A Clone Gargoyle's Equestrian Tale

Next Lessons: Putting Your Hoof Down

S2 E19 everypony! It's About Time is up next!

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The sun shone bright on the marketplace in Ponyville. Malibu had a basket on his back, that held some groceries he offered to help the Apple Family get to make some pies and such. Malibu hummed slightly while walking along the many market stands, knowing he only had one more thing left to get.

He suddenly spotted Fluttershy at the asparagus stand, looking like she was struggling to get some, a mare having stepped in front of her. Malibu watched what was happening. "Excuse me, I think you made a mistake? You see, I was actually here first and—."

The mare put her bits on the stand, walking off. "Sorry, didn't notice you there!" She apologized rather roughly, Malibu's ears lowering slightly. He walked closer, Fluttershy trying to go again but was cut in front by three more ponies; one elder stallion and two other snobbish looking mares. He felt quite sorry for his shy friend.

"Hey Flutter, You realize you shouldn't be letting them use you that way," Malibu greeted, seeing how sad she was. His two other friends Rarity and Pinkie Pie came along too. "Malibu's right," Rarity stated.

Fluttershy looked down in her shyness. "Oh, it's-it's really no big deal..." Pinkie moved pretty much right in front of her face. "It's bigger than big! It's double big! You are a pony with a problem!" She said, Malibu pushing Pinkie back slightly. Fluttershy tilted her head. "What problem?"

Rarity nodded to Malibu. "Demonstrate?" Malibu didn't know if he wanted to but if it was to help Fluttershy then yes. Fluttershy went up to the stand again, Malibu using his magic to teleport in front of her. "Go right on ahead, Mal. You first!" Fluttershy trembled. Malibu sighed, shaking his head. "That's what I've been saying. You can't let them walk all over you," He said.

The fashion pony agreed with him. "Yes, you've got to stand up for yourself!" She advised. Malibu smiled at Fluttershy. "It's really not too hard you know." Fluttershy then reluctantly agreed. "O-ok. I'll try." She saw there was just a little bit left, until a skinny buck toothed stallion bought the last of it, making her flinch and look away. "That's ok, I don't mind..."

Malibu groaned inside, gesturing to Rarity, who nodded. "Watch and learn." She advised Fluttershy, walking up to the stallion. "Hold it right there, Mr small and handsome." The stallion looked confused. "Uh, who me?"

Rarity fluttered her eye lashes. "Oh, of course you. Nopony ever called you handsome before?" Malibu couldn't quite control himself from laughing, but he did his best as to not embarrass the guy. "Uuh, that'd be a big no," He responded. Rarity flirted more. "Oh, well, they should! How about flexing some of those muscles for me?" She took his hoof, the stallion blushing, and flexing what muscles he did have, which was small.

"My heavens! Do you think a strong, handsome stallion such as yourself could give my friend the last asparagus?" Rarity pleaded, pulling out a bit for him. The stallion began chuckling in a dazed manner, Rarity returning with the asparagus. Malibu was impressed with how she handled herself. "I could never do what you just did now, Rar," He told her. Rarity smiled. "Was nothing. And see? That's not so hard, is it?" She asked Fluttershy who smiled too. "Um... I guess not."

Malibu gave her a light nudge with his elbow. "I know you can do it. What's next on your shopping list?" Fluttershy glanced at her grocery list. "Let's see... I also need tomatoes." The foursome went over to the tomato stand where Fluttershy paid one bit for three of them. "Here you go!" She said to the salespony. The mare cleared her throat. "That'll be two bits. Not one."

What? Malibu asked himself in surprise, for that was pretty expensive for three tomatoes. Fluttershy blinked in her own surprise. "But last week it was only one bit." The mare shook her head. "That was then, this was now." The yellow pegasus sighed, pulling out another. "Oh, ok. I don't wanna argue about it." Before Malibu could counter back at the salesmare about what she did Pinkie Pie made her part shine. "What do you think you're doing?" She snapped.