//------------------------------//
// Meet-and-Greet 
// Story: I Dream of a Genie with a Light Brown Mane 
// by Metool Bard 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 3:
Meet-and-Greet


"I'm serious, Applejack!  I taught Tank a new trick!"

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash.  I'm just havin' a hard time believin' that."

"Oh, don't be like that, Applejack.  I'm sure it's a wonderful trick."

"You bet it is!  Alright, Tank!  Loop-the-loop around!"

When Twilight and Spike arrived at the park, the Pony Pet Playdate was already in full swing.  They were just in time to see Rainbow Dash's pet tortoise flying through the air with ease and grace, something which no tortoise should be able to do.

"Well, looks like you guys started early," Twilight said, making her way onto the scene. "What'd we miss?"

"Just the most awesome trick ever!" said Rainbow Dash with her usual complacent attitude. "I'm telling you, Twilight.  Tank here has really gotten used to that helicopter propeller you made for him."

"I'm glad he likes it," said Twilight.

"So, Applejack.  Still think that Tank can't learn any tricks?" asked Rainbow, giving the farmer pony a nudge with her elbow.

"I gotta admit, Rainbow.  That's mighty impressive," said Applejack. "Y'know, I've been teachin' Winona here a few tricks myself."

"Ooh, ooh!  Gummy learned a new one, too!" said Pinkie Pie with her usual enthusiasm. "Go on, Gummy!  Show 'em what Pinkie taught you!"

The toothless alligator waddled up to Rarity's pet cat Opalessence.  Fearing that Gummy was going to take away her toy mouse, the white Persian hissed and bared her claws.  As she took a warning swipe at Gummy, the alligator caught Opal's paw in his mouth faster than anypony could blink.

"Ta-da!" cheered Pinkie. "Fastest jaws in the west!  Maybe in the east, too.  We haven't tried that yet."

"That's a neat trick, Pinkie," said Spike, cradling little Peewee in his claws.

"Oh, hello Spike.  Have you taught Peewee any tricks yet?" asked Fluttershy, giving her pet bunny Angel a hoof as he tried to free Opal from Gummy's grip.

"Nah, not yet," said Spike, looking down at the baby phoenix. "He's still too young."

"What about you, Twilight?" asked Rarity, cleaning Opal's paw of alligator spittle. "Has Owlowiscious learned anything?"

"Not really.  He's still just my nighttime assistant," said Twilight.  The other girls then noticed something peeking out of the studious unicorn's saddlebag.

"Ooh!  Whatcha got in the bag?" asked Pinkie. "Please say cupcakes, please say cupcakes!"

"No, it's not cupcakes," said Twilight with a giggle.  Using her magic, she opened the saddlebag and took out the lamp.

"Ooh!  Is that a tea kettle?  Are we having a tea party?" inquired Pinkie.

"I don't think it's a tea kettle, Pinkie," said Rainbow Dash, looking over the lamp carefully. "It looks more like one of the mystical artifacts Daring Do was searching for during her trip to Saddle Arabia.  It's all part of her latest adventure, Daring Do and the Minions of the Scarab.  Did you get that at a book signing or something?"

"No, Rainbow," said Twilight. "Honestly, would I go to a Daring Do book signing without inviting you?"

"Good point," said Rainbow. "So, what is it?"

Twilight beamed. "Well, as it just so happens, it's the home of somepony I'd like you all to meet," she said.  She then rubbed the lamp with her hoof. "You can come out now.  Don't be shy."

Sure enough, the lamp expelled a plume of mist from its spout.  From the mist appeared none other than Misty.  Her very presence left all of Twilight's friends in awe.

"Whoa nelly."

"Oh, my..."

"Where did she get such a beautiful outfit?"

"Awesome."

Pinkie merely gasped.

"Everypony, this is Misty," said Twilight, making some general introductions. "Misty, I'd like you to meet all of my friends."

"Allow me!" said Pinkie, rushing up to the genie and shaking her hoof. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!  I love making friends with new ponies!  Welcome to Ponyville!"

"Um, thank you," said Misty apprehensively.  She then floated close to Twilight. "Is she always like this?" she whispered.

"You have no idea," said Twilight with a grin.

"Oh, and these here are Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity!" said Pinkie, pointing out each pony in turn.

"Howdy, partner," said Applejack with a tip of her hat.

"It's, nice to meet you," said Fluttershy, nervously brushing the back of her foreleg with her hoof.

"Hey, what's up?" said Rainbow Dash with a friendly wave.

"A pleasure to meet you, darling," said Rarity. "And if I do say so myself, you are absolutely gorgeous.  Who styles your mane, dearie?"

"I do it myself," said Misty with a shrug.

Rarity's sapphire eyes sparkled. "Oh, you must tell me your beauty secrets, darling," said she. "Twilight, however did you two cross paths?"

"Actually, somepony sent her to me in the mail," said Twilight. "No idea who yet."

Applejack raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Ain't you the least bit curious 'bout that?" she asked.

"You know, Shining told me the same thing this morning," said Twilight.

"I didn't know your brother was visitin'."

"Oh, he's not."

Applejack blinked in confusion. "Wait, then how...?"

"Oh, didn't I mention?" said Twilight. "Misty's a genie."

"Yeah, we kinda gathered that from the smokey tail and the fact that she lives in a lamp," said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes.

Twilight cleared her throat and continued. "Anyway, since I freed her from the lamp, I now have three wishes.  I used my first wish to create this magic mirror that lets me communicate through any reflective surface in Equestria, and I used it to talk to Shining Armor!  Pretty neat, huh?"

There was a general muttering of agreement, punctuated by a squeal of glee from Rarity.

"Oh, you have no idea how lucky you are, Twilight!" the unicorn fashionista exclaimed. "I would just love to be in your horseshoes right now!  Oh, the things I would wish for!  First, I'd ask her to tell me her beauty secrets..."

"Um, there's not much to it..." said Misty as Rarity prattled on.

"...then I would ask her to find me the perfect stallion..."

"Um, yeah.  I can't really play matchmaker..."

"...and then, since asking for three more wishes is so cliché, I would wish for three more genies!"

"Three more gen—  Who do you think I am, Discord?!" Misty yelled, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her hoof. "Sheesh, I'm glad you're not my mistress."

"I'll admit, Rarity can be a bit demanding," said Twilight. "But even so, she's the most generous and thoughtful pony I know."

"Oh, goodness," said Fluttershy. "I'm glad I didn't find that lamp.  I wouldn't be able to think of anything to wish for that I couldn't already get for myself."

Misty stared at Fluttershy as if the pink-maned pegasus had three heads. "Nothing?  Really, you wouldn't be able to think of anything?"

"Not really," said Fluttershy. "Why?  Is that bad?"

"No, not at all," said Misty. "It's just, weird.  All of my previous masters wanted at least something."

"Well, no offense, sugarcube, but if I ever wanted somethin', I'd prefer to earn it myself," said Applejack. "Right, Winona?"

Winona barked in agreement.

"Yeah, same goes for me," said Rainbow Dash. "I mean, it'd be awesome if I could just be the captain of the Wonderbolts with a clap of my hooves, but that wouldn't really be fair to everypony else."

"I'd wish for a talking monkey!" Pinkie Pie interjected randomly.  Everypony stared at her blankly.

"Why a talking monkey?" asked Spike, breaking the silence.

"Because monkeys are always funny, especially when they can tell jokes!" said Pinkie. "So, Twilight.  Are you going to wish for a talking monkey?  Huh huh huh?!"

"Pinkie, I don't have a need for a talking monkey," said Twilight.

"I don't know," said Misty thoughtfully, rubbing her chin with her hoof. "It might have some appeal."

"You stay out of this," said Twilight with an exasperated sigh. "I thought I told you; I'm not comfortable with these wish suggestions of yours."

"Right, sorry," Misty apologized.

"So, what are you gonna wish for next?" asked Rainbow Dash playfully. "C'mon, you can tell us."

"I, haven't really thought about it yet," said Twilight.

"Oh, great," groaned Misty.  When everypony gave her an odd look, she quickly changed her demeanor. "I mean, oh great!  It's so refreshing to have a mistress who thinks things over like this!  Ha ha..."

Twilight sighed, clearly not buying the genie's act. "Look, Misty.  I'm sorry if this is making you uncomfortable, but I don't want to make any wishes that I'll end up regretting.  I want to make the most of this.  You understand, right?"

"Oh.  Eh, yeah.  Of course I do," said Misty with a sigh. "Alright, you win.  On my honor as your genie, I promise not to bring this up ever again."

"Thank you, Misty," said Twilight, giving the genie a warm smile. "Don't worry.  When I make my wish, I'll make sure it's a good one."

Misty smiled back. "Thank you, Mistress— I mean, Twilight.  Just, Twilight," she said. "I am never going to get used to that."

"It's okay," said Twilight. "Now then, let's get back to our Pony Pet Playdate."

"Ooh, ooh!  I bet Tank could beat Owlowiscious in a race!" proclaimed Rainbow Dash.

"Angel, would you mind playing with Peewee?  Be gentle, he's young."

"Oh, oh!  Maybe I should test if Gummy has the fastest jaws in the north, too!"

As the ponies went back to playing with their pets, Misty sat back and watched.  She couldn't help but smile.

She's a good pony, she thought to herself. It almost makes me wish that she wasn't.  That would make this so much easier...