A Country Pumpkin (Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures)

A Country Pumpkin is the the first episode of Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures Season 5, and 65th overall. Compared to their younger depictions, Strawberry and her friends gained a more mature appearance as 16-year-olds since the series takes place 4 years after the events of the Season 4 finale, with Apple Dumplin, Strawberry's cousin, having gotten a bit taller, more graceful, patient, self-conscious, and wiser than her younger years. It also features newer characters, including those whose names are based on the beverages we drink with two of them being seasonal drinks for fall and winter, and all except one are males. Others, however, have foods named after them as well. This also marks the return of Huckleberry Pie.

Synopsis
When a new girl moved into Berry Bitty City, Strawberry Shortcake and her friends welcome her with open arms as her new neighbor. But that's not the only surprise; one of her best friends is in for the shock of her life as two familiar faces arrive for a berry grand opening to present a special guest and her friend.

Plot
A red ribbon is cut in half...because a bonsai tree house is built in Berry Bitty City. But not just any bonsai tree house; it's a records studio called Cherry Jamz Records, owned by none other than the famous singer herself, Cherry Jam! It has been four years since the grand opening of the Berry Bitty Market and Cherry Jam arriving in Berry Bitty City for the entertainment. And after that, a brief visit by Huckleberry Pie and his dog, Tom Tom. And then after that, the arrival of the Grape Twins, Sweet and Sour, and Apple Dumplin, Strawberry's cousin. Now, here they are; sixteen (except Apple who's just fourteen) and still growing as today is a special occasion for Cherry Jam. This grand opening also marks the anniversary for the making of her music video with her song, "Anything Is Possible". Sweet and Sour Grapes were already given a café of their own, Sweet & Sour Bakery, on their 16th birthday to store their food truck. And by the generous donations from Berry Big City through Huckleberry, the Berry Bitty Café is given an upgrade, with an extra bedroom that also serves as a computer program and repair workshop for Apple since her staying in Berry Bitty City. But little do the Berry Bitty Girls know, there's a berry special surprise for them just around the corner.

The next morning after the grand opening, Strawberry is asked to provide refreshments at Cherry Jamz Radio as a caterer while the Grapes Twins take over at her café when she hears singing on her way to work. That can't be Cherry. She hasn't written a song after the whole fiasco with Mavis Maraschino about not wanting to write another song ever again. Still, it sounded so velvety, gentle, sweet, and not to mention so strong that even a country person could keep with the beat. Who is this mysterious ultimate singer? Strawberry looks around for the source until she saw where--or whom--it was coming from. A girl with orange hair, dressed in country-style clothing, hence the cowgirl boots, with a pumpkin as her hat, on her outfit and boots, and smelled of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, was skipping while humming a tune into the small town and stopping at an area that looks like the perfect spot to...plant a seed? Soon, Strawberry was joined with Orange, Blueberry, Lemon, Raspberry, Cherry, the Grapes Twins, and Apple as they all watch what was going on. The girl drops the seed and covers it with soil, allowing a Berrykin, whom Strawberry did not notice was with her this whole time, to conjure sparkles into the soil, focusing on the seed. In an instant, something happened. A lone vine sprouts from the ground before splitting into five more, and from them, a group of five pumpkins have grown, with the biggest one behind the other four being the main part for a certain purpose. Then, that purpose makes itself known when a window has magically formed slightly below the top with a room inside, which makes it a penthouse of sorts. Next, another window has formed on the two pumpkins in front of the big one, creating a different kind of room with a refreshments barstand on the right side, a salon lounge on the left side, and an entire bistro section with a pumpkin-shaped stage fit for more than one musician between the barstand and a kitchen in the back, making it a restaurant--no, a bar. A medley bar, to be exact. Which leaves the final two pumpkins on each side to turn into private booths fit for four people. And for the few final touches; a terrace to decorate the entrance, making the bar enticing for all walks of life, and the vines detached themselves and turn into fences around the perimeter, leaving an open section for the entrance. When the construction is done, the girl whistles the other Berrykins over...with a movers truck. This could only mean one thing; Strawberry has a new neighbor! The other Berry Bitty Girls have never seen anyone like her before. With a berry big business like that, she could be born into the city life, but she dresses like a true country bumpkin. When Cherry Jam first came to Berry Bitty City, she was dressed like a regular person upon meeting Strawberry for the grand opening of the Berry Bitty Market. After Orange, Raspberry, Lemon, and Blueberry had gotten to know the real Cherry Jam, the former pop star has decided to stay in Berry Bitty City and start her new life as a composer, music writer, music instructor, and for the first time, a music producer for every gifted musician who will want to sing with Cherry, as long as its not for popularity or fortune. Now, it seems like the same could be said about this bitty bumpkin; that is, if she's a real bumpkin.

Seeing that she's Strawberry's new neighbor, the girls decided to give her gifts to make her feel welcome in Berry Bitty City. Strawberry is baking her first pumpkin spice soufflé the way she's baked her strawberry soufflés since the Berry Bitty World Record for Berrykin Bloom; Blueberry has already ordered a collection of Patty Persimmon books and a poster for the neighbor to decorate her room with (if she's the only neighbor); Orange is procuring an assortment of spices, fruits, natural sweetners, and every other ingredient for her to make healthy lattés, frappés, and even milkshakes; Lemon has worked tiredlessy to style her hair in a Southern-belle manner, while at the same time mixing a bottle of pumpkin spice perfume to give the bar an essential fragrance; Raspberry, given the neighbor's sense of style, decides to dress up as bumpkin herself in her honor; Plum has looked through her whole collection of CDs to see if she has any country-style music, including mixed genres, and she's found plenty for the neighbor to dance to; Cherry has managed to find a banjo for the neighbor to play her music, and lucky for her it's pumpkin-themed; Sweet and Sour Grapes, with the help of Berrykin Bloom, began making their first pumpkin spice cider (sparkling, of course) and pumpkin flavored ginger ale should this bumpkin plans on having a party at her place; and finally, Apple Dumplin uploaded a few country-style tutorial videos into her Groove Booties so she can practice all the moves herself in case the neighbor asks to dance with her.

The girls bring their gifts to the new girl's house and Strawberry knocks on the door. The bumpkin answers, and the Berry Bitty Girls shouted suprise, welcoming her to Berry Bitty City and offering her treats, music, special ingredients for her beverages, and souvenirs for memories. The bumpkin thanks graciously for the gifts and introduces herself as Pumpkin Spice Latté, and before anyone can introduce themselves, she's already figured out their names and talent for everything they do to a T, much to the girls' surprise. Plus, she's recognized the five girls from when they were touring with Cherry Jam in Berry Big City. And when she mentioned the Grapes Twins' names from when they were making deliveries in their food truck, she thought their treats are absolutely superb. Also, she's read numerous stories about Apple Dumplin's adventures on the Berry Bitty Web, and was so inspired by it all that she wanted to express her culture to the Berry Bitty World. So, this proves that Pumpkin Spice did grow up in the city life, but she confesses to being a country bumpkin at heart. Now, one would think that with a name like pumpkin spice latté, it'd be a seasonal edition for the Fall. But not this one; she's all about any kind of holiday for any season, and she sure can dance to any kind of music with country flair. And at her medley bar called Pumpkin Spice Cafélonistro, so many people are going to feel welcomed when they come from miles around just to get a taste of the treats and drinks. And the girls are all invited for Pumpkin's corral, as it will be the perfect event for the grand opening, which the girls graciously accept. But that's not the only surprise in store. Pumpkin Spice reveals to Blueberry that a special surprise package is waiting at her doorstep and that the other girls are in for one as well. In fact, Pumpkin already got her special surprise when a guy's voice calls out from outside the bar, but it doesn't sound like Huckleberry's voice. She, however, knew who it was and turns around to see the one person she had wanted the girls to meet. Standing at the doorway is a boy with coffee hair, burnt sienna eyes, and a stocky built slim body frame. It's her best friend and childhood sweetheart, Gingamon Cider. Feeling excited about the news and congratulating them for being in a relationship, the girls help Pumpkin get situated as she directs them to where the food and drinks can go, and debated where to put the decorations.

By then, it was time to call it a night, so Strawberry and the girls bade the couple goodnight and pick up where they left off in the morning. While they were gone, Pumpkin and Gingamon ran to the Berrykin's truck, carried one of the crates labeled "fragile" inside the bar, opening it, and peeked in saying to someone that the coast is clear. Who were they talking to? And why hide it from the girls? If they only knew...

As the other girls turn in for the night, Blueberry sees her Bookstore's lights are on, making her curious but also concerned what is going on. Is someone breaking in? She had to find out. But no sooner had she open the door, Blueberry saw what--or who--her "special surprise package" was; Huckleberry Pie! Squealing with joy, Blueberry just ran into his arms and hugged him, saying how much she's missed him for so long. Huckleberry could only smile and hug back as a way of saying he's missed her, too. But when he pulled back, that smile is replaced with a frown, concerning and confusing Blueberry. What could be wrong? That question is answered when Huck confessed that he should have been honest with Blueberry on the phone when he visited Berry Bitty City. Things were not good in Berry Big City; they were much worse. Blueberry listened as he told his story all through the night...

The next morning, as Pumpkin Spice and Gingamon Cider directed the Berrykins where to place the furniture, Strawberry is baking pumpkin spice muffins and pumpkin spice waffles in the toaster for the early morning so she and the girls can get energized to help out with the Cafélonistro's grand opening when her toaster times out earlier than expected, causing the waffles to pop out in the air that Strawberry didn't react in time to grab a plate and catch them. But in an instant, someone grabbed the plate and caught the waffles just in time before they could hit the floor. A British-accented voice caught Strawberry's attention and she looks up to see a boy with opal white hair and those piercing silver eyes that could melt any girl's heart. But what really stood out are the dimples. How can anyone not be so cute without those dazzling features? The boy introduced himself as Pineberry Smoothie and offered treats of his own to Strawberry as a sign of his entry for applying to work in the Berry Bitty Café and getting to know Strawberry while he's at it. Hearing the way he spoke almost made Strawberry weak at the knees that she was able to compose herself in an instant and answered his questions without a single stutter, but an occasional giggle is fine for Pineberry.

At Orange Mart, Orange is surveying the shelves to decorate Pumpkin's bar for the corral. As it turns out, she doesn't have any kind of proper necessities to decorate the bar with. She's already checked the Berry Bitty Market, and her own booth doesn't have what she needed, either. What decorations does one use for a corral? Fortunately, Pumpkin gave Orange a business card yesterday when she was helping set up the ingredients at her business. She called the number, and in no time flat, they answered. It was a number for Frappé Landscape & Horticulture from Berry Big City, and the person talking to Orange is Cappuccino Frappé, the owner. While she's talking, a door opens, meaning that somebody is entering her store. She's even started giggling when Cappuccino commented about hearing the name from when she and the girls toured in Berry Big City with Cherry Jam, and complimented on her dancing with the tambourine on-stage being so adorable. While the person walks up to Orange quietly, Cappuccino asked if she was expecting any visitors at some point, only for her to respond no, and Orange realizes that he sounded much closer this time. Then, when Cappuccino tells her to turn around, she obliged and was nearly knocked off her feet when she sees the person she didn't hear come into her store. In front of her is a boy with sienna hair in dreadlocks, chestnut eyes, and a well-toned body frame. It's Cappuccino Frappé himself! When Pumpkin Spice told Orange that Cappuccino has a very likable personality, she wasn't kidding. In fact, he's real a guardian angel for anybody in the Berry Bitty World! And he's more than happy to help Orange with the decorations for Pumpkin Spice's corral at her bar. For Orange, it's a win-win because she'll get to know more about Cappuccino from her own perspective like Pumpkin has.

Meanwhile, at Fresh Fashions Boutique, Raspberry is struggling to come up with designs for the corral that fits the style of the theme. But after last night of greeting Pumpkin Spice and Gingamon, she's already developed artist's block and can't figure out what design fits the theme, and she's made so many that fits her friends' styles to a T, it's taken a toll on her. Plus, her fabrics are all over the place, which makes it much worse. Maybe some fresh air will do her good, and that might help get her creative windows to open again. But when she walked out of her boutique, she noticed something at the corner of her eye. Sitting on the grass is a boy with long tea green hair styled in a braid and top knot wearing a hair adornment in a meditative position with his eyes closed. Curious, Raspberry walks up to him without making a sound, but to her surprise, the boy sensed movement as he held his hand in the air, like he's telling her not to move. How does he know without looking is a question she will never understand. The boy states that he's "almost done". He also adds the magic is in the planning, and he never draws a single line until he is sure. And in an instant, he opens his light green eyes with a smile on his face, drew what he meditated at rapid speed in a sketchbook of his own, and finally showed his work to Raspberry. It's a picture of herself dressed in the same style of clothing as his, but with a different attribute that's suitable for females. It's incredible! He just visualizes the design in his mind, and drew it in a millisecond without missing a step! He's such a talented fashion designer! She was able to snap herself when the boy asked if his work was to his liking, and she admitted that she loved it. Taking it as a compliment, the boy introduces himself as Matcha Latté, a quadruplet sibling of Pumpkin Spice, and asked if he could work with Raspberry, seeing that's she's a talented fashion designer herself. Raspberry accepted the help with no questions asked and shook his hand eagerly...until the moment is interrupted with grumble from her stomach. No wonder she's struggling to come up with designs. She was supposed to be sketching early before going to the Café, but her hunger came earlier than expected. But as the old saying goes, "chivalry is not dead" as Matcha held out his arm for Raspberry so he can escort her for breakfast, and then they can get know each other and give each other fashion tips.

But Raspberry isn't the only fashion expert having problems in her own business. At her salon, Lemon struggled to assist the customers because her arms are sore from styling her hair when she and the girls greeted Pumpkin Spice and helping set up the bar for the corral. But the extra work put into it made her arms hurt more, and no matter how many times she tries to rest in a comfortable position, even her body ached from arranging the furniture in Pumpkin's bedroom above the bar. Fortunately for her, the salon is now vacant so she can relax a little more. Then, opportunity knocks. Literally, someone knocks on Lemon's salon door, but Lemon is too exhausted to open it for them, so all she can do is say "it's open". Somebody walks in, but Lemon can't see who it was with her head down, and is still too sore to say anything else. With a look of understanding and empathy in his lawn green eyes, the person puts down a silver briefcase he was carrying with a lime wedge logo, presses a button, and it turns into a spa massage bed. The person gently picks up Lemon bridal-style and places her on the bed. Lemon then feels something pressing on her back. Confused, she opens her eyes and turns her head to see a boy with a sock beanie cap resembling a lime wedge massaging her back. The looks back at her and smiles, apologetically hoping she did not mind this kind of treatment and an aroma therapy to ease the stress. Lemon accepted it and encourages him to continue what he's doing, but not before asking for his name. Feeling grateful, the boy asks her to hire him to work in her salon and she's got herself a deal, introducing himself as Key Lime Chiffon.

At Sweet Beats Studio, Plum is practicing her square dance to perform at the corral, but even with the music playing, she feels "off-beat", so to speak, without rhythm. She was told by Cherry Jam yesterday that Pumpkin Spice Latté was a natural-born country dancer and did the square dance like a pro when she performed in Berry Big City. But after spending a whole day helping Pumpkin Spice get situated in Berry Bitty City, Plum has suddenly lost her own "inner music", so it looks like she can't perform at Pumpkin's corral. But then, she hears a funky beat outside her studio. It's actually coming from the marketplace. When Plum got there via scooter, she is absolutely floored by what she sees. On the stage, some sort of dance performance with a group of Berrykins watching a boy with a hood over his head and a slate blue mask covering his lower face breakdancing to the music, and the stage is propped with a large blank white canvas. But Plum doesn't remember hearing from either Strawberry or Princess Berryin announcing a rehearsal in Berry Bitty City. Who is this guy? She's never seen this sort of dancing before, except maybe from the Berry Big City dancers, but something tells Plum that doesn't seem like the case. Curious, she walks up to get a closer look. And then, the hooded breakdancer did something unexpected. He takes out...water balloons? Except these aren't filled with water. The liquid's too thick unless...they're filled with paint. With a spin, the boy throws one of the water balloons and it exploded into gold paint. But it didn't splatter all over the place; the white canvas is also drawn with a special marker that either keeps the paint in place or for it to trace along the outline. Even so, the boy's got good aim, but he's not done yet. He throws another water balloon, but this one is filled red paint, and it covers outside of the outline for a background. So, all that's left is to fill the area where the gold outline traced around. He's down to his final water balloon, and it's bigger than the other two he's thrown. Plum just stands there with anticipation, waiting to see how this ends. He backflips, then frontflips, and incredibly, he pulled a Triple Arabian flip, throwing his last water balloon with his feet! The water balloon hits the empty spot head-on, and the purple paint (boysenberry, to be exact) splatters out perfectly on where the gold outlines the area, creating what the picture is revealed to be; a boysenberry fruit. Words fail to describe this performance, but an applause breaks out and Plum is cheering with enthrallment, it's caught the attention of the Berrykins that they all joined and thought that was the most astounding performance they've ever witnessed. Taking it as a compliment, the boy bowed and lowers his mask and hood to reveal his tekhelet eyes and very short medium dark brown hair with an undercut, eminence streaks and a cinnamon roll-like spiral on the sides of his head. Plum is shocked to the core because she recognized the boy as Boysenberry Roll, Berry Big City's street performer and graffiti artist of Boyz N' Berry Graffiti Studios! The boy in question just chuckled at her enthusiasm and for the recognition of his reputation that he returns the gesture with a shake of the hand and presenting a Gooseberry pie, her favorite. Plum couldn't help it; she just jumped up and hugged him, saying that she loved to have him perform at Pumpkin's corral with her, only to realize she was still hugging him and lets go, apologizing for her outburst. But Boysenberry, given his share of love for dancing, forgave her by saying that it would be an honor to work with a dance instructor like her. After all, they both have ways of finding their inner music wherever they are in the Berry Bitty World.

Elsewhere, Cherry is taking a stroll in the berry patch on her way back to her recording studio when she hears a guitar playing...and someone singing? That can't be Huck, though. He couldn't sing a proper note, he can't get a handle on...anything that's new to him since he's stayed in Berry Bitty City to have his pup-mobile fixed up, his acting is horrible, he can't dance, and he freezes at the mention of being on stage in front of so many people. Plus, he was a klutz with the construction equipment until he found Cherry's lucky charm that, because of it, he was made an honorary member of the Society of Extraordinary Engineers. But this other guy--whoever he is--has such a smooth voice unlike any Cherry's ever heard of in Berry Big City. When she got back, the base of the tree house is empty, so where is the singing coming from? Then when she peeked to the side of her tour bus, she can see who was singing by the doorway. It's a boy with very short onyx black hair and a jasmine headband tied around his head, playing a song with his electric sitar. And he smelled like cardamom, lemongrass cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves...almost like Pumpkin Spice Latté. Could this boy be related to her in some way? While the boy is singing, Cherry felt as if the lyrics are dedicated to the most beautiful person in his life, no matter what she looks like. Is he singing...about her? As he sang, he caught a small whiff of cherry blossoms in the air and when he opened his saffron eyes, he glances to his right and sees Cherry watching him play, smiling. He smiles back and continues his song until he's finished, and he looks back at Cherry, who apologized for unintentionally distracting him from his singing. But he politely tells her not worry, for he does not mind an audience, especially if it's one special person. The boy introduces himself as Masala Chai Latté, another quadruplet sibling of Pumpkin Spice, confirming Cherry's theory to be sound. He confesses that he doesn't just sing for the fame, but also to send a message to the people in the Berry Bitty World who are waiting for answers to come to them. And when not in public, he sometimes sing about what his heart is saying to him. That's what led him to sing about Cherry Jam since her performance with the Berry Bitty Girls in Berry Big City. Cherry had no idea how strong Masala Chai's feelings for her were. Normally, most other people would hang out with Cherry just for the popularity, but Masala Chai is different. In a way, he's exactly like Cherry. Both lived a pampered life in the big city, but at the same time, they go to the countryside to relax and give up the life of fame and fortune. Feeling that she could connect with him on another level, Cherry offers to escort Masala Chai to Berry Bitty Café, which he accepts.

At Sweet & Sour Bakery, the Grapes Twins are preparing special concoctions for the corral, but with an interesting twist. For the first time, Sweet Grapes mixed up a certain batch of sauces for Sour Grapes to taste-test. The gothic chef takes a sample with a celery stick and tastes it, her eyes wide as, well, grapes. This is the most well-seasoned sauce she's ever tasted! She asked her sister what is this aromatic yet smoked flavor, and Sweet responded it's a recipe she's read about famous for this particular sauce in Pumpkin Spice's old hometown called honey BBQ, though not as spicy hot as Berrykin Bloom's chili sauce, but it does have some zang to it. Sour, with little to no reluctance, wholeheartedly agrees with her sister and offers another kind of sauce of her own for Sweet to try. This one is different from the one she's tried; not just in flavor, but also in color--yellow, like mustard yellow. Like Sour, Sweet takes a sample with a carrot this time and tastes it, her eyes closed contently for savoring the flavor. This is the sweetest, most seasonal flavor she's ever tasted. Sour confided in her sister she would like it and reveals to her the sauce she's tasted is one of Pumpkin Spice's favorites, the honey mustard. Turns out, the Grapes Twins have swapped out their roles on what assortments to make, be it sweet or seasonal spices. And it worked out for both of them because now they have some special condiments to serve in the corral Strawberry as caterers. But then, a few voices caught their attention from outside the kitchen and they see two boys entering their café. Apparently, they were "discussing" about the styles of attire and culture. One of them is dressed in Irish-styled clothing, having Shamrock green hair streaked with spring green highlights and emerald green eyes, yet he speaks with a Scottish accent and dialect, and has on Scottish-style accessories like the tartan tam and sash; the other is more of a preppy bad boy with hazel eyes and bronze hair with long bangs swept to the side. The latter, however, sparked a memory in the Grapes Twins' minds. They both knew the boy from when they were doing food deliveries on the road before meeting Strawberry and the other girls. But he didn't seem to be pay any notice because he was busy looking at his clipboard and writing something down on paper, possibly evaluating people's jobs and their tasks. When he walked to the Twins' food truck, Sweet and Sour offered him treats (the same way they did Raspberry and Lemon) and he takes one of each without looking. Taking a bite, he grades their culinary skills and just as he was about to ask for another, his eyes locked on Sour's and everything stops for them. But it was short-lived when Sweet prepped the treats for to go. The boy didn't really want to, but he has to so that he can keep grading everyone else's jobs and tasks...before waving a sad good-bye to Sour. She waved back, but felt more disappointed that she didn't get his name. In the present, Sour still has that disappointed look on her face and Sweet was the only person who noticed it since that day. She didn't like seeing her sister so upset, so Sweet owed her a favor after the birthday present Sour gave her. When the boys sat down on one of the tables, Sweet and Sour greeted them just like they did with Strawberry--without fighting about who's food tastes better this time--before presenting the food to start it off, giving Sour a chance to get the boy's name. But in no less than a second hearing her voice and looking up at her, he instantly recognized Sour since they were kids. Standing up to shake her hands, he finally got the chance to introduce himself as Breadfruit Pudding. Wait, "Pudding"?! That's the same name as Plum's! Breadfruit chuckled at the Twins' reactions, he confirmed that he is indeed Plum's older brother, and explains the reason he's dressed in purple like his sister is so that he honors her, no matter how far away they are in the Berry Bitty World. But the surprise doesn't stop there; the green-clad boy next to Breadfruit introduces himself as Shamrock Shaek, the final quadruplet sibling of Pumpkin Spice Latté. Pumpkin Spice, too?! The Twins were told she has four brothers, but his last name doesn't even match like his other siblings'! Shamrock agrees with that logic, but admits to being related to Pumpkin Spice, Matcha, and Masala Chai; they just come from different sides of the family. Though, he can't deny his style of attire being a form of a mixed heritage, but the real symbol of his culture is the tartan pattern on the tam and sash, which represents a clan from his family's side. The four-leaf clover is the depiction of his first name, and like his quadruplet sister, he's all about any kind of holiday for any kind of season, not just for Spring. Plus, the way he talks, especially when he was walking in with Breadfruit, no one really understood what he just said. But Sweet did, and she thought the way he's dressed and how he talks is pretty cute, making him blush the color of Strawberry's hair. Sour and Breadfruit could not believe their eyes! Is Sweet Grapes being, well, sweet on Shamrock? He managed to compose himself so he can offer small boxes of his own treats; Rosella Berry Trifle and Marmalade Flourless Blondies. Sweet took a bite of the trifle, and her eyes close blissfully as she savors the flavor just like with the honey mustard. Sour can see where this is going and suggests to Breadfruit they leave her sister and Shamrock alone for a bit, and the preppy bad boy agrees. After all, they got a lot to talk about.

In Berry Bitty Meadows, the creation of a Berry Bitty Web page has taken place as Apple Dumplin sets up a digital newspaper called Blueberry Bruit so that Blueberry Muffin can post a blog from her account and write an article about what goes on in the Berry Bitty World, including her reviews on Pumpkin Spice Cafélonistro. Pupcake, now a full-grown Beagle with his ears drooping downwards, and Custard, now a full-grown cat with her white muzzle more noticeable than when she was a kitten, are keeping her company since Strawberry will be busy at the café making preparations for the Cafélonistro's grand opening when they hear something buzzing, making Apple stop in her tracks. It can't be the postal bees or ladybugs because few are either currently working in the postal office at Orange Mart or making deliveries in other parts of Berry Bitty City, and whatever is making that sound is a bit more mechanical than normal. Plus, it's smaller than the bees and ladybugs…and it's close. Very close. When Pupcake and Custard saw the source of the buzzing, they growled at it as they stand in front of Apple, who followed their gaze and realized what the object is. It's a tiny, strawberry-shaped drone with butterfly wings for flight, powered by Wanderberry magic, fueled by sparkleberry juice, and runs on Glimmerberry energy. Apple recognizes the object as the Strawbre Flyer VX, one of the latest, high-end drones in Berry Big City. But so far, no other stores in Berry Bitty City have drones like this because these very models are super rare, they sell like hot cakes faster than Apple could promote tasty treats Strawberry bakes daily. But how did this drone make it to a small town that's mostly common in a cosmopolitan area? When the drone flew downwards, Pupcake and Custard nearly jumped at it, but see how very tiny it is. In fact, it's so tiny, no one but Apple could spot it from a few feet away. Not to mention the drone easily fits in her hands. It's such a delicate work, that very few people could design one that even fits inside a controller that pilots it. Which brings out the question; how did this particular drone know where to find Apple unless…someone is controlling it? Then, realization struck her like lightning. The Strawbre Flyer VX also has a built-in camera that's sometimes used for surveillance purposes, which means that the person who invented this drone might be nearby. But what really caught her eye is the youngberry symbol above it. Whoever invented the drone sure has mechanical engineering capabilities, just like she does. Suddenly, they hear rustling, and Pupcake caught a scent of youngberries in the air. He barks at Apple and points to the direction where the mystery lurker is hiding. She'd ask for help, but with the girls busy with their projects for the grand opening, Apple will have to rely on her own wits and be smarter this time. Now…what would Strawberry do if she were in this situation? She'd trick him, of course. Silently gesturing Pupcake and Custard to play along, Apple pretends to play with the Strawbre drone before putting it down so that its camera is facing the pets and not her walking in the other direction. She stealthily tiptoed around the area where Pupcake sniffed the intruder. As she got closer, she could see a small patch of brown in the leaves. Slowly and quietly, Apple creeps up on him, reaches out for the leaves and pushes them away, exposing who the intruder really is. It's a boy about her age with dark auburn hair, cordovan eyes, and maroon goggles over his head. In his hand is the very controller for the drone he sent out, having the same logo below a monitor, which is how he's been watching her from afar. So, he's the one who invented the latest drone in Berry Bitty City. After walking back to Apple's quiet spot, the boy took the time to get over the awkward situation they were in and introduces himself as Youngberry Crépe, inventor of the Strawbre Flyer VX and a cousin to Boysenberry Roll. Wait, he's related to the street performer and graffiti artist of Berry Big City?! Just like her to Strawberry Shortcake! And Apple's heard tons of stories about Boysenberry when she was touring in the neighborhoods of Rubosville, his old hometown. One thing's for sure; the guy's got quite a reputation going for him, and it was thanks to his cousin, Youngberry that he's gained an entourage and many supporters of the world for his old neighborhood's liberation from loan sharks who would want to claim it as their own turf for crime syndicates. According to the articles, his face was never visible due to the hood over his head, and there are rumors that Boysenberry may have gone underground (fancy way of saying when someone's hiding in the shadows) because every time the Berry Big City Police arrive, he disappears in the crowd and no one's heard from him since. The last time anyone has seen of him was during the opening ceremony at Berry Bitty City Bitty Games where Strawberry and the Sweet Beats performed that day. But Youngberry has been keeping track of his cousin's whereabouts and offered him residence in Younberry's caravan outside the city so that he doesn't get spotted by the police or anyone against the use of graffiti art. Even so, Apple was just lucky to have met someone famous in person during her adventures in the Berry Bitty World and another with the talents she has. That was just the response Youngberry wanted to hear as confessed that the Strawbre Flyer VX is a gift for Apple and, if possible, as a sign of entry for applying to work with Apple, who confessed that she "feels too young" to hire someone, but is willing to make that exception, only for Strawberry's sake. The last thing she wanted is to keep someone awake with the music blasting in their room or cause a little chaos in the city.

Back at the Café, as the customers (mainly Raspberry and Matcha, Cherry and Masala Chai, and Blueberry and Huckleberry) have their breakfast, Pineberry takes the remaining waffles and pancakes outside where Strawberry is waiting; Redbud and Rose Hip, respectfully. Yes, he's taken note by Huckleberry that Strawberry was allergic to the Hibiscus and the Purple Puffpetals, so maybe these new flowers Pineberry provided will be edible enough to not make her sneeze or her nose stuffy. All her years, no one has ever done like this for Strawberry, or be so considerate of her allergies. And like a proper gentleman, Pineberry pulls a chair for her to sit and pushes it back, and he pulls one for himself. They both look and smell so delicious, Strawberry decided to try the Rose Hip waffle first. Pineberry waited with anticipation until he sees the smile on her face, which means that she loves it, especially when she tasted the persimmon powder. And when she tries the Redbud pancake next, her reaction is the same. Just like with the Grapes Twins, Strawberry commends that he has mad baking skills. Taking it as a compliment, Pineberry took her hand and kissed it, making her blush the color of her hat. After calming down, he told his story about what made him go into the baking business. Before coming into Berry Big City, Pineberry started out as a student at a baking school in Sconewall. When he graduated with flying colors, he participated in an exchange program to apply for a job at a bakery in the big city. He can still remember it; the smells, the aroma, the taste of the treats reaching up to his nose--it was paradise. When the opening ceremony of the Berry Big City Bitty Games began, the staff hired him as a caterer, right before the upcoming performance by Strawberry and the Sweet Beats, especially when the mention of Cherry Jam sparked the excitement. At first, he did not know what to expect; seeing Cherry Jam or watching Strawberry Shortcake playing her guitar on-stage. The latter was pretty obvious; when Pineberry heard her sing, he thought she had a voice of an angel, and the fact that she can bake any pastry in the Berry Bitty World as well just makes his heart flutter. In fact, when he was invited to a royal ball by none other than Queen of Berryvania herself, he was nearly knocked off his feet after tasting the Olallie Rhubarb Surprise and the Very Berry Spice Royale. Isn't there anything Strawberry can't do? It's because of her, Pineberry was inspired to create pastries of his own in her honor and paying contributions to the Berry Bitty Café.

Berry Bitty Girls

 * Strawberry Shortcake (voiced by Anna Cummer)-The titular character of the franchise as owner of Berry Bitty Café and Berry Bitty Market in Berry Bitty City. She's a young, teenage girl with fair skin, freckles on the face, bright green eyes, curly and wavy waist-length red hair, and hourglass figure. She still has her pink strawberry hat, which is updated with small dark pink diamonds and bright green sequins on the leaf, and her new attire is a red long-sleeved jacket over a sweetheart green tank top with white intricate design, rose pink, ruffled, tiered, tutu-like skirt resembling an inverted strawberry, pink tights, and red mid-heeled boots with white soles.
 * Orange Blossom (voiced by Cymphonique)-One the current residents of Berry Bitty City and Strawberry's best friend as owner of Orange Mart. She's a young, teenage girl with brown skin, auburn eyes, peach lips, curly and wavy brown hair, and hourglass figure. She now has on a peach hairband with her signature flower and orange, and her new attire is an orange, long-sleeved blouse with a white-bordered, orange sailor collar held with a peach tie clipped with her signature flower and orange, a sharp-edged skirt alternating from peach to orange at the knees held by a white-bordered, peach belt with her signature flower and orange as a belt clip, goldenrod tights, and orange mid-heeled boots with white soles and peach edges.
 * Raspberry Torte (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain)-One of the current residents of Berry Bitty City and Strawberry's best friends as owner of Fresh Fashions Boutique. She's a young, teenage girl with fair skin, pink-violet eyes, pale pink lips, curly and wavy waist-length dark raspberry hair with bangs curved from the side, and hourglass figure. She now wears a deep pink jeweled hair clip lined with pastel green resembling a raspberry, and her new attire is a multi-layered raspberry dress with pastel green lacing and lined with raspberry jewels under a purple coat, a raspberry necklace, light pink tights, and purple mid-heeled boots with light pink cuffs and raspberry jewels on them.
 * Lemon Meringue (voiced by Marÿke Hendriske)-One the current residents of Berry Bitty City and Strawberry's best friends as owner of Lemon Salon. She's a young, teenage girl with fair skin, turquoise eyes, neutral pink lips, waist-length blonde hair styled in a braid with bangs curved from the right held by a green hair tie over the shoulder, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a green headband with a lemon wedge, and her new attire is a long-sleeved yellow tunic with lacing at chest that resembles a lemon wedge, white frilly collar and accents, yellow tights, and yellow mid-heeled boots with light blue edges and soles, and green laces.
 * Blueberry Muffin (voiced by Brittney Wilson)-One of the current residents of Berry Bitty City and Strawberry's best friends as owner of Blueberry Books. She's a young, teenage girl with light skin, blue eyes, violet lips, curly and wavy, waist-length dark blue hair with bangs curved from the left side, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a blueberry hair clip outlined in blue on a lavender ribbon bow, and her new attire is a light blue ¾-sleeved blouse under a long-sleeved blue cardigan held by a lavender belt with a blueberry jewel for a belt clip, a ruffled, tiered tutu-like skirt alternating from denim to pale blue with blue polka dots at the knees, sky blue tights, and blue knee-high heeled Mary Janes with lavender belt straps.
 * Plum Pudding (voiced by Mae Whitman)-One the current residents of Berry Bitty City and Strawberry's best friends as owner of Sweet Beats Studio. She's a young, teenage girl with faint, tanned skin, purple eyes, pale violet lips, curly and wavy, waist-length purple hair with both bangs curved and short strands curled to the side, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a barrette of three plums outlined in powder blue, and her new attire is a sweetheart, strap lavender tank shirt under a purple long-sleeved shrug fastened by a plum broach, layered, tutu-like skirt in lavender, powder blue, and silver, lavender tights, plum leg-warmers, and purple ballet slippers tied with straps and decorated with plums.
 * Cherry Jam (voiced by Stephanie Sheh)-A new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City and one of Strawberry's best friends as a musician, songstress and music instructor, and now owner of Cherry Jamz Records. She's a young, teenage girl with fairly, tanned skin, pale pink lips, amethyst eyes, curly and wavy, waist-length indigo-black hair pinned in a partial bun with thick fringes curved from the side while the rest hangs out, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a hair comb with her pale pink flower and two cherries outlined in hot pink, and her new attire is oriental-themed, consisting of a magenta long-sleeved qipao with a purple collar, diagonal light pink trimming, her flower-cherry imprint, and a hot pink pleated skirt, purple tights, and magenta mid-wedged, ballet-style flats with light pink soles.
 * Sweet Grapes (voiced by Andrea Libman)- Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City and one of Strawberry's best friends as chef and owner of Sweet & Sour Bakery along with her twin sister, Sour Grapes. She's a young, teenage girl with fair skin, lavender eyes with pale pink gradience around the pupils, matching lips, curly and wavy, waist-length ombré hair fading from purple at the top to violet, fuchsia and pale pink at the ringlets pulled in a ponytail with bangs curved from the side, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a pale blue hairband with purple paisley outlined in lilac resembling a grape, and her new attire is a sleeveless, white tank shirt under a purple glittering ¾-sleeved jacket, her black horn-rimmed glasses with rhinestones at the corners, a powder skirt with white tulle underneath, lilac tights, and powder blue, mid-heeled boots with lilac soles and white tube socks.
 * Sour Grapes (voiced by Rebecca Husain)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City and one of Strawberry's best friends as chef and owner of Sweet & Sour Bakery along with her twin sister, Sweet Grapes. She's a young, teenage girl with slightly pale skin, lavender eyes, a black beauty mark under the right eye, neon green eyeshadow, pale pink lips, wavy neck-length amethyst hair streaked with neon green in a pixie bob style and bangs brushed to the side, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a green paisley hair clip outlined in neon green resembling grapes, and her new attire is a purple, collared, sleeveless minidress under a black long-sleeved jacket with a series of beaded necklaces in black, purple, and neon green with a green paisley pendant resembling grapes, a neon green belt with grapes for a belt clip, neon green jeggings, and black mid-heeled boots with neon green soles and jeweled toes.
 * Apple Dumplin (voiced by America Ferrera)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after adventuring the Berry Bitty World and Strawberry's cousin as a computer systems expert, IT Tech support, and mechanic engineer, as well as owner of Apple Tech: Programming & Repair. Albeit shorter than the Berry Bitty Girls, she's a young, teenage girl with fair skin, freckles on her face, light blue eyes, light pink lips, waist-length dark blonde hair styled in a side braid with bangs curved from the side and long forelocks connected to a long one by her apple clip and tied with a red hair tie, and an hourglass figure. She now wears a red head band with an apple wedge, and her new attire is a white ribbed, ¾-sleeved V-cut blouse under a melon vest with an apple for a broach, a ruffled, tiered, tutu-like skirt alternating from dark yellow to orange-copper gingham at the knees, dark yellow tights, and apple red, mid-heeled boots with dark yellow soles.
 * Pumpkin Spice Latté (voiced by Tara Strong)-The newcomer from Berry Big City and Strawberry's new neighbor of Berry Bitty City, as well as owner of Pumpkin Spice Cafélonistro and a childhood sweetheart of Gingamon Cider. She's a young, teenage girl with fair skin, freckles on her cheeks, amber eyes with citron gradience around the pupils, peach lips, curly and wavy, waist-length pumpkin hair with bangs curved from the side, and an hourglass figure. She wears a hat that resembles Strawberry's, only it's an orange pumpkin with a thick green stem, and her attire is an orange denim ruffled minidress under a white, off-shoulder, long-sleeved crop top depicting a pumpkin, burnt orange tights, and dark cinnabar cowgirl boots with pumpkin latté art on the side.
 * Patty Persimmon (voiced by Kelly Sheridan)-The real genius detective in the Berry Bitty World who only pretended to be fictional to avoid being seen by not-so-friendly faces while posing as the made-up author of her own book series, along with her partner and childhood sweetheart Paul Pomegranate. She's a young, teenage girl with fairly tanned skin, pink lips, slanted blue eyes, curly and wavy, waist-length orange hair pulled in high pigtails with straight thick bangs, and an hourglass figure. She now wears yellow hairbands with persimmon outlined in copper, and her new attire is a short-sleeved orange blouse with white borders on the sleeves and high collar under a burnt orange vest with a white belt held by an amber buckle, her crimson cat-eye glasses with pink gemstones on the corners, a plaid skirt of burnt orange, peach, and apricot with a tawny tulle underneath, dark orange tights, and pink knee-high, mid-heeled Mary Janes with white belt straps and soles. Occasionally, she wears a burnt orange peabody jacket with white buttons and a peach headscarf to maintain her incognito when walking in the public.

Berry Bitty Boys

 * Huckleberry Pie (voiced by Aidan Drummond)-The new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Strawberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Blueberry Muffin, and owner of Huckleberry's Home for Pets. He's a young, teenage boy with fair skin, caramel eyes with orange gradience around the pupils, neck-length, tousled caramel hair, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He now wears a dark blue camo newsboy cap with black-rimmed sunglasses on the bill, and his new attire is a white long-sleeved shirt under a dark blue hoodie with a huckleberry design and a cobalt blue dress shirt, navy blue denim pants with back pockets, and dark blue hi-tops with green insteps and white soles and heel caps.
 * Cappuccino Frappé (voiced by Ogie Banks)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Orange Blossom, and owner of Frappé Landscape & Horticulture. He's a young, teenage boy with brown skin, chestnut eyes, chest-length sienna hair in dreadlocks, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a satin sheen gold headband, and his attire is a black long-sleeved turtleneck dashiki with bronze lining corresponding into a chestnut latté art, goldenrod sarashi, black kaftan pants, and satin sheen gold slip-ons with goldenrod soles and insteps.
 * Pineberry Smoothie (voiced by Vincent Tong)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends as well as a love interest of Strawberry Shortcake, and an intern for Berry Bitty Café. He's a young, teenage boy with fair skin, dimples at the corners of his mouth, silver eyes, opal white hair, and a lean body with slightly, muscular arms. He wears a pineberry beanie cap, and his attire is a white long-sleeved shirt under a red short-sleeved hoodie depicting a pineberry outlined in bright green, a denim blue ¾-sleeved jacket, red denim pants with back pockets, and dark red slip-ons with white soles.
 * Matcha Latté (voiced by Mark Hildreth)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Raspberry Torte, a quadruplet sibling of Pumpkin Spice, Masala Chai, and Shamrock Shaek, and an intern for Fresh Fashions Boutique. He's a young, teenage boy with fair skin, light green eyes, long tea green hair tied in a braid with fringes parted sideways and a top knot above, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a jade green hair adornment consisting of a black rod with red tassels hanging from the end and a gold fanged hibiscus in the center, and his attire is a long-sleeved, oriental-styled celadon turtleneck tunic with white lining under a forest green, sleeveless, diagonally-buttoned, hanfu-like overshirt with gold trimming split in a narrow triangle shape, pastel green sarashi, celadon pants with white lining, and forest green tabi boots with white bandages wrapped around the knees.
 * Key Lime Chiffon (voiced by Dante Basco)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Lemon Meringue, and an intern for Lemon Salon. He's a young, teenage boy with tanned skin, lawn green eyes, neck-length lime green hair streaked with hazel, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a neon green beanie cap that resembles a lime wedge lined in white, and his attire is a long-sleeved neon green turtleneck sweater under a sage sleeveless vest, a black beaded necklace with a lime wedge pendant, white bellbottom jeans, and moss green slip-ons.
 * Boysenberry Roll (voiced by T.J. Smith)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Plum Pudding, a cousin of Youngberry Crépe, and owner of Boyz N' Berry Graffiti Studios. He's a young, teenage boy with a medium dark brown skin, tekhelet eyes, short dark auburn hair with an undercut, eminence streaks, and a cinnamon roll-like spiral pattern on each side, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a slate blue mask that covers the bottom part of his face, and his attire is a palatinate T-shirt under a black sleeveless hoodie with graffiti splotches aligned on the hood in red and gold, white bandages covering from the hands to the forearms, black baggy pants with paint splotches, and red hi-tops with gold insteps, soles, laces, and steel toe caps.
 * Masala Chai Latté (voiced by Alessandro Juliani)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Cherry Jam, a quadruplet sibling of Pumpkin Spice, Matcha, and Shamrock Shaek, and an intern for Cherry Jamz Records. He's a young, teenage boy with olive skin tone, saffron eyes, very short onyx black hair in a bobcut with fringes parted from the right, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a long jasmine headband tied around his head, and his attire is a long-sleeved saffron kurta tunic with jasmine trimming under a Mikado yellow vest depicting a star anise tracing in a white swirl, Indian orange sarashi, saffron skintight trousers, and jasmine slip-on shoes.
 * Shamrock Shaek (voiced by Travis Dresden)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends as well as a love interest of Sweet Grapes, a quadruplet sibling of Pumpkin Spice, Matcha, and Masala Chai, and bartender for Pumpkin Spice Cafélonistro. He's a young, teenage boy with fair skin, emerald eyes, medium-length Shamrock green hair with bangs parted from the right and spring green highlights, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears an Erin green tartan tam with a gold rim, and his attire is a white turtleneck underneath a long-sleeved Shamrock green tuxedo jacket with gold trimming, side buttons, and a four-leaf clover for a brooch, dark green choker gloves, emerald green tartan sash across the shoulder and around the waist, Kelly green denim pants, and black dress shoes. Even though he's dressed in Irish-styled clothing, Shamrock has a thick Scottish accent and dialect.
 * Breadfruit Pudding (David Faustino)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends as well as a love interest of Sour Grapes, a brother of Plum Pudding, and a business manager for Huckleberry's Home for Pets. He's a young, teenage boy with dull tanned skin, hazel eyes, bronze hair with long bangs swept to the side, and a stocky built body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a dark purple ascot with a purple breadfruit for a pin, and his attire is a long-sleeved white dress shirt with indigo cuffs fastened by twin gold cufflinks under a purple, black, and bronze argyle vest, dark purple long-sleeved swallow-tailed jacket, black skintight trousers, and purple slip-on sneakers with white soles, insteps, and toe caps.
 * Youngberry Crépe (voiced by Bumper Robinson)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a love interest of Apple Dumplin, a cousin of Boysenberry Roll, and an inventor, mechanic engineer, and tech specialist for Apple Tech: Programming & Repair. Albeit shorter than the others, he's a young, teenage boy with dark tanned skin, cordovan eyes, neck-length dark auburn hair brushed down with thick fringes parted from the right and three cowlicks, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears maroon goggles with silver lenses, and his attire is a beige polo shirt with maroon O-cut neck and ¾ sleeves under a burgundy sweater vest, a fandango belt with a youngberry belt clip, dark taupe skintight trousers, and purpureus calf-high boots with white velcro straps at the top.
 * Gingamon Cider (voiced by Seth Green)-Another new resident of Berry Bitty City after leaving Berry Big City, one of Huckleberry's best friends, as well as a childhood sweetheart of Pumpkin Spice Latté, and a baristo for Pumpkin Spice Cafélonistro. He's a young, teenage boy with fairly tanned skin, burnt sienna eyes, medium-length coffee hair with bangs parted from the right, and a stocky built body with slightly muscular arms. He wears a sagging mahogany beret hat, and his attire is a short-sleeved cocoa brown hooded tunic with ecru and ochre tribal pattern aligned on the hood, sleeves, and hem under a French bistre cardigan vest, a nutmeg necklace out of a ginger chain, cinnamon red denim pants, and white flats with dark red tips that resemble socks.
 * Paul Pomegranate (voiced by Rob Paulsen)-Another genius detective in the Berry Bitty World who also pretended to be a fictional character to avoid being seen by not-so-friendly faces while posing as a made-up illustrator for the Patty Persimmon mystery novels, along with his partner and childhood sweetheart, Patty Persimmon. He's a young, teenage boy with fair skin, garnet eyes, neck-length pomegranate red hair, and a lean body with slightly muscular arms. He wears cardinal red glasses and wine red fedora, and his attire is a poppy red dress shirt with burgundy stripes under a coquelicot red waistcoat with gold buttons, cornell red denim pants, and dark red slip-ons with white soles and insteps. Occasionally, he wears a double-breasted rosewood peacoat with beige buttons and built-in belt to maintain his incognito when walking in public.