A blank start

Part 1

The Final Arc: "The first Chef among the stars."

A true restart and beginning a new life.

It was early in the morning, much earlier than normal. Twilight Sparkle woke up at only six in the morning. The loud sounds that was coming from the builders that were busy removing the remains of the festival made her wake up extra early. But that wasn't the only reason she woke up this early. She needed to badly speak with her suppliers before the Cafe would begin operations once more.

In fact, she was expecting a storm of people. But due to the removal of her title, most tourists no longer cared for her existence. So nobody from outside Ponyville would come, unless she made her cafe famous enough for it. But not only that, she wanted to help Ponyville recover from the many issues that came after them.

You might ask, what issues? Well having the Elements of harmony people live in Ponyville is both a blessing and a curse. Not only will they offer Ponyville invaluable protection from the outside, they would also attract them back to Ponyville. Which is actually another reason why many tourists didn't dare to stay for too, too long in Ponyville. Add on top of that the lack of tourist amenities, and you would create a tourist nightmare.

The amount of lacking this town had to invite outside interference was incredible. Besides the active marketplace and active but simple train station. There wasn't much else. No hotels, no trashcans, not enough benches, not enough cafe or restaurants. Poor road infrastructure. The list goes on and on. But... unlike popular belief. Twilight couldn't care less. She didn't make this cafe to draw thousands to her cafe. She made it to express her love of cooking to the world.

But just as she left her store to talk to her suppliers, she literally bumped face first into Cadence. Who just happened to be standing outside her house. After falling on her back dazed by the encounter she picks herself back up to look at who she bumped into.

"Ugh... Why... were you standing so close to my front door... Ugh..." Twilight said annoyed at Cadence. Who simply looks sheepish back at her.

"Sorry about that Twi. But I really need you help!" Cadence said as she dusted Twilight off as a form of apology.

"No... I... am busy." Twilight responded still slightly dazed.

Cadence sighed, "I don't think you understand. The elements of Harmony won't be able to do this alone. They need one more person. And I think that person should be you."

"No. I am serious Cadence. I cannot leave my cafe a second time unguarded. I need to do my administration among other things. Like serious talk with my suppliers. This time I truly am unavailable Cadence. I need to do this. Since I haven't touched the literal mountain of paperwork that has been growing on my work desk in my office." Twilight said once more, this time shaking her head to ensure that her statement was final.

"But... But... We need someone! Please Twilight!" Cadence begged.

Twilight sighed, "No. Not me. Take... hm.. Spike. He hasn't seen any action as of late. And I really need to take a closer eye on my kitchen to begin with."

"Spike? You mean your chef?" Cadence asked confused.

"Yes. He is a dragon, the cold won't bother him."

"How did you-?" Cadence asked surprised this time around. Causing Twilight eyes to widen.

"Ehehe, whoops." she cleared her voice to imply she wasn't supposed to say that. "Well I am busy, take him or go alone. Bye!" Twilight said quickly as she quickly rushed over to Carrot's farm. While also practically running away from Cadence.

Cadence merely looked at Twilight, both slightly confused and annoyed. But regardless, Twilight was correct. They were going to the crystal empire. Or what is left of it anyways. Which meant they had to go through a literal snow storm. And Spike, who is a dragon, will be useful. Because while they love the heat of lave and the like. They were also entirely immune to the cold. Not that, that meant that he couldn't feel it. But it will not impede his actions. Which is kind of perfect.

Still, it made Cadence confused why Twilight behaved like that. Normally she loved adventure. But then again, Twilight did just get back from being a princess and from Canterlot. Not just that, Twilight had important responsibilities here. Similar to that of a princess of her own kingdom. Just... a lot smaller. A simple cafe in Ponyville.

Sighing, Cadence knocked on the front door of Twilight's home. With Twilight gone, there was only one other occupant of that house. And that was Spike. So after waiting a few seconds, the door was opened a second time.

"Who is knocking on the door so early...?" Spike asked as he yawns. As his eyes focus, he realized he just yawned in the face of Princess Cadence. His eyes widen and he literally jumped. "Your highness!? I apologize for my less than courteous behavior just now." He said as he bows.

"Nonsense Spike. It is quite alright. Please, no bowing." princess Cadence said with an amused smile.

"How may be of service to you, your highness?" Spike asked suddenly a lot more curious.

"I need your help. The elements of harmony and yours truly are going on an expedition soon. And we are lacking one more person. We want that to be you." She explained.

"Me? Not Twilight?"

"She has already refused to help. Apparently she cannot abandon her duties as owner of her cafe any longer. The paperwork alone would send anyone into shock. She instead offered your aid on your behalf. However, I am not so rude as to take that at face value. Instead I will try to ask you it directly. So how about it? Interested in going on an adventure into unknown lands?" Princess Cadence asked.

"Hm..." Spike said as he scratched his chin. "Twilight isn't wrong. The amount of paperwork on her desk is almost enough to fill the entire office with paper. Plus... I suppose she is busy discussing the previous contracts with her suppliers... Not to mention, a need for a new menu." Spike mumbled some more beneath his mouth. "Alright Princess. I will join. But... not for free. While Twilight or the elements of harmony do it for the sake of Equestria. I am not going to be that cheap."

"Oh? What is it that you need?"

"Trade routes. I want our cafe to have access to that land's exclusive trade goods. Like unknown vegetables, fruit or spices. That is my only demand." Spike bargained.

That caused princess Cadence's eyes to widen. She expected him to ask for gems or money. But not this. This... This she can work with. In fact... "Deal. Let's talk contract right now."

"No. Only after we complete our expedition. No matter if we succeed or not, those exclusive trade goods will persist." Spike demanded.

"Oh?!" That threw Cadence off, "Why do you want that anyways?"

"Because, before I became employed to Twilight. My family was born chefs. My parents always bragged that they had access to rare and unknown goods. I want that too. And I might as well share it with Twilight. She is the one that gave me purpose after all." Spike admitted causing Cadence to smile, realizing that he only wished for bragging rights too.

"I see. Meet me in Canterlot tomorrow morning at five. We will depart at six and hopefully arrive in the area at seven." Cadence said.

"Understood!" Spike saluted as he closed the front door and prepared to go to the crystal empire.

With Spike and Cadence busy discussing the details of the expedition. Twilight just now arrived at Carrot Top's farm. Before actually walking into the farm however, she chose to take on the sight of the farm itself. It has grown tremendously. It has already grown a lot when Filly Twilight went to visit it for those sweet sweet carrots. But by Celestia, it is so large. The size of the farm since last time dwarf in scale. Besides the several greenhouses that she visited last time. There was now an entire research branch to it. And a lot more farm land to go with it.

After another few moments, she finally entered the 'farm' if you could even call it that anymore at this point. She then entered the shop attached to the main building of the farm. Once she was inside, she realized that it was very busy inside. Lots of buyers inside and the like. But Twilight couldn't care less about the merchandise that they were selling, as she carefully squeezed passed the gathered ponies and approach a set of double doors that proceeds into the more official business side of the main building. But before she had the chance to enter through the doors she was stopped by a security guard.

"Halt. Sorry madam, that area is for official business only." The guard said as he stood in Twilight's path.

"I understand sir. I am on business here." Twilight replied.

"Please be a bit more specific. What kind of business?"

"I need to communicate on behalf of the cafe I own in regards to a contract between this farm and my place. A suppliers contract if you will."

"Name?"

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Very well. Your name is in the system. I apologize for this delay. We have been getting a lot of ponies that try to enter the restricted area with no real reason." The guard explained as it stepped aside.

"For future's reference, ponies like who?" Twilight asked.

"Ponies that are displeased about their purchase. Ponies like Trixie and Applejack."

"Alright. Thank you very much." Twilight said as she entered through the double doors. And only after another few second did she arrive at the counter of the receptionist, which she also approached.

"Hello, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"I have an appointment with Carrot Top, your CEO." Twilight said.

"Please state your name and reason for visit."

Twilight sighed, "Let me guess, it had something to do with Trixie and Applejack that your are asking me that question?"

"Yes. I apologize but this is a preventive measure. Security and all that."

"Twilight Sparkle, here to discuss our suppliers agreement." She said. The receptionist proceeded to look at an special magic orb for a bit before turning back to Twilight.

"Yes. You are on time. However..."

Twilight sighed, realizing where this is going. "Let me guess your preventive measure failed and a certain intruder is currently in the room with Carrot Top?"

The receptionist sighed, "Yes. Though this time it is Rainbow Dash. She was apparently especially in a hurry due to some kind of expedition."

"Should I just intercept it and enter anyways?" Twilight asked, causing the receptionist to think for a bit.

"Sure. It will prevent her schedule from becoming all messed up and all that. I do apologize that your are forced to do this however."

"Think nothing of it. Just... next time make the elevator locked by your magic to prevent anyone unauthorized from getting to Carrot Top without clearance." Twilight suggested as she approached the elevator.

"Good idea! I will pitch it to my managers. Have a nice day, Miss Sparkle." The receptionist said happily.

After Twilight pressed the button to go to Carrot Top's office. She could already hear the quarrel between Rainbow Dash and Carrot Top. It was a screaming match between the two of them. And as she got closer, the louder the sound became.

"Ding!" The elevator rang, which fell on deaf ears of both occupants of the room she was about to enter. But Twilight already had lit her horn in case she had to separate them both. As the door opens, Twilight's worry was confirmed. Rainbow was squashing Carrot into a wall. And apparently strong enough that Carrot couldn't free herself.

"REFUND MY PURCHASE! NOW!" She shouted at Carrot. Meanwhile Carrot didn't appear to give a crap.

"No." She simply replied. And before Rainbow was about to punch Carrot. Both ponies were placed in an incredibly powerful and unbreakable telekinesis spell and immediately separated. Rainbow tried and failed to struggle free, meanwhile Carrot was merely stunned at the unexpected intervention.

"I think, you two need a break." Twilight calmly said as she broke the silence.

"Let me go!" Rainbow shouted.

"No. Atleast not until you decide if jail is the better choice between that expedition or not." Twilight calmly replied and shutting rainbow up right then and there.

"And also Carrot. I know your ego refuses refunds. But by Celestia, ignore your ego for once if you don't wish to one day end up in the hospital for saying that to the wrong creature." Twilight said, causing Carrot to grumble but otherwise stay put.

"Now then. Without screaming and pushing ponies into walls. What happened Rainbow Dash?"

"Carrot here sold me an apple-carrot juice that contained no carrots. And after one sip, she refuses to refund it."

"Okay... And Carrot? What is your defense towards her claim?"

"It does contain it. That is all." Carrot replied.

"Hm. Where is the drink in question?"

"On her desk." Rainbow said. Twilight then grabbed a sample of it and placed it under the microscope in the room besides Carrot's office. She then inspected the drink below it. After a few retries, she nodded in confirmation as she looked at them both.

"According to the structure of the drink this drink contains..." Twilight looks at the microscope once more. "No carrots. Atleast none in this particular drink."

Twilight's answer shocked Carrot and made Rainbow Dash reply pleased. "Okay... Now, how do you wish to settle this? A refund?"

"Yes." Rainbow replied.

"How much was the drink?"

"Twenty-five bits. It was advertised as an energy drink. Forcing me to pay extra."

"Carrot?" Twilight asked.

Carrot sighed, "Fine. Twilight if you could?" Twilight released both ponies from her incredibly powerful magic. Carrot than grabbed a small leather bag and placed exactly twenty-five bits on the desk. Rainbow grabs the bits and finally leaves the room.

"Good. Finally." Carrot said as she sinks into the chair. "Now then, Twilight, how can I help you?"

"As promised, we shall talk about our suppliers contract."

"Oh? Is something wrong with it?" Carrot asked confused.

"Well, not for me. But certainly for you." Twilight said, causing Carrot to look even more confused. "You forgot to count the price for inflation. I am still paying 1 bit for a hundred carrots. Which is a lot of discount."

"Oh god! Really?!" Carrot said as she grabs the contract out of the safe. And after some investigating, she was indeed able to confirm Twilight's claim. "Oh no... That is... not good. So about our new contract...?"

"Let's pay for each Kilogram of carrots. 1 kilogram* for... hm... 10 bits?" Twilight offered.

"No that means you pay double the retail price for a kg of carrots. Just 5 bits for 1 kg of carrots." Carrot replied.

"Sure. Let's write a new and improved contract for it." Twilight said. And what followed was Twilight and Carrot going over several hundreds of pieces of paperwork just to change one contract. After two hours, the change had been completed.

"Good. Well thank you for business with us Twilight. What are you going to do next?"

"I need to get a new wholesale contract. Since our last place went bankrupt. I also need to get a butchery contract and an apple contract. Since I will be needing a lot of apples in the near future."

"Really? Apples? From what I can see, a slump of demand for it is incoming." Carrot expressed.

"True. But an apple is far more versatile than you might think. Something that Applejack probably showed you when you first came to Ponyville, no?" Twilight said smiling.

Carrot sighed, "I suppose so. What are you planning to make?"

"Something fancy, that is all I will say about it. Oh and I need them to make fresh cocktails."

"That certainly is a good reason. So, Twilight are you perhaps interested in some of the other goods we sell here?"

"About that. I need a wholesale seller for it. Since they tend to sell all your goods in a single package. Which is why I need a wholesale seller for it." Twilight said, dismissing her offer.

"What if... I offer sweet, sweet discounts on it?" Carrot asked, trying out her marketing pitch on Twilight.

Twilight shook her head. "If money was the issue, I would have said so long ago. No, I will buy it for the full price. I want to run a fair business after all."

"Hmpf." Carrot said disappointed, "Then again, you never really accepted discounts ever. So no real surprise there. Still, I am selling one fruit that no wholesale seller wants to buy in. So I really hope you are interested in it. Or I will be forced to demolish a section of my farm. Well one fruit and one grain that is."

That sparked Twilight's curiosity, "If I may ask. What is it that they refuse to buy from you?"

"Barley and sweet berries."

Twilight began to think a bit, how could she use it... "!" Aha Twilight had an idea. "Tell you what. If you can get me a wholesale contract with one of your choice. I will take those two off your hooves to prove their worth. And while I normally refuse discounts, I will want a good discount on that contract. If you can get that to happen, I will personally show the world how to use Barley and Sweet berries. Well?" Twilight offered.

Carrot jumped for joy, "Deal, Deal, Deal! I have been waiting for someone to offer such a deal. But..."

"But?"

"What are you going to use them for? All the other creatures I talked to said there is no use for these."

"Hm..." Twilight said while thinking. She had a good idea on how to use Barley. But she wanted to keep it a secret for a bit longer. But she couldn't just say nothing. "Barley bread is an old-school way to bake bread. I hear it has a unique taste. It will definitely draw some people. The berries can be used for garnish, there is something else... but I am not ready to reveal that yet." She explained.

"Oh? Is there really no hint you can give me?" Carrot says excited.

"Well the real issue is I don't have the equipment to do what I want with the barley."

"Equipment you say? What do you need?"

"Equipment used to make... beer."

That caused Carrot to jump up surprised. "What the heck is Barley beer? I mean it sounds cool, but also kind of eh."

"It is popular in the north where it is rare. A Dark stout like beer. That is rich in taste and rich in alcoholic content. Think like winter beer with an alcoholic content of 10%. It is also very heavy in taste. There are clearer variants of it. But it is mostly well known as a stout." Twilight explained.

"So people in the north love it huh?" Carrot said surprised.

"Yep. But don't start the sale there. They do not take kindly to outsiders. First you need to prove that the quality is good. Or else they will straight up refuse to buy it from you. If I made beer from it, and sell it. And it would do well? Then the chance of them buying it from you is significantly higher. But only if, it does well." Twilight explained.

"Okay. I will get you that contract and search for someone that is willing to sell you those equipment pieces."

"Very good. I guess that just leaves the butchery contract and apple contract to me. Do contact me soon. Without the wholesale contract we won't be able to stay open for long." Twilight warned.

"Of course. You trust me right? I will get back to you in three days. I will personally visit your place then. I will also send you some barley and sweet berries to your cafe as soon as possible." Carrot said as business-like as possible.

"Good. See you in three days then." Twilight said as she leaves Carrot's office immediately.

After some walking later, Twilight was now outside and began to hike towards Applejack's apple farm. It was then that she realized she should have come there first due to the expedition. But she probably thought that it was tomorrow, so she should still be fine. After a bit of time she arrived at the farm. The hike was only like three minutes since it was practically next door. And nothing of interest happened along the way.

"Applejack are you around?" Twilight shouted as she looked around for a bit. But she found no hair nor hide of Applejack around. However her shout did draw the attention of two different ponies instead.

"Apple Bloom can you check which ever gall is screaming Applejack's name on mah property?" Granny Smith asked from inside the barn.

"Sure Granny!" Apple Bloom said as she exited the barn to look around, only to meet Twilight standing in front of their house. "Twilight! Over here!" she shouted. Causing Twilight to look towards the source of the sound and seeing Apple Bloom waving at her.

"Hey Apple Bloom. Have you seen Applejack anywhere?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah. Sorry Twilight. I fear you just missed her. She has already departed for the expedition to the north. She departed yesterday to help Princess Cadence prepare for the mission." Apple Bloom replied.

"Aw shoot!" Twilight replied, "Do you know if someone else is able to help me secure a apple contract with you ponies?"

"Granny!" Apple Bloom shouted, "Twilight wants to seal a deal for some apples!"

"Hm? Okay! I am comin'." Granny said as she calmly walked out of the barn.

"Hello miss Sparkle. You came to buy some apples?" Granny asked with a smile.

"Hello miss Smith. Actually I was hoping to secure a apples trade contract. You see, I will need a lot of apples in the near future." Twilight said as she greeted Granny.

"Mh? A trade contract? Which apple type?" Granny asked.

"Only red and green apples, madam. I have no interest in anything special."

"No zap apples?" Apple Bloom asked.

"No zap apples." Twilight confirmed.

"So..." Granny said as she thought about it, "Only Jonagold and Granny Smith apples?" she asked.

"That is correct."

"Well. How do you wish to set this contract up? I have three types of contracts. Large quantities and high discounts, medium quantity and no discount but nice packaged, small quantity and no discount but free shipping?" Granny asked as she grabbed her glasses to put it on.

"The small quantity contract. The distance is from here to my cafe in Ponyville. It is a business contract, no personal use."

"Business contract, small type, close distance..." Granny summarized. "Intended use?"

"Food and drinks."

"Okay. Then... here is the contract do look at it closely." Granny said as she gives Twilight the correct contract.

Apples Trade contract:

If the buyer buys a minimum amount in accordance with this contract, they shall receive no discount. However shipping cost is free. If the buyer buys below the minimum amount in accordance with the contract additional shipping fees may be places upon them. If the shipping location is within Ponyville, no shipping fees will be applied regardless.

Upon the signing of this contract, the apple family will ensure a constant guaranteed supply of apples put forth to the type of apples this contract is assigned to. The following types are: Granny Smith, Jonagold. These apples will be additionally checked for quality if the intended use is of business type. If the contract is used for business then the price will not have any additional taxation costs. If business type has been chosen then the location of the apples must go into a crate and placed inside a specialized room dedicated for storage only. The crates themselves will be picked back up at the end of the initial cycle. A cycle dictates moments of delivery, at every delivery of new apples, the old crate must be picked back up. If the business wished to keep the crate, they must pay a one time fine for each crate. The current price is 10 bits, which is allowed to fluctuate based on inflation.

The current price of ordinary apples is dictated upon inflation and demand. This contract will bypass those prices and will have a pre-set price placed upon each and that cannot change unless the contract is re-established. The price of a Jonegold is 5 bits for 10 kilogram. The price of a Granny Smith is 3 bits for 10 kilogram. These are permanent prices and cannot be changed upon the signing of this contract. If the seller is unable to sell the apples to the buyer then the apple family is forced to pay a fine of 50 bits after a deal has been promised on behalf of the contract. If a date is promised for the delivery then the apple family is forced to send you those apples upon the given day, not earlier and not later. If the delivery is too early, the buyer is allowed to deny the delivery with no additional costs and the seller is forced to wait until the delivery is completed for the bits intended for the delivery. If the delivery is too late, additional fines may be placed upon the apple family in accordance to and with the following examples.

If the farm is experiencing a plague, the deal is allowed to wait until the apples are available again without any fines.
If the farm is experiencing a disaster of any kind, the deal is allowed to wait until the apples are available again without any fines.
If the delivery pony is unable to deliver the goods due to an error outside their ability to fix, then a delay is allowed without any fines.
If the delivery pony is unable to deliver the goods due to an delivery location error, then a fine is allowed based on amount of delay in days. If the delivery is delayed by atleast one day, then for each additional day it is late. The apple family is forced to give the apples to you based on the price after fines. If it is a week late, the apples are free of charge. Any later and the apple family is forced to pay a fine on behalf of the food and safety administration of Canterlot. This amount is a pre-set amount of 1000 bits and cannot increase even after two weeks. However the apple family as a whole will be warned if this is the case.

If you are in agreement of this contract then apple family will sign below here.

Granny Smith and Apple Family & Co

If you are in agreement of this contract then the buyer will sign below here.

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight signed her name on the bottom and gave the contract back to Granny Smith. Granny inspected the contract thoroughly and after checking the bottom several times she nodded pleased. She then gave Twilight the copy of the contract and stored the original back into the barn's safe for safekeeping.

"Thank you for business with us." Apple Bloom said while they waited for Granny to return.

"Thank You for willing to sell a contract to a small business like my cafe to begin with." Twilight replied with a smile.

"Aw shucks. Don't worry Twilight. We are a big family and all. We always support and allow small businesses. I once sold apple juice made by yours truly and actually had to ask for a proper contract from my big sister to get the apples for the juice." Apple Bloom bragged.

"Did the juice sell well?" Twilight asked.

"Well... Kinda? The Flim and Flam brother kinda made a mess of my business. I was only in business for two weeks only to be forced to close down after that disaster." Apple Bloom admitted.

"Did you know? You can technically sue the apple family and the Flim and Flam brother for that." Twilight said with a mischievous glint.

"Ah could?" Apple Bloom said surprised.

"Your stall was placed on land you rented out from Applejack, and the stall itself is technically a business that is protected by the fair trade act. So yes, you could sue Applejack for failing to protect the land upon which the stall was placed upon and Flim and Flam for breaking the Fair Trade act." Twilight explained.

"Long story short?"

"You could regain your business and gain some money for it." Twilight simplified her statement.

"Mh. I will ask miss Cheerilee about the fair trade act and look this all up in the library. Thank you Twilight. Ah hope ah can soon regain my business." Apple Bloom said excited.

Right after Twilight encouraged Apple Bloom to sue their family, Granny returned from putting the contract in the safe. "Alright. Do you need apples immediately?" Granny asked.

"Yes. One set of each. I will pay after delivery. Please deliver it today, this evening if that is possible." Twilight asked.

"No... Not today. It is too late. I am sorry miss Sparkle." Granny rejected.

"Alright send me a set tomorrow then. As soon as possible. You might have to knock extra loudly, I might still be asleep." Twilight requested.

"Request received. Thank you miss Sparkle. Have a good day." Granny said as she entered the barn once more.

"Bye Twilight! I need to get back to work!" Apple Bloom said as she waved Twilight goodbye and left the area.

Twilight waved back as she headed back into town. She had just one last job to do. And that is the butcher. Thankfully, Ponyville does have a butcher. Even though the only kind of business it does with is with other businesses outside of Ponyville. That was about to change as she was about to be in need of one. So without having to search all that much, Twilight found the butcher inside a hidden alleyway just like her cafe. She had actually walked passed this one, multiple times on several other occasions without a need to go to them yet. Of course that all changes now. She just hoped the butcher is a friendly one.

So without any hesitation, she enters the store. As she opens the door, the small bell above the door announced her presence, and yet there was no staff to be found. Not too worried, Twilight glances that the merchandise and saw they had some incredible pieces of meat. It almost made her hungry for some to eat but she had already had breakfast. Shaking her head, she headed up to the counter to still see no employee. So she rings the bell... once... twice... Still none. Annoyed, she decided to rapidly ring the bell over and over and over until... Two minutes of ringing the bell like a lunatic someone from upstairs decided to rapidly descent annoyed.

"Who the F-" The owner of the butcher said only to cut himself off, when he realized he had a customer while he was distracted.

"I do apologize madam. I was... distracted. How may I help you?" The dragon butcher asked.

"Well... I was hoping to establish a trade relationship with you..." Twilight said slightly sheepish at her unprofessional behavior.

"I am sorry. I only to trade contracts with big businesses or with regulars. You are neither. So no contract can be made." The butcher denied Twilight.

"What about ordering from afar?" Twilight asked.

"I do apologize. That is a feature reservered for regulars." The butcher said.

Twilight became a bit annoyed, "I see. No wonder this place gets practically no customers. You are so hostile to new clients... It is almost as if you wish to run this place into the ground."

"You are a pony." The butcher countered.

"I am an omnivore." Twilight countered back.

"I am hidden for a reason." The butcher said.

"In a town filled with ponies..." Twilight said annoyed. "Fine I don't want your stupid meat anyways. There is always other places that don't mind someone like me." She said as she turned around to leave.

The butcher sighed, "Wait a moment. This contract...?" he said as he stopped Twilight in her tracks.

"For a small business. My cafe is practically in the same street." Twilight quipped.

"So... For food to sell?"

"Yes."

He sighed again. "Well wait a moment. While I cannot transport the meat to your place. If you are willing to transport the meat yourself... I am willing to give you a small discount for my rude behavior. How about it?"

"For the entire order?"

"Yes. For the entire order."

"Fine. I guess that is fine for now. Once Spike my dragon chef returns from his trip to the Crystal Empire, I am sure he doesn't mind the small walk each morning. I mean it is practically next door." Twilight finally said after she released her annoyance.

"You know Spike?" The butcher suddenly asked. He sounded surprised.

"He is my employee. My chef to be precise." Twilight replied with a raised eyebrow.

"In that case, I will increase your discount. He is family. Family gets special discount. But you will only get that discount if he comes to pick it up." The butcher said.

"So the discount is only available once he returns from his expedition. Alright. Well meanwhile, I need five kilogram of beef and five kilogram of ribs." Twilight requested.

"Wait, with your chef on expedition. Who will cook instead?" The butcher asked while he prepared Twilight's order.

"You are looking at her."

"You?"

"Yes."

"I see. And your name is?"

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Ah. No wonder he chose to work under someone when he said he wouldn't. Of course he would want to work under the one that revolutionized the cooking world. So? What are you planning with the beef?"

"Beef Tonkatsu Sandwiches. And western style honey-glazed ribs." Twilight replied, "The glaze will have apples incorporated and special honey from Ditzy Doo."

"Holy crap. That sounds delicious!" He said. "Perhaps I will visit soon. When do you think it will be on the menu?"

"In a week from now. Once I have all the resources." She replied.

"Alright. Here is the beef and here is the ribs. That will be 15 bits." He said. Causing Twilight eyes to bulge.

"Hold on! Why is that so cheap?!" She shouted shocked. "Beef is at the minimum 50 bits for 1 kilo and ribs atleast double that."

"Thank your dad for that one." He simply replied with a smile. This caused Twilight to smile as well.

"Hm? I see. Here. Take twenty bits and keep the rest. I have to let Spike know that he has family here in Ponyville." She said as she takes the meat and leaves the store. Not waiting for his response.

She quickly moved the resources into the storage room and opened the front window door of her cafe and let Ditzy inside. Ditzy then automatically changed her clothing and Twilight switched into her chef outfit.

"You look professional in that outfit boss." Ditzy complimented.

"Thanks. Well then, as a result of the lack of resources. We are doing a sandwich only week with no dinner menu. And I will run the cocktail bar especially early this evening. Instead of the usual time, cocktail bar is opened at five instead. During cocktail time, we serve no food besides some very tiny snacks like nuts and fruit." Twilight explained.

"Understood. Do we still have some fruit pies?" Ditzy asked.

"I think so..." Twilight said as she looked around the kitchen. "Yes. But only those. Three pies is all we have. Three apple pies to be precise. And that is it. We will get some new apples tomorrow."

"Hm... That is not a lot. Do we atleast have some whipped cream?" Ditzy asked.

"No. The wholesale company has gone bankrupt. And I should have a new contract in three days."

"Darn. That is not good. Rarity was going to come today to eat a hearty meal before departing to the Crystal empire. She loves Spike's apple pie. And some days, she eats entire pies." Ditzy warned.

"One piece per guest as a result to the lack of ingredients." Twilight decided.

"Very well. She might dislike it though..."

To be Continued...

Author's Note

1 kilogram = 2.2 Pounds or 35 Ounces.

Twilight did not just made Apple Bloom sue her own family did she? No... Surely not. *Author's eyes glinted mischievous*

And yes, I went all out on making that contract as legit looking as possible.

And finally sorry for the long wait, I hope this chapter with 6 thousand words is worth it though!