//------------------------------// // Bonus Chapter: Encore Performance // Story: A Hard Bargain // by Zap Apple Smash //------------------------------// Such a feelin's comin' over me There is wonder in most everything I see Not a cloud in the sky Got the sun in my eyes And I won't be surprised if it's a dream. Ditzy and Dinky were in the shower, happily singing while working on getting each other clean. (Well it was more Ditzy trying to get Dinky clean but the young filly insisted on helping her momma get clean too) Everything I want the world to be Is now coming true especially for me And the reason is clear It's because you are here You're the nearest thing to paradise I've seen The next part was Dinky's favourite. I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation And the only explanation I can find Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around Your love's put me at the top of the world What followed was the final rinse to get all soap out. "There." Dinky said proudly. "All clean." Ditzy looked thoughtfully at her daughter. "Actually, I think we missed a spot...right...there." She pointed towards Dinky's left cheek, and then blew a raspberry into it, causing Dinky to burst out laughing. PFRTTT! "ARGH HA HA HA!" "There, all clean." You keep saying you've got something for me. something you call love, but confess. You've been messin' where you shouldn't have been a messin' and now someone else is gettin' all your best. These hooves are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do one of these days these hooves are gonna walk all over you. You keep lying, when you oughta be truthin' and you keep losin' when you oughta not bet. You keep samin' when you oughta be changin'. Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet. These hooves are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do one of these days these hooves are gonna walk all over you. Cheerilee opened the bathroom door, feeling refreshed and ready to take whatever the day would throw at her. "Are you ready hooves?" Cheerilee said, "Start walking!" The teacher took a couple of confident steps forward before tripping on a loose bit of carpet. Having no way to stop the forward momentum, Cheerilee pushed off the tripped hoof and, through some miracle, did a forward flip before landing on her back hooves. "Not bad," Berry Punch commented. "I'd give it a 6.8" Cheerilee jumped a bit when she saw her sister. "What are you doing here?" She then processed what Berry Punch had said. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 6.8?! That was a single hoof dismount with a forward flip and a two hooves landing to finish, that is at LEAST a 8.0." "Sorry sis, the dismount was sloppy." Berry Punch replied before she started to walk off. "Don't feel bad. It's a deceptively difficult move to pull off perfectly and, let's be honest; I was always the better gymnast." "HEY! GET BACK HERE!! WE'RE NOT DONE TALKING ABOUT THIS!! Raindrops was in bliss, while a shower was no real substitute for actual rain, it still wasn’t a bad alternative. Raindrops keep falling on my head But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red Crying's not for me Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin' Because I'm free Nothing's worrying meeeeeECK!. "Sorry!" Snails shouted through the bathroom door. "I had to use the toilet." Raindrops took a couple of deep breaths before answering. "That's alright Snails, just remember that plumbing in this house is all connected." "I will!" Raindrops took another couple of deep breaths before returning to her song. RaindreeeeeECK! "Sorry! I had to wash my hooves!" I am the very model of a modern Major-General I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral I know the Dukes of Heststed, and I quote the fights historical From Cavallia to Garanha, in order categorical I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotepotenuse I'mverygoodatintegralanddifferentialcalculus Iknowthescientificnamesofbeingsanimalculous Inshort,inmattersvegetable,animal,andmineral IamtheverymodelofamodernMajor-General! Carrot Top stepped out of the shower and braced herself against the sink as she took in several deep breaths. "Must...get...slower...shower...song..." I'm nothing special, in fact I'm a bit of a bore If I tell a joke, you've probably heard it before But I have a talent, a wonderful way how everyone listens when I start to play I'm so grateful and proud All I want is to sing it out loud So I say Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing Thanks for all the joy they're bringing Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me Being satisfied with her level of cleanliness, Lyra turned off the shower and levitated a towel over to herself. Once she was dry she stepped out of the shower and came face to face with Bon Bon, who was wearing a mischievous grin and looking at Lyra as if she was her next meal. "What?" Let’s make music together Bon Bon closed the distance with a seductive saunter. Let’s make sweet harmony She then made a quick circle around Lyra before brushing hard up beside her. Oh, let’s make music together, baby Bon Bon's tail managed to somehow brush against the inside of Lyra's hind leg. You take the do I’ll take the ray, you better hang on to me Reading the warning signs, Lyra tried to make a quick exit. "Sorry Bon Bon but now isn't really the time." Disengaging from the candy making temptress, Lyra made it out of bathroom but was soon cut off from going any further when Bon Bon got in front of her again. We are birds of a feather Looking for the right key Oh, let’s make music together, baby Cause only music makes a mare free Despite what Bon Bon was doing, Lyra was somehow able summon up a scrap of resistance. "Come on Bon Bon, you've got to get ready for work." "It's late start day today." Bon Bon reminded the musician. Realisation hit Lyra like ton of bricks, at which point she lifted her marefriend into an intimate tango hold and picked up the tune herself. Gonna make a beautiful song Sing along, gonna make that natural beat Make it sweet When the music’s deep down in you There’s nothing that you can do But believe, oh believe The two mares then proceeded to tango their way to the bedroom. There is nothing like singing And our voices just blend Oh, let’s make music together, baby Lift our voices together partner Let’s make music forever, baby Together right to the end! The two then leapt onto their bed, ready to take the term "Making music" away from the literal into oh-so-wonderfully metaphorical ...and promptly stopped when they realised they were sharing a bed with a small toothless alligator. The ponies and the alligator stared blankly at each other. The reptile was then scooped up by PInkie Pie. "Bad Gummy!" The pink mare scolded. "Interrupting their quiet time just because you thought it would be funny." Gummy blinked once. "Don't give me that look; I already told you, most ponies don't get meta-humour." Pinkie stopped her scolding when she realised Bon Bon and Lyra were staring. "Quick Gummy!” She whispered to the alligator. “Escape Plan Beta!" Pinkie held Gummy with one hoof, pulled out a top hat with the other and started to high-kick towards the door. Hello! ma baby Hello! ma honey Hello! ma ragtime gal Send me a kiss by wire Baby, ma heart's on fire! If you refuse me Honey, you'll lose me Then you'll be left alone Oh, baby, telegram And tell me I'm your own! When the song ended, Pinkie ran for dear life. The sound of running water in the representative's bathroom stopped. There was a brief pause before Trixie swung open shower curtain with a flourish and stepped out. For what is a mare, what has she got? If not herself, then she has naught! To say the things she truly feels and not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows and did it my way! The showmare caught an incoming bouquet of flowers, giving a bow of gratitude. Yes it was my way. "Bravo! Bravo!" Ditzy said, happily clopping her hooves to the ground in applause. "Thank you, Ditzy. Nice timing with the bouquet." Trixie replied. "I didn't realise you did flower deliveries too." "Only if they come from out of town." Ditzy explained. "Fair enough." Trixie replied before thoughtfully looking at the bouquet. "Hm, wonder who sent it." After briefly inspecting the bouquet, Trixie found a note attached. Dear Trixie Always thinking of you Love Hex Node Trajectory was walking past the Representative's house when a bouquet of flowers unexpectantly collided with his head. He looked around but he saw no obivious culprit. His mind then went what, to him at least, was the most logical conclusion. He looked up at the sun "So you've finally acknowledged me as a threat." Despite the sun not replying the burly unicorn developed a look of satisfaction. "Well the first hit goes to you, my flamming adversary, BUT PREPARE FOR RETALIATION!!!" He then ran off to get his catapult.