//------------------------------//
// Research and Screwball 
// Story: Rise of the Elements Episode 1: Pinkie's Little Problem 
// by Dream Volt 
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	Sometimes ponies give me these looks like I've had too much sugar.  Firecracker was about the only pony that never did.  She was just so fun.  She was teal and had wild red and yellow hair.  It was like a big spiky explosion.  Plus fireworks are just some of the most fun party favors ever.  If it wasn't for Fluttershy not liking loud noises I'd use them way more often.  Right now she looked all super serious though.

"Aww, turn that frown upside down.  You're partying with Pinkie Pie."

"No, I'm monitoring you.  Duty comes first, then fun."  Then she smiled.  "Though my specialty is blowing things up, and sometimes it's my duty to do so, and that's really fun."

"Ooo, that is hard.  But most of the time when I blow something up or set it on fire it's a bad thing.  It's so strange to think there are times it isn't."

She laughed. "So, anything?"

I pulled one hoof out of the restraints that were supposed to keep my front hooves secure and gave a salute.  "No mam.  All quiet on the southern front."

"And everywhere else too, right?"

"You can stop now Firecracker." Said Twilight at the top of the stairs.  "I am done with the experiment.  Dash convinced Spike to add a few things so…"

I gasped.  Twilight looked awful.  She was covered in bruises and had a black eye.  There was probably more, but I didn't wait.  I was across the room and hugging her tightly.  I let go when she cringed.

"Sorry Pinkie, but that won't help right now."

"Wow, you look like you got caught in the blast.  Never a good look, I know."

"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help?" I asked

"I don't think so.  Besides, there is something I've been meaning to try anyway."

Then Twilgiht's horn lit up.  I clapped my hooves together and watched.  It just go brighter and brighter, then there was a flash and Twilight looked all better.  I smiled and clapped my hooves together.  She then sorta wobbled on her hooves like she was about to fall down.  I gasped.

"Oh, it meant it doesn't magically exhaust the caster, but it does…" Twilight yawned "Physically exhaust the patient.  Good to…"  she yawned again  "…know."

"I can go over the data a little when you sleep.  I mean you'll have to figure out what it means, but I can mark the readings whenever something actually happened."

"Sounds good."  She yawned again.  "I'm going to go to sleep now.  Later Pinkie."

Twilight then walked up the stairs.  Firecracker was halfway down the stairs before she turned back to look at me.

"Oh gosh, I forgot all about you Pinkie.  You could stay but it will be really boring and I don't think I can talk and work at the same time this time."

"Awww."

"Isn't there anything else you can do right now?"

"Not really it's my day off and…"  Then I gasped.  "Ooo, I just remembered, Dash said she was trying a new trick today.  I bet it's ready."

"What's ready?" asked Firecracker

"My flying machine.  Blinkie said the new one would be done soon, and this one is totally Griffin proof."  I then blinked.  "Though I don't know how you Griffin proof something."

"You mean like a non pegasus powered one?"

I nodded.  "Zuh huh.  I don't know what it looks like yet but I bet it's super neat.  My sister makes the best stuff."

Firecracker smiled.  "You don't have to tell me that."

"Omigosh, you're right, but I do have to tell Twilight.  I bet she'd love Blinkie.  They could be all sciencey together and stuff."

"But she just went to sleep."

"Oh yea.  Maybe I should do something else huh?"

I thought and thought, but I wasn't sure what to do for five whole seconds.  Then I suddenly remembered something else super important about today.  I waved to Firecracker and hopped up the stairs as fast as my little pinkie legs could carry me.  I know it was harder to hop, but it was also way more fun.  I tried to convince AJ to try hopping everywhere since she's an earth pony too, but she totally didn't want to try it.  I mean how can you not like hopping.

"Bye Firecracker, I gotta see a joke pony about some stuff."

"Okay.  Bye."





Screwball's eyes were all spiny.  It looked so cool, and I was quickly across the store and grabbed the glasses and put them on myself.  They looked neat from this side too but I couldn't see that well.  I'd seen joke glasses with swirly patterns before, but these were the first that moved.  I laughed.

"These are still neat, even if I can't see you anymore."

"Actually part of the spell should let you, but you have to put them on with your eyes closed or it doesn't work right."

"Oh."

I took them off, closed my eyes, then put them back on.  I then looked at Screwball and could see her like normal.  She was a pink mare with a purple mane almost as poofy as mine was.  It had neat white streaks too.  Like usual she was smiling.  But why wouldn't she?  I mean she owned ponyville's only joke shop and was surrounded by fun stuff all day, and ponies looking to buy fun stuff.  If food wasn't so important for good parties I might have totally tried to have my own joke shop.  I then noticed a big bag with swirly glasses on top of all the other stuff.

"Your usual package madam.  There is as many new things as I could pack in there and a few old favorites.  Remind Dash a new shipment has come in when you see her."

"Omigosh, Dashie.  I totally forgot I have to…"

I was halfway out the door when I suddenly realized something and tripped over my own hooves.  It was kinda fun ending up upside down.  I then hopped back to my hooves, grabbed my bag, and went to the door.  Screwball was really nice to make it so easy for me.  I used to overspend but now I pay for everything ahead of time and she makes up a bag that contains just enough stuff to match how many bits I can afford.  At least that's what she says, I think she puts in a little extra sometimes.  I was almost out the door when I realized something else and skid to halt.

"Omigosh, I didn't give you back your glasses."

"I was wondering how long that would take you." She then laughed

I then trotted back over to the counter and stopped.  "Wow, I'm like really forgetful today.  I almost forgot I was going to introduce Twilight to my sisters.  That would have been totally silly don't you think?"

"I guess so.  I don't see them much but they seem like nice mares."

"They totally are."  I then flipped the glasses off my head with a flip of my head and they landed on Screwball the other way round.  "Perfect."

She laughed.  "Yes, and impossible as always.  Thanks for being my best customer.  I guess I'll see you in a few days when you get your next paycheck?"

"Sure as sundaes, and I don't have to tell you how sure they are."

I then spun around, grabbed my bag again, and hopped out of the store as fast as I could.  First drop the goodies off at home.  Then I take Twilight, and anypony else around, to go see my sisters.  This should be super fun.