Chapter 20: Hearts and Hooves Day

It was Hearts and Hooves Day in Equestria. Twilight was just busy doing some studies on the history of this special holiday when she heard a knock on her front door.

"Come in," she said as Chase entered the main room with a smile on his face and hiding some items behind his back.

"Happy Hearts and Hooves Day," Chase said as he placed a bouquet of a dozen pink roses and a box of candy in front of her.

Twilight smiled excitedly.

"Oh, thank you!" Twilight said happily as she gave him a hug, "You didn't have to get me anything!"

"Well, you know how I feel about you," said Chase as Twilight kissed his cheek, making him blush when he remembered something, "I hope you'll enjoy the candy."

"Of course, you know how much I love chocolate," said Twilight as she returned to her desk.

"You should know that those candies aren't store bought," Chase told her with a smirk and Twilight gasped.

"Chase...you made these chocolates?" she exclaimed, deeply touched.

"Try them out," Chase said as Twilight excitedly opened the box and gobbled a candy down.

The taste and texture of the candy were pure bliss as Twilight let out a long happy sigh.

"I had some help from Bon Bon," Chase explained, "it took me four tries to get them just right. I put a lot of love into those candies and I'm glad you enjoyed them."

Twilight just placed a fore-hoof to her heart and smiled as she walked up to him.

"Oh, and uh, I got you something else too." Chase said as he brought out a paper heart card and gave it to Twilight. "I have to go take care of business right now. See you later?"

"Okay." Twilight said as Chase walked out while Twilight waved him goodbye with a smile before she tore off the parchment.

"Ever since you came to Ponyville," Twilight read aloud, "I can't take my eyes off your natural beauty. I've been waiting for a day when we could finally speak to each other face to face. I have hidden several of these red roses about town. If you can find them all, we can have a special date together. Here is the first clue: Just as the sunrise glows, you go to this pony for such a beautiful rose."

"Hmmm… let me see...pony with roses...oh! Roseluck! See you later Spike! This looks like a scavenger hunt from Chase." Twilight then grabbed her saddle bag, some books, the rose, the parchment, and then headed out of the library.

Spike then noticed that Twilight had left her candy box behind. Spike tiptoed to grab the box.

"And no touching my chocolate candy!" Twilight shouted, making Spike flinch.

Spike rolled his eyes and got back to his chores.

(Scene changes)

Meanwhile, on Sweet Apple Acres, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were busy working on their own project for Hearts and Hooves Day as the sound of a school bell was heard in the distance.

"Hmm..." Apple Bloom pondered to herself as she walked through some glue and glitter. She was also holding a bottle of glue in her mouth, "I just don't feel like it's quite finished."

"I know what you mean," said Sweetie Belle with Scootaloo standing nearby, "If it's for Miss Cheerilee, it needs to be perfect. Hearts and Hooves Day only comes once a year, after all."

"I say we add a little more ribbon!" Scootaloo suggested as she held up the said item with a fore-hoof. The other two fillies nodded in agreement as Scootaloo jumped past them holding the ribbon in her mouth.

"Mm-hmm, yeah, yeah," said Sweetie Belle regarding the new additions, "And now just a tiny bit more lace." She then picked up some white lace and tossed it into the air.

"A few more hoof-prints," said Apple Bloom as she dunked her hoofs into some purple paint and walked proudly across the project.

"Glitter!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she held a bucket loaded with the sparkling materials, "It could definitely use just a little more glitter."

Scootaloo then dumped the entire bucket over the project, making it sparkle as Sweetie Belle examined the project and smiled. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo did the same. There on the floor was a giant paper heart that was literally the size of a carpet since it nearly covered the entire floor of the clubhouse.

"Now that'll show Miss Cheerilee how much we care about her." said Apple Bloom, "Just have to get this to the Hearts and Hooves party at school."

Sweetie Belle then put down a small envelope and attempted to put the giant heart inside...only for just the bottom tip to fit inside of it.

"I think we're gonna need a bigger envelope," said Scootaloo as a matter of fact.

*Maine theme*

At the schoolhouse, some little ponies were chattering about as they discussed and exchanged handmade cards with each other.

"I like the red ones," said Diamond Tiara to Silver Spoon as Truffles gave Twist a card, earning himself a hug from the filly.

As the chattering continued, the Cutie Mark Crusaders presented their giant heart to Cheerilee.

"It's lovely," said Cheerilee, struggling to find what to say about the giant heart, "And so...big!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders nod in agreement together.

"We just wanted to let you know that we think you're the best teacher in the whole world!" said Apple Bloom, "And we think you're super! And that we love you so much! And we want you to have the best Hearts and Hooves Day-"

"Ever!" said all three girls at once.

As Apple Bloom spoke, the top of their heart slumped over and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo struggled to straighten the heart to keep it from falling on top of them. Cheerilee just smiled.

While Apple Bloom continued to speak, their little project then tumbled right on top of them.

Cheerilee lifted the end of the heart up as the three finished talking.

"Thank you so much, girls," said Cheerilee, "I love it. I really do."

"I'm sure it's nothing compared to the gifts you've gotten from your...very special somepony," said Sweetie Belle slyly as she stood beside Cheerilee and nudged her side playfully. Cheerilee took an uneasy step back.

"Oh, I don't have a very special somepony at the moment," said Cheerilee as she walked away from the three girls.

Cheerilee's remark instantly made the three fillies go from happy smiles to pure shock as they gasped.

"Really?" said Apple Bloom, surprised.

"How could somepony as amazing as you not have a very special somepony on Hearts and Hooves Day?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Cheerilee discreetly rolled her eyes as a very sour look appeared on her face.

"It's alright, Sweetie Belle," said Cheerilee, "I have lots of good friends and wonderful students who care about me very much. I'm gonna have an absolutely terrific Hearts and Hooves Day." As she was talking, Truffles handed her a card and she accepted it with a smile. She then made her way toward the rest of the students sitting at the desks. "Alright, everypony, who's ready to play "Pin the Heart on the Pony"?"

The three fillies just watched Cheerilee for a moment. Their teacher's words seemed to bother them.

"If anypony deserves a very special somepony, it's her," said Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle then gasped and gave her two friends a very wide and excited smile.

"Uh, you all right?" Apple Bloom asked in an uneasy tone and Scootaloo just glared at her.

"You look like Chase asked for your hoof in marriage." Scootaloo added.

"If he'd only stop loving Twilight," Sweetie Belle muttered before shaking her head and then stood in front of Cheerilee as the pony watched Twist try to play the game, "Never mind! I'm more than alright! I've just come up with the best idea ever. We're gonna find Miss Cheerilee a very special somepony."

"This is the best idea ever," said Apple Bloom as Scootaloo smiled in agreement.

"Tooold yooou!" said Sweetie Belle as she got between the two fillies with her fore-hooves around them and then got in front of them.

"So what are we waiting for?" said Apple Bloom as she noticed the clock was approaching 3 o'clock, "Hearts and Hooves Day is almost over! Let's get out there and find somepony special for Cheerilee."

"Yeah!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Let's do it!" Scootaloo added as the three fillies jumped into the air and high hoofed each other.

(Scene changes)

It wasn't much longer the three fillies were walking about the Ponyville market area. It was then Twilight was also walking about the market area in search of Chase.

"Now how did that clue go," said Twilight as she tried to remember her next clue, "Whenever you slice this fruit apart, you'll find that it resembles the shape of a heart. Hmm, what fruit would resemble a heart?"

Twilight then noticed a particular mare selling various baskets of freshly grown strawberries. Twilight then looked at them when she picked one up and then noticed something.

"Wait a second!" said Twilight as she looked at the strawberries, "The shape of a heart! Strawberries! Um, excuse me... I believe 'somepony' said that I would find a rose here with fruit that is shaped like heart?"

The mare giggled to herself as she handed Twilight another red rose with a piece of parchment on it. Twilight smiled as she tucked the rose into her saddle bag, as well as paid for some strawberries for later. She had already collected a few red roses from her travels about Ponyville.

She then walked away to read her next clue by tucking it in front of her book as the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked past her. Neither pony noticed the other.

"Now it can't be just anypony," Sweetie Belle reminded her friends as they got ready to begin their search, "Miss Cheerilee is one of the best mares in Ponyville. She deserves to have one of the best stallions as her very special somepony."

[Sweetie Belle - thought bubble appeared above her head as Cheerilee was smiling and holding an apple with her fore-hoof. As Sweetie Belle walked about, she then held onto a tall flagpole and scouted around the area before facing her two friends, who smiled and swayed from side to side. She then make a high jump and sang a high note in front of town hall. Sweetie Belle then took off to the left while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo headed to the right. It was then Sweetie Belle saw Button Mash playing an arcade game, an elderly pony reading a book to the crowd, who she hoped on his back and then hopped off, leaving him puzzled. Then she poked her head out of a hospital wagon to give a sickly looking stallion a thermometer.]

Cheerilee is sweet and kind

She's the best teacher we could hope for

The perfect stallion you and I must find

One to really make her heart so-o-oar

But...

This one's too young.

This one's too old.

He clearly has a terrible cold.

"Achoo!" said the stallion whose name was Hay Fever. Sweetie Belle ducked inside of the hospital wagon to avoid getting germs on herself.

[Apple Bloom - she found one stallion dressed up like a clown and leaned against another stallion wearing a rather snooty attire.]

This guy's too silly

He's way too uptight

"I say!" said the stallion named Persnickety as he stepped away from Apple Bloom, making her fall over.

[Sweetie Belle - she pointed towards an orange furred stallion.]

Well nothing's wrong with this one

He seems alright...

"His girlfriend sure thinks so." said Scootaloo. The orange stallion then nuzzled the nose of a mare sitting nearby, making Sweetie Belle flinch from embarrassment with a sheepish smile on her face.

[Sweetie Belle]

How 'bout this one?

[Apple Bloom - held a fore-hoof above her head since his green sparkly disco shirt was hurting her eyes.]

He's much to flashy

[Scootaloo - pointed out another stallion as he rushed by, splattering Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle with mud.]

He might do!

[Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle - glared at Scootaloo, making the orange Pegasus smile sheepishly.]

If he weren't so splashy!

[Apple Bloom - saw a stallion about as tall as her.]

Too short

[Sweetie Belle - saw a stallion that is as tall a giraffe. He even said "I wanna be a toy-r-us foal." (that last part was a joke).]

Too tall

[Apple Bloom - saw a nice, shiny stallion that was sitting in a bathtub loaded with bubbles.]

Too clean

[Scootaloo - has a pin on her nose since the stallion she found was dirty and grimy.]

Too smelly

[Sweetie Belle - The stallion was peeking out of a giant jar of blueberry jam with a creepy smile on his face. Sweetie Belle then backed away and bumped flank first into Scootaloo.]

Too strangely obsessed

[Apple Bloom - With a disappointed sigh, they were now back at town hall. She looked over to some couples at a few nearby patio tables who were spending together.]

I don't think that we're mistaken,

It seems all the good ones are taken.

[Sweetie Belle]

I really feel that at this rate,

We'll never find the perfect date.

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - as they sang, they climbed up a tall mountain of hay stacks. As they reached the top, Scootaloo saw that Big Mac was the one responsible for the hay stack mountain.]

Don't wanna quit and give up hope!

"Doing anything special for Hearts and Hooves Day?" Scootaloo asked Big Mac.

[Sweetie Belle - She made a praying gesture with her fore-hooves]

Oh please, oh please, oh please say-

"Nope," Big Mac answered. The three fillies gasp excitedly.

[Sweetie Belle - She, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo began to hop about happily.]

We did it girls

We've found the one,

Who will send our teacher's heart aflutter!

"Wait a minute!" said Apple Bloom as she stopped bouncing about, "Lemme get this straight! Are you talkin' about my brother?"

(Scene changes)

The three fillies wasted no time heading over to Sweet Apple Acres where Big Mac was busy pushing baskets of apples across the grass. They continued watching him discreetly from the side of the barn doors.

Big Mac then turned in their direction, causing them to lean away and hide behind the doors to avoid being seen. They went back to watching him once he looked away and got back to work. Scootaloo waited for Big Mac to disappear from their view before speaking.

"Sweetie Belle is right," Scootaloo told Apple Bloom, "Big Macintosh is the perfect match for Miss Cheerilee. He's really nice, super hard-working."

Big Mac began to do some apple bucking outside and loaded three baskets with some tall stacks of apples.

"Hmm...but he's also pretty shy," said Apple Bloom as Big Mac carried all three stacks of apples on his back, "He's never gonna ask Miss Cheerilee to be his very special somepony."

"Maybe he doesn't have to," said Sweetie Belle rubbing her chin as she and Apple Bloom paced about inside the barn.

"Huh?" Apple Bloom asked puzzled.

"If we can get Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee in a really romantic setting," said Sweetie Belle, "I bet she'll ask him."

"Sound like a plan to me," said Scootaloo as she stood up from sitting on top of a hay stack.

"So? What are we're waitin' for?" Apple Bloom replied, "Let's get out there and create the perfect date!"

"Yeah!" the three fillies said together as they jumped into the air and shared a high-hoof.

(Scene changes)

A little while later, the three fillies were at the park where a makeshift gazebo was created using some octagon-shaped roof pieces and using the nearby trees trunks to support the roof. Sweetie Belle was busy setting up the grounds for a little picnic inside the gazebo area as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom each set up the plates to create a picnic for two.

"Flowers," said Sweetie Belle when she noticed the empty flower pot, "Don't forget the flowers."

"Oops, I'm on it!" Apple Bloom replied as she zipped away. Scootaloo was now busy keeping a look out. Scootaloo then gasped when she saw the two ponies they were waiting for were approaching.

"They're coming!" said Scootaloo as Apple Bloom was setting up the flowers inside the vase, "This is gonna be perfect. Miss Cheerilee is gonna have the best Hearts and Hooves Day ever." Scootaloo then did a small flutter jump in excitement.

"With her new very special somepony," Sweetie Belle added as the three girls giggled to each other.

"Hi, girls," said Cheerilee as she arrived.

"Hi, Miss Cheerilee," said the three fillies at once in an overly cheery tone.

"So you three said you needed help identifying a tree you found here near the gazebo?" Cheerilee asked. The three fillies smiled as they point to a nearby tree loaded with...apples?

"That's an apple tree," said Cheerilee dryly with an unamused look on her face.

"Is it?" Apple Bloom asked innocently as the three girls giggled to each other.

Cheerilee just looked at them suspiciously as Big Mac arrived carrying his toolbox and set it down. Cheerilee just watched him curiously as he grabbed a hammer with his mouth and looked up. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh sorry, big brother," said Apple Bloom as she came up beside him, "We went and fixed up the gazebo all on our own. See?" She then bumped his flank, making him toss his hammer behind him and was forced to move forward.

"As long as you're here, why not have a bite to eat from this romantic-looking picnic?" said Scootaloo as she bumped Cheerilee to make her walk forward as well, "Oh gosh, seems like there's only room for two."

"I guess we'll just be goin' then," said Apple Bloom before they all zoomed away at high speed. But then Sweetie Belle returned and made the gramophone play before she took off as well. Cheerilee and Big Mac just watched the three fillies disappear. The three fillies didn't go too far as they ducked inside a bush not too far away to see what would happen.

"You really think this'll work?" Scootaloo asked.

"Of course it will work," said Sweetie Belle, "They're perfect for each other."

The three fillies just watched quietly to see what would happen. However, they were anything but subtle as Cheerilee was fully aware that the three fillies were watching them. She looked at Big Mac nervously, who just looked back at her blankly. Truth be told, they have been friends with each other for years, but these days, they didn't speak to each other as much. The fact Big Mac was usually a stallion of few words made conversation awkward.

"Beautiful day we're having," said Cheerilee with a very uneasy smile on her face as she looked up at the sky.

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered, looking up as well.

"Any big plans for tonight?" Cheerilee asked, feeling more and more awkward from the silence.

"Nnnope," Big Mac answered plainly as he scratched his chin. They both just looked at the picnic spread quietly as nothing more was said. The three fillies were getting rather anxious.

"Oh, come on, Miss Cheerilee," said Apple Bloom, "ask him to be your special somepony." Sweetie Belle then gasped as the distance between Cheerilee and Big Mac began to shrink as their faces got closer to each other.

"Ohmigosh, look!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly. The other two fillies smiled excitedly and leaned forward as they saw Cheerilee and Big Mac getting closer to each other. Even Cheerilee had a smile on her face.

"Big Mac..." said Cheerilee softly.

"Eeyup?" Big Mac asked as the CMC's eyes grew wide since they could hardly contain their excitement.

"You have something stuck in your teeth," said Cheerilee as she pulled away and the sound of record scratch was heard.

"OH COME ON!" Sweetie Belle shouted at the top of her lungs as she popped out of the bush as Scootaloo quickly shoved her back down. Cheerilee caught a glimpse of the marshmallow filly before turning to face Big Mac, who was using a wheat stalk to clear his teeth. The music player just kept playing music erratically.

"Well this has been...strange," said Cheerilee with a calm smile.

"Eeyup," said Big Mac. The fact his eyes were enlarged showed that he was feeling rather awkward about all of this as well.

"I need to get going," said Cheerilee, "but it's always great running into a good friend."

"Yup," Big Mac answered before they parted ways, leaving the picnic completely untouched. It was a few minutes later that the CMC were busy walking through town with downcasted looks on their faces.

"Do you think it just wasn't romantic enough?" Apple Bloom asked with a sigh as she kicked about a crumpled up piece of paper.

"Maybe it was too romantic," said Scootaloo.

"Either way, we failed," said Sweetie Belle sadly with a sigh. Apple Bloom sighed again.

"There's gotta be somethin' else we could-UGH!" Apple Bloom and the two fillies didn't notice until too late that Twilight was walking along the same path.

Twilight didn't notice until too late that the three fillies were in her way since she was reading as she walked. In the end, they all collided with each other. Twilight then lowered her book as a red rose fell out from inside the pages.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't even see you there." said Twilight apologetically as she saw Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle tangled up on top of Scootaloo, "I'm so sorry."

"Aw, it's okay, Twilight," said Apple Bloom as they struggled to get untangled, "It was an accident."

"Is that your red rose?" Sweetie Belle asked as she pointed toward the dropped object. Twilight then picked it up with her magic and returned it to her saddle bag with the rest of the roses.

"Are you collecting red roses are something?" Scootaloo asked curiously.

"Are those from Chase?" Apple Bloom asked.

Twilight didn't want to answer, but she figured that she might as well be honest.

"Yes, I think he has something special for me." Twilight said. "He already gave me a Hearts and Hooves Day present, some hoof-made chocolate candies."

"By the way, what were you reading anyway?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously, "Assuming you're not trying to hide those red roses in case Chase comes walking by."

Sweetie Belle couldn't resist a smirk as Twilight ignored the filly's teasing and grabbed her book.

"I've just been reading the most fascinating book about Hearts and Hooves Day." said Twilight, "Did you know that this holiday got its start because of a love potion?"

The crusaders looked indifferent as Twilight walked away and then their interest was sparked when Twilight mentioned a love potion and then slid underneath Twilight's legs together to look up at her.

"Did you say...a love potion?" Sweetie belle asked as Scootaloo looked excited while Apple Bloom looked rather shocked.

"That's right," said Twilight as she flipped through the pages, "It even has the recipe." The three filly exchanged excited looks with each other.

"I...don't suppose we could borrow that book for a little while, do ya?" Sweetie Belle asked slowly.

"Of course you can," said Twilight, not thinking much about her uneasy tone as she handed them the book as she looked into the other pocket of her saddle bag, "I have another book here that I think you'll-" When Twilight used her magic to show the book, she found the fillies were gone. She just lowered her head in annoyance.

"It's probably for the best," said Twilight, "I'd rather they be distracted so I can continue my hunt in peace. Now what was that last clue...shoot, it was in the book...oh here it is, it must have fallen out..." Twilight picked up the parchment.

"You're mind is ever so bright, and I've heard that you love to write," Twilight read to herself quietly before she face-hoofed herself. "This clue is so easy. Quills and Sofas is my next destination!"

Twilight then took off toward the shop.

(Scene changes)

The Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived back at their clubhouse. They were giggling to each other as they set a pitcher of water on a table as Apple Bloom held the book open.

"Take a tuff of cloud," said Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo picked off a piece of a nearby low cloud and put it into the pitcher of water by having Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stand on top of each other.

"A bright rainbow's glow," Sweetie Belle read next. Using a giant step ladder, Scootaloo used a vacuum to suck up all the color out of a rainbow. She then turned the vacuum on in reverse to dump the contents into the pitcher.

"Stir with a Pegasus feather-" said Sweetie Belle, waiting for when Scootaloo went to set the vacuum tube down and then plucked one of her orange feathers from her wings.

"Hey!" Scootaloo yelped as she recoiled from having one of her feathers plucked without being asked.

"Fast, not slow," said Sweetie Belle as she quickly stirred the ingredients, causing the rainbow colored mixture to turn into a shade of magenta.

"Serve to two ponies who aren't in the know," said Apple Bloom as she put the book down and poured some of their new potion into two glass cups. The mixture had become fizzy as heart shaped bubbles started appearing from it.

The three fillies then brought the two cups of potion with them to the gazebo were the picnic blanket was still in place. They quickly got to work getting things ready for Big Mac and Cheerilee. However, Apple Bloom wasn't feeling as confident about the plan.

"I feel kind of bad trickin' my brother and Miss Cheerilee this way," Apple Bloom admitted.

"What's the problem?" Sweetie Belle asked as she fixed the flowers and Scootaloo was back to being on lookout, "We all agreed these two are perfect for one another."

"Yeah," Scootaloo agreed, "they just need a little nudge."

"And what could make them happier than being together, right?" Sweetie Belle added.

"Right!" said Apple Bloom, feeling better.

"Oh, oh, here they come," said Scootaloo as Cheerilee arrived first with Big Mac coming just a second after.

"Hiya, Miss Cheerilee," said Apple Bloom with a smile.

"Hello again, girls," said Cheerilee, giving the girls a suspicious and skeptical smile before turning to the red stallion, "Hello Big Mac. Would you three like to tell us why it was so very important that we meet you here-"

"Punch!" Sweetie Belle interjected.

"Excuse me?" Cheerilee asked suspiciously.

"Punch!" Sweetie Belle repeated, "We made punch. We were gonna set up a stand and try to sell it, but, heh, we needed somepony to taste-test it first."

"Yup," said Apple Bloom.

"We thought you two would be perfect together," said Sweetie Belle before quickly adding, "To test it. Together. So, uh, we'll just leave you two alone."

Cheerilee and Big Mac look rather puzzled as the three filly's zip away. Then Sweetie Belle came back, "Together, to test it."

Big Mac just gave her a glare as he watched Sweetie Belle literally duck into a nearby bush where he could hear all three girls giggling to each other.

"I'm very sorry about this," said Cheerilee apologetically to Big Mac, "I mentioned to the girls that I don't have a very special somepony, and I believe they're putting us in these awkward situations because they've decided that it should be you."

Big Mac just looked at Cheerilee blankly for a moment before they both chuckled to each other.

"I suppose we should just humor them for the moment," said Cheerilee, "This punch does look delicious."

"Eeyup," said Big Mac in agreement as they each grabbed a glass of the punch.

"I think they're gonna drink it," Sweetie Belle whispered excitedly from their hiding bush.

"To good friends!" said Cheerilee as she and Big Mac clinked glasses.

"They're drinking it. They're drinking it!" said Scootaloo excitedly as Cheerilee and Big Mac finished their glasses of the "punch", giving a hiccup as soon as they set their glasses down.

"They're looking into each other's eyes," said Scootaloo.

"They're about to be in for a big surprise," said all three fillies excitedly before they giggled to each other.

The hiccups each produced two halves of a heart, which joined together to create a complete heart. Cheerilee and Big Ma's faces got closer to each other as magenta colored rings appeared in their eyes, showing the potion was taking effect. The three fillies watched the two ponies with excitement.

"Big Mac?" said Cheerilee softly.

"Yup?" said the red stallion as the three fillies, were once again, at the edge of their seats waiting for something good to happen.

"Will you be my very special somepony?" Cheerilee asked.

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered right away.

"YES!" Sweetie Belle cheered as she popped out of the bush with a hoof pump and Scootaloo quickly pushed her back down. But it wasn't long before they all peeked out of the bush with smiles on their faces.

"He's her special somepony, She's his special somepony," The three girls sang as they danced around the new couple.

"He's my special somepony," said Cheerilee happily.

"Eeeeeyup," said Big Mac in agreement.

"Aww!" The three girls cooed at once.

"He's my shmoopy-woopy sweetie-weetie pony pie," said Cheerilee. That made the three fillies go from happy to disturbed instantly.

"You're my shmoopy-woopy sweetie-weetie pony pie," Big Mac replied, leaving Apple Bloom stunned.

"Did he just say-" Apple Bloom replied but was cut off.

"You're my cutie-patootie lovie-dovie hunny-bunny," Cheerilee said as she bounced on her hooves like a little lovesick school girl.

"You're my heartie-smartie smoochie-woochie baby-waby," Big Mac replied as...he danced on his hooves in the same manner?!

"Big Mac!" said Apple Bloom in shock as she rushed beside the two ponies, "Hey! Hello! What's going on?!"

She waved a fore-hoof over her big brother's eyes, but it did no good. Cheerilee and Big Mac were lovesick, enchanted to be more precise, with each other.

"Miss Cheerilee, are you alright?" Sweetie Belle asked worried.

"I have a special somepony," Cheerilee replied, "A kissy-wissy snuggy-wuggy sugar bear."

She and Big Mac then nuzzled noses with each other as the three fillies look rather concerned.

"I think we may have given them too big of a nudge," Sweetie Belle said to the other two fillies.

"You're my cuddly-wuddly boopsie-woopsie pumpkin pie," said Big Mac.

"Eugh!" said the three fillies in disgust.

"Ya think?" Scootaloo retorted sarcastically to Sweetie Belle's question.

(Scene changes)

Once they were back at their clubhouse, Apple Bloom was worriedly pacing back and forth as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle continued to read the book regarding their little love potion.

"What have we done?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "My brother's acting like a grade-A goofball!"

"Maybe we added too much rainbow," Sweetie Belle remarked.

"Or maybe not enough cloud," put in Scootaloo.

"Or maybe...uh-oh," said Sweetie Belle as she was reading the book.

"Whaddaya mean "uh-oh"?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed with a frantic look on her face.

"We might not have given Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee a love potion," said Sweetie Belle, "We may have given them a love poison."

"What?!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gasped.

"Apparently, some prince a long time ago whipped up this recipe and gave it to this princess he really liked," Sweetie Belle explained, "He meant it to be a love potion, but things didn't turn out so well."

"How "not so well" did things turn out?" Apple Bloom asked dreadfully.

"Well, there's something here about a dragon." Said Sweetie Belle as she scanned through the book. "The kingdom falling, chaos reigning...Okay, apparently it was because the prince and princess were so lost in each other's eyes that they couldn't perform their royal duties."

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's eyes shrunk nervously as Apple Bloom bit her lips to avoid panicking.

"Great! We've not only turned Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee into a couple of nonsense-spoutin' nincompoops, we may have put all of Ponyville in jeopardy!" said Apple Bloom as she walked about.

Scootaloo and Sweetie gasped silently as Apple Bloom whimpered and face-planted the table.

"Come on, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo as the yellow filly lifted her head from the table, "Miss Cheerilee and Big Mac don't have any royal duties."

"But they still got responsibilities," Apple Bloom pointed out, "If we don't fix this...Oh no, Miss Cheerilee won't be able to teach. Big Mac won't be able to harvest any apples, and before you know it...Ponyville will be overrun with uneducated little ponies starvin' for apples. Oh, it'll be chaos! It'll be chaos!"

As Apple Bloom spoke, a thought bubble showed Cheerilee fading away from her teaching job and Big Mac fading away from the Apple orchards. The schoolhouse was then left abandoned and boarded up. The apple orchards were filled with rotting apples still on their branches. Ponies in town are running amok. Some of them are wearing dunce caps and were reduced to skin and bones. All they could do was crash and smash into houses and buildings. As Apple Bloom's vision end, she was waving her fore-hooves frantically in the air before Scootaloo. Scootaloo was left in shock.

"There's an antidote!" said Sweetie Belle as she scooted over to the two fillies.

"Well, why didn't you say so?" Apple Bloom asked indignantly, "Didn't you see me gettin' all panicky back there?"

"If we can keep Miss Cheerilee and Big Mac from looking into each other's eyes for one full hour," said Sweetie Belle as she placed the book before them, "the love curse will be broken."

"Only an hour?" said Scootaloo confidently, "Pfh, we can pull that off in a second."

(Scene changes)

Meanwhile, Twilight had arrived at Sugarcube Corner when she noticed two particular ponies sitting together at a table.

"Hey there Cheerilee, Big Mac," said Twilight, "Are you two on a date?"

The two just giggled and kept staring at each other with an untouched milkshake sitting between them.

"O-kay..." said Twilight uneasily as she approached the front counter, where Mrs. Cake was looking rather uncomfortable, "Hi Mrs. Cake. I was told by this note here that I was to ask this 'pony' if you are sweet, and you will get a rosy treat."

Mrs. Cake giggled to herself as she ducked under the counter and presented Twilight a chocolate frosted cupcake that had a tall rose sticking out of it. Like the other rose stems, this one had another note attached to it.

"Thank you," said Twilight as she held the rose with her hoof and used her magic to eat the cupcake as she walked away.

That was when the Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived as Mrs. Cake went back to feeling rather uncomfortable when Cheerilee and Big Mac started "fighting" over the shake.

"You take the first sip, snuggle-wuggles," said Cheerilee.

"No, you take it, schnoodle-dumplin'," Big Mac insisted.

"No, you, shnooky-lumps," said Cheerilee.

"No, you, poookie-pie," said Big Mac.

"I'm all for romance, but this has been going on for hours," said Mrs. Cake to the three fillies as Big Mac and Cheerilee ate a cherry together, "What's happened to those two?"

Sweetie Belle just chuckled nervously as the other two girls looked concerned.

"Who knows?" said Sweetie Belle innocently.

"Well, these lovebirds will probably be planning a wedding soon," said Mrs. Cake, "I can always use the catering business."

As Mrs. Cake walked away, Sweetie Belle got an idea.

"A wedding!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, "That's it! Miss Cheerilee and Big Mac should get married!"

"How is getting hitched gonna keep them apart?" Apple Bloom asked curiously as Cheerilee and Big Mac held the milkshake together and began licking the sides of the glass.

"They aren't really gonna get married," Sweetie Belle explained, "They're just gonna get ready to get married."

"No, you, biscuit-wiscuit bear!" Cheerilee chuckled as she pushed the shake towards Big Mac.

"Nope, you, huggy-wuggy-snuggy bunny!" Big Mac replied as he pushed the shake...right off the table, which clank as its spilled on the floor, but neither of them seem to care. That was when Sweetie Belle approached them.

"Hi, Miss Cheerilee, how are you?" Sweetie Belle asked casually.

"I have a very special somepony," said Cheerilee as she held a picture of Big Mac in her fore-hooves and hugged it.

"I have a very special somepony," said Big Mac, holding a picture of Cheerilee and giving a squeaky smile as he hugged it.

"Yeah, we noticed," said Apple Bloom sarcastically as the two ponies started nuzzling noses again.

"Gosh, you two are so in love," said Sweetie Belle as she got between them to keep them apart as the two lovesick ponies tried to reach out to each other, "The next thing you know, you'll be getting married."

As Sweetie Belle let go of them, the two ponies bumped into each other with shocked eyes.

"Married?!" said Cheerilee and Big Mac.

"That's right," said Sweetie Belle, "Maaarriied."

"Married..." said Big Mac and Cheerilee in a love daze. Apple Bloom felt like she going to be sick at the way the two ponies were looking at each other, but managed to recompose herself to some extent.

"Ugh," Apple Bloom groaned wearily as Big Mac and Cheerilee nuzzled noses once more and partially ignored her, "'Course, if you're gonna get married, you wanna pick out a really nice ring for your - ugh - schmoopy-doopy, uh, pookie-pie."

"Diamond!" Big Mac shouted excitedly before he took off at high speed and rushed out of Sugarcube Corner and slammed the door as he left.

"Shmoopy!" Cheerilee called out in desperation and tried to go after him, but Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo managed to hold her back.

"Don't you think you should start looking for your wedding dress?" said Scootaloo, "You'll wanna look your best for your...honey-bunny snuggle-baby." Scootaloo couldn't help but strain her voice over that last part.

"Oh! Dress!" said Cheerilee as she took off so fast that she smashed through the front door. Apple Bloom ducked just in time to avoid having her head knocked off her shoulders. It wasn't much longer that the three fillies followed behind.

"Now we just need to keep them apart," said Sweetie Belle as she lead the group, "I'll keep Miss Cheerilee occupied. You two do the same with Big Mac." They all looked at the clock, which currently read 5 o'clock as it began to chime.

"Meet you back at the clubhouse in an hour when this whole mess is over," said Sweetie Belle.

With that, the three fillies split up. Sweetie Belle took off on her own as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo headed in the opposite direction.

(Scene changes)

At the Carousel Boutique, Cheerilee was frantically looking through a small collection of wedding dresses that were hanging on a clothing rack. She was looking at them so fast that nopony could tell if she was really trying to find something she liked or just desperate to get back to Big Mac. Even Sweetie Belle could tell Cheerilee was trying to hurry things along so she could go back to Big Mac.

"This one looks nice," said Sweetie Belle as she gave Cheerilee a dress, which the mare smiled excitedly, "Better try it on though."

Sweetie Belle then pushed Cheerilee inside one of the dressing rooms. Cheerilee just watched with a frantic and nervous face as she let Sweetie Belle push the entire rack of dresses inside of the dressing room and barricaded the exit with various furniture. Sweetie Belle then peeked out the window to check the clock.

"Ten minutes down, fifty minutes to go," said Sweetie Belle to herself before looking back at the barricaded dressing room. Cheerilee wasn't making any efforts to escape...yet.

(Scene changes)

At the jewelry shop, the jeweler pony named Karat showed Big Mac a diamond ring. Big Mac just flapped his head up and down like an airhead. Apple Bloom, being a filly of fine tastes despite her country roots as well as desperate to stall for time, examined each diamond carefully and critically.

"No," said Apple Bloom as Big Mac frowned and Karat went to show another diamond ring. Once again, Big Mac was just nodding excitedly.

"No," said Apple Bloom again, making her brother frown as Karat showed them something else. Same cycle of events.

"Not that one," said Apple Bloom.

"No," Apple Bloom replied once again.

"Too...shiny," said Apple Bloom.

"Mmm," Karat grumbled as he rolled his eyes and went to check the back to see what else he could offer.

"Miss Cheerilee deserves the best," said Apple Bloom. She then headed over to Scootaloo.

"How much time is left?" Apple Bloom asked Scootaloo, who was playing looking out and watching the clock, "I'm runnin' out of ways to make diamonds sound bad." Currently, the clock read 5:35.

"We still have twenty-five minutes," Scootaloo told her. Apple Bloom sighed, but she turned around. Big Mac was gone.

"Where's my brother?" Apple Bloom asked Karat anxiously.

"He made his purchase and departed out the back," Karat replied, "Said something about needing to see his...shmoopy-shmoo."

"Ugh," Scootaloo groaned as Apple Bloom once again made a face that showed she was going to be sick before managing to recompose herself.

They wasted no time heading out of the shop from the back as Twilight arrived from the front.

"Good day there Miss," said Karat to Twilight, "How might I help you?"

Twilight approached the counter as she held the sheet of paper with her magic.

"Ask this pony if you are pretty as a diamond, you'll find that you and this gem have much in common," Twilight recited to Karat.

Karat smiled as he presented to Twilight a rare purple diamond that matched the color of her eyes. Along side of it was another red rose. Twilight took the rose and found another note.

"Just how many of these roses are around town?" Twilight wondered as she examined her saddle bag, which was loaded with lots of red roses. "I guess Chase must have been so persuasive of me."

"I should inform you that this purple diamond was paid for by the pony who sent you that rose," said Karat, "If you give me a second, I can have it fitted for a ring or a necklace. Your choice, miss."

Twilight's eyes sparkled.

It wasn't often she got the chance to own or wear jewelry.

(Scene changes)

Back to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, they had just heard the clock chime again. The time was now 5:45.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do to slow him down," said Apple Bloom, "You go on to the Carousel Boutique and warn Sweetie Belle."

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom then split up. It wasn't much longer before Apple Bloom found Big Mac bouncing along his way like a bunny. Apple Bloom narrowed her eyes before grabbing his tail with her mouth.

However, all that did was get the poor filly smacked to ground with every hop. She then let go and tried to hold him back by standing in front of him, but Big Mac was just too strong for her.

She then saw a cart being pulled by a pair of cows and that the cart was loaded with lots of iron anvils as well as some rope. Apple Bloom used the rope to lasso Big Mac and tied him to the cart. But Big Mac had no problem pulling the cart, the anvils, and the two cows, who gasped as they were being pulled backwards by the red stallion.

"Huh-" said Apple Bloom as she heard the clock chime again and looked up. There was about six more minutes and counting. Apple Bloom gasped as she began to panic and sweat nervously. They only needed a few more minutes but she was running out of ideas on how to slow Big Mac down.

While Apple Bloom was dealing with Big Mac, Scootaloo finally arrived at the Carousel Boutique. She was clearly out of breath and very hot as Sweetie Belle peeked out of the kitty door.

"What's wrong? Where's Apple Bloom? Where's Big Mac?" Sweetie Belle asked all at once.

"Oh...his...way..." Scootaloo replied, still out of breath, "...Gotta...keep him...outta the boutique..."

Sweetie Belle looked at the clock. They still had about five more minutes. She quickly looked around for something to give her an idea. She then smiled when she noticed a pair of shovels just a short distance away.

Apple Bloom was at her final rope as she literally tied Big Mac to nearby house. This finally got Big Mac to slow down to a stop, but he was determined to get to Cheerilee one way or another.

"Huh?" Apple Bloom as she head some loud creaking.

The pony living inside of the house opened their window to see their entire house being pulled by Big Mac. There was just no stopping him! Apple Bloom did her best to catch up to Big Mac when she heard the clock chime once again. Her eyes shrunk when she saw the time. Only two more minutes to go!

Apple Bloom then narrowed her eyes and jumped up to Big Mac and wrapped herself around his neck. She had to have known that wouldn't slow him down at all, but she was getting desperate. Big Mac was getting closer and closer to the Carousel Boutique when Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked up, covered in dirt.

"Move away!" Scootaloo called out

"He'll get to her!" Apple Bloom protested as the rope Big Mac was tied to broke, "He's too strong!"

"Let him go!" Sweetie Belle shouted as she and Scootaloo made gestures for Apple Bloom to listen to them. After some hesitation, Apple Bloom closed her eyes and back flipped off of Big Mac. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle flinched as Big Mac approached.

"Shmoopy-doo-WHOA!" Big Mac called out and the yelped as he hopped right into a deep pit that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had dug up.

"I sure am glad you found those shovels," said Scootaloo to Sweetie Belle as they looked down at pit that was a few yards deep. To prevent any injuries, they had also put a feather stuffed mattress on the bottom of the pit. It was a good call since Big Mac landed face first.

"One more minute and the spell will be broken!" said Apple Bloom excitedly.

"Shmoopy-doo!" Big Mac shouted as he raised a fore-hoof and tried to draw attention to himself. The pit was just deep enough to keep him from jumping out. However, Big Mac was loud enough that Cheerilee was able to hear him.

"Sweetums?!" Cheerilee called out from inside the dressing room. It was then...

Thump! Thump! CRASH!

Cheerilee bashed the furniture blocking her way and came out of the dressing room. She had given up on a dress and was just wearing a wedding veil on her head. The three fillies were worried when they heard the sound of the crash.

"Shmoopy-doo!" Big Mac shouted again with a fore-hoof in the air. Sweetie Belle put a fore-hoof over her mouth as the clock chimed again. They were only seconds away from their goal when...

Thump! Thump! SMASH!

Cheerilee smashed through the front door, taking out the door frame and part of the wall around the entrance. She began to look around frantically for Big Mac.

"Shmoopy-doo!" Big Mac shouted again, making the three fillies look back at him. They then looked at Cheerilee with one eye when she spotted them. They did their best to lean from side to side to prevent them from making eye contact with each other.

Cheerilee then charged toward the three fillies and the pit. Big Mac tried to pull himself up to look at her but the three fillies used their hind legs to block his view. The clock continued to chime as time was almost up and Scootaloo used her entire body to keep Big Mac's eyes off of Cheerilee as the mare began to increase her speed. The three fillies then realized that Cheerilee was not going to stop and braced themselves for impact.

BASH!

"Aaaa-" Apple Bloom screamed as everything suddenly moved in slow motion as she and her friends were sent flying into the air. The clock ticked and chimed to count down the final seconds. Cheerilee dived into the pit. With one second to go...

Big Mac and Cheerilee made eye contact.

They both looked wide eyed as Cheerilee crashed into Big Mac and they tumbled into the pit as a big dust cloud appeared. The clock chimed six o'clock. The big question on the three fillies minds once they recovered was: Would one second make a difference between success and failure?

"Oh please be normal, please be normal," said Apple Bloom worried as she and her friends looked down into the pit.

Big Mac and Cheerilee looked back up at them with puzzled looks on their faces. Despite that one second, the three fillies had forgotten that they had pulled them apart a few seconds before 5 o'clock. Thus the sixty minutes had already passed long after Cheerilee had broken out of the boutique. They had simply needed to make eye contact again with each other for the spell to be lifted.

"Am I wearing a wedding veil?" Cheerilee asked curiously.

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered simply.

"Are you sitting on a feather bed in a hole in the ground?" Cheerilee asked next.

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered again.

Apparently, neither of them could recall what had been going on these past few hours.

"Girls! Can you explain why I look like I'm getting married at the bottom of a pit?" Cheerilee asked. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked away sheepishly as Sweetie Belle just smiled in the same manner.

"We may have given you the teeny-tiniest bit of love potion...that may have turned out to actually be a love poison," Sweetie Belle explained slowly, "and you may have gone just a teeny--tiniest bit nutty."

"But we only did it because we thought you and Big Mac would be really happy together if you could be each other's very special someponies on Hearts and Hooves Day," Apple Bloom continued as Big Mac and Cheerilee just listened.

"Our hearts and hooves were in the right place," Scootaloo finished. Cheerilee gave them a smile while Big Mac looked rather stunned.

"We appreciate that you care about us and want us to be happy," said Cheerilee, "but-"

"But no matter how good our intentions might have been," Apple Bloom continued for Cheerilee, "we shoulda never meddled in your relationship."

"Nopony can force two ponies to be together," Scootaloo added.

"It's up to everypony to choose that very special somepony for themselves," said Sweetie Belle.

"We're sorry," the three fillies said together.

"And you can think about how sorry you are while you're doing all of Big Mac's chores at Sweet Apple Acres," said Cheerilee sternly before turning to Big Mac with a smile, "Does that seem like a fair punishment to you?"

"Eeyup," said Big Mac in agreement.

The three fillies groaned.

"Whoa! I've heard of quirky marriage arrangements." said Chase as he arrived on the scene, "But I've never heard of a pitfall wedding."

"Ha ha," said Cheerilee indignantly before looking at the three fillies, "Girls, I suggested you get going so you're not out past nightfall."

The three fillies just nodded and bid Chase goodbye as they headed toward Sweet Apple Acres to get to work.

"I'd ask what is going on, but I guess the Cutie Mark Crusaders will fill me in later," said Chase, "Let's get you two out of there."

Chase helped pull Cheerilee out followed by Big Mac. He then used his magic to pull out the feather bed and plug up the hole in just seconds. He was just patting the dirt down when he noticed Twilight approaching.

"Uh oh." Chase said before he hid in a bush.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked as she arrived, "And why is Cheerilee wearing a wedding veil."

"Don't ask," Cheerilee remarked annoyingly.

"Okay..." said Twilight uneasily as Chase was still hidden in the bush. "Anyway, have you or Big Mac seen Chase? I could've sworn I saw him go this way?"

Cheerilee and Big Mac stiffed before they looked at each nervously. Then they gave Twilight a nervous smile.

"Uh, no, Twilight. We haven't seen him." Cheerilee responded back with a fake smile.

"Okay then." Twilight said before she looked at her necklace. "I was gonna ask him about if he was the one who bought this necklace for me, but I just figured since I could wait long enough to see him, I'll be ready to meet up with him."

Twilight then took off the necklace and put it in her inside her saddle bag. Chase then ran off screen from the bush and into the distance just as Cheerilee was about to speak when...

"WHAT IN EQUESTRIA HAPPENED IN HERE AND WHO DESTROYED MY FRONT DOOR!?"

"Umm...Big Mac, I think we need to be somewhere," Cheerilee asked with a sheepish smile.

"Eeyup!" He replied in agreement as they both zoomed away.

As they did so, Cheerilee's wedding veil was left behind. Twilight just looked puzzled as she headed to her now fuming unicorn friend. Twilight took notice of all the damaged furniture laying about the main room.

"Umm, Rarity?" said Twilight, "What...happened in here?"

Rarity was about to retort when she saw Twilight and recomposed herself.

"Nothing I can't deal with, darling," said Rarity with some spite on her tone before she perked up, "So...what brings you here this lovely Hearts and Hooves Day?"

"Well," said Twilight as she held the most recent rose she had received, "The note said a beautiful mare like you always looks her best, visit this mare to find the perfect dress."

Rarity giggled to herself as she used her own magic to hold another red rose. However, unlike the others, this one had an envelope attached to it with the number 22 on it.

"Is..."22" the clue?" Twilight asked curiously.

"No darling," said Rarity, "I cannot give you the next rose unless you have 22 red roses in your possession."

Twilight blinked as she began to count the red roses she had. She was shocked to see that the total was just that.

"I have exactly 22," said Twilight.

"Then you can have this," said Rarity as she handed the purple pony the envelope. "Oh, where's Chase at? Are you dating him?"

"Yeah. Or at least I think we are." Twilight said with a nervous smile.

She read the parchment inside the envelope.

"With twenty-three roses, you have completed my little plight," Twilight read aloud, "Now you can meet your mister right. Meet me at this location just after sunset by following the final clue: You will find me at this place where it is the best, where the sun take its daily rest. Hmm, well the sun sets in the east...the best place to watch the sunset...(Gasp) I got it! See you later, Rarity!"

"Goodbye, Twilight!" said Rarity as Twilight exited the shop.

Rarity sighed to herself before getting back to work cleaning up the mess. But she made a mental note to speak to both Sweetie Belle and Cheerilee as soon as possible.

(Scene changes)

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were now hard at work gathering all the apples Big Mac was supposed to have collected from the orchard. The sun was already beginning to set as three sighed in exhaustion. Cheerilee and Big Mac came to check up on them.

"Hey there, Miss Cheerilee," said Apple Bloom, "What are you doin' here?"

"Since you three are doing all of his chores," said Cheerilee, "Big Mac and I thought we'd have a picnic at the gazebo. Ready, sugar bear?"

"Eeyup, pumpkin pie," Big Mac added with a smile. The three fillies gasped as their jaws dropped in pure shock. The two ponies winked at each other. Neither of the three fillies saw it or they would have realized the two ponies were just joking.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" they screamed as Cheerilee and Big Mac walked away towards the sunset. They waited until they were out of Sweet Apple Acres before they laughed.

"I think that'll teach them to never try something like this again," Cheerilee chuckled.

"Eeyup!" Big Mac replied in agreement and a chuckle of his own. It was then both their stomachs growled, making them chuckle sheepishly to each other.

"Maybe...that picnic wouldn't be such a bad idea," said Cheerilee, clearly embarassed.

Big Mac nodded in agreement before he made his way back to the barn and returned with a basket of some goodies and they headed toward the gazebo. Cheerilee was rather surprised to see Big Mac was a little more talkative as they ate, but welcomed the conversation. They both could now remember what had happened during the effects of the love potion/poison. They admitted someday they could look back at what happened and laugh, but for now, they agreed to never speak of it again.

"To good friends?" Big Mac offered as he and Cheerilee held a glass of apple juice in their hooves.

"To good friends," said Cheerilee as she took a drink, but then did a spit take...at Big Mac face.

"Hey!" Big Mac exclaimed, "I checked this juice myself. Apple Bloom and her friends didn't enchant this!"

"Sorry, just...look over there!" Cheerilee remarked as she pointed to a fore-hoof as they saw somepony sitting alone on a hill.

She also noticed that Twilight was slowly approaching a particular mount of grass that allowed a pony to watch the sun set behind a vast green landscape. Big Mac snorted as he wiped his face clean with a napkin.

"It's none of our business, Cheerilee," he remarked, "After all, we did just punish three fillies for meddling in other pony's business..."

"Oh just come on!" Cheerilee retorted as she grabbed Big Mac and dragged him over towards a nearby bush where they could watch Twilight meet up with none other than Chase Young.

Cheerilee was giggling to herself with excitement as Big Mac rolled his eyes in disapproval.

I hope Apple Bloom and her friends don't find us doing this, he told himself as Twilight approached Chase as he was currently looking at the stars with his back turned to her.

"Hey, Chase!" Twilight called from behind him, making him turn around as he smiled at her.

"Hey, Twilight." Chase said as Twilight walked next to him. "I've been waiting for you. It sure is a beautiful sunset. Isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." said Twilight, "I wanted to thank you for all the lovely roses and the diamond. I guess you did all this for me?"

Chase smiled with a blush and a nod as Twilight giggled.

"You know, from when I started dating you, I've really come to like you a lot. And I think I might be developing feelings for you." Twilight said with a sweet smile.

"Do you really think I treat you well?" Chase asked with a smile.

"I feel like a princess when I'm with you." Twilight replied with smile, "And you are the sweetest and most loving stallion I've ever met, especially when you help others in the face of danger when you're not afraid of anything. And you're a really great teacher to help me train with my jiu jitsu moves."

Chase smiled in response.

"Funny." Chase said as he stared at her into her beautiful purple eyes. "I've been developing feelings for you all over again. I'm a really lucky guy to have the affection of such a beautiful mare like you."

Twilight giggled.

"I know how much you like mysteries so I set up this little scavenger hunt for you to find some red roses and a very special diamond." Chase said humbly as Twilight couldn't help but smile as her eyes sparkled.

"I still can't believe you did all this just for me." said Twilight, deeply touched.

"Well, today is Hearts and Hooves Day." said Chase. "We don't need to be an official couple to be each other's special somepony."

He then pulled out a red rose.

"Not another clue." Twilight groaned.

"No clue." Chase said. "Just answer this question: Twilight Sparkle, will you accept this rose and be my special somepony tonight?"

Twilight replied by diving into his fore-legs, gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and hugged him tightly.

"Yes!" Twilight said happily.

Chase chuckled as they pulled away and he used his magic to tuck the rose into her mane. He also grabbed the necklace inside her saddle bag and put it around her neck so she could wear it proudly. Twilight giggled as she snuggled herself under Chase's chin and sighed happily.

"Happy Hearts and Hooves Day." Twilight said as she closed her eyes and relaxed as he held her in his fore legs.

"Happy Hearts and Hooves Day." Chase replied sweetly as he held her lovingly and they watched as the sun set and the stars began populate the early evening sky.

Cheerilee was giggling like a little school filly as she and Big Mac were still watching them from their hiding spot.

"How romantic," She squealed quietly.

"Eeyup," Big Mac said in agreement.

"I bet it is," Said a deadpan tone from behind them.

Both pony's eyes shrunk as she looked behind them and found three fillies giving them death glares.

"We just came to say we finished the chores." Sweetie Belle remarked in a stern tone.

"See you tomorrow at school, Miss Cheerilee. See you at home, big brother," Apple Bloom remarked in the same as they turned away.

"Grown-ups are all the same," Scootaloo remarked as they walked away, "Do what we say, not what we do."

The fillies grumbled in agreement.

Cheerilee and Big Mac just chuckled sheepishly to each other.

"They're not going to let us forget about this are they?" Cheerilee remarked.

"Nnnope," said Big Mac. Cheerilee groaned to herself.

"I hate Hearts and Hooves Day."

But Cheerilee said that only to herself.

Author's note: Here you go, guys.

I've done my best on this chapter. I'll be posting three more on Saturday this week. Enjoy this one. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!