Candy Pie

Chapter Two~Sweet Apple Acres and Sugarcube Corner

"Howdy, Fizzlepop!" Applejack's voice rang out. "I'm in the kitchen!"

Fizzlepop only took a few steps into the foyer before an old cranky voice said, "What're you doin' here, Tempest Shadow?" The light green elderly pony sat on a creaky wooden rocking chair. A frown was clearly displayed on Granny Smith's face.

"It's Fizzlepop Berrytwist, actually," Fizzlepop ducked her head, flushing. "Uh, Spike asked me to get apple juice..." Fizzlepop decided to add some sugar to coat her words. "And I just knew that Sweet Apple Acres would be the perfect place to get it because you have such good apples!"

Granny Smith's demeanor shifted pretty quickly after that. "Why yes, we have wonderful apples. You know, my father and I grew this orchard from scratch," she said, groaning as she got up from her perch on the chair. "We also discovered the zap apple jam, only made here at Sweet Apple Acres! Oh, yes, I nearly forgot. Did you know my grandfoals are half pear? A pony named Pear Butter from the Pear family married my son, Bright Mac. Now, about where our family started, let's see..."

"Fizzlepop-oh."

The two ponies looked up to see Applejack in the door frame. "I was wondering where yeh had gotten to. Figuring yer talkin' to Granny, reckon I'd step in before yer here all night. Once yeh get Granny started on history..." Applejack trailed off with a chuckle.

Granny Smith looked indignant. "Now Applejack, I was just getting started tellin' Tempest-er-Fizzlepop here, our history which is very important."

"Mhm," Applejack answered, grinning. "Well, maybe y'all could save yer history talk fer later. Fizzlepop, I believe I have some apple juice for yeh in the back. C'mon."

Fizzlepop nodded and followed Applejack out back. "Thank you so much. I can't stand talks about history. Even short ones."

"Trust me, once you get Granny going, there is no short ones."

The orange earth pony gestured to the crates filled with apple juice. Fizzlepop stared at the crates. "I didn't know Spike wanted this much."

"It's his usual order that he places every week. He usually comes to pick it up, but I guess he sent you instead," Applejack explained.

"He went to the Dragonlands to visit Ember. If I didn't know better, I would've thought he had a crush on her," Fizzlepop joked.

Applejack jerked her head back, then looked up and down, surveying the farm with its silos, animal pens, and orchard, checking for any other ponies. Then she leaned in and whispered, "Uh... He does."

Fizzlepop felt her face arrange itself in a picture of shock before she burst into peals of laughter. Applejack soon joined in, and they were rolling on the dirt ground, giggling. After a few moments, the two recovered and Fizzlepop loaded the crate into a small wagon.

"Need any help around the farm?" Fizzlepop asked. "I'd be glad to help."

Applejack paused for a moment, contemplating. "Naw. We're all good here. Thanks though, Fizzlepop."

Fizzlepop nodded before latching the harness around herself and began pulling the cart to the next stop-Sugarcube Corner. She marveled at the sights of the happy ponies, sitting by the fountain, the small foals frolicking across the lush green grasses... To think she tried destroying this place, to think she wanted to rip this peace and happiness away from them... Fizzlepop shuddered at who she used to be. She was so glad she had recognized which side she truly wanted to be on.

Fizzlepop's ears perked up as she heard distant... Cello music? Dubstep cello music? Huh? As she rounded the corner, she saw a cellist and a DJ on a platform stage with ponies all around sitting and watching. Fizzlepop watched from afar and joined in stamping her hooves to the ground in applause.

"Vinyl Scratch and Octavia, we love you!"
"Octavia! Cellos forever!"
"Vinyl and Octavia are sooo cute!"
"DJ-ing!"

So the ponies were Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. Fizzlepop watched as the two leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips. The pony felt a small pang in her chest. A small part of her longed for the romance of a relationship, but she ignored it and resumed her walking pace and made her way to Sugarcube Corner.

The bright pink eye-catching shop stood out amongst the tan and yellow buildings and cottages of Ponyville. The whole shop looked as if it were made out of candy, and no doubt it was Pinkie's idea. A long time ago, Sugarcube Corner used to be a drab light brown store, blending in with the homes, but Pinkie came along and redecorated the entire shop. Or at least that's what Fizzlepop had been told.

"Hiya, Fizzlepop! How can I help you?"

Fizzlepop looked up, finding Pinkie watching her from behind the counter. It hit Fizzlepop that she actually had no reason for coming to the bakery and had no idea why she had come. "Erm..."

Pinkie's bright blue eyes suddenly went wide. "Ohh! You're here for my Green Cupcakes!"

Fizzlepop nodded eagerly, glad for an excuse. She didn't want it to sound like she had only come to see Pinkie-wait. Wasn't that precisely what she had just done? "Uh, what are they, again?"

Pinkie popped up right beside Fizzlepop and explained, "They're made out of veggies and stuff. Green? Get it? Buuuut they still taste really good! At least I think so."

The pink pony stuffed a cupcake into Fizzlepop's mouth. Fizzlepop chewed thoughtfully. It tasted like vegetables... but it didn't taste bad. Quite good, actually. Fizzlepop nodded her approval.

"Yay," Pinkie said happily.

"Wanna go see Vinyl Scratch and Octavia perform live outside Town Hall?" Fizzlepop blurted suddenly. "To just... hangout? 'Cause I feel like I don't see you that much." The blush was evident on Fizzlepop's cheeks-wait. Blush?! What was wrong with her today? Blush? What even?

Fortunately, Pinkie was about as dense as her cupcake, so she just replied with a 'Sure!' and the two headed over to Town Hall.

"Can you guys cover for me?" Pinkie yelled on their way out. "'Kay, thanks!"

"Who were you talking to?" Fizzlepop wondered as they traveled over the dirt paths.

"Pumpkin and Pound Cake," Pinkie answered, and they continued down the road.

Weren't those... foals? Fizzlepop asked herself. Knowing Pinkie Pie, probably. And that's what I like about her. Wait. Like? As in... crush? Was Fizzlepop... started to like her best friend?