On a chilly afternoon in mid-February, five ponies and a small dragon discuss the day’s events. A sixth pony rushes in, excited as usual.
“HE’S COMING TO CANTERLOT! HE’S COMING TO CANTERLOT!” Pinkie’s friends have long gotten used to her barreling into the Map Room in the Castle of Friendship, so none bat an eyelash at her sudden entrance.
“That’s wonderful news,” Fluttershy responds. “Um … who’s coming to Canterlot?”
“Only the greatest, funniest chef in all of Equestria! Almond Brownie!”
“The Almond Brownie?” Twilight’s query spurs more looks of surprise.
“You’ve heard of this guy?”
“He’s a legend, Applejack. He wrote the book ‘Good Oats’, and turned it into a traveling show. It looks like he’s making an appearance in our area. Maybe Princess Celestia can get us tickets.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Rainbow Dash states while yawning. “It’s a cooking show. That’s, like, 10 percent of a typical day’s awesome, if that. The rest of you enjoy this ‘Cashew’ guy.”
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss Almond, Rainbow. He’s got an incredible wit to match his culinary expertise—“ Twilight’s retort is interrupted by Spike’s belching out a letter from Canterlot. “Hey now, I wonder what this is about.”
Twilight silently reads through the letter as her friends look on. “Oh my goodness,” she finally utters. “This is incredible! Spike, can you send a response?”
“You know I can,” Spike answers, parchment and quill already in hand.
“That’s my Spike! OK, take this down: ‘Dear Princess Celestia: My friends would be honored to accommodate Almond Brownie’s wishes; we shall arrive in Canterlot by tomorrow evening. Forever your faithful student, Princess Twilight.’ ”
Spike finishes writing the response and sends it on its way back to Canterlot. The other ponies stare at Twilight in puzzlement.
Applejack is the first to break the silence: “Mind tellin’ us what you just signed off on ‘your friends’ to do?”
Twilight blushes. “Oh my, I’m so sorry, I just got caught up in the whole thing … but I promise, you’re all going to love this!”
“Whatever are you talking about?” Rarity asks.
Before Twilight can respond, Rainbow Dash flies up behind Twilight and snatches Celestia’s letter from its levitation-induced holding pattern. She then reads the message aloud: “My dear Princess Twilight: as you may have recently heard, legendary chef Almond Brownie is visiting Canterlot for the week. He is seeking out four competitors for a new cooking competition, and asked me for names of interested ponies; I immediately thought of your friends. If they are interested in participating, and possibly winning some extra bits along the way, please respond at your earliest convenience. I hope to see you all soon. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”
Reactions among the other ponies run the gamut: Pinkie starts screaming in excitement while cartwheeling all around the room, while Fluttershy cowers in place, trembling in fear. Rarity is the first to voice her thoughts.
“Wait a minute. Did you just sign all of us up for a cooking competition without even asking if we were interested?”
“That really ain’t right, Twi,” Applejack echoes.
“Oh come on, you gloomy Gusses,” Pinkie counters. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime! A chance to cook for the great Almond Brownie? This is gonna be the most INCREDIBLE COOKING EXPERIENCE EVER!!!”
“I don’t know,” Fluttershy meekly responds. “Competition? As in, winners and losers? I’d hate to see anypony’s feelings get hurt over something as trivial as a cook-off.”
Rarity snorts derisively; the others turn to her in surprise.
“What in the hay was that for?”
“Oh Applejack, I just think some ponies have a greater thirst for competition than they let on …” Rarity turns to Fluttershy. “… or have you forgotten our game of Catan last month?”
“What? But … that was just a game among friends.”
“Well apparently, this is destined to be the same. And the more I think about it, the more I think that I can win any sort of cuisine competition between us.”
“Now hang on there, missy. You may be the reigning queen of fashion in Ponyville, but I reckon my down-home cooking is the best around. I just don’t feel the need to brag about it to everypony.”
Rarity turns back to Applejack with a sneer-smile. “Really. You think your simple vittles would stand a chance in a cooking competition against one who is well-versed in all things high-class?”
Applejack sneer-smiles Rarity back. “I don’t think so; I know so.”
“Hold on, everypony, hold on,” Pinkie insists. “… you guys played Shetlands of Catan last month and I wasn’t invited?”
“Well you and Applejack were out of town, dear. And the weather that night was absolutely dreadful; it was simply a way to occupy our time.”
“Maybe, Rarity. Maybe … or maybe, you were all afraid that ‘crazy’ Pinkie Pie would make you all look silly! Well you’re not gonna be able to keep me out of this battle!”
“Pinkie Pie, dear, this is a competition that encompasses all types of cuisine. Just because you might be a local cake boss doesn’t mean you can handle formal appetizers or main courses.”
“Excuse me? You think ‘party planning’ is only about desserts? I’ll match you course-for-course; just you wait.”
“Just you wait, Pinkie Pie. I’m takin’ that title!”
Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie all stare each other down, while Twilight rereads Celestia’s original message. “Well, looks like we got three interested parties … but according to this, we need one more.”
“No problem,” Rainbow affirms. “If it’s a competition, then count me in.”
“Um, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asks, turning to her pegasus counterpart. “Do you even know how to cook?”
“What? Of course I do. I mean, I don’t spend as much time in the kitchen as the rest of you, but I’m sure I can hold my own.”
“Well, I’m only asking because, you know, I’m a pretty good cook myself, so …”
Rainbow Dash grins broadly. “Oh! I see! Miss ‘no hurt feelings’ wants in on this after all. Rarity is right: you do have a taste for competition.”
Fluttershy shakes her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I’m just trying to step a little more out of my comfort zone, and I think facing off against friends, rather than total strangers, is a good way to proceed.”
The others all nod in agreement. “Well I, for one, look forward to cooking against you.”
“As do I, Fluttershy dear.”
“Me three!”
“Thank you all for your support. You know, I’m really looking forward to this now. Well, I guess we all need to prepare for the morning train to Canterlot. May the best pony win.”
“I fully intend to, Fluttershy.”
“In your dreams, Rarity.”
“In both your dreams, Applejack.”
Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie continue to argue the point as they all head out of the room; Fluttershy silently follows them out the door.
“Don’t feel that you have to come, Rainbow Dash. I know you’re not a big fan of cooking and such.”
“Are you kidding? A chance to see those four go head-to-head? I wouldn’t miss this for the world! I just hope I have enough popcorn to last the competition.”