Author's Note

This chapter is set during the eight month timeframe that the School of Friendship was being constructed.

Chapter 4: The Breakup Breakdown

The day after Eric and his friends returned from Mt. Aris, he told Spike all about it. The young dragon was fascinated by his story.

“Not only did we complete our first Cutie Map mission, we also gained new friends in Silverstream’s brother, Terramar and their parents, Captain Sky Beak and Princess Ocean Flow,” Eric said as he finished his story.

“Glad to hear about it. I’m also glad you and your friends helped Big Mac and Sugar Belle’s date go smoothly this past Hearts and Hooves Day,” Spike replied.

A few months ago

It was Hearts and Hooves day once more, Big Mac had finished baking a pie for Sugar Belle with help from Spike and Discord. He took a whiff and said, “This smells... uh... palatable.”

“Well, pies really are Sugar Belle’s thing. But I think that makes this all the more special. It shows you’re interested in what she cares about,” Spike said.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac added.

“And he’s planning a big romantic Hearts and Hooves dinner. It was my idea to bake the invitation inside,” Spike said.

Discord pushed Spike aside and snapped his fingers, magically taking out the invitation and read it, “‘Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Sugar Belle. Meet me in my barn at sunset for a surprise.’”

“Pretty clever, huh?” Spike asked.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac replied.

“Ugh,” Discord groaned. With another snap of his fingers, he magically put the invitation back inside the pie.

Big Mac clapped his forehooves with a grin on his face. He then placed the pie in a box and wrapped it, and put her name on it in the images of three sugarcubes and a bell.

“Awww. “Sugar Belle”. See?” Spike said, pointing to her name in picture form.

At the Castle of Friendship, Eric finished baking a chocolate cream pie he planned on giving to Sweetie Belle, with help from his dad.

“Daddy, did you ever bake any pies for Mommy on Hearts and Hooves Day when you were my age?” Eric asked.

“I have. She loved it, although she wasn’t aware of my love for her at the time,” Storm replied.

Eric gasped, “I gotta meet up with Sweetie Belle and the other Crusaders and help them decorate the barn at Sweet Apple Acres! After I put on my royal uniform of course,” he said.

Eric put the pie in a box, then wrapped it. After Eric put on his uniform, he rushed over to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Where are you off to, sweetheart?” Twilight asked.

“I’m off to Sweet Apple Acres to help my friends decorate the barn for Big Mac’s date,” Eric said.

“Nice. What’s in the box?” Twilight asked.

“A chocolate cream pie for Sweetie Belle. I baked it,” Eric said.

“Just like your dad did for me when we were around your age. I’m sure she’ll love it,” Twilight replied.

It wasn’t long before Eric reached Sweet Apple Acres. There, he also noticed that Nightshade and Slapstick were present.

“Hi, Eric,” Nightshade and Slapstick said in unison.

“Good to see you, Nightshade and Slapstick,” Eric replied.

“Hi, Eric!” Sweetie Belle said, hugging him.

“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Sweetie Belle,” Eric replied, returning her hug.

“Hear ye, hear ye! This special Hearts and Hooves Day meetin’ of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is now in session! First order of business, helpin’ my big brother decorate the barn for his big date with Sugar Belle tonight,” Apple Bloom announced.

“Once we’re finished, maybe we can go on a triple dinner date,” Scootaloo said.

“That’s why we’re here today,” Slapstick replied, with Nightshade nodding in agreement.

Just then, they heard knocking on the barn door.

“Huh?” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle asked in unison.

Apple Bloom then opened the barn door and noticed a package, “Huh?” she wondered as she took it inside.

Eric gave Sweetie Belle his own package, “Is this for me?” she asked.

“Open it and you’ll find out what it is,” Eric replied.

Sweetie Belle opened the package and saw that she got the chocolate cream pie that Eric baked. She gasped and asked, “You baked me a pie?!”

“I did. My daddy helped me out,” Eric replied.

“You certainly went through a lot of trouble…for me! On Hearts and Hooves Day! Aww, thank you so much, Eric!” Sweetie Belle said, then kissed him on his face.

“Now, let’s get decorating,” Apple Bloom said.

Eric opened the other package and found a heart shaped apple pie, he gasped as he realized that this pie needed to be properly delivered. The six of them got to work on decorating the barn for Big Mac’s date.

The Crystal Mountains

Meanwhile, at the ice fortress, Glacio had summoned his best assassin, Shadow Swift to the throne room.

“Shadow Swift, you must find the traitorous unicorn, Tempest Shadow and either bring her to me or terminate her yourself. Kill anypony who hinders you,” Glacio said.

“Yes, my lord,” Shadow Swift replied, then left the throne room.

“Guard, inform General Frostbite that I request his presence, along with Commander Hot Shot and the others,” Glacio said to one of his guards.

“Right away, my lord,” the guard replied.

It wasn’t long before Frostbite entered the throne room with Hot Shot, Skywarp, Thundercracker, and the gorgons alongside him.

“You wanted to see us, my lord?” Hot Shot asked.

“Correct. I’m sending all of you to Thrace so we can forge an alliance with King Diomedes and his tribe. We need new allies,” Glacio replied.

“Consider it done, my lord,” Frostbite said, as they left the throne room.

Back in Ponyville, Eric carried the apple pie to Sugarcube Corner where Sugar Belle was chatting with Mrs. Cake.

“Hi, Sugar Belle,” Eric said.

“Hi, Eric. What’s in that box?” Sugar Belle asked.

“Oh this? Big Mac asked me to deliver this pie he baked for you,” Eric replied, opening the box.

“Thank you,” Sugar Belle said.

“No need to thank me, thank Big Mac when you see him,” Eric replied.

“Since you’re here, Eric. Can you please tell Big Mac I have news for him?” Sugar Belle said.

“Don’t mind at all. What is it?” Eric asked.

“He doesn’t need to come to my bakery anymore, because I’ll be here apprenticing with Mrs. Cake three days a week and my cousin is running it on weekends,” Sugar Belle replied.

“I’ll be sure to let Big Mac know,” Eric said.

As evening fell, the CMC, Nightshade, and Slapstick were finished decorating the barn and were headed to the cafe for their triple date. They each ordered buttered spaghetti and a veggie salad with no ranch dressing. Pip and Zuni were also on a date, along with Rumble and Marina, Pincer, Holly, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon.

“We did it. Preparations for Big Mac and Sugar Belle’s date went off without a hitch,” Scootaloo said.

“It was nice of you to help both of them with their surprises, Eric,” Apple Bloom added.

“All in a days work,” Eric replied.

It wasn’t long before they started eating.

“I love you, Eric,” Sweetie Belle said.

“I love you too, Sweetie Belle,” Eric replied.

In between bites, Eric and Sweetie Belle shared a kiss. Nightshade and Apple Bloom also shared a kiss, same with Scootaloo and Slapstick.