A Simple Question

Dear Babs,

Hey cuz, how's it going? It's me, Apple Bloom, writing from Ponyville! How's life in Manehattan treating you? I hope it's been good, considering the whole new school thing. Now last time you were here, you said something about two blank-flanks wanting to be crusaders, right? Do you think you could update me on that? Oh, and hearing how things are for you wouldn't be bad either.

Your cousin,

Apple Bloom

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Dear Apple Bloom,

Things are great here back in Manehattan. As for the two blank flanks, they're eager to join in a club that's about getting your cutie-mark. They've been teased as much as me, and are ready to join anytime. To answer your other question about home life, it's been swell. My big sister took me out to get ice cream the other day. I had a banana-split sundae with sprinkles. It was delicious! On the way home, we also stopped at a pet store, and she let me get two goldfish. I've named them Lucky and Topper. They're in a bowl sitting on my dresser as I write this. Anyways, how's life in Ponyville? Did you get your cutie-mark yet?

Now hungry,

Babs

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Dear Babs,

No, none of us have our cutie-marks yet. We tried competitive eating yesterday. We've all still got belly-aches. You'd think too much pie wouldn't be a bad thing, right? Moving on, things have been great in Ponyville. The pegasi say that there won't be any rain for at least another couple days, so more sunshine for us! Today Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and I plan on trying gardening, with how nice it's going to be. Before you know it, we'll have flowers on our flanks!

Heading out to get a watering can now,

Apple Bloom

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Dear Apple Bloom,

You lucky filly! You get sunshine in Ponyville while I get a massive downpour in Manehattan! It stinks being stuck inside with nothing to do. While I sat in my room trying to entertain myself, I watched Lucky and Topper. The weird thing is, Topper was bigger than the last time I checked on the fish. Are goldfish supposed to get fatter the longer you have them? They were fully-grown when I got them, so something fishy seems to be going on (no pun intended). I'll have to get back to you on that.

Confused,

Babs

P.S. Did you get your cutie-marks in gardening?

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Dear Babs,

That's a weird situation you have there. I've never heard of a fish getting fat out of nowhere. What do you think would've caused that? You're not feeding them too much, are you? Maybe you should give them less food and see what happens.

Curious,

Apple Bloom

P.S. No gardening cutie-mark...

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Dear Apple Bloom,

I tried what you suggested, but it didn't work. If anything, Topper's just getting fatter! I don't know what else to do! I've asked my big sister about it, but she doesn't know what's wrong either. I'm worried. What if he swells up like a balloon and then pops?

Watching to make sure Topper doesn't pop,

Babs

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Dear Babs,

I really wish I could do something for you, but I can only make more suggestions. If I were there, we could probably put our heads together and think of something to help your poor little fish! All I can say is, I hope he gets better!

Wishing you and Topper good luck,

Apple Bloom

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Dear Apple Bloom,

You'll never believe it, cuz! There are more fish suddenly in the bowl! I don't know when it happened, though. I went to sleep, and Lucky and Topper were the only ones in there. Thankfully, Topper stopped getting big about five days ago, but then these weird round things were at the bottom of the bowl instead. When I woke up this morning, more fish appeared out of nowhere! Do you think somehow Topper and Lucky had babies? Would that make Topper a girl?

Excited and curious,

Babs