Chapter 2: Believe Me
The next day, Rob trotted to Sweet Apple Acres. As the afternoon sun beamed down on him, the blue stallion was hoping he could figure out something to do for Pinkie from his friends. Getting closer to the barn, he saw two other colts.
"Hey there, Rob!" the tan colt with a brown mane called out.
"Hey, Caramel," Rob replied before looking to the red pony nearby, "And hello to you as well, Big Mac."
A smile appeared on the crimson stallion's face, "Afternoon, Rob."
"What brings you round here?"
"Oh, heh, check wanting to see ya guys, that's all," Rob lied with a nervous laugh.
"It's more than jus' that, ain't it?" Big Mac asked with a small smirk.
"Come on, you can't hide anything from us," Caramel lightly jabbed Rob with a hoof.
With a defeated sigh, Rob spoke, "Alright, you got me. I came by because I wanted to ask you guys a question."
"Well, ask away," the red stallion spoke in his low voice.
"Well….it's getting close to being two years since I've been in Ponyville with all of you and….to be honest, I kinda want to do something special for Pinkie," Rob admitted, "Either of you happen to have any ideas?"
Caramel spoke first, "What do you want to do for her?"
"I'm not sure, something special that she'll really like," the blue pony was drawing a blank.
Big Mac spoke, "Perhaps some kinda party?"
"Nah, that won't work. I mean, Pinkie is so used to parties and all that," Caramel noted, "What you need to do is something memorable that she won't soon forget."
"Any ideas?" it seemed that Rob was a repeating his question.
Caramel shrugged, "You got me. But something that they will love for sure. I did something like that with Twilight Sparkle and a spell book I saw her eyeing a few weeks back."
Rob was still unsure about exactly what to do. He turned to Big Macintosh.
"Ah'm not sure mahself. Ah know Pinkie is quite and energetic pony and what not, so somethin' that fits her would work," Big Mac seemed to be clueless about what to do, "Sorry ah can't be of more help, Rob."
The perplexed look on Rob's face was returned with a grateful smile, "Well, I at least go some ideas if nothing else. Thanks, guys."
Big Mac slightly nodded as Caramel spoke, "Believe me, Rob, as long as it is something from you, I'm sure you can't go wrong."
The blue pony nodded, "Alright, thanks again."
Rob turned to exit the farm. Taking his time and enjoying the walk, he was given a bit to think about from his two friends. In his head, he still did not know what he could do for Pinkie Pie. Deep in thought, he didn't hear a voice call out from behind him.
"Hey, Rob! Wait up!"
After the voice repeated the statement a few times, Rob stopped and turned to see a small purple and green dragon running to catch up with him.
The dragon, stopping to pant and catch his breath, spoke, "Hey, how's it going?"
"Oh, hey Spike. Sorry, didn't hear you," the colt apologized.
Spike brushed it off, "Don't worry, it's cool. What you doing out here?"
Rob began to walk again with Spike next to him, "I could ask you the same thing."
"Oh, I was helping Applejack and the Apple family with some extra chores. Always feels great to lend a helping claw!" Spike's voice was very proud of his work.
"I know that feeling!" Rob laughed, "I was stopping by to see Big Macintosh and Caramel to ask their opinion on something."
"About what if I may?" the dragon asked.
"I want to do something special for Pinkie but I'm really not sure about what," Rob stated as he resumed in his thoughts before Spike showed up.
"I see," Spike said, beginning to think as well, "Oh, I got it!"
"What is it?"
"You can get her another party cannon!"
Rob raised an eyebrow, "Party cannon?"
"Totally! It's so cool, and she takes it with her, like, everywhere!" the dragon was getting excited about his idea.
Confused, Rob decided to drop the subject, "I'll….uh….keep it in mind."
"She'd love it! Just remember it!" Spike said before they reached the entrance gate of Sweet Apple Acres, "I should get home before it gets dark, see ya around!"
Rob, who paused just outside of the gate, raised a hoof to wave to Spike, "Bye, Spike!"
Returning the his own mind, the blue pony thought of what Spike said, 'A party cannon? I think she's fine with those,' he laughed to himself. However, his thinking was disrupted by another familiar voice.
"Howdy."