It was a week or so later. Clover had managed to get to level three of the training course, and she could do so without falling unconscious just afterward.

She was just finishing one such session. Applejack patted her on the back, a touch too firmly. "Great job thar, sugar-cube!"

Clover smiled tiredly. "Thanks Applejack. But you two are already to level five."

Rainbow Dash said, waving that off, "Yeah... but that's us. We're just awesome like that." she put out her hoof for a bump, which Applejack obliged to, both of them chuckling just after.

Suddenly, they felt a rumbling going on nearby. Looking in that direction, they saw...

"Sweetheart and Bon-Bon?"

The two were pounding the dirt as they galloped toward their friends. When they got there, they screeched to a quite sudden halt. Sweetheart had a huge grin on her face.

Applejack asked the obvious question. "What's cookin', you two?"

Sweetheart exclaimed, "WE are!" she showed the three a flyer for a contest later on that day.

Ponyville Area Baking Contest!

Several teams will participate and compete for prizes!

Bring your friends!

Points will be awarded for style, creativity and (of course) taste.

The flyer went on like that, but Clover had stopped paying attention about halfway down.

Sweetheart saw the reactions, nodding vigorously. "And Bon-Bon and I signed us up as a team! The five of us, like old times. Lyra's coming too." Sweetheart was so excited that she was trotting in place. Or maybe that was just her cooling down from the run?

Applejack quirked an eyebrow. "Aren't the Ca-"

"No, no. Of course they're the best. That's a given, especially with Pinkie on their side. But also no fun! They won't be participating."

Clover smiled brightly. "Well, what are we waiting- OOF!"

Clover tried to step forth, but by that time the lactic acid had built up in her legs and she was unable to move. Beyond falling flat.

"Just my luck." she muttered.

Chuckling, Applejack picked her up this time. "Lemme give ya a leg up, thar."

As the two newcomers made to head back to town, Applejack said, "Well, shall we?"

Clover pointed toward the town half-heartedly. "High-ho Cider; AwAaAay!"

Applejack rolled her eyes, but obliged. She whinnied with determination and then galloped to catch up with Sweetheart and Bon-Bon, Clover in tow.

Over in the town square, Clover's friends were setting up their display; their section. After a quick leg massage (Lyra was surprisingly good at that), Clover was able to move again.

Looking around, she saw some of the other setups. There was one which had Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, (somehow Filthy Rich got invited along) as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Another setup had Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and several of the extended Apple Family members.

Then there was a team of Trixie, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst and... surprisingly, Maud Pie. Pinkie Pie was encouraging her sister, who had a very slight smile on her face as Pinkie chatted excitedly.

Noticing where Clover had been looking, Sweetheart commented, "I know they're supposed to be sisters, but I just don't see the resemblance."

There were a few others, but they decided to concentrate on the matter at hoof.

Clover started cutting up ingredients, as she was tasked with doing so. As she did, a song started to raise in her chest.

"It's the same old, same old.
Same old story, this situation.
Same old, same old. must be outta my mind.
I know, I know.
It's my life, gotta stand for something.
I know, I know,
Let me use my body and mind."

She began to dance as the song went on, tossing ingredients into the air, then catching them with her off hoof as she tossed something new into the air.

"Chop those beets down
Kick things up now
Spice it up,
Swirl and stuff,
Everypony mix it up!"

As she performed, Ponies started gathering to watch. Clover, for her part, was barely conscious of her dance. In fact, her eyes were closed the entire time.

The watchers began to join in.

Snip; Chop; Flip; Flop;
Dance; Move; Mix; Pop
Snip; Chop; Flip; Flop;
Dance; Move; Mix; Pop(X5)
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d"

"Droooooop!
Chop those beets down
Kick things up now
Spice it up,
Swirl and stuff,
Everypony mix it up!"

By this time, a couple of Vinyl Scratch's roadies had brought in some spotlights, which changed colours every couple of seconds..

As the song came to a close, Sweetheart tapped Clover on the withers. "I think that'll do, Clover. We're having a tough time keeping up."

Clover was startled and the last few items went flying upwards. As they came down, the items (A bowl of apple slices, one of the apple corers, the bag of sugar and, oddly, a microphone) landed on her nose, balancing precariously.

Bright Eyes chuckled, but moved those from Clover's nose.

When Clover looked, she saw that her friends had used the ingredients that she was passing over with expediency. By this time, in the deluxe oven that had been set up for them had three pies, five cakes, two servings of fritters...

And beside them was a pile about double that amount. The rest of the team was sweating bullets. Clearly she'd worked far too quickly for her friends.

"Sorry, girls. I guess I kinda got... carried away." Clover said, sheepishly.

Bright Eyes wiped sweat from her brow. "Don't worry too much, Clover. Look!"

Bright Eyes had pointed behind Clover, who saw Mayor Mare bringing over the "style" trophy (it looked like a big wine glass, with a star on top and shades, Clover thought). On the inside was what looked to be ten 50 bit notes(1).

Several Ponies were clapping or stomping their hooves with appreciation. Clover, for her part, blushed brightly.

They didn't win any other prizes, but what they made was far from bad, and Everypony had a good time.

Granny Smith walked over slowly. "Ah saw ya there, young'un." she said to Clover. "That was purty good fer a filly yer age."

Bright Eyes snorted. "Are you kidding? That was pretty good for Iron Chef!"

Granny Smith just poked Clover a couple of times. "Jes' messin' with ya, Clover. No hard feelins'?"

Clover smiled. "Hakuna matata, Granny."

"How's that, now?"

Clover rolled her eyes. "No Worries."

"Ooooooh."

Anyway, shortly thereafter they left with their prize, split six ways, though Clover was given the lion's share of the prize money. They were heading home with smiling faces and tired bodies. And food for the next three days!

It was a successful day, they'd decided.

Author's Note

1: Far easier than putting that many bits in something like that. Let alone carrying it home.