"The home team has been very successful so far in defending their title here in the first half. And here with us right now is their coach. Tell me, ma'am, what do you expect your girls to bring to the field in this exciting hoofball match?"
Pinkie jabbed her invisible microphone in Starswirl's face, but recieved only a short glare.
"Never mind... look over here! We've found the team manager! How do you think this team has done during the new season?"
Gemstone, binoculars to her eyes, barely noticed.
"Pinkie, not now. Can't you see I'm on watch?"
"Sorry. Well, I guess... oh boy! Who is this? As the Sweet Apple Club hoofball star, can I have your autograph?"
R.D. was obviously unamused. Forgoing any bit of subtlety, she spoke for the sentiments of everypony that they were too gracious to share.
"Pinkie! You are not a sportscaster! And we are not a hoofball team! Normally I can put up with you, but now I'm just getting tired of your... your... your crazy jibber-jabber!"
Pinkie was unfazed.
"Gee, someone doesn't like the press. Can I just say no comment?"
"You're making me mad, Pinkie!"
"Girls! We need to get to work. Flim and Flam will be back, and it's about time we put together a welcome wagon."
Starswirl was already digging through a pile of scrap metal, and the other three knew what this meant. Everypony emptied their hooves and started sifting through the odds and ends of Sweet Apple Acres. Slowly, but surely, a large contraption came together over the body of a plow. Herself working with the team, Applejack pulled Starswirl to the side after several hours of construction.
"Twi, I've been thinking, and if those varmints can make such great cider out of our worst apples, then why do they need Sweet Apple Acres so badly?"
"I was thinking about that too, AJ. It may be less of a question of practicality, and more of their pride. But no matter the reason, they're coming back, and they'll be looking for a fight. I think we're about ready."
"Don't forget that oversized toy wagon of theirs, Twi."
"Of course. That's why I'm going to stack the deck. Pink.."
Before she even finished, said pony had already materialized at her side.
"What's up?"
"It's just scary how you do that, Pinkie. Anyway, I think you've done enough here. We need you to head back into town and pick up the little birdie."
"Oh, I gotcha. The chicken. But why on earth you'd want Scoot..."
R.D rolled out from under the plow, and silenced Pinkie with a growl and well-cut eyes.
"Not that one, Pinkie. The other little birdie."
"Ohhhhhh. Okie dokie lokie, Starswirl. I might even pick up Gummy while I'm there. You know how he loves to watch these games with me!"
Starswirl was amused, Applejack was confused, and R.D. was irritated all the more by the suggestion.
"Pinkie, you'd better not start talking about that invisible crocodile again!"
"He's not invisible, R.D., he's really real! And he's an alligator, not a crocodile, there's a difference!"
"Shut up, Pinkie, shut up!"
This exchange did little to alleviate Applejack's bewildered expression.
"Twi, who's Gummy, and what's this little bird?"
"Gummy is Pinkie's invisible baby alligator. Pinkie's little birdie is real, though. I think you'll really like to meet her."