//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: There are totally rats down here. // by Lorikeet Shmorikeet //------------------------------// Gummy scampered quickly behind his friends as they traced their steps back to the entrance. By the time they got back to where they had started, Dave had seemingly lost their scent and gotten lost. One by one, they climbed the ladder to get out of the sewer. Gummy, Pinkie, Dashie, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack all made it out in time, but as Twilight scampered clumsily up the last few rungs, they heard the pounding of footsteps nearby. They tried to exit as quietly as possible, but it was too late. Dave had sniffed them out. A claw ensnared Twilight's hoof as the dragon attempted to drag her back down into the sewer. "Twilight!" yelled all six mares, rushing to help her. "Take THAT, nasty dragon!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, taking a cupcake out of her saddlebag and hurling it in Dave's direction. The cupcake hit him directly in the snout, smearing yellow banana frosting on his mouth. He paused for a moment, tasting the frosting. After a moment of contemplation, he released Twilight from his grasp. She quickly climbed out of the sewer and onto the grass. "What...what is this stuff?" he asked eagerly. "It's a banana cupcake! I made it all by myself!" answered Pinkie with a smile. She had apparently forgotten for a moment that Dave was an enemy. "It's...exquisite. Better than any gemstone I've ever tasted. Say...do you have any more?" Pinkie began to reach for her saddlebag, but then stopped. "Why would I give you another cupcake after what you did to Gummy? He could have gotten sick or hurt in that sewer! And look at how scared he is!" Gummy nodded, brushing affectionately against Pinkie's leg. There was a moment of silence. And then Dave did something strange. He began to cry. His tears turned into jelly beans upon hitting the ground, (as dragon tears are known to do) and Gummy anxiously gobbled them up. The dragon began to speak, his sentences fragmented by breaths of air. "I only...wa-wanted to find a good snack," he sobbed, "And the other dragons t-tease me...and don't sh-share their food...because they don't like me...an-and I'm small. I just want a- a friend, that's all." Pinkie sighed. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that, Dave, but I don't think I can be your friend after what you did to my Gummy. But I am willing to compromise. Sugar Cube Corner is open seven days a week and you're welcome to go there anytime you'd like. I'll get you special deals on all different kinds of cupcakes, as long as you promise to be a nice dragon from now on." "I p-p-promise," sniffled Dave. Pinkie tossed him a cupcake. "I'll see you around, Dave," she said sternly. David waved back at her with a mouthful of cupcake before turning towards his cave and walking away. Pinkie scooped up Gummy and threw him on her back as the seven friends headed back to Ponyville. The next morning, Gummy woke up safe and sound in his own bed. Pinkie bathed him bright and early and fitted him with a special party hat. When his guests finally arrived, they all had a blast. Even though Pinkie Pie won most of the games, Applejack broke the pinata before him, and it took him two tries to blow put the candles, Gummy was still as happy as a clam. He shook his tail proudly on the dance floor while his friends cheered, just as he had done in his dream. When it was time to go, Fluttershy even gave him a kiss goodnight (On the cheek, of course, but that was good enough for Gummy.) Pinkie fell on the couch with a thump. "We'll clean up tomorrow, I am super sleepy," she yawned, holding Gummy tightly in her hooves. He closed his eyes and smiled. "Thank you, Pinkie," he squeaked, "I had a great time." "Goodnight to you too, Gummy. I'm glad to have you back."