//------------------------------// // Starburst's Hearts and Hooves Day // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Out of This World // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Starburst’s Hearts And Hooves Day Starburst had come to enjoy school very much and liked his teacher Cheerilee just as much as his friends. When he learned much about a holiday that was on approach called Hearts and Hooves day, he wanted to do something special not just for Cheerilee, but for Sweetie Belle too to show how much he cared about her. Their relationship had grown quit a bit. It was a couple of days to Hearts and Hooves day when Starburst came to Nova with a request. “Nova, I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something.” They were in their ship when Starburst came up to him. Neither had their pony disguise up so their alien forms were visible with their fins and eyes. “Sure little bro, what’s up?” Starburst looked down shyly at first. “Well…I was wondering if you could…teach me how you make those special gems. Hearts and Hooves day is coming up and I want to make something special for Sweetie Belle. So could you show me how to do it?” Nova smiled. “Aw, my little brother wants to make something for his special somepony. Sure Starburst, I’d be happy to help. It isn’t too hard so I think you can do it.” Starburst looked up with a wide smile. “Really? Great, thanks Nova.” “So what did you have in mind for Sweetie Belle?” Nova stepped aside from his workbench so Starburst could join him. Starburst trotted up to the bench and placed his forehooves on it. “Well, I was thinking something like a light pink heart or something. But I’m not really sure.” Nova tapped a hoof to his chin in thought. “Hmm….a heart would be nice, but it’s kind of common. I think you should try to make something that reflects her and her personality. Something kind of like a cutie mark. She may not have one yet, but she will get one someday.” “I GOT IT!” Starburst suddenly cheered, causing Nova to scrunch his nose in surprise. “A bell with a heart. She’s sweet and caring so a heart to show that, and a bell because she’s really good at singing.” Nova chuckled. “I think that’s a great idea. Now, what colors to use?” “How about light pink for the heart and light purple for the belle. The same colors as in her mane and tail.” “All right then, let’s get to work.” Nova used his magic to open up a large drawer under his large metal table to reveal a multitude of gems of varying colors, shapes, and sizes. Off to the side on the bench was a paper bag that held a few gem shavings from Nova’s previous work. “Nova, what are those for?” Starburst questioned. “That’s for Spike. They’re leftovers from my work. Spike does eat gemstones after all. I just give him what ever is left over from me working on a gem instead of just throwing them away.” “Oh, okay. So how do we get started?” Starburst was very eager to get to work. Nova found two gems in his drawer that fit the colors perfectly Starburst wanted to use. “Okay, first, we need to shape the gems.” Nova levitated a cylindrical metal object with a pointed end and a small hole in the end of the point. “You need to be careful cutting the gem and take your time or you’ll end up making it look bad and ugly. You can use my cutting laser, but be careful with it.” “Okay.” Starburst took the small laser in his aura as his antennae lit up. He stuck his tongue out of the side of his mouth in concentration and turned it on as he slowly began to try and shape the light pink gem first. It was perfectly round and flat with narrowed edges so it wouldn’t be too difficult. Carefully, Starburst began cutting and shaping the gem with a bit of coaching from Nova. “You’re doing good Starburst, just take it nice and slow.” After about a minute or two, Starburst finished and the gem was a bit crudely shaped like a heart but one could tell it was just that. “I did it.” Starburst said with a smile. “Not bad for your first try. Keep this up and you could be my assistant.” Nova joked. “Now for the bell.” Nova levitated the newly carved gem to the side and brought the other light purple gem over. “All right, just like with the heart, take it nice and slow. First get an image of how you want it to look and go from there.” Starburst nodded and began cutting the gem with the small laser. It took a bit longer with this one, but he managed to cut the gem just fine in the shape of a bell with the small striker poking out of the bottom. “This isn’t too hard.” Starburst said. “True, but what comes after is. Enchanting the gem with the magical glow I always give them. Sorry Starburst, but this part I have to do.” “That’s okay, I’m glad I was able to just cut them.” Starburst stepped back to let Nova work. “I was thinking maybe somehow connect the two also.” “Of course.” Nova said and brought the heart gem over with the bell gem. He lit his antennae up and began casting his enchantment spell. In the heart, he placed an orb of magic and colored it a slightly darker shade of pink and shaped it to look like rose petals and crystalized them. For the belle, he added a musical note shaped similar to Octavia’s cutie mark and shaded that a slightly darker shade then the gem itself. Both had a faint glow to them and sparkled. “Wow, that looks amazing Nova.” Starburst said. “Now to fuse them.” Nova placed the two together and cast another spell that fused the two together. “And there we go, your hearts and hooves day gift for Sweetie Belle is done.” Starburst hugged Nova as he held the gems in his aura. “Thanks big brother, they look amazing.” “We did a fine job. You did very well.” Nova said as he hugged Starburst back. “Now, I suggest you keep this hidden away for now so you can give it to her when the day comes.” “You bet.” Starburst took the gem in his aura and trotted off. Hearts and Hooves day was drawing nearer. Starburst was trotting up to the CMC club house with a pair of his saddle bags. In one were a few art supplies to make a gift he and the others were making for Cheerilee. In the other was his gift for Sweetie Belle. As soon as he walked in, he dropped his pony disguise and set his bags to the side. He took out the art supplies first and the group of little ponies shared greetings before getting to work. Starburst didn’t give his gift just yet to Sweetie Belle. He planned on presenting it to her after school. Apple Bloom was carrying a bottle of glue as she trotted through some glitter. “Hmm, I just don’t think it’s big enough.” Sweetie Belle seemed to agree. “I know what you mean. If it’s for Cheerilee, it needs to be perfect. Heart’s and Hooves day is just around the corner after all.” Scootaloo held up a roll of red ribbon. “I say we add some more ribbon.” Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement. “Mm hmm, yeah, and maybe a bit more lace.” She tossed a roll of lace over the decoration. Apple Bloom went over to a paint can and dipped her hooves in it. “And a few more hoof prints.” Starburst made a suggestion. “Perhaps a bit more bows too.” He placed a couple on the giant paper heart with his magic. “And glitter, it could definitely use just a little more glitter.” Scootaloo dumped a bucket of glitter over the heart. The group looked over their finished product with Apple Bloom commenting. “Now that’ll show miss Cheerilee how much we care about her. Now we just need ta get it to the Heart’s and Hooves party at School.” Sweetie Belle placed a small envelope at the bottom of the heart. Scootaloo started scratching the back of her head as she realized a problem. “I think we’re going to need a bigger envelope.” Starburst gasped as an idea struck him. “I know, maybe I could help. I can shrink it down so we can get it to the school with my magic, then just before we go in, make it big again.” “You can do that?” Sweetie Belle asked. Starburst nodded. “Yeah, it’s one of the spells my big brother taught me recently. It’s not that difficult, watch.” Starburst stuck his tongue out and closed his eyes in concentration as he lit up his antennae. The giant paper heart was soon enveloped in his yellow spotted aura and shrank down to where it could fit in his hoof. “There we go.” “Whoa, cool!” The fillies said together. “That’s great Starburst.” Sweetie Belle said. “Yeah, now we can get it to the school no problem.” Scootaloo added. “Come on ya’ll, let’s go.” Apple Bloom cheered. The group gathered their things and headed off to school. Once they reached it and before entering, Starburst made the heart big again and managed to get it inside. The school was well decorated for the Hearts and Hooves party as the foals were passing out valentine cards to one another. Meanwhile, the girls and Starburst presented their valentine to Cheerilee as they stood before it. Cheerilee looked it over with a smile. Though she was a bit taken back by the size of it. “It’s lovely, and so….big.” Apple Bloom began a bit of a rant. “We just wanted to let you know we think yer the best teacher in the world.” As she did, the heart started to fall over, but Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Starburst tried to hold it up. “And we think yer super and that we love you so so much.” The heart finally fell over on the group of fillies and colt but Apple Bloom continued. “And we want you ta have the best hearts and hooves day EVER!” The four said the last word together as Cheerilee lifted the heart up off of the group. “Thank you so much kids. I love it, I really do.” Said Cheerilee with a smile. Sweetie Belle came up next to Cheerilee with a grin of her own. “I’m sure it’s nothing compared to the gifts you’ve gotten from your very special somepony.” The group moved away from the heart and to Cheerilee as she responded. “Oh, I don’t have a very special somepony at the moment.” This very idea that the teacher they loved didn’t have a special somepony came as a big shock as their eyes widened in near horror. “You…don’t?” Asked Starburst. “Really?” Added Apple Bloom. Cheerilee went to pick up a stray streamer as Sweetie Belle asked the next question. “How could some pony as amazing as you not have a special some pony on hearts and hooves day?” Cheerilee grunted internally at first, but quickly smiled again as she turned to the four foals. “It’s all right Sweetie Belle.” As she talked, a rather chunky grey colt came up to her and gave her a valentine. “I have lots of good friends and wonderful students who care about me very much. I’m going to have an absolutely terrific hearts and hooves day.” She turned her attention to the rest of the class to make an announcement. “All right, who’s ready to play pin the heart on the pony?!” The class sounded off in joy. The CMC were left to ponder the odd situation their beloved teacher was in. “If any pony deserves a special somepony, it’s her?” Said Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle suddenly smiled with a gasp. Apple Bloom looked at her curiously. “You all right?” Starburst followed up. “Yeah, what’s with the smile?” Sweetie Belle revealed her reason for her sudden joy. “I’m more than all right, I just had the greatest idea ever! We’re going to find miss Cheerilee a very special somepony.” Apple Bloom was the first to sound her agreement. “That is the best idea ever.” Starburst was next. “You sure are smart Sweetie Belle.” Sweetie Belle blushed at the compliment. “Thanks Starburst.” Apple Bloom spoke next. “Then what are we waiting for? Hearts and hooves day is almost over. Let’s get out there and find somepony special for miss Cheerilee already.” Sweetie Belle cheered in agreement. “Yeah!” Scootaloo followed suit. “Let’s do it!” Starburst next. “For Cheerilee!” With that, they all high hooved each other. Once school let out, the four friends made their exit. Just when they got outside, Starburst thought it was a good time to present his gift to Sweetie Belle. “Hey Sweetie Belle, could I…talk to you alone for a minute?” The girls paused and looked curiously at Starburst, but Sweetie Belle agreed. “Um…okay.” “Whatever this is, don’t take too long.” Warned Scootaloo. “We don’t have a whole lot of time to find a special somepony for Cheerilee.” “This won’t take long.” Said Starburst. He led Sweetie Belle to the side of the school where they could be alone. “So what’s up Starburst?” Sweetie asked. Starburst shuffled his left front hoof in the dirt shyly. “I…um…well…that is….” He had trouble forming the words. “I…wanted to give you something to show I like you so….I had a little help from my brother to make this.” He used his magic to open his saddle bags and brought out the gem he made for Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle’s eyes lit up as she gasped at the sight. “Oh wow, Starburst, that looks so nice. You made this for me?” Starburst nodded silently. “I wanted to give you something special. Do you like it?” Sweetie Belle took it in her hooves with a smile. “I love it Starburst, thank you.” She went up to him and wrapped her forelegs around him in a hug. Starburst returned the favor. “You are so sweet.” She followed up with a kiss to his cheek then placed the item in her own saddle bags. Starburst blushed at the kiss and smiled. “I’m glad you like it.” With that out of the way, the group went their separate ways first to drop off their saddle bags at home and met back up in town. As they walked through town, Sweetie Belle began spelling out the criteria for the special somepony for Cheerilee. “Now it can’t be just any pony. Miss Cheerilee is one of the best mares in Ponyville. She deserves the best stallion for her special somepony.” It was then music started up as was the norm for Equestria and Sweetie Belle started a song that the others would join ilater. Cheerilee is sweet and kind, She's the best teacher we could hope for. The perfect stallion you and I must find One to really make her heart so-o-oar. But... This one's too young, (She went up to a young colt playing an arcade game.) This one's too old. (She went up to an old stallion reading a book on a stand.) He clearly has a terrible cold. (A stallion near an ambulance sneezed.) Apple Bloom: This guys too silly, (She pointed at a clown.) He’s way too up tight. (A stallion dressed fancily.) Sweetie Belle: Well nothing’s wrong with this one, he seems all right. (She gestured to a stallion who seemed to be alone.) Scootaloo: His girlfriend sure thinks so. (The stallion had started nuzzling a mare.) Sweetie Belle: How bout this one. (A stallion dressed like he was from the disco ages with a flashy shirt.) Apple Bloom: He’s much too flashy. Scootaloo: He might do! (She galloped along with another stallion that ran through a puddle of mud and splashed her friends. Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Starburst: If he weren’t so splashy. Apple Bloom: Too short. Sweetie Belle: Too tall. Scootaloo: Too clean. Starburst: Too smelly. Sweetie Belle: He’s strangely obsessed with tubs of jelly. (A stallion rose up out of a large jar of jelly.) The four friends sighed in exasperation starting to feel hopeless. Apple Bloom: I don’t think that we’re mistaken, It seems all the good ones are taken. They started hopping up a stack of hay bales. Sweetie Belle: I really feel that at this rate, We’ll never find the perfect date. All four: Don’t want to quit and give up hope. On the other side of the stack was Big Macintosh. Scootaloo looked down at him. “Doing anything special for hearts and hooves day?” Sweetie Belle: Oh please, oh please, oh please say- “Nope.” Big Mac replied. With that, the group smiled. Sweetie Belle: We did it gang, We found the one, Who will send our teacher’s heart aflutter. They skipped along in joy. The song suddenly ended as Apple Bloom gave a curious look. “Wait a sec here, let me get this straight, are you talkin about my brother?” The group followed Big Mac back to the farm and watched him in secret from the barn. Scootaloo started up first. “Sweetie Belle is right. He’s the perfect match for Miss Cheerilee. He’s really nice, super hard working.” As she said this Big Mac bucked an apple tree and carried three baskets full of apples on his back. Apple Bloom came in next. “Hmm…but he’s also really shy. He’ll never ask Miss Cheerilee ta be his special somepony.” “Maybe we could ask her for him?” Starburst offered. “Nah, that won’t work.” Scootaloo said. “He has to ask her himself.” “Or maybe he doesn’t.” Sweetie Belle said. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Starburst cocked a brow. “Huh?” Sweetie Belle continued. “If we can get Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee in a really romantic setting, she’ll ask him to be her special somepony.” “Sweetie Belle, you’re a genious.” Starburst cheered. Sweetie blushed at the compliment. “Thanks Starburst. “So what are we waitin for? Let’s get out there and create the perfect date!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. The group cheered as they gave each other a high hoof. “YAY!” Some time later, the CMC had set up a picnic under a gazebo with a red and white checkered blanket, a nearby record player and some tarts. “Flowers, don’t forget the flowers.” Sweetie said as she pointed at an empty vase in the middle. “Oops, I’m on it.” Apple Bloom zipped off and came back with a few flowers for the vase. Scootaloo gasped. “*Gasp* They’re coming! This is gonna be perfect. Miss Cheerilee is going to have the best hearts and hooves day ever.” “With her new very special somepony.” Sweetie Belle added. The group giggled in delight. They stopped themselves just as Cheerilee approached and greeted them. “Hello children.” The four greeted back in unison. “Hi miss Cheerilee.” “So you four said you needed help identifying a tree you found here near the gazebo?” Cheerilee questioned. The four ponies pointed to a nearby tree with some red fruit in it. Cheerilee gave a flat look as she pressed her ears against her head. “That’s an apple tree.” “Is it?” Apple Bloom questioned which got the group giggling again. Big Mac soon approached with a tool box in his mouth. He set it down and pulled out a hammer. Big Mac was about to start working on it when he realized there was nothing wrong with it. Apple Bloom approached and explained. “Oh, sorry big brother, we went and fixed up the gazebo all on our own, see?” She gave her brother a nudge from behind. Scootaloo gave Cheerilee a little nudge closer to the set up as well. “But since you’re already here, why not have a bit to eat at this romantic looking picnic. Oh gosh, seems there’s only room for two.” “I guess we’ll just be goin then.” Said Apple Bloom before the four of them bolted. Sweetie Belle quickly came back and started the record player to begin the romantic music. She then joined her friends as they ducked into a nearby bush. Once they were hidden, Scootaloo voiced her concerns. “You think this will work?” “I hope so.” Replied Starburst. “Miss Cheerilee deserves a special somepony.” “Of course it will work.” Sweetie Belle replied. “They’re perfect for each other.” For a moment, the two ponies looked everywhere but each other’s eyes in awkward silence. Cheerilee finally decided to break the silence with an observation. “Beautiful day we’re having.” “Eeyup.” Big Mac replied. “Any big plans for tonight?” “Nnnope.” The awkward silence continued from there as Cheerilee seemed to run out of topics. From the bushes, Sweetie Belle was practically begging Cheerilee to ask the question. “Oh come on miss Cheerilee, ask him to be your special somepony.” Starburst pointed a hoof at the two. “Hey look, I think she’s about to do it.” Cheerilee had moved her head slightly closer to Big Mac who seemed to do the same. The group watched with open mouths and smiles as they inched closer and closer together. Finally, Cheerilee spoke. “Big Mac?” “Eeyup?” After a second, she pulled back and shared her thought. “You got something stuck in your teeth.” Big Mac flinched and put a hoof to his mouth. Sweetie Belle popped out of the bush and cried out in frustration. “OH COME ON!” Scootaloo popped up as well and pushed her back down. “Well, this has been…strange.” Cheerilee commented. “Eeyup.” “I have to go, but it’s always nice to run into a good friend.” “Eeyup.” With that, the two went their separate ways. With the taste of failure in their mouths, the four foals headed back into town to try and think of what might have gone wrong. “Do ya think it just wasn’t romantic enough?” Apple Bloom asked. “Maybe it was too romantic.” Scootaloo pointed out. “Perhaps we should have chosen different music.” Starburst suggested. “Either way we failed.” Sweetie Belle said. “Hoh, there’s gotta be somethin else we couldUGH!” Apple Bloom started but was cut off as she bumped into somepony and the group fell to the ground. Twilight was walking along reading a book when she accidently bumped into the CMC. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t even see you there, I’m so so sorry.” “Oh it’s okay Twilight, it was an accident.” Apple Bloom dismissed the run in. Twilight levitated the book in front of her again and started walking. “I was just reading a fascinating book about Hearts and Hooves day. Did you know this holiday got started because of a love potion?” This got the attention of the four foals as they perked up after hearing this bit of information. They rushed over and slid under here causing her to pause and look down at them. “Did you say a love potion?” Sweetie Belle asked. “That’s right, it even has the recipe.” Twilight opened the book and turned to the page of the recipe for the love potion. “I don’t suppose we could borrow that book for a little while, do ya?” Sweetie Belle asked with a cute smile. “Of course you can.” Twilight levitated the book down to Sweetie Belle’s hooves. She then looked to her bag. “I have another book here that I think you’ll…” As soon as she looked down, she saw the four foals had taken off already. She looked around for a bit then grew annoyed as was evident on her face. The CMC had bolted as soon as they got the book and headed back to the clubhouse. Sweetie Belle started reading the recipe for the love potion. “Take a tuft of cloud….” The group rushed out and went to find the lowest cloud they could to grab a piece of it. Scootaloo grabbed a chunk off a cloud with her teeth and the group brought it back to the club house where the placed it in a jug. “A bright rainbow’s glow.” They then headed out with a vacuum and found a rainbow, then used the vacuum to suck the color out of it and brought it back to add to the recipe. “Stir with a pegasus feather….” Sweetie Belle plucked one of Scootaloo’s feathers when she wasn’t looking. “Ow, hey!” “That’s not slow.” She stirred the potion up with the feather and it was now ready. It had turned to a pink liquid. “Serve to two ponies that aren’t in the know.” Apple Bloom added as Scootaloo poured the potion into two glasses. “This is sure to work now.” Starburst stated. “Now let’s try this again.” The group was back at the gazeebo setting up another picnic for Big Mac and Cheerilee again. Apple Bloom seemed to feel a bit guilty about this as she voiced her concerns. “I feel kinda bad trickin my big brother and miss Cheerilee like this.” Starburst seemed to have the same feeling. “I know what you mean. It doesn’t feel…right.” Sweetie Belle didn’t seem to have any qualms about it. “What’s the problem? We all agree they’re perfect for each other.” She said as she adjusted a flower sitting in the vase at the center of the picnic blanket. “Yeah, they just need a little nudge.” Scootaloo said. “This seems more like a big nudge to me.” Starburst said. “And what could make them happier than being together, right?” Sweetie Belle asked. This seemed to eliminate Apple Bloom’s worries. “Right.” “If you say so.” Starburst was still unsure but went with it anyway. Scootaloo grew excited as the two intended love birds approached. “Ooh, ooh, here they come. The four foals lined up before the picnic with smiles. “Hi miss Cheerilee.” Apple Bloom greeted. Cheerilee returned the gesture. “Hello again children.” She then turned her attention to the red stallion that was Apple Bloom’s big brother. “Hello again Big Mac.” She then asked a question that was well merited. “Would you four mind telling us why it was so important that we meet you….” “Punch!” Sweetie Belle suddenly cut miss Cheerilee off. Cheerilee raised a brow with a questioning look. “Excuse me?” Sweetie Belle continued. “Punch, we made punch. “We were going to set up a stand to sell some but we needed some pony to test it first.” The others nodded in agreement. “Yep.” Apple Bloom said coppying her big brother’s usual form of speech. Sweetie Belle continued. “We thought you two would be perfect together….to test it….together.” The two adults shared a curious gaze with one another. The four foals started backing away. “So we’ll just leave you two alone.” They then zipped off. Sweetie Belle came back to add to her statement. “To test it together.” She then rejoined her friends that hid in the same bush and giggled. Cheerilee turned her attention back to Big Mac. “I’m very sorry about this. I mentioned to the kids I don’t have a special somepony, and I believe they’re putting us in these awkward situations because they believe it should be you.” There was a moment of silence between them before they both shared a brief laugh. “I suppose we should just humor them for a moment. This punch does look delicious.” “Eeyup.” Big Mac responded in his usual way. “I think they’re going to drink it.” Sweetie whispered. The group watched with baited breath. The two ponies picked up a glass. “To good friends.” Cheerilee gave an impromptu toast and they clinked their cups together before downing the unknown love potion. “They’re drinking it, they’re drinking it.” Scootaloo pointed out excitedly. Once they finished, they both hiccupped and let out half a heart bubble that became a whole one between them. Suddenly, their eyes shot forward as spirals appeared in their eyes. “They’re looking into each other’s eyes.” Scootaloo pointed out which made them giggle. “They’re about to be in for a big surprise.” The four said together. Cheerilee leaned her head slightly closer towards Big Mac. The four friends leaned their heads slightly closer with a smile. Cheerilee repeated this action as did the CMC with her two more times. Cheerilee’s eyes fell half lidded as she gazed into Big Mac’s eyes. “Big Mac?” “Eeyup?” “Will you be my special somepony?” “Eeyup.” Sweetie Belle popped out from inside the bush to cheer. “Yes!” Scootaloo popped up to only to push Sweetie Belle back down. All four of them popped their heads out though after to watch the scene better. They decided instead then to skip around the two new lovebirds in singing celebration. “She’s his special somepony, he’s her special somepony!” “He’s my special somepony.” Cheerilee repeated in a dreamy voice. “Eeyup.” The four stopped behind Big Mac and cooed. “Aaaaawwww.” It was then Cheerilee said something that made the four worry. “He’s my shmoopy doopy sweetie pony pie.” The four friends gave concerned or questioning looks. “You’re my shmoopy doopy sweetie weetie pony pie.” Big Mac said. “Um…what?” Starburst questioned. “Did he just say….” Apple Bloom questioned as well. They took a closer look at the two and saw the swirls in their eyes for a moment as they stared at each other. Cheerilee continued with the gross cute talk. “You’re my cutie patootie lovey dovey honey pie.” She gave a little hop during the name calling. Big Mac followed suit with the air drawing of a heart with his hoof and two little hops. “You’re my smarty warmy smoochy woochy baby waby.” This is when the four friends grew very concerned and Apple Bloom was the first to act as she got between the two looking at her brother. “Big Mac, hey, hello!” Her efforts were unsuccessful as she waved her hoof in front of Big Mac’s face. “What’s goin on?” “Oh quasars, I thought I had a bad feeling about this.” Starburst said with a worried look. Sweetie Belle looked to her teacher. “Miss Cheerilee, are you all right?” “I have a special somepony.” She continued with the love pet names in a lovey dovey voice. “A kissy wissy snuggy wuggy sugar bear.” The now love potion induced lovers nuzzled their noses together before the four friends. Sweetie Belle looked to Starburst. “I think you were right about this being too big of a nudge Starburst.” Big Mac said some more pet names to Cheerilee. Scootaloo’s left eye went lower than her right with her eyelid and she gagged at the sight. “There are no words in the equinian language for how disturbed I am.” Starburst pointed out. The group went back to the club house to try and figure out what went wrong. Once they entered, Starburst dropped his pony disguise by deactivating his holo emitter necklace. Once off, he flexed his neck fin a bit and stretched his legs. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Starburst were going through the book with the love potion recipe while Apple Bloom paced back and forth. “What’ve we done?! My brother is actin like a grade A goofball.” “Maybe we added too much rainbow.” Sweetie Belle suggested. “Or maybe not enough cloud.” Scootaloo added. “Or maybe we should’ve tried to get a feather from a fast pegasus.” Starburst also added. “No offense Scootaloo.” “None taken.” Scootaloo replied. “Or maybe….uh oh.” Sweetie Belle started. “What do you mean uh oh?” Apple Bloom asked and rushed over. Sweetie Belle began to reveal what she found. “We may not have given Big Mac and Cheerilee a love potion. We may have given them a love poison.” “A love poison?” Starburst asked. “Wait…does that mean they’re going to die!?” He asked near panic. “Whoa whoa, calm down.” Sweetie Belle said. “That’s not it. It says here that a long time ago, a prince whipped up this recipe and gave it to this princess he liked. He meant it to be a love potion. But…things didn’t turn out so well.” “How…not so well did things turn out?” Apple Bloom asked. Sweetie Belle went over the book some more. “Well, there’s something here about a dragon, kingdom falling, chaos raining. Okay, it says here that the prince and princess were so lost in each other’s eyes that they couldn’t perform their royal duties.” Sweetie Belle looked up from the book with a worried expression. Apple Bloom started ranting as she walked over to the table. “Great, not only have we turned Big Mac and Cheerilee into a couple of nonsense spouting nincompoops, we may have put all of Ponyville in jeopardy.” She then slammed her face on the table. The other three friends seemed a bit shocked by this. Starburst was the first to speak up as he approached Apple Bloom to try and comfort her. “Apple Bloom, I fail to see how Ponyville will be in any danger just from them acting all goofy and love sick.” Scootaloo came in next. “Yeah, they don’t have royal duties. “But they still got responsibilities.” Apple Bloom countered. “If we don’t fix this….oh no. Miss Cheerilee won’t be able to teach. Big Mac won’t be able to harvest apples.” As Apple Bloom started thinking of the worst possible things to happen, Sweetie Belle continued to go through the book some more. “And before you know it, Ponyville will be overrun with uneducated little ponies starving for apples. Chaos, it’ll be chaos!” She was waving her hooves in the air in front of Scootaloo and Starburst. “There’s an antidote.” Sweetie Belle suddenly informed. Apple Bloom turned to her quickly. “Why didn’t you say so? Didn’t you see me freakin out back there?” Sweetie Belle continued. “If we can keep them from looking into each other’s eyes for one full hour, the love curse will be broken.” Scootaloo scoffed. “A full hour? We can pull that off in a second.” Starburst corrected her. “You do realize that makes no sense right? The goal is to keep them separated for an hour. One second would do nothing. It’s impossible to make one hour pass in one second.” Scootaloo gave a confused look. “I meant we could do that easy.” “Oh, well why didn’t you just say that?” Starburst asked. Sweetie Belle giggled at the interaction. “Come on Cutie Mark Crusaders, let’s go break a love curse.” Apple Bloom declared. Before leaving, Starburst reactivated his pony disguise and the four friends headed into town to find Big Mac and Cheerilee. They managed to locate the love sick duo at Sugar Cube Corner sharing a shake as Mrs. Cup Cake looked on in confusion. “You take the first sip shnooky wookums.” Cheerilee said using her love talk. “No, you take it sugar plum.” Big Mac said back as he pushed the shake closer to Cheerilee. “No, you shnooky lumps.” “No, you pooky pie.” Cup Cake walked over to the four foals. “I’m all for romance but this has been going on for hours.” The couple had a cherry held up a cherry with their snouts and started nibbling on it with their teeth without taking a bite. “What’s happened to these two?” “Heh heh, who knows?” Sweetie Belle asked nervously. “Well, these lovebirds will probably be planning a wedding soon.” Cup Cake said before she walked off. “We can always use the catering business.” Sweetie Belle suddenly spoke up as if an idea struck her. “That’s it! A wedding. Miss Cheerilee and Big Macintosh should get married.” “How is getting hitched gonna keep them apart?” Apple Bloom asked. “That seems to drastically go in the opposite direction we’re trying to do here.” Starburst pointed out. “They aren’t really going to get married, they’re just going to get ‘ready’ to get married.” Sweetie Belle said and walked over to the love poisoned couple as they continued to argue over who would take the first sip of the shake till Big Mac finally accidently knocked it off the table. “Hi miss Cheerilee, how are you?” Sweetie asked casually. “I have a very special somepony.” She answered quickly as she held up a picture of Big Macintosh. Big Mac accidently bumped a picture of Cheerilee he had against Sweetie Belle’s chin. “I have a very special somepony.” “We kind of got that.” Starburst said as he popped up next to Sweetie for a moment. Big Mac and Cheerilee got up on the table and started nuzzling each other’s snouts. Sweetie Belle pushed them aside as she presented an idea. While she did, they were reaching out to each other to try and simply touch one another. “Gosh, you two are so much in love, the next thing you know, you’ll be getting married.” She then let them go and dropped down. The couple had klunked together and now sat on the table. “Married?” They both asked together. “That’s right, ‘married’.” Sweetie emphasized as she rejoined her friends. The love sick ponies sat back down in their chairs as they sighed out. “Married.” And went back to gazing into each other’s eyes. Apple Bloom looked like she was ready to throw up as she gagged and placed a hoof over her mouth a moment then stuck her tongue out. Sweetie Belle nudged her with an elbow as a sign and got her moving to the two. She started pushing Big Mac away as he sat on the chair with his eyes closed. “Course if yer gonna get married, you’ll want to pick out a diamond fer yer…Blach…shmoopy doopy….pooky pie?” “Diamond!” Big Mac suddenly exclaimed and took off. Cheerilee grew concerned as she started reaching out for him but was being held back by Scootaloo and Starburst. “Pooky!” “Don’t you think you should start looking for your wedding dress?” Scootaloo suggested. “You’ll want to look your best for your…honey bunny snuggle baby.” Scootaloo said as she tried not to gag herself. Cheerilee seemed excited by this idea. “Dress!” She took off herself then and busted through the door of the bakery leaving a hole. The four friends galloped out of the bakery then and through town. “Now we just need to keep them apart.” Sweetie Belle said. “Me and Starburst will head to Rarity’s to keep Cheerilee occupied. You two do the same for Big Mac.” “You got it.” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle looked up towards a clock tower to see the time read five o’ clock. “We’ll meet back at the clubhouse in an hour when this whole mess is over.” They split up then and went their separate ways. They arrived at Rarity’s boutique to see Cheerilee frantically searching through the wedding dresses. Sweetie Belle came up to her. “That dress looks nice. Better try it on.” She had pointed to a random dress and plucked it from the rack, giving it to Cheerilee and pushed her into a changing room. Then the whole rack with her. As Cheerilee looked over the door, Sweetie Belle and Starburst started piling up things to keep her in there. “Whew, that should hold her.” Starburst said. “Let’s hope so.” Sweetie added. As the two sat in front of the pile they just made, Starburst looked around at first at everything but Sweetie. “Um, Sweetie Belle?” “What is it Starburst?” Sweetie asked as she looked to Starburst. “Even though this day didn’t turn out like we thought, I do like the fact I at least get to spend some time with you.” He blushed with a side glance at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle had a small blush of her own. “Yeah, me too. And I want to thank you again for that gem you gave me. It’s very nice.” “I’m glad you like it. I worked hard on it with my big brother.” Starburst turned his head fully to face Sweetie. Sweetie Belle smiled more. She quickly leaned over and gave Starburst a peck on the cheek. Starburst’s whole face turned red after. Sweetie Belle giggled a bit at that. “So Starburst, is there anything you could tell me about where you came from? You know, like what your brother said you’re world was like?” “Sure, my big brother said our planet had two moons. Thanks to the orbital pattern they had and position of distances, there was no chance of them crashing together by accident. He showed me some holo images of what the night sky looked like whenever they were both out in full. It was a beautiful sight. Also, my brother said our planet had a perfect circular orbit around our son so extreme hot or cold weather was a rare occurrence.” “Wow, that sounds fascinating. And what about your prince or princess. Who was in charge?” Sweetie asked. “My big brother said we had a council that voted and decided on things. They always decided what was best for all of us in every matter. They did their best to keep everyone happy and make sure we had what we needed.” “A council?” Sweetie questioned. “A group of equinians that were in charge of everything so the burden of ruling didn’t fall to just one pony. We believe no pony should be burdened with tasks alone so the council was formed. Not only that, but this belief carried out throughout the planet. In every buisness, there’s at least two ponies or so in charge of running companies or businesses. Nova said we all worked together and helped each other.” “It sounds so nice. I wish I could’ve seen it.” Sweetie said. “Yeah, me too.” Starburst said as he seemed to start feeling a bit down. Sweetie frowned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you upset.” Starburst shook his head. “It’s fine, I don’t mind talking about it. I’m just sharing what my big brother told me. I am glad I get to have such wonderful friends though.” He perked up a bit and gave a small smile. Sweetie smiled in return. She suddenly turned to look to the door as she heard somepony coming. She poked her head through the cat door flap and saw Scootaloo. “Scootaloo? Where’s Big Mac, where’s Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo was panting as she tried to speak. “On….his way…..gotta….keep him…..out of….boutique.” Sweetie Belle looked around as she tried to think of something. She spotted three shovels nearby leaning against a house. “I got it.” She opened the door so she could speak to both Starburst and Scootaloo. “Starburst, see if you can find an old matress somewhere. Then bring it back here and help us dig up a hole.” “I’m on it.” Starburst saluted and took off. He ran through the town as fast as he could as he looked for a mattress. Starburst soon came across one that looked abandoned leaning against another house. “By the stars, do these ponies not have a way to dispose of such old things? Whatever, works to my advantage for now.” Starburst grabbed the matress with his magic and started dragging it back to his two friends. He arrived and found Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had already started digging a hole and joined in to help using his magic on the third shovel. It took a while but they managed to make the hole meant to hold Big Mac and Starburst used his magic to lift the mattress and set it in the hole. It was just in time too as they soon saw Big Mac hopping right towards them with Apple Bloom hanging on to him. The three started waving for Apple Bloom to get away. “Move away!” Scootaloo cried out. “He’ll get to her!” Apple Bloom yelled back. “Let him go!” Sweetie Belle said again. Apple Bloom jumped from Big Mac and curled into a ball. Shmoopy doo! WHOA!” Big Mac yelled before falling into the hole and landing face first onto the mattress. “Good thinking on the mattress.” Scootaloo said. “Shmoopy doo!” Big Mac cried again as he waved a hoof up trying to get out. Suddenly, behind the four friends, there was a pounding at the boutique. Cheerilee busted through the door with a wedding veil on her head. “Sweetums!?” “Shmoopy doo!” Big Mac cried again. The four ponies tried their best to keep them from seeing each other but Cheerilee started charging at them. The CMC looked to the clock and saw they only had a few seconds left before the love curse would be broken. They just had to keep the two cursed ponies from looking into each other’s eyes. Cheerilee charged at them like a mad mare in desperation while Big Mac kept trying to jump out and the four friends kept trying to keep the two from looking into their eyes. Cheerilee grew nearer, the four little ponies braced for impact as Cheerilee charged into them and sent them flying and the teacher dove for the hole to her would be beloved. Finally, the clock chimed six and the hour was up. However, the question remained, did they succeed? The four friends gathered at the edge of the hole. “Please be normal, please be normal.” Apple Bloom begged. They looked into the hole to see Cheerilee and Big Mac looking up at them with blank expressions. Cheerilee began looking around then and took notice of the situation she was in. “Am I wearing a wedding veil?” “Eeyup.” Big Mac replied. “Are you sitting on a feather bed in a hole in the ground?” “Eeyup.” Cheerilee looked up to the kids next. “Kids, would you mind explaining why I look like I’m getting married at the bottom of a pit?” Sweetie Belle began explaining as all four of them gave faces of regret and remorse. “We may have given you the teeniest tiniest bit of love potion that may have actually been a love poison, and you may have gone just a teeny tiny bit nutty.” Apple Bloom picked up from there. “We just thought that you and Big Macintosh would be happy if you could be each other’s very special somepony for Hearts and Hooves day.” “Our hearts and hooves were in the right place.” Scootaloo said. Cheerilee gave a smile at first as she spoke. “We appreciate that you care about us and want us to be happy but…” She trailed off as the four CMC seemed to catch on to a lesson they just learned. Apple Bloom started. “But no matter how much we care, we never should have meddled in your relationship.” Scootaloo continued from there. “No pony should force two ponies to be together.” Then Sweetie Belle. “It’s up to every pony to choose their special somepony for themselves.” Then Starburst. “We should just not interfere and let things happen naturally instead of trying to force it no matter how much we want something to be.” They all then spoke in unison. “We’re sorry.” Cheerilee still felt it necessary to punish the four friends. “And you can think about how sorry you are while doing all of Big Mac’s chores at Sweet Apple Acres. Does that sound fair to you Big Mac?” “Eeyup.” And so the four friends were stuck doing hard time at the apple farm collecting and hauling apples. Apple Bloom just dumped a bucket of apples into a crate as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo carried another up to her with Starburst carrying one in his magic. Though he seemed to be struggling a bit with it. They all groaned out in exhaustion. “Oooh.” Cheeirlee approached the group with Big Mac and Apple Bloom greeted her with a smile. “Hey miss Cheerilee, what are you doing here?” “Since you four are doing all of Big Mac’s chores, we figured we’d have a picnic at the gazeebo.” Cheerilee said. “Right, sugar bear?” “Eeyup, pooky pie.” Big Mac responded as they seemed to be looking at each other lovingly. The CMC turned away in disgust and shock. They turned back to see the two walking away and screamed out. “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The CMC managed to finish their chores and left for home. Starburst entered his new place with his mom and dad and dropped his pony disguise. “Hi mom, dad.” He said tiredly. “There you are, what took you so long getting home?” Starla asked. “My friends and I just undid a love curse we accidentaly put on Big Macintosh and miss Cheerilee. As punishment for what we did, we had to work at Sweet Apple Acres.” Starburst plopped onto the couch. “I’m so tired.” Starla came up to Starburst and brought him into a hug. “Oh, my poor little baby. Sounds like you had quit the day.” “You have no idea.” “But did you learn anything?” Cosmos asked. “Yep, never mess with love. It’s a killer.” Starburst replied as he nuzzled into his mother’s chest and practically fell asleep.