Author's Note

This is simply a recap of a section of the episode from which the story splits from canon. It's a bit of a reminder, but if you feel it's too redundant, please skip to the next chapter.

We begin mid-song, in which Cheese Sandwich has charmed the hearts of every partygoer in Ponyville. Pinkie Pie follows behind, desperately trying to get attention back to her party plans for Rainbow Dash's Birthaversary.

Prologue: Dash's Birthaversary

The super-duper party pony -- that pony is me! You'll never meet another party pony quite like Cheese!

Pinkie Pie tried to keep up with the crowd of ponies, singing and dancing with Cheese Sandwich, but it was to no avail. Her legs seemed to have given up any hope of redirecting the town's attention.

Oh, when I throw a Cheese party, be sure to not be lame

And miss my pie fights, wacky kites, and streamers in your mane

Fizzy drinks, Hawaiian shirts, and brie fondue delight

You know that with Cheese Sandwich, you'll be partying all night!

Pinkie put on a million kilowatt smile to try and catch Rainbow Dash's eye. Surely, her friend wouldn't abandon her for this pony who appeared out of nowhere! Pinkie had been secretly planning Dash's party for weeks! Surely, even Dash knew that Pinkie had been putting extra effort into her Birthaversary... right?

Then Pinkie found herself being trampled by the group of ponies who had been following Cheese Sandwich around like puppies. Eyes wide, she took a deep breath and got to her hooves, staring in disbelief after the multitudes.

"C'mon, everypony!" the pegasus in question shouted. "Let's party down with Cheese!"

Pinkie's eyes might have bulged right out of her head. There was Dash, encouraging everypony to follow Cheese!

"You're really a certified party pony?" Fluttershy asked quietly, barely able to contain the grin on her face.

"That's right!" Cheese affirmed. "That's my guarantee! The super-duper party pony -- that pony is me-e-e-e-e!"

The mob of excited townsfolk lifted Cheese Sandwich into the air and started to carry him away, no doubt to spirit him away to the land of sweet cakes and pies for party planning. Pinkie's mane wilted at the thought of the stallion getting sweets for Dash's party without her. She lifted a hoof, hoping that, somehow, it would be enough for her friends to see.

"But what about the super party pony named Pinkie...?" she asked their backs, tears forming in her eyes.

Wallowing in despair, there was only one little ball of hope floating in her chest. Maybe, if she could speak loudly enough, Dash and the rest of her friends would see her, smiling and waiting for the chance to throw a super duper party! Yeah, that would definitely work!

Pinkie trotted after the group, plastering her signature grin on her face. She opened her mouth to call after Dash, but it clicked shut as the cyan pegasus's voice reached her sensitive ears.

"I mean, Pinkie Pie's parties are fun and sweet and all, but this party's going to be..."

"Epic?" Cheese suggested, grinning widely.

"You said it!" Dash answered, doing a backflip in the air.

Pinkie's heart deflated like a popped party balloon. The waterworks were really flowing this time, pooling in her eyes and dripping down her muzzle with no sign of ever stopping. She stopped walking, intending to go hide for a little while and get all of this ridiculous sadness out of her system, but then Dash turned around, hammering the nail into the coffin with very little remorse.

"Er, heh, no offense, Pinkie," she said, realizing that her friend was following well within earshot.

Pinkie quickly licked the moisture from her eyes in an attempt to hide her feelings from one of her dearest friends. There was no point in spoiling other ponies' moods, especially on such a special day as Dash's Birthaversary! She put on a brave face and gave her best Pinkie smile.

"None taken!" she said cheerily.

Dash grinned, reassured, and sped away to keep conversing with the stallion. Pinkie opened an eye, watching her friend go, before slowing to a stop and letting the party mob go on without her. Her mane wilted again as she slumped, sighing in defeat. With subdued motions, the mare turned around and trotted back toward Sugarcube Corner. Maybe the Cakes needed help with cake baking. She was great at cupcakes, and she had a sinking feeling that the bakery was about to get a lot busier.