Target Acquired: Tickle Time!

Later on in the day…

Fury was having a walk around town after his little get together with Fluttershy, looking for his next target and thinking about how to execute his plan this time. With nothing coming to mind, he decided to stop off for a little snack at Sugarcube Corner. He’d heard that there was a sale going on for half off a baker’s dozen cupcakes, so he seized the opportunity to grab something sweet.

Walking down the street towards the small bakery, he heard something from the upper levels. It sounded like a pony he knew.

Sounds like Pinkie’s upstairs, and she doesn't sound happy. Something must be wrong.

Not wanting to leave a friend in a bad state, he used his claws to scale the outside of the building until he got up to one of the windows to Pinkie's room. Staying out of sight, he listened in on a conversation that she was having with Gummy, her toothless pet alligator.

“She was such a big meanie pants, Gummy.” Pinkie sobbed. “I did everything right and it still went wrong.”

This was followed with even more sobbing.

Oh no, Pinkie must have gotten tangled with a bad sport. Ugh, what's with ponies feeling so entitled just because they're the one handing the bits over? There's still a thing called respect, people!

Fury thought about how he could help her before realizing he had her on his list.

Well well well, looks like I found my next target. And just like Fluttershy, this'll be a win-win since I'll be cheering her up after a bad day! But no sneaking in this time, I'll do this the regular way. Now seems like the time to be sincere rather than cheeky.

He dropped back down to ground level and pulled out his journal, circling Pinkie's picture. “Looks like I've got another bit of friendly therapy to get to.” He said, walking inside to get his plan in motion.

“Target Acquired.”

–

Fury rang the counter bell a few times and waited for someone to answer, taking the time to browse the display case for his potential order.

“Hello, Deary.” a female voice greeted. “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner. How may I help you, today?”

“Hey Mrs. Cake, I was wondering where Pinkie was today. Figured I'd stop by for a chat and a snack.” Fury said, hoping to get her closer.

Hearing Pinkie’s name, Mrs. Cake hung her head in sadness.

“Today was… particularly rough for the poor dear. We had some out-of-town ponies here and… they were… very… belittling to her, to put it lightly,” the mare admitted, sadly.

“Huffy customers, huh? Yeah, I can understand. Well, I'd like to cheer her up and talk to her. Is she here?” He asked, keeping Mrs. Cake in the dark about his real plans.

“She’s up in her room, Deary.” Mrs. Cake said. “She doesn’t really want to talk to us about it, but perhaps you’ll have more luck. You have a knack at making others happy, probably only rivaled by Pinkie, herself.”

“Trust me, Mrs. Cake, I have a plan that will have her like her old self again.” Fury said, giving her a wink before ascending the staircase to find Pinkie.

“Night Fury! Hold on a moment!” Mrs. Cake called out.

Fury came to a halt, and gave Mrs. Cake a questioning look. A few moments later, she came over to him and handed him a box with a fresh batch of a baker’s dozen doughnuts.

“On the house,” she whispered. “I’m sure it’ll help, Pinkie.”

Fury gave her a smile and kept on his way to find his friend. Getting to the top of the stairs, he had no trouble finding Pinkie's room with her very decorated door. Knocking a few times, he made his presence known.

“Hey Pinkie, it's me.”

“Wh-who’s me? I… (sniff)… I thought all of my clones were gone.” she asked,

“Come on, Strawberry mane, who do you know that has unbeatable style and speed?” Fury said, hoping she'd get the picture.

“Rainbow Dash and Rarity?” She wondered aloud, shooting Fury's ego right where it hurt as he deadpanned.

“Besides them…” He said a bit more plainly.

He heard a small thud, and then the clip-clop of her hooves approaching the door. She opened it slightly, and then fully when she saw her guest.

“Ohh! (Sniff)… Hi, Night Fury. Umm… c-c’mon in,” she said, stepping aside. Fury let himself in with the baker’s dozen on his back as Pinkie closed the door behind him.

“Hey Pinkie, you seem a bit down. What's up? Another prank banana peel slip you up?” He said, seeing if the joke would work.

“Not exactly, Fury.” She said, solemnly, much to his dismay. “An out-of-town customer said some pretty belittling things about me, today. It…(sniffs)… hit me rather hard.”

“Yeah, Mrs. Cake told me what happened. Listen, I've got this baker's dozen she gave me. Wanna share? Might cheer you up.”

She gave him a sad smile before nodding her agreement, selecting a strawberry cream-filled doughnut from the batch. She had to admit, as sad as she was right now, she felt better having him here.

“So… um, what’ve you been up to lately?” Pinkie asked. “Hopefully something a bit more cheerful than my recent experience.”

“Well, I just helped Fluttershy with her little mishap not too long ago. Left her a lot happier than she was before.” Fury explained, digging into a raspberry filled doughnut.

“Well, that’s good.” Pinkie said, after taking a bite of her blueberry doughnut. “I could sense something was off about her, I just couldn’t put my hoof on what exactly. How were you able to help her, exactly?”

“Let's just say, I used some patented… ‘Physical Therapy’. Say, what was this out of towner wearing?” Fury asked. Pinkie quirked an eyebrow at that question, but obliged with a description that made everything make sense. Sunglasses, golden earrings, buffed hooves and a ring around one of her feathers.

“Oof, you must have run into a Manehattan mare. And a married one too. Those types of mares always seem to be more puffed up in the chest, like they feel a certain sense of high authority. Rarity has told me stories and I've seen them myself. Whoever she's married to, goddess help him… or her, you can never be too sure. Just look at Lyra and Bon Bon.”

“Mm-hrmm,” Pinkie nodded, before sniffling again, trying to hold back her tears.

“Hey, look at me. Don't let that mare tell you how useful you are. Not only are you the world's best party planner and a good baker, you’re the Element of Laughter! You have everything under your belt that ponies could only wish for! Planning a wedding for a princess, saving the world tons of times, throwing legendary parties and so much more! Who says just because one sale went wrong that you don't have anything to be proud of?” Fury encouraged.

More tears came to Pinkie’s eyes, but not from sadness, this time. They were tears of joy for a friend reminding her of who she really is. Sometimes, you just need that from someone.

“Umm…” Pinkie stated. “Was a little ‘Snack Time’ pep talk the only thing you planned to help cheer me up? Just out of curiosity. It is working, I assure you.”

“Ohoho no, this isn't all I've got, my Pink Pony Pal.” Fury said, growing a cheeky smile. “Okay, in order for this to work, I need you to lay down. Trust me, this'll work a treat.”

Pinkie nodded, and she laid down on her back, trying to make herself comfortable. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what he was planning.

“Okay, there we go. Now just hold still.” Fury joined her and scanned her up and down. Seeing her ripe and plump tummy perfectly exposed, he smiled and raised his paws.

“Uh oh!” Pinkie said in feign fright, her eyes widening as she realized what he was about to do.

“Coochie coochie coo!” Fury dove into Pinkie's belly and started tickling her.

Pinkie placed her forehooves over her lips, attempting to keep herself from laughing hysterically. Her bubbly ticklish giggles just begged for her to release them.

“Oh come on, don't hide it, Pinkie. You're the Element of Laughter, remember? No need to try and hold back, just let that snort laugh loose!” Fury teased, finally breaking the pink pony’s limits.

“GYAAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!” Pinkie laughed uncontrollably. “FURHRHRHRHRHREEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEEHEHEE!”

“That's it, let it go! This is exactly what you need to do! Don't let the bad stuff hold you down, just let go.” Fury pushed on.

“AAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! My tummy hurts! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Pinkie wailed in ticklish bliss, as Fury hit every single sweet spot on her body.

“OKAY OKAHAHAHAHAY, I'VE HAD ENOUGH! PLEHEHEHEASE, LET ME GO!” Pinkie finally screamed.

“As you wish,” Fury acknowledged, ending his attack and standing back to look at the giggling, ticklish, mess he’d made of Pinkie.

“Hehehehe... (gasp). Hehehehehehe….” Pinkie breathed heavily, intoxicated by her own laughter.

“So, how do you feel, my little tickle toy?” Fury chuckled.

“Much better,” Pinkie admitted, pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you, Fury. Thanks for caring and being such a great friend.”

“Not a problem, Pinkie. Happy to help.” He said, returning the gesture. “Now that I've got you dealt with, I can look for my next target.”

Fury pulled out his journal and showed Pinkie his list.

“Wowie zowie, you've got nearly everypony in town here!” She said excitedly, looking through the list.

“You bet, and I'm gonna let you pick my next target to tickle. I'm gonna close my eyes and flip through the pages. You tell me where to stop, and that's my next target.”

Pinkie took a look at all the names that showed up, before placing her hoof down on his paw at the name she was looking for.

“There! That one!” She said, gleefully.

Fury opened his eyes, and his mouth widened into a really cheeky grin when he saw the name: Rainbow Dash!

“And what a juicy target you chose! She always says she doesn't like ponies touching her hooves, now I get to figure out why.” Fury said.

“Plus, to be honest…” Pinkie said, looking around before continuing in a whisper. “Her pranks lately have been getting on everypony’s last nerve, including mine. It’s time she gets what’s coming to her. But… you didn’t hear that from me.”

“Hey, you're not the only one with a bone to pick with our resident aerial athlete. Remember what happened last week?” Fury said with a shudder.

“Oooh, the time she swapped your shampoo for pink fur dye?” Pinkie asked, begrudgingly.

“Bingo. Ponies were calling us twins all week before I got Zecora to work up a removal potion! Now, I get to have my revenge. And it starts now.” Fury said, flipping back to Pinkie's page and crossing her off.

“Target Down.”