Friends in Pairsby Tennis Match FanChaptersBerry Punch and Golden HarvestLyra Heartstrings and Bon BonSassaflash and Sea SwirlShoeshine and Cherry BerryTwinkleshine and MinuetteAmethyst Star and Cloud KickerBerry Punch and Golden Harvest"Thanks a lot for helping me with my farmwork," Golden Harvest told Berry Punch as the two friends showed seeds into the dark brown soil. "It goes by much quicker with two pairs of hooves. "No problem!" Berry replied cheerfully. "You've never told me much about it, Golden. What's it like?" Golden Harvest sighed. "It's hard work," she admitted. "But it really pays off, and I love being close to the soil." Berry Punch nodded. "You know about that feeling, right, Berry?" Golden Harvest continued. "You work in a vineyard." Berry didn't say anything as she patted dirt over a seed. "Berry?" Golden Harvest pressed. "You know that feeling, right?" "Actually, there's something I haven't told you," Berry said. "About my vineyard." "What is it, Berry?" Golden Harvest asked, a knot of worry settling in her stomach. "Piña Colada needed a vaccination shot," Berry explained, "and Ruby does that magic class, y'know, because I'm not a unicorn?" "And what happened to your vineyard?" Golden Harvest asked, dropping her bag of seeds. Berry's expression turned sad. "I... well, I needed the money, so I sold it to Filthy Rich," she admitted. "Two weeks ago." Immediately, Golden Harvest was shaking Berry's shoulders in exasperation. "I'm your best friend, Berry Punch! How could you not tell me this?" She exclaimed. Berry pulled Golden Harvest's hooves off her shoulders. "I just didn't want anypony to know, I guess. I haven't even mentioned it to Piña." "Oh, Berry. You know you'd make more money by selling your punch, not by selling your vineyard, right?" "But I needed the money now," Berry countered. "The grapes are ready for harvest in late summer, and it's only spring! Noi's told you about the sickness spreading around school, right? Spring Fever?" Golden Harvest frowned. "No, she hasn't. But that's not the point. The point is, I'm your best friend, and I'm going to help you get that vineyard back!" "But a deal's a deal!" Berry protested as Golden Harvest dragged her away. "No, it's not! You can easily by it back!" Golden Harvest exclaimed confidently. Berry Punch smiled. "Alright, Goldie. We can try." ~ "Excuse me!" Golden Harvest burst through the doors of Barnyard Bargains's headquarters. "Where is Filthy Rich? I need to speak to him!" "Mr. Rich isn't here right now," a pale pink mare told them. "Can I help you?" "Yes, please. Could I buy my vineyard back?" Berry asked. The mare looked shocked. "Why, dear, you do know that a deal with Filthy Rich is always closed, right?" She asked. "No take backs?" "Berry made a mistake!" Golden Harvest exclaimed. "She didn't realize she had other choices than to sell! Please give the land back to her!" The mare looked at them pitifully. "No can do. I'm sorry. You'll just have to find some other way to conduct your work," she said. "Now, if you don't have some rational requests, can you please leave?" Berry put a hoof on Golden Harvest's shoulder. "You're a great friend for trying to help me, and thanks." Then she added, "But there isn't anything we can do now." As they left Barnyard Bargains, Golden Harvest squealed. "Berry! I have a solution!" She exclaimed. ~ "Piña Colada! Come on!" Berry Punch called to her sister. "Noi and Golden Harvest are waiting!" "Coming!" Piña Colada dashed down the stairs. The two ponies walked down towards Golden Harvest's farm. "I can't believe it's been two weeks!" Piña Colada marvled. "And the crops are already growing?" "Yeah!" Berry Punch agreed. "It's so exciting!" When they got to the farm, Golden Harvest was waiting, watering cans in hoof. Piña Colada dashed off to find Noi. "Thanks again for letting me set up a new vineyard here!" Berry exclaimed as she took a watering can. Golden Harvest rolled her eyes. "It's been two weeks already, Berry! "But you're welcome. That's what friends are for, after all," she added with a smile. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon"Hi, Lyra!" Lyra looked up from her paddle ball to see her BFF and roommate, Bon Bon, standing on the front porch. "Playing with that paddle ball again?" "Yeah!" Lyra replied. "You really should try these things more often, Bon Bon!" Bon Bon rolled her eyes and smiled. "Maybe," she answered. "Anyway, I'm off to my shop. See you later." "Wait! Can I come along?" Lyra asked. Bon Bon looked surprised. "I didn't think you were one for working in a shop," she commented. "Hey, I like your chocolate!" Lyra defended herself. "It's good! I'm not going just to watch you work in a shop all day!" "Alright." Bon Bon waved her hoof. "Sure, you can come along." "Yay!" Lyra followed Bon Bon out of the yard. "So, you just sit at the bit register all day?" Bon Bon rolled her eyes. "No, Lyra. Do you understand work at all?" Lyra shook her head. "Well," Bon Bon continued, "I clean the stood, restock shelves, help customers when they need it, actually make the chocolate, and yes, I sit at the bit register." "What can I do to help?" Lyra asked. "Make a sign? Put on a chocolate themed puppet show?" Bon Bon shot her an Are you joking look. "You can organize shelves," Bon Bon decided. "But I don't want to organize shelves!" Lyra pouted. "I want to do something fun!" "Are you saying running a store isn't fun?" Bon Bon asked, stopping in her tracks. "At least it earns bits, unlike your useless paddle ball! And every other toy you play with!" Lyra's ears flattened. "Is that what you think?" She asked. "You know what I think of your store? It's boring! You're stuck inside all day, even when there's hours without customers!" "That's what you think?" Bon Bon snapped. "Yeah!" Lyra retorted. The two friends glared at each other. Finally, Bon Bon sighed. "You know what, Lyra? This is all highly irrational. We shouldn't be fighting like this." "I guess you're right," Lyra admitted. "I'm sorry, Bon Bon. I know you like working in your store. It's fun for you." "I'm sorry, too," Bon Bon replied. "You're not a pony that likes to stay put." "From now on, we'll respect each other's likes and dislikes," Lyra declared. Bon Bon nodded. "Exactly!" The two of them hugged. "Excuse me? Is your store open, Bon Bon?" The two looked up to see Time Turner standing there. "I need to get some caramels, please." "Oh, right," Bon Bon ran to unlock the door. "Come in." ~ "This is really challenging, Lyra," Bon Bon commented that afternoon as she jerked her hoof and the wooden toy in it. "Why didn't you show me this earlier?" "You didn't want to, earlier," Lyra replied, tossing her own nameless toy, and expertly landing the ball in the cup. "Isn't it fun?" "Yeah," Bon Bon agreed. "Do you have any other games like this?" Lyra rolled her eyes. "Duh, Bon Bon!" "Hey, after you show me them, I want to show you my latest voice! I was practicing it last night!" "For somepony who used to not like playing, you sure enjoy playing around with your voice," Lyra commented. Bon Bon giggled. "Oh, Lyra! I didn't hate playing!" "Sure you didn't," Lyra responded. "Show me the voice right now!" "Alright! So, I modeled it after Pinkie Pie." Bon Bon began to talk in a girly, high pitched voice. When she was finished, Lyra clapped. "You use that more often, Bon Bon!" "Thanks, Lyra!" Bon Bon replied in the voice. "Now, can you get me another game? How about paddle ball?" Sassaflash and Sea SwirlSassaflash lounged on a cloud one warm spring day, basking in the sun's warm ways. "Sassaflash!" Sassaflash jumped as Sea Swirl's voice reached her ears. "Creep up on a pony, why don't you?" Sassaflash remarked, flying down to meet her. "Sorry, Sea Swirl!" Amethyst Star replied cheerfully. "I didn't mean to scare you!" "It's alright," Sassaflash told her. "So, what are you doing?" "I came by to ask if you wanted to go bowling!" Sea Swirl answered. "So, do you want to?" "Sure! That sounds great!" Sassaflash did a small flip. "Are we going now?" Sea Swirl answered with a nod and a grin. The pair began to make their way to the Bowling Alley. "By the way, Sea Swirl, the Ponyville Weather Team is planning a surprise storm right down near your house," Sassaflash mentioned. "In half an hour." Sea Swirl looked up. "Are you supposed to tell me that?" She asked with a suspicious expression. "Hey, I had to tell me best friend!" Sassaflash exclaimed. Sea Swirl smiled. "If that's the case, I suppose I should tell you that the Bowling Alley is giving out coupons for ice cream today, if you know the code from the Ponyville Gazette. It's 'Feather', by the way." "Is that the only reason you wanted me to come along? To get ice cream coupons?" Sassaflash asked. Sea Swirl giggled. "No, Sassy. It's part of the reason, though," she admitted. "Plus, I know you don't read the Gazette." Sassaflash giggled too. "Alright, I would've done the same thing!" ~ After Sassaflash and Sea Swirl arrived, they immediately found their favorite pairs of shoes. "I don't know how many times I have to say I love these blue shoes!" Sea Swirl exclaimed, holding up the shoes and cuddling them affectionately. "I love my orange shoes!" Sassaflash agreed, slipping them on her back hooves. "Ready?" Sea Swirl asked, picking up a bowling ball. "Ready!" Sassaflash confirmed, copying Sea Swirl in picking up a ball. The game began as an even match. Sassaflash and Sea Swirl had been playing since they were foals, and it was a normal game for them. Usually, though, one of them would pull ahead right at the end. "Yes!" Sea Swirl pumped a hoof in the air after her bowling ball knocked over all ten pins. "Strike for Sea Swirl!" "Three strikes and you're out," Sassaflash teased in good nature as she prepared to throw her ball. "Wrong sport, Sassy!" Sea Swirl commented as Sassaflash let the ball roll. Right before the ball reached the pins, there was a clap of thunder. "I guess that's the storm you told me about?" Sea Swirl asked. "Yup," Sassaflash responded. She watched her ball knock over several pins. The lights suddenly flickered. Then they went out. "The storm wasn't supposed to be this powerful!" Sassaflash exclaimed. "I can barely see anything!" The Bowling Alley was filled with murmers from most ponies, but Pegasi on the Weather Team spoke in more concerned tones. "Sassaflash, should we go?" Sea Swirl asked. "I'm not sure," Sassaflash responded, trying to locate her friend. "Sea Swirl, where are you?" "I'm over here!" Sea Swirl lit her horn up. She was farther away than Sassaflash had realized. "Well, I'm not sure how long the storm is supposed to last," Sassaflash explained once she had flown over. Thunder rumbled again. "Maybe we can go to my house and have a slumber party in the basement," Sea Swirl suggested. "But what about your coupons?" Sassaflash asked as rain started pouring down. "Attention ponies!" Sassaflash and Sea Swirl heard Allie Way's voice. Everypony quieted down. "If your house is nearby, could you please leave the Bowling Alley? It's safer for you to be in your house than in here." "Alright," Sea Swirl and a few other ponies responded. "So what about your coupons?" Sassaflash asked as the two ran through the ran. "It's alright, I guess," Sea Swirl told her. "It would have been awesome if we had gotten them, but I can't wait for this sleepover!" ~ Two days later, Sassaflash opened up Sea Swirl's door. "Sea Swirl!" She sign-songed. "I have a surprise for you!" Sea Swirl poked her head out from another room. "Hi, Sassaflash! What is it?" She asked. Sassaflash pulled one of her hooves out from behind her back. "Ta da!" Sea Swirl squealed as Sassaflash held upon an ice cream coupon.. "Oh thank you, Sassaflash!" She tackled Sassaflash in a big hug. "You're the best friend ever!" Sassaflash smiled. "You're welcome, Sea Swirl," she replied. Shoeshine and Cherry BerryWhen Shoeshine woke up on her birthday morning, she was surprised to find a note on her doorstep. "'Have a fun birthday, Shoeshine,'" she read, "'I'll see you later! From, your BFF CB.'" Shoeshine frowned. "Where the hay is Cherry Berry?" She asked herself. "Especially on my birthday!" She and Cherry Berry always spent the entire day together on their birthdays! Confused, Shoeshine headed out into town. "Happy Birthday, Shoeshine!" A pale yellow mare named Tennis Match called. "Thanks!" Shoeshine replied. "Hey, by any chance have you seen Cherry Berry around?" "No," Tennis Match told her, "but I promise I'll tell you if I do see you." "Thanks!" Shoeshine beamed and continued on her way. "Hello, Shoeshine!" Berry Punch exclaimed as Shoeshine passed her punch stand. "It's your birthday today, isn't it?" Shoeshine nodded and added, "I can't find Cherry Berry, though." "Well, it's only eight in the morning," Berry Punch pointed out. "You'll find her." Shoeshine smiled. "You're right, Berry," she responded. "Say, can I have a cup of grape juice, please?" "Of course!" Berry poured a cup and hoofed it to Shoeshine. "That will be only one bit; it's your birthday, after all!" "You're the greatest, Berry," Shoeshine said as she pulled a bit out and gave it to Berry. "See you later!" "Bye, Shoeshine!" Berry waved as Shoeshine trotted away. What do I do now? Shoeshine asked as she walked. I haven't planned to do anything without Cherry Berry. "I guess I'll just go home and bake myself a cake," she decided. When Shoeshine got home, she got out the ingredients for a cake and began to mix them together. I am going to yell at Cherry Berry as soon as I see her, Shoeshine thought as she worked. Well, baking a cake by yourself isn't all that bad, she thought, scooping out some batter and licking it off her hoof. "Yum!" She declared. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "Please let that be Cherry Berry," Shoeshine muttered to herself as she went to open the door. To her delight, Cherry Berry stood in the doorway, along with Bon Bon, Lyra, Minuette, and Twinkleshine. "Happy Birthday, Shoeshine!" Cherry Berry exclaimed, throwing her hooves around Shoeshine in a big hug. "I have such an exciting afternoon planned for you!" "Thanks so much, Cherry!" Shoeshine replied happily. "I was wondering where you were!" "Wonder no more, my friend! Now, let's go inside and have ourselves a party! Starting with the amazing singing talents of Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon Drops!" "It's just Bon Bon," Bon Bon muttered as the ponies moved into Shoeshine's living room. Shoeshine watched as Bon Bon and Lyra began to sing Shoeshine's favorite song, Fly Young. "Let's make the most of the day like we're gonna fly young!" They finished. Shoeshine clapped, appreciative of the song. "Thanks so much, guys!" She exclaimed. Cherry Berry cleared her throat. "Minuette and Twinkleshine will now perform a short play," she announced. Minuette and Twinkleshine stood up. "Minuette? Where is my saddle?" Twinkleshine asked, drawing out the word "saddle". Shoeshine laughed. "Twinkleshine? Where is my saddle?" Minuette asked. The two mares scratched their heads in mock confusion. "Minuette, you don't own a saddle!" Twinkleshine exclaimed. "Well, you don't own a saddle!" Minuette replied. Shoeshine and the rest of the audience laughed. "Thank you, thank you." Minuette and Twinkleshine bowed, then sat down. Cherry Berry stood up. "And now for my act," she said, standing up and bringing with her a microphone. "Hello there!" Cherry Berry began. "I was recently at the movie theater when I saw Sweetie Belle crying. Rarity wouldn't let her go to the pirate movie because it was rated Rrrrrr!" Shoeshine giggled at the pun. "Walking home from the movies," Cherry Berry continued, "I happened to see a vampire fruit bat covered in bruises. I asked him where he got them, and he took me to a river. "'Do you see that tree over there?' He asked me, pointing across the river. "'Yes,' I replied. "'Good!' He said. 'Because I sure as hay didn't!'" Shoeshine giggled again. Lyra and Minuette snorted. Cherry Berry told a few more jokes until her act was over. "That was really funny," Shoeshine told her when she was finished. "Thanks so much for the fun party!" "Oh, isn't that what friends are for?" Cherry Berry replied. Shoeshine nodded. Twinkleshine and Minuette"Hey, Minuette, wanna go to a movie?" "Nah." "What? Why not?" Twinkleshine rolled over. She and Minuette were sitting on Minuette's couch one Saturday afternoon. "You know what I'd like?" Minuette paused. "I'd like to join the choir." "Really?" Twinkleshine squealed. "We're always looking for new members! Let's go! It'll be so exciting!" In the next second, she was dragging Minuette out the door. "Twinkleshine, I think you're overreacting," Minuette gasped as Twinkleshine towed her through Ponyville. "This is all so sudden, Minuette!" Twinkleshine responded happily. "Remember when we sang that duet for Piña Colada's birthday? You have a beautiful voice! I'm sure they'll let you in!" Minuette didn't smile so she wouldn't get dust in her mouth. "I hope so," she said through gritted teeth. ~ "I'm sorry, Minuette, but we don't need anymore members," Cheerilee said apologetically. "But there's got to be something I can do!" Minuette exclaimed. Cheerilee shook her head. "Why can't she sing?" Twinkleshine asked, ears flattened. "We simply don't have enough space," Cheerilee deadpanned. "What if we got the space?" Minuette asked hopefully.Cheerilee cocked her head to the side. "You'd need to get some new choir chairs, but they're specifically made and costly," Cheerilee warned. "It wouldn't be worth it, Minuette." Twinkleshine grabbed Minuette's hoof. "My friend wants to sing in the choir, and I'm going to help her!" Twinkleshine exclaimed. "Come on, Minuette!" She led Minuette away. "Alright, so what are we gonna do?" Minuette asked. "We're going to raise money!" Twinkleshine exclaimed in determination. "Come on, Minuette, how can we earn it?" "We could sell our houses?" Minuette suggested jokingly. Twinkleshine smile was accompanied with an eye roll. "Very funny, Minuette." "Alright, I think first we need to know how much the chair costs. So," Minuette explained, "we should talk to the carpenter pony." "Great idea!" Twinkleshine exclaimed. "Let's go!" Minuette sighed as Twinkleshine dragged her away. When they got to the carpenter store, Twinkleshine was the one who asked the questions. Minuette's head was still spinning from being dragged all around. "14,000 bits?" Twinkleshine repeated incredulously. "For a chair?" "Cheerilee said it was pricey," Minuette reminded her. The carpenter shook her head. "It's made from wood located deep in the Everfree Forest, even farther than that castle those mares found. "Somepony needs to go get it. Then the etchings need to be carved. They're very detailed. The chair needs too be polished and moved to the other chairs. Nopony's going to volunteer for any of that, right? Especially getting the wood." Twinkleshine and Minuette nodded. "How about we get the wood?" Minuette suggested. Both ponies stared at her in shock. "Minuette! We've not professionals!" Twinkleshine cried. "We can't do that!" "Well, we can't earn extra bits of that amount either!" Minuette responded. "I'm not even sure choir is worth it!" "Of course it is!" Twinkleshine sounded shocked. "You like to sing, right? You just have to try and get in!" Minuette walked out the carpenter shop, Twinkleshine at her tail. "There's just a chair in my way. Cheerilee says I have to have a chair. Why can't I just stand?" Minuette asked. Twinkleshine shook her head. "Minuette, you're a really good singer. If you really want this-" "Let's just catch a movie, alright?" Minuette interrupted. "I'm sorry I ever mentioned wanting to join your choir." Twinkleshine opened her mouth, then closed it again. "Are you sure you don't want to join choir?" She asked one last time. "Not if it means going through this hassle," Minuette replied. Twinkleshine sighed. "Alright. Let's go catch a movie," she agreed. ~ The next day, Minuette sat in the kitchen drinking chocolate milk. "Minuette?" Twinkleshine called from outside, not bothering to knock on the door. "I have a surprise!" Minuette set her cup down and opened up the door. "What is it?" She asked. Twinkleshine looked really excited. "I got Twilight Sparkle to duplicate one of the chairs! Now you can join the choir!" She exclaimed, hugging Minuette. "Really?" Minuette asked hopefully. "That's great! Thanks, Twinkleshine. That was a great solution!" "You're welcome," Twinkleshine responded happily. "Now we can sing together!" "YAY!" They shouted in unison. Amethyst Star and Cloud KickerAmethyst Star was bored. She had been walking around Ponyville all day, milling around and talking to ponies. It wasn't that fun, but she had nothing else to do. "Amethyst!" Amethyst looked up and saw Cloud Kicker flying over to her. "Amethyst! Where have you been all day?" "Just about everywhere," Amethyst told her. "What's up?" "I dunno," Cloud Kicker answered. "It's so boring today!" Amethyst rolled her eyes and used her telekinesis to pick up a flower. She twirled it around in the air. Cloud Kicker's eyes followed the flower. "You could show me some magic tricks," she suggested. Amethyst rolled her eyes again. "Wonderful idea, Cloud Kicker." "I guess you have a better idea, then?" Cloud Kicker asked, slightly. Amethyst sighed. "How about... we get a job?" She suggested. Cloud Kicker's eyes lit up. "Yeah, let's do that!" She exclaimed. Amethyst smiled. "Alright, where should we go?" "I've always wanted to be the spokespony for the Cloudsdale Weather Factory!" Cloud Kicker continued. "There's one thing wrong with that." "What?" Cloud Kicker asked. "I don't have wings," Amethyst deadpanned. "Oh yeah," Cloud Kicker remembered, scratching her neck sheepishly. "How about we work in chicken suits?" "Chicken suits?" Amethyst repeated. To be honest, she wasn't really impressed. "Yeah!" Cloud Kicker confirmed. Seeing the look on Amethyst's face, she added, "Or we could just go into town square and see what we can help with." Amethyst shrugged. "Sounds good," she replied. Cloud Kicker nudged her. "Hey, lighten up! Put a smile on your face!" She exclaimed. Amethyst smiled. "Bigger!" Cloud Kicker demanded. Amethyst broadened her smile. Cloud Kicker nodded. "Good! Everypony will love how cheery we look!" Cloud Kicker flapped her wings confidently. "Come on, Amy!" "Amethyst," Amethyst corrected, trying not to break her smile. Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes in good nature. Suddenly, she gasped and shot straight up in the air. "Amethyst!" She cried excitedly. "Let's write a story!" "I'm in," Amethyst agreed. Writing a story was sure to be an interesting way to pass the time! She offered, "We can go to my house." Cloud Kicker beamed. ~ "'Cloud Star was happy. She was happy because she had defeated the Mare of Shadows. Since the Mare of Shadows was evil, defeating her was a good thing. "'Because she had defeated the Mare of Shadows, Cloud Star was a hero to the townsponies. The townsponies were safe now that Cloud Star had defeated the Mare of Shadows-'" "STOP!" Amethyst yelled, interrupting Cloud Kicker's narrative. Cloud Kicker looked up. "What's wrong?" She asked. "No offense, Cloud, but you write like a Kindergartner in class. Let me try, okay?" Cloud Kicker nodded and passed the paper to Amethyst. After making a few quick changes, Amethyst read it aloud. "'Cloud Star was proud that she had finally defeated the evil Mare of Shadows. Her friends and family were now safe. "Back in the village, the townsponies were exhilarated. No longer would they be terrorised by the Mare of Shadows. Cloud Star had saved them! She was treated like a true hero, and a feast was held in her honor. The end.'" Amethyst looked at Cloud Kicker. "You see what I mean?" Cloud Kicker nodded. "I can come up with story ideas, and you can write them," she suggested. Amethyst pondered this. "Cloud Kicker, I'm going to teach you how to write like a pro!" She exclaimed. Cloud Kicker beamed. "Really? Thanks!" She exclaimed. Amethyst hugged her best friend. "What are friends for?"
Berry Punch and Golden Harvest"Thanks a lot for helping me with my farmwork," Golden Harvest told Berry Punch as the two friends showed seeds into the dark brown soil. "It goes by much quicker with two pairs of hooves. "No problem!" Berry replied cheerfully. "You've never told me much about it, Golden. What's it like?" Golden Harvest sighed. "It's hard work," she admitted. "But it really pays off, and I love being close to the soil." Berry Punch nodded. "You know about that feeling, right, Berry?" Golden Harvest continued. "You work in a vineyard." Berry didn't say anything as she patted dirt over a seed. "Berry?" Golden Harvest pressed. "You know that feeling, right?" "Actually, there's something I haven't told you," Berry said. "About my vineyard." "What is it, Berry?" Golden Harvest asked, a knot of worry settling in her stomach. "Piña Colada needed a vaccination shot," Berry explained, "and Ruby does that magic class, y'know, because I'm not a unicorn?" "And what happened to your vineyard?" Golden Harvest asked, dropping her bag of seeds. Berry's expression turned sad. "I... well, I needed the money, so I sold it to Filthy Rich," she admitted. "Two weeks ago." Immediately, Golden Harvest was shaking Berry's shoulders in exasperation. "I'm your best friend, Berry Punch! How could you not tell me this?" She exclaimed. Berry pulled Golden Harvest's hooves off her shoulders. "I just didn't want anypony to know, I guess. I haven't even mentioned it to Piña." "Oh, Berry. You know you'd make more money by selling your punch, not by selling your vineyard, right?" "But I needed the money now," Berry countered. "The grapes are ready for harvest in late summer, and it's only spring! Noi's told you about the sickness spreading around school, right? Spring Fever?" Golden Harvest frowned. "No, she hasn't. But that's not the point. The point is, I'm your best friend, and I'm going to help you get that vineyard back!" "But a deal's a deal!" Berry protested as Golden Harvest dragged her away. "No, it's not! You can easily by it back!" Golden Harvest exclaimed confidently. Berry Punch smiled. "Alright, Goldie. We can try." ~ "Excuse me!" Golden Harvest burst through the doors of Barnyard Bargains's headquarters. "Where is Filthy Rich? I need to speak to him!" "Mr. Rich isn't here right now," a pale pink mare told them. "Can I help you?" "Yes, please. Could I buy my vineyard back?" Berry asked. The mare looked shocked. "Why, dear, you do know that a deal with Filthy Rich is always closed, right?" She asked. "No take backs?" "Berry made a mistake!" Golden Harvest exclaimed. "She didn't realize she had other choices than to sell! Please give the land back to her!" The mare looked at them pitifully. "No can do. I'm sorry. You'll just have to find some other way to conduct your work," she said. "Now, if you don't have some rational requests, can you please leave?" Berry put a hoof on Golden Harvest's shoulder. "You're a great friend for trying to help me, and thanks." Then she added, "But there isn't anything we can do now." As they left Barnyard Bargains, Golden Harvest squealed. "Berry! I have a solution!" She exclaimed. ~ "Piña Colada! Come on!" Berry Punch called to her sister. "Noi and Golden Harvest are waiting!" "Coming!" Piña Colada dashed down the stairs. The two ponies walked down towards Golden Harvest's farm. "I can't believe it's been two weeks!" Piña Colada marvled. "And the crops are already growing?" "Yeah!" Berry Punch agreed. "It's so exciting!" When they got to the farm, Golden Harvest was waiting, watering cans in hoof. Piña Colada dashed off to find Noi. "Thanks again for letting me set up a new vineyard here!" Berry exclaimed as she took a watering can. Golden Harvest rolled her eyes. "It's been two weeks already, Berry! "But you're welcome. That's what friends are for, after all," she added with a smile.
Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon"Hi, Lyra!" Lyra looked up from her paddle ball to see her BFF and roommate, Bon Bon, standing on the front porch. "Playing with that paddle ball again?" "Yeah!" Lyra replied. "You really should try these things more often, Bon Bon!" Bon Bon rolled her eyes and smiled. "Maybe," she answered. "Anyway, I'm off to my shop. See you later." "Wait! Can I come along?" Lyra asked. Bon Bon looked surprised. "I didn't think you were one for working in a shop," she commented. "Hey, I like your chocolate!" Lyra defended herself. "It's good! I'm not going just to watch you work in a shop all day!" "Alright." Bon Bon waved her hoof. "Sure, you can come along." "Yay!" Lyra followed Bon Bon out of the yard. "So, you just sit at the bit register all day?" Bon Bon rolled her eyes. "No, Lyra. Do you understand work at all?" Lyra shook her head. "Well," Bon Bon continued, "I clean the stood, restock shelves, help customers when they need it, actually make the chocolate, and yes, I sit at the bit register." "What can I do to help?" Lyra asked. "Make a sign? Put on a chocolate themed puppet show?" Bon Bon shot her an Are you joking look. "You can organize shelves," Bon Bon decided. "But I don't want to organize shelves!" Lyra pouted. "I want to do something fun!" "Are you saying running a store isn't fun?" Bon Bon asked, stopping in her tracks. "At least it earns bits, unlike your useless paddle ball! And every other toy you play with!" Lyra's ears flattened. "Is that what you think?" She asked. "You know what I think of your store? It's boring! You're stuck inside all day, even when there's hours without customers!" "That's what you think?" Bon Bon snapped. "Yeah!" Lyra retorted. The two friends glared at each other. Finally, Bon Bon sighed. "You know what, Lyra? This is all highly irrational. We shouldn't be fighting like this." "I guess you're right," Lyra admitted. "I'm sorry, Bon Bon. I know you like working in your store. It's fun for you." "I'm sorry, too," Bon Bon replied. "You're not a pony that likes to stay put." "From now on, we'll respect each other's likes and dislikes," Lyra declared. Bon Bon nodded. "Exactly!" The two of them hugged. "Excuse me? Is your store open, Bon Bon?" The two looked up to see Time Turner standing there. "I need to get some caramels, please." "Oh, right," Bon Bon ran to unlock the door. "Come in." ~ "This is really challenging, Lyra," Bon Bon commented that afternoon as she jerked her hoof and the wooden toy in it. "Why didn't you show me this earlier?" "You didn't want to, earlier," Lyra replied, tossing her own nameless toy, and expertly landing the ball in the cup. "Isn't it fun?" "Yeah," Bon Bon agreed. "Do you have any other games like this?" Lyra rolled her eyes. "Duh, Bon Bon!" "Hey, after you show me them, I want to show you my latest voice! I was practicing it last night!" "For somepony who used to not like playing, you sure enjoy playing around with your voice," Lyra commented. Bon Bon giggled. "Oh, Lyra! I didn't hate playing!" "Sure you didn't," Lyra responded. "Show me the voice right now!" "Alright! So, I modeled it after Pinkie Pie." Bon Bon began to talk in a girly, high pitched voice. When she was finished, Lyra clapped. "You use that more often, Bon Bon!" "Thanks, Lyra!" Bon Bon replied in the voice. "Now, can you get me another game? How about paddle ball?"
Sassaflash and Sea SwirlSassaflash lounged on a cloud one warm spring day, basking in the sun's warm ways. "Sassaflash!" Sassaflash jumped as Sea Swirl's voice reached her ears. "Creep up on a pony, why don't you?" Sassaflash remarked, flying down to meet her. "Sorry, Sea Swirl!" Amethyst Star replied cheerfully. "I didn't mean to scare you!" "It's alright," Sassaflash told her. "So, what are you doing?" "I came by to ask if you wanted to go bowling!" Sea Swirl answered. "So, do you want to?" "Sure! That sounds great!" Sassaflash did a small flip. "Are we going now?" Sea Swirl answered with a nod and a grin. The pair began to make their way to the Bowling Alley. "By the way, Sea Swirl, the Ponyville Weather Team is planning a surprise storm right down near your house," Sassaflash mentioned. "In half an hour." Sea Swirl looked up. "Are you supposed to tell me that?" She asked with a suspicious expression. "Hey, I had to tell me best friend!" Sassaflash exclaimed. Sea Swirl smiled. "If that's the case, I suppose I should tell you that the Bowling Alley is giving out coupons for ice cream today, if you know the code from the Ponyville Gazette. It's 'Feather', by the way." "Is that the only reason you wanted me to come along? To get ice cream coupons?" Sassaflash asked. Sea Swirl giggled. "No, Sassy. It's part of the reason, though," she admitted. "Plus, I know you don't read the Gazette." Sassaflash giggled too. "Alright, I would've done the same thing!" ~ After Sassaflash and Sea Swirl arrived, they immediately found their favorite pairs of shoes. "I don't know how many times I have to say I love these blue shoes!" Sea Swirl exclaimed, holding up the shoes and cuddling them affectionately. "I love my orange shoes!" Sassaflash agreed, slipping them on her back hooves. "Ready?" Sea Swirl asked, picking up a bowling ball. "Ready!" Sassaflash confirmed, copying Sea Swirl in picking up a ball. The game began as an even match. Sassaflash and Sea Swirl had been playing since they were foals, and it was a normal game for them. Usually, though, one of them would pull ahead right at the end. "Yes!" Sea Swirl pumped a hoof in the air after her bowling ball knocked over all ten pins. "Strike for Sea Swirl!" "Three strikes and you're out," Sassaflash teased in good nature as she prepared to throw her ball. "Wrong sport, Sassy!" Sea Swirl commented as Sassaflash let the ball roll. Right before the ball reached the pins, there was a clap of thunder. "I guess that's the storm you told me about?" Sea Swirl asked. "Yup," Sassaflash responded. She watched her ball knock over several pins. The lights suddenly flickered. Then they went out. "The storm wasn't supposed to be this powerful!" Sassaflash exclaimed. "I can barely see anything!" The Bowling Alley was filled with murmers from most ponies, but Pegasi on the Weather Team spoke in more concerned tones. "Sassaflash, should we go?" Sea Swirl asked. "I'm not sure," Sassaflash responded, trying to locate her friend. "Sea Swirl, where are you?" "I'm over here!" Sea Swirl lit her horn up. She was farther away than Sassaflash had realized. "Well, I'm not sure how long the storm is supposed to last," Sassaflash explained once she had flown over. Thunder rumbled again. "Maybe we can go to my house and have a slumber party in the basement," Sea Swirl suggested. "But what about your coupons?" Sassaflash asked as rain started pouring down. "Attention ponies!" Sassaflash and Sea Swirl heard Allie Way's voice. Everypony quieted down. "If your house is nearby, could you please leave the Bowling Alley? It's safer for you to be in your house than in here." "Alright," Sea Swirl and a few other ponies responded. "So what about your coupons?" Sassaflash asked as the two ran through the ran. "It's alright, I guess," Sea Swirl told her. "It would have been awesome if we had gotten them, but I can't wait for this sleepover!" ~ Two days later, Sassaflash opened up Sea Swirl's door. "Sea Swirl!" She sign-songed. "I have a surprise for you!" Sea Swirl poked her head out from another room. "Hi, Sassaflash! What is it?" She asked. Sassaflash pulled one of her hooves out from behind her back. "Ta da!" Sea Swirl squealed as Sassaflash held upon an ice cream coupon.. "Oh thank you, Sassaflash!" She tackled Sassaflash in a big hug. "You're the best friend ever!" Sassaflash smiled. "You're welcome, Sea Swirl," she replied.
Shoeshine and Cherry BerryWhen Shoeshine woke up on her birthday morning, she was surprised to find a note on her doorstep. "'Have a fun birthday, Shoeshine,'" she read, "'I'll see you later! From, your BFF CB.'" Shoeshine frowned. "Where the hay is Cherry Berry?" She asked herself. "Especially on my birthday!" She and Cherry Berry always spent the entire day together on their birthdays! Confused, Shoeshine headed out into town. "Happy Birthday, Shoeshine!" A pale yellow mare named Tennis Match called. "Thanks!" Shoeshine replied. "Hey, by any chance have you seen Cherry Berry around?" "No," Tennis Match told her, "but I promise I'll tell you if I do see you." "Thanks!" Shoeshine beamed and continued on her way. "Hello, Shoeshine!" Berry Punch exclaimed as Shoeshine passed her punch stand. "It's your birthday today, isn't it?" Shoeshine nodded and added, "I can't find Cherry Berry, though." "Well, it's only eight in the morning," Berry Punch pointed out. "You'll find her." Shoeshine smiled. "You're right, Berry," she responded. "Say, can I have a cup of grape juice, please?" "Of course!" Berry poured a cup and hoofed it to Shoeshine. "That will be only one bit; it's your birthday, after all!" "You're the greatest, Berry," Shoeshine said as she pulled a bit out and gave it to Berry. "See you later!" "Bye, Shoeshine!" Berry waved as Shoeshine trotted away. What do I do now? Shoeshine asked as she walked. I haven't planned to do anything without Cherry Berry. "I guess I'll just go home and bake myself a cake," she decided. When Shoeshine got home, she got out the ingredients for a cake and began to mix them together. I am going to yell at Cherry Berry as soon as I see her, Shoeshine thought as she worked. Well, baking a cake by yourself isn't all that bad, she thought, scooping out some batter and licking it off her hoof. "Yum!" She declared. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "Please let that be Cherry Berry," Shoeshine muttered to herself as she went to open the door. To her delight, Cherry Berry stood in the doorway, along with Bon Bon, Lyra, Minuette, and Twinkleshine. "Happy Birthday, Shoeshine!" Cherry Berry exclaimed, throwing her hooves around Shoeshine in a big hug. "I have such an exciting afternoon planned for you!" "Thanks so much, Cherry!" Shoeshine replied happily. "I was wondering where you were!" "Wonder no more, my friend! Now, let's go inside and have ourselves a party! Starting with the amazing singing talents of Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon Drops!" "It's just Bon Bon," Bon Bon muttered as the ponies moved into Shoeshine's living room. Shoeshine watched as Bon Bon and Lyra began to sing Shoeshine's favorite song, Fly Young. "Let's make the most of the day like we're gonna fly young!" They finished. Shoeshine clapped, appreciative of the song. "Thanks so much, guys!" She exclaimed. Cherry Berry cleared her throat. "Minuette and Twinkleshine will now perform a short play," she announced. Minuette and Twinkleshine stood up. "Minuette? Where is my saddle?" Twinkleshine asked, drawing out the word "saddle". Shoeshine laughed. "Twinkleshine? Where is my saddle?" Minuette asked. The two mares scratched their heads in mock confusion. "Minuette, you don't own a saddle!" Twinkleshine exclaimed. "Well, you don't own a saddle!" Minuette replied. Shoeshine and the rest of the audience laughed. "Thank you, thank you." Minuette and Twinkleshine bowed, then sat down. Cherry Berry stood up. "And now for my act," she said, standing up and bringing with her a microphone. "Hello there!" Cherry Berry began. "I was recently at the movie theater when I saw Sweetie Belle crying. Rarity wouldn't let her go to the pirate movie because it was rated Rrrrrr!" Shoeshine giggled at the pun. "Walking home from the movies," Cherry Berry continued, "I happened to see a vampire fruit bat covered in bruises. I asked him where he got them, and he took me to a river. "'Do you see that tree over there?' He asked me, pointing across the river. "'Yes,' I replied. "'Good!' He said. 'Because I sure as hay didn't!'" Shoeshine giggled again. Lyra and Minuette snorted. Cherry Berry told a few more jokes until her act was over. "That was really funny," Shoeshine told her when she was finished. "Thanks so much for the fun party!" "Oh, isn't that what friends are for?" Cherry Berry replied. Shoeshine nodded.
Twinkleshine and Minuette"Hey, Minuette, wanna go to a movie?" "Nah." "What? Why not?" Twinkleshine rolled over. She and Minuette were sitting on Minuette's couch one Saturday afternoon. "You know what I'd like?" Minuette paused. "I'd like to join the choir." "Really?" Twinkleshine squealed. "We're always looking for new members! Let's go! It'll be so exciting!" In the next second, she was dragging Minuette out the door. "Twinkleshine, I think you're overreacting," Minuette gasped as Twinkleshine towed her through Ponyville. "This is all so sudden, Minuette!" Twinkleshine responded happily. "Remember when we sang that duet for Piña Colada's birthday? You have a beautiful voice! I'm sure they'll let you in!" Minuette didn't smile so she wouldn't get dust in her mouth. "I hope so," she said through gritted teeth. ~ "I'm sorry, Minuette, but we don't need anymore members," Cheerilee said apologetically. "But there's got to be something I can do!" Minuette exclaimed. Cheerilee shook her head. "Why can't she sing?" Twinkleshine asked, ears flattened. "We simply don't have enough space," Cheerilee deadpanned. "What if we got the space?" Minuette asked hopefully.Cheerilee cocked her head to the side. "You'd need to get some new choir chairs, but they're specifically made and costly," Cheerilee warned. "It wouldn't be worth it, Minuette." Twinkleshine grabbed Minuette's hoof. "My friend wants to sing in the choir, and I'm going to help her!" Twinkleshine exclaimed. "Come on, Minuette!" She led Minuette away. "Alright, so what are we gonna do?" Minuette asked. "We're going to raise money!" Twinkleshine exclaimed in determination. "Come on, Minuette, how can we earn it?" "We could sell our houses?" Minuette suggested jokingly. Twinkleshine smile was accompanied with an eye roll. "Very funny, Minuette." "Alright, I think first we need to know how much the chair costs. So," Minuette explained, "we should talk to the carpenter pony." "Great idea!" Twinkleshine exclaimed. "Let's go!" Minuette sighed as Twinkleshine dragged her away. When they got to the carpenter store, Twinkleshine was the one who asked the questions. Minuette's head was still spinning from being dragged all around. "14,000 bits?" Twinkleshine repeated incredulously. "For a chair?" "Cheerilee said it was pricey," Minuette reminded her. The carpenter shook her head. "It's made from wood located deep in the Everfree Forest, even farther than that castle those mares found. "Somepony needs to go get it. Then the etchings need to be carved. They're very detailed. The chair needs too be polished and moved to the other chairs. Nopony's going to volunteer for any of that, right? Especially getting the wood." Twinkleshine and Minuette nodded. "How about we get the wood?" Minuette suggested. Both ponies stared at her in shock. "Minuette! We've not professionals!" Twinkleshine cried. "We can't do that!" "Well, we can't earn extra bits of that amount either!" Minuette responded. "I'm not even sure choir is worth it!" "Of course it is!" Twinkleshine sounded shocked. "You like to sing, right? You just have to try and get in!" Minuette walked out the carpenter shop, Twinkleshine at her tail. "There's just a chair in my way. Cheerilee says I have to have a chair. Why can't I just stand?" Minuette asked. Twinkleshine shook her head. "Minuette, you're a really good singer. If you really want this-" "Let's just catch a movie, alright?" Minuette interrupted. "I'm sorry I ever mentioned wanting to join your choir." Twinkleshine opened her mouth, then closed it again. "Are you sure you don't want to join choir?" She asked one last time. "Not if it means going through this hassle," Minuette replied. Twinkleshine sighed. "Alright. Let's go catch a movie," she agreed. ~ The next day, Minuette sat in the kitchen drinking chocolate milk. "Minuette?" Twinkleshine called from outside, not bothering to knock on the door. "I have a surprise!" Minuette set her cup down and opened up the door. "What is it?" She asked. Twinkleshine looked really excited. "I got Twilight Sparkle to duplicate one of the chairs! Now you can join the choir!" She exclaimed, hugging Minuette. "Really?" Minuette asked hopefully. "That's great! Thanks, Twinkleshine. That was a great solution!" "You're welcome," Twinkleshine responded happily. "Now we can sing together!" "YAY!" They shouted in unison.
Amethyst Star and Cloud KickerAmethyst Star was bored. She had been walking around Ponyville all day, milling around and talking to ponies. It wasn't that fun, but she had nothing else to do. "Amethyst!" Amethyst looked up and saw Cloud Kicker flying over to her. "Amethyst! Where have you been all day?" "Just about everywhere," Amethyst told her. "What's up?" "I dunno," Cloud Kicker answered. "It's so boring today!" Amethyst rolled her eyes and used her telekinesis to pick up a flower. She twirled it around in the air. Cloud Kicker's eyes followed the flower. "You could show me some magic tricks," she suggested. Amethyst rolled her eyes again. "Wonderful idea, Cloud Kicker." "I guess you have a better idea, then?" Cloud Kicker asked, slightly. Amethyst sighed. "How about... we get a job?" She suggested. Cloud Kicker's eyes lit up. "Yeah, let's do that!" She exclaimed. Amethyst smiled. "Alright, where should we go?" "I've always wanted to be the spokespony for the Cloudsdale Weather Factory!" Cloud Kicker continued. "There's one thing wrong with that." "What?" Cloud Kicker asked. "I don't have wings," Amethyst deadpanned. "Oh yeah," Cloud Kicker remembered, scratching her neck sheepishly. "How about we work in chicken suits?" "Chicken suits?" Amethyst repeated. To be honest, she wasn't really impressed. "Yeah!" Cloud Kicker confirmed. Seeing the look on Amethyst's face, she added, "Or we could just go into town square and see what we can help with." Amethyst shrugged. "Sounds good," she replied. Cloud Kicker nudged her. "Hey, lighten up! Put a smile on your face!" She exclaimed. Amethyst smiled. "Bigger!" Cloud Kicker demanded. Amethyst broadened her smile. Cloud Kicker nodded. "Good! Everypony will love how cheery we look!" Cloud Kicker flapped her wings confidently. "Come on, Amy!" "Amethyst," Amethyst corrected, trying not to break her smile. Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes in good nature. Suddenly, she gasped and shot straight up in the air. "Amethyst!" She cried excitedly. "Let's write a story!" "I'm in," Amethyst agreed. Writing a story was sure to be an interesting way to pass the time! She offered, "We can go to my house." Cloud Kicker beamed. ~ "'Cloud Star was happy. She was happy because she had defeated the Mare of Shadows. Since the Mare of Shadows was evil, defeating her was a good thing. "'Because she had defeated the Mare of Shadows, Cloud Star was a hero to the townsponies. The townsponies were safe now that Cloud Star had defeated the Mare of Shadows-'" "STOP!" Amethyst yelled, interrupting Cloud Kicker's narrative. Cloud Kicker looked up. "What's wrong?" She asked. "No offense, Cloud, but you write like a Kindergartner in class. Let me try, okay?" Cloud Kicker nodded and passed the paper to Amethyst. After making a few quick changes, Amethyst read it aloud. "'Cloud Star was proud that she had finally defeated the evil Mare of Shadows. Her friends and family were now safe. "Back in the village, the townsponies were exhilarated. No longer would they be terrorised by the Mare of Shadows. Cloud Star had saved them! She was treated like a true hero, and a feast was held in her honor. The end.'" Amethyst looked at Cloud Kicker. "You see what I mean?" Cloud Kicker nodded. "I can come up with story ideas, and you can write them," she suggested. Amethyst pondered this. "Cloud Kicker, I'm going to teach you how to write like a pro!" She exclaimed. Cloud Kicker beamed. "Really? Thanks!" She exclaimed. Amethyst hugged her best friend. "What are friends for?"
