Chapter 4: Misty Mountain Hop
A couple days past since Rob had met the rest of Pinkie Pie's friends. While he wasn't able to really get to know them that much, he did however see them plenty of times as he was helping around with his various jobs. Such as actually having a conversation with Fluttershy as he fixed the chicken coops that were falling apart, or learning about the basics of magic from Twilight Sparkle when he helped her and her dragon Spike reorganize the entire Ponyville library. It seemed that Rob was making quite a name for himself as the hardworking jack-of-all-trades pony.
One evening, after finishing his work on the farm, Rob trotted over the Sugarcube Corner to get something to eat. He had worked up an appetite after repairing the pigpen fences. He opened the door to the bakery and noticed that the lights were out. Rob was about to turn around and go back, but he was interrupted but a large number of ponies jumping up as the lights came on.
"SURPRISE!" They all shouted.
The blue stallion certainly was surprised, jumping back a bit.
Pinkie Pie was the first pony to come up to the startled colt, "Where ya surprised, Robbie? Huh? Huh?"
Rob was a bit slow to answer as his blue mane was standing on end, "Yeah, that's one way to put it….that or scared out of my mind."
Pinkie Pie giggled, "Well, don't just stand there, it's a party!" Pinkie began her bouncing around, "And it's all for you! It's been exactly one week since you came to Ponyville, and since you have been extra super helpful to all of us, we had to throw a surprise party for you!"
Rob smiled, "Aw, you guys really didn't have to."
A good number of the townponies showed up to the surprise party for Rob and almost everypony came forward to talk to Rob about how big of a help he had been and thank him. Rob felt awkward about taking so much credit. Many ponies, including the Mayor Mare, stated that he was just being modest.
Slowly, the party was dying down and many of the ponies were leaving. Pinkie, of course, was refusing to stop partying. She said she came up with a new dance that she was performing, called the 'mountain hop'. Oddly enough, a few ponies and Spike joined in before they left themselves. Rob sat back and watched Pinkie do her dance all by herself, finding it very amusing. As he was sitting alone, a familiar orange pony with a cowboy hat trotted up to him.
"Uh, howdy, sugarcube…." Applejack spoke, her voice seemed to be shaken.
Rob turned to see Applejack, "Oh, hey there Applejack. Didn't see you all night." He greeted the earth pony with a smile.
"Yeah, well, ah kinda wanted ta talk to ya in private, ya know?" Applejack tried her best to avoid eye contact.
"I can understand. I'm personally not the one for big parties myself," the stallion gave a small laugh.
Applejack laughed back, "Ah understand that. Um, anyway, can ah ask ya somethin'?"
"Sure."
Just before Applejack was about to speak, Pinkie Pie literally hopped in between them, "Hey you two! You are the only ones left! What a shame!"
Rob looked around, "Hey, what do you know, everypony is gone."
"Yup! And that means it's time to clean!" Pinkie Pie disappeared as quickly as she appeared.
Rob turned back to Applejack, whose face was a bright red, "Sorry about that Applejack, what were you going to say?"
"Nothin', don't worry 'bout it none," Applejack lied, she couldn't say it, "Ah should head back ta the farm. See ya later then, Rob."
Rob raised a hoof to wave, "Alright, see you later then."
Applejack walked out of Sugarcube Corner. Turning her head to look through the window, she saw Rob and Pinkie Pie getting ready to clean up. Hanging her head, she sighed and began to slowly return home.
Back inside the bakery, Pinkie Pie gave a broom to Rob, "Okay Robbie! You sweep while I pop all of the balloons!"
"Pop the balloons?" Rob was puzzled.
"Yes! Like this!" Pinkie Pie grabbed one of the many balloons and started to bite it until a loud 'pop' was heard and the balloon was gone.
"Isn't that dangerous?" the stallion asked.
"Maybe, but sure is fun!" Pinkie exclaimed as she used the method to pop another balloon.
Rob laughed as he began his work of sweeping up the floors. He couldn't help but smile every time he heard a balloon pop followed by Pinkie's laugher. About ten minutes later, the duo had finished their cleaning.
"Thank you so very much for helping, Robbie! It made things go much faster than when I have Gummy pop the balloons!" the pink party pony said with a smile.
"Not a problem! Always happy to help," Rob returned the smile, before turning toward the door, "Well, I should head back to the barn now. See you tomorrow."
Pinkie Pie placed a hoof on the colt's back, "Wait, I think there is a spare room upstairs if you want to stay there until you find a better place!"
Rob turned around, "Are you sure? I mean, I really don't want to be a burden."
"Yup! That way, you don't have to sleep in that spooky, old barn!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Well, alright I guess. Can you lead the way?" Rob asked.
"Of course, Robbie! Follow me!" Pinkie took charge and began to hop up the staircase.
She led him to the share room. The room was very plain, but had a very homey feel to it.
Rob smiled as he entered to look around, "This is great, thanks so much Pinkie Pie!"
"Oh, it's no big deal, as you say!" Pinkie smiled, "Well, I'll leave you to get ready for bed then."
Rob trotted toward Pinkie, "Wait, before you go."
"Hmm?" the pink pony waited.
Rob closed his eyes and planted a soft kiss onto Pinkie's left cheek. His own cheeks grew a pinkish tint that of Pinkie Pie's coat. "That's for everything you've done for me. Thank you so much."
Pinkie's face lit up as she blushed, "Oh, it's nothing, Robbie!"
"Good night," Rob smiled as he began to close the door.
"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" Pinkie chimed back before the door was completely closed.
Returning back downstairs to turn the lights off, Pinkie Pie stopped in the middle of the room and began to do her 'mountain hop' dance with a big grin on her face. To say the very least, she was extremely happy.
END