MINIFIC LIGHTNING ROUND

\A cloaked and hooded foal walked alone through the shadows of night and among whispers of the wind. She had only brown sack held in her maw and gave no indication to its purpose.

She had reached the location: a clock tower with destroyed haphazard walls. A large bronze bell -- contained in the squared-off roof -- was bungled in an outer coating of rust. The exterior made the structure look years older than its authentic age.

She entered and she pulled back her hood. The foal coughed slightly from the dust exhumed from the wooden doors. Candlelight revealed it to be Sweetie Belle. But why was she alone at this hour?

They can’t understand... nopony can.

On the ground floor -- hidden in darkness beneath the underside of the circler staircase -- a blue furred pony tittered. He was homeless, made evident by the smell of sweat and shame. He shifted and twitched uncontrollably.

Sweetie Belle dared not to move in too close, so instead she dropped the bag infront of him. It crashed and rattled heavily across the cobblestone floor. It was filled with Bits, a quantity of Bits unusually large for her to obtain. Were the Bits stolen?

“Here. Take it. It’s yours.” Sweetie Belle said coldly.

“Eh,” the old colt replied and took the bits. He itched his fur like it had fleas.

In return Sweetie Belle was thrown a wad of white powder in a small plastic bag and some strange sticky substance that smelt of sour cream... The exchange was quick and simple, she got she wanted, he got his Bits.

Sweetie Belle couldn’t tell them. Secrets and rumours spread like wildfire in Ponyville.

She collected her prize, moved on and left the frantic pony to lurch.

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Sweetie Belle entered the Sweet Apple Acres barn via the back door; it creaked open. She held something behind her back, the item that was the fruition to all her efforts.

It’s here. I made it.

In the main room of the barn Apple Bloom was sat with her friends and family gathered around her. Applejack, Scootaloo and even Pinkie Pie was there... dressed as a lion, complete with a large fur mane and face paint.

“Sweetie Belle, there you are! We’ve been lookin’ all over for ya’. You nearly missed the fun an’ games.” Apple Bloom said.

All eyes stared at Sweetie Belle.

“Happy birthday Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle tried to shout, her words were slurred but audible.

Sweetie Belle revealed a large cake with the white sugar powder and icing that smelt of sour cream.

“It was hard to get ingredients outside of Ponyville; I didn’t want anypony knowing what I was trying to do because it was meant to be a surprise. I even saved up all my Bits to buy the ingredients.” Sweetie Belle revealed.

“Wow Sweetie Belle, that’s mighty kind of ya’.” Applejack exclaimed and chucked confetti onto everypony. Banners were erected across the ceiling which read: ‘Happy Birthday’. Apple Bloom even wore a paper cone hat with stars on it.

“Awwww man, that totally beats the present I gave her.” Scootaloo groaned.

“Thank ya’,” Apple Bloom said demurely and nuzzled Sweetie Belle. “Thank ya’ so much.”

She was the luckiest foal in the world to have friends like her.

Sweetie Belle collapsed onto a nearby pile of soft hay. “You can just start the games without me...” She said under a great big yawn and waved her hoof aimlessly through the air. “I’m just going to nap... riiiight here.”

Zzzzzz...

The End.