PINKIE PIE GETS A CREDIT CARD

By GeodesicDragon

Pinkie Pie stared expectedly at the envelope in her hooves. Her name and address on the front, and the logo of the Equestrian Credit Company in the corner.

Tearing open the envelope with blistering speed, Pinkie pulled out the letter inside.

Dear Ms. Pie,

We are pleased to inform you that your application for a Mastercolt credit card has been approved. Please find your new card enclosed with this letter.

Your credit limit is: 10,000 bits.

The rate of interest on your card is-

Pinkie's eyes scanned past the wall of text (since walls of text are no fun to read) and fixed themselves on the small piece of plastic attached to the paper.

This is your new card. Please sign it immediately, otherwise it will not be valid.

Extracting the card from the paper, Pinkie pulled a pen out of nowhere and signed the back of it.

"Finally!" she squealed, "I can use this to get my friends whatever they want, because they totally deserve a treat! Ooh, and I'll get myself some treats as well, but only after I've treated my friends!"

She looked around as if expecting a reply, but finding nopony else, she disappeared in a puff of confetti and streamers.

The Ponyville Library was buzzing with activity. Twilight Sparkle and Spike were re-shelving the books, while a trio of fillies watched.

"Come on, Twilight!" one of them said, "You said we could borrow some books for school. So why can't we just take them and go?!"

"Because, Scootaloo," Twilight replied, "not only do I need to re-shelf the books, I need to catalogue them as well. And if any go missing, I'll get worried. So if you, Applebloom and Sweetie Bell could just be patient, I'll get done faster."

"Awww, come on, Twilight!" Applebloom said, "Ah reckon ya could get done faster if'n we helped ya!"

Twilight froze, a look of horror in her eyes.

"No, no!" she said quickly, "I'll be fine with just Spike helping me. Right, Spike?"

She gave the baby dragon a pleading look, which he returned with a sigh.

"She's right, girls." he said, "Just let us work, okay?"

The Crusaders sighed and went back to staring at the floor.

"HEY, EVERYPONY!" Pinkie yelled, as she suddenly leapt out from a pile of books in the middle of the floor.

In the resulting fright, Twilight fell off the ladder and landed on Spike, while the Crusaders dove behind another book pile.

"Pinkie!" Twilight snapped, "What is the meaning of this?!"

"Silly Twilight!" Pinkie replied, "I'm here with gifts!"

Everypony perked up at the mention of 'gifts'.

"What kind of gifts, Pinkie?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Pinkie produced a box from thin air and placed it on the floor. She opened the top and jumped inside before appearing with her hooves full of items.

"Here you are, Spike!" she said, handing the dragon a box.

Spike opened the box nervously. Whenever Pinkie Pie gave a gift, you had be sure it wasn't going to explode.

As the top came off, the room was filled with a glow. Spike's eyes widened, and he began salivating heavily.

"No way!" he said, as he took a gem out the box. "Another Fire Ruby?! Thanks, Pinkie!"

"No problemo, Spike!" she replied, "Since you were so super-duper nice and gave your last one to Rarity, I thought you'd like another one. Enjoy!"

Spike didn't respond, as his tongue was busy caressing the ruby.

"Here you are, Twilight!" Pinkie said, throwing out another box. Twilight caught it in her magic and opened it.

Her squeal of delight was so loud, it could be heard in Canterlot.

"A signed first edition copy of Starswirl the Bearded's first book?! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!"

Twilight began bounding around the room happily.

"You're welcome, Twilight!" she said.

She turned to the Crusaders.

"I haven't forgotten about you three." she said with a smile.

The three fillies eyes lit up in eager anticipation.

"So," said Scootaloo impatiently, "what did you get us?"

Pinkie grabbed more boxes from the big one she had summoned earlier and tossed one at each Crusader.

Sweetie Belle was the first to open hers, and her eyes shone with tears of joy upon seeing what she had received.

"I got my own set of really fancy fabric!" she said excitedly, "Now I don't have to risk the wrath of Rarity by using hers!"

"I knew you'd like it." Pinkie replied.

Applebloom was next.

"A hat like mah sisters?" she gasped, "But she told me that there weren't none ta be had!"

"Take a closer look at the label." Pinkie said.

Doing as she was asked, Applebloom let out another gasp.

"Custom made by Hoity Toity?!"

Pinkie nodded.

"Thank ya, Pinkie! This must've cost ya a fortune!"

Pinkie giggled.

"Silly filly," she said, "nothing is too expensive for my friends!"

She ruffled Applebloom's mane as Scootaloo opened her gift.

"A scooter that moves itself! Finally, I don't have to tire myself out by using my wings!"

The three Crusaders hugged Pinkie. Twilight and Spike, now recovered from their happiness shock, also joined in.

"Aww, thanks everypony." she said, "But if you don't mind, I have more gifts to deliver. Bye!"

Twilight, the Crusaders, and Spike suddenly found themselves in a heap on the floor as Pinkie (and her box) vanished into thin air.

"Now, Fluttershy, isn't this simply marvellous?"

"Oh, yes, Rarity. It is."

Rarity and Fluttershy were at the spa for their weekly spa date, soaking in the mineral bath.

"Thanks again for this, Rarity," Fluttershy said, "I really like it."

"So do I!"

Both mares opened their eyes to see Pinkie in the bath with them.

"Hi, girls!" she said, oblivious to the puzzled looks on her friend's faces, "I've got something for each of you!"

"What do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Gifts, silly!" Pinkie replied. Once again, she pulled her magic box out of nowhere and set it down next to the bath.

"Rarity, this is for you." she said, tossing a box to the white unicorn, who caught it gingerly in her magic.

"Oh, darling, it looks simply divine!"

Rarity gently shook the parcel.

"You have to open it first!" Pinkie said, "Shaking it won't tell you what's inside."

Rarity let out a small sigh and delicately removed the packaging.

Upon seeing the gift, she pulled it out and unceremoniously threw the box onto the floor.

"This is ... one of the dresses I designed for Sapphire Shores!" she gasped, "How did you get it?!"

"I bought it from her, of course." Pinkie replied.

"But, darling," Rarity said, "it must have cost a fortune!"

"Anything for my friends!" Pinkie beamed.

The party pony was trapped in yet another crushing hug as Rarity squeezed the life out of her.

"Thank you, dear Pinkie." Rarity said, "I shall cherish this gift, and maybe wear it to the next wedding we go to!"

The unicorn released her death grip and went back to admiring the gift so generously bestowed upon her.

"OK, Fluttershy!" Pinkie said, "Your turn!"

Taking another box, Pinkie gingerly passed it to the nervous pegasus. Closer examination revealed holes in the side.

"Oh, its a creature!" Fluttershy gasped, tearing the box open. As she removed the lid, the box burst open, revealing a majestic phoenix. The bird hovered in the middle of the room for a moment, before landing on Fluttershy's head.

"A PHOENIX?!" Fluttershy screamed. "THANK YOU!"

"You're welcome, Fluttershy!" Pinkie replied, "I totally knew that you'd like him."

Fluttershy nuzzled the phoenix, who returned the gesture with just as much love.

"However did you afford these wonderful gifts, Pinkie?" Rarity asked, "Not that I don't appreciate it, of course."

Pinkie tapped the side of her muzzle.

"That's for me to know," she said, "and you to never find out."

"But-" Rarity began

"No buts!" Pinkie interrupted. "Now, I need to go find Applejack and Rainbow Dash, so I can give them their gifts."

"Oh, they'll probably be at Sweet Apple Acres then." Fluttershy said, "Rainbow Dash promised to help Applejack with the harvest."

"Okay!" Pinkie replied, "See ya later, girls!"

Before either mare could respond, she had vanished.

"Boy howdy," Applejack said, gasping for breath, "Ah'm plumb tuckered out. Thanks for helpin' me, Dash."

"No sweat." Dash replied, "And I mean that literally. No sweat."

"Okay, sugarcube," Applejack said, "but Ah have to say that buckin' apples is a lot harder than flyin' barrels of them to the barn."

"You think that's hard?" Pinkie said, suddenly appearing in front of the two, much to their alarm, "You should try looking after a unicorn foal and a pegasus foal while trying to bake three hundred cupcakes. It's SUPER HARD."

Applejack and Rainbow Dash blinked in confusion.

"What?" Pinkie asked, "We're not playing 'Who Has The Harder Job'? Because if we were, I totally would have won."

Dash and Applejack exchanged a curious glance with each other.

"Oh, right!" Pinkie said, "That's not why I'm here!"

For the third time that day, she spawned her box of gifts.

"I have presents for you both!" she said excitedly, "I've already seen Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike and the Crusaders, but now it's your turn!"

Both mares' brains finally rebooted and they spoke.

"Presents?" asked Dash, "What's the occasion?"

"You don't need an occasion to give your friends gifts, silly!" Pinkie said, giving the cyan pegasus a boop on the nose.

"Well, Pinkie," Applejack said, "it's mighty nice of ya ta give us gifts. What'd ya get us?"

Pinkie rummaged inside her big box and pulled out two smaller ones, passing one to each of her friends, who gave each other a sly smile before proceeding to tear their boxes open.

"I win!" Dash said triumphantly, "Equestria's fastest gift opener, right here baby!"

"Ponyfeathers!" Applejack retorted, "Ah won, and fine ya know it!"

Dash was about to reply when Pinkie placed a hoof over each mares' muzzle.

"It was a tie!" she said, "I know, because I was watching."

Dash and Applejack looked at each other and shrugged.

"Now," said Pinkie, "less fighting, more present opening!"

Dash opened her present and reached inside, pulling out a skin-tight blue outfit.

"Oh," she said, "a replica Wonderbolts uniform."

"Silly Dash," Pinkie said, "look at the neck."

Dash sighed and did as she asked.

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

"Property of Spitfire?!" she squealed, "You mean this is a GENUINE Wonderbolts uniform, AND IT BELONGED TO SPITFIRE?!"

Pinkie nodded.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" Dash gibbered, "This is the BEST. GIFT. EVER!"

For the umpteenth time that day, Pinkie was crushed by an over-enthusiastic hug.

Dash broke away and admired her new gift, resisting the temptation to wear it.

"Well, Dash is happy." said Pinkie, "Your turn now, AJ."

Applejack opened her gift and pulled out a piece of paper. As she read it, a look of shock appeared on her face.

"What in tarnation?" she said, "This is the deed to Sweet Apple Acres! And it has mah name on it!"

"Yep indeedy!" Pinkie replied, "You're not renting the farm any more, you own it!"

Pinkie was expecting a hug, and that's exactly what she got.

"Ah ... Ah don't know what ta say." Applejack said, tears in her eyes, "This means so much ta me and mah family, Pinkie. Thanks."

"No problemo, AJ!" she said cheerily. "I'm glad you like it."

Applejack smiled and released Pinkie from the hug.

"Y'all got us gifts," she said, "but did ya get yerself anythin'?"

Pinkie shook her head.

"Seeing the smiles on my friends' faces is the only gift I need." she said, "And I got a lot of smiles today."

"Well, ya deserve them." Applejack replied, "Yer a good friend."

Pinkie nodded in agreement.

"Ya got any more gifts in there, darlin'?"

"I sure do!" Pinkie replied, "I've got to go to Canterlot now."

"Canterlot?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Why do you need to go there?"

"Because that's where the Princesses live, silly!"

"You got gifts," Dash said, "for the Princesses?"

"Of course I did!" she replied, "They are my friends, after all!"

Before Applejack or Rainbow Dash could question her any further, Pinkie leapt into the box, which vanished soon after.

The guards approached the box nervously, their spears levelled at it, ready to engage any potential threat.

Behind them, the Royal Sisters looked on.

Suddenly, the box began shaking. The guards backed away a little as the lid opened - to reveal a pink pony.

"Hi Princesses!" Pinkie exclaimed, "I'm here to visit!"

The Princesses laughed.

"It's okay, guards," Celestia said, "it's just the Element of Laughter being ... well, herself. You are dismissed."

The guards breathed a sigh of relief as they left the room. Pinkie climbed out of the box and bowed.

"Hello, Pinkie Pie." Luna said, "What brings you here?"

"I have gifts for you both!" Pinkie replied.

"Gifts?" Celestia said, raising an eyebrow, "For us?"

Pinkie nodded.

"Sounds good to me." Luna said, "What do you have for us?"

Pinkie reached into the box and pulled out a couple of smaller ones.

She passed the boxes to the Princesses. Luna studied hers meticulously, while Celestia eyed hers with warm concern.

"Looking at them won't get them opened any faster." Pinkie said.

The Princesses looked at each other and shrugged, opening the boxes slowly.

The paper ended up on the floor in a heap.

"Er, Pinkie?" Celestia said.

"Yes, Princess Celestia?"

"... this box is empty."

"Mine too." Luna said.

"I know." Pinkie replied with a grin. "I didn't know what to get you, since you're both Princesses. So you no doubt have everything already, so I thought I'd get you nothing instead."

Celestia and Luna looked at each other, then at Pinkie, and then back at each other.

Then they burst out laughing.

Pinkie's face split into a wide grin.

"I'm glad you got the joke!" she said, "I was worried that you wouldn't, but you totally did!"

The Princesses were still laughing.

"Well, thanks for your time!" Pinkie said, "Gotta go, see ya!"

The Princesses were so busy laughing, they didn't notice the sudden appearance of a pile of confetti, nor the disappearance of a certain pink pony.

Pinkie slept well that night. Her dreams were filled with the smiles of her friends, the bone-crushing hugs she had received, and the laughter of the Princesses.

And that was all she wanted, all along.

SIX MONTHS LATER...

The pink pony sighed, the tears in her eyes staining the letter she held in her hooves. Her credit card lay on the ground beside her, cut into several pieces.

Pinkie looked down at the letter, wishing she had read it on the day she received it.

The rate of interest on your card is 40%.

We expect you to pay at least the minimum payment on your bill each month. If you have difficulty paying, please contact our Customer Service Team as soon as possible.

YOUR HOME WILL BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU FAIL TO KEEP UP PAYMENTS ON YOUR ACCOUNT.

Pinkie looked up from the letter, and into the disapproving eyes of the Cakes, who stood with their foals and belongings outside the boarded up bakery.

As the tears ran down her cheeks, Pinkie only had one thought on her mind.

I made my friends happy, but at the cost of my family.

PINKIE PIE GETS A CREDIT CARD

By GeodesicDragon

The bakery at Sugarcube Corner was buzzing with activity. In the front of the shop, Carrot Cake and his wife Cup Cake were serving the many customers who had come in for breakfast. In the back, Pinkie Pie was rushing around the kitchen, creating the treats the customers so desperately craved. Her mane and tail were covered in dough, and her coat had turned white in places from generous coverings of flour.

The smells coming from the kitchen wafted through to the front of the shop, enticing the noses of the customers, prompting them to buy even more. The ringing of the till kept up a constant melody, and the baked goods kept coming and going.

As the morning drew to a close, it heralded the arrival of a grey pegasus, who entered the confectionery establishment with all the grace of a pony who desperately needed sugar. As she approached the counter, she took off the bag she carried on her back and dropped it next to a vacant table, claiming a place for her to sit and rest her aching body. The stallion behind the counter smiled warmly at her and spoke jovially.

"Hello, Ditzy!" Carrot said, "I can see that you've had a rough morning. So let me get you your usual. Two chocolate muffins and a smoothie, right?"

Ditzy nodded as Carrot went to fetch her order. She trotted over to the seat she had reserved and eased herself into it, letting out a content sigh as she relaxed. Picking the bag up from the floor, she took a wad of envelopes from it and placed them on the table.

"These are for you." she said, seeing Carrot approaching, a tray perched on his back. The aroma of the muffins entered Ditzy's nostrils, eliciting another sigh of content from the grey mare.

Carrot placed the tray on the table and picked up the envelopes as Ditzy fished around in her bag for some bits with which to pay him. After taking her payment, Carrot walked back to the counter, reading through the envelopes as he did so.

"Bill, bill, junk, bill..." he muttered, before one particular envelope caught his attention. It was addressed to Pinkie Pie, and the logo of the Bank of Ponyville featured prominently in the corner. Carrot felt the envelope nervously, his hooves making out the feeling of something within.

"What is it, dear?" Cup Cake asked of her husband, who was frozen in place, clutching the envelope with a look of fear etched on his face. His wife looked at him quizzically, before glancing at the envelope. Upon seeing the logo, her face took on a look similar to that of her husband.

"Please tell me they had the sense to turn her down." she said, "The last thing anypony needs is Pinkie Pie with one of these."

At the mention of her name, the pony in question appeared at the kitchen door, her mane, coat and tail still bearing the signs of a busy mornings baking. A warm smile was on her lips, and her eyes shone brightly. She opened her mouth to speak, but saw the envelope in Carrot's hoof.

Pinkie let out a gasp and propelled herself through the air, landing in front of the Cakes with practised grace. She took the envelope from Carrot, despite the iron grip he kept on it, and tore it open with her teeth. Unfolding the letter, Pinkie read it eagerly before hanging her head.

"Bad news, dearie?" Cup Cake asked gently, relief beginning to wash over her, "Not to worry, I'm sure you'll get it next time."

"It is bad news..." Pinkie replied, bringing her head up to look at the Cakes, "... because my credit limit is only ten thousand bits."

Cup and Carrot's jaws hung open in shock as the smile reappeared on her face. From the paper, she pulled a small plastic rectangle, which she proceeded to hold above her head as if it was a treasure she had recovered from a dank dungeon.

The Cakes looked on, dumbstruck, before Pinkie grabbed them both in a tight hug, her smile having transformed into a huge grin.

"Thanks again for letting me get a credit card on your account, Mr and Mrs Cake!" she said, as she continued to squeeze the two struggling bakers, "I'm going to use it to make my friends happy. Maybe I'll go to Canterlot and get them some gifts, because everypony knows that's where all the good gifts are."

The deliriously happy party pony released her iron grip in the Cakes, who took in several gulps of air, before rushing out of the bakery and towards the train station, ignoring the fact she was still covered in flour and the remains of baked goods.

As far as everypony in Ponyville was concerned, it was just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. But as far as Pinkie herself was concerned, she was on a mission. A mission that would result in happy smiles on all her friends faces - which is what she aimed for the most in life.

This was a mission of friendship.

Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack sat around a table in Sugarcube Corner. The clock on the wall was the only sound that could be heard, and each tick seemed to echo around the room.

Twilight cleared her throat and addressed her friends, eager to break the silence.

"Does anypony know why Pinkie Pie called us all here?" she asked. The others shrugged or shook their heads to show that they knew just as much as she did regarding the reasoning behind Pinkie's request for them to come to the bakery.

The five of them looked around the bakery. The premises had closed for the day, and the smell of cleaning fluids hung in the air. Small talk was made between the five waiting ponies, but a proper conversation failed to start.

Until the party pony appeared in the middle of the room. At her side was a large white box with an ornate satin bow.

"Hey, girls!" she said excitedly, "I'm so glad you're all here."

"What's this all about, Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash asked exasperatedly, "And more to the point... what's in the box?"

"What, this?" Pinkie replied, patting the box with a hoof, "It's a box. Which is full of gifts for all of my friends, since you're the bestest best friends I've ever had, ever! And since I love to see you all smile, each of your gifts is super special."

She undone the bow and opened the box, jumping inside it and emerged holding boxes of various sizes, each done up with the same kind of bow which was on the master box - which disappeared into thin air as soon as Pinkie climbed out.

The others knew better than to question this, so they watched as Pinkie looked at the tags on each box, giving them to the appropriate friend. Each one of them shook their box eagerly, with the exception of Fluttershy, who noticed that her box had several holes poked into the sides of it. She raised a hoof timidly.

"Um, Pinkie?" she asked, "Could I open mine first? ... I see that it has holes in it, which tells me there is a creature inside. And the idea of them being cooped up inside a box is just too much."

Pinkie nodded and Fluttershy gently removed the bow and slowly took off the lid. She cast a gaze inside the box - which was returned by a large eagle. The bird poked its head outside and stretched its wings before taking off and flying around the bakery, eventually landing on Fluttershy's head.

"An eagle?" Fluttershy asked, "But I already have one ... not that I don't appreciate this one, of course. It's really kind of you to get him for me, Pinkie."

"It's a 'she', actually." Pinkie replied, "Now the eagle you have already can have a friend! And who knows? Maybe you'll get a lot of baby eagles next year!"

She grinned.

"A female eagle?!" Fluttershy squealed, "But how did you get one? I tried all the pet shops in Ponyville, and they told me to go to Canterlot, but the prices there are really expensive and -"

"It's no problem, Fluttershy!" Pinkie said, holding up a hoof, "As I said, I love to see you all smile. And nothing makes you smile than seeing that all the critters are happy!"

Fluttershy nodded in agreement and gently scratched the eagle's chin with a hoof. The bird squawked happily and rubbed her head against the butter pegasus, who let out a small giggle. The two sat in contended silence as Pinkie turned to Twilight.

Twilight saw Pinkie looking at her intently, so she picked up her box and opened it. Her eyes widened upon seeing the book inside, which lay nestled between several sheets of tissue paper. She delicately removed the tome from its resting place and cast a glance over it, her hooves running over the slightly battered cover. Upon reading the title, Twilight shrieked with glee.

"A first edition copy of Starswirl the Bearded's biography, written by Clover the Clever?!" Twilight put the book down and bounded around the bakery in a similar fashion to when she finished telling the Cutie Mark Crusaders how she got hers. Rainbow Dash stifled a laugh at the unicorn's antics, while Pinkie Pie's grin threatened to consume her face.

"I saw it in a book shop in Canterlot after I got Fluttershy's eagle." Pinkie said, "I knew you'd like it, especially because it's signed."

Twilight stopped bounding and shot back to the table. She picked the book up and carefully opened it. Sure enough, on the first page, Clover's signature graced one corner, the letters flowing into each other with practised grace.

Twilight put the book down and sighed. She walked over to Pinkie and hugged her, tears of joy in her eyes. Releasing the party pony, Twilight took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she was about to say to her friend.

"I can't accept this, Pinkie." she said woefully.

Pinkie looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow before shaking her head furiously. She pointed at the book on the table forcefully, the look on her face saying everything for her.

"I don't mind, Twilight." Pinkie said, "I want you to have it. I wouldn't have got it for you otherwise! Now you get back on over there and enjoy your gift, you silly filly!"

Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by the others shaking their heads and making cutting motions to their throats. She sighed and nodded, turning back towards the table.

"Me next!" cried Rainbow Dash, seemingly eager to break the tension in the room. She opened her box roughly, tearing off the wrapping paper and bow, throwing them into a pile on the floor. Removing the lid, Dash saw a pile of powder blue fabric. She raised an eyebrow sceptically before taking the object out of the box. Her face fell slightly upon seeing it.

"Oh boy, it's... another replica Wonderbolts uniform." she said sarcastically, "Hooray, another one for me to add to my ever-growing collection. Thanks, Pinkie... I guess."

Pinkie's smile faded slightly at her friend's indifference. She trotted over to Dash and pointed at the neck of the uniform. Taking the hint, Dash looked at where Pinkie was pointing. A label caught her attention, and she looked closer at it. As she did so, her eyes widened in shock, and a squeal broke from her lips.

"This is SPITFIRE'S UNIFORM?!" she shouted, "I'm actually holding a real Wonderbolts uniform, which used to belong to Spitfire? I can't believe it! Pinkie, this is awesome! How did you get this?!"

"Charity auction." Pinkie replied. Dash raised an eyebrow at the simple explanation, but eventually shrugged and began fawning over the uniform, caressing it in various places while letting out the occasional fangirl squeal of approval. Content that her friend was happy, Pinkie looked towards Rarity.

The elegant unicorn began to unwrap her present with ladylike precision, using her magic to gently remove the paper and untie the bow, before placing both to one side. She lifted the lid of the box, and her face was bathed in a red glow.

Reaching into the box, Rarity felt something hard, yet its surface was smooth. Grasping the object firmly, she lifted it out. She soon found herself looking at a fire ruby which was clearly twice the size of the one Spike had given her.

Letting out an unladylike squeal of glee, the alabaster mare shot from her seat and enveloped Pinkie in a tight hug, which the party pony returned with gusto. Breaking away after a moment, Rarity coughed gently, a small blush on her cheeks.

"I love it, darling." she said, "I remember seeing this gem in the window of a store in Manehatten, but it was rather pricey. However did you afford it?"

Pinkie tapped her nose with a hoof and winked. Rarity returned the gesture with a nod, and sat back down to admire her gift, her mind already filling with ideas of what she could use it for. Pinkie turned to Applejack and grinned, nodding her head towards the unwrapped box on the table in front of them.

Applejack opened the gift in the same way Rainbow Dash had opened hers. Another pile of paper and ribbon joined the one on the floor as Applejack opened her gift. Inside lay a single sheet of paper, bearing an important-looking seal. Removing the paper, Applejack cast her eyes over it.

Soon, they were full of tears. The others saw this and looked at their friend with concern. Wiping her eyes, Applejack sniffled and looked towards Pinkie, who wore a look of worry. Placing the paper on the table, Applejack got up from the table and walked over to Pinkie, before scooping her up in a bear hug.

"Thank ya, Pinkie." she said, the tears flowing freely, "This means a lot ta me and mah family. Though Ah have ta ask... why did ya do this? And more to tha point, how did ya do it?"

Pinkie released herself from Applejack's grip and smiled warmly. Rainbow Dash, her curiosity piqued, looked at the box containing the farm mare's gift. Inside was the deed to Sweet Apple Acres - with the Apples themselves listed as the owners.

"Why did I do it? Because you're my friend, AJ!" Pinkie said, "As for how... well, that's for me to know, and for you to never find out. EVER. Just be glad that I did. You should all know by now that I'll do anything to see my friends happy."

As Pinkie finished talking, she saw that her friends all had smiles on each of their faces. Each of them beamed from ear to ear. And soon, they had Pinkie trapped in the middle of a group hug, each of them expressing their gratitude for the generous gifts she had so thoughtfully bestowed on them.

Waving goodbye that night, Pinkie closed up the library and climbed upstairs to her bedroom. Slipping between the covers, she sighed contentedly before sleep took her. Her dreams that night were full of fun and laughter, and throughout the night, the smile never left her face.

As the hammer struck each nail, Pinkie winced. She stood outside the bakery and watched as the boards were placed over the windows. A large stallion fixed a notice to the door, telling everyone who read it that the building had been seized.

Pinkie's mane and tail were straight, much like the faces of the Cakes, who stood nearby with their belongings, watching in horror as their home and business was taken from them. They cast a disapproving look at Pinkie, who shied away further, her eyes brimming with tears of sorrow and regret.

With a dejected sigh, Pinkie turned around and walked away from the scene. As she left, the tears ran down her cheeks, while her hooves trampled the shredded remains of a small piece of plastic.