MLP: The Perfect Gift

Chapter 1 - An Unexpected Start

Disclaimer: "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" belongs to DHX Media and Hasbro, Beck was created by FanficFan920, and Stardust Balance was created by the Warrior of Twilight. I just own Casey, and this story.

Author's Note: This story takes place sometime after Playing With Fire, so there will be a few spoilers regarding events that happened in the story which have yet to be published.

"Dang it, dang it, dang it, dang it, dang it!" cried Casey, with his forehead down on the desk in front of him while using his front right hoof to pound on the wooden object.

And why was he doing this, you ask?

Well, the holiday celebration known as Hearth's Warming (aka Christmas, in the world that his best friend used to live in) was only a few days away, and pretty much everyone that lived in Equestria had already gotten their homes decorated in honor of said holiday - the tree, ornaments, and whatnot - as well as purchasing or making gifts for their friends and loved ones.

Unfortunately, due to recent events, Casey had been unable to spend the time that he'd originally planned for to get presents so that he wouldn't have to worry about doing it at the last minute, which brings us to our current predicament.

"There's gotta be someone in Equestria that can help me with this," groaned the light-orange Earth Pony.

"Hi, Casey!"

He lifted his head after hearing a voice familiar to his ears, and his eyes moved in an upward direction.

That isn't exactly what I meant.

"Hey, Pinkie," greeted Casey, as the pink party-loving pony entered the library, making her way towards him. "Um, Twilight's not here right now… and neither is Spike or Starlight… but I'll tell them you stopped by to-"

Pinkie shook her head, and replied, "I'm not here to see any of them, silly. I came to see you!"

A small smile appeared on Casey's face. "Well, I appreciate that, Pinkie, but I'm not exactly in the best mood right now for company."

"What's wrong?" asked Pinkie, now standing next to her friend, and sounding concerned. "Did Starlight pop the Stardust balloon that I gave you?"

Casey couldn't help but chuckle a little bit after hearing that. "No, that's not what happened."

Taking a glance over at the list beside him, the young pony added, "I, uh, haven't gotten anyone their… um, gifts yet for Hearth's Warming this year."

Pinkie Pie blinked her eyes a few times, and to Casey's surprise, she started to laugh. "Is that why you're so mopey-dopey?"

A slightly unamused Casey nodded his head, with Pinkie adding, "I'm pretty sure no one's gonna mind that you didn't get them a gift. Hearth's Warming is a time for-"

"Yeah, I know, for family and all that stuff," interrupted the young pony. "But this is going to be my first real Hearth's Warming since I first met you all in the Crystal Empire… and, back when my parents were still… around, searching for presents at this time of the year was something I looked forward to… not to mention that I'd feel horrible not having been able to even get Twilight something."

Pinkie looked around the library for a moment before turning her attention back over to Casey. "Um, I think she's probably the easiest pony to find a present for."

Knowing what his friend was referring to, Casey replied, "I want it to be something more than just a book, Pinkie… I mean, after everything she's done so much for me this past year… I just don't think a book alone is enough to give to somepony like her."

Seeing now how serious that Casey was taking this, Pinkie quickly decided that she was going to help him out. "Well, you're not gonna find anything for anypony just standing here… and now I know why I came to see you today - I'm here to help you find your Hearth's Warming gifts!"

"Um…" replied Casey, who couldn't help but feel a little unsure about recieving help from Pinkie Pie in getting gifts for those that were on his list.

However, time was becoming scarce, and Pinkie was basically the expert of presents, in general, so after letting out a sigh, Casey added, "Thank you, Pinkie… I really appreciate it."

"Of course! That's what friends are for," said the pink Earth Pony, who now had a wide smile on her face. "Now, then, let's see who you've got on this list of yours."

Casey handed it over to her, and she began reading it aloud. "Alrighty, then, so first we got Twilight, then… um, I think you accidentally wrote her name twice on here, Casey."

The young Earth Pony shook his head, and replied, "The second one is the Twilight from Stardust's world… I wanted to get her something, too."

"Ohhhh, okay," said Pinkie, nodding her head, and went back to reading the list. "Next up is Stardust, Spike, and Starlight… me, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy… the CMC's, Jack, and…. um, who's ? supposed to be?"

She was referring to the name that was at the bottom of the list, where Casey had written a row of three question marks. "I'll let you know once we take care of everypony else. Now, wait here while I go get the… aw, ****, I forgot!"

Casey placed a hoof against his forehead, and Pinkie asked, "What? What is it?"

"I spent pretty much almost my entire savings at the jewelry store where I got Twilight's ri - turtledove necklace restored," groaned Casey, past memories coming back to him, and he pointed at the list. "I only have enough for two or three of the names on here, but that still leaves me with everyone else, so I - oof!"

He was interrupted by Pinkie after she placed a medium-sized brown bag into his hooves, and said, "Here ya go! Think this'll be enough for everypony?"

Casey opened it up a little to take a look inside, and his eyes became wide after seeing how much was inside. "How in the… w-where did you get all of this from?"

"That's just a small amount of all the tips that I've gotten from almost all of the parties I've thrown all around Equestria," replied Pinkie. "How do you think I'm able to keep my underground party planning cave?"

He was about to respond with something else, but then, a certain question popped into his head. "You don't charge me and the others for the parties you've thrown for us, have you?"

Pinkie let out a laugh, and shook her head while placing a hoof on Casey's shoulder. "That's a good one, Casey… and speaking of the party cave, we got to make an emergency stop there before going anywhere else."

A look of confusion appeared on Casey's face as he replied, "But don't we have to walk over to-"

"Nope, we're taking the special castle shortcut," said Pinkie, who now had a hoof on a lowered lever that was next to her. "You ready to do this?"

Casey nodded his head, but he had a bad feeling that getting the gifts for everyone on his list was not going to be a walk in the park.

"We aren't going to the park," said Pinkie. "We're going to my party cave."

"Yeah, I know, Pinkie," replied a confused Casey, just as the pink pony pulled the lever. "Who said anything abo - aaaaahhh!"