//------------------------------//
// Ponyville Festival 
// Story: Arrows are Beautiful 
// by Voxyl the Game Dragon 
//------------------------------//

Flim woke up the next morning to a plate of pancakes. Emerald walked out of the kitchen with a cup of orange juice. 

She set it down on next to the plate of pancakes.

"Hurry up and eat. Today, you're gonna learn some basic skills."

Flim smiled as Emerald walked away. He swore he saw her smile. He levitated the fork and began eating.

(About 30 minutes later)

Emerald and Flim were walking into Ponyville, a cart on Emerald's back. Many ponies gave Flim scowls and snarky comments.

"Isn't that one of the scammer brothers?"

"He stole my bits!"

"Where's his brother?"

Flim walked with this head lowered. He felt Emerald's hoof under his chin. 

"Chin up," she said. 

Flim smiled. He just couldn't feel down when he knew she was with him.

"Why do you have that cart," Flim asked, dodging a flaming bottom.

"Well, today is the annual Ponyville Festival! Ponies set up shops and booths and sell food and stuff. So to get your reputation off the ground and sky high as Rainbow Dash, I have made one of our own!"

"Really? You did that for me," Flim asked, dodging another bottle.

"Sure! That's what friends are for, right?"

Flim stopped in his tracks.

"We're...friends?"

Emerald turned around and walked up to Flim. She nuzzled his chest, making him blush.

"Of course we are. You've had friends before, haven't you?"

Flim stared into Emerald's cerulean eyes. He couldn't lie to her.

"My only friend was Flam growing up."

Emerald gasped. She nuzzled his chest again.

"Well, now you have me!"

Emerald removed herself from Flim and began walking again. Flim smiled, he'd been doing that a lot, and followed her.


"Look! There's a space!"

The green mare and cream stallion raced to the empty lot. 

Emerald flew into the air with joy. 

"Yes! We got a space! Let's set up shop!" 

Flim began levitating pieces of the stand out of Emerald's cart. The two played and built together, catching the attention of other ponies. Their comments fell on death ears.

"Is that Emerald Arrow and Flim?"

"What are they doing?"

"Who are those two?"

Flim levitated the roof of the stand and hammered it into place. He wiped his hoof across his forehead.

"There. Done."

Emerald smiled and walked up to the stand with a bag. She smiled at him and began placing the items on the shelfs. 

Flim tried to figure out what it was, but was only met with Emerald looking back, smiling, and moving so he couldn't see. 

He easily could have levitated her. But that would be rude and he doesn't want her to think he's rude.

He could rise up on his hind legs, place his forehooves on her back and just look over her head.

But she might get the wrong idea.

His thoughts were interrupted by something being placed on his nose. He opened his eyes to see's Emerald's green feather.

"Ready," she said. 

She stepped aside and showed Flim the stand. He awed at it, marveled at.

It was plush toys. But they were marvelous!

They were a variety of colors. Some were covered in shimmering emeralds and other jewels to match their plush color. Some had wings, made out of real pegasus feathers.

"How did you-"

"Make them? Find the jewels and/or the feathers?"

Flim nodded. Is this pony an archer or a mindreader?

"Well, while you were sleeping, I looked up how to make toys and such. I asked a few dragons to help me find the jewels. And I had to stay up half-past mid night to find all the feathers I needed."

Flim was astounded. This mare had done all that for him. He felt that same light, bubbly, feeling.

"Come on!" 

Emerald and Flim walked up to the stand and began waiting for customers.

"Listen. We are gonna do this without showboating or use false advertising. Ok?"

Flim nodded and Emerald patted his head.

Soon enough an eager young colt began pulling his mom toward the stand.

He was brown with a light brown mane. He had amberish eyes and a propeller hat. 

"Mom! Mom! Mom! I want that one," he said pointing to a white one. 

"Ok, sweetie. Ok. How much is it," his mom asked.

"10 bits please," Emerald said.

The mare pulled out a small bag of bits and counted out 10. She handed them to Emerald.

Flim levitated the toy into the colt's waiting arms. He hugged it immediately.

"It reminds me of Sweetie Belle."

He took his mom's hoof and walked away. 

When Flim and Emerald were sure they were out of earshot, they shared a high-hoof.

"Yes! This is actually my first sale not using false advertising," Flim said.

"Really," Emerald asked.

As they continued talking, neither noticed 6 mares watching them from a picnic table.

"I know he's up to something," Rainbow said. 

An other customer had walked up. Flim was telling him how much the toy was.

"He's probably telling that guy what the that toy can do," Rarity scoffed.

Pinkie Poe got up on the table.

"This toy can do wondrous things! It can make your children 10 times as happier! It can cook your meals! It can even do your everyday chores! But secretly, it's poorly made and will fall apart in seconds!"

Everyone laughed and smiled. 

"But seriously, I think we should go other there and see what he's up to," AppleJack said.

"Right," everyone agreed.

They all got up and began trotting toward the stand. 

"Thanks. My daughter's gonna love this," said the stallion at the stall.

"No, thank you! And tell your daughter we said Happy Birthday," said Flim as he walked away.

He placed the bits into the box and shut it. All of sudden Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof on the counter.

"Hey Flim," she said, picking up a blue toy. It's wings were covered with sapphires.

"Hello Rainbow Dash! Would you like to buy that," Flim asked. 

"Depends, will it fall apart," AppleJack asked, appearing out of nowhere. She picked up an orange one, littered with topazes. It had no wings.

"No, I l don't think so," Flim said. He looked down at Emerald who shrugged.

"Oh really?" 

Rarity levitated a white one, diamonds covering it.

Flim nodded, getting a tad nervous. Are they really at this again?

"Look, are you gonna buy them are not?"

Twilight levitated a purple one, hooves stroking the amethysts. 

Fluttershy grabbed a yellow one, citrines on it.

Pinkie Pie grabbed a pink one, rose quartzes on it.

"So are just toys, 100%," Twilight asked.

"They're toys, guys. I made them myself! Flim didn't even know about it until this morning. So, it's not a matter of if they're gonna break after 10 seconds of having them. It's a matter of trying to get Flim's reputation out the toilet! I stayed till 2 o'clock in the bucking morning making these things. It took 4 hours to find everything! So either buy something, or buck off!"

Emerald let out an aggravated huff. 

Everyone took one step away from her. 

"Scootaloo will love this! How much is it?"

"AppleBloom's always looking for new toys! How much was it again?"

"Sweetie Belle loves gifts! I buy this!"

"Spike wouldn't mind getting a new toy."

"Angel would like to a gift for being so good."

"Gummy needs a new chew toy!"

The mane 6 put on nervous smiles. Emerald cleared her throat.

"10 bits each, please," she said. 

Each mare laid 10 bits on the table and ran off. Emerald smiled. She looked at Flim, who was still in awe. She placed a hoof under his chin and shut his mouth. 

"What?"

"What? What do you mean what? You practically cursed at those mares!"

Emerald shut the box. 

"Is there a problem?"

Flim hugged her. 

"Of course not."


Soon, all the toys were gone. Fillies and colts dragged their moms and dads toward the stand. Emerald waved goodbye to the last customer.

"We did good," said Emerald, packing up. 

Flim used his magic to disassemble the stand and out it but in the cart. Emerald strapped it to her back and the two began walking.

"We'll go home, then come back and enjoy the rest of the festival."

Flim smiled down at Emerald. She was a true mare, heart of gold. She never let's anyone harm her friends. She was his friend.

Before Flim realized it, they were home. Emerald opened the door and set the cart behind the couch. She walked back out, closing the door behind her.

"Come on!"

She took flight, flying circles around Flim. The stallion let out a laugh and began running to the festival.

"Race ya!"

Emerald smiled and chased after him.

"You are so on!"

The two had fun, enjoying the day. They bought at least one thing from each stand. Now they were walking near the pond, the sun setting.

Flim could have sworn Emerald was leaning on him, but it didn't matter. He was here with her, unknown feelings inside.

That's what matters.