Time: 2:12 P.M. Equestrian Time…or something like that. Sunfyre, Gareth & Genette had left Genette’s Dance Studio and were en route to the Baker’s Dozen Bakery & Cafe, owned by Cookie Swirl. Genette was still going through a bout of hysteria as the group marched on. Gareth tries to comfort her as Sunfyre hauls the outfits by wagon & pulley. Sunfyre looks back and asks, “How is she doing Gareth?”

“Well she’s screeching less than a Cuckoo now, but other than that she ain’t looking too good.”

Sunfyre sighs. “Dude, you’re suppose to give her emotional support.”

“I am. You try calming down a vocalist who’s gone completely cuckoo.” Sunny gives Gareth a glaring look. “Okay okay, I didn’t mean it like that. I apologize. It’s just that I don’t like how Jen isn’t doing well, and it was only like half an hour ago.”

Sunfyre stops. “I understand Gare. I don’t like seeing Jen in this state either. Getting the news the H.F.S. Selection Commitee like that was unexpected and bad timing. I bet Jen was going to come up with something great for the selection routine, but now she’s in a psychological shock that took her by surprise. It’s up to us to help her. We just have to make it to the Baker’s Dozen and hope he’s working today.” Gareth nods as he continues to hold Genette’s claw as the trio continue on.

They finally made it to the Baker’s Dozen. Sunfyre unhindges himself from the wagon. “Okay Genette. We’re here.” The emotional Griffoness looks up & seeks the Baker’s Dozen sign. Gareth let’s go of her right claw as she puts it on her forehead. “The Baker’s Dozen…”

“Okay, she’s saying something. We’re making progress now. How’s about we go in now?”, Gareth says. Genette sighs. “You said there’s somecreature here who will help right?” Sunfyre nods. “We’ll…I guess we should go in…”, Genette says with a less than expected lack of enthusiasm. Gareth & Sunfyre looked at each other and the trio went in.

The Baker’s Dozen was smelling with the aroma of freshly baked goods like bread, pies, cakes, and cookies. There was even the scent of coffe in the air. The trio made there way to the counter when a dark-gray Griffoness appeared. She had red eyes almost similar to Gareth with a bit of a whitish beige fluff running down from her neck to her chest with a few gray arching stripes running down. Welcome to the Baker’s Dozen &-.” Suddenly the Griffoness screeches. “Eeeeee! Sunny!” A cold sweat runs down Sunfyre’s head. “Aaaa! Gwendolyn!” THe perky Griffoness leaps off the counter and pounces on the poor Pegasus.

“Sunny! It’s been to long. It’s great to see you!”, Gwendolyn says.

“Why is it that every Griffon I come across keep pouncing on me?”

“Well, you are pounceable.” Sunfyre glares at Gareth. “Well, you did ask.”, Gareth says with a hint of coy in his voice.

Gwendolyn gets off of Sunfyre and says. “Good to see you Gareth and to Gene-.” Gwendolyn took one look at Genette and suddenly stop. “Wow, you look better Jen. Er, something happen I reckon?” Gareth interjects. “Yeah. The members of the Hoofington Friendship School Selection Committee had called for an emergency conference and had to move up they’re asessment of Genette’s Powderpuff Cheerleader outfit idea to today. Genette now has to showcase her Powderpuff Cheerleader outfits to them in the next hour.” Gwendolyn nods.

“I see. So you guys wish to see Metalshard. I’ll go get him.” She makes her way to the backroom.

“So how are you Sunny?”, Gareth asks.

“Ugh, give me a moment to adjust my spine.”

“Gwen didn’t pounce on you that hard.”

“No, I’m doing it for when we leave. Gwen has a habit of pouncing on me when I’m not looking.” As Sunny goes about his business a Blue Kirin with a brown & cream colored bunny appears out of the backroon. The Kirin had icy blue mane, a big red horn with arrow marks pointing up and down, grayish scales & red eyes. “Okay Miss Cream, I’d made sure the stock of cookie dough was full as to Miss Cookie Swirl’s specification and,-” Metalshard spots the trio. “Ah, Sunfyre, Genette & Gareth. What brings you to the Dozen? If its Cookie Swirl you’re looking for, I’m afraid she’s out of town for the Baker’s Bake-Off Competition in Canterlot.”

“Sorry Metal. It’s actually you we’ve came to seek.”, Sunfyre says. “If I recall, you use to be a cheerleader back in your home village right?”

Metalshard’s eyes grew wide. “Cheerleading. Cheerleading…that takes me back. The routines, the outfits, the roar of the crowd cheering as we perk them up. Sweet memories. And the cheering competitions. We burn down the house.”

“Wow, sounds like you’re good.”, Gareth says. Metalshard then spoke, “Oh no, we literally burn down the house. My team didn’t take it lightly to come in second to our rivals, and being emotional firestarters, well…you can guess what happens when we go full Nirik. Kirins aren’t known for being subtle. But I am good at what I do when it comes to cheerleading, heheh. Anyway, why bring it up?”

Genette looks at him and says, “W-well…let me go get it.” She exits the bakery and comes back with one of the cheerleading outfits. “My oh my, that is a splendid outfit. The stitching, the colors. You made such a good outfit.”, Metalshard says. “W-well, you can thank Winter Haven. I just provided the idea and she did the work.” Genette seemed rather calmer than earlier and finally spoke. “Metalshard, I’m in need of your help. I must showcase these outfits to the Powderpuff Cheerleading Selection Commitee in the next hour. It was suppose to be next week but things changed. Sunny & Gareth said you were good and I like to have a three-creature team to help showcase the outfits…and well, I like for you to be part of my three-creature team.”

“I…can’t.”, Metalshard says, taken Sunfyre, Gareth & Genette by surprise. “Whaaaat?!”, the trio said.

“I can’t do it.”, Metalshard said. Gareth interjects. “And why not? Can’t you see Jen needs your help? Sunny knows your good, so why won’t you help?”

Using his magic, Metalshard levitates the cheerleader. “It’s because of this. As Genette state it was her idea that Winter Haven made come to light, and she wants to showcase these designs. Having me be part of your group won’t do you any favors.”

They look at each other as Metalshard continues. “As you are all aware I am a Kirin, and we do get emotional. One of theses is anger, and anger basically makes us go all Nirik. If we give in to our anger, we go Nirik and lose ourselves in our flames. That’s why so many of us takes the Vow of Silence when we drink from our Spring so as to not bring harm to others. I don’t wish to see Miss. Genette’s outfits get burned on my behalf.”

“Hmm…wait Metal, if you help me I bet Winter Haven can make something for you that is fireproof.” The blue Kirin looks at Genette. “Please help me & I can ask Winter to make an outfit for you that not even a Kirin’s Nirik fire can burn through.”

Metalshard looks at the counter. A look of determination then filled his face. “Okay, I’m in Miss Genette.”

“Yes! We did it!”, Sunfyre says. “Cream, I’ll take the resr of the day off. I promise to make up the time tomorrow. Sounds good with you.” Cream makes bunny noices that sound like she approves. “Say Gwen, will you be okay here by yourself?” Metalshard asks.

“Don’t worry about me. I may not be able to talk to critters as well as you do Metal, but Cream & I have establish a way to communiate with each other. Also, Mabel should be coming in for her shift so we got things here.”

“Okay, thanks.”, Metalshard says to her then looks at the trio. “It won’t be easy. We need to come up with a routine by the end of the hour. I know some basic moves so we don’t need to do anything flashy. Plus with the way you two are Sunny & Gareth, I think I know wht can help. Let’s go.” And Metalshard joins with Genette, Gareth & Sunfyre as they leave the Baker’s Dozen and head for the Hoofington Frienship School.

To be continued…

Artist’s Tidbit: Nothing for me to explain I guess, but I had pondered beforehand of who was to be the third member for Genette’s little demostration crew. I haven’t done my Kirin O/FC Metalshard in a while (a year in fact) so I thought it would be a good time for me to draw him. I may change his colors…or not. I haven’t decided. The BG’s decent but I have no complaints. May change my sig in the future, but who knows.