It was a pleasant spring day in the small town of Ponyville, its inhabitants bustling in their day to day activities. Birds were chirping, a light breeze was blowing through the town, and the local mailmare, Derpy Hooves, delivered her mail without a hitch, even managing to get a hold of some sumptuous muffins along the way. Oh yes, today was a fine day indeed.

In the marketplace of the town were two friends, having lunch at the ever popular restaurant, Sweetwater Café. It was somewhat crowded, as to be expected from the lunch crowd, with all manner of hungry ponies looking to sate their appetite with some good food and good company.

This was more than what Flower could say, having just lost a bet to his 'best friend' Jetstream, who took every opportunity to rub it in his face. He was paying their agreed upon price: to buy whatever entreé Jetstream wanted, no exceptions. They looked over the menu, deciding what dish they felt like eating. It really was a tough choice, they had both previously tried everything the place had to offer and they were thoroughly impressed with how good the food was, both in presentation and taste.

Having finally decided what they wanted to eat, the two waited for the waitress to come back with their drinks and to take their orders. Flower looked begrudgedly at his friend.

The reluctance to pay was not lost upon Jetstream.

"You really shouldn't look at me like that, Flower. I'm not the one who made a foolish bet and lost." he said, grinning smugly, occasionally glancing at the Town Hall clock as they were speaking.

"You knew I was gonna lose and you took the bet anyways!" Flower said indignantly, "That's low, even for you!"

"Hey! It's not my fault that you challenged Applejack to a drinking contest and passed out after three mugs of hard cider!” Jetstream chortled. “I tried to talk you out of it, but you were very stubborn. I figured I'd let you learn the hard way. Besides, trying to get her drunk to sleep with her was stupid anyways."

"Well...it would've worked! I have a feeling that you sabotaged that bet somehow!" Flower complained.

"Again, not my fault! Why don't you grow a bucking backbone and lose with some dignity for Luna's sake?! Just be glad I made you buy me lunch instead of making you pay me money or embarrassing you like you ought to be after a stunt like that!"

"Me, grow a backbone?! Ha! Says the colt who doesn't have the SACK to make AJ his mare!" Jetstream blushed at Flower's accusation, his eye twitching with irritation. His feelings slowly building to anger when the realization of what he said hit him like a freight train.

"Wait a minute! You KNEW about my crush on Applejack and you STILL tried to sleep with her?!" Jetstream said, slamming his forehooves on the table and standing on his hind legs glaring daggers at him.

Flower smiled smugly.

"Actually, I didn't.” He said coolly. “I was going on a hunch this entire time, but now you just admitted it to me. You're so dense Jetstream. You should start thinking with your head instead of your heart. It'll save you a lot of embarrassment in the end."

Jet just stared dumbly at Flower for a few moments as the words sank into his head. He should've known Flower was up to something, but alas, he failed to see it yet again.

"Damn it, Flower! Damn you and your bucking mind games!" Jetstream said in a huff as he sat back down. Flower just laughed.

"Relax, Jet. I won't tell anypony. But still, you could've at least told me."

"Sorry, Flower.” Jetstream said somberly. “It's just...as much as Iike her, I'm scared to get that close to anypony, you know?" His eyes glassed over, memories of his lost family surfacing...his younger sister, Starlight, most of all.

Flower picked up on this and offered a concerned look to his friend.

"You mean...your ordeal with your family?" He asked.

Jetstream nodded.

"Dude...you can't keep blaming yourself for that.” Flower said. “I can never understand what it feels like to lose somepony you desperately tried to save, but Starlight wouldn't want you to be this sad or alone. She would want you to be happy and live life."

"I know...I miss her everyday, Flower." He responded, tears blurring his vision. "This Saturday would've been her eleventh birthday...and I can't help but feel guilty about it. If I had tried harder..."

"Damn it Jetstream! Snap out of it!" Flower yelled, getting into his friend’s face, breaking Jetstream’s trance. "You've done more than any living soul would have dared to try and save her! There was nothing more you could've done! You lost your bucking wings, and almost lost your own life trying to save her, for Luna's sake! I thought Applejack and Princess Luna drilled that through your thick skull! I'm sorry for coming at you like this, but I can't stand seeing you tear yourself apart like this!" Flower exclaimed.

Jetstream was taken aback by his outburst. Flower was usually so shy and quiet, but on the rare occasions when he would come out of his shell raise his voice, it was always an eye opener. The truth usually struck down like lightning from the heavens, and this time was no exception.

"I...you're right, Flower.” Jetstream said, wiping tears from his eyes. “It's still a little hard for me to let her go, but...I know she's in a better place. Thanks for having my back. It means a lot to me."

"You're my best friend, Jet. I'll help you out any way I can." He responded with a smile.

A burgundy unicorn waitress approached their table sporting a friendly smile, levitating a pen and notepad to take their orders.

"Sorry for the wait, guys, it's a little busy around here as you can see," she laughed, "What can I get for you?" She asked, looking at Jetstream, gazing at his athletic physique with hungry eyes. This fact was not lost upon Flower.

"Ah yes, I'd like to order the grilled eggplant sandwich deluxe, with a double order of hay fries and the triple decker strawberry sundae supreme." The silver maned stallion answered with a smug smirk to his friend.

Dismayed, Flower responded with a glare that translated to 'Are you bucking serious?!' They knew each other so well that they could have an entire conversation with their looks alone.

The waitress wrote down the order, giving Jetstream one last glance before turning to Flower, which again he noticed. It was starting to irritate him to no end.

"And you?" she asked.

"I'll just take a daisy club and hay fries." Flower deadpanned.

"Okay then, your orders will be out shortly," she said as she once again eyed the steel blue stallion, making Flower's eye twitch.

"Hate to see you go...love to watch you leave." Jetstream said in a playful manner. The mare blushed and giggled as she trotted off, making sure to sway her flank a little more as she went. He noticed Flower giving him another glare. "What? What'd I do now?"

"How in all of Tartarus can you keep pulling mares like that? Just about every one we meet keeps staring at you with hungry eyes, and its getting pretty annoying!"

"Hey don't hate me 'cause you ain't me, Flower." Jetstream responded with an inflated ego. "Don't forget that I was a Lieutenant for the Wonderbolts, and that mares love a stallion in uniform." He said in an almost mocking manner.

"But you're not a Wonderbolt anymore, Jetstream! They kicked you out, remember?!" Flower snapped, his irritation reaching a new level.

Jetstream narrowed his eyes and stood on his hind legs. "First of all, I didn't get kicked out, I was retired because of my 'deformity'. There's a difference! Secondly, I just happen to be a better-looking stallion than you, so don't blame me for what I was born with! Thirdly it's not my fault that you couldn't pull a mare if your life depended on it!"

Flower's eye twitched furiously. He gritted his teeth as the stone was now cast. Nopony says that about him and gets away with it! It. Is. On!

"Is that a challenge, Jetstream? Then I accept!" He said with a determined look and tone to match, staring at his adversary right in the eye.

Jetstream looked at his friend, confused, wondering what he was talking about. "What? It... wasn't a challenge..."

"What? Is the big bad Wonderbolt afraid of a challenge?!" Flower said in a mocking tone.

Jet hated it when he did that, and it usually clouded his judgement. Yet despite his hazed mind, he knew what the nature of the challenge would be.

"I'm not afraid of some pansy ass who names himself 'Flower'!" He claimed as he brought himself face-to-face with his challenger. "What is the challenge and who are the principals?"

Flower was trying to figure out just what the challenge would be. If it was just to pull one mare, he'd lose quickly. Unless...he did something that he knew Jetstream would be hesitant to finish. That was bound to give him an edge. It had to.

"The challenge is: whoever can pull the most of the Elements of Harmony within seven days wins. One stallion, one mare. For example, if I rail Twilight, then you can't rail her. Otherwise it doesn't count for you! And don't even think about lying to me, I can always tell when you do! Do you accept these terms?" Flower stated with the utmost confidence.

Jetstream, on the other hoof, gave him a look that that could scare off a cockatrice in the middle of a staring contest. "Wait, what?! You mean you want us to pull OUR FRIENDS?! That's crazy! You know I used to date Twilight, and you know that I have feelings for Applejack! And what about your feelings for Fluttershy?! I can't condone this! This is just plain stupid!"

Flower knew that Jetstream had a very good point. However, he wasn't finished pressing buttons yet. "Then are you forfeiting before we begin? What a coward! I guess that means I win by default!"

Jetstream gritted his teeth at the insult.

"Don't get ahead of yourself! I never back down from anypony! Least of all from you! You're on, Flowerboy!" He said as they stared each other down like rival alpha males from different manticore prides, ready to tear each other apart. It wasn't until the waitress came back with their orders in tow that they realized that they caused a scene. The silence was deafening as all eyes were on them. Some were waiting to see a brawl as they sat on the edge of their seats, while others were shrinking back, afraid of the amount of fury the two were radiating. The rest shook their heads at the pair’s foalish behavior.

In unison, the two miscreants cleared their throats and took their seats, the earlier feud now simmering down. The waitress placed their orders on the table, with an ever present smile on her face.

"You two enjoy now. I'll swing by to see if you need anything!" She said as she trotted off.

The two friends continued to glare at one another for a little while as the rest of the patrons went back to their meals.

"The challenge begins tomorrow, so don't even think about getting a head start by pulling one tonight, otherwise it won't count. So for now let's just enjoy lunch. Agreed?" Flower said more as a statement than a question, grabbing his plate and drink.

"Agreed." Jetstream answered, grabbing his own plate and drink as they began to eat.

The food, as always, was delicious, and the two were thoroughly enjoying their meals as if the little stare down never happened.

"So how's work with Roseluck going? I heard that she's been a little worse for wares since she got hit with hay fever." Asked Jetstream.

"Yeah, I told her that I'd run the shop and that she needed rest, but she refuses to stay put!" Flower responded. "I swear that mare drives me crazy!"

"Ha, ha! Just wait until you get a marefriend. You'll be pulling your mane out of your head after a while!"

"Speak for yourself! The mares you usually associate yourself with are all haughty and act like others should kiss the ground they walk on! Besides, I don't think I'll have that problem with Fluttershy."

"Hey! That's not...yeah okay, you're right. And I think you're right about Fluttershy. Only problem is you haven't made her your mare yet! I think I'll pay her a visit tomorrow, since, you know, we have that bet going." Jetstream said in a teasing manner.

Flower wasn't amused.

"Like Tartarus you are!" He said, coating venom on his words.

"Like Tartarus I'm not! " Jetstream said with equal contempt, renewing their rage from the earlier feud. "Remember, these are your rules I'm going by! And you didn't set any restrictions, so suck it, Flowerboy!"

"You'll have to grow one first, you wingless freak!" Flower said as he slammed his forehooves against the table, standing on his hind legs.

"That's because it's in your mouth already you bucking coltcuddler!" Jetstream responded, standing on his hind legs as well, their heads pressed against one another like two bulls in a duel.

If looks could kill...

"Oh, fellas!" The waitress sang as she came to their table with the ice cream in tow, "I forgot to bring the sundae the first time around. And here's your check, pay whenever you're ready. Ta ta!" She said as she trotted off yet again, the two stallions still staring at one another for several more moments before they sat down once more. Taking a moment to collect themselves, Jetstream glanced at the clock again, grabbing the mountainous bowl of the most coveted dessert in all of Ponyville, and placing it in an empty spot between them, as if he was expecting somepony.

"Uh, Jet? Any reason why you ordered that ice cream if you're not going to eat it?" He asked. His friend only continued to look at the Town Hall clock.

"Three...two...one." No sooner did he finish the countdown than a pink blur appeared from under the table, like a bat out of Tartarus, and stood next to the two friends, sporting her trademark smile, nearly scaring Flower to death as he fell off his chair. He clutched his chest, trying to catch his breath.

"Hiya, Flower! Hiya, Jetty! Whatcha doin'?" The pink mare asked with seemingly inexhaustible energy.

"Hiho, Pinkie Pie." Flower greeted after he got back to his seat and composed himself.

"Hey there, Pinkie! We were just having lunch and I thought I'd order you your favorite treat." Jetstream said as he pointed to the bowl of ice cream. He knew the pink mare couldn't resist. Pinkie let out a huge gasp, and in an instant was sitting next to the former Wonderbolt, almost as if she teleported to him. She started devouring the treat with unnatural gusto.

"OHMYTHISISREALLYREALLYGOODIHAVEN'THADONEOFTHESEINFOREVER!" Pinkie said as she continued to stuff her mouth with the treat, earning her a shocked, incomprehensible look from Flower and a warm, hearty chuckle from Jetstream as she assaulted her bowl.

"I gotta hand it to you, Pinkie, you know how to handle those bananas pretty well!" Jet said as he laughed at his own joke.

"T-that's...how is that possible?!" Flower pleaded, dismayed.

"Hey, it's Pinkie, the laws of nature and reason don't apply to her, remember?"

Before Flower could respond, Pinkie finished her dessert and gave Jetstream a bone crushing hug, effectively cutting off his air supply.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou! That was so yummy!" She exclaimed as she buried her muzzle in his neck. Flower grit his teeth for the umpteenth time that day.

"Oh, you're very welcome, Pinkie, after all I'm the one who's paying for it!" Flower said sarcastically. His words, however, fell on deaf ears. She finally released her grip on the oxygen-deprived Jetstream, who gasped for air as she did so.

"No...prob...Pinkie!" He wheezed, flopping on the table as oxygen was once again fed to his brain.

"You're so good to me, Jetty! I wish I could do something for you. Hey! Why don't I throw you a 'Jetstream is really nice to me and I really appreciate it' party!" The pink mare suggested. That reminded him of the bet, and a devious grin formed on his face as the opportunity to strike presented itself on a silver platter.

"Let's make it a private party. I've got this new game I want to try with you, along with a new dessert I've been working on, but just you and me. I'll make it worth your while. Whatddaya say?"

Pinkie's eyes and smile grew wide as she heard Jetstream's suggestion. She knew what he intended to do, but she didn't mind one bit. After all, the feeling was mutual between them...wasn't it?

"Oooh I love new games! Okay, a private party for you and me tomorrow at noon at Sugarcube Corner. Don't be late!" Pinkie ducked under the table and was gone in a flash, defying the laws of physics once more.

Flower looked at Jetstream in shock, the events that unfolded before him were clear, but his mind struggled to comprehend the irrefutable truth...he was already at a disadvantage.

"W-what just happened, Jet?" He asked, still in denial.

"What happened, is that I knew she'd come by the marketplace for her weekly shopping trip to restock the ingredients at Sugarcube Corner. I usually hang out with her when she does, and from the looks of it, I'm about to get a headstart on our little bet." Jetstream answered smugly and got up, "well, thanks for lunch Flower, but I have to get ready for a 'party' tomorrow. See you later!" He said as he trotted off. Flower just looked in disbelief for a few seconds before yelling:

"DAAAAAAAAMMMMMMNNNNNN!!!"

* * *

Flower walked back to his house dejectedly as he wondered what he had gotten himself into. He didn't want to admit it, but he had his work cut out for him. Jetstream was the complete opposite of him, well, at least when it comes to social skills. Flower was growing frustrated the more he thought about it, and he wanted nothing more than to just go home and lay down to gather his thoughts. However, It dawned on him that he forgot something and needed to go to the market

"That's right, I needed to buy some more carrots for Fluttershy. I'd better head back to the market, then."

He turned around and made his way back to the market. When he got there he went straight to Carrot Top's stall, and was greeted by her with a friendly smile.

"Hi, Flower. how are you today?" She asked.

"Hiho, Carrot Top, I've been good. You?" He answered, his mood lightening up.

"Oh, same old, same old," she giggled, "Now, what can I do for you?"

"I'm here for Fluttershy's usual pick up."

"Oh, right, right, she said you'd be coming by for it." Carrot Top said as she got a bag and filled it up to the brim. Flower couldn't help but notice and looked at her confusedly when she handed it over.

"Umm...this is too much." he said, puzzled.

"Oh, don't worry about it. They're on the house."

"What? Why?"

"It's for that beautiful flower you gave me when I was...you know, upset when Thunderlane broke up with me. You really lifted my spirits, and I wanted to thank you for it."

"Well, I don't like seeing anypony that sad, especially a good mare like you."

Carrot Top blushed lightly and giggled.

"Oh, Flower, you're such a sweetheart. I'm surprised somepony like you is still single," Flower blushed a little at the compliment, "speaking of which, did you get Jetstream to admit his feelings for Applejack?"

"Oh, yes I did," Flower chuckled, "He still has no idea that bet I made with him that night was a ruse to set him up in admitting it. I'm just surprised you caught on to it before I did."

"You're terrible!" Carrot Top laughed, "and let's just say that stallions like Jetstream are hard to read, but I've been around his type for a while. You just have to know what makes them tick."

"True. Well I have to go deliver these to Fluttershy. I"ll see you around...oh, and don't tell anypony about Jet and AJ."

"Of course. See you soon." With that, the two parted ways. Flower was making his way through the crowd when he heard a familiar voice,

"Why , hello Flower, darling." Flower turned to see the local fashionista greeting him with a warm smile.

"Hiho, Rarity," he greeted, "I didn't expect to see you in the market today. I thought you had a large order to fill."

"Oh, I finished much sooner than I expected with Spikey-Wikey's help and I came here to gather some ingredients for Sweetie Belle's dinner you see."

“Spike helping her yet again...why am I not surprised…” He thought. "Well that's good. I was just gathering some things for Fluttershy." At the very mention of her name, Flower could've sworn he saw Rarity's eye twitch a little.

"Well...um...that's very sweet of you. You're such a gentlecolt."

"Umm, thanks." He said with a blush.

"Speaking of which, I was wondering if you'd like to help me out at my boutique tomorrow," she said, "I'm making a new line of clothing for pegasi and I need a stallion to fill in as a model, since Rainbow Dash already helped me for mares today. Would you please?" She asked, fluttering her eyelashes.

"Sure! I'd love to help you! When should I come by?"

Rarity lit up at his answer. "Come by tomorrow morning at 8 A.M sharp. Well, I must be off now. Ta-ta, and don't be late!"

"Bye, Rarity!"

With that they parted ways.

Flower was making his way to the path leading to his crush's cottage and was thinking back to his conversation with Rarity. He found it odd that she'd never asked him to model for her before...and now that he thought of it, one question came to mind:

“Wait a minute... if Rarity was shopping for dinner for Sweetie Belle, why did she leave without buying anything after I said I would model for her?”

* * *

At first glance, it looked like everything was just fine with Jetstream as he walked with a spring in his step. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. A thousand thoughts were going through his mind as he cursed himself for letting his pride cloud his judgement when he foolishly accepted the bet. Because of that, he's facing two scenarios: If he goes through with this he would ruin whatever chance he has at entering a relationship with Applejack, not to mention ruining their friendship in the process,

The second was Pinkie Pie, he was about to lead her to believe that there could be something between them. He wouldn't have been against it if not for his strong feelings for Applejack, but if he were to back out he'd break her heart . If he went through with it...it would change everything between them. No matter what he could think of, somepony would get hurt.

He trotted onwards to Sweet Apple Acres to reach his room and sort out his thoughts. Maybe he could ask Big Mac that question that's been plaguing his mind...can he have his blessing to date his sister. It was a big risk, but he was confident that if it got physical, he could take him on thanks to his martial arts training. One thing was certain, he didn't want to beat around the bush anymore and he wanted, no, needed to know what her answer would be. If she accepted, then the bet would be off, and he would gladly admit defeat to Flower. During his walk only one question came to his mind:

"What in Tartarus did I get myself into?"

Author's Note

We want to thank Pinkamena and Pals for her great help in editing the story. Thanks a lot