The air was warm, the sun was shining, and everypony in Ponyville was having a glorious day. The town square was bustling and crowded and busy ponies filled the streets. All the pony folk seemed to have somewhere specific to be. At the edge of the town and the dark, dark green foliage of the Everfree Forest, there was an absolutely adorable little cottage on the edge of a stream with grass growing over the roof, nestled among carefully maintained shrubs, birdhouses, and little dens and burrows that all manner of cute woodland creatures called home. The owner and caretaker, a buttercup-yellow pegasus was just finishing her rounds, feeding and watering the animals who were too old, sick, or injured to take care of themselves. Her name was Fluttershy, and in this moment, caring for those who needed her, she felt alive.
Suddenly, a white rabit came bounding up waving a pocket watch frantically. Sudden realization hit Fluttershy: she was supposed to meet with Pinkie Pie in five minutes! She had gotten so caught up in her work that she’d nearly forgotten that Pinkie had asked to meet her at Sugercube Corner at three. Pinkie hadn’t said why or what they’d be doing, but Fluttershy knew that with Pinkie, it could be anything. Fluttershy wasn’t sure if she really wanted to go, though. Pinkie Pie could be so high-strung and loud sometimes that Fluttershy felt like she needed to find a place to hide. But, her conscience got the better of her. She knew that it would hurt Pinkie’s feelings; after all, Pinkie had said it was going to be something special just for the two of them. Fluttershy considered it and remembered that she could always trust Pinkie Pie to want the best for her friends. Besides, she hated to make anypony feel bad, especially a friend. And, oh no, Pinkie Pie might need her for her special skills, what if she had a problem with some kind of creature? Her mind set, Fluttershy spread her wings and set off towards the center of Ponyville.
When Fluttershy walked into the store, she was immediately greeted by her host, who was bouncing in excitement. “Yay, you’re here! I’ve been waiting aaall day,” said the jumping pony.
“I'm so sorry I'm little late, Pinkie. I was finishing up feeding the animals and I lost track of time,” Fluttershy apologized.
Pinkie giggled and responded in a gleefully reassuring tone, “Oh that’s ok, you’re here now. What‘s a few more minutes? I’ve been sooo excited thinking about all the fun stuff we’re gonna do, I haven’t stopped bouncing since I woke up. I mean, I almost forgot to breathe I’ve been so happy.”
Fluttershy gave a slightly uncomfortable laugh. She had always appreciated Pinkie Pie’s boundless energy, from a safe distance, but she was even more excited than usual today. Fluttershy maintained a polite expression, however. If Pinkie was this worked up, whatever she had planned must be good.
“So, you ready to get started, Fluttershy? I’ve got everything all ready,” the pink pony said.
Fluttershy took a deep breath. “So what did you need to see me about, Pinkie Pie? Is Gummy alright? Are you throwing a surprise party for somepony? Is some little creature making itself a pest? Or may--”
“MAKING CUPCAKES!” Pinkie happily announced.
“Um, baking?” Fluttershy was confused. “You're so much better, I don't see how I could be any help.”
“Oh that’s not a problem at all. I only need your help making them. I’ll be doing most of the work,” Pinkie explained.
Fluttershy thought for about it for a second. “Well, I'll try to help where I can. What exactly do you need me to do?”
“That’s the spirit. Here you go.” Pinkie handed her a cupcake.
Fluttershy was puzzled “I thought I was helping you bake.”
“You will be. I made this one just for you before you got here.
“Do you want me to taste-test it?”
“Sorta,” Pinkie said.
Fluttershy took a big bite out of the cupcake. She chewed a bit and swallowed. It tasted so wonderful, sweet, spicy, and a slight bitter note that balanced the sugar.
“It's delicious, Pinkie Pie.”
“Now,” Pinkie informed her, “You take a nap.”
When Fluttershy regained consciousness, she found herself in a dark room. She tried to shake her head but found that a taut leather strap held it firmly in place. She struggled to move, but braces around her chest and limbs glued her to a rack formed from a series of sturdy planks. Fluttershy’s wings were the only part of her not tied down, and they fluttered frantically while she struggled to escape. As she writhed, Pinkie jumped suddenly into her line of sight.
“Ooh, goodie, you’re awake. Now we can get started,” Pinkie stated gleefully. She bounded into the darkness, and quickly reappeared pushing a small cart covered with a cloth.
“Um, Pinkie Pie what’s going on?” Fluttershy asked urgently. "I can't move."
“Well duh, that’s because you’re tied down,” chided Pinkie. “That’s why you can’t move. I didn’t think you’d need to be told that.”
“But why? What’s happening? I thought you said I was going to help make cupcakes.”
“Well, the thing is,” said Pinkie Pie, "we're both going to make cupcakes, but I just had to tie you down first. That's the rules!"
“Tie me down?” Fluttershy felt her pulse and breathing quicken. “But you didn't even ask first.”
Pinkie giggled and responded “You silly little filly! You're so shy there's no way that woud work. And you see,” Pinkie said, as the light cheerfulness suddenly faded from her. "I have this aaawful fear of rejection."
"But, that's not," Fluttershy begain, her voice trailing off to a squeak.
"You're right," Pinkie Pie said. "I'll tell you what. You're free to go whenever you want. All you have to do is say 'I hear you like bananas.' That'll be like our secret code word."
A huge grin spread over Pinkie Pie's face, and a feral gleam lit in her eyes. "So, let's get bakin'!"
Then Pinkie Pie turned to the camera. "Oops, sorry guys, this isn't /co/, so we're gonna have to cut things off here, something about 'no clop.' Haha, 'clop' that's such a silly word, it's really more of a '****'! So, I guess that means you're just gonna have to use your imaginations!"
Pinkie Pie reached up a hoof and turned off the camera.