Episode 9:
Pinkie Pride
In Appleloosa, the buffalo herd is currently celebrating a party with their new pony friends in town. And they were all laughing and dancing along with having a good time with each other in a town decorated with bright and colorful balloons, fireworks, and cake for them all to enjoy.
All while being overseen by an orange pony with brown hair, bright green eyes, wearing a black cowboy outfit.
“Well, Boneless," He spoke in a low and serious tone to the rubber chicken on his back. "Looks like our work here is done.”
Of course because Boneless is a rubber chicken, it didn’t say a word in return before he moved to turn away from town.
"Yup, those ponies never partied so hard in all their life. And those buffalo too for that matter. All thanks to me, Cheese! Cheese Sandwich!"
Suddenly, Cheese Sandwich's entire body began to wiggle and shake, his cutie mark, a cheese sandwich, moving and made sounds of an accordion when it happened. He leaped into the air and happily exclaimed in excitement.
"Hoo hoo hoo hoo! Now that was a doozy"
He quickly recollected himself before readopting his serious persona while putting back on his cowboy hat before speaking to his rubber chicken. "Well, Boneless, looks like our next's party gonna be in..." He then looked on with narrowed eyes. "Ponyville!"
With Cheese Sandwich set off, in the direction to Ponyville where he anticipates to show himself to be the best party planner everyone in Equestria has ever saw all while Twilight and Scar both watch from the latter’s magic.
“And I look forward to your visit.” Scar commented with a pleased yet sinister smile knowing that this will help them obtain the keys they need for victory before turning to his second-in-command.
Twilight nodded upon seeing that he is on his way to Ponyville before proceeding to make her way back over to Ponyville through the portal just nearby Pride Rock. “Especially since you have something that we are looking for too.” She said with a dark smile ready to oversee and ensure that the keys are in their hooves and paws.
Later that week, the town of Ponyville was filled with balloons and confetti decorations. The town was filled with happy smiles all thanks to the best party pony in Equestria Pinkie Pie, who is currently assisted by her good friends, Bunga, along with his adoptive uncles, Timon and Pumbaa. They all carried bags of streamers and inflated balloons, with Pinkie carrying hers on her back with her saddle bag that had confetti coming out on its own.
“Are you ready, best friend?” Bunga happily asked his party-loving companion ready to assist her when needed.
“Ready as always!” Pinkie said with a cheerful smile.
“Then let’s get this party started!” Timon happily declared.
“Let’s.” Pumbaa agreed before Pinkie took the lead and then broke out into song as the party throwing committee walking across the bridge.
“Every single day there's something new you can plan for
Every single day there's something wonderful to do.”
Pinkie sang as she somersaulted, while sending streamers onto the roof of the nearby houses.
“But nothing makes me happy like a day that I can say
"Today I planned a party, and it's just for you!"
Pinkie sang just when she and her friends stop in front of a stand where streamers are sold.
"How's it going today, Pinkie?" The pony running the stand asked.
"Great, thanks! Got any streamers today?"
"You betcha!” The vendor happily answered before placing a roll of streamers into her bag. “Big party planned?"
"Don't you know it!" Pinkie said once the roll of streamers rolled onto her bag.
“Are we ready to go?”
“And are we ready to have fun?”
Both Timon and Pumbaa happily asked.
“We are ready for takeoff!” Pinkie stated just as happily before trotting of in the lead by singing and jumping roof to roof through the nearby buildings and shops in the market area.
“Don't have much time to gather all the things I need
If I'm really gonna make this party fly
Pinkie Pie leaped from roof to roof as she sang.
For today's another day that all of Ponyville will say…”
“There goes the super party pony Pinkie Pie!”
The crowd sang together while watching her hop along.
“She planned our first foal shower where we played all sorts of games
Having so much fun as we chose Pound and Pumpkin's names.”
Mr. and Mrs. Cake sang together while Pinkie Pie and her friends walk on by.
Bunga during the walk, took the time to shake Pound Cake’s hoof. ”Up hiiiiiggh…” only to get thrown ahead and landed on Pinkie’s back just when she is passing by the café where Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon watched and had ice cream and milkshakes together.
“She planned my cute-ceañera my dad made me, I won't lie
I demanded all the best, I suppose she passed the test
Sure it was pretty good all thanks to Pinkie Pie.”
Diamond Tiara sang rather un-appreciative.
"Thanks, I guess?" Pinkie returned.
“Of course she did!” Bunga asserted to the filly having caught onto to her backhanded gesture with a frown directed at the filly known for her bullying ways towards the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"What color paints do you need?" A vendor pony with a French accent asked while offering a painting pallete with an assortment of colors and a paintbrush on it.
"I'm gonna need the full rainbow!" Pinkie cheerfully answered with all of the colors of paint from the rainbow are all poured into her bag.
"A paintbrush too?"
"Yes, if you please!"
"And what from me?" A female unicorn vendor selling banners offered.
"Your biggest banner! This party's gonna be the best!" She answered with another wide smile.
"Haha I don't doubt it!" the unicorn voiced with faith when Pinkie placed a party hat over her head before continuing on with her business.
“Of course you won’t because when it comes to parties she does a bang up job. She’s a super-duper…”
“…extra-fun…”
“…party planning pony in all of Equestria.”
Bunga, Timon, and Pumbaa all sang together.
“Every single day there's something new we can plan for
Every single day there's something wonderful to try
But nothing makes us happy like a day that we can say
Today there'll be a party planned by Pinkie Pie!"
The crowd sang together while following after her to right around the corner where Sugarcube Corner stands. There, Pinkie Pie was already working on the banner while the Mane Five, the Lion Guard, along with Timon and Pumbaa all watched as she painted her latest party creative banner.
"I don't know how she does it."
“Poa! That is really beautiful!”
"Wow, look at her go!"
"Oh, boy! This is gonna be good!"
"Go, Pinkie, go!"
Rarity, Beshte, Kion, Applejack, and Fluttershy all voiced in amazement.
“There's no other pony like her, no pony that could be
As great! (As great!) As fun! (As fun!)
As our super party pony Pinkie!”
The crowd all sang together just when Kyoga and Rarity levitated the banner onto the roof of the bakery and Pinkie Pie released balloons and confetti everywhere.
Pinkie Pie happily expressed while ruffling Rarity's mane, "Ooh, I am so, so, SO excited because today I'm planning the birthday bash of...Rainbow Dash!"
She turned everyone’s attention to the banner of her surrounded by hearts and stars with Rainbow Dash happily flying by.
"Yeah!" the rainbow Pegasus said while moving out of the position she was drawn on the banner before flying down over to her friend to high five her.
“Perfect pose!” Bunga complimented. “And perfect colors!”
“Thanks!” Both Rainbow and Pinkie returned before the latter pulled in the former so she can speak to her seriously.
"Rainbow Dash."
"Yes, Pinkie?"
"You realize that, by enlisting me as your party planner, I guarantee that this is going to be the funnest, most fantabulous, superbial party in Ponyville?" She said while literally having Rainbow Dash shrinking to the ground due to being taken aback by the sudden 180 flip from silly and happy to stern and serious.
"Uh…yeah? I guess."
"No guesses! Parties are no picnic."
“Are you sure?” Fuli questioned arching her eyebrow.
"I like a nice picnic party." Fluttershy commented before backing away when Pinkie started growling with her ears lowered and eyes narrowed. "Oh…" she quickly lowered her head in fright with Fuli quick to place a protective paw on her friend.
Pinkie turned back to Rainbow Dash before making her point. "Parties. Are. Serious! And you have my certified Pinkie Party Promise…" she literally placed a cupcake in her eye. "…that you will have the best birthday party ever!""
"Okay." Rainbow agreed for the sake of appeasing her friend.
"Great!" Pinkie said while flipping back to her happy and cheerful self with Fuli lowering her guard once it happened.
“It’s okay, she’s back.” Fuli whispered to Fluttershy who stood up and felt more calm and relaxed now that Pinkie is happily bouncing around like she always does.
“Now, who's ready to join this super-duper party pony to plan this super-duper part-y?"
"I am." The voice belonging to mystical looking Cheese Sandwich said from the corner of the nearby alley blowing on his party horn with everyone gasping in his direction.
"Who are you, stranger?" Pinkie Pie asked with everyone interested in meeting this new pony form out of town.
The pony spit out the party horn before speaking. "Name's Cheese Sandwich. I plan parties."
“Ooh, another party pony in the house.” Bunga remarked with a joking tone.
"What an amazing coincidence!” Pinkie said in delight. “I'm Pinkie Pie, and I'm planning a party!"
“The best of the best so far!” Timon added while stepping forward.
"Oh, it's no coincidence, my little pony." Cheese returned before tilting up his hat. "My cheesy sense was a-tingling, telling me a party was in the works."
“A cheesy sense?" Pinkie asked, already liking this new pony already like they have a lot in common. "Ah! Double amazing! I have a Pinkie Sense!"
“What a double coincidence!” Bunga remarked feeling excited already. “And Pinkie’s has the unforeseeable sense of knowing what’s about to happen before it happens like…” Pinkie’s tail twitched when a flower pot fell on Ono’s head. “…that! Right Ono?”
“Yep!” He responded with an irritated tone of voice.
"Yes. I sensed you did." the stallion said seriously before turning to the banner of Rainbow Dash up ahead. "And I happen to be the premiere party planner in all of Equestria. If there's a party in need, there I'll be. Be it wingding, hoedown, hootenanny, or shindig, I'm your pony."
“Really….well okay!" Bunga commented finding the two pony’s so very much alike in every way, from being party planners, having a super special sense, and a love of fun. It was almost like they were perfect for each other.
Pinkie Pie hoped along towards him, excited to meet another party planning pony, "A pair of party pony planners in Ponyville?! What can be more perfect?!"
"I'll tell you what" Rainbow Dash replied while floating over their shoulders. "…making this party epic! 'Cause this isn't just any birthday. It's also the anniversary of when I moved to Ponyville!"
“Really?” Kion commented finding it interesting. “That must have been quite some birthday.”
“It sure was. All thanks to Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow said with a thankful wink in her friend’s direction.
"Good heavens, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said with a smile at this revelation. "It's your "birth-iversary"!"
"Exactly!” Rainbow stated with her hooves up in the air before lowering down to the two ponies with her hooves placed on the back of their necks. “So what do you say, party planners? Think you're up for the challenge."
“Do you know who you’re asking?” Bunga asked as if she was joking. “This is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about here. The best party pony in Ponyville.”
"Oh, I think we can do it!" Pinkie said happily while hopping around at the idea while agreeing with her honey badger friend.
But Cheese Sandwich shook his head in disagreement. "Oh, I don't think so."
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie gasped at this statement until he then said...
"I know so!" With a now hyper and energetic voice like Pinkie’s while removing his poncho and hat, revealing his curly brown mane and yellow shirt underneath, and his cheese sandwich cutie mark moving around like an accordion.
“Whoa.” Fuli commented finding this another surprisingly good revelation. “It’s like Sisi Ni Sawa between these two.” She whispered to Kion.
“I know.” Kion nodded.
"After all…" Cheese Sandwich said before breaking out into a song.
“The super-duper party pony–that pony is me
I always knew that was the kind of pony I would be.”
"Me too!"
“That’s her!”
Both Pinkie and Bunga stated.
“No kidding.” Kyoga quietly muttered to herself.
“Come on, ponies! Who here likes to party?" He asked everyone before moving to hug an elderly pony. "Ha-ha! You do! I can tell!"
“When I was but a little colt, I just wanted to play.”
"Like me!"
“But everypony told me, "Cheese, that fun just wastes the day"
“As if!"
“But when I threw a party and I busted out some moves.”
"Uh-huh!"
“The ponies finally saw the light and got into the groove.”
"You know it!"
Cheese then started to play an accordion, dressed in the country’s matching attire.
“The super-duper party pony–that pony is me.”
"And me!"
“You'll never meet another party pony quite like Cheese!”
“’Uh, Pinkie?" She voiced rather questioning towards that last line before he continued with his song.
“Hey, good-lookin', want some mayonnaise?
My parties are all off the hook
I never plan them by the book
I start out fun, then whoopsie-daisy
Everybody just gets crazy!
Bored of snacks made by your mom?
How about a giant party bomb?
Huge piñatas filled with cake
Or dive into my fruit punch lake!
The super-duper party pony–that pony is me
You'll never meet another party pony quite like Cheese.”
As he sang along, every pony in town was really dancing already liking this pony. Even Timon and Pumbaa both danced to the pony’s dance number. But in the process, it was starting to have Pinkie feeling left out which started having her a little down to which both Kion and Bunga took notice of with their previous enthusiasm dying down to concern.
“Oh, when I throw a Cheese party, be sure to not be lame
And miss my pie fights, wacky kites, and streamers in your mane
Fizzy drinks, Hawaiian shirts, and brie fondue delight
You know that with Cheese Sandwich, you'll be partying all night!”
"C'mon, everypony! Let's party down with Cheese!" Rainbow cheered for everyone to follow suit, unintentionally causing the crowd to trample over and ignore Pinkie. While the rest of the ponies joined in, Kion, Fuli, Bunga, Kyoga, and Ono, and Beshte stayed behind in a hurt Pinkie’s direction.
“You're really a certified party pony?" Fluttershy asked.
“That's right! That's my guarantee!
The super-duper party pony–that pony is me-e-e-e-e!”
He sang before being carried off by the crowd leaving Pinkie very disheartened by what is transpiring before her very eyes.
“But what about the super party pony named Pinkie...?”
She sadly sang while sitting on her haunches now depressed, with Kion quick to place a comforting paw on her shoulder along with Bunga with the rest of the Lion Guard still standing by her side.
"Yeah!” Rainbow cheered with an air flip before flying in towards their new town guest. “Hah, now that's what I'm talking about! I'm so stoked you're here, Cheese Sandwich!"
"Yeah. You sure did come on the right day." Applejack said in agreement.
“Your party sounds simply divine." Rarity added.
“Will there be lots of grubs at the party?” Pumbaa eagerly asked.
“Lots and lots, big guy.” He answered with a nod.
"Wow! We're so lucky to have you here." Pumbaa then said very pleased.
“No kidding!” Timon stated.
"Just doing my job, little fillies." He said with sincerity.
Pinkie Pie managed to catch up with the rest, with the Lion Guard following after her, and Rainbow flying beside Cheese.
"I mean, Pinkie Pie's parties are fun and sweet and all, but now this party's gonna be--"
"Epic?"
"You said it! Oh, yeah!" The two high hoofed each other while Pinkie Pie sadly watched from behind.
“Rainbow…?!” Fuli spoke up so Rainbow would realize that she is hurting her friend’s feelings without realizing it.
"Uh, heh, no offense, Pinkie." She quickly apologized.
"Uh, n-none taken." She responded with a forced smile while licking the forming tears from her eyes before straying away from the crowd in the opposite direction with her ears lowered and mane deflated in dejection.
“Ooh…” Bunga said in pity before moving to continue being with one of his best friend’s. “…Pinkie!”
“Poor Pinkie…” Beshte said feeling really bad for her already.
“I don’t get it.” Kion said in disbelief. “How could everyone just turn their backs on her like that.”
“I’m sure they didn’t mean to.” Beshte tried to say in their defense. “They probably just got swept up into the attention.”
“Well it doesn’t seem that they realize that.” Kyoga remarked in slight disgust. “Along with her pony friends.”
“Well whoever this Cheese Sandwich guy is he’s already hurting Pinkie’s feelings.” Ono stated with a drive wanting to take action. “And we need to fix this!”
“I agree, Ono.” Kion said before giving instructions for the group. “Beshte, you catch up with Bunga and Pinkie and try to help make her feel better while the rest of us try to talk to Cheese Sandwich and get him to least share the party planning goes to our friend.”
“On it Kion!” Beshte seriously stated before marching off in his friend’s direction while the other’s catch up with the others.
Meanwhile, Cheese Sandwich was already getting to work on Rainbow's party. With help from everyone gathered, they made a stage with a flashy banner with Rainbow's face on it , and hangers with rainbow lightning bolts attached to white clouds.
"My birth-iversary's already looking way cooler!" Rainbow said very pleased with the progress Cheese was making before flying over to him looking at his clipboard. "You are my kind of party pony, Cheese Sandwich."
"You got that right, Rainbow Dash." He responded with a playful head bump before turning to the others working hard in their parts of helping put this all together. "All right, party ponies, I've got some planning to do!"
Everyone cheered, including Timon and Pumbaa just when the Lion Guard arrived with serious expressions.
“Hey, Kion!” Rainbow happily greeted. “What’s up?”
“We need to talk!”
“About what?” She inquired while blinking at the unhappy and concerned looks of his friend’s faces. “And where’s Pinkie, Bunga, and Beshte?”
“Out and around Sugarcube Corner.” Fuli answered. “Apparently, Pinkie is already feeling left out because of this new party pony coming into town and taking over like it’s his responsibility now.”
“What are you talking about?” Rainbow questioned. “Ever since Cheese Sandwich showed up, the party preparations are going off amazingly well!” She showed everyone the decorations that have already been set up. “And not to mention this has happened since he came to town just when Pinkie Pie was already making the preparations and…” Her smile dropped as she stopped talking when the realization hit him. “…accidentally had her feeling left out…” She suddenly groaned upon realizing her mistake. “…aww, no!”
“Mmm-hmm.” Kyoga nodded. “Doesn’t feel so good does it?”
“No, it’s not.” She answered knowing the answer. “I better go apologize.”
“Good idea.”
With that, both Kion and Rainbow both rushed off ahead to try to find her and help make things right.
Back at Sugarcube Corner, Bunga and Beshte have managed to catch up Pinkie who is currently sitting down in the front of the bakery. Fittingly for the mood of the atmosphere, the banner she made feel down, further deflating her poofy mane.
"Pinkie!" Bunga called after her upon catching up.
“Hi.” She said not even batting an eye towards her friends.
“What are you doing?” Her friend asked. “This is the party you’re supposed to be running!”
“Not anymore.”
Bunga was left baffled by what she was saying but was still not giving up on her. “Come on. Listen to yourself. You’ve been doing this ever since you were a little filly! You’re always the number one pony everyone goes to when it comes to throwing a party!"
“Not today.” She glumly remarked while still looking down on the ground.
“Aww, Pinkie…” Beshte said trying his luck in cheering her up. “…I’m sure he didn’t mean to make you feel you’re being replaced.”
“Try telling him that.” She said with refusal to think otherwise.
Just then another voice called out to her. “Pinkie!"
She quickly took out a watering can and watered her plants to mask her true feelings when the leader of the Lion Guard arrived. "There you are."
"Hey, Kion. Hey, Rainbow Dash."
"Aren't you gonna help Cheese Sandwich plan the party?" Kion questioned.
"You know the super-duper one you've always wanted to be a part of." Rainbow added.
"That's okay." She said, trying her best to sound she’s fine with it despite pouring water onto the ground without realizing it. "He obviously has what it takes to do it all by himself. Heh."
"Really?" Both Kion and Rainbow asked unconvinced.
"Yes, indeedy!" Pinkie asserted with a nervous chuckle.
“Pinkie…” Kion said with a sigh having to gently break it to her. “…I know you’re feeling down ever since this pony came and took over the party planning. But that shouldn’t stop you from at least trying to work alongside him or even getting you to feel like he is getting in your way.”
“But he’s not…” She still voiced not giving in to the actual truth. “…if Cheese really is the super duperiest partying-est pony of them all, maybe that means... I'm... not."
"That's not true." Rainbow tried to insist otherwise from having her think that. "You've always been the super duperiest partying-est pony in Ponyville, and nothing's going to change it. Not even Cheese Sandwich."
“Look…” Kion further insisted upon seeing that a word from Rainbow Dash isn't helping. “…you might be giving up on yourself…” Bunga hands him the photo of her and her friends. “…but your friends especially the ones here right now haven’t given up on you.” Pinkie glanced at the photo before turning away from it. “So this is it? You’re just going to just give up, or are you going to get out there and show Cheese Sandwich that you deserve to help with those party preparations.”
Pinkie still sighed with her spirit still broken. “Why bother?” She admitted. “Everyone’s made it clear they want him around more than me.”
“But everyone has made it clear that you are always the pony they turn to whenever there’s a party that need’s planning. That’s why they all look up to you.” Kion further explained while Pinkie still had her head lowered before moving to walk away. “Pinkie…please." But she didn’t listen, and as a good friend, he had to give him alone time as much as she gives him his but knowing giving this bit of advice. “At least no matter what stay true to who you are.”
Pinkie briefly stopped for a moment for when those words registered through her head before continuing forward with her friends looking on hoping that she’ll come around.
Pinkie walked across town still feeling upset what has happened. When it comes to parties it is usually her specialty… at least until Cheese Sandwich showed up. Now, she is only left to reflect on who she truly is when she makes her way to the nearby foot bridge where she released a single tear into the river creating a colorful ripple. In addition, a brief appearance of Twilight’s current and darken reflection instead of her own when her back was turned away from the water.
“For all my life, all I've wanted to do
Was make my friends want to smile true
But maybe I was wrong
And Pinkie Pie shouldn't plan parties at all.”
So with that she decided trying something else.
Trying to being a surgeon, didn’t work due to the fact that cupcakes are frowned upon during an operation (literally). Being a mail pony didn’t go any better due to the fact getting blasted with confetti is not something every pony enjoys when getting their mail. And being a construction worker means that she can’t use balloons as construction material due to it being dangerous to others around her. So with her efforts to find something else in life having failed, she dejectedly returned home where she took down her party belongings.
“I'll try to get up on my hooves
And try a different task
I'll find something new to do
There's gotta be more to me than planning a party or two
At home, she started getting rid of all the fun party things she owned.
I put away my party cannon, I deflated all my balloons
The bubbles all burst, now what is next for you?
For you...”
After putting away some of her belongings in the closet, she looked at her wall, noticing all of the pictures, each one containing special occasions where she made ponies smile with her parties.
"Oh, I remember this one: my first party ever. My whole family was there." She recalled the first photo before moving onto the next one. “And that's Twilight and Kion's welcome-to-Ponyville party. They didn't even expect that one." She then sees herself celebrating for her pet in front of a slice of cake in the next one while starting to smile herself. “Oh, look at Gummy! He just looks so excited for this birthday party!" She then sees a blank photo area to what was supposed to for Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s wedding but didn’t happen due to Scar’s actions that day before having come across a photo of the crew dancing and celebrating just after their heroics in the Crystal Empire. “Too bad, the wedding couldn’t help…yet.” She focused on a picture of her friend Twilight with her now scarred eye holding a cupcake while being hugged by Pinkie Pie. Upon seeing what has happened to her friend, now had her briefly down before quickly moving to sing in a more cheerful and upbeat manner, to remind herself to what Twilight truly needs, someone to cheer her up and open up her heart again. She then moved to retrieve her party belongings from her room.
“Oh, look at those happy faces
All the parties that I had thrown
I made them laugh, had such a blast
A smile that's all their own
They loved seeing me, the real Pinkie.”
She moved toward her balcony where she sees Ponyville in a bright light.
“Show them the time of their life like they've never known
Like they've never kno-o-own.”
It was there, Pinkie realized that she had to prove herself much like Kion’s determination in wanting to make thing right while donning a gift box costume, sunglasses, and party balloons on her head.
“I've got to get back out there, have to show them that I've tried
For there's only one great party pony -- that is Pinkie Pie
Won't let Cheese Sandwich beat me, won't let him get me down
For I am Pinkie, the bestest party pony around!”
As Pinkie heads off ahead to prove herself, Twilight having watched the whole scene with her magic from the corner teleports away upon seeing the plan is in motion. "Perfect."
Back in town, Cheese Sandwich was just going over the final touches on his ideas for Rainbow’s party and so far it was everything Rainbow could have wanted with the sole exception of Pinkie’s ideas combined with his. So far he has also added a huge dazzling spotlight with Rainbow’s cutie mark on it along with an ice sculpture of Rainbow’s cutie mark on it.
"I must say I marvel at Cheese Sandwich's superior party planning expertise." Rarity said to Applejack.
"Well, they don't call him the super-duper party planner for nothin'." Applejack returned with Pinkie Pie having arrived from the nearby corner with great determination to prove that she is best party pony Ponyville has to offer.
"That's it! This pony has gotta get her title back! And I know just what to do!"
As Cheese Sandwich moves to make the last touches on his ice scultupure he noticed Kion approaching him.
"Hey, Kion!" He happily called out to him who was still looking concerned and clearly had something to say to him. “Does this scream amazing or what?”
“It sure does.” Kion reluctantly complimented for the sake of it while looking aside to which Cheese took notice of.
“Something on your mind, kid?” He inquired after leaping down to see eye to eye with him.
“Not much…”
“Expect…”
“Expect…that Pinkie has been feeling a little left out ever since you arrived and kinda took over the party planning.” He confessed.
“What?” Cheese blinked in surprise before adopting an expression of remorse upon realizing that his accidental mistake. “Gosh. That wasn’t what I meant to do.”
“Really?” Kion asked now surprised hearing this. “You never meant to try to take Pinkie’s place?”
“No! I mean sure I can throw a pretty swinging party but I was only trying to throw in my ideas.” He admitted before looking around for the pony he accidentally outshined without realizing it. “I only wanted to be able to work alongside my favorite party pony friend here. But it seems I only managed to succeed in making her feel bad."
“It’s not your fault.” Kion gently insisted. “It was just a misunderstanding and I’m sure we can work this out if we just go find and talk to her.”
“Okay.” Cheese smiled. “I think I’ll do that…”
"Freeze, Cheese!"
Kion and Cheese Sandwich turned to the direction of the angry pony standing right behind Rarity, Fluttershy, and Ono.
"I challenge you... to a goof off!"
All of the Mane Five, Spike, and the Lion Guard gasped in horror.
"Oh, no! Not a goof off!" Fluttershy cried out while hiding underneath Applejack.
"What's a goof off?" Applejack asked.
"I have no idea, hehe."
“Me neither.” Bunga shrugged.
Kion quickly rushed over to her. “Pinkie, what are doing?!”
"What you taught me to do. Standing my ground and staying true to who I am!"
“But Pinkie…” Kion tried to say to her on deaf ears.
Seeing the seriousness of this challenge, Cheese donned his fez and readopted his serious tone.
"This Cheese has stood alone a long time, Pinkie Pie. You think you can out-goof me?" He challenged.
"Oh, I don't think so. I know so!” She asserted with great confidence. “And the stakes are high, Cheese Sandwich. Whoever wins will be dubbed the ultimate super-duper party pony and headline the Rainbow Dash birth-iversary bash!"
"And the loser?" Kion asked.
"Doesn't!"
Everyone but Kion and Kyoga with the latter who was as usual unfazed, all gasped. Kion however, was seeing that her challenge is not what he was counting on when he offered advice. To him, this is a completely competitive and different mare willing to sink to extreme measures in order to get what she wants.
“Pinkie! Don’t you think you’re taking this too far?” Kion attempted to implore of her to reconsider.
"Not to worry, Kion! I know what I’m doing!" Pinkie stated with no intention of backing off before turning back to her rival. "There can only be one party pony, and that pony is Pinkie Pie! So, are you in, Cheese? Or are you... boneless?"
Cheese Sandwich narrowed his eyes in response to her remark, "Nopony calls me boneless. Right, Boneless?" he said to his rubber chicken who didn’t even move a muscle.
“Ugh.” Ono just shook his head in dismay. “Does he realize that rubber chickens can’t talk?” He whisper asked Fuli.
“Nope.” Fuli shook her head looking on with a deadpan expression. “Nor are they alive.”
"Then the goof off is on for high noon!” Pinkie declared.
“Pinkie…” Ono called out to her pointing to the clock nearby. “It's already 3 o'clock."
"Oh. Oh, well then. Make it 3:10 to goof off!" She then corrected herself before staring down with Cheese before splitting off to prepare for the last minute preparations for their little showdown.
“Cheese…” Kion quickly rushed over to try to reason with him. “…I thought you said you were going to resolve this!”
“Not to worry, Kion, I will!” He assured before running off to prepare himself for his epic showdown with Pinkie Pie.
Hopefully by giving her exactly want she wants, maybe she'll come to her senses this way and maybe call for a tie so they'll both be able to host Rainbow Dash's party.
All while Kion looks on in dismay seeing that the goof off is still happening and that there is nothing else he can do about it.
If only the two could just talk it out instead of resorting to all of this extreme methods for resolving these sorts of things. If only.
Ten minutes later, the clock strikes 3:10, a whole crowd was waiting for this upcoming duel wondering what’s going to happen next. All while Kion is silently hoping that this doesn’t get out of hand just like with Rarity before back in Manehattan.
“Doing okay? Kion?” Fuli asked with the others standing behind her.
“Doing fine. Just hoping that both Pinkie and Cheese both know what they’re doing.” He replied while glancing at the cheetah standing beside her.
“Surely, it’ll just be a silly competition.” Beshte said in an effort to assure his friend.
“Yeah!” Bunga was quick to agree. “I know Pinkie Pie very well and know that deep down she would never do something that harm anybody.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Come on…” Bunga smugly remarked. “Have I ever been wrong?”
“Well…”
“Never mind, don’t answer that.” He then noticed something. “Shh, it’s starting.“
Just then, the two ponies finally arrived, walking in from opposite directions from town. Pinkie wore blue cowgirl boots and a cowboy hat with an arrow sticking through it. Cheese wore fuzzy elephant slippers, one pink and one green, on his front hooves with two socks, one blue and one bright green, on his back hooves. He wore a fuzzy winter hat with a fish on it. Once they were facing one another, Twilight appeared and stood between them and took out a book acting as the official in this competition.
"All right, everypony. According to my official goof off rule-book…" She began.
"She actually has a goof off rule-book?" Ono asked in surprise.
"Are you kidding?" Spike returned. "Twilight can find a rule-book for everything!"
“Makes me wonder what else she has in store.” Ono muttered having little else to say about her right now.
Twilight continued to read while opening the book, "The two competitors have free range to goof about -- be it by singing, dancing, playing, prancing, joking, or performing -- to make the judge chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, hoot and holler, whoop it up, and party down."
As she spoke, Pinkie and Cheese made funny faces at one another, trying to be funnier than the other. Cheese then opened his mouth, to reveal a white mouse playing a tuba.
"The funnier, sillier, wilder, and goofier, the better.” She finished before closing her book and turning to the birthday pony. “Rainbow Dash, since the winner will be headlining your party, you are the judge."
"Heh. Big tense competition on my birth-iversary. What could be better?" She replied with a forced smile. Not only because she’s standing in front the most feared pony who can take them down anytime she wants but also the fact she can expose the truth anytime she wants and they are powerless to do anything about it. That, and the fact she is put in a position where two ponies compete over her birthday party planning rights. Like Kion, this isn’t what she wanted to happen.
Twilight turned back and addressed to the two ponies. "Cheese Sandwich, Pinkie Pie, are you ready?"
"I was born ready!" Pinkie declared while stomping her hoof.
"I was ready before I was born!" Cheese seriously stated with narrowed eyes.
"Then… Let the goofing begin!" Twilight declared before spreading her wings and flew away to commence their comedic duel has already begun.
Cheese walked forward while Pinkie hopped on over. Bunga was watching anxiously wondering what’s going to happen next. Kion could only grimace at the scene too, knowing that is boiling down to a sight of nasty competition thanks to a darkness taking over their minds. Both Beshte and Fuli were quick to try to ease their friend’s growing anxiety with a silent look that says “It’ll be okay.” while still showing concern over their pink pony friend going so far to prove her worth and if it is really worth it.
But nevertheless, their minds were made up with the goof-off battle beginning.
Cheese started off by playing his accordion while moving his back legs at a rapid dancing like pace. Pinkie, started off by wearing a fake mustache and colorful propeller hat, before performing a sing and dance routine while juggling cupcakes.
“It's your birthday party, a very special day
I've got a song, it won't take long, I just wanted to say."
She sang while tossing the cupcakes into Rainbow s mouth, who chewed and ate them happily.
"Happy, happy, happy, happy
Happy, happy, happy, happy
Happy, happy, happy, happy birthday to you!”
Cheese Sandwich danced on a large rolling cheese wheel while playing the accordion before leaping off to take her turn at singing to the birthday pony. Pinkie narrowed her eyes when he managed to impress Rainbow Dash.
“If you wanna be the life of the party
But you're feeling just a little uptight
Call the doctor, beg and plead
"Doctor, tell me what I need"
Try to put a little cheese in your knees!”
He sang and then danced with two cheese shoes on his back hooves. Rainbow Dash was pretty amused by this silliness, until she was picked up from the ground by a large hook. Said hook was from Pinkie Pie flying on a basket hoisted by full-helium party balloons and using her fishing poll. Once she was hoisted up into the air, Rainbow flapped her wings while Pinkie sang and danced for her turn while bubbles came out from a machine she had in the basket.
“Bubbles and balloons, bubbles and balloons
What's a birthday party without bubbles and balloons?
She formed balloons in various shapes and forms.
Star-shaped or trapezoid, look what I can do
Only Pinkie Pie can make a bubble shaped like you!”
She blew into the bubbles, creating one that’s pony shaped in Rainbow’s size, much to her amazement before being pulled aside by Cheese, for his turn.
“Just let yourself go floppy, for now this is your chance
Pretend you have no bones and do the rubber chicken dance!
"Hit it, Boneless!"
He sang while getting Rainbow to join in on the dance before turning to his rubber chicken who somehow managed to come to life briefly to do a little dance.
Pinkie jumped from a trampoline to get Rainbow’s attention once it was her turn again.
“Cooler than a rubber chicken and tastier than cake
Come on, you, let's party down and do the Gummy shake!
"Hit it, Gummy! Uh-huh! You know it! Shake it!"
Rainbow was smiling once more when Cheese once again took his turn by placing a cheese hat on the Pegasus’s head and placed her on a float made of cheese. Rainbow smiled while Cheese took his turn singing once more.
But Cheese was not done yet. He placed a cheese hat on Rainbow's head and placed her on a cheese themed float. She sat on the throne smiling while Cheese sang.
“'Cause I like to make you smile, smile, smile
Yes I do
It fills my heart with sunshine all the while
Yes it does
'Cause all I really need's a smile, smile, smile
From these happy friends of mine.”
"That's my song!" Pinkie complained.
"What do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about." He jokingly shrugged it off.
“THAT'S IT!" Pinkie angrily voiced before pulling out her party cannon.
“Uh oh.” Kion voiced seeing where this is going now.
“Bringing out the guns.” Bunga commented upon seeing this.
“Big ones.” Twilight muttered from the skies while watching what’s about to happen.
“Roll out the party cannon
When you hear the party cannon song
Ka-BOOM!”
Cheese, however had a large party cannon tank to counter hers leaving Rainbow no time to prepare finding herself looking inside the cannon just before he could set it off.
“Why should you compromise? Try this one on for size
'Cause nothing quite says cheer like the ringing in your ear
Of the cheese supreme cannonball surprise!”
He shot his cannon, sending Rainbow flying back. Once she got back to her hooves, her eyes were turned to a forklift carrying the largest piñata Rainbow has ever seen. A very large cake-shaped piñata carrying by Pinkie Pie who now sang in Spanish.
“¡Dale, dale, dale
No pierdas el tino!
Porque si lo pierdes
¡Pierdes el camino!”
The piñata was too much for the crane to handle and it ended up giving way to which had rainbow shimmers in Bunga's eyes when he realized what was going to happen.
“WATCH OUT!” Bunga quickly rushed over and pushed Rainbow out of the way just when the piñata landed right on top of him, sending confetti and streamers everywhere. It mood-fittingly the music stopped along with Pinkie Pie. The Lion Guard was shocked by this. A comedic goof off turned into an grudge match that had led to Bunga getting injured.
“Bunga!” Kion shouted while he and Beshte rushed over to his aid. The former moved to drag his best friend out from under the piñata with the latter lifting it up long off so Kion could free him. "Are you okay?"
"Yep." He answered while brushing the dust off of his fur.
Upon seeing this snapped Pinkie out of what’s been driving her and experienced a rainbow shimmer in her eyes when she had a realization strike her in her heart along with Kion’s previous words.
“No matter what stay true to who you are.”
“Oh my gosh…” Pinkie gasped now ashamed with what she has done. “Rainbow's not having the best party ever! I... I broke the Pinkie Party Promise!" This had to end. “Stop! The goof off is off!"
The ponies all murmured in surprise with Cheese Sandwich visibly stunned by this decision while Twilight watches on with a pleased smile with how it turned out.
"But I haven't named a winner." Rainbow Dash pointed out.
"You don't have to." Pinkie Pie said hanging her head in defeat. "I forfeit. Which means... Cheese Sandwich wins."
Cheese smiled and cheered...before realizing what that meant. "…I do?"
“Seriously?” Fuli and Kyoga spoke in unison looking highly surprised themselves.
"Yes. You get to headline Rainbow Dash's party." Pinkie confirmed.
"But, Pinkie…” Kion tried to say something to get her to reconsider. “…that will mean you don’t get to host her party.”
“That is true.” Pinkie didn’t hesitate to say while now crying. “I… I don't." before quickly running away in shame.
“Well that was unexpected!”
“Didn’t see that coming! The classic moment where friends realize they went too far and now have no one but themselves to blame.”
“No kidding. We better go after them.”
“Oh, good idea, Pumbaa. Let’s go!”
Timon and Pumbaa remarked while munching on popcorn while joining their friends in racing off after the Guard.
Pinkie had managed to gather all of her belongings and was now ready to leave. Since it was clear that Cheese Sandwich was the better party pony, it’s only fitting that she leaves, especially after what she accidentally did to both Rainbow and Bunga.
"Pinkie, wait!" Rainbow called after her while quickly flying in front of her before she could leave town. “I'm sorry I got all swept away by Cheese Sandwich."
"We all are." Fuli said on behalf of their pony friends, and Timon and Pumbaa looked on apologetically at the upset pony before they all voiced their apologies and regret of unintentionally hurting her feelings too.
"Well…” Bunga started before correcting himself upon seeing Fuli and Applejack’s glare. “...never mind. But if anything you had some friends who were by your side the whole time.” He then gestured to his lion friend. “Especially Kion. He was the one who was quick to try to help you through it.”
Pinkie however shook her head insisting they stop. “None of this was your fault." She asserted before turning to Rainbow. "I was the one who let my pride get in the way you having the best birth-iversary ever. Cheese Sandwich really is a super duper party planner, and he'll be a terrific headliner. I should've been a big enough pony to admit that and let you have your day."
Rainbow quickly flew up and down facing Pinkie upside down and nose to nose trying to get through to her more. "But don't you get it? You're both super-duper party ponies. Sure, Cheese Sandwich is a great guest party pony, but you're Ponyville's permanent party pony." Pinkie smiled when Rainbow hugged her. "Nopony could ever take your place, and we could never have a party without you."
"Rainbow's right." Kion said with a smile. "None of us would ever want a party without you hosting it. And for the record, Cheese Sandwich never meant to hurt or try to take your place as our party pony."
“He’s right.” Cheese’s voice spoke to them upon arriving on the scene. Once he had everyone’s attention, he approached her with his cowboy hat placed over his chest. “I never meant to take your place in Ponyville. I just wanted to show you what a great party pony I am, Pinkie."
"But why me?" Pinkie asked.
“Well…” Cheese began while rolling his eyes before explaining through song and heart about the truth.
"I fear I told a little fib about my pony past
I hope that when you hear the truth, you will not be aghast
I wasn't quite the super party pony like I claim
The fact is that I was so shy, nopony knew my name.”
He sang while recalling his past self wearing glasses leaving his hometown with a bundle on his back.
Just after leaving he stumbled on a party hat before finding he has wandered into area where there’s a party going on. He was immediately greeted with a party hat and a cheese sandwich before being tossed up into the air by a group of ponies ready to welcome him to the party.
Upon being gifted this warm reception, a young Cheese smiled before looking on at the ponies all playing musical instruments before being gifted a rubber chicken.
“I stumbled into Ponyville one afternoon by chance
And found the biggest ever celebration party dance
Everything was perfect, cheer was filling up the place
And I saw that everypony had a smile upon their face
I vowed that day to change my life, the past I did set free
For now Cheese Sandwich was a party pony full of glee
A super-duper party pony -- that's what I became
I traveled all Equestria, and all did know my name
But that never would have happened on my own, I'll tell you why...
For the one who threw that party, it was you.
Pinkie Pie.”
He sang while recalling seeing her when she was young balancing herself on a ball while juggling rubber chickens.
“Me?"
"Yes!"
"Hah, really?!" Pinkie asked now delighted by this revelation.
"Really!"
“Whoa.”
“How about that?”
“Poa!”
“Wow.”
“How about that?”
The Lion Guard all expressed surprise too.
"So I was the pony that threw the awesomely spectacular party that inspired you to become an awesome spectacular party thrower?" Pinkie happily asked and bounced around upon the inspired pony following in her example.
"Swear on Camembert!"
"Enough with the warm fuzzy stuff, you two.” Rainbow immediately got in between them to interrupt them. “It's my birth-iversary, and you gotta throw me a bash!"
"Yeah!"
"Let's go!"
The two ponies declared before getting right to work on giving Rainbow Dash that super-duper birthday bash.
“Super duper party ponies -- that is me and you
A party thrown by one is good, but not as great as two
Come on and let's join forces, have twice the expertise
Now let's all go to the party planned by Pinkie Pie and Cheese!”
By the time the sun had set, the party was all put together and better than ever with both Pinkie and Cheese working together to ensure that this is a very super-duper great party Rainbow Dash will never forget. With the power of the two best party ponies combined, it was a party no pony ever dared to miss.
On the stage spotlight shined on the stage just when Cheese Sandwich walked out from behind the curtain, wearing a hat and bow tie.
"ll right, everypony! We are here to celebrate the birthday…"
"…and anniversary…" Pinkie added, also wearing a hat and bow-tie and joining her friend on stage.
"…of Rainbow Dash!"
They shouted together and Rainbow emerged from a giant birthday gift box, wearing a party hat, and floating over the crowd.
"Hey, everypony! Who's ready to get their party on?! Hit it!"
The music played and everybody got into the dancing while Pinkie Pie danced and sang.
“Get your hooves up, party's starting out right now
Everypony, everypony get down
Time to make a wish, better make it right now
It's been a year and today is your birthday party.”
While this was going on, Cheese Sandwich balanced himself on his cheese wheel, riding by the dancing ponies along with their Pride Lander friends.
During this, Rainbow was having a great time. She got to blow out the candles on her large birthday cake, slammed her cutie mark shaped piñata, ate through a large pizza with her friends and swam in the large punch bowl pool while riding on a giant doughnut.
While Pinkie singing Applejack, Rarity, Bunga, and Kion danced on stage, along with Timon and Pumbaa.
“Make a wish, it's your birthday
Make a wish, it's your birthday party
Make a wish, it's your birthday
Make a wish, it's your birthday party.”
The party was a huge success with so many guests enjoying the fun it had to offer. Even Twilight herself, found it in her heart to join in on the fun by dancing amongst the crowd before teleporting on stage to dance alongside Kion.
Upon seeing this had Kion slightly and silently startled before dancing along for the sake of the party. In fact, seeing this side of Twilight had some given hope that her good side is still inside of her and it’s just a matter of getting her to open her eyes to get her to reform deep down.
Sometime when the party was nearing an end, Cheese took the time to himself to enjoy a cupcake.
Just then, Rainbow appeared to compliment him for a job well done. "Cheese Sandwich! Oh, I gotta tell ya, you and Pinkie have totally made this the best birthday/anniversary super combo ever! Hah, it's totally--"
"Epic?" He guessed with a playful nudge.
"Yeah, it is!" She nodded.
"That's all I needed to hear, little filly." Cheese said before donning his cowboy hat once more.
At the same time, Pinkie Pie was currently writing down on what she had learned today. Once she was done, she smiled at her lion friend, sitting next to her.
"Thank you, for everything today, Kion, even after I ended up doing the opposite of what you said. Honestly, I didn’t even know what got into me back there. It was like I was a different pony."
“Well you’re here and you’ve learned your lesson and that’s all that matters.” Kion happily replied before the two share a happy hug together.
Just then Cheese Sandwich had slid a wooden case in front of the two.
"Just a little memento of my visit." He said just when the case opened revealing his rubber chicken, Boneless.
"You're giving me your special rubber chicken friend?" She asked just when it gave out a rainbow-like glow.
"Oh, he's not the only one." Cheese assured while placing another rubber chicken onto his back, with a red number two painted on its chest. He then donned his black western attire now that his job here was done but not without turning back to the honey badger who saved Rainbow's life with a golden badge that also gave a rainbow shimmer when presented. "Well, Boneless Two, another job well done. But it's time we mosey along. Another town, another party." He said before heading on out of here into the sunset just when the rest of the Guard watched on alongside Pinkie Pie in seeing him leave.
"I never did get that pony's name." Pinkie commented.
"Cheese Sandwich!" Everybody exclaimed in annoyance.
"Oh, yeah!" Pinkie giggled upon remembering.
“Oh, brother.” Ono grumbled.
“Technically sister.” Bunga corrected which did little to improve the egret’s mood.
While the Guard was seeing Cheese Sandwich off, Twilight took this opportunity to swap out the rubber chickens before walking off with some leftovers in tow back in the portal’s direction. In addition, secretly had a wisp of magic swap out Bunga's badge with a different sheriff's badge while his eyes were closed and his mind was out of focus.
“Four down, seven to go!” She stated with a satisfied smile with plans in mind that she is seeking out. Mainly, her eyes sighted on the pony having the birthday party of her life...