…”
 
He looked over at Paint and suddenly felt a small spark of confidence. He knew why he was doing this. It was for her. Not only that, but their cause. It was for everypony.
 
“A-anyway, um, I noticed everypony here has been feeling pretty…a-awkward, being around ponies they don’t know and trying new things. Oh, do I know how that feels…”
 
He cleared his throat to calm himself.
 
“B-but that’s the thing. There are so many ponies here, all with different challenges, and strengths, and personalities, but we aren’t making an effort to understand how each other feels.” He gestured towards his eyepatch and the device on his horn. “These simulations aren’t supposed to bring you down or make you feel like there’s something wrong with these ponies. They’re supposed to help us understand what other ponies go through. That’s why Paint set them up. To bring ponies together.”
 
The crowd let out a murmur as Roy looked back nervously towards Paint. She smiled encouragingly as he went on with a new confidence.
 
“And once you get to know these ponies, you’ll realize there’s so much more to them than what makes them different. In fact, they can be great friends if you give them the chance.” He pointed out into the crowd. “Discovery may have a little trouble reading other ponies and being in crowds, but he’s the smartest pony you’ll ever meet. He can tell you just about anything about everything, especially when it comes to apples.”
 
A friendly chuckle went through the crowd as Discovery smiled and waved at the ponies acknowledging him.
 
Roy grinned and continued, “Mrs. Scootaloo may not be able to fly like other pegasi, but she surely hasn’t let it stop her from doing what she loves. She’s won just about every scooter race out there, and even helps others to be the best they can be. As a Cutie Mark Crusader, I’m sure she’s helped all of us find our calling somehow.” He flipped his tail over his own bare flank.
 
Scootaloo smirked confidently as a few ponies in the crowd whistled.
 
“And Paint Swirl, the reason we’re all here today,” He waved her over. “She faces plenty of challenges. Like Scootaloo, she can’t fly. She gets hurt more easily than others and can’t always keep up. But you know what?” He smiled. “She’s also an amazing artist. Some of her paintings are for sale right here, actually. She puts her heart into them like nopony else. And she’s the kindest, sweetest pony you’ll ever meet. She’s always been there for me when I’m down. I’m lucky to call her…my friend.” A warm blush grew on his face as he said this.
 
As Roy’s speech continued, more ponies took notice and the crowd grew exponentially. The donation box was overflowing as ponies of all types began intermingling and actually engaging with the activities. With nearly all of Ponyville present, it was a turnout nopony had expected.
 
”I know it can sometimes be awkward, or a little intimidating, to meet new ponies, especially if they look or act differently. Believe me, I know how it feels,” Roy nodded somberly. “But today, talking to each other, walking in each other’s horseshoes, building friendships…I hope we realize we aren’t as different as we think. We all want friendship, and love, and ponies who care about us. But our differences are what make us so…unique! Yes, we should share our similarities, but we should also celebrate our differences! And that’s why we’re here, to come together, no matter who we are!” Roy looked around the massive crowd, suddenly at a loss for words at how many ponies had gathered.
 
”Thank you.”
 
And with that, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers like never before. It was a standing ovation! And all because of Roy’s speech. He smiled shyly and blushed as he stepped down from the podium and ponies came rushing up to talk to him and get a few autographs.
 
But above all the noise, and even with limited vision, Roy met eyes with Paint over the crowd. She’d never looked so happy as she fought tears of joy and mingled with the ponies coming to talk to her. And while it was undeniably important to bring ponies together, making Paint’s dream come true was what made it all worth it for Roy.