Friendship is Magic: The Seventh Element

by Master Mr B

"When the sixth element is revealed, a special element can appear that is a combination of the other six. It serves as the controller that bounds the power if the six elements together. But nobody, not even the royal sisters, have ever uncovered this...Seventh Element..." Follow my OC as he takes part in the adventures of FiM. And possibly win the heart of Twilight Sparkle...

115. The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows

The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows

Pony's Log Number 519: Pinkie is usually good at keeping secrets, but even she has her limits...

One day, Shenran was spending his day with Pinkie, helping her watch Pound Cake and other things. While many could debate it, Pound Cake seemed to take a liking to Shenran. It would sound cliche to say it was because they were both Pegasi, but Pound seemed to have more fun playing with a pony who could fly with him. He also seemed to behave more with Shenran too, but the Pegasus stallion would never admit that to a certain pink pony. She was currently at work with some cupcakes doing what she did best: Decorating them! Not eating them.

"Five hundred and sixty-six, five hundred and sixty-seven, five hundred and sixty-eight," Pinkie counted aloud, "Phew! Look at that, Pound Cake and Shenran! I am so close to breaking my personal cupcake-icing record!" Pinkie then slid down her ladder, showing that she was covered in cake batter.

"What's the prize if you win?" Shenran asked as Pound Cake flew off of his back and went to sit on Gummy for a ride.

"Just bragging rights," said Pinkie, "I've noticed little Pound Cake seems to like you." Shenran smiled as he extended a fore-hoof and little Pound returned it for a hoof-bump and giggled to himself.

"I honestly don't see why Mario had such a hard time with him," said Shenran, "Pound seems to listen to me..." He then snickered as he added, "...And I didn't need to dump flour on myself either."

"You had to go there didn't you," Pinkie remarked indignantly. It was then Mrs. Cake walked in with Pumpkin riding her back as she was reading a note.

"My goodness!" said Mrs. Cake, "I can't believe what I'm seeing here!"

"Pretty impressive if I do say so myself," said Pinkie smugly, only earning an eye roll from the blue Earth pony.

"I think she's referring to something else, Pinks," said Shenran as he walked up to the two mares.

"Pinkie, would you mind watching the counter while I pop to the supply room?" Mrs. Cake asked, "We've just received a very special order, and the ingredients need to be perfect."

"Okie-dokie-lokie," said Pinkie.

"Anything I can do to help?" Shenran offered as Pumpkin gave a happy squeal on Mrs. Cake's back.

"I've been meaning to sweep the floor...if you wouldn't mind, dear," Mrs. Cake offered.

"I'm on it," said Shenran, giving her a salute and hovered over to where the broom closet was.

"Thanks dears!" said Mrs. Cake and then zoomed away, making Pinkie spin about and she faceplanted on top of the note. Pinkie then read the note, her eyes quickly bugging out onto the paper. Hey eyes eventually punctured the paper itself.

"A baby?!" Pinkie exclaimed as she pulled the paper away with a big smile on her face, "Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are having a baby?!" Pinkie squealed excitedly. Shenran stopped sweeping when he saw Pound, who now had his pacifier in his mouth, stick the pacifier into Gummy's. Shenran just chuckled at both Pound's silliness and then smirked at the news.

"The ol' Captain is finally gonna settle down and become a father huh?" said Shenran, "lucky stallion." Pinkie then appeared a hug him, Pound, and Gummy at once.

"This is the best news ever!" said Pinkie happily, "I can't wait to tell Twilight and Mario!" Shenran smiled in agreement when Mrs. Cake peeked out of the supply room.

"Oh, em, Pinkie, Shenran, uh..." Mrs. Cake stuttered before whispering, "it's a top secret surprise." She and Pumpkin both made prolonged shushing sounds to emphasize their point.

"No problem!" said Shenran as Mrs. Cake slowly backed into the room, "Right Pinkie?" Pinkie didn't answer but just stared into space as she let go of Gummy and gulped.

"A top secret surprise?!" Pinkie remarked dreadfully, "That means I have to keep the exciting news...to myself!" Pinkie began to panic as Shenran just sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Houston, we have a problem," he remarked.

(Main Theme)

A few minutes later, Shenran finished sweeping and Mrs. Cake took over babysitting the twins. Pinkie and Shenran took a walk around the town area. The former, however, was still on edge about the secret as Gummy rode her tail sucking on the pacifier in his mouth.

"Even thought I didn't technically make a Pinkie Promise to Mrs. Cake," Pinkie told Shenran, "I can't tell Twilight, Mario, or anypony the big news! That would make me a...a...a big old surprise ruiner!"

"But Pinkie," said Shenran, "Mario says that you're pretty good a keeping a secret. This shouldn't be any different!"

"Shenran, those secrets are about private information secrets," said Pinkie, "This is along the lines of "getting your cutie mark" or "life-changing happy news" secrets! I'm not very good at keeping those! I can't tell you how many times I've ruined my own surprise parties because my mouth moves faster than my train of thought! Gummy can testify to it! Right, Gummy?" That was when she noticed Gummy sucking on the pacifier.

"Did you take that from Pound again?" Pinkie asked slyly, "Don't you know it's wrong to steal from a baby?" Shenran just rolled her eyes. As much as he wanted to tell Pinkie that Pound had put the pacifier into his mouth, he has given up trying to comprehend how Pinkie communicated with Gummy. Thus he kept his mouth shut.

"What's all this about a baby?" said Rarity as she approached the two ponies.

"What? Who? What?" Pinkie stuttered, "Who said something about a baby?!" Pinkie just gave the marshmallow pony an innocent smile, but Rarity wasn't going to back down.

"You did, Ms. Pie, just now," Rarity answered, "What were you talking about?" Pinkie's eyes shifted about nervously before grabbing the pacifier and putting it into her mouth, sucking on it as she shrugged her shoulders and walked off. Shenran just shook his head and rolled his eyes, trying to follow her when Rarity stopped him.

"What was that all about darling?" Rarity asked the Pegasus stallion as gave the pink pony a puzzled look.

"Pinkie caught Gummy sucking Pound's pacifier," said Shenran, "She thinks Gummy stole it from him."

"I see," said Rarity, "Pinkie could've just said so instead of acting so jumpy."

"She's just having a moment of anxiety," said Shenran simply, "You know like how Twilight and Mario get panic attacks from time to time?"

"I see..." said Rarity, "...hope she'll be alright."

"She will, she will," said Shenran reassuringly, waiting for Rarity to walk away, before muttering worriedly, "I hope..."

Later that day, the Mane eight and Spike had gathered in the throne room for an meeting. Rarity had just arrived to see that Pinkie still looked rather on edge. She gave the pink pony a worried look as she took a seat on her throne. It was then Mario arrived to sit in his throne. Next to him was a smaller throne about the same size as Spike's as a certain tiara-wearing filly sat beside him. As part of being Mario's student, Mario had Rarity take a small strand of the filly's mane and braided it with seven colored gems to represent the Elements of Harmony. The mini-braid symbolized her status as a student of friendship.

"I'm so honored that I get to be part of the council," Diamond Tiara told Mario.

"Well my faithful student," said Mario, "I figured you would like to be involved in helping out with personal as well as royal affairs." Diamond Tiara smiled in reply.

"Great! Everypony's here," said Twilight as Spike handed the purple alicorn a note, "Now I don't have to wait any longer to tell you all the wonderful news! Somepony special is coming to visit Ponyville, and my husband and I need your help getting everything ready!" The others ponies began chattering with each other excitedly.

"It's..." Twilight continued.

"...Shining Armor and Princess Cadance!" said Twilight and...Pinkie...at the same time? Twilight was just left stunned as Pinkie just gave a huge toothy grin. Shenran groaned inwardly as Mario and Diamond Tiara shared puzzled looks with each other.

"Yes," said Twilight, "and their coming-"

"-Tomorrow!" said Pinkie and Twilight together. Twilight was left stunned once more as Pinkie continued smiling awkwardly. Even Rarity gave Pinkie an awkward look. Shenran just shook his head and gave the pink pony the stink eye.

"Is this that Pinkie sense I've heard about, Master?" asked Diamond Tiara. For the record, the idea to call Mario "Master" was her own decision, not the alicorn prince's request.

"I'm...not sure," said Mario as he rubbed his chin, "I've seen the Pinkie sense do some amazing things, but nothing like this."

"Yes," Twilight tried to continue again, "on the-"

"-Friendship Express rather than the Crystal Empire train so as not to cause too much of a scene when they skip town to come visit?" Pinkie finished and gave a squee, sweat dripping from her forehead, especially since Shenran was literally giving her a death glare at this point.

"Yes," said Twilight uneasily.

"Annnnd?" Pinkie asked as she got into the alicorn's space.

"And that's it," Twilight replied.

"Oh," said Pinkie, not hiding the disappointment.

"Uh, how did you know all that?" Rainbow asked as Shenran winced discreetly.

"Uh...Pinkie Sense?" Pinkie replied with a nervous laugh.

"Called it!" Diamond Tiara shouted excitedly as Mario just rolled his eyes but still smiled. Pinkie just smiled with embarrassment as she stretched her body and went back to her throne.

"So, you said you need our help with something?" Rainbow asked. Twilight and Mario exchanged smiles with each other.

"Follow me," said Twilight as she flew off. Rainbow soon followed. Then Mario used his magic to set Diamond Tiara to her back before they flew off as well. It wasn't long before Twilight and Mario lead the group into a spare room in the castle that was filled with toys, books, ant farm, and more.

"Whoa," said Diamond Tiara, "I had no idea Prince Shining Armor was a big kid at heart."

"Actually, he's just a dweeb," said Mario and then laughed in a goofy tone, "Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!" Diamond Tiara looked at him skeptically.

"Please don't laugh like that," Diamond Tiara remarked annoyingly, "It's embarrassing." Mario glared when Fluttershy hovered over to them.

"He can't help it, Diamond Tiara," said Fluttershy, "He's the group dweeb after all."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't disrespect me in front of my faithful student," said Mario indignantly.

"What?" Fluttershy replied innocently, "If Diamond Tiara is gonna be your student, she should know just how much of a dork you really are."

"GRR!" Mario growled annoyingly as Diamond Tiara giggled.

"I had no idea Fluttershy, Miss timid and kind herself, was so sassy," Diamond Tiara remarked, "I like this side of her!"

"Thank you, I like you too!" said Fluttershy as she landed beside her and the two shared a hug. Mario just rolled eyes annoyingly when he saw Shenran walk by.

"Your wife is corrupting my student!" Mario whined.

"Well, what do you want me to do?" Shenran asked bluntly.

"Thanks alot," Mario remarked and sulked as Shenran chuckled and patted his best friend on the back. Rainbow then hovered about the room.

"Sweet posters!" said Rainbow, "Is that Smash Fortune?"

"It sure is!" said Twilight.

"Who?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"He was Shining Armor's favorite comic book hero when he was your age," Mario explained.

"Was he yours too?" Diamond Tiara asked curiously.

"Nah, our was Oats Lightyear of Star Command," said Shenran, "We were big fans of the series back when we were colts.

"Really?" said Rainbow skeptically, "So, Oats, where ya from? Manehatten? Horse-a-lulu?"

"Well, no, actually I...I'm...I'm...I'm stationed at the Gamma quadrant of sector four," said Mario before his tone got bolder, "As a member of the elite universe protection unit of the Space Ranger Corps. I protect the Galaxy from the threat of invasion! From the evil emperor, Borg! Sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance!" Mario posed, Shenran smiled excitedly, and the rest of the girls just stared at him with blank looks on their faces for a moment.

"Told ya Mario was the dweeb of the group," said Fluttershy to Diamond Tiara.

"I believe it," Diamond Tiara remarked as the two girls snickered as Mario glared at the two.

"Lightening up, honey," said Twilight as she kissed his cheek, "just remember that you're my dweeb."

"Thanks..." said Mario wearily with pink cheeks.

"When Shining Armor said he wanted to come to the castle and visit," Twilight explained to the others, "Mario and I started collecting things he liked when he was a colt as a surprise!"

"Surprise?!" Pinkie exclaimed as she popped out of a chest with an old guard's helmet on her head. Rainbow hovered over to the pink pony and gave her a skeptical look. Pinkie just laughed nervously before turning the helmet around to hide her face. Shenran just glared at the pink pony and Mario noticed.

"Shenran," said Mario in a hushed tone, "is there something we need to..."

"It's between me and Pinkie," said Shenran directly in the same tone.

"Alright then," said Mario slowly.

"I've been so excited that it's been hard to keep it to myself," Twilight continued as Fluttershy walked about the room.

"I have no idea what that's like!" Pinkie remarked in a muffled tone as Rainbow landed and gave her a funny look.

"Aww, look at the cute little ant farm!" said Fluttershy she peeked inside and saw a small ant carrying a leaf. The ant saw Fluttershy's eye, shrieked, and ran off.

"And check out all these old comic books!" Spike remarked as he picked up one still in its packaging.

"Be careful!" said Twilight, "They're mint-in-bag!"

"Plus it took me forever to even find them too," said Mario, "and cost me quite a few bits too!" Spike just went to blow off some dust when he ended up spitting a flame and burnt the comic book into ashes. He quickly put the ashes into the packaging slip and whistled nervously to avoid getting caught. He had only taken two steps when he found both Mario and Diamond Tiara giving them death glares.

"Does everything I tell you just go in one side of your head and out the other?" Mario asked in a low and stern tone.

"Heh...oops?" Spike replied.

"What's this?" Pinkie asked as she pulled out an old doll.

"Mario, we found your old sleep toy," Fluttershy teased.

"Want some snuggle-wuggle time, master?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Oh hush you two!" Mario said irritably as the two ponies snickered.

"That's enough teasing my husband," said Twilight firmly, "To answer your question Pinkie, this is Brute Force. Shining Armor used to carry him around like it was his baby!" Pinkie then winced and nearly dropped the doll, but after some juggling managed to regain her grip on it.

"Yeah! Really cute!" said Pinkie, laughing nervously as she spoke. Twilight just shared a look on concern at her still jumpy friend.

"Guess that teddy bear I saw him with all those years ago was just a cover up," said Mario, "I never knew about Brute."

"I'm surprised you didn't," said Twilight, "even I knew about him." Mario just shrugged his shoulders.

"It is a bit juvenile for castle decor," said Rarity, "But it is very sweet of you both."

"I'm sure Shining Armor will love it," said Fluttershy as Diamond Tiara nodded in agreement.

"So do we," said Twilight as Mario nodded in agreement, "but there's a few more things I'd like to add before he gets here, and I could really use a hoof collecting them."

"Whatever you need, sugarcube," said Applejack as she walked up to Twilight and gave her a wink, "we'll help you get it." Everypony else gave general comments of agreement.

"I get to help too right, master?" Diamond Tiara asked as she tapped his fore-leg.

"Of course you can," Mario replied.

"Thanks, everypony," said Twilight, "my husband and I can't wait til they walk in and see everything!"

"Totally understandable," said Rainbow, "Watching somepony else be surprised with is almost better than being the one who's getting the surprise!" Pinkie now looked worried.

"But...eh...what if the surprise is something so incredibly exciting that a pony can't keep it in any longer," Pinkie whined as she backstroked along the floor, "and she has to tell the pony standing next to her what it is or she might explode?!" Pinkie then grabbed Fluttershy tightly, making the yellow Pegasus lost her breath for a moment.

"Pinkie, you're cutting off my wife's air!" Shenran said sternly as he went to pull her off.

"S-s-s-sorry," said Pinkie as she loosened her grip, "I just need an answer to my question!"

"I would say...no," said Fluttershy, giving the pink pony a concerned look.

"The pony who ruins a surprise for somepony else has to live with that guilt forever!" said Rarity dramatically as she stuck her nose into Pinkie's face.

"She's right," Diamond Tiara added, "How would you feel if you worked hard on a surprise, only for somepony to spoil it? I've seen friendships be torn apart over it. All because that one pony couldn't keep their mouth shut." Pinkie just laughed nervously.

"Gotta bounce!" Pinkie interjected as curled up into a ball started ricocheting about, making pinball noises, when she crashed through several walls and right out of the castle.

"Is she always like this?" Diamond Tiara asked with concern as she and the others looked out of the hole Pinkie had made with concerned looks on their faces.

"So, I know the bar is set pretty high," said Rainbow, "but does anypony else think Pinkie Pie was acting weirder than usual?" Diamond Tiara was the only pony who raised her hoof in the air. Mario snorted.

"When are you guys going to tell the difference between Pinkie being random and Pinkie's got a problem?" Mario remarked.

"Hmm...you're right, master," said Diamond Tiara, "Pinkie seemed to be a little jumpy about some sort of secret or something."

"Good observation, Diamond," said Mario, "I supposed we should go find our pink friend and find out what's up." Shenran winced before he zipped up to them.

"No!" Shenran exclaimed, startling the two ponies, "I...uh...I mean...I'll go see what's up. I mean...you're always saying I should try and connect with everypony. And...I'm not very close to Pinkie just yet. I think I can help her." Mario stared...and then smiled.

"Alright, Shenran," said Mario, "I hope for the best." Shenran nodded as he hovered out of the room.

Back at Sugarcube corner, Pinkie raced toward the back entrance of Sugarcube Corner, slammed the door shut and panted heavily.

"Phew, that was close!" said Pinkie, "Too close."

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Pinkie screamed.

"Pinkie, chill out! It's me!" Shenran said from outside the door, "Now let me...WAH!" Shenran was then pulled inside and pressed against the wall by the pink pony.

"Did anypony follow you?" Pinkie asked darkly.

"No!" Shenran retort, "I told everypony..."

"You told! You told! YOU TOLD THEM!" Pinkie shrieked when Shenran shoved a fore-hoof in her mouth.

"I told our friends something was bothering you and I was here to help," said Shenran slowly, "The secret is still safe. They're not going to bother you because I said I would help you. You're my friend and I love you. I want to help you keep this secret. Okay?" Shenran then pulled his fore-hoof out of her mouth and then found a nearby napkin to wipe it. Pinkie just exhaled loudly before she hugged Shenran...gently this time around.

"Thanks, Shenran," said Pinkie, "But that was still way too close...I almost spilled the beans. Beans that would be really hard to clean up!"

"Do you really have no control over your own excitement?" Shenran asked.

"I have limits, Shenran!" Pinkie snapped, "It's an ongoing problem for me! Mario knows that!"

"Alright, alright," said Shenran, "Just calm down and we'll figure out a way you can relax."

"For starters, I obviously can't be around my friends right now," said Pinkie as she walked forward a bit, "Or anypony for that matter...except you Shenran...since you already know the secret. Hmm...that's it!"

"What's it?" Shenran asked curiously.

"If Shining Armor and Cadance are coming tomorrow," said Pinkie, "then all I have to do is lock myself in my room away from everypony until they arrive! Then I won't ruin anything!"

"Well, you don't have to lock yourself up in your room," said Shenran, "but I agree that having some quiet time would be a good idea."

"You'll...keep me company for a bit right?" Pinkie asked.

"Sure," said Shenran as the two headed upstairs. Then Mr. Cake arrived.

"Oh, good, you're back!" said Mr. Cake, "Mrs. Cake needs my help, but these deliveries can't wait! I can't thank you enough for agreeing to be my backup delivery pony, Pinkie!" Pinkie cringed.

"I...did?" said Pinkie as she tried to remember, which in turn, triggered a flashback.

Flashback

Mr. Caked was busy loading up some goods into his wagon.

"Maybe I should hire somepony to be my backup delivery pony," Mr. Cake pondered aloud.

"I'll do it!" said Pinkie as she sat on the front porch mixing some chocolate batter in a bowl.

"Really?" said Mr. Cake in surprise.

"Sure!" Pinkie answered, "There's no possible way that I could ever have anything that might interfere with doing that task, like a gigantic, emotionally exhausting surprise that would make it super hard to be around other ponies."

"Great!" said Mr. Cake before adding skeptically, "Uh, you're sure you won't change your mind?"

"No way!" said Pinkie as Gummy popped out of the chocolate cake batter, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

End Flashback

"Oh yeah," said Pinkie as she remembered, "I Pinkie Promised I'd do it. And I never break a Pinkie Promise! Never!"

"Well, thanks again!" said Mr. Cake, "You're a real cake-saver!" Mr. Cake headed back into the kitchen. Pinkie just looked worried as her mane deflated a bit and she sighed to herself.

"Why didn't you tell Mr. Cake..." Shenran tried to ask when Pinkie put a fore-hoof to his mouth.

"A pinkie promise is a pinkie promise and I must keep it," said Pinkie sadly, "Hm. Maybe it'll be a quiet day and I can just avoid everypony!"

"Uh, Pinks," said Shenran, but it was too late. Pinkie looked outside and found that nearly everypony imaginable was walking and chatting about the town area. Pinkie was looked at the sight dreadfully.

"I was trying to warn you that everypony is pretty much out and about today," said Shenran. Pinkie groaned to herself.

It wasn't long before Pinkie and Shenran were now each wearing a pair of gaucho glasses as they hid both themselves and the Cake wagon behind a bush. Then they tip-hoofed together until Pinkie managed to hide herself, Shenran, and the wagon behind a very thin tree trunk. Then they were hidden behind a nearby building. Pinkie poked out to scan around but quickly retreated when she saw a Pegasus fly past.

"Is this really necessary?" Shenran asked.

"Are you gonna help me or not?" Pinkie snapped in a harsh whisper.

"Sorry! I'm not as good at following your randomness like Mario is, but I'm trying!" Shenran snapped. Pinkie just rolled her eyes and charged forward with Shenran hovering behind her. She began to cautiously continued forward.

"Hiya, Pinkie Pie! Hiya, Shenran!" shouted a voice. Pinkie looked to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders were now walking along side her.

"Hey, girls!" said Shenran, trying to direct the conversation so Pinkie didn't have to talk.

"Hi, big brother," said Sweetie Belle, "Heard any good gossip today?"

"Yeah, we're bored," said Scootaloo, "Please say you have some interesting news." Pinkie looked a little uneasy.

"Well, my wife called Mario a dweeb in front of the entire group," said Shenran with a chuckle.

"I said interesting news," said Scootaloo, "Fluttershy is always being sassy with Mario."

"Well Diamond Tiara was there when she said it," said Shenran.

"Oh great," said Apple Bloom with an eye roll, "I bet she and Fluttershy had a good ol' time making fun of Mario."

"Pretty much," said Shenran.

"Anything else, Pinkie?" Scootaloo asked.

"Nope!" said Pinkie as she took off at high speed.

"Pinkie, wait up!" said Shenran as he flew off after her. The three fillies were left stunned at seeing Pinkie take off like she did. Pinkie just kept running until she bumped into somepony.

"Ugh!" Pinkie groaned when she noticed that the impact had knocked her gaucho glasses on somepony's pink tail. Shenran recognized the tail immediately.

"Honey?!" Shenran exclaimed as he helped his wife to her fore-hooves.

"Fluttershy, what a surprise!" said Pinkie, making Fluttershy turn around before Shenran could remove the gaucho glasses still stuck on her tail, "I mean, not a surprise!" Pinkie gave a squeaky smile in response.

"You were in such a rush earlier," said Fluttershy, "Twilight and Mario wanted me to ask you if you would bring some snacks to the castle for Shining Armor and Cadance's visit."

"Definitely!" Pinkie answered quickly as she tried walking away, "Got it! Pinkie Promise! Yeah! Heh." Shenran gestured behind Fluttershy to say no, but the yellow Pegasus turned around to look at him, which the Pegasus stallion just smiled innocently.

"You know, maybe some baby carrots..." Fluttershy suggested. Shenran coughed definitely and Pinkie laughed nervously.

"What did you say?!" Pinkie asked as she backed up.

"Baby carrots!" Fluttershy repeated, "They're Shining Armor's favorite!"

"Mine too!" Pinkie replied quickly, "Baby carrots are kinda like big carrots but smaller, kinda like how foals are tiny versions of their parents but smaller and cuter and-"

"Pinkie zip it!" Shenran snapped under his breath, making Fluttershy look at him funny. Shenran just gave his wife a squeaky smile of his own.

"Albino squirrel!" Pinkie shouted.

"Where?" Fluttershy asked as she turned around to look, "Is is Albert?" Fluttershy then noticed that both Pinkie and Shenran were gone. An elderly stallion then walked by and greeted...her tail!? Fluttershy was stunned and still hadn't noticed the gaucho glasses stuck on her tail.

What are you up to Pinkie Pie? Fluttershy thought, And why do I get the impression my husband is involved?

Behind a house, Pinkie was leaning against a house while standing on her hind legs to keep hidden. Shenran was hovering beside her.

"That was way too close!" Shenran remarked, "My wife is gonna start asking me questions if you don't cool it!" Pinkie put on a face of determination as she got back on all fours.

"It's time to kick this operation into hyper-hoof and avoid all ponies by all means necessary!" said Pinkie as she put a helmet on her head.

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Shenran asked skeptically.

"Just go with the program and don't question it," Pinkie remarked plainly as she put a helmet on his head. Shenran rolled his eyes and but complied anyway. He knew by now the common truth:

It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it.

Together Shenran and Pinkie rushed down an alleyway at high speed. Pinkie quickly knocked on the door to a pony's home. The pony opened the door only to find nopony was there but just her delivery package on the front porch. The pony just took her package and went inside. It wasn't until the pony shut the front door that Pinkie and Shenran were found on the roof with the wagon in tow. Afterward, Applejack was then walking about with her saddle bags loaded with fresh apples. Applejack tried to say hello, but Pinkie and Shenran rushed past without saying a word. Applejack was just left stunned at being ignored.

Their next delivery was to Rarity, who was busy working in her boutique on her own. It was then a rope shot through her window with a knot on it. The delivery was then sent down the rope and stayed at the knot. Pinkie and Shenran shared a high hoof with each other as the latter held a cross-bow in her fore-hooves. As they continued their journey, Rainbow was hovering up above, but like with Applejack, Pinkie and Shenran rushed past her without saying a single word.

The next delivery was at swimming hole where somepony was hosting a party. A little colt was playing in the water when a boat floated up to him with a cake, which made him very happy. Pinkie and Shenran surfaced from the water a short distance away, each of them wearing a snorkel mask. They quickly went under the water and headed toward the edge of the swimming hole before heading off once again. Along the way, Fluttershy and Rainbow were sitting at a bench chatting with each other. Nearby, Twilight and Applejack were sitting at a second bench and Mario and Diamond Tiara were sitting at a third bench. Pinkie and Shenran both winced as they ran by. Twilight tried to wave hello, but was ignored. Leaving the six ponies worried.

"What are they up to?" Fluttershy wondered, "Shenran never avoids me like this! You don't think he's...moving on from me?" Fluttershy was ready to cry.

"Fluttershy, Shenran is more committed to you than Mario is with Twilight!" Rainbow retorted.

"Hey! I'm far more committed to my wife thank you very much!" Mario retorted.

"He's right," Diamond Tiara added, "He's got an entire room filled with Twilight merchandise and pictures of her covering the entire walls. There's even a statue made of her made entirely out of amethyst gems and gold!" Mario blushed as the others snickered at him.

"You said too much," Mario remarked with a glare.

"Heh...sorry, master," said Diamond Tiara with a sheepish smile on her face. Mario just groaned annoyingly to himself.

"Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about it, Fluttershy," said Mario, "Shenran said Pinkie is dealing with something and he said he was going to help her with it."

"I just hate that he's avoiding me," said Fluttershy sadly, "We never keep secrets from each other!"

"Well, if it is a secret, I'm sure he's got a good reason," said Mario, "even Twilight and I have our moments where we keep secrets from each other, but eventually reveal them to each other in good time. Just cause Shenran might be keeping something secret doesn't mean he doesn't love you or trust you. He'll tell you when the time is right." Fluttershy just smiled and felt better.

Meanwhile, Pinkie and Shenran had come to stop. Pinkie was feeling rather glum.

"It didn't feel good ignoring my friends like that..." Pinkie told the Pegasus stallion.

"I feel just as awful avoiding my wife," said Shenran, "I'm in for a big interrogation when I get home tonight."

"You can't tell her!" Pinkie warned.

"I won't," said Shenran, "I'm just gonna say it's something I can't explain right now and to just trust me. That work?"

"Y-y-yeah," said Pinkie, "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because every time you speak, you nearly expose the secret?" Shenran remarked.

"That was rhetorical question," Pinkie remarked as she looked inside a window and saw a mare drinking a cup of either tea or coffee, "Maybe I can tell just one little pony the surprise?"

"Pinkie..." Shenran warned. It was then Pinkie saw a reflection of Rarity in the window.

"The pony who ruins a surprise for somepony else has to live with that guilt forever!" said the Rarity reflection.

"You're right, spooky-reflection-of-Rarity-that-I-know-is-actually-my-imagination," said Pinkie to herself as Shenran gave her a funny look, "I can't tell anypony at all!" Pinkie sighed, "Then they would tell Twilight, and she wouldn't be surprised. And it would be all my fault." Shenran pulled Pinkie in for a gentle hug.

"Let's just finish these deliveries and you can relax at home, okay," said Shenran. Pinkie gave him a sad smile in reply.

Once all the deliveries were finished, Pinkie and Shenran sneaked back to Sugarcube Corner from the back door. The two ponies wasted no time heading upstairs were Pinkie plopped into her bed and Shenran just let out a long breath as he reclined on her nearby sofa.

"Finally, I'm all aloney on my owney," said Pinkie with a sigh.

"I'm still here you know," said Shenran as a matter of fact.

"Sorry," said Pinkie when she noticed Gummy chewing on something, "Wow, great idea! I'm starving too!" Pinkie grabbed a green apple and gobbled it up.

"This apple is delicious!" Pinkie said with her mouth full before she swallowed, "What are you having, Gummy?" The note Gummy was chewing on unrolled itself and Pinkie realized the note was.

"Oh, no!" Pinkie exclaimed, "It's the list Twilight helped me make yesterday so I wouldn't forget all of my Pinkie Promises today! And I have three more things to do! Aw, four if you count bringing those snacks to Twilight's castle! I've been getting liberal with those Pinkie Promises lately..."

"More like you've been making them far too often recently," said Shenran, "My biggest concern is if you are going to be able to contain yourself while you fulfill all these promises."

"Don't have much of a choice do I?" said Pinkie, "As impossible as it sounds, I'm just gonna have to quietly do what I need to do. The less I say, the better."

"Alright," said Shenran, "Do you still..."

"Of course I accept your help!" said Pinkie as she gave Shenran a tight squeeze. Shenran just sighed annoyingly.

Once Pinkie had finally let Shenran go, the pink pony was outside the Ponyville schoolhouse making balloon animals for the colts and fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were also standing in line for their own animal balloon.

"Hi again, Big brother," said Sweetie Belle to Shenran before looking at Pinkie, "Ooh! I want a flamingo!" Pinkie quickly shifted the balloons and made the marshmallow filly a very elaborate looking balloon flamingo. Sweetie Belle happily took her balloon and walked away. Apple Bloom walked up next.

"Hey Shenran!" said Apple Bloom and then turned to Pinkie, "I want a goldfish!"

"The snack that smiles back," Shenran sing sang.

"I meant the fish, not the cracker silly," said Apple Bloom with a giggle as Pinkie made the yellow filly her goldfish balloon and walked away with it. Next up was Scootaloo.

"What's up, Shenran?" said Scootaloo and then spoke to Pinkie, "Surprise me!" Pinkie then got to work moving her hooves faster than the eye when she was suddenly distracted by the sound of a baby crying. She looked to see a mare pushing a baby carriage and didn't pay attention to her fore-hooves before...too late.

"Uh...Pinkie?" Shenran called out. Pinkie then looked at what she had ended up making with the balloons.

"Is that a...baby bottle?" Scootaloo asked curiously.

"AAAH!" Pinkie screamed before recomposing herself, "No! It's a...a...puppy! Ha ha, woof woof, ha ha! Eh..." Shenran face-hoofed himself again as Scootaloo gave Pinkie a skeptical look.

"Are you sure?" Scootaloo asked, "Because it looks like a-" Scootaloo couldn't finish as Pinkie stuck the bottle tip into the orange Pegasus's mouth.

"Next!" Pinkie shouted as Scootaloo pulled the bottle tip out of her mouth and walked away with it at her side. Featherweight was the next pony in line.

"Uh, a baby pony, please!" said Featherweight before adding smugly, "uh, unless of course that would be a royal pain..."

"Interesting choice of words, Featherweight," said Pinkie as she stared the Pegasus colt down, making him quickly feel uncomfortable.

"Was it?" he asked nervously.

"I don't know," said Pinkie before narrowing her eyes at him, "Was it?"

"Uh," Featherweight stuttered, "maybe you'd better just make me a giraffe." Pinkie just kept staring him down until Shenran pulled her back.

"Okay," said Shenran with a nervously chuckle, "I think you've done enough balloon animals. Let's get on with the next thing you need to do."

"Y-y-yeah," said Pinkie nervously, "Let's go!"

"WHOA!" Shenran yelped as Pinkie lifted Shenran above her head and zoomed away on her hind legs. Featherweight was left baffled and without his balloon animal.

It wasn't long before Pinkie and Shenran were in town hall. Pinkie appeared to be staring something down and then tossed some manila folders into some filing cabinets. Shenran just watched from a short distance away as the manila folders landed in the cabinet drawers and closed on their own, except for the last drawer. Pinkie closed that one herself.

"My, your friends weren't kidding when they said you had a great filing system, Pinkie!" said Mayor Mare, "You are Ponyville's best kept secret!" Pinkie winced.

"No, I'm not!" said Pinkie as she nervously walked to another side of the room to sort some papers. It was then Mayor Mare looked about the room discreetly before approaching the pink pony.

"Speaking of secrets," said Mayor Mare to Pinkie in a hushed tone, "have you ever known somepony else's secret?" Despite the soft tone, Shenran heard the remark.

"What is it about ponies talking about secrets and babies to-MMM?!" Shenran was then cut off when Pinkie stretched her arm all the way to the other side of the room and shoved a thick stack of papers in his mouth.

"Noooooo..." Pinkie replied after giving Shenran a stern glare.

"A surprise that was so big and exciting that it was all you could think about?" Mayor Mare pressed on.

"Nope!" Pinkie said quickly and zipped away. Along the way out, she pulled Shenran so quickly that the paper he was trying to get out of his mouth came flying out and scattered all over the floor. Mayor Mare winced as she let out a strangled sigh.

"Me neither..." Mayor Mare remarked to herself.

Pinkie finally was on her last task as she inflated a fore-leg frailing tube unicorn balloon as Shenran had set up where the shopkeeper, whose name was Wooden Legs, wanted it.

"That's just what I wanted," Wooden Legs laughed, "Thanks, Pinkie!"

"You're welcome!" said Pinkie.

"Oh, by the way," said Wooden Legs, "can you help spread the word about the big crib sale I'm having?" Wooden Legs showed Pinkie the flyer. Now it was Shenran's turn to wince.

"Not again..." Shenran groaned irritably to himself.

""Treat your foal like...royalty"?!" Pinkie read aloud as she backed away and tumbled into her back. Wooden Legs laughed.

"Pretty good slogan, huh?" Wooden Legs remarked, "I came up with it all by myself!"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Pinkie screamed as she mimicked the frailing fore-legs balloon before revving her hind legs and running off. Wooden Legs was left stunned as he looked at Shenran, who just smiled sheepishly before opening his wings and zooming off after the pink pony.

"Oh, I thought it was clever," said Wooden Legs. His only reply was the frailing fore-legs balloon deflated in front of him.

Back at the castle, the rest of the Mane eight, which included both Spike and Diamond Tiara were busy getting the castle ready for Cadance and Shining Armor's visit. Pinkie walked into the room with Shenran as they were carrying various plates of cut veggies on silver platters. Twilight was the first to notice them.

"Those look yummy, Pinkie! Let me help you!" said Twilight as she used her magic to set the platters on the table in the center of the throne room. Pinkie and Shenran said nothing as Twilight put some metal domes on top of the plates.

"But we better cover them up so they don't get spoiled!" Twilight added.

"Why would they get spoiled?" Pinkie asked curiously, "We're all gonna eat them super soon!"

"Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are still coming this Friday aren't they?" Shenran asked with a hint of dread in his voice.

"Oh, didn't anypony tell you?" Applejack remarked as she walked up to the two ponies, "Shining Armor and Cadance are held up. They may not arrive 'til Saturday." Shenran looked dumbfounded.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Shenran remarked with dread as Pinkie's face contorted multiple times.

"Whaaaaaaaaaat?!" Pinkie shrieked as she super jumped onto one of the branches of the room's chandelier and started hyperventilating.

"You...mean..." Pinkie said while trying to breathe, "I...have...to...wait...another whole day?! I don't know if I can!"

"Yes you can, Pinkie!" Shenran said sternly as he made eye contact with the pink pony, "Yes you can!"

"No I can't!" Pinkie croaked and nearly on the verge of tears.

"Shenran!" Mario shouted from below with Twilight and Diamond Tiara standing beside him, "You told me you were gonna help Pinkie!"

"I am helping her!" Shenran snapped, "Pinkie just got a little anxiety. She'll be fine!" Pinkie was still whimpering as Fluttershy hovered over to them.

"Shenran!" Fluttershy snapped, "as your wife, I demand to know what this is all about!" Shenran sighed.

"Flutters, I..." Shenran explained.

"Be quiet and go explode!" Pinkie screamed.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

CRASH!

Pinkie grabbed Shenran by the mouth and pushed him down so hard that he ended up nose diving head first into the floor below. Fluttershy gasped when she saw Shenran make impact as he lay on his back with his wing feathers all roughed up from the landing.

"Shenran! Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked worriedly as she hovered above him, "Oh please tell me you didn't explode!"

"I exploded?!" Shenran asked with wide eyes and a dorky tone, "but...where's the ka-boom? There's supposed to be an Earth shattering ka-boom?!" Fluttershy blinked before she snorted and started giggling.

"Okay, how is it when Shenran talks like a dork, you laugh," Mario asked annoyingly, "but when it's me, you just roll your eyes at me or stomp my tail?"

"Because when Shenran acts that way, it's really cute," said Fluttershy as she helped Shenran sit up, "when you do it, it's just annoying!"

"Thanks alot, Flutters!" Mario retorted indignantly.

"You're welcome," Fluttershy replied. Mario stuck his tongue out at her while Fluttershy returned it with a smug look on her face.

"Um, as much as I enjoy watching you two act like a brother and sister," said Diamond Tiara, "We've still got a pink pony on the chandelier having a nervous breakdown above us!" Everypony else shared worried looks with each other. Shenran had just recovered when Fluttershy was about to ask her question again.

"Pinkie Pie, do you have something you need to say?" Twilight asked gently, "You seem like you've been keeping something in." Pinkie gasped dramatically and then put her fore-hooves over her mouth to silence herself.

"Pinkie, you can tell us anything," said Diamond Tiara, "we're your friends."

"She's right, Pinks," said Mario, "You can tell us anything. We love you."

"We're here to listen," said Fluttershy as Pinkie vigorously shook her head.

"Guys, maybe you should just let her...mmmph?!" Shenran was cut off when Fluttershy covered his mouth.

"You had your chance to help her, dear," said Fluttershy firmly, "Now it's our turn."

"No! No! Don't!" Shenran protested, his voice muffed by Fluttershy's fore-hoof over his mouth.

"Well, go on then, sugarcube," said Applejack as she walked forward a bit.

"We're not going to judge you, darling," said Rarity.

"You'll feel so much better once you get it off your chest!" Spike added. Pinkie was back to hyperventilating as she was breathing inside of a yellow balloon. Shenran tried to hover up to the pink pony, but Fluttershy held him back. Rainbow hovered over to Pinkie instead.

"Whatever it is, you can tell us!" said Rainbow, "We're best friends!" Rainbow looked into Pinkie's eyes, making Pinkie pop her yellow balloon. Pinkie then began to see Rainbow's head as a balloon.

"Friends! Friends! Friends!" Rainbow balloon chanted.

"Tell!" said Twilight balloon as he appeared beside the Rainbow balloon. Then a Mario and Diamond Tiara balloon appeared as well.

"Tell! Tell!" reverberated the four balloons.

"Don't! Don't! Don't!" said a Shenran balloon as it floated in front of the other four. But then a Fluttershy and Applejack balloon appeared and popped the Shenran balloon.

"Friends! Friends! Friends!" the eight pony balloons chanted as a Spike balloon appear to chant as well in the foreground and floated away with wide-eyes, "Tell! Tell! Tell!" Pinkie began to tremble from all the mental peer pressure.

"Okay, okay, you win!" Pinkie shouted and inhaled deeply.

"Pinkie no!" Shenran shouted frantically, making everypony else give him curious looks.

"Shining Armor and Cadance are gonna have a-" Pinkie shouted when...

"-An awesome weekend with the best little sister and little brother in all of Equestria!" said a familiar voice that made both Mario and Twilight smile excitedly. There at the entrance to the throne room was Shining Armor and Cadance, who were surrounded by several pieces of luggage.

"Hi, everypony," said Cadance with a giggle. Pinkie just exhaled loudly and allowed herself to fall off the chandelier. Fluttershy looked worried until...

"UGH!" Mario groaned since Pinkie landed right on top of him.

"Wow, master," said Diamond Tiara, "You weren't kidding when you said that you were the group's fall guy." Mario just groaned as Shining Armor and Cadance snickered to each other.

"Shining Armor, Cadance! You're early!" said Twilight as she hopped up to them, "I thought something had come up and you weren't gonna make it until Saturday!"

"So did we," Cadance replied, "Turned out we weren't needed in Maretonia until next week. And the summit we were supposed to attend today had to be rescheduled, so...we got here even sooner than planned!"

"Surprise!" said Shining Armor as he pulled Twilight close as they exchanged smiles with each other. Pinkie just stood a short distance away biting on her fore-hoof.

"It's wonderful to see you all again!" said Cadance to the rest of the group.

"Not as much as me!" said Mario, who had now recovered as he gave his big sister a loving hug and kissed her cheek, "I missed you!"

"I missed you too little brother," said Cadance, "You taking care of everypony!"

"He's been a big sweetie to us all!" said Fluttershy.

"Especially his new student," said Applejack as Diamond Tiara suddenly felt very shy and tried to hide behind the orange pony. Mario noticed.

"Come on, Diamond," said Mario, "Don't be afraid." Diamond Tiara nervously approached when Cadance gave her a skeptical look.

"Isn't she the daughter of Spoiled Milk?" Cadance asked, "One of your biggest bullies?" Diamond Tiara snorted.

"I'm nothing like her!" Diamond Tiara said sternly before speaking in a more timid tone, "At least...not anymore! I know just how special and amazing Mario really is! And the very ponies I used to bully were willing to be there for me when I hit rock bottom. Mario was kind enough to help me be a better pony and have something my mother never had: friends." Cadance started and then smiled.

"Well, then it is a pleasure to meet my brother's student," said Cadance, "Let's spend the weekend becoming friends."

"You...you want to be friends with me?" said Diamond Tiara in surprise.

"Of course," said Cadance as the little filly giggle excitedly.

"It's wonderful to see you all again!" said Cadance to the rest of the others as Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Rarity started chatting excitedly.

"Well, the pleasure's all ours, Princess," said Applejack as Shenran approached and gave Shining Armor a salute.

"Captain," said Shenran formally.

"At ease," said Shining Armor before the two smiled and shared a hug, "So how's married life treating you."

"It's amazing," said Shenran, "Fluttershy is everything I ever wanted in a mare!" Fluttershy blushed deep red. Twilight then looked at Mario with a cute smile on her face.

"Am I everything you ever wanted in a mare?" Twilight asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

"No," Mario replied as Twilight gasped and glared at him. Mario chuckled.

"You're cute when you pout," Mario teased when Twilight lightly shoved him playfully.

"I'm so glad you're here!" said Twilight, "Mario and I have a big surprise for you! And of course, Diamond Tiara helped out as well." The little filly blushed at being credited for their surprise. Shining Armor smirked.

"Oh, yeah?" he asked curiously. By now, Pinkie was sweating and looking very nervous as her eyes rapidly shifted about.

A little later, they were making their way down the hallway. Cadance was in the lead with Twilight, Mario, and Diamond Tiara alongside of her. The little filly found opening up with the pink alicorn easy and was soon chatting with the rest of the group. The rest of the girls were also around Cadance, except for Pinkie who was with Shining Armor and Shenran a few feet behind the others. Spike was also behind them carrying all the bags by choice since Mario had offered to carry them instead. Even Diamond Tiara had offered, with a little pushing from Mario, but Spike refused as usual. Shining Armor took notice that Shenran looked uneasy and that Pinkie was avoiding any eye contact with him.

"Lucky we came when we did, huh?" said Shining Armor, "I'm guessing you saw the scroll we sent to Mr. and Mrs. Cake?" Pinkie blushed. Shining Armor looked at Shenran.

"I take it she told you and then you've been trying to help her keep quiet?" Shining Armor asked Shenran.

"Actually, I was there when she read the scroll," said Shenran, "It wasn't until afterward we were told to keep it a secret."

"I see," said Shining Armor, "So you actually haven't told anypony since you told Shenran before learning to it was a secret?" Pinkie nodded sheepishly.

"Hey, I'm impressed you've been able to keep our secret this long!" said Shining Armor before turning to Shenran, "I'm surprised your wife hasn't said anything."

"She has asked me what's been going on since Pinkie has been anything but subtle about the fact she's hiding something," Shenran remarked, getting a glare from the pink pony, "but before I could come up with a cover story, Pinkie tossed me down so I landed on my head."

"I was afraid you were going to spill the beans," said Pinkie. Shining Armor chuckled.

"Anyway," said Pinkie before getting into Shining Armor's face and pleaded, "So you're gonna tell Twilight and Mario now?!"

HONK!

Shining Armor quickly shoved a fore-hoof into her mouth. Then looked to see if anypony had heard. Fortunately, Mario and the rest of the girls were busy chatting away and hadn't heard a thing.

"You're gonna have to wait just a little bit longer," said Shining Armor in a hushed tone. Shenran groaned as well.

"And I'm counting on you to keep her from spilling the beans again," said Shining Armor to her former second in command before turning to Pinkie, "Shenran will be here to help you, just let him do the talking if you feeling like speaking is gonna make you spoil the surprise okay. No more dropping him on his head."

"Fine," said Pinkie bluntly.

"Yes, sir," said Shenran in more upbeat tone.

"Don't worry," said Shining Armor, "We have something special planned. It'll be worth it, I promise." Shining Armor walked away to catch up with the others. Pinkie just glared at him.

"It'd better be," said Pinkie bitterly.

"Hey, what's with the attitude?" Shenran asked. Pinkie just said nothing and went to catch up with the others. Shenran just sighed before doing the same.

Once the group had left the castle, Pinkie was holding her breath and sweating nervously. Shenran let the pink pony hold his fore-leg for some security, but it only helped a little bit. It was then Fluttershy approached.

"Shenran, I'm very, very patient Pegasus," Fluttershy said calmly, "but poor Pinkie's been anxious all day and I feel like I have a right to know what's going on!" Shenran just took a deep breath.

"I can't explain right now," said Shenran calmly, "but when I'm ready. I'll gladly tell you what's going on with Pinkie. Please just trust me, honey. I can take care of Pinkie, even if it seems otherwise." Fluttershy just stared but then sighed as she gave her husband a soft smile.

"Alright, I trust you," said Fluttershy before she hovered over to Twilight and Mario. Shenran then sighed and gave Pinkie a wink. Pinkie released a loud breath to feel better, but she was still feeling anxious.

"So, do you think Shining Armor liked his surprise?" Applejack asked.

"Didn't you see him?" said Twilight, "He couldn't stop raving about it."

A flashback of a few minutes ago was seen of Twilight and Mario showing Shining Armor the special room. Shining Armor shrieked with glee as he hoof-tapped the ant farm, snuggled his favorite doll with a wide smile at his face. He then screamed at seeing the burnt up comic book as Twilight looked shocked while Mario face-hoofed himself for forgetting to get rid of it. Then Shining Armor stood on his hind legs as he held both Twilight and Mario under a fore-leg each as he spun about like he was their own personal merry-go-round.

"I know I teased about Shining Armor being a big kid at heart," said Mario as they crossed the bridge leading toward town hall, "but it was that side of him that makes him so much fun to hang around with!"

"Guess that's why you acted in the same manner when we gave you that giant train set based on that island that's in your talking train stories?" Rainbow remarked. Mario blushed.

"Heh, well...it meant alot to me that you gave me that to play with," said Mario, "I'm the only train fan in this group anyway. Shining Armor hasn't been able to attend the annual train-cons with me anymore. And when I invited you all last year, most of you were bored."

"Aw, sorry about that Big Brother," said Applejack, "It's just not our cup of cider is all."

"I did like the old fashion decor of Canterlot Express exhibit and the old conductors uniforms," said Rarity, "Plus I do want to work on our idea for "fashionable locomotive chic" for next season." Mario smiled.

"By the way, where's Diamond Tiara," said Twilight, "She was welcome to stick around."

"She's with Cadance," said Mario, "Big Sis said she wanted to spend time with her. I'm cool with that. Cadance was a big mentor to me growing up and she can certainly do the same for my faithful student."

"Or she's telling embarrassing stories to Diamond Tiara about you," Fluttershy remarked.

"That's just you, Flutters," Mario remarked as the others minus Pinkie chuckled. Fluttershy gave Mario a hug and cheek kiss.

"What was that for?" Mario asked.

"Just reminding you that I'm just teasing and that I love you, Big Brother," said Fluttershy before hugging him a second time. Twilight and Rarity awed as Mario's cheeks turned bright red as he hugged the yellow Pegasus back. Rainbow just groaned irritably.

"Seriously Dashie?" Mario asked annoyed.

"It's not that," said Rainbow, "Where did Shining Armor and Cadance say they'd meet us? I'm starving!" Rainbow's stomach growled to emphasize her point.

"In the town square," said Twilight, "I wish they'd waited to walk over with us, but they said they had something to take care of first!"

"They're gonna have a lot more to take care of soon," Pinkie muttered through gritted teeth when Shenran gave her a disapproving head shake.

"What?" Twilight asked.

"Nothiiiiiiiiiing!" Pinkie replied and zoomed ahead of the group. Shenran then hovered over to her as Twilight just looked at Fluttershy, who simply shrugged. Twilight and Mario just exchanged looks and shrugged as well. They figured Shenran would handle the pink pony for the moment. They looked around to see that Shining Armor and Cadance were nowhere to be found.

"That's odd," said Twilight as she looked around and Pinkie leaned against the statue fountain nearby, "Usually they're quite punctual."

"That is true," said Mario, "But don't forget Diamond is with them. If Cadance made her open up like she does with me, it would explain why they might be a few minutes late."

"I know Diamond has alot of guilt from being a bully," said Applejack, "but the filly is still young. She shouldn't take that long to open up."

"True," said Mario, "But until I met Twilight, Cadance had the best hugs in Equestria. You can lose track of time when she gives you one."

"That is true," said Twilight as she and Mario chuckled to each other. Rainbow just groaned loudly.

"Ughhh! I need a hayburger in my belly right now!" Rainbow whined as she tapped the statue several times.

"Seesh, and you complain that Rarity is a whiner?" Mario remarked, making Rainbow blush as he and Rarity shared a hoof-bump. It was then Twilight noticed something inside the statue's mouth.

"What's this?" Twilight asked as she used her magic to grab what appeared to be a scroll. Twilight opened it and gasped once she read it.

"Honey! Look!" said Twilight excitedly as Mario walked up and looked at the scroll himself.

"Oh that is so cool!" said Mario happily.

"What does it say?" Rarity asked.

"A scavenger hunt!" said Twilight, "Shining Armor used to set these up for me when I was a filly! He even did some for both me and Mario too!"

"Those were lots of fun!" said Mario, "We even wore safari caps a few times too." Twilight giggled.

"True," said Twilight, "At the end, there was always a big prize, like a new book, or several new books, or-"

"We get the picture!" Pinkie snapped and used the scroll to smack Twilight on the head, "You like books!"

"Wasn't always just books," said Mario, "Sometimes there was a new toy or a new board game. In fact, he was the one who gave me my first Twilight plushie."

"He gave you that?!" Twilight exclaimed in surprise. Mario blushed.

"We get it! He's lovesick over you!" Pinkie yelled as Mario gave her a glare, "Just get on with the scavenger hunt!"

"So what's the first clue?" Applejack asked.

"I hope it's something about eating lunch!" said Rainbow. Mario rolled his eyes in reply. Pinkie then took the scroll to read it herself.

""You've got a scroll, you're on a roll"," Pinkie read quickly, ""why don't you take a peek where young ones spend their week? A piece of paper will continue this cape"!" Twilight and Mario pondered when a light-bulb appeared above their heads and quickly lit up.

"I've got it!" said Twilight, ""Where the young ones spend their week"?"

"I'm not quite followin'," said Applejack.

"It will once we get there," said Mario, "C'mon everypony! Let's a go!" It wasn't long before the Mane eight had arrived at a familiar red building as the school bell began to ring.

"It's the Ponyville Schoolhouse!" said Twilight.

"Good enough for me!" said Pinkie as she appeared in the background, "Now where's the next clue?" Pinkie began to pant like a puppy as she sniffed the ground. She then stuck her face into a bush, getting a leaf on her nose and sneezed. Pinkie then used her hind leg to scratch her head as everypony else gave her a funny look.

"I love you, Pinkie, but sometimes you are just too random," Mario remarked.

"Oh okay," said Shenran, "I thought I was the only pony who was feeling like that at the moment." The others just rolled their eyes in reply.

"Extra, extra! Get your Ponyville news!" said Featherweight, wearing a newspaper boys outfit, "Read it in the paper! Extra, extra!" Mario stared at the colt for a moment and then realized something.

"Honey, what was that clue again?" Mario asked.

""A piece of paper will continue this caper"," said Twilight and then gasped, "It's in the Foal Free Press!" Mario handed Twilight a bit so she could rush over and purchase a copy of the newspaper. She then brought the newspaper over to the group as they all tried to read it together.

"Ooh, look at that dress Mayor Mare is wearing in the social report!" said Rarity, "Why, it's stunning!"

"Indeed," said Mario before adding in a British flux, "it's absolutely smashing."

"Uh, didn't you both make that, Rarity and Mario?" Applejack asked bluntly.

"Yes, what is your point?" Rarity and Mario asked at the same time, which the former flicked her mane. The others just gave her unamused looks.

"How is it Mario is related to Applejack when he acts more like he's related to Rarity?" Shenran asked as Mario and Rarity rolled their eyes.

"Focus, everypony!" Pinkie snapped as she punctured the middle of the newspaper and scanned it sternly on her own.

"You know, there's really no time limit on these scavenger hunts, Pinkie," said Twilight.

"The whole point of a scavenger hunt is having fun," Mario added, "Isn't that what you do best?"

Only when Pinkie isn't steaming fit to burst Shenran thought wearily to himself.

"Aha! There!" said Pinkie with a determined smile on her face as she pointed a fore-hoof to one article. Twilight and Mario leaned in to see the article.

"Hey, Pinks is right!" said Mario, "That's the next clue!"

""Though this hall is rather small, in it you'll find files of all kinds"," Twilight read aloud, ""Take a look at the back of the birth certificate of Applejack"." Applejack blinked in surprise as everypony else stared at her.

"I don't like where this is goin'," Applejack said wearily.

"Why?" said Mario, "You and Apple Bloom were the cute babies of the family. Big Mac and I were just...awkward...at least I was..."

"Oh, stop it, Mario," said Applejack, "You were a very cute little foal. Now come on. Town Hall is our next stop."

"Let's go!" Pinkie shouted as she shoved everypony forward at high speed.

With Pinkie's speed, it didn't take too long for the Mane eight to reach the Town Hall. Mayor Mare was waiting for them and nervously pacing about outside. She then saw Pinkie zoom up to the entrance and headed inside in a hurry. Mayor Mare gave them a huge smile to welcome them and danced about excitedly as the rest of the Mane eight walked inside at a casual pace.

"Baby!" Mayor Mare muttered quietly, "A royal ba-!"

"A-hem?" Pinkie said with a glare as she closed the Mayor's mouth.

"Does anypony know where the birth certificates are kept?" Twilight asked from inside. Pinkie zoomed in.

"Ooh! I do, I do!" said Pinkie, "Go down that hall, then you take a left, then a right, then another right, then a slight left, and it's a third door from the right!"

"Wow, Pinkie," said Fluttershy, "I never knew you knew so much about town hall."

"There's a lot of things I know!" Pinkie replied, "That you don't know I know!" Pinkie then held her breath and zipped down a hallway. She then rushed over to a file cabinet and scanned the folders.

"All you had to say was that you helped Mayor Mare organize her file cabinets," said Shenran in a hushed tone as he stood behind her.

"I can't think straight when I'm nervous so back off!" Pinkie snapped angrily. Shenran snorted before pushing his nose against hers.

"You need to calm down, now," Shenran said sternly. Pinkie snorted as she pulled out a folder and went to grab Applejack's birth certificate.

"Wait, what is that?" said Shenran as he pulled out another certificate from the folder.

"Who cares?!" Pinkie snapped as Twilight grabbed the certificate, "We're on a-"

THUD!

(Lose a life fanfare)

Shenran's patience had reached its limit as he pulled Pinkie aside and pressed the side of her neck with his fore-hoof. This made Pinkie instantly knock out. He then handed the other certificate first to Mario, who held it with his magic. Mario only needed a second to look at it before he began to cry.

"What is it, honey?" Twilight asked. Mario showed the certificate to her and the others.

"After all these years," Mario said in tears, "I've found my birth certificate."

"Uhh...you've seen it before Sugarcube," said Applejack, "Goldie Delicious had a copy of it when we found out we're related."

"But this is the original," Mario sobbed, "Until I found out I was related to the Apple family, I thought it was lost forever in the fire. At least, that's what the census bureau ponies told me in Canterlot."

"Then how did you find out your birthday if you never got to see your birth certificate until recently?" Fluttershy asked.

"The archives had a record of my date of birth and where I was born," Mario croaked, "but this is the first time I've ever seen the original certificate. I had forgotten that it was here the entire time. I...I can't believe it was here the whole time...never knowing it was even here..." Mario began to cry harder.

"Please don't cry, sugarcube," said Applejack gently, "You can't keep dwelling on the past. Things were meant to happen this way."

"I know, but I can't help it," Mario sobbed, "I miss Mom and Dad. I wanted to see Mom and Dad before...before..." Applejack just held him close as Mario did his best to settle down despite his emotions overwhelming.

"Thanks Sis," said Mario, trying and failing to recompose himself, "But...we've got a scavenger hunt and..."

"Mario, don't let Pinkie rush you," said Shenran as the pink pony was still out cold in front of her, "Just take your time and let those tears come out."

"Shenran! What's did you do to Pinkie?" Rarity asked in shock.

"I just pressed my fore-hoof against the side of her neck and she conked out," said Shenran simply. The others minus Mario were stunned. Rainbow was dumbfounded.

"You mean...Pinkie Pie actually has an "Off" button?" Rainbow asked, "Awesome!" The others just glared at her.

"Knowing Pinkie, it's probably just a temporary sleep mode," said Shenran as he kept his eyes on the pink pony.

"I'm feeling better now," said Mario as he wiped his eyes, "Let's continue." The others just gave him sympathetic smiles as Twilight looked at Applejack's birth certificate.

"Oh, you're so cute," said Fluttershy as she, Twilight, and Mario looked at her baby picture and giggled to each other. Applejack just blushed before she turned the certificate around and there was the next clue.

""The next place is where you can buy a table or a cart"," said Twilight, ""or some comfy beds to rest little heads"?"

"Huh?" said Mario, feeling rather as stunned. Pinkie, now recovered, was just bouncing up and down like a soda can being shaken. But then lost patience once she saw everypony was in deep thought and zipped away. Then she came back.

"Ugh, really? None of you?" Pinkie complained.

"Well...I had an idea where to go," said Mario, "But that last part threw me off...the place doesn't sell beds to "rest little heads"...does it?" Pinkie groaned loudly and shoved everypony at high speed to the location Mario had been thinking of since Pinkie had thought the same thing.

"It's obviously the furniture store!" Pinkie retorted once they arrived outside the shop and bounced about, "Go in! Go in!"

"I don't know..." said Twilight uneasily. Mario wasn't too confident either.

"Daagh, fine!" Pinkie snapped before charging into the store, causing some rumbling and commotion inside before she popped back outside sitting inside a crib. She sternly pointed at a note pasted on the back of it.

"Wow, you're scary good at this, Pinkie Pie," said Rainbow, clearly impressed.

""It seems we've save the best for last"," Pinkie read quickly, ""We hope that you've had a blast. Now it's time to take a break where you can get a slice of cake"!"

"Sugarcube Corner!" the other seven ponies shouted at once. Pinkie just scoffed.

"That was an easy one," said Pinkie, waving a fore-hoof dismissively. It didn't take long for the Mane eight to arrived at Sugarcube Corner and walk inside. Cadance and Shining Armor shared smiles with each other as the latter approached the group.

"Surprise!" said Shining Armor, "Twily, Mario, did you both like the scavenger hunt? Diamond was quite helpful is getting it all set up. I see your student certainly has some strong leadership skills." Diamond Tiara blushed heavily. As much as she loved praises in the past, hearing them now that she had changed left her feeling rather shy.

"It was perfect!" said Twilight, "Just like old times, except even better because this time we got to share it with our best friends!"

"And yes, Shenran, you're now best friend status with all us," said Mario. Shenran smiled happily as a small tear left his eye and the others gave him smiles on agreement. Now he truly felt like part of the group. Then Pinkie appeared and shoved herself between Applejack and Rarity, ruining the moment and getting glares from the two mares.

"There's just one thing missing, isn't there?" Twilight asked in a not-so-innocent tone.

"What's that?" Shining Armor asked in an innocent tone of his own.

"Mmmm, the book prize at the end!" said Twilight.

"Or some prize at the end," said Mario, "I don't see any treasure chests around."

"Shining Armor never used treasure chests for the prize!" Twilight retorted.

"He did with my prizes," said Mario as a thought bubble appeared above his head showing him opening a treasure chest and holding a light above his head as he smiled widely.

(Cue favorite Legend of Zelda "You got an item" fanfare)

Shining Armor laughed as he put a fore-hoof on his little sisters shoulder.

"There's still a prize for the both of you," said Shining Armor as he backed up to stand beside Cadance, "but it's a little different this time."

"Oooooh! A mystery prize," said Mario as he looked at his wife.

"Oh, I don't understand," said Twilight. Pinkie just giggled quietly to each other as Shenran put a fore-hoof to his mouth for the pink pony to keep quiet.

"All the places we sent you today had something in common," said Cadance.

"Those are your clues to the grand prize," Diamond Tiara added with a knowing smile in her face. Mario sat in place and pondered as Twilight paced about.

"First we went to the schoolhouse," said Twilight as Pinkie began to tremble violently, leaving Applejack worried. Shenran hugged Pinkie to make her stop, but was then trembling with her, leaving him dizzy once he let her go.

"And then we read the Foal Free Press..." Twilight continued, "After that we found Applejack's birth certificate, and Mario's as well..."

"That's why I left a clue involving the birth certificate," said Diamond Tiara, "My mother knew about it and let Mario think he would never find his family. Now that I've seen the light, I wanted Mario to know about it. It was...kind of a little surprise from student to master." Mario smiled.

"Thank you, Diamond," said Mario, "Now back to our little mystery...We've got the schoolhouse, the newspaper, the birth certificate..."

"...And then the last clue was under a crib," said Twilight. Pinkie giggled maniacally as she held the cake twins.

"Hmm...School...foal...birth certificate...and crib," Twilight repeated and Mario hummed.

"All the pieces to the puzzle but we just gotta put them together," Mario pondered aloud. The two suddenly shared a thought bubble with images of the four clues on puzzle pieces. Pinkie looked ready to explode as the pupils of her eyes went all swirly. It was then the four puzzled pieces came together to show an image of a new born foal. Mario and Twilight gasped as the cloud bubble burst.

"No way!" Mario exclaimed as he looked at his wife.

"Can it be?" Twilight added, "Are you two...?!" The alicorn couple looked at Shining Armor, Cadance, and Diamond Tiara. The adults and filly split up to show Mario and Twilight a large cake decorated in baby colors and other baby related objects.

"We're having a baby!" Shining Armor and Cadance announced together. Pinkie made several exaggerated faces before jumping into the air.

"A baby, Twilight and Mario!" said Pinkie, "It's a baby! Woo-hoo!" Pinkie then bounced around the area like crazy. Twilight and Mario just stood in place with their jaws hanging out.

"You mean..." said Twilight as she slapped a fore-hoof to her head and Cadance and Shining Armor show the couple the cake again, "I'm going to be an aunt?! And Mario's gonna be an uncle?! This is best prize ever!" Twilight opened her wings and smiled happily.

THUD!

(Lose a Life fanfare)

Mario had passed out, but had done so with a huge toothy grin on his face. Twilight was stunned at first but was soon giggling. Cadance and Shining Armor laughed as Diamond Tiara chuckled. Twilight then helped Mario wake up. Mario looked a little woozy at first, but once his vision cleared and he saw Cadance and Shining Armor. Mario gave them both a smile and started to cry.

"Oh honey," Twilight giggled. None of them were concerned. It was obvious the news was overwhelming for the alicorn prince. Mario, still crying, pulled Cadance into a gentle hug and kissed her cheek.

"I'm so happy for you, Big Sis," Mario croaked, "I love you so much! The both of you!" Shining Armor gave his little brother a hug as well. Twilight then went to hug them next.

"Oh, I love you guys, too!" said Twilight, "and we can't wait to meet your little foal!"

"Neither can we," said Shining Armor. Mario then turned to Diamond Tiara.

"Sorry you had to see me..."

"Stop, master," said Diamond Tiara, as she nuzzled his fore-leg, "I like that you're sensitive! It shows that you care. You're definitely a pony I'm proud to look up to!" Mario smiled and hugged her close as the rest of the Mane eight minus Pinkie went to give their congrats, except for Fluttershy and Shenran.

"Is this what you two were hiding?" Fluttershy asked. Shenran nodded as Fluttershy kissed his cheek.

"I'm glad I decided to trust you," said Fluttershy as they shared a nose nuzzle and went to congratulate the expecting couple as well. The Cake family had also come out to give their congrats as well. Meanwhile, Pinkie was still bouncing about.

"I did it, I did it, I did it!" said Pinkie when she suddenly froze in mid-air, squeed, and then her body fell apart like building bricks, "Go, Pinkie."

Uhh...should I put her back together again or just put the parts in a box?

"Come on, Mr. Narrator!" Pinkie whined, "Haven't I been through enough this chapter?"

Alright, Pinkie, fair enough. Let's get you back together.

As Pinkie was being reassembled, the congratulations party had begun. Shining Armor and Mr. Cake share a hoof bump with each other. Fluttershy, Shenran, and Rarity were chatting with each other. Twilight, Mario, and Applejack were doing the same. Cadance then decided to walk up to the three ponies.

"So...since we're on the subject of babies," said Cadance, "How much longer before Shining Armor and I become aunt and uncle?" Mario and Twilight blushed deep red as they eyeballed each other.

"Ahh...heh...ehh..." they stuttered and bashfully avoided eye contact with Cadance and each other. Cadance and Applejack just snickered.

"No rush, you two," Cadance chuckled, "I was just asking." Twilight and Mario just smiled, but the embarrassment was still on their faces as the pink alicorn walked away holding a piece of cake with her magic. She headed over to Pinkie, who was now fully re-assembled, sitting at a table fixing her mane.

"You did it, Pinkie Pie!" Cadance giggled as she put the cake slice on the table and gave her a hug, "you kept it a surprise! Thank you! Was it much trouble?"

"Piece of cake!" said Pinkie with a squee, but as the iris out came to end the scene. Pinkie looked at the audience and mouthed "No" while shaking her head as the iris out finished.

Later that night, the party had finally come to an end. Mario had decided to take Diamond Tiara home, with Cadance coming along for the walk. Shining Armor had headed back to the castle with Twilight while everypony else headed back to their homes. Pinkie was just quietly cleaning up. She hadn't said much during the party, even after everypony said they understood why Pinkie was so stressed out. Pinkie still wasn't as energetic as she usually was. Mario had given her some brotherly love, which had helped Pinkie shed a little bit of tears, but hadn't cheered her up like it usually did. Mrs. Cake waited until everypony else was gone before she walked up to the pink pony.

"Pinkie, is everything alright?" Mrs. Cake asked her.

"Remind me the next time you get mail like that not to read it!" Pinkie snapped before rushing upstairs to her room. Mrs. Cake slowly followed slowly up the stairs and found Pinkie sobbing in her pillow. The blue earth pony gently approached the bed and rubbed the pink pony's back.

"It's not like I can't keep a secret," Pinkie sobbed, her voice muffled into her pillow, "But something that huge was too much for me. I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, Pinkie," said Mrs. Cake, "The important thing is that you did it! You were still able to keep the secret even though it was hard."

"I hate it when I can't keep myself together," Pinkie said with a sniffle, "I don't think anypony other than Mario even knows that I have anxiety. They just take it as me being random. I'll never be taken seriously if I keep falling apart like this!"

"I take you seriously," said a voice. Pinkie and Mrs. Cake turned to see Shenran at the top of the staircase. He had heard everything.

"Shenran, what...what brings you here," Pinkie asked sadly as she tried to wipe the tears still coming down her eyes.

"I came to see if you were okay," said Shenran quietly, "You've been through alot recently and I was worried about you." Pinkie just kept crying as Mrs. Cake smiled.

"I'll leave you two to talk," said Mrs. Cake as she headed downstairs. Shenran nodded thank you before walking up to the pink pony and giving her a hug.

"I'm proud of you, Pinkie," said Shenran.

"Well, I'm not feeling proud of myself right now," Pinkie whimpered, "especially after I was lashing out at you and hurting you."

"It's okay, Pinkie," said Shenran gently as he pulled away, "I know you were just stressed. Mario gets a bit impulsive too when he gets anxious. But you need to understand this, Pinkie. If there's one thing that I learned while being on the Royal Guard, it's that you can't focus on how you reached your goal, but rather the fact that you made it to your goal, which was keeping the surprise a secret!"

"It's was still really hard," Pinkie whimpered.

"You're right," said Shenran, "it was hard. This time."

"Huh?" Pinkie said puzzled with eyes still full of tears.

"Keeping the secret might have been hard this time around," said Shenran, "but you proved to yourself that you can do it. So next time around, it will be a little easier. Do it enough times, it will be as easy as making ponies smile!" Pinkie stared for a moment as Shenran's words sunk in, then sniffled as she gave him a smile.

"Thanks Shenran," said Pinkie, "I guess I really needed to hear that."

"That's what's friend are for," said Shenran, "I may not understand you as well as Mario, but I do care about you. I love you, Pinkie."

"I love you too, Shenran," said Pinkie as she gave him a hug, "Thank you for putting up with all of this. I know I didn't make things any easier with my...anxiety."

"It's okay," said Shenran, "Just remember the next time you feel that way, you can come talk to me too. I'll be here to listen. Just like Mario does." Pinkie smiled as she grabbed a tissue and blew her nose like a trumpet.

"You're really great friend Shenran," said Pinkie, "Thanks for going out of your way to help me with the secret and for helping me feel better."

"Anytime," said Shenran as he hovered into the air, "Good night, Pinks."

"Good night," said Pinkie as she watched Shenran disappear and sighed contently. Then her eyes bugged out.

"Wait...I'm not getting a crush on him right?" Pinkie wondered aloud. She imagined the idea of herself and Shenran kissing each other on the lips.

"Yuck!" Pinkie retorted instantly and breathed a sigh of relief, "Phew! That's a relief. That feeling of loving him is just as a friend." Pinkie yawned, "Good, because I've had just enough stress and keeping secrets for a reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally long time." Pinkie then put on a nightcap, climbed under her blankets and went to sleep.

"Goodnight, everypony," said Pinkie sleepily, "See you all in the next chapter."

Good night Pinkie.

Sweet Dreams.

As much as I enjoyed this episode in its own right, I always felt like the ending was too fast. I mean poor Pinkie was having a nervous breakdown trying to keep that secret and the only one to give her any gratitude was Cadance? At least one of the other ponies could have said..."so that's why you were so uptight" or something like that. Once again, Pinkie's feelings get dismissed as randomness and I don't know why the show keeps doing that. (Just wait til I get to the episode with Pinkie and that horrid parody of a bagpipe.)

And let me make it clear that Diamond Tiara is NOT going to be a regular character. I just included her in this one chapter just to show that Mario kept his word about making her his student of friendship and how their teacher/student relationship is. I mean...if you guys like seeing Mario with Diamond Tiara. Then I'll increase her appearances. Otherwise, I'm deciding one chapter at a time.

Kudos if you got the Toy Story and Looney Toons references. The latter is harder to spot unless you're a diehard fan of the old cartoons. Plus the gem braid in Diamond Tiara's mane is a callback to Star Wars since a jedi student would wear a mini braid in their hair, or mane in this case.

Next time: (and I'm sorry I won't have this done by Christmas) Mario joins Applejack and Pinkie for a Hearths Warming at Pinkie's rock farm! How will Mario connect with Pinkie's family?

Peace Pony Fans!