Humble awoke from his dream feeling drops of sweat coming off his robe and rustle through out his coat as he looked up from his sleeping daze to see Celestia’s sun peeking in from outside. He also felt the hot breath of Slit who looked at Humble with his snout poking Humble in the stomach.

“I hate that dream,” said Humble with a groan. “You sleep well boy?” he said petting Slit who just licked Humble’s side tenderly. “Come on, lets go see if Pinkie is up.” But before he could get up, a one mare band consisting of Pinkie (with Gummy on top of her head) came marching in with a small flag on Gummy’s hat saying, “Good morning!” while blowing in the wind from a fan being pushed by Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo.

“Good morning unkie Humble!” shouted Pinkie doing a final snare drum roll. “Do you know what today is!”

“Not really.”

“It’s your second day in Ponyville!” Pinkie said blowing a trumpet that had been stuffed with confetti. “Since Mr. and Mrs. Cake are taking a morning trot with Pound Cake and Pumpkin-”

“We’re here to make sure it’s one awesome day for you!” said Scootaloo.

“First we’re gonna make the best breakfast ya’ll ever had!” said Apple Bloom. “With a secret ingredient.”

“It’s eggs!” whispered Pinkie to Humble who just nodded in response.

“And then we’re taking you to see the most awesome author ever!” said Sweetie Belle as Humble got up from his bed.

“Oh? Ehhh,” Humble said while stretching. “I do believe Miss Dash said something similar at the train station.

“Yep,” said Pinkie. “A.K Yearling is coming to town!”

“A.K Yearling!?” said Humble with a shocked expression. “The writer of the Daring Do series?!”

“Yep.”

I’ve been trying to get in touch with that mare for years! I always wanted to do a co book with her,” said Humble. “This would be a perfect opportunity to see that goal come true, where is she going?”

“At Barnyard Bargains,” groaned Sweetie Belle.

“What’s so bad about that? I like their products,” said Humble making his bed.

“Yeah, but since Diamond Tiara’s dad is Filthy Rich she gets to go first in line for the autographs.”

“Well then we better get going if we are to even have a chance,” said Humble fixing his mane. “You five head downstairs, I gotta get ready for my meeting with Miss Dash and Miss Yearling.”

“Okie dokie,” said Pinkie as she bounced downstair with the three fillies and alligator following behind her.

“Hmmm,” said Humble thinking to himself. “Should I put on my fancy or classy cologne?”

Meanwhile downstairs in the store’s kitchen a flour covered Applejack was currently whisking a mix of apple bread while Rarity was sleeping on her fainting couch.

“Oh Captain,” giggled Rarity. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of a figurehead that grows at night and-oh my, heehee.”

“Oh for Celestia’s sake,” groaned Applejack putting some apple slices in the mix. “Rares will ya please stop sleeping and start sweeping? There’s a lot of flour from when Apple Bloom  spilled the sack.”

“Oh Star,” moaned Rarity as she flustered under her sleeping mask.

“Rarity!” shouted Applejack.

“Huh?” said Rarity waking up. “Oh Applejack dear, is the bread rea-oomph!” she said as a broom was tossed at her.

“Rarity stop dreaming and please help me clean up the flour,” said Applejack putting the mix in the oven. “I promised the Cakes we would clean up after ourselves.”

“Ugh, fine,” said Rarity getting off the couch before sweeping. Whilst this went on a more shady business was happening in another section of the kitchen that was more private, a great and terrible thing was occurring, a mistake so atrocious ponies in Ponyville feared even the slightest mention of it: Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo had found an unattended bag of pancake mix.

“So I’ll I gotta do is put eggs in here,” said Sweetie Belle looking at a cooking book in a small corner of the busy Sugarcube  Corner kitchen where nopony would see the three girls do the devious culinary torture they were doing. “And there!” she said looking at the non burning yoke of the egg floating in the bowl with the pancake mix. “Girls I did it!”

“That’s great!” said Scootaloo who was busy putting out a small fire from a previous egg attempt. “And it only took ten tries!”

“What’s it say to do next?” said Applebloom who opened a window to get the smell of burnt egg out.

“Hmmm,” said Sweetie Belle looking at the cook book. “It says to….put three cups of water in it!”

“Okay pouring,” said Apple Bloom pouring some water into a measuring cup.

“Girls?” said Applejack coming into the section of the kitchen. “Do you know where a first aid kit is? Rarity got a splinter while sweep-Apple Bloom!” she said at the sight of Apple Bloom cooking.

“Shhh, not while I’m pouring,” replied Apple Bloom.

“But you girls know you not supposed to cook without an adult around,” said Applejack as Apple Bloom finished her pouring. “And you know the Ca-wait a darn second,” she said taking a whiff of the air. “Is that...burnt yoke!?”

“Um, no?” said Sweetie Belle with a blush.

“So not only are you cooking, but you’re cooking-” Applejack said looking at the pancake sack. “-Pancakes and eggs!”

“Just a couple,” said Scootaloo nervously.

“You three know what happened last time,” said Applejack. “Not counting last night.”

“In my defence that was mostly Sweetie Belle’s fault,” said Scootaloo.

“Hey!” shouted Sweetie Belle offended. “You were the one who made the heat too high!”

“Well if Apple Bloom had been there-”

“Now wait just a second!” said Apple Bloom. “I was helping Granny Smith with her chair-”

As the three argued, Applejack merely groaned in annoyance while Pinkie came bouncing in from outside of the back room from getting fresh butter for the bread.

“Why are you fillies arguing?” said Pinkie who continued bouncing.

The three filles explained to a nodding and smiling Pinkie while she just listened to their incoherent words.

“Applejack!” shouted Rarity from inside the front kitchen. “Where is the doctor!?”

“I told you Rarity!” said Applejack over the three filles arguing.  “You don’t need need a doctor for-”

“Hello?” said Time Turner coming inside the store with a safari outfit wearing Dinky following behind him. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake? I’m here to fix that wall clock. Oh, good morning Miss Rarity.”

“Good morning doctor,” said Rarity sniffling before heading into the back kitchen.

“Huh?” said Humble coming downstair in his pinstriped business suit and brown tie. “What are you doing here?”

“I’d ask you the same thing,” said Time Turner as Carrot and Cup Cake came back from their morning trot with the twins giggling at the sight of Time Turner.

“Morning Humble, oh Time Turner,” said Carrot. “I forgot you were coming today.”

“Well I would have come later but-”

“Awww, babies!” said Dinky fawning over the giggling twins.

“And what are you doing here Dinky?” said Cup Cake ruffling Dinky’s hair.

“Well I promised Derpy-”

“The doctor told mommy that he would take me to see A.K Yearling!” said Dinky hopping around.

“What she said.”

“And Humble why are you so dressed fancy?” said Carrot as Humble adjusted his tie.

“Same reason as this little filly,” said Humble patting Dinky on her helmet. “To meet Miss Yearling.”

“Well Mister, uhh,” said Time Turner.

“Humble Pie, uncle of Pinkie Pie,” said Humble putting out a hoof. “But please call me Humble.”

“Time Turner,” replied Time Turner shaking Humble’s hoof. “But please call me the doctor. Well Humble would you like to come with us? We seem to be going the same way.”

“I’d be happy to, but I think I should wait for the girls to finish that breakfast they promised me.”

“Wait a second,” said Carrot. “Which gir-”

“Rarity, on the bright side Pinkie got ya splinter out,” said Applejack coming out as the others came out with Rarity still cradling her hoof. “Oh hi ya’ll.”

“Hi!” waved Dinky before readjusting her helmet.

“Howdy Dinky,” said Apple Bloom as she cleaned herself up at the sink next to a sniffling Rarity being consoled by Pinkie.

“Good morning girls,” said Time Turner. “How’s that breakfast coming along?”

“Wait a second Pinkie,” said Cup Cake. “You only said Rarity and Applejack were going to help you make breakfast for Humble.”

Yep,” said Pinkie. “But then Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo came by and I thought, “hmmm, if I have more ponies helping then the breakfast will taste even yummier!”

“I don’t know girls,” said Carrot to the three fillies. “Remember last time you three made breakfast? Not counting last night’s breakfast dinner or the pancake festival.”

“Sheesh, is that all ponies remember about us!” said Scootaloo. “Mayor Mare got the money to fix up the town ha-” as she spoke a huge light flared from inside the kitchen. “Oh no.”

The group rushed into  the kitchen where they saw that the eggs had been engulfed in an inferno.

“Fire!” shouted the three as they rushed to get a hose while Applejack galloped into the burning room with a pail of water.

“Wait!” said Rarity galloping into the room with Applejack. “My book!” shouted a muffled Rarity. “Turn the down the flame, turn down the fl-ahhh!” screamed Rarity as she rushed out to the front kitchen and to the sink levitating a flaming book into the water.

A second later the fire was extinguished by Cup Cake with a fire extinguisher from under a counter with the broken glass having said, “In case of fillies break.”

“Well that happened,” said Humble as the fillies came back with a hose only to find a sobbing Rarity holding her charred book of Ice Barrels along with a glaring Applejack and a smiling Pinkie.

“I thought ya’ll said the stove was off!” said Applejack. “You almost burnt the Cakes house down!”

“Well Rarity came in crying over a splinter,” replied Apple Bloom.

“Yeah, we couldn’t turn it off with the distraction!” said Sweetie Belle. “Also don’t insult my sister.”

“Oh, Applejack dear,” said Cup Cake. “It’s alright, the whole room’s firepro-”

“And you three destroyed my book!” said a tear stained Rarity.

“Rarity it’s alright,” said Carrot. “I’m sure the book can be repai-” he said as the book crumbled into ash before blowing away in the wind. “-ered, uhh, hehehe,” Carrot chuckled nervously.

“Waaaaaaa!” wailed Rarity collapsing on the ground.

“Should I hug Miss Rarity?” said Dinky.

“No I’ll handle this,” said Humble laying next to Rarity before poking her in the stomach. “Hey, Miss Rarity?”

“Y-ye-yes?” said Rarity looking up.

“Listen, I’ll tell you what. I’m the author of the book right?”

“U-uh huh.”

“Then I’ll get you a new one that’s signed by me,” said Humble with a smile. “Would that’d be ok?”

“O-ok,” said Rarity getting up.

“That a girl,” said Humble helping her up. “Now girls even though Miss Rarity did distract you, you should know a good chef never lets a busy kitchen stop them from burning food alright?”

“Alright,” said the three fillies with their heads down.

“Good girls, now Carrot and Cup Cake is their anyway I can repay you for this? It was my breakfast after all.”

“Oh that’s alright Humble,” said Carrot. “The stove only got a little burnt, nothing we can't fix.”

“Well then, I think we better get going girls,” said Humble. “Rarity, Applejack, Carrot, and Cup Cake will you be joining us?”

“I gotta get back to my shop darling,” said Rarity. “I still have that order to fulfill.”

“And I gotta sell apples at the stand today,” said Applejack.

“And we gotta take these two to the barbers for their haircuts,” said Carrot nuzzling Pound Cake and Pumpkin.

“Now Sweetie Belle, you be good for Pinkie and Humble alright?” said Rarity.

“As well as you Apple Bloom,” said Applejack.

“We will,” replied Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in unison.

“Ok, well I’ll see ya’ll later!” said Applejack as she left the store.

“Me too,” said Rarity leaving the shop.

“So are you six ready to go?” said Humble as they all nodded. “Then lets go! See ya Carrot and Cup Cake!” he said as they left the building.

“Have a good time!” shouted back Cup Cake.

“See you Pound Cake and Pumpkin!” said Time as the two foals giggled in reply.

As the seven traveled down the road Scootaloo realized something.

“Wait a second!” said Scootaloo causing the others to stop in place. “Humble we promised you a great breakfast!”

“Hmmm,” pondered Humble before getting an idea. “How about this? You three can spend some bits on the way at Sweetie Drops and we can all have some candy.”

“Yay!” shouted Pinkie and the four fillies.

“I could go for some of that topphe,” said Time as they came to the store.

Meanwhile, across town Octavia Melody was resting in her bed after the events of yesterday with her injured foreleg resting on a pillow.

“Mmmm,” moaned Octavia pleasantly as her blankets kept her nice and cozy from the chilly winter morning. “Why yes conductor, I know where my cello is. Oh? The crowd wants to hear me only? Well I mustn’t disappoint,” she said dreamily. “Alright, a one, a two, a three-” And just when she was about to play her imaginary cello an explosive series of wubs emitted from outside.  

“Yeah! These babies are gonna shake the crowd!” shouted Octavia Scratch over the booming speakers. “Octy!” she said as Big Mac loaded up the cart for her latest gig at Barnyard Bargains. “I need you for something!”

“And just when I was about to start,” groaned Octavia getting out of bed along with getting her crutches. “Well I might as well get ready,” she said brushing her mane and putting on her black velvet bowtie.

“Octavia!” shouted Vinyl again. “Get your butt out here!”

“I’m coming Vinyle!” said Octavia. “Well no point in having any orange juice,” she said as she descended the stairs and came outside. “Vinyle what do you want?”

“Well first you could stop being such a buzzkill,” said Vinyl putting a set of records in the cart before hopping on it herself. “And come with me!”

“Broken leg?” said Octavia pointing at her bandage.

“Please.”

“Vinyl-”

“Pretty Please.”

“Vin-”

“Pwetty Pwease.”

“Now VInyle-”

“Pwetty Pwease with a cello on top!” said Vinyl showing her magenta eyes with a hint of sparkle

“Ugh, fine but only for-whoah!” yelled Octavia as Vinyl signaled for Big Mac to  grab her crutches  and throw her on the cart. “Ouch.”

“All right!” said Vinyle getting comfortable in the cart. “Get on Mac!” she said slapping Big Mac’s flank causing him to go a deeper shade of red.

“Uh, eyeup?” said Mac before starting the trot to Barnyard Bargains.

“Oh Vinyl,” said Octavia facehoofing. “Must you always sexually harass every stallion you see?”

“Pffft!” said Vinyl spitting out her soda. “Ha! You said sex!” she said before laughing.

“It’s nice to know that I have such mature friends,” said Octavia looking at the pass scenery.

“Aw, come on Octy,” said Vinyl slapping Octavia on the head. “You always are so uptight, in fact after this gig I;m gonna take you to a bar and get you a lay!”

“Vinyle I appreciate the thought, but I can handle my own relationships.” said Octavia putting her hair back in order.

“Please Octavia, without me you would've never gone to prom.”

“And then I wouldn’t have had to wait for you to stop throwing up in the bathroom from the spiked punch,” said Octavia with a roll of her eyes.

“Hehehe, still worth the buzz,” said Vinyl leaning back. “Just trust me, I’m gonna find you the best one nighter ever.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will,” said Octavia resigning herself to her fate. “I’m sure you will.”

Meanwhile on the other side of town,

After passing a few houses, Stale and Lemon finally found themselves at their destination.

“So Pike said to meet the contact here?” said Lemon looking at a huge old mansion in front of them with a mailbox in the shape of a bank saying, “Rich” on the lawn in big golden letters.

The house itself was plastered with light purple outer walls and egg shell white arches with it’s  crystalline glass windows gleaming in the sun almost blinding the two mercenaries. The dark red door (which had carvings of plus signs in four squares) stood formidably as the two stallions trotted up to it. As Lemon knocked gently on the door, a small whistle emitted itself from Stale.

“Wow, now this is a house,” said Stale admiring the architecture as Lemon knocked again, a little harder in touch. “Small rose garden over there-oh nevermind, already got one.”

“Stop imagining you dream house,” said Lemon knocking harder. “We got job to do.”

“Well you're never gonna get a reaction from this Rich guy without pressing the doorbell,” said Stale, pushing Lemon to the side roughly. “These kind of folks only listen when you get down and kiss their arse,”  he said pressing the doorbell.

All of a sudden the right side of the nearby wall opened up to the sight of a punch of miniature wooden ponies with instruments and behind them sat a choir of foals.

“What the buck is this?” said Stale as he and Lemon stared at the odd display before being answered by the display itself.

One of the wooden ponies holding an instrument, a mare with a mini snare drum, started to gently play before quickly being accompanied by the catchy melody of the other wooden ponies with their violins, cellos, and flutes. As the duo stood dumbstruck in a state of confusion the small wooden choir of foals behind the small sympathy started to sing with the song’s tune.

“Welcome to ponyville, welcome to our house,” sung the choir. “This great city is very great and it has a lot of cake, we hope you enjoy your stay.”

“There is a lot to do in this small village,” sung one of the fillies in a foreign accent. “Like going to the Barnyard Bargains and spending lots of cash.”

“But there is no place like this house,” sung the choir before a small compartment let out a overweight wooden stallion with a funny mustache go right to the center of the display.

“Like the Rich’s house!” the overweight stallion bellowed in a deep baritone.

The display quickly got back to it’s original stance and closed upon itself before reemerging with the wall. A few seconds passed till Lemon spoke up.

“Well...that was unique?” said Lemon wiping his open eye.

“Thank you,” said a voice from the house.

Quickly turning to the source of the voice, Lemon found himself standing in front of Filthy Rich who stood in the doorway with his green bathrobe that had a cursive R inscribe on the bottom of it while Filthy was holding a cup of coffee.

“I had it hoofmade while on a business trip in Saddle Arabia, my daughter just loves it to pieces,” said Filthy taking a sip from his coffee.

“Sir,” said a posh looking stallion in a tuxedo with a submitting aura emitting from him. “I’m sorry I did not answer the door, mistress Diamond and mistress Silver demanded I help them with their outfits.”

“It’s quite alright Top,” chuckled Filthy. “Please go prepare us some breakfast if you would.”

“Right away sir,” Top said before scurrying off.

“Now then, where were we?” said Filthy turning back to Lemon.

“Umm, are you Mr. Filthy Rich?” said Lemon as Stale was still trying to process what he had seen from the doorbell. “Our client told us to contact-”

“Please boys, I’m quite aware of why you are here,” said Filthy.”We can discuss more over some breakfast. Now do come in,” he said heading back inside.

“Huh, well we better head on in Stale, Stale?” said Lemon looking at his partner.

“What the buck was that!?” shouted Stale coming out of his trance.

The inside of the Rich residence was even more luxurious than it’s exterior counterpart. White walls were decorated with paintings of far way landscapes, from the low scorching sand dunes of Saddle Arabia to the high frightenly cold peaks  of Ponet. Concave sections of the hallways had sculptures of Richs from the past. So as the two stallions stood outside Filthy’s bedroom door, waiting from him to get dressed, the two were quite stunned.

“Amazing,” said a awed Lemon.

“Fancy marmalade,” said Stale. “So, uhh, Filthy-”

“Please,” said Filthy from behind his bedroom door. “Call me Rich,” he said emerging in a business suit.

“So Rich, how long did it take for a family like yours to accumulate such an enormous amount of bits?”

“What do you mean by a family like mine?” said Filthy with a raised eyebrow.

“Well you gotta admit the whole rural rich stallion seems a little odd,” said Stale eyeing a golden vase as Lemon looked at some paintings.

“My friend, you’d be surprised by the advantages of being the middle stallion for region quite well supplied in apple related products,” chuckled Filthy. “But yes, before my grandfather Stinkin Rich became rich he was simply known as Stinkin Money.”

“Doesn’t sound too different from your name now.”

“Aww, but follow me,” said Filthy leading Stale over to the hallway of sculptures. “This is why we changed our names,” he said showing Stale a sculpture of a burly stallion with only the muzzle a blind mother could love. The stallion had a loose hanging jaw open, a large scar making a X on his face, and finally he had a partly torn ear.

“I’m not an art critic, but even I know ugly when I see it,” said Stale examining the statue closer. “And this boss is ugly.”

“Yes,” said Filthy with a sigh. “This is my oldest known ancestor Blood Money.”

“Whoah, whoah!” said Stale jumping back. “You're telling me this is the infamous bandit leader of the red spears, Blood “Blacksmith” Money?!”

“Unfortunately yes,” said Filthy scowling at the statue. “A dark stain on my family's history to say the least.”

“I heard stories of what he did to the Trottingham, taking all the stallions in the city and nailing spikes into their hoofs before making them gallop a mile to only die from blood loss.”

“Yes, yes, but let us not talk of such dark deeds done in a more uncivilised time,” said Filthy leading Stale away from the hall. “Mister Squeeze!” he said to Lemon who stood at the center of the living room.

“Huh?” said Lemon turning away from a painting he was looking at. “Sorry, is there something wrong sir?”

“I was about to ask you that, had I known you were a fan of art I would’ve shown you my Prench work.”

“Oh I’m not one for art sir, it’s just this painting,” Lemon said pointing at a painting that resembled the one from Pike’s building. “I think I’ve seen a similar painting before at Mr. Pike’s office.”

“Oh yes,” said Filthy trotting to Lemon’s side. “Our mutual business partner loves to give these out to his friends, I myself find it quite...vexing.”

“Hmm, well sir I suggest we think about our pla-”

“Daddy!” shrieked Diamond Tiara as she and Silver Spoon came into the room wearing safari outfits decorated with gemstones. “When are we going!?”

“One second princess,” said Filthy. “Daddy has to talk to some business partners, you just go with Silver and play for a bit longer okay?”

“Fine,” groaned Diamond. “Come on Silv, lets go roleplay the scene where Daring fights Dr. Glass.”

“Fine, but this time I’m Daring,” said Silver Spoon as the two fillies galloped back to Diamond’s room.

“Speaking of daddy,” said Stale. “Will Mrs. Rich be joining us?”

“Oh no, I’m afraid my wife is currently visiting her family in Canterlot,” replied Filthy. “How about we head to my study where we can discuss this operation more privately?”

Filthy Rich’s study had a similar design as Pike’s except Filthy’s was twice as large and didn’t have the same elderly feeling about it with it’s bottles of fine cider and spirits in cherry wood cabinets instead of items from distant countries.

“So the target should be in the crowd around this area,” said Filthy as he pointed at a location on a map of the land surrounding Barnyard Bargains.

“And I’m to draw out the second target with the first one?” said Lemon.

“Correct, and then you Stale-”

“Hmm?” said Stale as he was drinking some crystal empire wine in a loveseat. “Yeah?” he said gulping down the liquid.

“You are to grab Mister Pie and bring him to the escape transport which I hope you did acquire.”

“Course I did, got the boat and everything!” laughed Stale before Lemon took the bottle of wine to keep him from getting too buzzed.

“Boat?” said Filthy confused. “I thought you would have thought of a land route.”

“Nah,” said Stale getting up. “All the roads leading to Manehattan from here are closed for maintenance. Besides, the river’s faster anyway.”

“Well if you're sure,” said Filthy relieved somewhat that Stale had thought it through. “Once that is done and Lemon has neutralized the targets I will take care of the rest, sound good?”

“Sounds good to me,” said Lemon with a nod of approval.

“Me too,” said Stale.

“Then my friends, may the-”

“Daddy!” cried Diamond Tiara from outside the room. “Lets get going!”

“Coming princess,” said Filthy. “Gentlecolts, I'll see you there,” he said leaving the room.

“I'm still worried Stale,” said Lemon.

“Aww, stop being so anxious , this will be like stealing-”

“-Candy!” said Time as he ate his fourth piece of blue toffee he got when the group had gone to Sweetie Drops. “Such good candy.”

“I know right!” said Pinkie after wiping the chocolate off her muzzle. “Mmmmm!”

“Applejack never lets me eat candy at breakfast,” said Apple Bloom eating her raspberry taffy.

“And Rarity never lets me eat candy at her house,” said Sweetie Belle licking her lollipop.

“I still like mommy’s muffins but this tastes great!” said Dinky eating her homemade store bought gummy bears.

“Thanks Humble!” said Scootaloo, sucking on her jawbreaker.

“No problem girls and doctor,” said Humble who had bought some licorice. “And don’t worry about sisters, mommies, or bits. As long as I’m here you can enjoy everything you want!”

“Yay!” shouted Apple Bloom before noticing a familiar friendly face next to a distant tree. “Hiya Zecora!”

A screeching halt was what Humble did when he heard that name. “Zecora!?”

“Greetings little one,” said Zecora trotting over to the group preparing for her next rhyme. “Have you’ve-Humble!?” she said noticing the stallion before jumping onto him with hug.

“Zecora!” said Humble returning the hug. “It’s been so long! How have you’ve been?”

“Oh, good,” said Zecora. “I learned how to make potions from my mom’s village, just like I said I would!”

“Well that’s fantastic news. I always knew you-why are you guys looking at us like that?” said Humble to the others whose jaws had hit the floor. “Why the long face?”

“Y-y-y-you can speak normally!?” said the others. “Why did you always talk in rhyme then!?”

“Rhyming?” said Humble before looking back at Zecora who was blushing. “Zecora have you’ve been rhyme speaking again?”

“Um, well you see it is true,” said Zecora returning to her previous rhyming dialogue. “I have been rhyming and no pony has had a clue.”

“Oh you little rascal,” said Humble ruffling Zecora’s mane. “Still the same poetic mare I foalsat aren’t ya?”

“You foalsat Miss Zecora?” said Dinky.

“Yep,  I foal sat her while her mother and father went on dates. I would always read her favorite book, “The big book of rhymes.”

“He speaks right, he as read had for me and I have enjoyed it since I was three,” said Zecora.

“Ohhhhh,” said the group finally understanding.

“So Zecora would you like to come with us to see A.K Yearling?” said Time.

“I would gladly come to join with you if I had not to be home by two for stew,” said Zecora.

“I think the event happens at nine o'clock, surely you can come by at least for a bit,” said Time.

“Yeah come on Zecora, for me?” said Humble smiling.

“I will come now you will see, since it fills you with so much glee,” replied Zecora.

“Great!” said Humble slapping Zecora on the back. “It’ll be fun!”

The expanded group proceeded to continue on their way to Barnyard Bargains with Time starting up a conversation with Humble.

“So Humble I read your book, “The adventures of Con Colt,” said Time.

“Oh? What did you think?” replied Humble interested in meeting another reader.

“I liked it, reminded me of something…..familiar,” said Time with a chuckle.

“Well glad I could brigh-omph!” said Humble as he trotted into Pinkie. “Pinkie, why’d you stop?”

“We’re here,” whispered Pinkie at the sight that was in front of her, a horde of ponies, donkeys, griffons, and a few minotaurs were moving back and forth in the area surrounding Barnyard Bargains with banners and stands, all Daring Do related, servicing hundreds.

The view that really astounded the group, however, was the sight of what had to possibly be the longest line in the history of Equestria with creatures all entangled in a mess of talons and hooves. With tents scattered around the place, the group realized that meeting Daring would be harder than they thought had it not been the sight of a certain element of loyalty waving at them from the front of the line.

“Rainbow Dash!” shouted Scootaloo before galloping to her idol along with the rest of the group tailing her.

“Hey no cutting!” said a stallion right behind Rainbow Dash.

“Bu-”

“No cutting!”

“Whoah!” said Rainbow Dash to the stallion. “These guys are with me Noodle, they’re cool.”

“Hmm, if you say so Dash,” said Noodle letting the group pass in front of him.

“You know that stallion Miss Dash?” said Humble.

“Your Pinkie’s uncle Humble right? Yeah I know him, we’re in the same Daring Do fan club.”

“Ohhh, there’s a club?” said Pinkie bouncing around Rainbow Dash. “Can I join?”

“Can I too?” said Dinky.

“Can we!?” said Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo at the same time.

“Sorry squirts and Pinkie, but the “Daring Do is the bestest author in the history of forever fan club” is  a hardcore Daring Do fan organization,” said Rainbow Dash to the disappointment of the fillies and Pinkie.

“What makes it different from any other fan club?” said Time as the group left their spot with Noodle watching it for them. “What do you guys do, tie yourself up and pretend you're escaping from temples?”

“Pffft, no!” said Rainbow Dash buying a lemonade. “That’s the “Daring Do roleplay society.”

“So what do you do?” said Humble as Pinkie took the fillies to play some games and Zecora went to a face painting stand.

“We write fan fiction,” said Rainbow Dash looking at a replica of Daring’s compass.

“You write fan fiction? Hahahah!” cried out Time before tumbling to the ground.

“Yeah so what!?” said Rainbow Dash offended. “What’s wrong with writing stories about your favorite characters?”

“Hehehe,” said Time wiping a tear. “I’m sorry Miss Dash, but I’m afraid fan fiction is merely a bunch of ponies in dark rooms typing away and giving out badly written stories about two  characters having an intimate non canon relationship.”

“That’s not true!” said a red faced Rainbow Dash. “I’ll admit  some of us may write a bit of shipping but it’s not like we do it all the time! Come on Humble defend me here!”

“I’m sorry Miss Dash, but I’m afraid I have to agree with the doctor a bit,” said Humble as Time giggled to himself. “While fan fiction can be nice, it also deters what the author originally intended, at least in my case. I can’t tell you how many poorly written fan stories have been written with original characters who are apparently related to my main characters that appear out of nowhere and can consist of overly powered abilities or too popular personalities  that make any conflict moot.”

“Well that’s just-uh-just-argh!” said Rainbow Dash grabbing her mane and pulling it hard.

“Hi Humble!” said Twilight. “Hi Rainbow Dash, doctor.”

“Hi,” said Time wiping the last of his giggling tears.

“Hi Twilight,” said Humble while Rainbow Dash just mumbled hello. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m gonna do a speech about the importance of reading,” said Twlight. “And what better place than at a Daring Do convention!?”

While this happened Sweetie Belle was currently trying to win at a arcade game called, “Daring’s river journey!” but could not get past the final boss...of the first level.

“You lose!” said the machine as the image of Daring collapsed on the ground as the countdown started. “Insert more bits to play.”

“Agghhhh!” groaned Sweetie Belle. “This game’s impossible!”

“Sweetie Belle!” said a colt’s voice from behind Sweetie Belle.

Turning around, Sweetie Belle came muzzle to muzzle with Button Mash who was wearing a Daring Do vest.

“Button!” said Sweetie Belle before nuzzling her colt friend. “What are you doing here?”

“I asked my mom to take me,” said Button pointing at his mother Love Tap who was eating some grilled corn. “Also, umm, I thought you’d be here.”

“Awww,” said Sweetie Belle her heart fluttering before being interrupted by the sound of the arcade machine having reached zero.

“Game over!” said the machine before going back to the intro.

“Dumb toy!” said Sweetie Belle. giving it a small kick. “Ouch.”

“What’s wrong?” said Button concerned.

“This thing won’t let me win!”

“Stand aside miss,” said Button entering  his suave gamer mode by putting on his father’s mustache. “And let a stallion handle this.”

“I thought your mom said not to wear your dad’s mustache?” said Sweetie Belle stepping aside.

“Please don’t tell her I took it!” cried Button starting the game. “Oh it’s starting!” he said as the game quickly did the intro showing Daring trying to get the diamond of fire before her enemies could only for the diamond to be quickly stolen by a goon.

“Hit the snake!” said Sweetie Belle clinging to Button.

“I know!” said Button quickly kicking the snake.

He continued to go through the level till he reached the final boss of the first level.

“Take out the hydra!” shouted Sweetie Belle.

‘I know!” said Button. “Again.” As he made Daring jump up and down, kicking and punching, Button was finally able to beat the hydra with it falling into the chasm below. “Yes!”

“You did it!” said Sweetie Belle giving Button a kiss on the cheek before going full red face along with a stunned Button. “Ummm.”

“Ummm,” said Button. The conversation would have gotten more awkward but the two were spared it and quickly turned their attention back to the game that had rung a bell signalling the start of the second level.

Watching from afar, Humble signed at the sight of the two young lovers before quickly turning to the product in front of him: a helmet.  

“It looks just like Dazzles,” thought Humble while rubbing his hoof on Dazzle’s compass in his pocket. “In fact even Daring’s cutie mark resembles-” he would have continued if not for Pinkie launching herself onto him.

“Unkie Humble!” said Pinkie swinging around on Humble.

“Pinkie, what are you doing?” said Humble swinging his niece before lowering her softly onto the ground. “ I thought you were with the girls.”

“Scootaloo is doing the rope swing thingy, Apple Bloom and Dinky are doing knot tying, an well you looked sad,” said Pinkie. “So I wanted to cheer you up with my world famous “Pinkie Pie’s hugs are great hug!”

“Well I appreciate it hon, but I’m just in a kinda grumpy mood today,” said Humble sitting on a nearby bench and taking out the compass.

Pinkie gasped at the mention of a kinda grumpy mood, immediately she did the one thing that came to mind.

“You know what always cheers me up when I’m grumpy?” said Pinkie.

“What?” said Humble.

“Taking pictures for family photo albums!” squealed Pinkie before grabbing Humble and taking out her camera.

“Wait Pinkie-agghh!” shouted Humble as the camera’s bright flash blinded him, causing him to trip and fall.

“Unkie Humble!” said Pinkie helping Humble up. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah I think so,” said Humble adjusting his tie. “I’m just glad the c-co-oh boy,” he said noticing that Dazzle’s compass was missing. “Where did I put it!?”

“Put what unkie Humble?” said Pinkie not knowing what was going on.

“My compass! Where’s my com-there it is!” shouted Humble spotting the compass being kicked by hoofs and talons deeper into the crowd. “Come back!” said Humble going after it.

“Unkie Humble, wait for me!” cried out Pinkie, following her uncle.

While this took place, Stale and Lemon were standing next to the west side of the Barnyard Bargains building.

“So you know what to do?” said Filthy. “We only have one chance at this.”

“Don’t worry, Lemon is gonna take out the targets while I nab our stallion,” said Stale.

“And you’ll take care of the target while I take care of the other?” said Lemon to Filthy.

“Yes, now I have to make sure Miss Yearling is ready. Gentlecolts I hope to see you when this is all over,” Filthy said before heading into the building through a side door. “Aww, Miss Yearling-” he said as the door shut tightly.

“Wish me luck Stale,” said Lemon grabbing his metal case.

“Yeah, yeah, just make sure to hit’em good,” said Stale heading toward Humble who was chasing after the compass.

As this happened Vinyl was playing another record for the mosh pitting audience.

“Aww yeah!” said Vinyl nodding her head to the wubs while Octavia adjusted her wubproof headphones so she could read her book. “Drop it!”

“Ehhh,” sighed Octavia looking up from her book. “Vinyl, please do try to be more...quieter,” she said spotting Lemon trotting past the crowd to a nearby building. “It can’t be, Vinyl?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Vinyle said shaking her head wildly.

“I’ll be right back!” Octavia said sneaking away. Limping toward the direction of Lemon, Octavia had nerve wracking thoughts race through her mind. “What is he doing here!? Do the rest of the brotherhood know?” thought Octavia dipping behind a nearby tree where her equipment was stored. “Better get geared for this,” she mumbled, moving a rock to reveal a small hole underneath with a metal box in it. Taking the box out Octavia quickly opened it to reveal a pair of odd looking armbands and a white robe with a red sash on it. “Not this time,” said Octavia quickly putting on the outfit.

Meanwhile, Lemon stood upon a small store’s roof overlooking the crowd and the targets.

“This will do nicely,” said Lemon to himself taking out his special device, a metal cylinder object  that was about his length and in the shape of a seven including a small slime bowtie shaped piece of metal that had strange xs crossed into a glass inside it that allowed a pony to see object closer from a distance. “Yes this will do,” he said aiming at the target.

“And that is why books are important!” shouted Twilight awakening the sleeping crowd who just clapped in response.

Simoustanly, Apple Bloom and Dinky were waiting for the others to join them at the front while noodle was using the restroom.

“Where are they?” said Apple Bloom scouting the area.

“Mmmmm,” said Dinky with a shrug.

“Hey guys!” said Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo followed her. “Guess who I saw!”

“Oh! Daring Do!” said Dinky hoping she got it right.

“Nope, Button!”

“Ugh,” groaned Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.

“What’s wrong?” said Dinky. “Button’s nice.”

“Sweetie Belle and Button are dating,” said Scootaloo while Sweetie Belle just blushed.

“And everytime they go near each other Sweetie Belle gets clumsy...er,” said Apple Bloom with a roll of her eyes.

“At least I can keep hold of a map!” said Sweetie Belle.

“Darn it Applejack, I thought you didn’t tell anypony about that!” said Apple Bloom to herself.

“Well, well,” said a voice all four filles feared. “If it isn’t the cutie mark lamers!” said Diamond Tiara as Silver Spoon giggled.

“What do you want Diamond?” groaned Apple Bloom.

“Don’t you remember?” said Diamond as Filthy went up to the stage’s podium. “I get to go to the front of the line thanks to daddy.”

“Thank you Princess Twilight!” said Filthy as Twilight took her seat. “Ladies and gentlecolts,” said Filthy into the microphone.

“But that’s not fair,” said Dinky.

“What did you say?” said Diamond. “I couldn’t hear you over your mother dropping her packages onto a tree!”

“It is my honor to introduce a mare you all know,” said Filthy.

“Y-you take that back about my mommy!” cried out Dinky with a sniff.

“Poor little Dinky Doo, having a mother like Ditzy Doo!” chuckled Silver.

“Not even having a daddy,” snickered Diamond.

“Hey stop bullying her!” shouted Scootaloo standing next to Dinky.

“Yeah!” said Sweetie Belle.

“A mare with a mind for words!” said Filthy.

“And where’s your dorky colt Button Mash?” said Diamond with a smirk. “Wasting his life playing those awful video games of his?”

“You take that back!” said Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo and Dinky restrained her from beating up Diamond Tiara.

“A.K Yearling!” said Filthy as the crowd cheered and stamped in approval.

“Hahahaha-omph!” said Diamond as Apple Bloom punched her right in the snout.

“That’s it!” said Apple Bloom. “I’m sick of ya’ll making fun of us!”

“Thank you Mr. Rich,” said Yearling as the situation caught  her attention. “What the-”

“I’m gonna destroy you!” said Diamond as she lunged at Apple Bloom.

“Hey you fillies!” shouted Yearling as she galloped off the stage and over to the autograph area. “Stop figh-opmh!” she said as one of Diamond’s flying hoofs hit her square on the snout causing a small golden pen to come of her ear and rolled into the crowd. “Buck!” she said galloping into the shocked crowd.

While Yearling chased her pen, Humble chased after the compass as the crowd kept kicking it in the way of others or moving objects.

“Aiming at target,” said Lemon lining up the scope with the target. “On the count of zero,” he said as Octavia ascended above him.

“What are you doing?” thought Octavia wondering what the strange device Lemon held was.

“Three,” said Lemon checking the wind.

“Almost got it!” said Humble dodging a passing Big Mac carrying a board of wood. “Where is it-huh?” said Humble noticing a pen rolling to his hoof. “What’s this?” said Humble looking down at the pen and noticing the writing on it. “Wait a s-ouch!” Humble said hitting somepony. “Sorry about...that,” said looking at a familiar cutie mark.

“Two,” gritted Lemon, aiming with his mouth.

Yearling raced past the screaming fans to catch up with the runaway pen. Just when it seemed she would get it, she ran into somepony. “Omph!” she said hitting the ground with her cloak coming undone. “What did I-huh?” she said looking at what appeared to be a familiar looking compass. “It can’t be,” she said looking up to meet a pony who she had not seen for ten years.

“Humble,” said Yearling to a stunned and wide eyed Humble.

“One,” Lemon said using his cybernetic targeting system.

“Dazzle,” said Humble looking at Artemis Knightly Yearling.

“Zero,” said Lemon letting go of the string.

.

Next Chapter: Foalnapped Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 56 Minutes