Spice Up Your Life
Carol, Camille, the Mane Six and the Dragons were staring at the busted Cutie Map as Twilight began to speak, "As you've all probably noticed, it's been quite some time since the map has sent us on a mission of friendship."
"Considering Starlight used it to try and change the past. I knew I should have been on guard duty." Draco grumbled.
"Yes. Since then. But, as part of her studies, Starlight's been assisting me. And together, we think we've come up with a spell that can get it working again!" Twilight declared, as her friends were overjoyed.
Fluttershy spoke up, "Okay so why did you ask for Camille and Carol?"
"Because their magic combined with Starlight's and mine should be able to restore the map and upgrade it too." The princess explained.
"Then let's get this show on the road." Rainbow said.
"Now without further ado..." Twilight began, as she and Starlight started powering up their magic along with Camille's.
The three pooled their power and aimed it at the cutie map. The map was starting up again and randomly started selecting spots in Equestria with various combinations of the girls' cutie marks on who should go where.
"Is the map still on the fritz?" Carol asked.
"No, it hasn't been active for a while so it's searching for a current friendship problem in Equestria and who should solve it.
"Not to mention the Forces of Darkness have also been taking advantage of the map being jammed," Camille added, "Still the map should stabilize and my magic should give a more accurate location on where to go and the dragon and human help needed."
On cue Rarity and Pinkie Pie's cutie marks were hovering over the map after it finally stabilized, "Rarity and I are in Canterlot!"
"How marvelous," Rarity agreed, "I could also use this as a chance to check in on my boutique there."
Draco noticed something, "Hold it. The map is zooming in on Canterlot to give you an idea on where to go and who else to bring." The map zoomed in on the city to where dozens of restaurants could be seen.
"What part of Canterlot is that?" Carol asked.
"I don't know but it says that you, me, Edna and Skyla are needed for this mission. The orange lotus, my family's symbol and the air element symbol are present so we better get going." Camille suggested, and everyone agreed.
Soon the gang were on the friendship express and this time it was being pulled by Diesel of all engines, "So tell me again what is going on, Camille?" Diesel asked.
"My friends and I are on our way to Canterlot to solve a friendship problem."
"A what?"
"A friendship problem. Clearly there's trouble with someone's friendship and it needs to be helped otherwise a relationship will be destroyed or worse."
"What could be worse?" Diesel asked.
"I'd rather not even think about it."
Diesel understood what his Driver's daughter was thinking as he arrived in Canterlot, 'We're here!" Pinkie cheered.
"Let's get going." Edna instructed. So the group walked through Canterlot finding the exact spot the map narrowed down for them to begin looking.
"So what are we looking for again?" Skyla asked, "Carol said something about a row of restaurants."
Before anybody could answer Pinkie Pie's stomach began growling, "Perhaps we should get some lunch?" Carol suggested.
"Well, you can't go to just any place here. Fortunately I know the best places." Rarity said.
"Well I didn't get a chance to explore Canterlot so what places would those be?" Skyla inquired.
Rarity showed them to their destination, "Restaurant Row, the absolute best place for fine dining in all of Equestria!"
"Well the map showed us this area. Our friendship problem has got to be in one of the restaurants." Camille said.
"The question is which one should we go to?" Edna wondered.
"And what's with the hooves?" Carol pointed to some signs with three hoof marks.
"The three hoof rating," Rarity explained, "Zesty Gourmand, the Queen of Cuisine came up with it. When it comes to food, she is the ultimate authority in Canterlot and thus all Equestria. She judges a restaurant on cuisine, decor, and presentation. Without her approval, a restaurant simply cannot survive."
"Funny I thought all a restaurant needed was good food, atmosphere, and good standards." Skyla said.
"Zesty grew up around fine dining, and everypony hangs on her every word when it comes to cuisine." Rarity continued.
"Seriously?" Camille asked in disbelief, "Obviously you haven't seen my mom's barbecue house. Anyway let's get this over with."
They picked one place seeing it looked fancy with grayish colors and such, "Not bright at all." Camille said.
"Kinda gloomy." Carol noted.
"The Steamworks has more life and color than this joint." Edna said.
"And I've been to Dryaw Airfield and the place is much livelier than here." Skyla finished.
The bus boy pony came over and sat trays out. He lifted the lids to reveal they were small hor d'oeuvres decorated fancy, "Oh, my! Such presentation." Rarity admired.
"At least that's one good thing." Edna said, as the group looked at their food in disappointment.
Each of them popped it in their mouths but felt no taste, while Pinkie devoured her three pieces with one lick of the plate, "This sucks." Camille grumbled.
"Rarity, what were you thinking?" Carol asked.
"Now don't be so sour. This is just one of the places."
"Then I suggest we try someplace else." Pinkie suggested.
They went to another but the atmosphere and the food were just the same, "It's like Déjà vu." Carol noticed.
They tried another place but had no results. Everywhere they looked they found that it was the same, "As the daughter of a barbecue house owner and restaurant mogul I think we need to try a new plan. Let's just follow our noses." Camille suggested.
"I second that." Pinkie agreed.
The group decided to do as Camille suggested and Pinkie Pie found a scent, "I smell something good this way."
"Smells like Indian inspired food." Skyla noted.
Right on cue Pinkie Pie bounced her way to the source of the smell and Skyla mimicked her much to everyone's shock. They followed them before stopping before a small cafe hidden between two very large buildings.
"Now this is a nice place." Camille said.
"The Tasty Treat." Carol read the sign.
"Now this is a place I can picture myself eating at. Rarity your thoughts?" Skyla inquired.
"Well, it's different, but it doesn't even have three hoofs." she noticed.
"Then why am I hearing excited chattering and seeing three dragon paw prints above the door on the place?" Edna pointed to see three dragon paw prints above the door in a manner where three hooves usually were seen.
"Dragon prints? I don't understand." Rarity said in confusion.
"Let's just go inside." Skyla said.
So the team went in and found that the place was busy with customers alright but the customers were dragons of various elements and the food was actually good. Skyla and Pinkie Pie were already at a table and Skyla's Dragon Huuro was present, "Oh, hello, everyone," Huuro greeted, "Welcome to the Tasty Treat. The Finest exotic food in all of Equestria and for those who like Indian inspired food."
"There's nothing but dragons here? That's unusual." Rarity said.
Huuro answered, "Well it's not my fault. I've been helping out as the chef since I can cook food for dragons in exchange for letting me live here for a bit. You'd have to talk to the other chef and the host here."
"And who're they?" Camille asked.
"I'll go get them. I gotta get back to work." Huuro went to go get the Pony in question.
Coming out was a father and daughter pony. The team got a good look at the father and daughter ponies seeing that they were both unicorns. Both of them were dressed like they were from India. The Daughter spoke to them, "Hello, I'm Saffron Masala, the chef here at The Tasty Treat. And this is my father Coriander Cumin."
"I am the host." he greeted.
"Would you like to hear about our Specials?" Saffron asked.
"Yes please!" Pinkie and Skyla answered.
"Love what you've done with the place. It actually stands out among all the other places in restaurant row." Carol said.
"Thank you very much." Saffron thanked them.
"So about the specials?" Camille asked.
They were given menus and checked the exotic dishes, "This place has plenty of Indian Dishes for ponies and for dragons. Oh look they even have specials for the humans should they visit." Skyla said.
"So have you made a decision on your food yet?" Saffron inquired.
"Yes we have." Pinkie confirmed.
After listing their orders, Saffron got started on cooking. While they waited Skyla took the time to chat with Huuro, "So, Huuro, what's it like living and working here at the tasty treat? We're here on a friendship mission and the map led us here to Restaurant Row."
"Well, it's a good job. Especially with the good customers. But thanks to this Zesty Gourmand turning all other cafes into replicas of what she wants this is the only surviving one with any discernible character."
"What about the ponies? Have any of them tried the food?" Skyla asked.
"Unfortunately without Zesty's three hoofs the ponies just ignore it." Huuro answered.
"Then why do I see dragons in here?" Skyla asked.
"That's because of the food critic Pepper." Huuro answered.
Upon hearing the word food critic Rarity spoke up, "Pepper?"
"A Dragon of the Fire Element. Pepper hails from Manehatten's Dragon Community and got word of the tasty treat through Aang and Astral paying a surprise visit. So she showed up. Gave a review and the other dragons enjoy it. The only ponies that come here are ones from outside of Canterlot."
"Sounds like this place needs more publicity for around here." Camille said.
"Yep and it's also taken a strain on Saffron and Coriander's relationship. See for yourself." Huuro said, as the group turned and saw what he meant.
They watched the two argue about planning to close up if they can't get any full approval from anyone in Canterlot, and can't always rely on out of town guests, "I see what you mean." Carol said.
"We gotta do something. Perhaps this is the mission. Pinkie Pie. Rarity what do you think?" Edna asked.
"I think you're onto something." Rarity confirmed.
"So do we have a plan?" Skyla asked.
"We should try and get Zesty Gourmand to give this place the three hooves, as well as draw up more Canterlot ponies to dine here." Rarity suggested.
"Before we do that we should ask Saffron and Coriander about Zesty Gourmand and if they tried to get her in the door." Carol suggested.
"Agreed." Camille confirmed.
After finishing the food the group went to see Saffron and Coriander, "Hello. We couldn't help but overhear your problem. And I'd like to say that we're here to help." Carol offered.
"Help us how?" Coriander asked.
"Well for starters why don't we discuss this in the kitchen?" Camille began.
The group including Huuro, Saffron and Coriander went to the kitchen to talk about the situation, "So what can you do to help us in our situation?" Saffron asked.
"First we need to know the full situation before we can begin to build a plan." Carol began.
Coriander explained, "Zesty Gourmand refused to even check out establishment and without the three hoof rating the ponies here won't come to eat. And we can't rely on customers from out of town forever."
"Why would she do that?" Skyla wondered.
"Unfortunately Zesty has very high standards." Saffron sighed.
"Based off what we've seen I can believe it." Pinkie agreed.
Saffron continued, "But this Pepper seems to have good standards and gave us a Three Paw rating. If I didn't know better I'd say that Pepper is the opposite of Zesty."
"From what I'm seeing I believe it. Anyway Carol go draw a crowd in. Camille stay here and manage the décor." Skyla said.
"Affirmative." Camille nodded.
"You can count on me." Carol added.
"What about Pinkie Pie and Rarity? What are they gonna do?" Huuro asked.
"Yeah where do we fit into this?" Pinkie inquired.
"Maybe you should stay here Pinkie Pie and help with the decorating. If there's one thing I know how to do in Canterlot its draw a crowd of ponies." Rarity suggested.
"And I'll go make sure that Zesty Gourmand is nowhere near Canterlot or the Tasty Treat." Edna offered.
"I'll go with Edna," Skyla offered, "So it sounds like we have a plan. Let's do it." The girls broke and got to work.
Carol and Rarity went to go draw the crowd, "So how are you gonna actually get them to the Tasty Treat?" Carol asked Rarity.
"Watch and learn, Carol," Rarity used a sign signal for the Tasty Treat along with her natural charms to encourage ponies to go to the Tasty Treat, "Would the owner of one of the premier boutiques in Canterlot put a stamp of approval on something that wasn't fabulous? And would the Avatar back said owner up as well?" Carol watched as crowds of ponies were following Rarity and herself.
At the Tasty Treat Camille and Pinkie Pie were overseeing the decorations and Huuro was tending to the fresh crowd of dragons that were waiting outside to dine at the Tasty Treat and among them Aang and Astral were present.
"This is so good!" Pinkie cheered.
"Yep though I'm not as good as Michelle when it came to decorations. If I had known that this was the mission we would've brought her along. Still at least this looks acceptable and my magic has made it easier for Dragons to get through the door." Camille said.
Suddenly the door opened and ponies in Canterlot were filling the place up. The Dragons were also entering the joint and the ponies were surprised at first but they found that the dragons present were interested in eating the food from the tasty treat more than eating them.
"So far so good." Aang began.
Astral nodded, "Yep. Fortunately Camille cast a few spells to keep the smell and noise from getting out so as not to attract some unwanted attention."
"Yep. Now it's up to Edna and Skyla to do their part." Aang said.
With Edna and Skyla they were looking for Zesty Gourmand, "So how do we even know what Zesty Gourmand looks like?" Skyla asked.
Edna looked through a magazine article and showed her a picture, "Here she is."
"Let me see." Skyla got a good look at the photo.
Zesty was a tall unicorn with thick eyelids which seem to protrude from her countenance and pronounced cheekbones. Her muzzle was pointy and upturned. Her ears were long and pointed, and had visible eyebrows of the same color as her outline. Her mane was pinkish grey and her coat was light magentish gray. Her noticeable piece of clothing was a dark overcoat.
"Oh, boy. This is the food critic that Rarity and my dragon partner Huuro spoke of? Well I can see why the ponies would fear her." Skyla said.
"Either way we gotta find her and find out what she's up to tonight." Edna added.
"Agreed," Skyla nodded as they searched around. They managed to find the unicorn in question getting a train ticket, "She's getting a train ticket?"
"If she's leaving Canterlot that's good news." Edna replied.
"Let's get closer and see why she even has the train ticket." Skyla suggested. So the two snuck around getting closer.
They could hear Zesty Gourmand discussing the fact that the train ticket was for herself and that she was indeed leaving Canterlot to go on a week-long vacation to somewhere sunny, "Looks like we don't have to worry about Zesty for a week." Edna said.
"Good, by the time she gets back the Tasty Treat will be so popular not even she could try to bring it down." Skyla added.
"Yep so let's get back to the Tasty Treat," Edna said, "Hopefully the ponies don't mind the local dragons dining there. The two left on that note and it was fortunate that Zesty didn't hear them.
Back at the Tasty Treat, customers were piling on in, even the owners of other restaurants in the row turned up.
"So what do you all think of the food?" Saffron asked.
"We love it!" they cheered.
"So will you all give the Tasty Treat a chance despite the fact it doesn't have any hooves from Zesty Gourmand but has dragon paw prints from Pepper the food critic?" Camille asked. She received cheers from the customers signaling they got confirmation.
"I think it's safe to say we're done here. But there's just one little thing I need to know. Where is Zesty Gourmand?" Camille asked.
Right on cue the door opened and Edna and Skyla, "We're back. And we bring good news and great news. Which do you want to hear first?" Skyla asked.
"Good news would be ok." Rarity said.
"Well the good news is that Zesty Gourmand is out of Canterlot for a week." Edna began.
"That is good news." Pinkie answered.
"So what's the greater news?" Rarity asked.
"Remember that food critic Pepper?" Skyla asked, "Well we ran into her and she's paying a visit."
On cue a female red dragon showed up and entered the building, "Hello. My name is Pepper. I'm the food critic from Manehatten.
The Ponies were shocked but none more so than the owners of the other restaurants on Restaurant Row. They started crowding around her wanting her to sample some of their own original recipes hoping for her approval.
"Guys Guys. Relax I'm here for the week," She calmed them, "So please there is plenty of time. And I don't want to be crowded. You're suffocating me."
So the restaurant owners backed off giving her some space, "That's better. Now I must say that this is a much better place than the last time I was here. It looked empty but now it's nice and full. Not like the rest of Restaurant Row. It seems I was right to give this place three paws. It's the dragon equivalent to the three hoof rating I've been hearing so much about."
Saffron spoke, "Thanks to our friends here, business has been better than before."
"Yes but the last time I was here I noticed the host was not happy. Tell me how is he?" Pepper asked, as Saffron explained.
"Now that we have customers from Canterlot, he doesn't worry about relying on out of town customers."
"That's right," Coriander nodded, "Thanks to these girls our restaurant is welcomed to ponies and dragons. Which means Saffron and I can continue to do what we love. Cooking like a family."
"Is that why you started the restaurant in the first place?" Pepper inquired.
"That's right." Coriander confirmed, as he and Saffron hugged.
Pepper was about to ask more before noticing Rarity and Pinkie Pie's flanks glowing, "Uh are your cutie marks supposed to be glowing? I didn't know they could do that."
"We did it!" Pinkie cheered.
"We certainly did." Rarity agreed.
"Did what?" Pepper asked in confusion.
"We solved a Friendship Problem." Pinkie cheered.
"Yep and as long as we're here what do you say we help the other restaurant owners get their joints back to the way they actually like them?" Camille asked.
"Sounds good," Carol agreed, "Though we should also know when Zesty comes back and hears of what we've done she's not going to be happy."
"Zesty's opinion does not matter. All that matters is the ponies giving the food a chance." Camille answered.
"Indeed," Rarity agreed, "When this spreads her opinion won't be so highly praised."
"So let's do it." Camille said.
The team did as planned and began to fix up the restaurants which was easy given Camille's magic and the places were fixed up. Pepper looked around, "Now this is how a joint should look like. Anyway, Huuro, I suggest your partner and her friends leave. If Zesty asks tell them I said the Tasty Treat is good."
"As you wish." Huuro answered.
"It was nice meeting you." Skyla began.
"But we gotta get back." Edna continued.
"We'll come visit again someday." Carol promised.
"Goodbye for now." Camille said.
"See ya around!" Pinkie called. The girls in question left on that note.
