(I'm letting you know now, this is NOT a shipping image, capiche?)
One faithful day over at Fluttershy’s cottage, she was making lunch for her animal friends, and Starlight Glimmer was helping her out. Starlight uses her magic to cut up some veggies, and afterwards she yells, “Order up!” As she uses her magic to toss the veggies into bowls that Fluttershy was holding, and then she gives the bowls to her animals and they started to eat them. “Success!” Starlight cheered.
“Starlight, thank you so much for offering to help feed my animals.” Fluttershy said.
“Hey, I have nothing better to do.” Starlight shrugged.
“Really?” Fluttershy asked.
“No that was a joke, I have a lot on my plate, but I’m always willing to help out a friend!” Starlight said.
Just then, they both hear a loud tapping sound. Up ahead, Angel was angrily tapping his foot on the ground. “Oh, Angel! I almost forgot!”
“What are you talking about, Fluttershy? We just fed him!” Starlight reminded her.
“I know, but Angel really wants his dessert.” Fluttershy said. “I said to him after he finishes all of his food, he can have dessert.”
“Umm…” Starlight said as she walked over to Angel’s dish and it was still nearly full. “You call that done?” She then taps on the pile of veggies and it topples over.
“Well… he at least ate five bites, and that’s good enough for me.” Fluttershy said.
“Are you kidding?!” Starlight yelled. “You spoil this bunny!” Just then, Angel sticks his tongue out at Starlight. “HEY! Do that again to my face! I dare you!”
Fluttershy stops her when she wraps her arm around Starlight’s neck. “I’m sorry, Starlight. He’s normally a very kind little bunny!”
“Kind? Really?” Starlight asked in an unamused tone. “He begs for your attention, he demands a lot of stuff, and what does he have to show for it? He doesn’t even thank you.”
“Umm… he’s a bunny. He doesn’t talk.” Fluttershy reminded her.
“I mean he should at least show that he’s thankful, but instead he throws his dish aside, raids your fridge for something unhealthy, and makes a mess in the process.” Starlight said as Angel does all of that as she said it.
“Ok, Starlight. I know Angel does seem a little bit… bossy at times, but I know he’s a good little bunny and he loves me!” Fluttershy said.
“You spoil him, Fluttershy.” Starlight said. “Have you always been that way?”
“Well… it’s actually funny that you mention that.” Fluttershy chuckled. “You see-“ Just then Fluttershy’s cutie mark begins to vibrate. “Sweet Celestia! The map is calling for me!”
“Well we better not keep it waiting!” Starlight said excitedly.
“Right! Let’s go!” Fluttershy said as they both begin to run out of the cottage, but then Fluttershy immediately stops at the door, and Starlight bumps into her in the process, and bounces off like she hit a rubber ball.
Her eyes rolled around, and then she rubbed her muzzle as she asks, “What’s wrong now?”
“Umm… I should probably give Angel his dessert first before I go.” Fluttershy said as she chuckles embarrassingly. Starlight then sighs and facehooves herself.
Over at the castle, Fluttershy joins up with Pinkie, Twilight, and Rarity in the map room. She saw the their cutie marks were vibrating too. “Oh my!” Flutttershy said surprisingly. “I guess this means we’re all going somewhere. How wonderful!”
“I KNOW RIGHT?!” Pinkie yelled. “We just doubled the fun by doubling the amount of ponies we usually get on these map trips! But it also means two less ponies are joining us, but I’ll just stay focused on the glass half full!” Pinkie held up a glass of water.
“Um, Pinkie, darling? That glass is completely full.” Rarity pointed out.
“I KNOW!” Pinkie said excitedly. “That makes it double the half amount! It’s a doubly day!”
“Ooooh, I am so excited to finally see what kind of friendship problems there needs to be solving!” Twilight said excitedly as she picks up a pile of books with her magic. “I’ve been researching lately some of the long-lost magic from Starswirl the Bearded’s castle, and it might come in handy to where we’re going!”
“So… where are we all going?” Fluttershy asked.
“Actually, Fluttershy, this time it’s going to be different.” Twilight said.
“Doubly different?” Pinkie asked.
“I suppose you can say that.” Twilight said as they all walked over to the map and observed it.
“Wait a minute. There are cutie marks in two different places in the map.” Fluttershy pointed out.
“That’s right, Fluttershy!” Rarity said. “You and Pinkie Pie are chosen to solve a friendship problem in Cloudsdale, while Twilight and I handle a friendship problem in Arlmaspi Territory.”
“Ar-ar-ar-ar-arlmaspi Territory?” Fluttershy asked nervously.
“ARLMASPI TERRITORY!” Pinkie yelled out which startles Fluttershy. “I have no clue what an Arlmaspi Territory is but it sounds so fun! Like… like… doubly fun!”
“If you want, I can explain it to you.” Twilight offered.
“No thanks, Twilight.” Fluttershy said wanting to change the subject. “I’d rather… I’d rather just focus on our own problem. Cloudsdale sounds more of a relaxing and well-known place! I was born there.”
“I love Cloudsdale too!” Pinkie said. “Except the fact that I don’t fly. It makes it harder to go around.”
“Well, not to worry Pinkie. I’ll give you my walk on clouds spell, so at least you’ll be able to walk around.” Twilight offered.
“Meh. I mainly prefer flying, because sometimes I feel super lazy to walk.” Pinkie said as she drops her head on the floor with her flexible neck.
“Super lazy?” Rarity asked.
“It’s like regular lazy, but I also wear a cape.” Pinkie said as her head comes back up.
“Sorry, Pinkie, but the wing spell is too difficult of a spell to perform.” Twilight said. “We’ll need the magic to where we’re going, but knowing you I’m sure you can compromise!”
“Oh like a pickaxe?” Pinkie asked as she puts on a mining helmet and picks up a pickaxe. “I could use that to where we’re going!”
“Actually, Pinkie, that’s the complete oppo-“ Twilight was about to say, but Rarity cuts her off.
“No, no, Twilight. Let her figure it out.” Rarity said.
So after the conversation, and after Twilight gives Pinkie her walk on clouds powers, Pinkie and Fluttershy, and Twilight and Rarity all leave the castle but go their separate ways. Pinkie and Fluttershy went over to the Twinkling Balloon, and Pinkie gives Cherry Berry some bits so they can rent it.
“This is going to be so much fun, Fluttershy!” Pinkie said excitedly as Fluttershy climbed into the balloon, and then Pinkie jumps in, knocking into Fluttershy in the process. They both stood up again and Pinkie yells out, “I super-duper LOVE Cloudsdale! Oh this would be so much cooler if we had Rainbow Dash with us!”
“Oh yeah, I definitely agree with that.” Fluttershy said as Cherry Berry removes the rope that keeps the balloon on the ground. She salutes to the duo as they fly away.
“Cloudsdale is like so different too all the other cities of Equestria!” Pinkie said. “But then again, all the cities in Equestria are different! While Cloudsdale is a city that creates weather, Ponyville is well-known for its farmland, and Canterlot is famous for being the capital of Equestria and it’s where the princesses live, and there’s also Rainbow Falls which-“ As Pinkie went on and on, the balloon was about to arrive into Cloudsdale. “-and then there’s Mareami which is known to be a tropical paradise, except when it rains. It’s also like you and me, Fluttershy! We’re so different, it makes everypony wonder why we’re friends! Like you’re super quiet, and I’m super talkative, so-“
“Oh good, we’re here!” Fluttershy interrupts. “Oh, I’m sorry I interrupted.”
“Nah it’s fine.” Pinkie said. “You know, you really should tell me ‘be quiet’ if I’m really bothering you. You spoil your friends so much, it makes me wonder.”
“I’m sorry.” Fluttershy said.
“And stop apologizing so much!” Pinkie demanded as she jumps off the balloon and stands on top of one of the clouds.
“Oh I’m sor- umm… I mean… uhh…” Fluttershy was in a lost for words. Fluttershy climbs off the balloon and Rainbowshine ties up the balloon on the foundation.
“Anyways, it is time to go exploring for some friendship problems! C’mon, Fluttershy!” Pinkie said as she starts sniffing on the ground like a dog. Fluttershy didn’t know what to say so she just quietly followed her. Pinkie continued to sniff along the ground until she reached a market stall selling lightning strikes. “Oooo lightning strikes!”
“Yeah, you gonna pay for that?” the merchant asked.
“I might, but lemme ask you something first, mister.” Pinkie said.
“Umm… ok.” The merchant said.
“Do these lightning strikes ever give out some… you know… friendship problems?” Pinkie asked.
“I’m… I’m not sure what you mean.” The merchant said.
“Like do these jars of lightning bolts seem to give out electric shocks?” Pinkie asked. “You know, just in case ponies don’t have hoofsey PJs to use to shock their friends.”
“Uhh… what?” the merchant asked confusingly.
“Umm, Pinkie Pie? I don’t think this is where we need to be.” Fluttershy informed her.
“Well of course this is where we need to be, Fluttershy!” Pinkie laughed and patted her on the head. “I mean this is Cloudsdale, and this is where the map sent us! DUH!”
“Umm…” Fluttershy said, “that’s… that’s not what I-“
“Oooo lookie here! Raindrops!” Pinkie said as she walks to another market stall. “I’ve seen Rainbow Dash use this prank so many times on different ponies! Especially AppleJack, and I was supposed to keep it a secret, but I accidently gave it away.” She giggles.
“Yep! Welcome to Raindrops’ Raindrops!” Raindrops said. “We have plenty of Raindrops here for sell made by Raindrops herself – that’s me!”
“Cool! Who’s Raindrops again?” Pinkie asked.
“Me.” Raindrops said.
“Cool! And what are you selling?” Pinkie asked.
“Raindrops.” Raindrops said.
“And what is this place called again?” Pinkie asked.
“Raindrops’ Raindro- oooooh, I get it! You’re teasing me!” Raindrops laughed. “Alright you got me!”
Pinkie giggles and says, “What tease?”
“Actually Pinkie, I don’t think the friendship problem is even in this marketplace, Pinkie.” Fluttershy informed her.
“Ooooh good call, Fluttershy!” Pinkie said. “It’s probably in another marketplace in Cloudsdale!”
“Umm, Cloudsdale’s only got one marketplace.” Fluttershy informed her.
“Oooooh! So it must be in the supermarket then?” Pinkie asked.
“Cloudsdale doesn’t have a supermarket.” Fluttershy informed her.
“Actually we do.” Raindrops informed her.
“Oh really? Wow… I’ve been away from home longer than I thought.” Fluttershy said upsettingly. “I’ve been away from home for so long I haven’t seen my family in a while.”
Pinkie then gasps real hard, so hard that her mouth turns dry, and it causes her to cough. “Fluttershy! You haven’t seen your family in years?!”
“Well… no not really.” Fluttershy said.
“WHY NOT?!” Pinkie yelled.
“Well… because I didn’t… I didn’t think they’d approve of me loving animals so much. Mama always wanted me to be a painter, but I… I didn’t want to.”
“Oh fiddlesticks, Fluttershy!” Pinkie said angrily at her, but then she chuckles at herself. “Fiddlesticks Fluttershy! That’s funny!” Pinkie then shook her head rapidly and then said seriously, “Anyways, I can’t believe you haven’t seen your family in so long! Family is like… the most important thing ever! Even more important than cakes, or parties, or brownies… but brownies cuts it pretty close.”
“Ooooh… you’re right, Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy said. “I do miss my mama… my dad… my little brother.”
“Wait, you have a little bro-bro?!” Pinkie asked excitedly.
“I didn’t tell you about Pop Fly?” Fluttershy asked.
“Uhh, I probably would’ve remembered you telling me something like that, which in this case, I don’t.” Pinkie said.
“Oh.” Fluttershy said.
“We should go see your family right away!” Pinkie suggested as she held onto Fluttershy’s hoof and started to run, but Fluttershy was holding back.
“Wait, right now?” Fluttershy asked.
“No, next Hearth’s Warming.” Pinkie said sarcastically. “YES, NOW!”
“Oh, well… OOH!” Fluttershy gets tugged and pulled by Pinkie and as she runs off with Fluttershy with her.
Over at Fluttershy’s old house, Pinkie was still pulling on Fluttershy as she drags herself trying to resist. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Pinkie?” she asked. “It’s been a long time. I don’t even know if they even want to see me.”
“What are you talking about, Fluttershy?!” Pinkie cried. “The odds of your family not wanting to see you are the same odds as getting struck by lightning!”
“Well… I guess that makes me feel… a bit better.” Fluttershy smiles, until Derpy flies by in the background with a raincloud and lightning strikes nearby. “Eep!” Fluttershy immediately covers herself.
Pinkie rolls her eyes and begins to knock ‘shave and a haircut’ on the door, but the last two ‘dun-duns’ on the song was played by the doorbell. The door opens and a pale yellow pegasus pony with three pink tulips as a cutie mark, and pink hair in a style that’s similar to those of Limestone Pie, and a paint-stained apron opens the door and asks, “Yes? Can I help you?”
“Hi!” Pinkie said with a smile and a squee.
“Umm… hi. Can I help you with something?” Fluttershy’s mom asked with an awkward smile.
“I’m Pinkie Pie!” she said. “I’m here to reunite you with your daughter!”
“My… daughter?” my mom asked. “You know Fluttershy?”
“Of course I do! She’s one of my bestest friends!” Pinkie said. “Go ahead, Fluttershy, say hi to your mom!” There was no response.
“So… where is she?” her mom asked.
“What are you talking about? She’s right here behin- Fluttershy?!” Pinkie gasped as she wasn’t behind her, and then she looks over and sees the fluffy clouds shaped like bushes nearby.
“Yeah that’s definitely Fluttershy.” Her mom said as she laughed. “C’mon out, Fluttershy. You don’t have to be shy.”
“Isn’t that the reason you named her that?” Pinkie asked.
Fluttershy sticks her head out of the cloud bushes and slowly walks out, and then she says, “Hi, mama.”
“Oh Fluttershy!” her mom hugged her. “It is so good to see you again!”
“It’s… good to see you too.” She said.
“You haven’t come to visit in ages!” her mom said excitedly. “But I know those animals of yours take a lot of time off your hooves, right?” She boops her.
Fluttershy chuckles a bit and says, “Yeah, I… guess they do.”
“See? It all worked out!” Pinkie said.
“What worked out?” Fluttershy’s mom asked.
“Well you see, Fluttershy thought you weren’t accept her new occupation.” Pinkie said. Fluttershy quickly shook her head at Pinkie. “She thought you’d prefer she painted.” Fluttershy then sighs.
“Is this true?” Fluttershy’s mom asked her daughter.
“Well… I… umm…” she stuttered.
“Fluttershy, its ok!” her mom said. “You can be whatever you want to be, cause you’ll always be my little girl! If you don’t want to paint, that’s your choice. I just thought it would be a good hobby for you since you don’t like going out much.”
“Well… as it turns out, I’m really good at communicating with animals.” Fluttershy said. “I guess what I lack being social to ponies, it makes up with communicating with animals. Besides, I’ve been more social with ponies lately, ever since I met Pinkie Pie here, and the rest of my friends.”
“Wow! I’m so special, she only says MY name!” Pinkie said excitedly.
“Well Fluttershy is very lucky to have somepony like you, Pinkie Pie!” Fluttershy’s mom said to her. “You seem like a well-behaved pony, better than Pop Fly’s friends.”
“How can you say that though?” Pinkie asked. “Friendship comes in all shapes and forms!”
“I know, but they always seem to make a mess of things in the house.” Fluttershy’s mom said. “I’m still trying to get a stain out of the carpet.”
“Where is Pop Fly, mama?” Fluttershy asked. “I really want to see him!”
“He’s at school right now.” Fluttershy’s mom said.
“Oh, ok… I can wait.” Fluttershy said, but then she gets all excited. “Oh, but it’s so hard to! I really want to see him!”
“Wow! You must really love your bro-bro!” Pinkie said.
“Are you kidding? He’s so kind and adorable!” Fluttershy said. “He was that one friend I’ve always had when I was still living here. Before Rainbow Dash came into the picture, Pop Fly was there for me. He kept the bullies off my back, and that was when he was only the age between baby and school-aged pony.”
In a flashback, Fluttershy attempts to fly through the obstacle course at Junior Speedsters Flight Camp. Unfortunately, she wasn’t even able to get through the first checkpoint, and she falls. Fluttershy started to get picked on by the bullies – the same bullies that pick on Rainbow Dash. “HA! Look at Fluttershy over there!” Hoops laughed.
“Yeah more like Kluttershy!” Dumb-Bell teased.
“HA! Good one, Dumb-Bell!” Score laughed. “That name is almost as good as the name you gave Rainbow Dash!” Nearby, Rainbow Dash was lying on the ground after crashing onto a column accidently. Her eyes were rolling around and her head shook. Hoops, Dumb-Bell, and Score all went over to Fluttershy was who moaning on the ground in pain.
“Look at you, Kluttershy! What a waste of a pegasus!” Dumb-Bell teased.
“Yeah, why do you even live in Cloudsdale?” Hoops asked.
“Umm… be-because… umm…” Fluttershy stuttered.
“HA! Flyless AND shy! What a combo!” Dumb-Bell teased as they all laughed.
“HEY!” a voice yelled in the distance.
“Huh?” the bullies asked as they all stopped laughing.
“Who’s the smart pony that said that?” Dumb-Bell asked as he looked around.
“Ah you called me smart! I take that as a compliment” a tiny yellow pegasus colt with red flashy hair said happily at them. “Now, get your hooves off my sister, and we can get along and all that junk.”
The bullies all looked at eachother, and then they laughed. “And what are you going to do about it twerp?” Hoops asked.
“I bet he’s still not potty trained!” Dumb-Bell teased.
“Yeah, and he still wears diapers!” Score teased.
“Uh, that means the same thing as what I said, Score.” Dumb-Bell reminded him.
“Why don’t you just BACK OFF, DUMB-BELL?!” Pop Fly flew up to his face and yelled at him.
“Oh yeah? And what are you going to do about it, Pop Cry?!” Dumb-Bell teased as they all laughed. Pop Fly glared at them, and then he flies off.
“HA! Guess he couldn’t handle the heat!” Hoops laughed.
“No, actually…” Pop Fly said as he stood on a raincloud. “…I think you’ll find this quite… shocking.” He then kicks on the cloud and lighting starts to strike around the bullies which caused them to flinch.
“WHOA! How did you get that?!” Hoops yelled.
“Yeah, you can only get those clouds from the Weather Factory! How did you get one?!” Dumb-Bell yelled.
“I know my ways.” Pop Fly said as he continues to strike lightning on the bullies until they flew away. He then stuck his tongue out at them as they fled in terror.
“He was brave! I was lucky to have him by my side!” present Fluttershy said as Pop Fly hops on past Fluttershy and gives her a hug. The flashback ends there. “I’ve always done a lot for him in return because I was so grateful!”
“That is so nice!” Pinkie said excitedly. “Although, you didn’t mention how he got that storm cloud.”
“Oh… he never said.” Fluttershy said. “It was best not to know.”
“You didn’t know?” Fluttershy’s mom asked. “He stole that storm cloud from the weather factory.”
“He did?” Fluttershy asked curiously. “Well… I’m sure it was for good reason. I’m sure he gave it right back!”
“He’s actually had it for weeks, pranking other ponies with it.” Her mom said.
“What? Oh my. That doesn’t sound anything like him.” Fluttershy said.
“Wow! He sounds like MY type of pony!” Pinkie said excitedly. “Except for the stealing part. That’s a no no.”
“I thought you knew?” her mom asked. “Pop Fly spends a majority of his free time pranking ponies.”
“And what’s he doing when it’s NOT his free time?” Pinkie asked.
“Pranking ponies.” Fluttershy’s mom said. “He’s been doing that all his life. How could you not know that, Fluttershy?”
“Well, umm… I…” Fluttershy stuttered.
“Um, excuse me? Miss Posey?” a courier pony asked.
“Yes?” Posey, Fluttershy’s mom asked.
“Got a telegram from the Cloudsdale School principal.” The courier said as he gave it to her, and he flies off.
“The Cloudsdale School principal?” Fluttershy asked.
Posey reads the note and sighs in disappointment. “Oh no! Not again!”
“What? What happened?” Fluttershy asked.
“Pop Fly sabotaged the whiteboard markers again.” Posey said.
“Ooo really?” Pinkie asked excitedly. “Is it that one prank that causes the marker ink to explode all over the holder’s face?”
“I… guess so.” Posey said.
Pinkie starts to laugh. “Classic! Simply classic!”
“This is not good. This is the second time this week!” Posey said worryingly. “How? How could have I raised such a delinquent?”
“Now, mama, I’m sure there’s an explanation for all this.” Fluttershy said. “I’m sure Pop Fly didn’t mean any harm. Perhaps after a lovely talk with the principal, he’ll understand, and let him off the hook.”
“I do NOT understand this nonsense, and I will most certainly NOT let him off the hook!” the principal yelled when Posey, Pinkie, and Fluttershy visited the school.
“Oh dear.” Posey said nervously. Just then, there was a knock on the door and Pop Fly sticks his head in.
“Principal Stickers? You called for me, sir?” Pop Fly asked innocently.
“I will not tolerate this nonsense from you anymore, Pop Fly.” Principal Stickers said angrily. He takes out a chart and shows the list of names of students in the school. Next to the names, there were a lot of stickers. “You see this list, young colt?”
“Yeah it’s a list of names of the other students in the school so you don’t forget them.” Pop Fly said.
“NO!” Principal Stickers yelled. “It’s a sticker list.”
“Yes everypony knows you’re obsessed with stickers.” Pop Fly said he chuckled.
“You are NOT obliged to speak yet!” Principal Stickers said angrily. “Now then, this is the list of students in this school. Each student gets a sticker when they do something good for other ponies.”
“Good choice to put stickers on paper, sir!” Pop Fly said. “Put stickers on your coat, and they just fall off tomorrow.”
“I’m talking.” Principal Stickers said calmly but angrily.
“Let the principal talk, Pop Fly.” Posey instructed him.
“Now you see this part of the list?” Principal Stickers pointed. “This is your name. How many stickers do you see on here?”
“Hmm…” Pop Fly observed. “I dunno. They all seem invisible.”
“NONE!” Stickers yelled. “You have no stickers. You know why?”
“Cause you ran out?” Pop Fly teased.
“POP FLY!” Posey yelled at him. “Stop teasing with your principal!”
“Yes, MOTHER.” Pop Fly said with an attitude.
“And quit it with the attitude!” Posey instructed him.
“You haven’t been helpful to your fellow ponies.” Stickers said. “All you’ve been doing is teasing them, pranking them, and not taking them seriously.”
“I’ve been having good grades though.” Pop Fly reminded him.
“Your grades have nothing to do with this.” Stickers said. “You’ve been doing fairly well on your assignments yes, but you have to take other ponies seriously sometimes.”
“I knoooow! But being serious is so boring!” Pop Fly whined as he places his head against the wall. “I mean look at my cutie mark for crying out loud! It’s a sling shot. Is there anything serious about this?”
“That may be so, but you said you had other dreams.” Posey said. “How are you supposed to achieve them if you’re going to not treat your fellow ponies with respect?”
“I respect other ponies!” Pop Fly said. “I always tell them when I’m joking. Like, I told White Mountain she has ugly hair, but then I said ‘just kidding’ after she started crying.”
“Mama? Principal Stickers? Mind if I say something?” Fluttershy asked.
“Go ahead.” Stickers said.
Fluttershy flies over to Pop Fly and says, “I know Pop Fly here can be… not so serious at times, but he never means harm. He doesn’t want to hurt his fellow ponies. He is a sweet little guy once you get to know him!”
“Yeah, see? My big sis here! She knows what I want.” Pop Fly said.
“Hmm.” Stickers said as he removes his glasses. “Miss Posey, I have to let you that this is the second time this week he was sent to my office. I am sad to say this, but… one more time… and he’ll have to be suspended.” Posey, Fluttershy, and Pop Fly all gasped.
“Whoa!” Pinkie gasped as well. “And not even a farewell party?”
“Not ‘expelled’, he’s not leaving forever. He’s just leaving for a number of days, and if he misses too many class days, he’ll not get good grades, and he’ll be held back.” Stickers said.
“Aw man!” Pop Fly yelled. “Please, Principal Stickers! I didn’t mean any harm! All I did was put a frog inside my teacher’s desk the first time, and then sabotaged the markers and make a mess on her face! It’s not like it’s going to stain!”
“Did you have any idea that your teacher is allergic to frogs?” Stickers asked.
“I didn’t know!” Pop Fly whined. “Look, I really want to be a good pony! I just… you know… I want other ponies to think I’m cool! Being the class clown is the way to do it!”
“Being a class clown isn’t bad, but those kind of pranks that disrupt the class, that just leads you into trouble.” Fluttershy said to him. “I know you don’t mean any harm, and I know you’re a good pony. In fact, I’m going to prove to them that you are the kindest pony in all of Equestria!”
“You really think you can do that?” Pop Fly asked.
“I know I can!” Fluttershy said as she walks over to the principal’s desk. “Principal Stickers, I want to prove that my brother is a good pony. I’ll do whatever it takes!”
“Hmm…” Stickers thought it out. “Well… a fellow classmate Zipporwhill has a birthday party scheduled for tomorrow. Perhaps he can prove to it then by helping set up.”
Pinkie gasped in amazement, held in her breath, and then she yells, “I WANT TO HELP!”
“Whoa!” Stickers yelled. “Ok, if you want to help you can, but… why?”
“I guess you didn’t know that I am a Super Duper Party Planner!” Pinkie said as she leaned close to his face.
“Ew, say it, don’t spray it.” Stickers wiped his face.
“I can help out Pop Fly and show him what he needs to do to give Zipporwhill the best Birthday party EVER!” Pinkie offered.
“Hmm… well… I guess it wouldn’t hurt.” Stickers said. “I like your enthusiasm. But just try not to be disruptive. There are a bunch of other classes-“
“I’LL DO IT!” Pinkie yelled.
Back at Bushery’s house, Pop Fly was lying on his bed with his face planted on his pillow. There was a knock on the door. Pop Fly yells out, “Unless it’s Fluttershy or her friend – GO AWAY!”
Just then the door opens, and it was just Fluttershy. “Hey, Pop Fly!”
“Fluttershy, you always seem to make me smile every time I hear your voice!” Pop Fly said with a smile.
Fluttershy blushes. “Oh… it’s nothing really.”
“Did you get my cookies?” Pop Fly asked.
“Right here.” Fluttershy said as she gives a tray of cookies to him. “Freshly baked! Just like you wanted!”
“Chocolate chips?” Pop Fly asked.
“Yes.” Fluttershy said.
“Hazel nut?” Pop Fly asked.
“Yes.” Fluttershy said.
“No other nut?” Pop Fly asked.
“Yes.” Fluttershy said.
“Made in squares?” Pop Fly asked.
“Yes.” Fluttershy said.
“Did you head to the marketplace and get the sugar I liked?” Pop Fly asked.
“Yes.” Fluttershy said.
“Did you set the tempter one degree hotter?” Pop Fly asked.
“Yes.” Fluttershy said.
“Oh boy!” Pop Fly said excitedly as he takes a cookie from the tray. “One question though, sis.”
“Yes?” Fluttershy asked.
“What took you so long?” Pop Fly asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Fluttershy said. “I’ll try to be quicker next time.”
“Thank you, Fluttershy! You’re the best!” Pop Fly said sweetly with puppy dog eyes.
“Hey anything for the best brother in the world!” Fluttershy said as she pets his head. Pop Fly then takes a bite of the cookie on his hoof. “So how is it?”
“It’s lacking something.” Pop Fly said.
“Oooh. I don’t have to do it all again do I?” Fluttershy asked worryingly.
“No, not this time, sis.” Pop Fly smiled. “I’m just missing a glass of reduced fat milk.”
“Oh, but… all we got his lowfat.” Fluttershy informed him.
“Lowfat? YUCK!” Pop Fly complained. “Go get the reduced fat at the market! It tastes much better!”
“Oh ok, Pop Fly. I’ll get right on it.” Fluttershy said with a smile as she then starts to fly out.
“Fluttershy?” Pop Fly called out, which made her stop and look back.
“Yes, Pop Fly?” Fluttershy asked.
“You’re awesome!” Pop Fly said sweetly. Fluttershy smiled again and then shuts the door before she leaves, but between shutting the door and leaving, Pinkie was leaning on the kitchen counter, glaring at Fluttershy while licking the cookie dough off the mixing bowl.
“So… that explains it.” Pinkie said.
“WHA?!” Fluttershy asked surprisingly. “Oh, Pinkie… you surprised me.”
“Yeah I’m good at that!” Pinkie said.
“So… what?” Fluttershy asked.
“What what?” Pinkie asked.
“What did I explain to you?” Fluttershy asked.
“Oh that!” Pinkie chuckled. “I was thinking about the ‘what what’ that I said I completely forgot!”
“Oh, alright.” Fluttershy said as she then starts to walk out.
“Oh right, I remember!” Pinkie said as Fluttershy stops to listen.
“Yes?” Fluttershy asked.
“You spoil your brother.” Pinkie said as she starts licking the spoon.
“What? No!” Fluttershy refused. “No, I don’t spoil him. He just does a lot for me, so I decided to do a lot for him…” Pinkie raises one of her eyebrows as she continues to lick the spoon. “Alright, yes, I do spoil him, but he’s just so… kind.”
“Is that why you spoil other ponies, including your bunny?” Pinkie asked as she scraped the inner bowl with her hooves.
“I didn’t know it to be true, but it is.” Fluttershy said. “Angel reminds me so much of Pop Fly that I treat him better than any other animal I have. I guess… I miss him.”
“It’s ok, Fluttershy.” Pinkie said as she pets her hair, putting cookie dough all over it. “I know what it’s like to miss somepony. Did you know, I miss my sisters more than anything in the world? Gummy, he really reminds me of them. He’s as tough as Limestone, as cute as Marble, and as excited and hyper all the time as Maud! You know what I’m saying?”
“I… I guess so.” Fluttershy said as she tries to scrape the sticky cookie dough off her hair.
“And we’ve discovered the friendship problem! We know why the map has sent us here!” Pinkie said as she puts her sticky cookie dough hooves around Fluttershy. “We need to help your brother gain a good reputation again! With this party, it’s the exact thing that’ll help him get that!”
Fluttershy smiles. “You’re right, Pinkie Pie, and we’re the ones to help him get there!”
“Great, so you go and spy on him, and see what he’s doing to get ready for the party.” Pinkie suggested.
“Wait… me… spy on Pop Fly?” Fluttershy asked surprisingly. “I wouldn’t! I… I couldn’t! I would never do that to my little friend!”
“C’mon, Fluttershy!” Pinkie persuaded. “It’ll really help him if you can prove to everypony that he’s done this himself without needing close help from you. Don’t spoil him, Fluttershy. He needs to do this himself.”
“Oh… I can’t! Why don’t you spy on him, you’re good at it?” Fluttershy suggested.
“Uh, duh! I have to help out the party!” Pinkie reminded her.
“Oh… right.” Fluttershy said.
“Relax! This will be hunky-dory!” Pinkie said as she began to whisper and tip-hoof. “Just sneak behind him without him noticing, and then… BOO!” Fluttershy gets startled and Pinkie laughs.
“How is that supposed to help?” Fluttershy asked.
“It’s not!” Pinkie said. “I just wanted to do that.” Fluttershy then glares at her. “But yes, sneak behind him, keep your distance, and if he looks at you – HIDE! And then when he’s not looking, sneak again, make sure he’s doing what he’s doing.”
“Oooooh… are you sure I should spy on my brother?” Fluttershy asked.
“Absolutusly!” Pinkie said. “It’s as easy as riding bike! You should be fine!”
“But… I… never rode a bike before.” Fluttershy admitted.
“Well, you know why I mean.” Pinkie said. “It’s as easy as a riding a monster carriage over a pit of fire with a crowd watching you, how about that? That better?” Fluttershy started to feel even more nervous, but it didn’t stop her from eventually doing what she needed to do. She felt that she needed to spy on Pop Fly to make sure he’s doing what he needs to do.
When Pop Fly leaves the house, he yells out, “Bye, mom! I’m going to help find some stuff for Zipporwhill’s party!”
“Good luck, Pop Fly!” Posey yelled out.
After Pop Fly walks out, Fluttershy follows without him noticing. “Bye, mom! I’m going to catch up with old friends!”
“Later, Fluttershy!” Posey called out as Fluttershy starts sneaking behind Pop Fly, following him wherever he goes.
“Bye mom!” Pinkie yells out as she was next to leave. “I’m just going out because I want to!”
“Have fun, Pinkie!” Posey called out.
As Pop Fly was gliding around town, Fluttershy glides along behind him, and every time he looks back, Fluttershy quickly hides, and he has no idea. Pop Fly suspiciously looks around as Fluttershy was hiding. Pop Fly then sneaks over behind one of the Cloudsdale homes and saw there was a pony tending a small Cloudmite farm in her backyard. Cloudmites are pretty much magical creatures that live inside clouds – they look centipedes but they also have a lizard tail and a lizard head, and they come in different pale colors – some are white and some are gray. Cloudmites are one of the most common creatures that live in Cloudsdale and any of the other pegasus cities in Equestria. Pop Fly peeks behind the fence of the backyard as the pony was feeding seeds to the Cloudmites. Fluttershy peeks at the other side of the fence and watches and waits to see what Pop Fly does next.
When the pony walks back inside her house, Pop Fly reaches inside his satchel as Fluttershy suspiciously watches her brother, but she doesn’t for long as she gets distracted towards one of the loose Cloudmites that rub against her. Fluttershy notices it and smiles as she pets it. “Aww! Aren’t you the cutest thing? I always grew fond of you Cloudmites, even though not many touch down in Ponyville that often.”
Meanwhile inside the farm as the Cloudmites were playing, one of them run over to the side of the yard where it noticed a giant tiki mask on the fence. “Boo.” The mask said gently. The Cloudmite immediately starts screaming out of the blue, and just like that, all the other Cloudmites begin to scream and panic. Pop Fly removes his mask as he laughs and glides back over the fence so he can watch the show. The cloudmite cuddling on Fluttershy begins to scream as well when it heard its friends freaking out. Fluttershy peeks over and saw the pony that raises the farm walk outside to see her cloudmites panicking. She tries to relax them, but a few of the Cloudmites just jump all over her body and her face, and Pop Fly was laughing really loud, but not loud enough for the pony to notice, but loud enough for Fluttershy to notice.
Fluttershy started to feel worried. “No… how could Pop Fly do this? Is he really that bad of a… NO! No, it can’t be true! I’m sure it’s all in good reasons. It was… just a prank. He didn’t really hurt anypony.” As the pony in the yard was running around trying to get the cloudmites off her, she accidently bumps into the wall of her house and collapses on the ground. Fluttershy looked over at the pony and felt that she needed to help her, but then she saw Pop Fly was flying away. Fluttershy needed to follow her brother, so she left the pony to her own as she follows him.
As Fluttershy was flying through Cloudsdale, she lost touch with Pop Fly. She then meets up with him again around the corner and he was interacting with another pony. A yellow pony with dark brown hair and three baseballs as a cutie mark. As Fluttershy spots them, Pop Fly asks, “Don’t you have anything better to do than bothering me, First Base?” And then Fluttershy hides again.
“Where are you going Pop Cry?” First Base asked mischievously. “Gonna go get yourself into trouble again?”
“I’m trying to help my friend have the best party ever, now will you go away?” Pop Fly asked. “I have better things to do than listen to your constant unoriginal name-calling.”
“HA! Like you even have a chance to throw the best party, let alone a good one! You’re going to be suspended, and you’ll never be able to live your dream!” First Base said.
“And you will?” Pop Fly asked.
“Just you wait, Pop Cry! When this is all over, you’re going to be lucky if you get suspension!” First Base said as he laughs and flies away.
“Wow, what a jerk.” Pop Fly said angrily as he stuck his tongue out at him. “Hey, I guess being angry runs in the family.” He chuckles and then he himself flies off.
“Oh… my!” Fluttershy said. “Could that bully be the reason Pop Fly is like this?”
Meanwhile in the air, Pop Fly takes out a slingshot and shoots a rock at First Base’s back, and then he immediately hides. “HEY!” First Base yelled. “I know that was YOU, Pop Cry! You’re such a bully!”
“No!” Fluttershy said in denial. “No, Pop Fly’s NOT a bully! I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for everything!” Just then, there was a very young foal inside of a stroller sucking a lollipop. Pop Fly then takes the lollipop from him and sucks on it himself, and the foal begins to cry. “STEALING CANDY FROM A BABY?!” Fluttershy yelled out in surprise. “Ok, those other things I might believe, but NOT this! I didn’t know it to be true, but… Pop Fly… he’s NOT a nice pony!” Fluttershy really didn’t know what to do. She tries to resist believing it, but all the evidence seems to support against the fact.
After a while of spying, and after Pop Fly buys some favors for the party, Pop Fly returns to the school where Principal Stickers was watching Pinkie set up the party decorations in the classroom. Pinkie was just setting up a banner that says ‘Happy Birthday Zipporwhill!’ on it. Pinkie blows a kiss and says, “Mwah! Perfection!”
“I must say, Miss Pie. I am very impressed on the decoration.” Stickers said.
“Hey I do what I can!” Pinkie said as she slides off the ladder like riding an actual slide. “Anything else I could do to help Mister Stickers?”
“You’ve done your part, but we have to remember – this is Pop Fly’s project.” Stickers said.
“Wait… all of this was a project this whole time?” Pinkie asked.
“Uhh… yeah?” Stickers said.
“AWWWW!” Pinkie whined as she dropped onto the floor. “Projects are so boring! Why? Why? Whyyyyyyyyy?!”
“Why what?” Stickers asked.
“Oh I dunno.” Pinkie shrugged.
“I’m here!” Pop Fly said as he walks inside with shopping bags.
“Yes! That’s definitely NOT boring!” Pinkie said.
“Yep! I bring the fun wherever I go!” Pop Fly said.
“Oh yes, and you do too!” Pinkie said. Stickers and Pop Fly both looked at Pinkie awkwardly, but they decided not to let it get to them and just continue.
“So, I did it! I brought the party favors for the party!” Pop Fly said as he opens the bags to show Pinkie.
Pinkie stuffs her face inside the bags and her voice echoes inside it, “Hmm… stringers, confetti, balloons, goody bags, hats, slide whistles…” Her head slowly rises out of the bag as she wore a party hat and she was playing the slide-whistle as she raised her head out. She then spits out the whistle and said, “Yep! Let the fun commence!”
“I hope there are no tricks in here, Pop Fly.” Stickers said.
“Hey I’m a kid, aren’t I? Tricks are my thing!” Pop Fly said.
“Zipporwhill’s party needs to be perfect, Pop Fly.” Stickers reminded him. “If you want your sticker, you’ll need to show as much kindness and respect to her as possible.”
“Don’t worry, Principal Stickers! All the party favors in here are clean. Just ask my sister Fluttershy, since she’s been following me around all day.” Pop Fly said as he turns around towards the classroom door.
Fluttershy peeks her head inside and she asks, “How long did you notice?”
“I saw you back at the Cloudmite house cuddling onto the Cloudmite. FYI - you’re not a very quiet cuddler, sis.” Pop Fly said with a snarky smile.
Fluttershy blushes in embarrassment and squeed.“I guess you’d want to know why I’ve been following you.” She assumed.
“I’m not dumb, Flutters.” Pop Fly said. “I knew there would be a time you wouldn’t trust me.”
“What?!” Fluttershy asked surprisingly. “No, no… it’s not that I don’t trust you. I trust you completely! I trust you more than anypony in the world!”
“HEEEEY!” Pinkie complained.
“So why are you spying on me then?” Pop Fly asked.
“To prove to everypony you’re a good pony!” Fluttershy said.
“And what sort of proof do you have so far, Miss Fluttershy?” Stickers asked.
Fluttershy froze, not knowing how to answer that question. “Well… umm… I haven’t really…”
Stickers takes off his glasses and shakes his head. “Miss Fluttershy, I will not deny your logic. You’re his family, so I understand you want the best for him. However, you don’t seem to understand the gravity of the sitatuon. Your brother hasn’t done any good at all.”
“But I’m sure with time and patience, he’ll be able to-“ Fluttershy said before she gets cut off.
“No, he’s right, Fluttershy.” Pop Fly said.
“What?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m never going to change.” Pop Fly said. “Nor do I want to. I am who I am, and nopony can stop me! Not even Principal Stickers can change me! I don’t need this school to live my dream! I don’t need anypony!” Pop Fly begins to angrily march out of the classroom. “All I need right now is ice cream! Ice cream is my true friend!”
“That is unless you eat too much of it.” Pinkie informed him.
Pop Fly stood there in shock, making one of those silly faces that you’ve all loved in season 5, and then he shook his head and said, “Like I even care! I’m better off without school! You all just wait! Cause I’m quitting school!” Fluttershy then gasped before Pop Fly ran away.
After a while went by, Fluttershy returns to her old home to check up on Pop Fly. Pop Fly was in his room sling-shotting rocks towards glass bottles. “Yes!” he said excitedly as he breaks one. Just then, Fluttershy knocks on the door and opens it half way, peeking her head in.
“Umm… Pop Fly?” Fluttershy asked.
“Did I say ‘come in’?” Pop Fly asked.
“Umm… mind if I come in?” Fluttershy asked.
“Hang on.” Pop Fly said as he sling shots a fly off the wall. “Bullseye! Alright you can come-“
“AAH!” Fluttershy screamed as she flew inside and tended to the wounded fly. “Are you ok, little friend?”
“Fluttershy, relax. It’s just a bug.” Pop Fly said.
“Just a bug?!” Fluttershy asked in an insulted tone. “Just a bug?! It’s a living creature! They deserve as much respect as everypony else!”
Pop Fly sighs and says with an attitude, “You’re right, ‘I’m sorry’, Fluttershy.”
“It’s ok. It was probably just an accidental shot.” Fluttershy assumed.
“If you say so.” Pop Fly said. “What do you need, sissy?”
“Look, Pop Fly, I really want to prove everypony that you’re a good pony.” Fluttershy said.
“You don’t need to prove anything, Fluttershy.” Pop Fly said. “I know the choices I make. Nopony just seems to accept the fact that I don’t want to take things seriously all the time. That school is just boring! It’s all, ‘friendship’ this, ‘share’ that, ‘please and thank you’. One time I said ‘my teacher’s a vampire’, but then everypony says ‘it’s makeup’, same goes with calling her a clown for wearing too much make-up. Nopony seems to know what a joke is.”
“But there are times to be serious. You can’t be joking all the time.” Fluttershy informed him.
“I know, but… everypony is serious ALL THE TIME.” Pop Fly said. “I do pranks to kick things up a notch.”
“He’s right, Fluttershy.” Pinkie said as she falls from the ceiling, startling them both. “There are times to be serious, and a time to be funny! All Pop Fly here needs to learn is the times to be funny, and the times to be serious!”
“Well… can you give me an example?” Pop Fly asked.
“Well…” Pinkie starts. “You must be serious when other ponies are trying to be serious, but every other time…” Pinkie then takes out her party cannon and shoots confetti everywhere. “FUN, FUN, FUN! Are you getting me, Pop Fly?”
“As a matter of fact I do, Pinkie Pie!” Pop Fly said. “If only Principal Stickers would see that. If he could, then everypony else would. The only reason ponies try to be serious non-stop is because of that nosy principal who has no sense of humor.”
“I knooooow! Everypony needs a sense of humor!” Pinkie said. “If they don’t, they’ll just be sad all the time, and nopony wants that!”
“Well Principal Stickers seems to be upset all the time.” Pop Fly said. “He tries his best to run a bully-free community, but he seems to think I’m a bully when I’m mostly performing harmless pranks… most of the time.”
“Hmm.” Pinkie thinks.
“What? What is it?” Pop Fly asked.
“Well I did think of an idea that might help you throw a successful party as well as get Principal Stickers off your back.” Pinkie said.
“Well?” Pop Fly asked.
“But I lost my train of thought because I started thinking of trains.” Pinkie said.
“What?” Pop Fly asked curiously.
“Choo-choo! My train of thought is back!” Pinkie said excitedly. “Alright, here’s what we’re going to do…”
The next day came, and Fluttershy and Pinkie both went with Pop Fly to school to check up on the party that was about to be thrown. The teacher was just about to announce it right after she was done teaching. “…and that is why the wing needs its feathers. Without the feathers, a pegasus cannot fly. So save as many feathers as you can, class.” The teacher said. “Now, that completes our lecture for the day. I have a treat for everypony for the rest of the day. I’m sure you can guess why this classroom is decorated.”
“WOO! Surprise party! Surprise party!” Zipporwhill cried out in excitement. The entire class cheered right after.
“Well, it’s not really a surprise party unless you were surprised, but, why not?” Pinkie said. “SURPRISE PARTY!”
“Cake! Balloons! Streamers!” Zipporwhill said excitedly as she flew around the room admiring the decorations. “I hope everypony brought me presents!” Every student in the classroom brought out presents, even Pop Fly did.
“I bet there’s a pie prank or something in there, Pop Cry!” First Base presumed.
“I don’t do the same pranks twice unless I find it still funny, Strike-Out.” Pop Fly informed him.
“My name is First Base!” First Base reminded him.
“Yeah I know, and I’m calling you Strike-Out.” Pop Fly smirked at him.
“Grrr!” First Base growled at him.
“Boys, please.” The teacher stopped them. “Now then, it is your birthday, Zipporwhill!”
“It’s my birthday, and I’ll party if I want to!” Zipporwhill said excitedly. “I mean you’d party too if it happened to you, am I right, Miss Twirls?”
“You sure are!” the teacher, Miss Twirls said. “And you have Pinkie Pie here to thank for the decorations!”
“Yay! Thank you, Pinkie Pie!” Zipporwhill said excitedly.
“Aww, it wasn’t JUST me! Pop Fly here helped!” Pinkie said.
“You deserved it, Zeph!” Pop Fly said. Just then, everypony began to step away from the decorations.
“Oh… umm… great!” Zipporwhill said awkwardly. “Yeah… thank you… Pop Fly.”
“What?” Pop Fly asked.
“Oh, she’s just savoring the moment, Pop Fly!” Pinkie said. “I know deep down she’s really excited! Aren’t you?”
“Yeah… sure.” Zipporwhill said. “So… let’s get this party started then?”
“Let’s get this party started then!” Pinkie said excitedly.
So everypony began to party, even though they hesitated. They avoided the balloons, when Pinkie blew a streamer everypony got to cover, one of the ponies even hesitated to pin the tail on the pony and just kept the blind fold up. Even when the teacher cut the cake and gave one to a pony, he just offered to give it away to the other ponies, but they refused.
“What?” Pinkie asked. “What’s going on? Nopony’s having fun! Fluttershy?” Fluttershy didn’t know either. She just looked around and then she saw Pop Fly sitting on the corner upsettingly.
“Aw man!” Pop Fly complained.
“Pop Fly… I’m so sorry.” Fluttershy said as she comforted him.
“It’s not fair!” Pop Fly said angrily. “I’ve been so much fun to ponies! Try to make them laugh all the time! I’m not perfect, but I’m not boring either. I didn’t even sabotage anything here, and everypony is acting so scared!”
“Perhaps after all of your pranking, they don’t seem to trust you.” Fluttershy said.
“Serves them right.” Pop Fly said upsettingly. “Let’s just face it, Flutters. I’m never going to be a good pony. Principal Stickers might as well suspend me right now.
Fluttershy felt she needed to do something, but she really didn’t know what to do. That was when Pinkie stepped in. “Have you tried apologizing?” she asked.
“They’re not going to accept it.” Pop Fly said.
“Not unless you try.” Pinkie said. “Like Nana Pie always said – don’t knock it till you tried it! That’s how she got me to like lima beans! Yum!”
Pop Fly thought over what Pinkie said, and he nods in agreement. He knew what he had to do, so he stood up and walked over to Zipporwhill who was hesitating to eat the cake. Pop Fly takes a slice of it too and then he says, “It’s really good cake, Zeph! You dunno what you’re missing.”
“Right… I’m not.” Zipporwhill said awkwardly.
Pop Fly picks up his fork, and takes a piece of his slice and puts it in his mouth. “Mmm!” he said. “It’s delicious! C’mon, Zeph! Try it! It’s really good! Pinkie and I made it special just for you!”
“Really?” Zipporwhill asked with a smile. Pop Fly nodded.
“Please, Zeph.” Pop Fly begged. “It’s no trick, I promise.” Zipporwhill looked down at the cake, and she picks up a piece with her fork and slowly raises it towards her mouth. She slowly chews it and swallows, and afterwards she gasps. The whole class gasps along and then they glare at Pop Fly.
“WHAT?!” Pop Fly yelled.
“THIS IS THE BEST CAKE I’VE EVER HAD!” Zipporwhill said excitedly. The students all looked at eachother confusingly. “TRY IT!” she suggested. Another student took a bite of the cake, and then he smiled. Everypony else ate the cake too, and everypony seemed to like it.
“This is delicious, Pop Fly!” one of the students said. “Made it yourself?”
“Nope! Made it with Pinkie Pie, and got the confidence from my big sis!” Pop Fly said as he smiled at Fluttershy, and she smiled back.
“Big deal!” First Base said. “You’re just getting the other ponies to trust you before your ultimate prank!”
Pop Fly saw somepony avoiding the balloons, so he decided to help her out. “You think those balloons are going to pop?” he asked.
“I have the feeling something’s going to happen.” The filly said.
“Well the old me would’ve used my sling-shot to pop those balloons right in front of pony’s faces.” Pop Fly said. “But I’m a new Pop Fly now! I’m going to slow down on the pranks. Also, the principal wouldn’t allow me to take my sling-shot to school. That’s how I got suspended the first time. So go ahead! The balloons won’t bite. I mean, they don’t have mouths after all.” The filly began to giggle as his remark.
“That’s funny!” she said.
“That’s funny?” Pop Fly asked. “Wait… what I said was funny?”
“Exactly!” Pinkie said excitedly as she was bouncing one of those space hopper balls. “It’s ok to be funny! You just need to know what makes ponies laugh! Yippie!” Pinkie cheered as she bounced away.
“HEY! That’s mine!” one of the students yelled at Pinkie.
Pop Fly smiled real big and said, “So that’s all I need to do to make ponies laugh? Tell them obvious remarks or ridiculous puns? Say, that’s much easier than setting up pranks!”
So during the party, everypony decided to have fun, and trust Pop Fly’s decorating. During the party Pop Fly tells the ponies jokes and he was successfully able to make them laugh. “Wow, Pop Fly!” one of the students said. “I had no idea how hilarious you are!”
“Yeah I thought you were all pranks?” another student said.
“I thought I was too.” Pop Fly said. “All I want to prove is that I can be funny. I’m not trying to hurt anypony.”
“Maybe we should be funny too at times, not be so serious all the time!” one of the students suggested.
“Yeah! Even though there are times to be serious, sometimes not being serious can bring a smile on a pony’s face. Only in the right time though.” Another student said.
“Like during when the teacher is teaching science, right?” another student teased, and then everypony started to laugh.
“Funny, funny, funny!” Zipporwhill said excitedly as she looked over and saw First Base over by the presents. “First Base! What’s going on? You’re missing the jokes!”
“Just leaving my present here on the table.” First Base said.
“That is a good idea, First Base!” Miss Twirls said. “Perhaps it’s time for Zipporwhill to receive her gifts!” Everypony cheered in excitement.
“Yay! Presents!” Zipporwhill yelled out in excitement.
“I suggest starting with Pop Fly.” First Base suggested. “After all, he helped with the decorations.”
“Good idea, First Base!” Zipporwhill said. “It was super-duper nice of him to throw this party for me! He’s a good friend!” Pop Fly smiled at her remark.
First Base gives Zipporwhill the first gift that was from Pop Fly. She excitedly unwrapped it. There was a box, and she quickly opened it. “What is it, Zeph?” one of the students asked.
Zipporwhill started to laugh as she took the surprise out of the present. “It’s another present within the present!” Zipporwhill said. The other students laughed.
“Ok, ok! I admit it. I couldn’t resist a tiny little harmless prank.” Pop Fly admitted.
“It’s ok! It makes me even more excited to what’s in here!” Zipporwhill said as she opens the other present and opens the box. “Oh lookie here! Another present is inside!” The students laughed again.
“Well you didn’t think I was going to stop there, did you?” Pop Fly asked.
“Lemme guess, is another present going to be in here?” Zipporwhill asked.
“Nope! This is the real thing, Zeph!” Pop Fly said. “You’re going to be shockingly surprised!”
“Yes she will!” First Base agreed.
“Wait… what?” Pop Fly asked. Zipporwhill was about to open the final present, and Pop Fly was feeling pretty suspicious. “Umm, Zeph? You think you can open the present the OTHER way?”
“Sure!” Zipporwhill said as she turns the present around facing the other direction and then she opens it up. She then opens the box, and just like that, a vanilla cream pie on a spring pops out, but it faces the other direction, completely opposite of Zipporwhill. Everypony in the room got startled, even Fluttershy and Pinkie.
“WHOA!” Zipporwhill said in surprise. “I sure dodged that!”
“That looks like vanilla cream pie.” First Base said. “Zeph? Aren’t you allergic to bananas?”
“I… am.” Zipporwhill admitted. “But… Pop Fly knows that! Do you?”
“I swear! I did!” Pop Fly said. “I would never give you something you’re allergic to intentionally. I learned my lesson already.”
“Well… Pop Fly… I am very disappointed in you.” Miss Twirls said upsettingly.
“But I didn’t do it!” Pop Fly said.
“It’s true, Miss Twirls!” Fluttershy said. “I saw him wrap that present, and there was no pie in there!”
“LIAR!” one of the students yelled. “Pop Fly is a menace! I knew there was something off about this party!”
“All the nerve! We were about to trust him!” First Base said.
“Wha…. NO! Please, Miss Twirls!” Pop Fly begged.
“Pop Fly… please escort yourself to the principal’s office.” Miss Twirls instructed him.
“There’s no need for that.” Principal Stickers said as he opens the classroom door and walks inside. “I saw the whole thing, and to think this colt would ever change!”
“I DIDN’T DO IT!” Pop Fly yelled. “It’s not what it looks like!”
“Yeah, wish I had a bit every time I heard THAT phrase.” Pinkie said.
“See what I’m telling you kids?” Principal Stickers asked the class. “Humor is wrong! You must always take things seriously; otherwise your life will be a living nightmare! That’s how bullies start!”
“Principal Stickers… Pop Fly is a good pony! You have to believe me!” Fluttershy begged.
“No I will not.” Principal Stickers said. “Because of this, your brother will be suspended for the rest of the year, and will be held back for this.” Pop Fly, Fluttershy, and Pinkie all gasped in shock, and as Pinkie was gasping, she blows up a balloon and makes a balloon animal out of it.
“Fluttershy, can you please take me home?” Pop Fly asked upsettingly.
“Of course I will.” Fluttershy said.
“I’m sorry, Fluttershy.” Pop Fly said. “I guess… I guess it proves I’ll never be a good pony.”
“No… I have failed you… as a sister.” Fluttershy said as her eyes began to water. “I wanted to prove to everypony that you ARE a good pony. Despite the bad things you’ve done, you’ve… you’ve… you’ve done good things.” Fluttershy cuddles against Pop Fly and begins to sob on his shoulder.
Pop Fly hugs her back and says, “No… you’re a great sister. You were the only one that always had faith in me. It’s… it’s all I ever wanted. Somepony to trust me. But I guess… after all the bad things I’ve done… I guess I deserve it. Nopony will ever trust me.” Pinkie walks over to Fluttershy and Pop Fly and hugs them both, feeling bad for them.
“That’s not true.” Zipporwhill said. Everypony confusingly looked over at her.
“What do you mean, Zeph?” Pop Fly asked.
“I trust you.” Zipporwhill smiled.
“Why? Why should you?” Pop Fly asked.
“Because... you seemed to be suspicious over the fact there was a pie inside.” Zipporwhill said. “You knew it was going to happen.”
“Of course I do.” Pop Fly said. “I’m the master of pranks. There is no prank that I would not see coming.”
“What sort of pony that would plant a prank like that and then decide to abort it?” Zipporwhill asked. “Pop Fly here KNEW that if I turned the present around, it would completely miss my face. If I knew Pop Fly for so long, I’d know that be never wastes a prank he made.”
“That’s true.” One of the students said. “He never changes his mind.”
“Could be a coincidence.” First Base said.
“It is no coincidence.” Pop Fly said as he takes one of the presents off of the gift pile that matched his wrapping paper. He then reads the tag, “To: Zipporwhill. From: First Base.” He then begins to open the present.
“Pop Fly! What’s the meaning of this?!” Principal Stickers yelled.
“Let him finish.” Miss Twirls stopped the principal. Pop Fly opens the present, and then the present inside the present, and then the third present inside the present, and he brings the present to Zipporwhill. Zipporwhill opens the present, and then her eyes grow as she gasps in amazement.
“It’s a tiara!” Zipporwhill said excitedly as she immediately places it on her head.
“You look beautiful!” Pop Fly said.
“OF COURSE I AM, I’M A PRINCESS AND THIS IS MY TIARA!” Zipporwhill cried in excitement as she immediately hugs Pop Fly.
“HEY!” First Base complained. “That was MY gift!”
“No it wasn’t.” Fluttershy corrected him. “I saw Pop Fly buy that tiara.”
“With his mom’s credit card.” Pinkie added. Fluttershy and Pop Fly both glared at Pinkie. “What?! It’s true!”
“And I saw Pop Fly wrap the present.” Fluttershy said. “I also know for a FACT that he did not sabotaged it.”
“Yes, it was First Base!” Zipporwhill said.
“Prove it!” First Base dared her. Zipporwhill pulls up on his mane and shows a piece of banana cream pie on his forehead. “Oh… right.”
“Well then…” Principal Stickers said. “That changes everything. It would seem Pop Fly here was innocent all along. First Base, go to my office!”
“Ugh!” First Base groaned as he began to march out of the classroom. “This is not over Pop Cry! I wanna be just like my big bro one day! Hoops was the best bully ever, and I wish to walk in his hoofsteps!”
“GO!” Principal Stickers ordered him. First Base does what he’s told and walks out. Stickers walks over to Pop Fly and says, “Pop Fly… I guess I owe you an apology. I know you’ve done a lot of bad pranks in the past, but I guess… not all of them are your fault. You did a good deed for Zipporwhill by throwing her this party, and by giving her a great gift as well, I won’t just reward you not one sticker, but THREE for your folder.”
“WOW!” Pop Fly said excitedly. “My first stickers! And it only took five school years to finally get them!”
“Hey, why are we just standing around for?” Pinkie asked. “The party hasn’t finished yet!”
So the students continued to party until the school day finally ended. Zipporwhill thanked everypony for coming before everypony left. When Pop Fly meets up with Fluttershy and Pinkie back outside, Fluttershy excitedly hugs him and says, “I’m so proud of you, baby brother!”
“I wouldn’ve done it without you, big sis!” Pop Fly said. “I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too!” Fluttershy said.
“You really saved my reputation.” Pop Fly said as he also looks at Pinkie. “Both of you! I’m really thankful for it!”
“It’s what we do!” Pinkie said. “I mean we wouldn’ve known about this if the friendship map didn’t summon us! Which reminds me…” After she says that, both Pinkie’s and Fluttershy’s cutie marks began to vibrate again, reminding them that they succeeded.
“So I guess this means you’re leaving now, huh?” Pop Fly asked. “I won’t be seeing you for a while.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way.” Fluttershy said. “You are welcomed to come down to my cottage any time you want! I’ll even come by from time to time to check up on things. I really neglected my family, and I should really be there for them more.”
“I need you as much as you need me, Fluttershy.” Pop Fly said as he gives one final hug to Fluttershy and Pinkie. “Well… see ya!” Pop Fly then flies off to meet up with the rest of his classmates.
“Another successful mission!” Pinkie said.
“It sure was.” Fluttershy said. “Thank you for being here to help out, Pinkie. I dunno what I would’ve done if you didn’t suggest that party, or helped Pop Fly gain the confidence he needed to prove he is a good pony.”
“Are you kidding?!” Pinkie asked excitedly. “I love making ponies laugh, but not as much as I love making them smile by helping them out! And not only that, I got to do both! I helped Principal Stickers find his funny bone again!” Over by the school, Principal Stickers was telling jokes to the other teachers, and they were all laughing. “But I wouldn’ve done it without you either, Fluttershy! Your family is really fun!”
“They sure are!” Fluttershy agreed.
“Hey, I’ve always wondered something.” Pinkie said. “And no not ALWAYS like the day I was born, but all day I’ve been wondering… what is Pop Fly’s dream?”
“He’s always wanted to be just like our dad – in the EUP Royal Guard.” Fluttershy said.
“I knew it!” Pinkie said excitedly.
“Really?” Fluttershy asked.
“I dunno.” Pinkie shrugged. “Hey, Fluttershy, did you know there was a sign on your back that says ‘kick me’?”
“Yea- wait, what?” Fluttershy asked as she reaches behind her back and sees the piece of paper, Pinkie does the same thing and found another paper behind her back as well.
“POP FLY!” Fluttershy and Pinkie both yelled. Pop Fly overhears them, and then he mischievously chuckles.
“Like I said, nopony can ever change me!” Pop Fly said.