A Squeaky Picnicby CowgirlVKChaptersPrologue Chapter 1Chapter TwoChapter ThreePrologue Prologue The sun sank low in the west, and all around, ponies were sitting down to eat dinner as the snow dusted the ground. Just outside of Ponyville in a place known as Sweet Apple Acres in a barn-like building, a family and their guest were doing the same. “So, how’s the youngins doin’?” asked an elderly green mare, with a pie cutie mark. Their purple guest smiled. “Very well, Granny. Apple Bloom is really improving in her studies.” The little yellow filly with the red mane and pink bow smiled. “Eeyup! And it’s all because of mah big brother!” The large red stallion blushed, his eyes locking with their guest. “The pie’s done!” whooped an orange mare trotting in with a steaming pie balanced on her back. She slipped it onto the table. “Ah’ll go get the other....” She caught the look her brother and their guest were passing between one another. Blushing, she turned quickly and trotted back out of the room. Apple Bloom quickly leaped from her chair, and trotted off after her elder sister. “Hold up sis! Ah want ta help!” Applejack paused. “Uh.. shouldn’t-” One glance at Apple Bloom’s face told everything. “Alright Apple Bloom. Ah need ya ta...” She glanced about the kitchen. “Um... Collect forks?” Apple Bloom happily rushed to comply with her sister’s request. “I don’t get it sis,” she said while opening the drawer. “Get what?” She motioned to her brother and the guest in the dining room. “That! It’s so...” She stuck out her tongue in disgust. Her elder sister nodded. “Ah agree. Ah...” She gazed out the window. She shook her head snapping back to reality. “Ah just don’t get it.” “Really?” Apple Bloom inquired. Applejack looked uncomfortable. “Yes... ah guess and no. Love is...” She sighed. “Beautiful, but ah ain’t sure if ah’m ready for it.” “Really Applejack?” Applejack nodded. “Ah still have the farm to run and you to take care of. Ah don’t have time for a special somepony.” A sly smirk crossed Apple Bloom’s face. “Really?” “Now don’t ya go thinking like that AB! Ah don’t want...” She nodded to the other room. “That to happen again! Ya know how embarrassin’ that was for yer brother?” Apple Bloom paused, studding her hooves. “Yeah.” Applejack pulled her sister into an encouraging hug. “Alright, we better get back in there before Granny gets... worried.” Apple Bloom nodded, in her mind she pictured the scene that was more than likely still taking place in the other room. Namely how her brother and teacher were acting. This, even after a year, creeped Apple Boom out. She kept thinking back to the day the three of them had given the two the love poison. She shivered from the thought before following Applejack out into the dining room. Big Mac and Cheerilee were both still grinning at each other, not the enchanted way they had while under the spell, but one that creeped Apple Bloom out almost as much. Climbing up in her chair, she glanced over at Applejack. The orange mare was trying hard not to notice her brother’s goofy expression. “So... um... well. Heh,” Applejack stammered. “Uh, Cheerilee, how’re things at the school?” Cheerilee shook her head to clear it. Smiling she answered, “Fine, I have just finished the lesson plan for this semester.” “Really!” Applejack said, more to keep her talking about something other than her brother than anything else. “So, how’s Apple Bloom’s grades?” she said as she finished serving the slices of pie. Cheerilee looked puzzled. “Didn’t Apple Bloom show you her report card? I gave it to her last week.” Apple Bloom squirmed. The adult ponies all turned their attention to her. Leaping from her chair, Apple Bloom raced out of the room and up the steps to her room. She had completely forgotten to give it to Applejack and, during a mission after school, had accidentally tripped and dropped it in the mud. She had not had the courage to just hand it to Applejack. She returned to the dining room a minute later and dropped the dusty, wrinkled paper beside Applejack. “Apple Bloom, what happened?” Granny asked. The little yellow filly squirmed under her family’s gaze. “Um... Ah dropped it?” Applejack put her face in her hooves. “Cheerilee, can ah ask that ya hand it ta me next time? This is the third time she’s brought it home in such a state.” She opened it to find the ink had run so badly that whatever had been written on the parchment was no longer readable. Applejack turned it around. “Crusading?” she asked Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom nodded. “We were trying to be Cutie Mark Crusader Hill Rollers... except I accidentally... rolled into the mud.” Cheerilee chuckled. “I’ll get it written back up and bring it by tomorrow,” she said. “The things you girls won’t think up next.” Apple Bloom blushed. Cheerilee chuckled,“Talking about thinking... I’ve been considering bringing back something we used to do when we were fillies. Do you remember the Hearts and Hooves picnic we used to do, Applejack?” Applejack scratched her head. “Ah ain’t sure ah remember... though ah was quite young when ah left for Manehattan. Then when ah returned, ah mainly worked on the farm... Ah don’t remember much of my school years.” Applejack gazed out the window. “Not that ah exactly remember, but...” Cheerilee nodded. “Your talent is here. Rarity probably would remember.” She chuckled. “She was... interesting during them.” Applejack nodded knowingly. “Mix Rarity, picnic, and Hearts and Hooves... Yeah, she’d remember it. As would ah if ah had been there.” Cheerilee giggled. “Oh I remember it alright. She had every single one of the colts doing her bidding.” “Ah sure am glad Sweetie isn’t that bad.” Applejack chuckled. Cheerilee shook her head. “She’s too busy trying to keep up with your sister and Scootaloo.” Apple Boom busied herself with eating the pie. Applejack sighed. “Alright, so a picnic. Exactly what did ya have in mind? Have ya told Pinkie yet?” “Just something sweet in the park, and no, I haven’t told Pinkie Pie yet. As I said, I’m thinking about bringing it back. I haven’t decided yet.” “Why’d it ever stop?” asked Granny. Miss Cheerilee looked uncomfortable. “One of the colts...” She trailed off. “Something happened. Despite our best efforts... something happened and they decided to... for protection, call it quits.” Granny nodded. “I do remember hearing something about that what-” “So, what ya plannin’ on doin’?” Applejack cut in. “It will just be a sweet little picnic in the park,” Cheerilee answered. “I’ll let the colts ask the fillies out, then beyond that, it would be like any other picnic.” “How ya plannin’ on making sure they keep their hooves to themselves?” Granny asked. “First, I plan to open it up to the town to make sure there are enough adult ponies to keep an eye on the foals.” Applejack looked uncertain. “Ah ain’t sure that’s a good idea. Ah mean, are ya sure they’ll be watching for trouble and not... one another?” Cheerilee sighed. “I said it’s an idea. We still have two weeks, and knowing this town-” Applejack sighed. Apple Bloom glanced up, trying to hide the blush on her face. Really? THIS! Though it sounded fun, the little filly wasn’t sure what to make of the whole... date idea. Colts would be asking her out. She wasn’t old enough! Was she? She raised her hoof. “Uh, Miss Cheerilee? Why? Ah don’t understand. Isn’t Hearts and Hooves for... big ponies?” Cheerilee nodded. “You are right, Hearts and Hooves is for the older ponies, but it is a good time to also teach the colts chivalry and all of you proper manners. I’d hate for last year to happen again.” She grinned foolishly at Big Mac. “Despite how it turned out.” Author's Note Alright, so I set the stage. Thank you for reading. This will be updated once a month. So chapter one will be out March 15th or 16th. I have a sewing bee the 14th so I will be gone most of that weekend. Don't be a stranger, and if you have any favorite, straight ships, don't be afraid to add them into the comments. I'm going to try to have as much fun with this adding in Valentine traditions, and ships. This story is mainly a Apple BloomX Pipsqueak ship story, This was supposed to be a one shot, but I decided to make it longer so I can have more fun with it. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for reading. Cowgirl VK out. Chapter 1“YUCK!” Scootaloo cringed. “I don’t believe it!” Apple Bloom’s body was tense. “Miss Cheerilee is rather excited about it, but ah ain’t so sure.” She sighed as the three Cutie Mark Crusaders walked side by side along the dusty road towards the school house. “I think it’s sweet,” Sweetie giggled. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged glances. “The colts are going to be pulling OUR names from a hat, and then asking us out,” Scootaloo stated. “I know! I wonder if they’ll trade names if they don’t like who they got,” Sweetie cooed. “Ah don’t even want ta think about that,” Apple Bloom groaned. “Really?” Sweetie asked. “I think it’ll be tons of fun!” “To manipulate colts like your sister does?” Scootaloo asked skeptically. “Rainbow Dash is too cool for that.” “Too cool for participating in Hearts and Hooves day?” Sweetie mocked. “Gals!” Apple Bloom exclaimed before it could get any more out of hoof. “It’s just going ta be a single luncheon out in the middle of Ponyville-” “We are going to have a picnic with a colt out in Ponyville park,” Sweetie Belle giggled. Scootaloo flashed Sweetie a smug look. “I wonder what dining with Snips will be like?” Sweetie Belle made a face. “Snips! Are you crazy?” She pretended to gag. “Snips and Snails both are gross.” “Ah can agree with ya there. Ah just hope ah don’t get stuck with either one of them.” Apple Bloom shivered. In the distance they heard the school bell ring. The three fillies groaned, but quickened their pace. “Good morning, Class!” Miss Cheerilee sang as the foals all filled in through the door and took their places in nice neat rows. “As you all know, Hearts and Hooves day is at the end of this week.” The three Crusaders exchanged glances. “So, before we begin our studies this morning, I have an announcement. We will be having a picnic in the park. We will have this picnic like the big ponies do, with each colt taking a filly and enjoying the meal together. Please remember this is not a time to be silly, or ‘adult’ in any other way. We will just enjoy some good quality time. Now, colts, I’ve got, in this hat, every single one of the fillies names. After school, you will come and each pick a name from the hat and whomever you pull, you will be taking to the dinner.” One of the students raised his hoof. “Yes?” Cheerilee acknowledged. “What if we don’t like who we pull?” he asked. Cheerilee nodded. “Good question. I guess if you wish to trade, and it doesn’t turn into a scene, you may.” Twist raised a hoof. “What if we don’t like the colt. Can we ditch them?” Cheerilee raised both eyebrows, as several other fillies in the room nodded, or made other gestures indicating their want for the answer as well. “As with all dates, you can tell him no, in which case he has to go trade for a different card.” Scootaloo raised a hoof. “So I guess we ought to just hang around the school yard ‘till we all are decided, right?” Cheerilee chuckled. “If you wish to, but you don’t have to.” Sweetie raised her hoof. “Yes Sweetie Belle?” “Does Rarity know you are doing this?” The others in the room started snickering. Cheerilee nodded. “I did inform all of your parents and siblings over the weekend. Pinkie Pie is already underway with getting everything prepared.” The foals cheered. Pipsqueak raised his hoof. “Yes Pip?” Cheerilee asked. “Can we kiss her at the end of the night?” Cheerilee’s cheeks went bright pink. “Uh, no,” she croaked. “No, I do not think that would be a good idea.” Several of the other colts moaned or made other signs of disappointment. The fillies made faces of disgust. “Any more questions?” Rumble raised his hoof. “Can we go cloud bashing when we’re done?” “But DARLING!” Rarity dramatically drawled. “Spikey wikey MUST attend!” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “He’s a dragon—a baby dragon.” “And if he doesn’t, he’ll be the only youngster in Ponyville without a date!” Princess Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “Uh, huh.” “Besides, darling, you do know that there is one more filly than there are colts! One of them is going to be without a date!” “And that would be the worst thing that ever happened,” Twilight sighed mockingly. “Absolutely!” Rarity dramatized. Twilight rolled her eyes again. “Spike is not going.” “I’m not going where?” Spike asked, walking in wearing an apron and carrying a feather duster in his claw. “To the schoolhouse this afternoon,” Twilight answered. Spike paused, dropping the duster. “Why would I want to go to the schoolhouse this afternoon?” He glanced between the two mares. Rarity smiled. “You see, Spikey Wikey, Cheerilee is holding a marvelous picnic on Hearts and Hooves day, and all the little fillies and colts are pairing up so they can have stupendous dates! The only problem is, there is one filly more than there are colts! One of those poor little fillies is going to be left out!” “And Spike is not going to solve the dilemma!” Twilight snapped. “I’m certain at least one, if not more, of those fillies would rather just stay home and study that evening.” Spike glanced between them. “Uh... yuck?” he said uncertainly. “Why would they want to go on dates?” “Because Spikey! It’s fun!” Rarity giggled. “It stopped for unknown reasons when I was a filly, but I sure did enjoy going there.” She giggled again. “The last year, I got Thunderlane. He fell asleep halfway through the party! Oh, but my favorite was Caramel, remember him?” She giggled again, then continued before giving Twilight a chance to answer. “He was super clumsy!” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I see. I’ll think about allowing Spike to attend the...” “Drawing,” Rarity giggled. “...drawing, but that’s not a promise. He has to want to.” Rarity nodded, “Fair enough, Twilight. I must be back to my shop. Sweetie Belle can’t go without a fabulous new gown.” Twilight groaned as Rarity skipped from the grand room in the castle that had been designated as the library. Spike raised an eyebrow and placed both claws on his hips. “What is going on?” Twilight sighed. “It seems that when Rarity and Cheerilee were little, the school had a picnic they did for Hearts and Hooves day. Something happened though, and it got canceled.” “What?” Spike inquired. Twilight shrugged. “Nopony will tell me. Now Miss Cheerilee wants to bring it back, including everypony else in town. The thing is, there is one more filly in the school than there are colts.” Spike raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. “Yuck. Hanging out with those fillies is one thing, but taking one of them out to a picnic,” he made a face, “is quite another.” Twilight nodded. “I’m not going; I have too much to do.” Spike cocked his head to the side. “Oh really? Even if Shining brings along Flash Sentry when Cadence and he come down for Hearts and Hooves day?” Twilight shot him a glare. “Spike! I’ll have enough to do just getting ready for their arrival! I don’t have time for anything else!” Spike shook his head. “You're the Princess of Friendship, not the prisoner!” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Very funny Spike.” Spike tapped his foot. “That wasn’t a joke.” She rolled her eyes. “Spike, I’m not interested in any of that. I’ve got work to do!” Spike sighed. “Twi-” “And we aren’t going to argue about it either. You go check that shelf. I need all Hearts and Hooves day books in a stack over there to be placed on the empty bookshelf by the door.” Spike sighed. “Really, Twilight? This?” “Do you want to shelf the library alphabetically by the last letter on the 100th page?” Spike shook his head. “Thought not. Having it shelved by the first letter is hard enough.” Spike rolled his eyes, not commenting on Twilight’s weird way of shelving books. By this point, he was used to it. “I still think you should go.” “With whom?” Twilight growled. Spike shrugged. “At the very least, let your brother take you out.” Twilight shook her head. “He’s married now. It just wouldn’t be right.” Spike sighed. “But...” Twilight smirked. “If you are so insistent on getting me a date-” She allowed him to make his own connections. Spike’s face went from green to yellow, then to white. “Twilight! I’m too young!” “And I’m too busy.” The two went through and sorted books for some time. The stacks grew larger and larger, and the shelves emptier and emptier. Twilight would quickly skim each of the books that she hadn't read before placing it on a teetering stack near the door. Spike, however, just kept pulling and placing. Before he knew it, Spike was finished with his section long before his bookworm friend. “Uh... Twilight?” he asked, tapping her on the shoulder. Twilight jumped, tossing the books in her magical grasp everywhere. “SPIKE!” she snapped. “Uh... Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I’m done. Anything else you need me to do?” Twilight looked around the large room. “I can’t think of anything at this moment,” she muttered. “You know what Spike? Rarity’s right. You could use the socialization and take one of those unfortunate fillies out.” Spike groaned. “Come on Spike, it’s one measly meal! How hard can it be?” Spike raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard that one before.” “Just shut up and go have fun. Owlowiscious, go with him to make sure he gets there.” Spike groaned as Twilight’s number two assistant landed beside him. Owlowiscious twisted his head all the way around one direction, then the other. “Who?” he said. “Me!” Spike snapped. Twilight stifled a giggle. “Go have fun you two.” Spike snorted. “I’m guessing he gets to go along on the date as well.” “Only if you are too much of a baby to keep your claws to yourself,” she smirked. Spike rolled his eyes, but escaped before Twilight got any more bright ideas. Twilight, returning to her task, started picking up the books she had dropped when she had been startled. One by one she placed them on the stacks when one suddenly caught her eye. It was an older book. It had a black binding with an image of a large grey earth pony colt with a black mane and tail, and his cutie mark was a cow skull. From the picture, it was obvious it was an older colt in his adolescent years. “Stallion of the Family, By the Arista,” she read out loud. She bit her lip. “This sounds interesting.” She placed it in a different corner to read later, then returned to stacking books. Pinkie Pie was dancing in Sugar Cube Corner. “Are you excited? Because I’m excited! I’ve never been so excited!” Mr. and Mrs. Cake dashed behind her, catching flower, sugar, and other kitchen odds and ends. “A picnic! A town wide Hearts and Hooves picnic!” she giggled. “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Cakes looked uneasy. “Yeah,” muttered Mr. Cake. “We are going to need a party!” Pinkie glanced about. “The best, superdy duperdy party with the most awesomest stuff in all of Equestria! With... PINK!” she giggled, turning cartwheels that knocked two bottles of oil off a shelf, sending it careening to the floor and shattering upon impact. “You know what else we’ll need?” The Cakes shook their heads worriedly. “THINK CHEESE!” They groaned. Author's Note Thank you all for reading. If anybody wants to read the book Twilight found, it's real title is Man of the Family, by Ralph Moody. It's the second book of the Little Britches Series. The event I'll be referencing in this story only actually takes place in only one, or two of the chapters. But it caught my eye... and I'll be tossing it in. This chapter has a LOT in it of what's going to be happening during the coarse of the book. So hold on to your seats, and don't discredit anything. It might come back in later chapters as important. And so my shipping game begins. Thank you again for reading, Chapter two will be out some time the second week of April. Probably the 11'th but don't hold your breath. If there are any ships you want to see in this story, please comment below. I'll not add any ships that are not straight. I don't approve of same sex... and it will not appear in any of my work. Till Next Month Cowgirl Out. Chapter TwoSpike dragged himself up the steps, glancing to the sky. He was certain he was right on time, if not... pretty close to it. Might be a tad early... maybe he should sit out on the- “Hi Spike!” Spike leapt three feet in the air. Looking all around, he saw a little grey unicorn filly. “Dinky?” The filly smiled. “Just hiding out here early,” she said. “Are you comin-” “To join in on the picnic,” Spike finished. Dinky clapped her hooves excitedly. “Can you pull me?” Spike stopped, blinking. “I thought this was a random thing?” he asked. “It is, but the colts...err... dragons can trade! Can you trade for me?” Spike was a bit at a loss for this. “We’ll see,” he said simply. “Good!” she giggled. “Because, I don’t want to get one of the mean colts... and you are nice! I’ve seen you play with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom and-” Her face went white as a sheet. “The orange one.” Spike smiled. “Scootaloo,” he supplied. Dinky hid her face in her front hooves. “That one. I can never remember her name.” Spike shot her a friendly smile. “Don’t worry about it Dinky. I’m going to head in, alright? I need to get the card before I can ask you out.” Dinky looked down shyly. “Thank you Spike.” The young dragon blushed. “Don’t mention it. Now I’d better get inside.” He waved as he entered through the large school house door. The one-roomed school house was a frenzy of activity. A few foals were still sitting at their desks finishing up their lessons, but most of them were quickly packing up their belongings. “I’m going to only settle for the best,” Diamond Tiara was bragging to Silver Spoon. “You wish,” Scootaloo huffed. Diamond spun about. “Oh really! Says a looser blank flank!” The Cutie Mark Crusaders rolled their eyes. “Easy, Scoot,” Sweetie whispered. “It isn’t worth it.” “Yeah, it’ll only make things worse,” Apple Bloom added. Scootaloo’s wings rustled, but she turned back to her own work. “Look at that, Silver!” Diamond bragged. “Looks like they really are losers.” “Um, Miss Cheerilee?” Spike squeaked. “Twilight... Rarity,” he gulped. Cheerilee smiled up at him. “Ah Spike, Rarity told me you might join in. Please sit on the bench in the back. Let’s wait for the fillies to leave.” Spike raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t they go-” “Nope!” Apple Bloom giggled. “We’re stayin’ outside and waitin’ for our...” she smirked, “knight to come and ask us for the date.” Sweetie and Scootaloo giggled at Apple Bloom’s act. Spike glanced about before finding a seat, uncertain about the upcoming events. After a few minutes, the other fillies started trickling out the front door. Glancing out the window, Spike could see them all congregating in the play yard to the side of the building. He gulped. “Alright colts... and Spike, let’s get started. Everypony find a seat,” Cheerilee sang. The young colts each settled themselves nervously into their seats. “Alright, I’ll go over this one more time,” she said, pulling a little basket from under her desk. “In this basket, I have every filly’s name. One at a time, I’ll pass out the cards with the fillies’ names on them. Then, if you have a name you don’t want, don’t be afraid to ask around and see if you can get a different date. The fillies are all waiting outside, so once decided, go and ask them out.” Most of the colts looked nervous. Spike wiped his sticky, sweaty claws on his legs. “Anything we need to remember?” he asked. Cheerilee smiled. “Have fun,” she answered. “Alright, if you will get in a line, you may come to the front and choose your names.” Twilight giggled as she read the story. The beginning was a tad rough; the father just died, and the young colt named Little Britches was struggling to support his family. But the adventures he had, trying to support the family! Twilight giggled again, almost wanting to go and see if there were any more books in the series to be read. Suddenly, there was a crash. From high up above, the window shattered as the notorious Rainbow Crash—I mean Dash—came tumbling through it and landed in a heap on the floor. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight growled, throwing down the book in a particularly interesting part. Rainbow Dash, upon shaking the little glass shards from her fur, leapt to her hooves, squealing and emphatically repeating OMG over and over again. “OH Twilight!” she gushed, pulling a letter from beneath her wing. “LOOK!” she giggled. Twilight caught the letter in her magic. “Dearest Dashie” she read aloud. She raised an eyebrow, cocking her head to the side. “After the events that occurred at Rainbow Falls, I would like to ask if you would like to spend-” Twilight’s cheeks turned bright red. “With love, Soarin Skies.” She gulped and glanced to Rainbow Dash. “Isn’t this, like, so awesome? A Wonderbolt wants to spend the day with me!” She gave a filly-like squeal. Twilight switched eyebrows. “Uh, Dash, I’m not sure...” “Won’t it be, like, so awesome? A full day with a Wonderbolt! Just the two of us!” Twilight rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Maybe you should invite him to the picnic,” she suggested. “Why would I do that?” Dash paused mid-spin. Twilight sighed, chuckling softly to herself. “Rainbow, don’t look now, but I think you have an admirer.” Rainbow’s smile paused. “Well, duh! I’m AWESOME!” Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Shaking her head, she sighed, saying, “Never mind, Rainbow Dash.” She handed the letter back to her. “I hope you enjoy your little date.” Rainbow Dash froze, “And who said it was a date? We are just going to hang out.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and he sent you a letter to hang out?” “Exactly!” Twilight sighed. “Alright, but I’d visit Rarity first.” “Wait, what?” Twilight returned to the story, ignoring Dash’s spluttering, grinning like the cat who just ate the canary. “Oh, but I’m not so sure.” Rarity sighed, laying her tea cup on the table. She and Fluttershy were sitting out behind Fluttershy’s cottage and having a sweet little tea party with a few of the woodland critters. She had stopped by on her way home and had not been able to pass up dear Fluttershy’s offer. “Fluttershy!” Rarity cooed. “It’s Hearts and Hooves! Don’t tell me that hunk of a stallion hasn’t asked you out yet!” Fluttershy swallowed hard. “No, b-b-but, I-I-I... I don’t think I want to... you know, we aren’t exactly serious.” She hid behind her mane, her hoof shaking so much that her tea began to slosh over the sides. Rarity, oblivious, continued. “I must say, as far as looks goes... he’s not bad, but man is he a mound of muscles.” she swooned a faint. “He’s strong, I will say that,” Fluttershy sighed. “But I’m not sure-” “Nonsense, darling! You must do something-” “Rarity!” Rarity paused. “What is it, Fluttershy?” “I just don’t think... I should... you know...” Her face began to flush. “Make the move.” “Oh.” Rarity paused, her face clouded with thoughts. “So, if you don’t mind, when Mr. Biceps is ready to ask me out, he will. Until then, please just... let us do it our way?” Rarity sighed emphatically. “Oh well, but I will say, it will be simply marvelous to make us all matching date outfits.” Fluttershy looked down. “Well, if you want to make us something, I won’t pre-” “But Fluttershy DARLING!” Rarity cried dramatically. “Why make outfits if there won’t be an occasion to wear it?” “Maybe for when it arises?” Fluttershy whispered timidly. “What about you Rarity? Any stallion asked you out yet?” Rarity sighed. “Not a nibble!” She threw her hoof to her forehead dramatically. “Nopony loves me!” Fluttershy smiled. “Don’t worry about it Rarity, there is a special stallion out there for you.” “I do hope you are right, Fluttershy, for I fear I will forever be single! Single and alone in life.” “Oh, I am sure you won’t.” Fluttershy sighed. “Besides, we all have each other. How can we all be single and alone when we are all together?” Rarity rolled her eyes. “You just don’t get it, Fluttershy.” She placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulders. “Having friends is one thing, but having... a special somepony...” She smiled dreamily. “Now that is quite different. Quite different indeed.” One by one, the young colts pulled the scraps of paper from the small straw hat. Pipsqueak stood nervously at the end of the line behind his elder brother Teacher’s Pet. He slowly made his way to the front as the line grew shorter, his knees shaking the whole time. “Pet?” Pip whispered. Teacher’s Pet glanced behind him. “Yeah?” “Um... are you sure I’m old enough?” Pet shrugged. “It’s just a lunch.” Pipsqueak blushed. “With a filly for Hearts and Hooves.” Pet turned his attention back to the front of the class. Pip groaned, scuffing his hooves he glanced about. “So Pet, who do you want to go out with?” Pet raised an eyebrow. “Don’t care, whoever I get is fine.” “You mean you aren't going to fight for her?” “For who?” Pip flashed a smug grin at his brother. “Twist! You two would be perfect for one another!” “Who said?” Pet whispered. “I overheard some of the fillies talking to Twist.” “Twist likes me?” Pipsqueak shrugged, “Don’t know bro, but I heard your name come up twice over lunch.” Pet blushed, then looked to the front, they were now only three back. Within seconds, Pip found that it was his turn. He reached in for the final slip of paper and opened it. Twist “Twilight!” Applejack entered the large castle, glancing left and right. “Twi, where are ya?” “In the library!” Twilight almost growled. Applejack trotted in that direction. “What ya doin’ sugarcube?” “Reading,” Twilight answered. “What ya readin?” “A book I found.” “What book?” “Stallion of the family,” Twilight replied. Applejack cocked her head to the side. “Can’t say ah’ve read that one.” “I think you'd enjoy it.” Twilight said, closing the book. “It’s a more country style. But AJ, have you ever heard of a Hearts and Hooves tradition that uses a basket?” “As in a picnic?” Applejack sat down. Twilight shook her head. “No, in the story the young colts decide their Ma needs to be included, since their Pa died.” “Ah see.” “Well, something the town does is all the young stallions fill a basket with this and that, then without signing their names, write a note in a little card with the name of the mare it’s intended for...” “So the colts do this for their Ma.” Twilight nodded. Applejack nodded. “Sounds interesten’. Never heard of it mahself, but I do wonder if Granny has.” “Me too,” Twilight exclaimed. “I think it’ll be fun!” “And get yer’ castle filled with baskets?” “They are left on the door step.” Applejack smirked. “Listen Twi, yer’ a princess. Trust me, every stallion in town will be leavin’ ya a basket.” Twilight blinked. “I never thought of that.” Removing her hat, Applejack sat down beside Twilight chuckling. “Who knows, maybe it won’t happen. But I agree, it does sound like a lot o’ fun. Ah mean, this gettin’ baskets from stallions and guessin’ who our secret admirer is. Not that ah expect ta get any.” “I’m certain you will Applejack. I’m cer-” “Mah cousins, maybe, but outside o’ that, nah. They are all too afraid of Big Mac. But ya know, letting the stallions have all ta’ fun of making ta baskets just ain’t fair.” Twilight cocked her head to the side. “I thought you liked tradition.” “Ah do! But I think it’ll be more fun if we mares can join in. Ah mean, it’s not like our names will be on them.” Twilight raised an eyebrow, studying her friend. “Do-” Applejack glared. “Ah just thought Rainbow Dash would feel left out not gettin’ to-” “You know, Applejack, I think Dash would enjoy making Soarin a mystery basket. Also, making baskets ourselves does sound fun. The foals might be going on a picnic, but we get to pack the basket. One question though: What would we fill it with? In the story, the colts filled their Ma’s basket with candy and flowers. I’m not certain the stallions would appreciate flowers.” “Some do,” Applejack stated. “Shoot, Twi! I know mares who don’t like flowers. Though ah’m thinkin’ we don’t have ta’ do flowers.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.” “Ya know, there are other thing’s ya put in a basket... like apples!” Twilight laughed. “That just might work.” Applejack nodded. “Shoot, if the foals can have fun with a picnic, then we can have fun with the baskets.” Author's Note And thaks for reading. Man I had fun with this one. Dinky likes Spike! Now that surprised even me! I wonder if Spike is going to fight for her? And Twist has her eyes on the class Chubby Nerd! Yep, I ship it. And Pip getting the card! Now that was actually random. I actually filled a hat with names and just drew. Dash... Um... if a guy asks you out it's a date... just for the record. "Nah!" Whatever you say Dashie. Thank you all for reading, if there are any ships you want to see... let me know. Pip will end up with Apple Bloom, just be patient... I'm having fun with the whole 'trading' game. This is going to get CRAZY! I promise a wrestling match... upset fillies... and the CMC getting the last laugh on Diamond. And now we have the baskets to go with the picnic... this is going to get wild. Next chapter will be out May 16th. Cowgirl Out Chapter ThreeTwist and Pipsqueak sat in a corner, staring at the card. “Who’d you pull, little bro?” Pet asked. He handed the three-by-five card to Teacher’s Pet. “Your lady,” he groaned. Teacher’s Pet took the card and, putting on his dark-rimmed glasses, looked at it. “Yep, you sure did.” Pip sat down, devastated. “That’s not who I wanted!” he sighed. “So you had a filly in mind?” “Yes, no... maybe?” Pet laughed. “Want to know who I got?” “Who?” Pip sighed. “Diamond Tiara” Pip shivered. “Not her!!” “Yep.” Pet frowned. "I might be able to-" Pip handed his card to his brother without a second's hesitation. "She said we can trade. I'm trading." Pet frowned. "You are willing to have her?" Pip shook his head. "No, but I've got friends among the class kids. You don't." Teacher's Pet frowned. His brother was right. While he and Cheerilee were great friends, he didn't know the other classmates very well at all, nor did he have any intention of getting to know them. That wasn't his way of doing things. Friends got in the way of studying. So did brothers, but brothers are family, so they didn't count. "Are you going to take it?" Pip asked, breaking his brother from his mental rundown. Pet blinked, then accepted his younger brother’s card with a shy smile and handed Pip his own card. "Thanks bro," he said, running a hoof shyly over the card's wrinkled surface. Pip chuckled, "I don't know what you like more, her cooking, or her brains." With that, Pip trotted off to start trying to trade the 'old maid' card with any one of the other students. He didn't care at that moment who he got. Spike sat down in a lone corner before opening his card. In the back of his head he could already see Rarity making the outfits... now why couldn't he just go out with her and be done with it? Nope, that's not how this game worked. They were stuck with the fillies in school. Spike opened the card and blinked. "Dinky" His heart sank and stomach flopped at the same time. Yeah she had asked for him, but was she really who he wanted? He bit his lip, leaning against the desk and sighing. "Apple Bloom," Snips said in the corner beside him. His horn flashed for a moment. "Snails, who do you have?" "Silver Spoon!" Snails beamed. "She's so pretty!" "I know!" Snips said, "Not as pretty as Diamond Tiara." "Yeah, she's like, the prettiest girl in the school!" Snails affirmed. Spike couldn't help but roll his eyes. These two were goofs. "Hey!" Pip said, overhearing their conversation. "You have Apple Bloom?" he asked Snails. Snips nodded. "Yep!" "Well, I've got Diamond's card. I was wondering if you were up to a trade." Snips' face lit up. "Yeah!" The trade took place immediately. As soon as Pip had the card, he took off out the door to go find Apple Bloom. The younger sister of a friend of a princess... now that was big. Spike chuckled, standing up after watching the whole display. He could see some fun in it. Slowly, he started walking around the room. "You want to trade for Fire Chief?" asked a colt to another. "Scootaloo for Fire?" the second colt exclaimed. Spike had to think back. The first one was Rumble. He was unsure of the second one's name. "No, unless it's Sweetie, I'm not trading." Rumble looked downcast. "Come on! I told Thunder I'd come home with Scootaloo's card!" The other colt, who wore a spinny hat, shook his head. "No deal." "Alright Button,” Rumble sighed, “If I get Sweetie, will you hold Scootaloo till I get back?” The first colt shrugged, "Alright, sounds good.” Spike walked on. Trade after trade went on in the room. As soon as a colt had who he wanted, he'd leave to go ask her out. A few times a colt would come back in looking downcast having to go through the motions of getting another, less desirable card. Sighing, Spike decided it was time for himself to face the music. Obviously there was colt in the room who actually wanted Sweetie for the picnic. Spike didn't care. Yeah, she was Rarity's younger sister, but he had Dinky’s card. No point in fighting it from there. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sat outside under the slide. None of the fillies were doing much. Inside, the colts were trading them around like a bunch of goods. How this ever was considered a good idea back when Rarity was little, Sweetie would never be sure. "Do ya think they are almost done yet?" Apple Bloom asked in a hushed voice. "No," Scootaloo stated matter of factly. "No way! Or they'd be out here." "What's taking so long?" Apple Bloom asked. "I don't—" Scootaloo began, but got no farther as two colts broke down the schoolhouse door. Every filly in the school yard gasped as the two colts hammered it out. "I want that card!" Rumble said through gritted teeth. "Yeah? What is she to you?" "If I don't get your card, I can't trade for the one I want!" Rumble said, biting the orange colt's ear. "I wonder whose card it is?" Sweetie asked. "Seems a bit, over the top," Apple Bloom stated. Scootaloo, however, was all into it. "Left jab! Now kick! Get him!" she yelled. The other two glared. "Really Scoots, yer gonna encourage it?" Apple Bloom asked. Scootaloo blushed. "Uh, maybe?" None of them saw how, but when they looked back to the squabbling colts, Rumble had pinned the other one firmly to the ground. "Give me Sweetie's card now! Here's Fire's card." Sweetie's face flushed red. "All that over ME!?!" she exclaimed. "Here," Rumble said, thrusting Sweetie's card at Button Mash. "She's yours. Now, I had to fight for this, and I am willing to fight again to get Scootaloo's card." Button had no intent on getting pounded by the colt, so he hoofed it over before opening the offered card and kissing it. "Sweetie, you're mine now!" "Only if she accepts you," Rumble stated. "She did just see me fight for it." "Speaking of," Button asked, "How are you going to- um... Fix the door?" Rumble paused, looking over at the door. "Um- I don't really know." "Eh, don't worry about it," Pip said, appearing as if from nowhere with a bunch of building supplies. "I just have to get the hinge back in. I'll unscrew the... Man, you broke the hinge. Well, we could always-" "Ask Cheerilee?" Button asked. "Nah, Apple Bloom! She's the best builder in this school, and it just so happens I've got her card," Pip said, waving it. His grin spread from ear to ear. "Right," Button said, "So you are going to ask her out, then tell her to fix the door?" Pip shrugged. "No, I don't think that would work all that well. However, maybe asking her out, then requesting her to assist me with the door-" "Oh! Why didn't I think of that?" Rumble exclaimed, "I bet we can get all three of their help. All we have to do is suggest its likelihood of a Cutie Mark Mission." Button Mash nodded. "I'm not sure about Sweetie. She seems a bit soft for such work." "She's soft, or you're soft?" Pip asked, raising an eyebrow at the other colt. Button wiggled uneasily in his chair. "Both?"
Prologue Prologue The sun sank low in the west, and all around, ponies were sitting down to eat dinner as the snow dusted the ground. Just outside of Ponyville in a place known as Sweet Apple Acres in a barn-like building, a family and their guest were doing the same. “So, how’s the youngins doin’?” asked an elderly green mare, with a pie cutie mark. Their purple guest smiled. “Very well, Granny. Apple Bloom is really improving in her studies.” The little yellow filly with the red mane and pink bow smiled. “Eeyup! And it’s all because of mah big brother!” The large red stallion blushed, his eyes locking with their guest. “The pie’s done!” whooped an orange mare trotting in with a steaming pie balanced on her back. She slipped it onto the table. “Ah’ll go get the other....” She caught the look her brother and their guest were passing between one another. Blushing, she turned quickly and trotted back out of the room. Apple Bloom quickly leaped from her chair, and trotted off after her elder sister. “Hold up sis! Ah want ta help!” Applejack paused. “Uh.. shouldn’t-” One glance at Apple Bloom’s face told everything. “Alright Apple Bloom. Ah need ya ta...” She glanced about the kitchen. “Um... Collect forks?” Apple Bloom happily rushed to comply with her sister’s request. “I don’t get it sis,” she said while opening the drawer. “Get what?” She motioned to her brother and the guest in the dining room. “That! It’s so...” She stuck out her tongue in disgust. Her elder sister nodded. “Ah agree. Ah...” She gazed out the window. She shook her head snapping back to reality. “Ah just don’t get it.” “Really?” Apple Bloom inquired. Applejack looked uncomfortable. “Yes... ah guess and no. Love is...” She sighed. “Beautiful, but ah ain’t sure if ah’m ready for it.” “Really Applejack?” Applejack nodded. “Ah still have the farm to run and you to take care of. Ah don’t have time for a special somepony.” A sly smirk crossed Apple Bloom’s face. “Really?” “Now don’t ya go thinking like that AB! Ah don’t want...” She nodded to the other room. “That to happen again! Ya know how embarrassin’ that was for yer brother?” Apple Bloom paused, studding her hooves. “Yeah.” Applejack pulled her sister into an encouraging hug. “Alright, we better get back in there before Granny gets... worried.” Apple Bloom nodded, in her mind she pictured the scene that was more than likely still taking place in the other room. Namely how her brother and teacher were acting. This, even after a year, creeped Apple Boom out. She kept thinking back to the day the three of them had given the two the love poison. She shivered from the thought before following Applejack out into the dining room. Big Mac and Cheerilee were both still grinning at each other, not the enchanted way they had while under the spell, but one that creeped Apple Bloom out almost as much. Climbing up in her chair, she glanced over at Applejack. The orange mare was trying hard not to notice her brother’s goofy expression. “So... um... well. Heh,” Applejack stammered. “Uh, Cheerilee, how’re things at the school?” Cheerilee shook her head to clear it. Smiling she answered, “Fine, I have just finished the lesson plan for this semester.” “Really!” Applejack said, more to keep her talking about something other than her brother than anything else. “So, how’s Apple Bloom’s grades?” she said as she finished serving the slices of pie. Cheerilee looked puzzled. “Didn’t Apple Bloom show you her report card? I gave it to her last week.” Apple Bloom squirmed. The adult ponies all turned their attention to her. Leaping from her chair, Apple Bloom raced out of the room and up the steps to her room. She had completely forgotten to give it to Applejack and, during a mission after school, had accidentally tripped and dropped it in the mud. She had not had the courage to just hand it to Applejack. She returned to the dining room a minute later and dropped the dusty, wrinkled paper beside Applejack. “Apple Bloom, what happened?” Granny asked. The little yellow filly squirmed under her family’s gaze. “Um... Ah dropped it?” Applejack put her face in her hooves. “Cheerilee, can ah ask that ya hand it ta me next time? This is the third time she’s brought it home in such a state.” She opened it to find the ink had run so badly that whatever had been written on the parchment was no longer readable. Applejack turned it around. “Crusading?” she asked Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom nodded. “We were trying to be Cutie Mark Crusader Hill Rollers... except I accidentally... rolled into the mud.” Cheerilee chuckled. “I’ll get it written back up and bring it by tomorrow,” she said. “The things you girls won’t think up next.” Apple Bloom blushed. Cheerilee chuckled,“Talking about thinking... I’ve been considering bringing back something we used to do when we were fillies. Do you remember the Hearts and Hooves picnic we used to do, Applejack?” Applejack scratched her head. “Ah ain’t sure ah remember... though ah was quite young when ah left for Manehattan. Then when ah returned, ah mainly worked on the farm... Ah don’t remember much of my school years.” Applejack gazed out the window. “Not that ah exactly remember, but...” Cheerilee nodded. “Your talent is here. Rarity probably would remember.” She chuckled. “She was... interesting during them.” Applejack nodded knowingly. “Mix Rarity, picnic, and Hearts and Hooves... Yeah, she’d remember it. As would ah if ah had been there.” Cheerilee giggled. “Oh I remember it alright. She had every single one of the colts doing her bidding.” “Ah sure am glad Sweetie isn’t that bad.” Applejack chuckled. Cheerilee shook her head. “She’s too busy trying to keep up with your sister and Scootaloo.” Apple Boom busied herself with eating the pie. Applejack sighed. “Alright, so a picnic. Exactly what did ya have in mind? Have ya told Pinkie yet?” “Just something sweet in the park, and no, I haven’t told Pinkie Pie yet. As I said, I’m thinking about bringing it back. I haven’t decided yet.” “Why’d it ever stop?” asked Granny. Miss Cheerilee looked uncomfortable. “One of the colts...” She trailed off. “Something happened. Despite our best efforts... something happened and they decided to... for protection, call it quits.” Granny nodded. “I do remember hearing something about that what-” “So, what ya plannin’ on doin’?” Applejack cut in. “It will just be a sweet little picnic in the park,” Cheerilee answered. “I’ll let the colts ask the fillies out, then beyond that, it would be like any other picnic.” “How ya plannin’ on making sure they keep their hooves to themselves?” Granny asked. “First, I plan to open it up to the town to make sure there are enough adult ponies to keep an eye on the foals.” Applejack looked uncertain. “Ah ain’t sure that’s a good idea. Ah mean, are ya sure they’ll be watching for trouble and not... one another?” Cheerilee sighed. “I said it’s an idea. We still have two weeks, and knowing this town-” Applejack sighed. Apple Bloom glanced up, trying to hide the blush on her face. Really? THIS! Though it sounded fun, the little filly wasn’t sure what to make of the whole... date idea. Colts would be asking her out. She wasn’t old enough! Was she? She raised her hoof. “Uh, Miss Cheerilee? Why? Ah don’t understand. Isn’t Hearts and Hooves for... big ponies?” Cheerilee nodded. “You are right, Hearts and Hooves is for the older ponies, but it is a good time to also teach the colts chivalry and all of you proper manners. I’d hate for last year to happen again.” She grinned foolishly at Big Mac. “Despite how it turned out.” Author's Note Alright, so I set the stage. Thank you for reading. This will be updated once a month. So chapter one will be out March 15th or 16th. I have a sewing bee the 14th so I will be gone most of that weekend. Don't be a stranger, and if you have any favorite, straight ships, don't be afraid to add them into the comments. I'm going to try to have as much fun with this adding in Valentine traditions, and ships. This story is mainly a Apple BloomX Pipsqueak ship story, This was supposed to be a one shot, but I decided to make it longer so I can have more fun with it. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for reading. Cowgirl VK out.
Chapter 1“YUCK!” Scootaloo cringed. “I don’t believe it!” Apple Bloom’s body was tense. “Miss Cheerilee is rather excited about it, but ah ain’t so sure.” She sighed as the three Cutie Mark Crusaders walked side by side along the dusty road towards the school house. “I think it’s sweet,” Sweetie giggled. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged glances. “The colts are going to be pulling OUR names from a hat, and then asking us out,” Scootaloo stated. “I know! I wonder if they’ll trade names if they don’t like who they got,” Sweetie cooed. “Ah don’t even want ta think about that,” Apple Bloom groaned. “Really?” Sweetie asked. “I think it’ll be tons of fun!” “To manipulate colts like your sister does?” Scootaloo asked skeptically. “Rainbow Dash is too cool for that.” “Too cool for participating in Hearts and Hooves day?” Sweetie mocked. “Gals!” Apple Bloom exclaimed before it could get any more out of hoof. “It’s just going ta be a single luncheon out in the middle of Ponyville-” “We are going to have a picnic with a colt out in Ponyville park,” Sweetie Belle giggled. Scootaloo flashed Sweetie a smug look. “I wonder what dining with Snips will be like?” Sweetie Belle made a face. “Snips! Are you crazy?” She pretended to gag. “Snips and Snails both are gross.” “Ah can agree with ya there. Ah just hope ah don’t get stuck with either one of them.” Apple Bloom shivered. In the distance they heard the school bell ring. The three fillies groaned, but quickened their pace. “Good morning, Class!” Miss Cheerilee sang as the foals all filled in through the door and took their places in nice neat rows. “As you all know, Hearts and Hooves day is at the end of this week.” The three Crusaders exchanged glances. “So, before we begin our studies this morning, I have an announcement. We will be having a picnic in the park. We will have this picnic like the big ponies do, with each colt taking a filly and enjoying the meal together. Please remember this is not a time to be silly, or ‘adult’ in any other way. We will just enjoy some good quality time. Now, colts, I’ve got, in this hat, every single one of the fillies names. After school, you will come and each pick a name from the hat and whomever you pull, you will be taking to the dinner.” One of the students raised his hoof. “Yes?” Cheerilee acknowledged. “What if we don’t like who we pull?” he asked. Cheerilee nodded. “Good question. I guess if you wish to trade, and it doesn’t turn into a scene, you may.” Twist raised a hoof. “What if we don’t like the colt. Can we ditch them?” Cheerilee raised both eyebrows, as several other fillies in the room nodded, or made other gestures indicating their want for the answer as well. “As with all dates, you can tell him no, in which case he has to go trade for a different card.” Scootaloo raised a hoof. “So I guess we ought to just hang around the school yard ‘till we all are decided, right?” Cheerilee chuckled. “If you wish to, but you don’t have to.” Sweetie raised her hoof. “Yes Sweetie Belle?” “Does Rarity know you are doing this?” The others in the room started snickering. Cheerilee nodded. “I did inform all of your parents and siblings over the weekend. Pinkie Pie is already underway with getting everything prepared.” The foals cheered. Pipsqueak raised his hoof. “Yes Pip?” Cheerilee asked. “Can we kiss her at the end of the night?” Cheerilee’s cheeks went bright pink. “Uh, no,” she croaked. “No, I do not think that would be a good idea.” Several of the other colts moaned or made other signs of disappointment. The fillies made faces of disgust. “Any more questions?” Rumble raised his hoof. “Can we go cloud bashing when we’re done?” “But DARLING!” Rarity dramatically drawled. “Spikey wikey MUST attend!” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “He’s a dragon—a baby dragon.” “And if he doesn’t, he’ll be the only youngster in Ponyville without a date!” Princess Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “Uh, huh.” “Besides, darling, you do know that there is one more filly than there are colts! One of them is going to be without a date!” “And that would be the worst thing that ever happened,” Twilight sighed mockingly. “Absolutely!” Rarity dramatized. Twilight rolled her eyes again. “Spike is not going.” “I’m not going where?” Spike asked, walking in wearing an apron and carrying a feather duster in his claw. “To the schoolhouse this afternoon,” Twilight answered. Spike paused, dropping the duster. “Why would I want to go to the schoolhouse this afternoon?” He glanced between the two mares. Rarity smiled. “You see, Spikey Wikey, Cheerilee is holding a marvelous picnic on Hearts and Hooves day, and all the little fillies and colts are pairing up so they can have stupendous dates! The only problem is, there is one filly more than there are colts! One of those poor little fillies is going to be left out!” “And Spike is not going to solve the dilemma!” Twilight snapped. “I’m certain at least one, if not more, of those fillies would rather just stay home and study that evening.” Spike glanced between them. “Uh... yuck?” he said uncertainly. “Why would they want to go on dates?” “Because Spikey! It’s fun!” Rarity giggled. “It stopped for unknown reasons when I was a filly, but I sure did enjoy going there.” She giggled again. “The last year, I got Thunderlane. He fell asleep halfway through the party! Oh, but my favorite was Caramel, remember him?” She giggled again, then continued before giving Twilight a chance to answer. “He was super clumsy!” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I see. I’ll think about allowing Spike to attend the...” “Drawing,” Rarity giggled. “...drawing, but that’s not a promise. He has to want to.” Rarity nodded, “Fair enough, Twilight. I must be back to my shop. Sweetie Belle can’t go without a fabulous new gown.” Twilight groaned as Rarity skipped from the grand room in the castle that had been designated as the library. Spike raised an eyebrow and placed both claws on his hips. “What is going on?” Twilight sighed. “It seems that when Rarity and Cheerilee were little, the school had a picnic they did for Hearts and Hooves day. Something happened though, and it got canceled.” “What?” Spike inquired. Twilight shrugged. “Nopony will tell me. Now Miss Cheerilee wants to bring it back, including everypony else in town. The thing is, there is one more filly in the school than there are colts.” Spike raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. “Yuck. Hanging out with those fillies is one thing, but taking one of them out to a picnic,” he made a face, “is quite another.” Twilight nodded. “I’m not going; I have too much to do.” Spike cocked his head to the side. “Oh really? Even if Shining brings along Flash Sentry when Cadence and he come down for Hearts and Hooves day?” Twilight shot him a glare. “Spike! I’ll have enough to do just getting ready for their arrival! I don’t have time for anything else!” Spike shook his head. “You're the Princess of Friendship, not the prisoner!” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Very funny Spike.” Spike tapped his foot. “That wasn’t a joke.” She rolled her eyes. “Spike, I’m not interested in any of that. I’ve got work to do!” Spike sighed. “Twi-” “And we aren’t going to argue about it either. You go check that shelf. I need all Hearts and Hooves day books in a stack over there to be placed on the empty bookshelf by the door.” Spike sighed. “Really, Twilight? This?” “Do you want to shelf the library alphabetically by the last letter on the 100th page?” Spike shook his head. “Thought not. Having it shelved by the first letter is hard enough.” Spike rolled his eyes, not commenting on Twilight’s weird way of shelving books. By this point, he was used to it. “I still think you should go.” “With whom?” Twilight growled. Spike shrugged. “At the very least, let your brother take you out.” Twilight shook her head. “He’s married now. It just wouldn’t be right.” Spike sighed. “But...” Twilight smirked. “If you are so insistent on getting me a date-” She allowed him to make his own connections. Spike’s face went from green to yellow, then to white. “Twilight! I’m too young!” “And I’m too busy.” The two went through and sorted books for some time. The stacks grew larger and larger, and the shelves emptier and emptier. Twilight would quickly skim each of the books that she hadn't read before placing it on a teetering stack near the door. Spike, however, just kept pulling and placing. Before he knew it, Spike was finished with his section long before his bookworm friend. “Uh... Twilight?” he asked, tapping her on the shoulder. Twilight jumped, tossing the books in her magical grasp everywhere. “SPIKE!” she snapped. “Uh... Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I’m done. Anything else you need me to do?” Twilight looked around the large room. “I can’t think of anything at this moment,” she muttered. “You know what Spike? Rarity’s right. You could use the socialization and take one of those unfortunate fillies out.” Spike groaned. “Come on Spike, it’s one measly meal! How hard can it be?” Spike raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard that one before.” “Just shut up and go have fun. Owlowiscious, go with him to make sure he gets there.” Spike groaned as Twilight’s number two assistant landed beside him. Owlowiscious twisted his head all the way around one direction, then the other. “Who?” he said. “Me!” Spike snapped. Twilight stifled a giggle. “Go have fun you two.” Spike snorted. “I’m guessing he gets to go along on the date as well.” “Only if you are too much of a baby to keep your claws to yourself,” she smirked. Spike rolled his eyes, but escaped before Twilight got any more bright ideas. Twilight, returning to her task, started picking up the books she had dropped when she had been startled. One by one she placed them on the stacks when one suddenly caught her eye. It was an older book. It had a black binding with an image of a large grey earth pony colt with a black mane and tail, and his cutie mark was a cow skull. From the picture, it was obvious it was an older colt in his adolescent years. “Stallion of the Family, By the Arista,” she read out loud. She bit her lip. “This sounds interesting.” She placed it in a different corner to read later, then returned to stacking books. Pinkie Pie was dancing in Sugar Cube Corner. “Are you excited? Because I’m excited! I’ve never been so excited!” Mr. and Mrs. Cake dashed behind her, catching flower, sugar, and other kitchen odds and ends. “A picnic! A town wide Hearts and Hooves picnic!” she giggled. “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Cakes looked uneasy. “Yeah,” muttered Mr. Cake. “We are going to need a party!” Pinkie glanced about. “The best, superdy duperdy party with the most awesomest stuff in all of Equestria! With... PINK!” she giggled, turning cartwheels that knocked two bottles of oil off a shelf, sending it careening to the floor and shattering upon impact. “You know what else we’ll need?” The Cakes shook their heads worriedly. “THINK CHEESE!” They groaned. Author's Note Thank you all for reading. If anybody wants to read the book Twilight found, it's real title is Man of the Family, by Ralph Moody. It's the second book of the Little Britches Series. The event I'll be referencing in this story only actually takes place in only one, or two of the chapters. But it caught my eye... and I'll be tossing it in. This chapter has a LOT in it of what's going to be happening during the coarse of the book. So hold on to your seats, and don't discredit anything. It might come back in later chapters as important. And so my shipping game begins. Thank you again for reading, Chapter two will be out some time the second week of April. Probably the 11'th but don't hold your breath. If there are any ships you want to see in this story, please comment below. I'll not add any ships that are not straight. I don't approve of same sex... and it will not appear in any of my work. Till Next Month Cowgirl Out.
Chapter TwoSpike dragged himself up the steps, glancing to the sky. He was certain he was right on time, if not... pretty close to it. Might be a tad early... maybe he should sit out on the- “Hi Spike!” Spike leapt three feet in the air. Looking all around, he saw a little grey unicorn filly. “Dinky?” The filly smiled. “Just hiding out here early,” she said. “Are you comin-” “To join in on the picnic,” Spike finished. Dinky clapped her hooves excitedly. “Can you pull me?” Spike stopped, blinking. “I thought this was a random thing?” he asked. “It is, but the colts...err... dragons can trade! Can you trade for me?” Spike was a bit at a loss for this. “We’ll see,” he said simply. “Good!” she giggled. “Because, I don’t want to get one of the mean colts... and you are nice! I’ve seen you play with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom and-” Her face went white as a sheet. “The orange one.” Spike smiled. “Scootaloo,” he supplied. Dinky hid her face in her front hooves. “That one. I can never remember her name.” Spike shot her a friendly smile. “Don’t worry about it Dinky. I’m going to head in, alright? I need to get the card before I can ask you out.” Dinky looked down shyly. “Thank you Spike.” The young dragon blushed. “Don’t mention it. Now I’d better get inside.” He waved as he entered through the large school house door. The one-roomed school house was a frenzy of activity. A few foals were still sitting at their desks finishing up their lessons, but most of them were quickly packing up their belongings. “I’m going to only settle for the best,” Diamond Tiara was bragging to Silver Spoon. “You wish,” Scootaloo huffed. Diamond spun about. “Oh really! Says a looser blank flank!” The Cutie Mark Crusaders rolled their eyes. “Easy, Scoot,” Sweetie whispered. “It isn’t worth it.” “Yeah, it’ll only make things worse,” Apple Bloom added. Scootaloo’s wings rustled, but she turned back to her own work. “Look at that, Silver!” Diamond bragged. “Looks like they really are losers.” “Um, Miss Cheerilee?” Spike squeaked. “Twilight... Rarity,” he gulped. Cheerilee smiled up at him. “Ah Spike, Rarity told me you might join in. Please sit on the bench in the back. Let’s wait for the fillies to leave.” Spike raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t they go-” “Nope!” Apple Bloom giggled. “We’re stayin’ outside and waitin’ for our...” she smirked, “knight to come and ask us for the date.” Sweetie and Scootaloo giggled at Apple Bloom’s act. Spike glanced about before finding a seat, uncertain about the upcoming events. After a few minutes, the other fillies started trickling out the front door. Glancing out the window, Spike could see them all congregating in the play yard to the side of the building. He gulped. “Alright colts... and Spike, let’s get started. Everypony find a seat,” Cheerilee sang. The young colts each settled themselves nervously into their seats. “Alright, I’ll go over this one more time,” she said, pulling a little basket from under her desk. “In this basket, I have every filly’s name. One at a time, I’ll pass out the cards with the fillies’ names on them. Then, if you have a name you don’t want, don’t be afraid to ask around and see if you can get a different date. The fillies are all waiting outside, so once decided, go and ask them out.” Most of the colts looked nervous. Spike wiped his sticky, sweaty claws on his legs. “Anything we need to remember?” he asked. Cheerilee smiled. “Have fun,” she answered. “Alright, if you will get in a line, you may come to the front and choose your names.” Twilight giggled as she read the story. The beginning was a tad rough; the father just died, and the young colt named Little Britches was struggling to support his family. But the adventures he had, trying to support the family! Twilight giggled again, almost wanting to go and see if there were any more books in the series to be read. Suddenly, there was a crash. From high up above, the window shattered as the notorious Rainbow Crash—I mean Dash—came tumbling through it and landed in a heap on the floor. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight growled, throwing down the book in a particularly interesting part. Rainbow Dash, upon shaking the little glass shards from her fur, leapt to her hooves, squealing and emphatically repeating OMG over and over again. “OH Twilight!” she gushed, pulling a letter from beneath her wing. “LOOK!” she giggled. Twilight caught the letter in her magic. “Dearest Dashie” she read aloud. She raised an eyebrow, cocking her head to the side. “After the events that occurred at Rainbow Falls, I would like to ask if you would like to spend-” Twilight’s cheeks turned bright red. “With love, Soarin Skies.” She gulped and glanced to Rainbow Dash. “Isn’t this, like, so awesome? A Wonderbolt wants to spend the day with me!” She gave a filly-like squeal. Twilight switched eyebrows. “Uh, Dash, I’m not sure...” “Won’t it be, like, so awesome? A full day with a Wonderbolt! Just the two of us!” Twilight rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Maybe you should invite him to the picnic,” she suggested. “Why would I do that?” Dash paused mid-spin. Twilight sighed, chuckling softly to herself. “Rainbow, don’t look now, but I think you have an admirer.” Rainbow’s smile paused. “Well, duh! I’m AWESOME!” Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Shaking her head, she sighed, saying, “Never mind, Rainbow Dash.” She handed the letter back to her. “I hope you enjoy your little date.” Rainbow Dash froze, “And who said it was a date? We are just going to hang out.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Yeah, and he sent you a letter to hang out?” “Exactly!” Twilight sighed. “Alright, but I’d visit Rarity first.” “Wait, what?” Twilight returned to the story, ignoring Dash’s spluttering, grinning like the cat who just ate the canary. “Oh, but I’m not so sure.” Rarity sighed, laying her tea cup on the table. She and Fluttershy were sitting out behind Fluttershy’s cottage and having a sweet little tea party with a few of the woodland critters. She had stopped by on her way home and had not been able to pass up dear Fluttershy’s offer. “Fluttershy!” Rarity cooed. “It’s Hearts and Hooves! Don’t tell me that hunk of a stallion hasn’t asked you out yet!” Fluttershy swallowed hard. “No, b-b-but, I-I-I... I don’t think I want to... you know, we aren’t exactly serious.” She hid behind her mane, her hoof shaking so much that her tea began to slosh over the sides. Rarity, oblivious, continued. “I must say, as far as looks goes... he’s not bad, but man is he a mound of muscles.” she swooned a faint. “He’s strong, I will say that,” Fluttershy sighed. “But I’m not sure-” “Nonsense, darling! You must do something-” “Rarity!” Rarity paused. “What is it, Fluttershy?” “I just don’t think... I should... you know...” Her face began to flush. “Make the move.” “Oh.” Rarity paused, her face clouded with thoughts. “So, if you don’t mind, when Mr. Biceps is ready to ask me out, he will. Until then, please just... let us do it our way?” Rarity sighed emphatically. “Oh well, but I will say, it will be simply marvelous to make us all matching date outfits.” Fluttershy looked down. “Well, if you want to make us something, I won’t pre-” “But Fluttershy DARLING!” Rarity cried dramatically. “Why make outfits if there won’t be an occasion to wear it?” “Maybe for when it arises?” Fluttershy whispered timidly. “What about you Rarity? Any stallion asked you out yet?” Rarity sighed. “Not a nibble!” She threw her hoof to her forehead dramatically. “Nopony loves me!” Fluttershy smiled. “Don’t worry about it Rarity, there is a special stallion out there for you.” “I do hope you are right, Fluttershy, for I fear I will forever be single! Single and alone in life.” “Oh, I am sure you won’t.” Fluttershy sighed. “Besides, we all have each other. How can we all be single and alone when we are all together?” Rarity rolled her eyes. “You just don’t get it, Fluttershy.” She placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulders. “Having friends is one thing, but having... a special somepony...” She smiled dreamily. “Now that is quite different. Quite different indeed.” One by one, the young colts pulled the scraps of paper from the small straw hat. Pipsqueak stood nervously at the end of the line behind his elder brother Teacher’s Pet. He slowly made his way to the front as the line grew shorter, his knees shaking the whole time. “Pet?” Pip whispered. Teacher’s Pet glanced behind him. “Yeah?” “Um... are you sure I’m old enough?” Pet shrugged. “It’s just a lunch.” Pipsqueak blushed. “With a filly for Hearts and Hooves.” Pet turned his attention back to the front of the class. Pip groaned, scuffing his hooves he glanced about. “So Pet, who do you want to go out with?” Pet raised an eyebrow. “Don’t care, whoever I get is fine.” “You mean you aren't going to fight for her?” “For who?” Pip flashed a smug grin at his brother. “Twist! You two would be perfect for one another!” “Who said?” Pet whispered. “I overheard some of the fillies talking to Twist.” “Twist likes me?” Pipsqueak shrugged, “Don’t know bro, but I heard your name come up twice over lunch.” Pet blushed, then looked to the front, they were now only three back. Within seconds, Pip found that it was his turn. He reached in for the final slip of paper and opened it. Twist “Twilight!” Applejack entered the large castle, glancing left and right. “Twi, where are ya?” “In the library!” Twilight almost growled. Applejack trotted in that direction. “What ya doin’ sugarcube?” “Reading,” Twilight answered. “What ya readin?” “A book I found.” “What book?” “Stallion of the family,” Twilight replied. Applejack cocked her head to the side. “Can’t say ah’ve read that one.” “I think you'd enjoy it.” Twilight said, closing the book. “It’s a more country style. But AJ, have you ever heard of a Hearts and Hooves tradition that uses a basket?” “As in a picnic?” Applejack sat down. Twilight shook her head. “No, in the story the young colts decide their Ma needs to be included, since their Pa died.” “Ah see.” “Well, something the town does is all the young stallions fill a basket with this and that, then without signing their names, write a note in a little card with the name of the mare it’s intended for...” “So the colts do this for their Ma.” Twilight nodded. Applejack nodded. “Sounds interesten’. Never heard of it mahself, but I do wonder if Granny has.” “Me too,” Twilight exclaimed. “I think it’ll be fun!” “And get yer’ castle filled with baskets?” “They are left on the door step.” Applejack smirked. “Listen Twi, yer’ a princess. Trust me, every stallion in town will be leavin’ ya a basket.” Twilight blinked. “I never thought of that.” Removing her hat, Applejack sat down beside Twilight chuckling. “Who knows, maybe it won’t happen. But I agree, it does sound like a lot o’ fun. Ah mean, this gettin’ baskets from stallions and guessin’ who our secret admirer is. Not that ah expect ta get any.” “I’m certain you will Applejack. I’m cer-” “Mah cousins, maybe, but outside o’ that, nah. They are all too afraid of Big Mac. But ya know, letting the stallions have all ta’ fun of making ta baskets just ain’t fair.” Twilight cocked her head to the side. “I thought you liked tradition.” “Ah do! But I think it’ll be more fun if we mares can join in. Ah mean, it’s not like our names will be on them.” Twilight raised an eyebrow, studying her friend. “Do-” Applejack glared. “Ah just thought Rainbow Dash would feel left out not gettin’ to-” “You know, Applejack, I think Dash would enjoy making Soarin a mystery basket. Also, making baskets ourselves does sound fun. The foals might be going on a picnic, but we get to pack the basket. One question though: What would we fill it with? In the story, the colts filled their Ma’s basket with candy and flowers. I’m not certain the stallions would appreciate flowers.” “Some do,” Applejack stated. “Shoot, Twi! I know mares who don’t like flowers. Though ah’m thinkin’ we don’t have ta’ do flowers.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.” “Ya know, there are other thing’s ya put in a basket... like apples!” Twilight laughed. “That just might work.” Applejack nodded. “Shoot, if the foals can have fun with a picnic, then we can have fun with the baskets.” Author's Note And thaks for reading. Man I had fun with this one. Dinky likes Spike! Now that surprised even me! I wonder if Spike is going to fight for her? And Twist has her eyes on the class Chubby Nerd! Yep, I ship it. And Pip getting the card! Now that was actually random. I actually filled a hat with names and just drew. Dash... Um... if a guy asks you out it's a date... just for the record. "Nah!" Whatever you say Dashie. Thank you all for reading, if there are any ships you want to see... let me know. Pip will end up with Apple Bloom, just be patient... I'm having fun with the whole 'trading' game. This is going to get CRAZY! I promise a wrestling match... upset fillies... and the CMC getting the last laugh on Diamond. And now we have the baskets to go with the picnic... this is going to get wild. Next chapter will be out May 16th. Cowgirl Out
Chapter ThreeTwist and Pipsqueak sat in a corner, staring at the card. “Who’d you pull, little bro?” Pet asked. He handed the three-by-five card to Teacher’s Pet. “Your lady,” he groaned. Teacher’s Pet took the card and, putting on his dark-rimmed glasses, looked at it. “Yep, you sure did.” Pip sat down, devastated. “That’s not who I wanted!” he sighed. “So you had a filly in mind?” “Yes, no... maybe?” Pet laughed. “Want to know who I got?” “Who?” Pip sighed. “Diamond Tiara” Pip shivered. “Not her!!” “Yep.” Pet frowned. "I might be able to-" Pip handed his card to his brother without a second's hesitation. "She said we can trade. I'm trading." Pet frowned. "You are willing to have her?" Pip shook his head. "No, but I've got friends among the class kids. You don't." Teacher's Pet frowned. His brother was right. While he and Cheerilee were great friends, he didn't know the other classmates very well at all, nor did he have any intention of getting to know them. That wasn't his way of doing things. Friends got in the way of studying. So did brothers, but brothers are family, so they didn't count. "Are you going to take it?" Pip asked, breaking his brother from his mental rundown. Pet blinked, then accepted his younger brother’s card with a shy smile and handed Pip his own card. "Thanks bro," he said, running a hoof shyly over the card's wrinkled surface. Pip chuckled, "I don't know what you like more, her cooking, or her brains." With that, Pip trotted off to start trying to trade the 'old maid' card with any one of the other students. He didn't care at that moment who he got. Spike sat down in a lone corner before opening his card. In the back of his head he could already see Rarity making the outfits... now why couldn't he just go out with her and be done with it? Nope, that's not how this game worked. They were stuck with the fillies in school. Spike opened the card and blinked. "Dinky" His heart sank and stomach flopped at the same time. Yeah she had asked for him, but was she really who he wanted? He bit his lip, leaning against the desk and sighing. "Apple Bloom," Snips said in the corner beside him. His horn flashed for a moment. "Snails, who do you have?" "Silver Spoon!" Snails beamed. "She's so pretty!" "I know!" Snips said, "Not as pretty as Diamond Tiara." "Yeah, she's like, the prettiest girl in the school!" Snails affirmed. Spike couldn't help but roll his eyes. These two were goofs. "Hey!" Pip said, overhearing their conversation. "You have Apple Bloom?" he asked Snails. Snips nodded. "Yep!" "Well, I've got Diamond's card. I was wondering if you were up to a trade." Snips' face lit up. "Yeah!" The trade took place immediately. As soon as Pip had the card, he took off out the door to go find Apple Bloom. The younger sister of a friend of a princess... now that was big. Spike chuckled, standing up after watching the whole display. He could see some fun in it. Slowly, he started walking around the room. "You want to trade for Fire Chief?" asked a colt to another. "Scootaloo for Fire?" the second colt exclaimed. Spike had to think back. The first one was Rumble. He was unsure of the second one's name. "No, unless it's Sweetie, I'm not trading." Rumble looked downcast. "Come on! I told Thunder I'd come home with Scootaloo's card!" The other colt, who wore a spinny hat, shook his head. "No deal." "Alright Button,” Rumble sighed, “If I get Sweetie, will you hold Scootaloo till I get back?” The first colt shrugged, "Alright, sounds good.” Spike walked on. Trade after trade went on in the room. As soon as a colt had who he wanted, he'd leave to go ask her out. A few times a colt would come back in looking downcast having to go through the motions of getting another, less desirable card. Sighing, Spike decided it was time for himself to face the music. Obviously there was colt in the room who actually wanted Sweetie for the picnic. Spike didn't care. Yeah, she was Rarity's younger sister, but he had Dinky’s card. No point in fighting it from there. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sat outside under the slide. None of the fillies were doing much. Inside, the colts were trading them around like a bunch of goods. How this ever was considered a good idea back when Rarity was little, Sweetie would never be sure. "Do ya think they are almost done yet?" Apple Bloom asked in a hushed voice. "No," Scootaloo stated matter of factly. "No way! Or they'd be out here." "What's taking so long?" Apple Bloom asked. "I don't—" Scootaloo began, but got no farther as two colts broke down the schoolhouse door. Every filly in the school yard gasped as the two colts hammered it out. "I want that card!" Rumble said through gritted teeth. "Yeah? What is she to you?" "If I don't get your card, I can't trade for the one I want!" Rumble said, biting the orange colt's ear. "I wonder whose card it is?" Sweetie asked. "Seems a bit, over the top," Apple Bloom stated. Scootaloo, however, was all into it. "Left jab! Now kick! Get him!" she yelled. The other two glared. "Really Scoots, yer gonna encourage it?" Apple Bloom asked. Scootaloo blushed. "Uh, maybe?" None of them saw how, but when they looked back to the squabbling colts, Rumble had pinned the other one firmly to the ground. "Give me Sweetie's card now! Here's Fire's card." Sweetie's face flushed red. "All that over ME!?!" she exclaimed. "Here," Rumble said, thrusting Sweetie's card at Button Mash. "She's yours. Now, I had to fight for this, and I am willing to fight again to get Scootaloo's card." Button had no intent on getting pounded by the colt, so he hoofed it over before opening the offered card and kissing it. "Sweetie, you're mine now!" "Only if she accepts you," Rumble stated. "She did just see me fight for it." "Speaking of," Button asked, "How are you going to- um... Fix the door?" Rumble paused, looking over at the door. "Um- I don't really know." "Eh, don't worry about it," Pip said, appearing as if from nowhere with a bunch of building supplies. "I just have to get the hinge back in. I'll unscrew the... Man, you broke the hinge. Well, we could always-" "Ask Cheerilee?" Button asked. "Nah, Apple Bloom! She's the best builder in this school, and it just so happens I've got her card," Pip said, waving it. His grin spread from ear to ear. "Right," Button said, "So you are going to ask her out, then tell her to fix the door?" Pip shrugged. "No, I don't think that would work all that well. However, maybe asking her out, then requesting her to assist me with the door-" "Oh! Why didn't I think of that?" Rumble exclaimed, "I bet we can get all three of their help. All we have to do is suggest its likelihood of a Cutie Mark Mission." Button Mash nodded. "I'm not sure about Sweetie. She seems a bit soft for such work." "She's soft, or you're soft?" Pip asked, raising an eyebrow at the other colt. Button wiggled uneasily in his chair. "Both?"
