Friendship Struggle Ch.2

Friendship Struggle

Ch.2 Baby Steps

Brimstone scanned the various market stands as he walked through, doing his best to forget about Pinkie's little "episode". Eventually he had found something that he liked, a stand selling bars of white chocolate.

On the roof of Sugarcube Corner, the puffy haired bundle of fun herself was eyeing his every movement through pair of custom made pink and blue candy coated binoculars.

"Okay, time to begin 'Operation Make Brimstone Your Friend No Matter What' or 'OMBYFNMW' for short." she chuckled to herself at the made-up word, while grabbing a pad and pencil, "Idea #1: compliments."

After doing some quick stretches, Pinkie began leaping from rooftop to rooftop like Mare-Do-Well. This caught the attention of several ponies, but quickly forgot about it after discovering that it was just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Peering down from the top of a market tent, she saw her future friend to be sitting at a table munching away at a white chocolate bar. In an attempt to act more subtle, she backflipped off of the tent and hopped towards his table instead of merely leaping onto a chair beside him.

"Hiya, Brimmy!" Pinkie greeted to the stallion, helping herself to a chair at his table, "What'cha up to?"

"Oh, just enjoying the 10 seconds of solitude I had." Echoed Brimstone's thoughts with deep grimace, "Not much, just enjoying some chocolate."

"You like chocolate too? So do I, I just love chocolate. Wow, we have SO much in common." Pinkie exclaimed in a chipper voice, receiving an awkward stare from Brimstone. "Okay, Pinkie, you have him right where you want him. Now let those compliments fly." She quickly scanned his body for something to compliment. "So…that's a pretty cool Cutie Mark you have there. What does it mean?"

Brimstone's eyes shot open in shock. "Is this what it's like to have your plot stared at? I feel so violated."

"T-thank you…it means that I'm…a jeweler."

"*gasp* This is just perfect!" Pinkie's smile looked like it was going to pop at the seams. She sprang up from her chair, only causing Brimstone's terror to grow.

"You make jewelry? I have a friend who absolutely LOVES jewelry. I bet you'd love to meet her. *gasp* I bet she'd love to meet you. *gasp* I know, let's go introduce you to her right now!" her voice getting more and more ecstatic by the word, she raced to the other side of the table and began tugging on Brimstone's front hooves in an attempt to get him to stand up so they could get going.

However, Brimstone remained stagnant. "Uhh…no thank you. I…have someplace to be…"

"You do? Well, that's okay. You need help getting there? I know every destination in Pony…"

*ZOOM*

In a flash, Brimstone was gone, leaving nothing behind except a stallion shaped cloud of dust and a half eaten chocolate bar.

"…ville." Pinkie's ears drooped in defeat. "Shoot. I almost had him too. Oh well, better luck next time." She murmured to herself as grabbed her pad and pencil, scratching off "compliments".

Brimstone raced down the street as fast as his adrenaline driven hooves could carry him. He'd never be more appalled in his whole life. To him, that pink pony was nuts, and he wanted nothing more than to just get away. Eventually, he made to an area outside of town by the name of Sweet Apple Acres, thank goodness too, all of that running had left him parched.

It was an average sales day at the Acres, ponies, were either buying baskets of apples or home baked apple treats. Brimstone, walked up to the stand where a tangerine colored Earth Pony with blonde hair was selling goodies.

"Howdy there, ya need somethin'?"

"Apple juice…" was all Brimstone could say as he placed 2 bits onto the table. Quick as a whip, the cowpony took the money and slid a fresh bottle of apple juice towards the weary colt.

"Can't say I've seen you round these parts before. Mah name's Applejack, and welcome to Sweet Apple Acres."

Brimstone had just finished off his juice as if it was the sweetest thing he'd ever tasted. "Thank you. My name's Brimstone, and you're right I'm not from here. I just moved here actually."

"Well, if ya'll just got here, then that must mean that Pinkie Pie will have a new friend to add to her list."

"Well actually…I wouldn't exactly say that we're friends."

A large hush fell over the ponies in the area, including Applejack.

"Did ya'll just say that you are…not friends with Pinkie Pie"?

"It's not like I HAVE to be her friend or anything."

All of the ponies gasped at what they just heard, as if the black unicorn had just spoken blasphemy.

"Did he seriously just say that?" Bon Bon muttered to the pony beside her.

"That stallion's digging his own grave." Replied Carrot Top.

Applejack finally worked up enough nerve to talk out loud. "Listen, Brimstone. Since you're new here, I feel that I should give you this piece of advice. If Pinkie offers to be your friend, it's in the best interest of everypony that you just accept it."

"Why is everypony making such a big deal out of this? She's just one pony." Brimstone tried to explain to the crowd.

"She'll never give up!" Uttered Daisy in an overdramatic fashion.

"She's right, dude. Your best bet is to just give in now." Vinyl Scratch mentioned.

"Indeed, Miss Pie is a rather curious sort." The Doctor added.

"Guys, nothing's going to happen. I'll be fine. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?" And with that, Brimstone left the farm, completely oblivious to the truth.

Applejack could only shake her head. "That poor colt has no idea who he's dealin' with."

Brimstone continued his path back to town past what appeared to be an apple tree with piercing blue eyes. The shadowy owner of the eyes giggled to herself.

"Idea #2…"