"Okie, dokie, lokie, Annie Oakley!" Pinkie Pie beamed from behind the counter.
The pink party pony then proceeded to pack a plethora of perfectly palatable pastries for a patient pony. Their purchase packaged, Pinkie Pie passed the pony their precious provisions. The purchasing pony promptly presented the precise payment, which Pinkie Pie put in its place, then proceeding to pleasantly protrude an appendage.
"Bye bye!" Pinkie Pie said, waving a foreleg enthusiastically as her happy customer departed. "Come again soon!"
The candy-colored creature clutched a cupcake, conveying it carefully to her oral cavity, consuming it.
"Mmm," Pinkie sounded, licking her lips and rubbing her tummy.
The mare merrily moaned, mouthing the melted mush's marvelousness.
"That was so good!"
The taste t'was toothsome. Trilling triumphantly—
Pinkie giggled. "Gummy, I think that's enough reading for today," she said, picking up the open dictionary that sat in front of the alligator. She closed the book and slid it onto a shelf beneath the counter.
Of course I was instantly disappointed. The book had been most stimulating. I blinked, conceding that perhaps that had been enough alliteration for one day.
The bell above the door to Sugarcube Corner rang out. Pinkie lifted her eyes to see the new customer, only to behold an altogether unusual sight; a full-grown bear, about the size of Fluttershy's beloved Harry, was attempting to squeeze through the door. He had been half successful, and groaned as he pushed with his paws against the edges of the door frame, doing his best to dislodge his hips and pull them through. He stopped groaning for a moment and looked up.
"Hey, don't just stand there!" the bear said, though there was no malice in his tone. "Give me a hand!"
Pinkie Pie blinked, realizing that the creature was addressing her. She didn't know how she could understand him, seeing as he was a bear and all, but she was always willing to help out somepon—that is, somecreature in need. She zipped to the doorway and began to pull at one of his proffered arms with her earth pony strength. In a matter of seconds, punctuated by the strained groans of both individuals, the bear was pulled into the bakery with a pop.
The bear towered over Pinkie, a smile on his face as he gasped for air in a slightly slumped position, his paws on his knees. He could've stood upright, as the ceiling was about a foot higher than his height, but right now he was just catching his breath after the physical exertion of getting through the door. "Thanks, little pony. You're pretty strong for such an itty bitty thing."
"You're welcome," Pinkie replied, smiling.
"You know, you should really consider putting in a bigger door."
Pinkie giggled. "Well, we don't usually get customers as big as you!"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Tall, I meant tall!" Pinkie corrected, sweating a little, and grinning a broad but nervous grin.
The bear threw his head back, sounding out a deep, mirthful laugh.
Eased by his reaction, Pinkie joined him, giggling herself as she bounced in place.
The bear wiped a tear from his eye and his voice boomed cheerfully, "The name's Baloo, and you're alright, Miss..."
"Pinkie Pie!" she said, beaming. "Baker, impromptu singer, bagel-inspector, and Ponyville's resident party pony!"
"Well, Pinkie Pie," Baloo began, smiling down at her, "what is that deeelicious smell? Mm! Pulled me right in! Along with your helpful hooves," he added that last part with a small grin.
Pinkie snickered. "Well, it's a bakery, silly! Lot's of great tasty treats to try here!"
"Well, how about that!" he voiced jovially. "It just so happens I could do with a little something to satisfy the old belly!" He produced a paw, holding out several bits. "Tell me, Pinkie? What could a hungry bear get for this much here currency."
Pinkie eyed the bits analytically, putting a forehoof to her chin. "Not much," she replied honestly. "A few cupcakes?"
"Oh." Baloo seemed disappointed. His stomach, as if on cue, emitted a loud grumble. "S'cuse me," he apologized, grinning sheepishly.
"Hmm." Pinkie didn't like the idea of sending a customer away hungry, and his pitiful number of bits sure wouldn't be enough to fill up someone as big as—that is, as tall as him. The glint of decision shone in her eyes. "No problem!" She beamed. "I'll gather up a collection of our best treats! On the house!" Of course, she wasn't going to let the Cakes pay for her generosity. She'd have them deduct it all from her pay later. Pinkie zipped behind the counter in a flash, grabbing the biggest plate she could find and piling on a selection of all the best pastries!
"Well, that's mighty decent of ya, Pinkie," Baloo said gratefully, easing onto his haunches by a nearby table. "But I hope you know I'm no charity case! How's about I sing for my meal? We could do a duet!"
Pinkie looked over at him from beside the tower of treats, just adding a bit of whipped cream at the tippy-top of the pastry spire while holding onto a fixture that hung from the ceiling. "A song?" She grinned brightly, emitting a squee as she did. "That would be super-duper-fantastic!" In a flash, she stood in front of him, holding out the delectable skyscraper of treats. "We can do that right after you eat!"
Baloo blinked, taking the plate into his paws. "You may be a little thing, Pinkie Pie, but you sure are spry!"
Pinkie giggled, watching as Baloo proceeded to tie a large white napkin around his neck.
---*---
"MmmMmm!" Baloo sounded, rubbing his belly in satisfaction. "You sure know how pile it on, Pinkie! I haven't been this full since I first learned that honey was more than just some yellow bug goop!"
Pinkie and the bear laughed in unison, and she took his empty plate into her hooves, nothing remaining of his pastry tower but a few minuscule crumbs. "You sure you can't eat anymore?" she asked, wanting to make sure he wasn't just being polite.
"Naww," he told her. "Besides, can't be too full! I've still got a tune to belt out! So, whaddya know? The Old Mill Stream? Bear Necessities? You said you do impromptu. Care to have a go at simply singin' from the old ticker?" He gave her a wink.
Pinkie gasped, immediately producing some musical instruments out of thin air. She hoofed him an accordion, keeping the flugelhorn for herself. "Take it away, my fine furried friend!" she instructed happily.
Baloo cleared his throat, commencing to squeeze his instrument into emitting the first few melodious notes. Pinkie began to blow through her flugelhorn as well, creating some jazzy notes for the song, but being sure not to be so loud as to overpower Baloo's accordion. As the harmonies grew stronger, Baloo began to tap his foot, and ponies outside started being drawn inside of Sugarcube Corner, curious about the sound. Even Gummy began to flick his tail back and forth from his spot on the counter. Baloo was the first to start singing,
Pinkie Pie~
You and I~
We're two of a kind
Of the same mind
And your pastries are perfectly divine!
Oh, you're a baker
Ain't no faker
A sweet, sweet melody maker
(Oh, yeah!)
And now we're playin' in tune
Your sweets are makin' me croon
This is all for you there, so sing it!
Hey there, Baloo!~
So glad I met you!
Tradin' beats for the sweets the way that you do!
I'm diggin' this jive that this bear's layin' on me
You're the best baritone anypony'd wanna be
(Oh, go on!)
You came in here lookin' for a taste of the grub
But now we're both singin', gettin' down in the club!
(Sweet rhythms!)
Well, when it comes to the music I'd say you pass the test!
When I say your singin's super, y'know I am impressed!
(You're makin' me blush!)
It's as plain as good pie, it's as clear as carefree!
You're the best friend anypony'd ever hope to be!
(Go on, sing it!)
(Come on, everypony!)
Baloo and Pinkie really went at it on their instruments, the crowd of ponies surrounding commencing to build up a collective of rhythmic clopping sounds.
Oh! Sweet, sweet music!~
Sweet as sugar cubes!~
Sweet as a cupcake!
Sweet, but not as sweet as you!
(Aww!)
We're havin' a jam
That pony's rockin' the spoons
Ditzy did a brief solo, tapping the silverware against the table like it were a big drum.
I'm really diggin' it man!
Pinkie, how about you?
(You know it!)
Oh! Sweet, sweet music!~
Sweet as sugar cubes!~
Sweeter than icing?
Pinkie, oh! You know it's true!
We're singin' and we're playin' and we're havin' a ball!
Pinkie Pie, you can do it all!~
I say, Pinkieeeee Pieeeeeeeeeeeeee~
...Yeah?
Well your sweet, sweet music is the: sweetest of all~
(D'aaawww)
Oh! Sweet, sweet music!~
It's just as sweet as sugar cubes!~
As the final note sounded, the crowd erupted into an appreciative cheer, some even clopping their hooves in applause. Baloo wiped a few droplets of sweat from his brow, grinning widely. "You've really got some moves there, Pinkie!"
The pink pony giggled. "So do you, tall bear!"
"Encore!" a voice sounded from the audience.
"Encore!" several others echoed.
"Encore!" many ponies chorused, clopping their hooves as they chanted.
Baloo looked to Pinkie with a smirk. "Well, whaddya say, pink cat?"
Pinkie Pie chuckled. "Well, what else can I say?" She grabbed a harmonica. "Lay it on me, O'Malley!"
Author's Note
Please direct your grammar and spelling corrections to PM. Thank you. 
