Fighting Spirit - Part 3

>The tingling of the bell hanging over the door of Sugarcube Corner has become music to your ears over the past few months.
>The smell of fresh bakery in the morning, the idle chatter ponies enjoying a sugary breakfast, and the clatter of dishes in the kitchen.
>Yeah, Sugarcube Corner was the dopest fuckin’ joint in town for a kickass breakfast.
>Heh, it feels weird saying things like that now. These ponies and their G-Rated language are starting to rub off on you.
>As is the general friendliness of everything. You weren’t quite a shining example of The Element of Being The Nicest Person Ever, but you’ve opened up and made some new friends in the past couple months.
>You blame Pinkie Pie for this. Word got around that you didn’t really consider anyp0ny friends around here.
>Haha… She changed that very quickly.
>She said you’d get free breakfast if you ever came to Sugarcube Corner in the mornings, but ONLY if you became her friend.
>Aww yeah, free food. Of course you accepted. No regrets. None.
>Pinkie was hardly tolerable at first, but she grew on you. The amount of love this pony holds for making others smile and feel good is almost criminal.
>She always has a story to tell, it seems. Today shouldn’t be any different.
>You approach the unmanned counter and give the bell on it a ring.
>A pink blur covered in flour darts out of the kitchen and greets you with a huge grin.
“Mornin’, Pinks!”
>”Hi! Here for your FREEEEEEEEEEE pancakes?”
“Unless you’re offering free waffles?”
>She boops you on the nose.
>”You’re pushing it!”

>You and Pinkie sit at a table somewhere in the middle of the store, shoveling pancakes into your mouths.
>How Pinkie can do 3 at once is beyond your comprehension.
>Pinkie Pie is just Pinkie Pie, you guess.
>”’Ey Ahnuhn?”
“Swallow your food, Pinkie.”
>After a large gulp, she tries addressing you again.
>”Hey Anon?”
>Ha! Now you have food in your mouth! Maybe this could be a fun game where you each try to talk to each other while the other’s mouth is full.
>Nope. She’s patiently waiting for you to finish.
>Uuuugh. The fun loving, fun killing pony.
>You swallow your food.
“What’s up?”
>She looks concerned about something. Whenever Pinkie or any other pony has that look they ALWAYS ask about Rainb-
>”Have you made up with Dashie, yet?”
>You drop your fork and every pony in the building glances over as it clatters loudly against your plate.
“This again?”
>You keep your voice level low. The topic is frustrating but it’s such a common one. It’s gone from a bitter pill to a mosquito bite of annoyance. Cool analogies, right?
>And you’re not too keen on drawing unwanted attention to yourself.
>”Yes! I know Dashie is trying to get over you, and I think she has… But… She isn’t very good with rejection. From what she told us, it was a really big rejection.”
“It was, but… Ugh, you KNOW how hard she was crushing on me.”
>”So you couldn’t have been just a little nicer to her?”
>Damn… Every guilt trip hurts a little more.
>Rarity REALLY laid into you a few weeks ago and Scootaloo straight-out told you she hates your guts. That broke down a few walls…

>You stare blankly at the pancakes for a minute. Dang, they look good.
>”Anon?”
>You internally groan like a little girl.
“Fine. I’ll do it sometime today. She’s probably working the entire day though. Keepin’ clouds out of the sky and what not.”
>You reach for your drink.
>You don’t have a drink.
>You’d really like a drink right now.
>You look back up at Pinkie Pie.
>Oh man, that’s a huge grin.
“Um-“
>”I’llgogetherrightnow!”
“What? Uh… Wait, NO PINKIE WAIT!”
>She’s already cartwheeling out the door.
>And she already told everyone in Sugarcube Corner.
>Why is everyone suddenly congratulating you and patting you on the back?
>Why is everyone making such a big deal out of this?
>Was it such a big deal? Does no one ever say ‘no’ around here?
>Man, whatever.
>You leave the few remaining pancakes for the ponies that tired themselves out by patting you on the back and exit Sugarcube Corner.
>The cold winter air bites at your exposed flesh. You miss the Autumn season.
>To your relief, the entire town doesn’t approach you and do the same thing.
>But they sure look friendlier.
>Lyra’s wave was much more enthusiastic.
>Cheerilee actually returned your half-lidded stare for the first time. (You like the teacher mare, so what? There’s nothing wrong with that! You like magenta! You two are soul mates probably! She was most likely a human in a previous life!)
>And… And even Rarity approached you with a smile.
>”Anonymous! How wonderful to see you!”

“Uh… Hi… Rarity.”
>”Tsk, you’re nearly as quiet as Fluttershy. Is something wrong?”
“Wellll…” You rub your neck. “The last time we talked-“
>She waves a hoof at you.
>”Oh, that? Think nothing of it. What’s in the past is in the past!” She titters lightly. “So what made you reconsider?”
“Reconsider what?”
>”About how you felt abou-“
>”ANON!”
>UGH! THAT PINK MARE’S SHRILL VOICE IS LIKE SANDPAPER TO YOUR EARDRUMS SOMETIMES.
>You look to the source of the voice.
>Which is up.
>Five minutes.
>Five minutes ago, you were talking to Pinkie in Sugarcube Corner.
>Now she’s descending from the sky in a large pink hot air balloon with Twilight, Fluttershy, and Scootaloo.
>This is… This is too much Pinkie Pie.
>”Dashie doesn’t have cloud duty today! She’s at her house RIGHT NOW!”
“… So maybe she should enjoy her day off instead of having me burst in and bring up bad memories?”
>Everyone looks at you like you’re an idiot.
“Ugh, fine.”
>The moment the balloon touches the ground you climb in.
>”You wanna come too Rarity?!”
>”I wouldn’t dream of missing it!”
>Rarity squeezes in, making it a tight fit.
>”Everyp0ny ready!” Pinkie yells enthusiastically.
>Everyone but you screams, “YEAH!”
>She ignites the flame under the canvas balloon and it begins to rise towards Dash’s cloudhouse thing.
>Everyone is quiet for a while.
>Then Pinkie starts humming a tune. Typical Pinkie, no surprise there.
>… Then Twilight joins in, followed by Fluttershy, Scootaloo, and even Rarity.
>This is getting creepy.

>Dash’s house comes into view.
>And you’re met with a horrific sight.
>More hot air balloons. So many. You also see tiny specks floating about her house. Probably Pegasi.
“Girls, why are there so many ponies at Dash’s house?”
>They just start humming louder.
>You’ve heard this tune before. Hmm Hmm Hmm H- Oh my god you hear the ponies floating around Dash’s house humming it too. Or… Something.
>You recognize several ponies as you get close. The Apple Family. Lyra and Bon Bon. Time Turner and Ditzy. Cheerilee has a balloon with your face plastered on it. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are in it as well, for some reason.
>And many, many others.
>10 minutes ago you saw most of these ponies on the streets.
>What the fuck?
>Pinkie, seriously. What. The. Fuck.
>The basket bumps against the cloud a moment later.
>Twilight taps you on the shoulder.
>”I’ll be giving you the coudwalking spell. Just don’t stay inside for too long.” She winks at you.
>You don’t know what she’s talking about, but those implications are a little frightening.
>A flash of purple aura envelops you and disappears as quickly as it came.
>”There! You should be fine, now!”
“Thanks, but uh… Why is EVERYONE here?”
>She just starts humming again.
>And it just keeps getting louder. Seriously, you know you’ve heard this song before…

>You exit the basket to escape the wretched humming.
>Whoa, standing on a cloud is weird. It’s like memory foam that doesn’t shift back to its original shape.
>You struggle to keep your balance at first, but you get feeling of it on the third step.
>Waddling over the front door, the humming only gets more violent. You’re considering just jumping off the cloud.
>But you opt against it. Living is pretty cool.
>You reach the door made of clouds.
>Cloud door. Super safe…
>You give it a knock.
>Your hands just goes halfway through.
>… You don’t know what to do. You didn’t have a Plan B. No one has a Plan B for knocking on doors.
>Looking back at all the ponies, you just give a half-hearted shrug.
>Pinkie rolls her eyes.
>”HEY RAINBOW DAAAAAASH!”
>One of Rainbow’s cloud windows shatters. Pinkie physics. Right.
>You hear the unlatching of Rainbow’s door. Guess it worked.
>As the door swings open, the humming of ponies bursts into singing.
>”SHA LA LA LA LA KISS THE GIRL”
>… You knew putting classic Disney songs on your MP3 player would bite you in the ass one day. You’re going to have to hit someone for stealing it. Even if it’s Pinkie. ESPECIALLY if it’s Spike.
>You’re sure Dash is just as annoyed, but it’s a good thing Dash isn’t here.
>Because you’re staring at a very startled Gtiffon.
>Hey! You remember this Griffon!
“Uhh… Hey, Gilda.”
>”…”
>She just looks behind you.
>”… What… Uh…”
>”Great?! What did you do to make all that noise?” You hear Dash’s voice from inside.

>Rainbow Dash appears next to Gilda, wearing a scornful expression.
>The crowd scrambles to try and recreate the tune they busted out a few seconds ago, but it comes out off-sync and sloppy.
“… Sorry about… All that.”
>”Yeah!” Dash points an accusing hoof at you, “What is all this? I—Hold on.” She glares at Gilda.
>The griffon lets out an annoyed grunt.
>”Whatever, Dash. Talk to me when you’re done being a brat.”
>Gilda pushes past Dash, giving you a small nod as she walks by, and flies off in some direction.
>With that distraction out of the way, the ponies lean in to hear what you have to say.
“So-“
>”And what are you doing up here? What is all this?”
>She gestures to all the ponies.
>They look at each other, confused at this reaction. Because ponies gathering in hot air balloons like this is normal, right?
“Ignore them. I’m here to tell you,”
>You hear the creaking of a thousand baskets as ponies lean forward.
“That I’m sorry about how I acted that one night in Fillydelphia… It was a little uncalled for.”
>She stares at you suspiciously.
>”… Is that all?”

>Well that was unexpected.
“Eeyup, that covers just about everything!”
>”Dude, whatever. I got over that ages ago.”
“Well! … Alrighty then… We cool?”
>She shrugs.
>”Can you get all these ponies away from my house? It’s getting a little weird.”
“Sure. I’ll catch you later, then?”
>She shrugs again and closes the door without another word.
>You cross your arms and give that door a sassy look.
>Everyone is out here and she just waved them off.
>Uncool, Dash.
>You turn around and walk back to the balloon you arrived in as ponies silently watched you.
>Pinkie opens her mouth to talk, but you put a finger to her lips.
“Take me down. Please.”
>You remove your finger and she nods silently.
>After climbing into the crowded basket, you kindly ask Pinkie Pie to bring you back to the ground.
>She quietly complies.
>The six of you float down gently to the ground, no one saying a word.
>Until,
>”Anon?”
>You shush Pinkie Pie.
>She shrinks down in her spot a little,
>Then slides your dead MP3 player up your thigh.
>The thing must have burnt out the week you arrived in Equestria, but Pinkie somehow managed to take a song, memorize it, and force every other pony to memorize it.
>You grab it and stuff it in your pocket.
>”Anon?”
>You sigh.
“Yes?”
>”Are you mad?”
“A little. Did you convince everyone that I was going to get together with Dash?”
>She traces a hoof along the basket edge.
>”Maybe…”
“Right. I’ll forgive you if you promise to never play matchmaker again.”
>”Never ever?”
“Never ever.”
>She jumps up and hugs you.
>”Deal, ehehe!”
>Then everyone else joins in the spontaneous hug.
>They hold on to you until the basket reaches the ground.
>Stopping a smile was almost impossible.

>Things settled back into normalcy since the morning. Everyp0ny went back to their daily routine.
>Lyra gives you a little wave.
>Cheerilee rolls her eyes once you give her the bedroom stare. (I’M NOT WEIRD. YOU ARE)
>And this stupid stall owner is trying to make you pay 5 bits for two tomatoes! Outrageous!
>”Look, the price is the same fer everyp0ny. Either ya pay it or ya don’.”
“Horseapples! It was two bits a tomato just two days ago!”
>”Time’s a’changin’.”
“Psh,” You gently shove a tomato away. “Whatever, I don’t need your rotten tomatoes anyway. I’ll just take my business else-“
>A yellow claw slams down on the stall next to your hand.
>”Two bits.”
>The stall owner looks to Gilda.
>”I already told yer friend here, five bits fer the two of ‘em.”
>Gilda leans in close to the stall owner’s face. Her claws scratch against the shotty wood and they curl into fists.
>”… Two bits for the both of ‘em.”
>The stall mare balks.
>”Y-Yer crazy!”
>”And you’re crazy if you don’t think that’s fair!”
>The stall owner gets a face full of spittle at that.
>”I… Fine! Two bits!”
>”Hehe, that’s right, dweeb.”
>You toss the bits at her extended hoof and snatch up the two tomatoes.
>Holy shit you should keep a pocket griffon for just these occasions.
>You and Gilda walk away from the stall.
“Thanks, by the way. That was some pretty awesome bartering.”
>”Pfft, it isn’t hard when you just gotta flash these babies.”
>She brings her talons a little too close to your face.
>The two of you continue to talk as she leads you away from the market.
>Once out of earshot of most ponies, she begins stumbling around her words.

>”Soooo… You know Dash well?”
“Kinda. You?”
>”Yeah, old flight school friend. Are you in a relationship with her or something?”
“What? No. Never liked her that way. Every p0ny in town ships me with her for some god awful reason.”
>”They what?”
“Nevermind.”
>”Oh. Well it’s kinda weird cause she’s got an entire photo album for pictures of you.”
>She… What? Really? What?
“That’s… really, really weird. Dash and I aren’t together, and judging by how she talked to me today, it’ll probably never happen.”
>Gilda lets out an annoyed huff.
>”Fuck! She’s impossible when she’s mad!”
“Yeesh, my bad.”
>”What? You didn’t do anything.”
“I did. I upset her a while back over… Something. Something dumb.”
>Gilda stares at you for a few seconds.
>”… Are you me?”
“Ehehe, what’d you do?”
>”Called every p0ny in this town a dweeb and show them how much better I am than them.”
“Sounds like a pretty unbias point of view. I just said no to Dash’s advances.”
>”That’s explains the pictures.”
>Suddenly, an awkward silence appears.
>This would be a good time to go.
“So, uh… I’ll see you around then?”
>”Hmm,” She raises a talon and scratches the area under her beak. You’d call it a chin, but you don’t know if birds have chins or not.
>”Nah.”
“… Okay? Bye, then.”
>You start to walk past her, but she blocks your path.
>”Nuh-uh. I said, “Nah”, cause you’re the only thing in this town that isn’t totally lame. You’re sticking with me, kiddo.”
“What if I say no?”
>”You won’t say no.”
>What looks like a small smirk grows on her face.
>Eh, why not?
“I’ve got no plans for the day. As long as I can drop these off by my house,” You hold up the tomatoes. “I’ll be up for anything.”

>She raises a hand to the sky.
>”Told ya, just gotta flash these babies and I can get anything I want.”
“So you use your miraculous powers to subdue a bored and lonely individual?”
>”Can it, dweeb.”