Pigpen's Big Date

Pigpen hadn't had his coat brushed in so long a time that he didn't remember how nice it felt. He'd once tried to brush his own coat a few months back, but the brush had gotten stuck and he'd been forced to cut the bristles off to free the handle, leaving the little spines sticking out of his coat like a hedgehog had decided to hitch a ride on his back. A couple of the little needles had fallen out over time, but most had stayed.

After a day at the spa, however, his coat was absolutely sparkling. His mane no longer hung heavy and crusty in front of his green eyes, but was parted elegantly atop his head. His tail was a sticky and frizzy mess no longer. Even his hooves had been tripped, filed, and even waxed, for some reason. The issue of his trash can cutie mark had been brought up, but nopony had any good ideas about improving that.

Aloe Blossom, the pony in charge of his transformation from funky to hunky, pushed him in front of a mirror. Her sister had been present at first, but she'd suffered a concussion and had to spend a little time at the local hospital. Aloe looked tired, but she was still smiling as she trotted away. "Hold on, I'll go get Mac."

Pigpen looked himself over in the mirror, running a hoof through his mane and practicing his smile. After a few moments, Aloe returned with Big Macintosh in tow.

Big Mac whistled a little. "Well butter me up and call me 'toast,' you really pulled it off. And with only one pony to do it with, too."

"Well," Aloe said, "I did have some help from Roxie."

Mac circled Pigpen, inspecting him from every angle. "I almost can't even recognize you. Say, how'd you ever get so dirty, anyhow?"

Pigpen waved a hoof dismissively. "It's a long story. Right now, I've got to-"

"Get to your date, I know," Big Mac interrupted. "You're already late, seeing as how it took so long to get you fixed up. Go on out, Pen, I'll be right there."

Pigpen made his way down the hall and out the spa's front door. He didn't have to wait long before Big Mac joined him and both headed off down the road.

"Now, do you remember what I told you?" Mac asked as they rounded a corner.

Pigpen nodded. "Don't do anything stupid."