My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: A New Journey Together, Season 1

Chapter 24: Party of One

It was another lovely day in town of Ponyville as Twilight was doing her quiet routine study session while Storm was sharpening his katana swords. They were suddenly taken by surprise when they heard a knock on the door. They looked around a bit before they saw who it was.

"Oh! Hi Pinkie Pie..." said Twilight before she and Storm just watched her with stunned faces.

[Pinkie Pie - She sang and danced, wearing a yellow and blue party hat and red nose as Gummy stood next to her with a blue and orange splatter pattern party hat on his head.]

This is your singing telegram

I hope it find you well

You're invited to a party

Cause we think you're really swell

[Pinkie Pie - continued her singing at Rarity's house, now wearing a Top Hat and black tail coat and Gummy was also wearing a tux and top hat. Rarity just looked stunned as well.]

Gummy's turning one year old

So help us celebrate

The cake will be delicious

The festivities first-rate

[Pinkie Pie - She continued for Applejack, now wearing a confetti cannon on her head as well as a pair of dual cannons on her body. Gummy then caught one of the falling streamers in his mouth. Applejack just watched with a stunned expression on her face.]

There will be games and dancing

Bob for apples, cut a rug

[Pinkie Pie - shoots off her confetti canons.]

And when the party's over

We'll gather 'round for a group hug

[Pinkie Pie - she is now at Rainbow's home using a hot air balloon to sing to her, but her singing and energy has started to slow down and she began to sweat a little. Gummy was trapped in collection of smaller balloons above the pink pony. Rainbow watched Pinkie in the same manner as the others.]

No need to bring a gift

Bring there will be enough

Birthdays mean having fun with friends.

Not getting lots of stuff

[Pinkie Pie - By the time, she reached Fluttershy's cottage, her singing had slowed down even more. She was now sweating more heavily and her dancing had very little energy. It didn't help she was wearing a birthday cake outfit with Gummy standing on top of her. Fluttershy was more concerned with how exhausted Pinkie looked then looking surprised by the pink pony's singing telegram.]

It won't be the same without you

So we hope that you say yes

So, please, oh please R.S.V.P.

And come, and be our guest!

Pinkie then plopped to the ground in front of Fluttershy's front door. It was several minutes later when Pinkie had the strength to make it back to Sugarcube Corner. She had her own party room/living space upstairs and it had already been set up and decorated for the party. Pinkie just slowly made her way to the top of the stairs.

"Next time, I think I'll just pass out written invitations," Pinkie told Gummy in a raspy voice before passing out at the top of the stairs.

Gummy just stood there blankly, as usual.

*Main theme*

It wasn't much longer before everyone was at Sugarcube Corner for Gummy's birthday party. Pinkie, Twilight, and Storm were dancing to some music. Applejack and Rainbow were chatting just behind the large bucket where they could play "Bob for apples". Fluttershy and Rarity were just chatting near the table where a giant birthday cake and bowl of punch were located. It was then Applejack then went to bob for an apple, she grabbed one with ease and then gobbled it up, core, seeds, and all.

Storm glanced around the room, a soft smile playing on his face. He loved seeing his friends happy and carefree. “Pinkie really outdid herself this time,” he said to Twilight as they danced. “It’s wild, colorful, and... probably dangerous if I know her surprises.”

Twilight chuckled. “You mean fun! C’mon, Storm, lighten up.”

“I’ll lighten up when Pinkie stops turning party games into combat drills,” Storm replied playfully, narrowly dodging a stray balloon that popped with a loud bang. He instinctively stepped closer to Twilight, keeping her safely away from the minor chaos brewing near the snack table.

"Nice one!" said Rainbow, "Now, let me show you how it's done!" Rainbow went to open her mouth and dived in when Pinkie arrived.

"Hey, girls!" said Pinkie cheerfully.

"Hey, Pinkie Pie!" said Rainbow.

"Howdy!" Applejack replied right after. Pinkie gave a happy squeal.

"Just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you could make it to Gummy's party," said Pinkie.

"Are you kiddin'?" said Applejack, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

"Me, neither," said Rainbow, "When Pinkie Pie throws a party, I'm there!" Rainbow then took her turn to bob an apple. Like Applejack, she grabbed out without any trouble.

"Ta da!" the blue pony exclaimed.

"Aw! It's just a boring old apple," said Pinkie, "Don't worry, there are plenty of other surprises in there." Rainbow then spat her apple at Applejack.

"What kind of surprises?" Rainbow asked excitedly as Applejack smiles in the same manner.

"I can't tell you that, silly," said Pinkie, "Then it wouldn't be a surprise."

Pinkie then walked away as Rainbow and Applejack then dunked their heads into the water at the same time. Applejack had grabbed a green apple that was attached to the bottom of the bucket with a spring. She tried to pull it out but the spring pulled her head back into the water. Rainbow pulled her head out only to have Gummy trying to bite her entire head. Applejack just laughed as Rainbow twitched her head so Gummy went flying off. Rainbow couldn't help but look a little embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Rarity was just enjoying some of the punch and was sipping it contently through a straw. Rarity had just emptied her cup when Pinkie refilled it for her. But Storm just felt suspicious before he went to the snack table. "This punch is simply divine," said Rarity to Pinkie as the pink pony arrived, "Is this the same recipe you used for your "Spring has Sprung" party?"

"Nope!" said Pinkie, "Something new."

Rarity looked at the punch bowl as Twilight and Storm were walking in the background. There they saw Gummy swimming in the punch bowl. Rarity looked stunned for a moment before she spit out the punch in her mouth and into Pinkie's face.

"It's Gummy's favorite," said Pinkie happily, unphased at getting the punch spat into her face.

Storm and Twilight both made nervous faces as Pinkie smiled. Rarity, with much reluctance, gulped and continued drinking the punch in her cup. Storm just groaned as he and Twilight just watched the scene unfold in the background. It was then the music began to play.

"Ooh, this is my jam!" said Pinkie as she took off.

Once Pinkie was looking away, Rarity spat out the punch in her mouth into a nearby potted plant. By now Twilight, Storm, and Fluttershy were dancing together and enjoying themselves.

It was then Pinkie got in between Twilight, Fluttershy, and Storm.

"Having fun?" Pinkie asked.

"A blast!" said Twilight.

"Totally!" Storm added.

"You always throw the best parties, Pinkie Pie," said Fluttershy as the three ponies kept on dancing.

"They're always the best parties 'cause my best friends are always there!" said Pinkie and joined in the dancing.

"Yah!" Twilight shouted as Pinkie smacked her flank into Twilight, sending her away from the pink pony as Storm dodged it. Pinkie then did the same to Fluttershy, making her yelp as she flew away as well. All two ponies were sent crashing on opposite sides of the room and into the walls, leaving indents in them.

Storm sidestepped the pink tornado with practiced ease, shaking his head. “I’ll stick to dodging chaos, thanks,” he muttered before rushing to help Twilight.

Twilight stumbled out of her indention in the wall, a dazed smile on her face. “That... didn’t hurt as much as I thought.”

Storm caught her before she toppled over, his steady hooves holding her upright. Their eyes met, and they both blushed faintly before pulling away.

“Thanks,” Twilight murmured, her cheeks warm.

“Anytime,” Storm replied, his voice gentle. “It’s my job to catch you when you fall, right?”

"C'mon, everypony" said Pinkie shortly afterward, "Gummy wants to dance. Go Gummy! It's your birthday! Go Gummy! It's your birthday."

The little alligator just stood there blankly as everypony began to dance around him.

(Scene changes)

It was very late when the party finally came to an end, Pinkie just watched everyone make their leave from outside her upstairs window.

"Hoo-wee!" said Applejack, "I am beat! I haven't danced that much since...Well, since your last party. Thanks again for your invite!"

"See ya later, birthday alligator!" Rainbow added as she walked with Fluttershy and Rarity.

"Bravo for hosting yet another delightful soiree," said Rarity.

"It's been lovely," said Fluttershy. Right behind the threesome were Storm and Twilight.

"You sure you don't wanna stay?" Pinkie called as Storm and Twilight looked back, "There's still some cake left."

"Uh, I think I'm gonna pass," said Twilight.

"Yeah, but I still had a lot of fun," said Storm.

"Great party though," said Twilight, "we should do this again soon." Pinkie just watched her friends head for their homes when Pinkie gasped and got an idea.

"We should do this again soon!" said Pinkie excitedly.

(Scene changes)

The sun began to slowly rise into the sky as Twilight was woken up by the sound of someone knocking her door. Twilight just slowly made her way towards the door with a few of her mane and tails hairs were sticking out. She opened the door to see Pinkie at her door wearing a basket on her head with some letters inside of it.

"Oh! Hi, Pinki-"

"It's soon" said the pink pony as she got into Twilight's face.

"Pardon me?" Twilight asked puzzled.

"You said we should have another party soon, and... it’s soon," said Pinkie as she bounced up and down excitedly, "Here's your invitation!" Twilight picked up one of the letters with her magic.

""You're invited to Gummy's 'after-birthday' party"," Twilight read aloud, ""This afternoon at three o'clock"."

"All our bestest friends are invited," said Pinkie, still bouncing on her hooves, "and there's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice cream, and punch!" Twilight smiled...until she realizes something.

"This afternoon?" said Twilight, "As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?"

"Yes, indeedy!" said Pinkie.

"Oh, gosh," said Twilight sheepishly, "I wish I could make it, but I've gotten a bit behind on my studies."

Twilight used her magic to quickly summon a huge pile of books. By the time Pinkie was able to peek inside, the large stack was a big as a mountain.

"I really gotta hit the books," said Twilight as she allowed Pinkie to see the book mountain.

"I understand," said Pinkie, "your studies come first. But don't worry, we'll be sure to save you some cake."

"Please do," said Twilight as Pinkie gave the purple pony a wink and then took her leave, but then Pinkie reappeared walking in the opposite direction from a short distance away.

"Oh! And Twilight, you shouldn't hit the books," Pinkie pointed out, "You should really just read them."

"I'll keep that in mind," said Twilight as Pinkie bounced away toward Storm's house.

(scene change)

She knocked on his door and put on a big smile. Storm opened the door.

"What's up, Pinkie?" Storm asked.

"I'm here to give you an invite to another amazing party!" Pinkie chirped, pulling out a brightly colored invitation from seemingly nowhere. Storm took it with his magic, glancing at the decorative card.

"It's for this afternoon!" Pinkie added, bouncing excitedly on her hooves as if the energy of the upcoming party was already coursing through her.

“This afternoon?” Storm repeated, his brows furrowing. “As in ‘this afternoon’ this afternoon?”

“Correct-a-mundo!” Pinkie said, bouncing even higher, as though the energy of the upcoming party was already coursing through her veins.

Storm hesitated, his usual confident demeanor softening slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof. “Ohhh... Pinkie, I’m really sorry, but Aqua, Crimson, and I are helping out at the orphanage in Canterlot. We’ve got food and games planned for the kids, and it’s happening alongside the Grand Galloping Gala this year.”

Pinkie’s bouncing slowed for a moment, her smile faltering ever so slightly as she tilted her head. “The Grand Galloping Gala and helping kids? At the same time?” Her voice carried just a hint of disbelief as she processed the idea.

“Yeah,” Storm replied with a small, sheepish grin. “If I could maybe I would go to the gala with you guys, but the kids deserve a night to feel special too. Aqua’s planning this amazing water show, Crimson’s doing... well, something with fire—I’m keeping a fire extinguisher on hoof just in case—and I’m handling the setup for their games.”

Pinkie stopped bouncing entirely, her face scrunched up in thought as she listened. “Wow... food, games, fire tricks, and a water show? That sounds like a party for the ages! Why didn’t you invite me?”

Storm laughed softly. “Because if you came, Pinkie, you’d probably throw an impromptu second party in the middle of it. And knowing you, it’d somehow involve fireworks and cupcakes at the same time.”

Pinkie’s eyes widened. “That sounds amazing! Why didn’t I think of that?!”

Storm smiled, shaking his head. “But seriously, I really wish I could make it to your party. Believe me, I’d much rather be at one of your legendary celebrations, but these kids... they don’t get nights like this very often. They need us.”

Pinkie let out an exaggerated sigh, her frown lingering for only a split second before she perked back up. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I be mad at you? You’re doing something super-duper important, Storm! And a party is still a party, even if there are only four guests!” She gave him a playful wink before turning and bouncing toward Sweet Apple Acres.

Storm leaned against the doorframe, watching her go with an amused smile. “How does she stay so upbeat all the time?” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. As he turned back inside, he glanced at the invitation again.

(Scene changes)

Applejack had hooked up several of her smaller wagons together to make a three-car freight train loaded with tall piles of fresh delicious apples. She was then taken by surprise when Pinkie jumped out of a trio of haystacks laying near the barn.

"Huh? Oh, hi, Pinkie Pie!" said Applejack, "What brings you 'round these parts?"

"Who's ready to shake their hoof-thang?!" said Pinkie excitedly, getting into Applejack's face and shook her flank, "It's an invitation to Gummy's "after-birthday" party this afternoon. There's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!" Pinkie bounced excitedly as she told Applejack about the party. But then Applejack realized something.

"This afternoon?" said Applejack wearily, "A-as in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?"

"That's funny," said Pinkie, putting a fore-hoof to her chin for a moment, "That's just what Twilight and Storm said, and the answer is, "Yes! It's this afternoon!"

"Uh, well, I...I..uh...I don't think I can make it 'cause...uh..." Applejack stuttered.

Being the element of honesty made coming up with a good excuse to not go to Pinkie's part very difficult. She had to look at her freight cars loaded with apples for a few seconds to think of an answer. Pinkie just looked at the apples from behind her.

"I have to uh...uh..." Applejack continued to stutter before she finally came up with something to say, "you know what? I...uh...pick apples! Yep, apples! 'Cause that's what we do! With the...apples. We, uh...pick 'em!"

There was a long pause as Applejack gave Pinkie a toothy smile. Pinkie slowly begins to stare at her as Applejack tried to hold her smile, but she grew more nervous as Pinkie narrowed her eyes at her. Applejack gulped. Just as she can see her own reflection in the center of Pinkie's eyes. Pinkie stood down and smiled.

"Okey-dokey-lokey!" Pinkie replied in her cheerful manner, "A party is still a party, even if there are only three guests." Pinkie then left. Only when the pink pony was a safe distance away did Applejack release a sigh of relief.

(Scene changes)

Back at the Carousel Boutique, Spike was assisting Rarity by taking out a loaded garbage can out of the building and near the front of her property for pick up. (Don't ask if they do have a garbage day and where Rarity's property line is. Even I don't know.) Spike grunted since the garbage can was bigger and heavier than him and then sets it down.

"Anything else I can do you for you, most beautiful one?" Spike asked Rarity like a lovesick dragon as he knelt beside her.

Rarity got a good sniff of the odor coming from Spike due to the fact he had been working so hard and being around the garbage. Rarity whimpered as she leaned away from him in disgust.

"Hmm...perhaps you could take a bath," said Rarity as she pondered, "How can I put this delicately?" Rarity realized she couldn't and just went with being honest.

"You smell like a rotten apple core that's been wrapped in moldy hay and dripping in dragon perspiration," said Rarity upfront.

Spike just sighed in a lovesick trance and began to float into the air as hearts floated around him. Though anypony else who heard that could tell that wasn't a complement, Spike didn't seem to care. Rarity just gives him a concerned but annoyed look as she lightly pushed Spike away so he literally floated back to the library. Rarity watched him float away as Pinkie appeared beside her.

"Ooh! I love the new hat," said Rarity as she looked at the basket on Pinkie's head, "Very modern. What's the occasion?"

"Gummy's "after-birthday" party is this afternoon," Pinkie explained, "I'm delivering the invitations."

"The party is this afternoon?" said Rarity in shock, "As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?"

"It's so strange," Pinkie pondered, "Everypony keeps saying that."

"Oh... do they?" Rarity asked her innocently.

"I know it's short notice," said Pinkie, "But we had such a great time at his birthday party, I thought we could have even more fun at his after-birthday party."

"And I'm sure that we would, but I'm going to have to decline," said Rarity as she played with one of the curls in her mane, "I have to...wash my hair."

"Don't be silly," said Pinkie, "your hair doesn't look dirty."

"It doesn't?" Rarity asked as her mane sparkled a bit.

"Nope!" Pinkie answered.

Then Rarity did something rather...rash. She stuck her head into the garbage, getting her mane covered in grime and trash.

"See?" said Rarity, then made a face that showed she was gonna be sick, but was able to quickly recompose herself, "Dirty! I have to go!" Rarity then made a mad dash into her boutique and slammed the door. Pinkie was left rather surprised.

"Huh... No Twilight, no Storm, no Applejack, no Rarity," Pinkie thought before going back to her cheery mood, "Oh well, a party is still a party even with only two guests."

(Scene changes)

However, Pinkie soon found that she was getting the same reaction from both Rainbow and Fluttershy, who were just hovering in the air when Pinkie told them about the party.

"This afternoon?" Rainbow said stunned.

"As in..." Fluttershy tried to add.

"Yes! As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon!" Pinkie snapped.

"On, man!" said Rainbow, "We'd love to, but...we're...house sitting this afternoon." Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

"Both of you?" Pinkie asked with a sigh of disappointment.

"It's...uh...big house," Fluttershy added as she glanced over to Rainbow, who literally drew a wrist watch on her left fore-hoof.

"Uh, look at the time!" said Rainbow, looking at her hoof drawn watch, "we'd better get going." The two Pegasi went to leave.

"Wait!" said Pinkie, causing Fluttershy and Rainbow to come back, "Maybe I could bring you some after-birthday cake and ice-cream. Who're you house sitting for?"

"Harry," said Rainbow quickly.

"Harry?" said Pinkie puzzled.

"Yeah, I don't think you know him," said Rainbow.

"That's strange," Pinkie pondered, "I know just about everypony around here."

"He's...a bear," said Fluttershy.

"A bear?" Pinkie exclaimed. Even Rainbow looked rather stunned until Fluttershy gave her a discreet wink.

"Yup! He's a bear all right," Rainbow replied, "and he'll be pretty upset if we don't get over to his house soon." The two Pegasi get ready to fly away again.

"Wait!"

Only for Pinkie to call them back a second time.

"There's a bear around here who lives in a house?" Pinkies asked in confusion.

"It's, uh, really more of a cave," Fluttershy answered.

"But he's fixed up the place so much," Rainbow added, "it feels like a house."

"And, uh, he wants us to look after his house...uh, cave...while he's, uh..." Fluttershy was running out of things to say.

"A-at the beach!" Rainbow announced.

"He's vacationing at the beach?" Pinkie said stunned. According to the current maps of Equestria, the beach going either west or east was very far away from Ponyville.

"Yup!" Rainbow answered, "He loves to..."

"Collect sea shells!" said Fluttershy, waving her fore-hooves about.

"Play beach volleyball!" said Rainbow at the same time, waving her fore-hooves before they both looked at each other.

"...Play beach volleyball!" said Fluttershy, waving her fore-hooves again.

"...Collect sea shells!" said Rainbow at the same time, making the same gestures. They looked at each other again.

"...Collect volleyballs!"

"...Play sea shells!"

By now, both pegasi looked at each other nervously. They knew that they need to leave and leave now.

"Gotta go!" said Rainbow before she and Fluttershy both took off at high speed.

Pinkie is left rather baffled at first, but then begins to feel suspicious as she sits on the floor of her living quarters with her fore-hooves crossed.

"Something strange is definitely going on around here, Gummy," Pinkie told her alligator as Gummy was just pushing a ball of yarn across the floor, "Sure, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had to house-sit for that vacationing bear, but what are the chances that all my other friends would have plans this afternoon too? Rarity had to wash her hair? Applejack has to pick apples? Storm and his siblings are preparing stuff for the kids at the orphanage in Canterlot where the Grand Galloping Gala is being held? He never told me actually..., and Twilight is behind on her studies and has to hit the books?"

Pinkie then stands looking outside her window when she comes to a realization.

"The more I think about it," said Pinkie, "The more those are starting to sound like..." Pinkie gasped, "excuses!"

It was then she noticed that Twilight was hiding behind a house, standing on her hind-hooves with her back against the wall. The purple pony then tip-hoofed into a nearby bush.

Twilight looked around as she tip-hoofed over the entrance of Sugarcube Corner and headed inside, closing the door.

"That doesn't look like studying...or hitting the books," said Pinkie suspiciously.

(Scene changes)

Inside Sugarcube Corner, Twilight wasted no time quietly walking up to the front counter and gave a light ring of the bell. Mrs. Cake came out of the kitchen area.

"Ooh! You must be here for..."

"Shh!" Twilight hushed Mrs. Cake before asking quietly, "Is Pinkie Pie around?"

"Oh, I don't think so," said Mrs. Cake, who apparently had been too busy in the kitchen to realize that Pinkie was upstairs in her living space.

Neither of them even noticed a tin can on a string appeared between the two ponies from above. Pinkie held onto another tin can so she could eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Good, I don't want her to know anything about this," said Twilight.

"Yes, of course," said Mrs. Cake, "I'll be right back." Mrs. Cake made her way into the kitchen as Twilight waited for the blue and pink pony to return. Pinkie was a little puzzled as Gummy rolled across the room trying to balance on the ball of yarn.

"But...we're friends," said Pinkie, "What wouldn't Twilight want me to know anything about? " Pinkie gasped as she heard some hoof steps below, "She's coming back!" Pinkie went back to listening quietly, feeling rather worried.

"Thanks," said Twilight from below, "and remember, not a word to Pinkie Pie. Hey! What's with the tin can?"

Pinkie cringed as she tried to pull the tin can back up, but the rope broke and the can on the other end landed square on Twilight's nose. Twilight looked stunned until she shook the can off, but her nose was now shaped like cylinder.

(Scene changes)

Once Twilight got her nose back into shape, she continued to sneak about the town with a white package at hoof, peeking out of some bushes before continuing to tip-hoof past the flower shop. Pinkie and Gummy poked their heads from behind the flower stand. Twilight just continued to sneak forward, looking around to see if anyone was following her. Pinkie then poked out again from the background and then again in the foreground.

"Time to get to the bottom of things!" said Pinkie as she put on a pair of Groucho glasses and continued her pursuit of the purple pony and her white package.

Twilight then quietly sneaked past a nearby apple stand, but then heard something and looked back. Pinkie quickly and quietly hid behind the side of the cart with her back against it. Gummy then fell off of Pinkie's head and out into the open. Pinkie wasted no time, scooping him up and pressing his back against the stand as Twilight continued on their way.

"I think our cover has been blown," said Pinkie to Gummy, "We'll need a new disguise."

It wasn't much longer before Twilight arrived at the Carousel Boutique and rang the doorbell. Rarity quietly opened the door and peeked out, looked around, and then the two ponies stood side by side facing away from each other.

"She didn't see you at the sweet shop, did she?" Rarity asked quietly.

"I don't think so," said Twilight, not wanting to mention the tin can on a string.

"Oh, good," said Rarity, "I'd hate for her to ruin everything."

"Me too," said Twilight before letting the box land softly on the grass next to her and then walked away without another word.

Rarity just looked at the box, stood in front of it, picked it up with the curls of her tail, then began to slowly tip-hoofed away. Pinkie then emerged nearby inside of a haystack, still wearing her glasses and now had a teal coat on her backside, and had gummy standing on the top. The little alligator gave a light sneeze before Pinkie went after Rarity.

Rarity continued to head deeper into town. It wasn't long before Fluttershy peeked out from behind a wall. Rarity cautiously looked around before giving Fluttershy a smile and an eye wink. Pinkie, still in disguise, was just inside hearing range as she stood behind another building.

"Have you seen her?" Rarity asked the yellow Pegasus.

"Not since this morning," Fluttershy replied.

"Me neither," Rarity said quietly, "Can you believe she was planning on throwing an after-birthday party today?"

"I'm just glad I was able to come up with an excuse for why I couldn't be there," said Fluttershy. Pinkie, who was still eavesdropping, looked hurt.

"Me too!" Rarity added, "This is obviously going to be so much better."

"As long as we keep her from finding out about it, it will," Fluttershy told her.

"See you later!" Rarity whispered before making her leave.

Fluttershy began to look around before grabbing the package by the string with her mouth and began to sneak forward with her head low. Pinkie was feeling rather upset and turned to leave when she bumped into something. Pinkie was so startled that she began bouncing backwards and right into Fluttershy. Fluttershy gasped when she saw the weird looking haystack and was sent screaming and flying off with the package.

"I thought everypony loved my parties," said Pinkie sadly as she stood there feeling depressed.

Gummy then popped out of the haystack now wearing his own pair of Groucho glasses. Then Rainbow walked by.

"Hi Pinkie Pie," said Rainbow, seeing right through the pony's disguise. It then clicked in her head.

Pinkie Pie was nearby.

Rainbow froze stiff for a second in shock.

"Uh-oh!" said Rainbow and then immediately took off at high speed.

"Rainbow Dash! Wait!" Pinkie shouted by Rainbow turned a corner and tried to lose the pink pony before slowing down and coming to stop.

"Phew..." said Rainbow with relief, until Pinkie popped out of a random barrel behind her.

"Where're you going?!" Pinkie demanded.

"Ah!" Rainbow yelped before taking off into the skies once again. Rainbow took a detour towards a collection of trees...on purpose.

"Storm! Crimson! Aqua! Help!" She called out as she passed by a tree Storm, Aqua, and Crimson just stayed hidden until the moment was right.

The three then held out some blinding powder, ready to strike Pinkie. Time slowed down as Pinkie looked like a blur as she passed the three's hiding spot. They both jumped in front of her and tossed the blinding powder at Pinkie, right in the face.

"ACK!" Pinkie yelped as she suddenly couldn't see anything and stopped to rub her eyes.

"Let's go!" Storm said as he and his siblings zipped out of nowhere to hide.

“Sorry Pinkie!” Aqua yelled as she ran with her brothers.

Pinkie stood there, blinking furiously as the blinding powder clung to her face. "Wha–what just happened?!" she sputtered, wiping her eyes in a desperate attempt to clear her vision. Gummy, who had somehow appeared next to her, blinked slowly with his own pair of Groucho glasses still on, as if mirroring Pinkie's confusion.

Meanwhile, Storm, Aqua, and Crimson were already a safe distance away, hiding behind a thick cluster of trees. Crimson was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the small prank.

"Nice work, team," Crimson chuckled, giving Aqua and Storm a light nudge. "We’ve got some serious skills. Did you see the way we moved? Pinkie didn’t stand a chance."

Aqua, however, wasn't as amused. "You do realize we’re going to have to make it up to her later, right?”

“Hopefully this will be enough” Storm said as he and his siblings went off.

(Scene changes)

Rainbow had managed to leave the forest and ducked behind the bell above the schoolhouse. She quietly peaked out from behind it and ducked inside, trying to catch her breath. Rainbow then shrieked when she saw Pinkie dangling upside down inside the bell. Rainbow knew that the blinding powder didn't work for long.

"What's the real reason you didn't want to come to Gummy's party?" Pinkie yelled, making the bells ring as Rainbow took off at high speed.

Rainbow then tried to fly up to the top of the mountain and just barely grabbed the edge leading to the summit as her wings gave out.

Somepony extended a hoof to help her up, but Rainbow grunted as she pulled herself up. Rainbow gasped again when she saw a very angry and agitated Pinkie Pie at the top of the mountain. Pinkie then glared at Rainbow's clearly full saddle bags.

"What's in those bags?!" Pinkie shouted, now furious as Rainbow took off again in a rainbow blur. Pinkie gritted her teeth and took off after the blue Pegasus, making herself look like a pink blur.

(Scene changes)

Applejack was taking a walk as she approached the barn when she saw both a blue blur flying over some hills toward the farm...with a pink blur not too far behind the blue blur.

"Applejack! We have a problem!" said Rainbow anxiously as she approached at high speed. Pinkie wasn't too far behind, gritting her teeth and Gummy hanging onto her tail with his mouth.

Nearby, Storm, Aqua, and Crimson crouched behind a stack of hay bales, their final batch of blinding powder ready. Crimson peeked over the edge, his grin gleaming like a mischievous fox’s. “Alright, team. Round two. Let’s slow her down before she explodes.”

Aqua sighed, adjusting the pouch of powder in her hooves. “You know this isn’t going to work for long, right?”

“Doesn’t have to,” Crimson replied with a chuckle. “Just long enough for Dash to get away. And us, too.”

Storm kept his focus on Pinkie’s rapid approach. “Stay sharp. Pinkie doesn’t play by the rules, and she’s not slowing down this time. Aqua, you take the left—Crimson, stay close to me.”

“On it,” Aqua said, positioning herself strategically.

“Let’s do this!” Crimson whispered, barely containing his excitement. “She’s fast, but we’re faster.”

Time seemed to slow as Pinkie barreled toward their hiding spot. The siblings jumped out; powder ready to launch. But Pinkie suddenly stopped mid-stride and zoomed right up to them, skidding to a halt mere inches from their faces.

“Don’t even THINK about it!” she growled, her tone as sharp as a blade. Her mane was frazzled, and her eyes burned with fury.

Storm met her glare with calm determination. “Sorry, Pinkie,” he said, his voice steady. “We don’t want to do this, but you’re not leaving us much choice.”

SPLAT!

They fired at her face, blinding her again.

"Let's go!" Crimson shouted as they ran after Rainbow Dash as fast as they could.

"You're gonna PAY FOR THAT!" Pinkie screamed with fury as she tried to rub her eyes from the blinding Pinkie growled through clenched teeth, blinking furiously as she tried to clear her vision. “This isn’t over!” she yelled, her voice filled with both frustration and a touch of manic determination.

Meanwhile, the three siblings and Rainbow regrouped inside the barn, catching their breath. Applejack looked back, jumped in the air with a gasp and frightened look on her face as Pinkie had already broken free of the blinding powder and was approaching fast. Applejack quickly slammed the barn door as Pinkie arrived. Pinkie gritted her teeth angrily, looked furiously at the barn, before using her forehead to knock on the door. At first there was no answer.

"I know you're IN THERE!" Pinkie screamed angrily. Applejack cautiously cracked open the top half of the door a bit to peak outside.

"Oh! Howdy pardner!" said Applejack casually.

"Mind if I...take a look inside the barn?" Pinkie asked with an angry smile.

"No! Uh, I mean, yes, I mean...you can't come in here!" Applejack stuttered, getting in her face, but as she spoke, Pinkie starts to stare her down, making the orange pony very nervous.

"Rainbow Dash went in there," said Pinkie sternly, "I also saw Storm, Aqua, and Crimson go in there too. And I would like to have a word with them about blinding me with FLASH POWDER! What kinds of friends do that?!"

Inside the barn, Rainbow, Storm, Aqua, and Crimson were huddled together, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Crimson, always the joker, whispered, "Should we try the powder again? Maybe third time’s the charm?"

"Not a chance," Aqua shot back, giving her younger brother a stern look. "It didn’t work the first two times, and Pinkie’s getting more upset. We need a better plan.

"Oh, well...uh… they were...helping Rainbow," Applejack stuttered as Pinkie began to lean her face into AJ's with an angry look on her face, "they were just bringin' in some...supplies! yup, supplies for the...renovation! Fixin' up the whole thing, top to bottom...uh, lots of construction goin' on in there right now!"

"You heard her!" Rainbow whispered inside as Pinkie continued to glare, "Construction!"

Everyone inside began doing their best to make it seem like actual construction was taking place. Pinkie just narrowed her eyes as Applejack just continued to smile nervously. Pinkie then tried to stretch her neck to see around Applejack, but the orange pony was able to use her own head to block Pinkie's view. Pinkie then got right into Applejack's face so their noses were pressed together as she tried to stare Applejack down. Just as Pinkie started to push her head inside of the barn, Aqua slams the top half of the door shut from the shadows, squashing Pinkie's head between the door and the side post. Pinkie pulled away, feeling rather dazed, as Applejack reopened the door a bit to keep talking.

"Yup! Construction!" said Applejack, "That's my story, and I'm sticking to it." She laughed nervously as Pinkie continued to stare at her. Applejack gulped as she tried to remain calm and keep smiling, but Pinkie's staring continued to intensify as the orange pony began to sweat. Everypony inside was holding their breath.

"Okey...dokey...lokey," said Pinkie slowly, still glaring as her face started to pull away from Applejack's.

The orange pony went to exhale when Pinkie got into her face again, stared sternly for another second before slowly pulling away and finally leaving. Once Pinkie was a good distance away, Applejack gave a large sigh of relief and leaned against the bottom half of the barn door in exhaustion. The others poked their heads out from behind her, breathing a collective sigh of relief as well.

“I really hope Pinkie can forgive us after all of this” Storm said as they started to prepare for something.

(Scene changes)

Pinkie had returned back to Sugarcube Corner, steaming with fury, as she paced back and forth across the floor as Gummy just watched her while standing on his hind legs.

"Secrets and lies!" Pinkie fumed as she got into Gummy's face, making him stand on all fours again, "It's all secrets and lies with these ponies! They're up to something Gummy! Something they don't want me to know about! Well, I'm gonna know about it! I'm gonna know about it big time. And I know just who's gonna tell me all about it. Tell me all about it big time!"

(Scene changes)

It didn't take Pinkie too long to invite Spike over to Sugarcube Corner as she seated him at a table and placed a bowl of gems in front of him.

"Wow! Nice spread!" said Spike. Pinkie just glared at him until she started to put her plan into action.

"It's all yours, Spike," said Pinkie in a sweet tone, "All you have to do..." Pinkie then set up a small lamp and made it act like an interrogation lamp as Gummy grabbed Spike's tail between a hole behind the chair to prevent him from escaping, "...is talk!"

Pinkie give him a smile, but the smile was not a happy one. It was a smile that warned the little dragon that he would be in big trouble if he didn't cooperate.

"That's it?" said Spike simply as he stood up on the chair, "Okay...uh, beautiful weather we're having eh? I love a sunny spring day, don't you? The birds chirpin' and the flowers bloomin'."

Pinkie was taken aback for a second before getting irritated, especially when Spike tried to reach out for the gems and Pinkie pushed the bowl out of his reach.

"No, no, no," said Pinkie a she focused the light on Spike, "Talk about our friends."

"Oh, okay. Let's see," said Spike as he pondered or a second before continuing, "There's Twilight Sparkle. She's a unicorn. Good with magic. Real brainiac. Storm Shadow, a master in training along with his siblings, Aqua Diamond and Crimson Charge those three seem to work so well with each other. I also know Storm used to have a huge crush on Twilight before he got over it. But he still finds her the most gorgeous pony in the world. Then you got Rarity. Total knockout. Twilight and Storm seem to think I don't have a chance with her, but...eh, what do they know? Twilight can't even see what's right in front of her before it's too late. Let's see. There's...there's Fluttershy, a Pegasus who's afraid of heights. Heh, what's up with that?"

As Spike continued to babble, Pinkie grew more and more angrier as she was now standing just above the chair as Spike continued to talk.

"GRR! No!" Pinkie snapped angrily, "You're not understanding me! I want you to confess!"

"Confess?" said Spike stunned.

"Confess!" Pinkie yelled, getting into Spike's face, grinding her teeth. Spike grew rather nervous.

"I'm the one who spilled juice all over Twilight's copy of "Magical Mysteries and Practical Potions! And Storm pressure pointed me so hard I deserved it!" said Spike, flinching as Pinkie kept glaring.

"And?" Pinkie demanded.

"And I'm the one who used up all the hot water in Ponyville yesterday when I took a seven-hour bubble bath," Spike added, flinching again.

"Aaand?" Pinkie repeated in the same tone.

"And sometimes...when no one's around...I do this," said Spike as he grabbed a tall vanity mirror and begin to flux his arms, "Lookin' good, Spike! Lookin' real good!"

Pinkie just blinked twice before her temper had reached its limit. While Spike was being completely honest with his answers, Pinkie thought he was beating around the bush like the others. She finally had enough.

"No! No! No! No!" Pinkie yelled in rage as she shoved the mirror away and gets into Spike's face again.

"W-what do you wanna hear?" Spike pleaded fearfully, "Tell me what you want me to say, and I'll say it!"

"Tell me that my friends are all lying to me and avoiding me because they don't like my parties and they don't want to be my friends anymore!" Pinkie yelled, panting heavily from being so angry.

"Your friend are all lying to you and avoiding you 'cause they don't like your parties and they don't want to be your friends anymore!" Spike repeated.

"Aha!" Pinkie exclaimed, "I knew it!" but then...

POP! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

In all respect, Spike only said that because that is what Pinkie had asked him to say, not because it was actually the truth. But Pinkie believed him. As soon as what was said set into her mind, Pinkie's mane and tail deflated, making them completely straight. Her pink coat had grayed considerably as well, and she had the face of a pony who just had all the happiness taken from her and had been left with nothing else.

"On no," Pinkie said sadly, "my friends don't like my parties and they don't want to be my friends anymore." Pinkie just sat down on the floor looking absolutely depressed as Spike turned off the interrogation light.

"Uh...so..." Spike asked curiously, completely oblivious to the fact Pinkie was now in complete depression. Pinkie said nothing and pushed the bowl of gems over to Spike, who just munched on them loudly. Pinkie just sighed to herself sadly.

It wasn't much longer before Pinkie entered the first stage of complete depression.

Denial

(Scene changes)

Pinkie had decided to host her little party for Gummy creating some "guests" using inanimate objects, such a giant piece of lint, a bag of flour, stack of three rocks, and a bucket of turnips. Gummy sat in the middle with two of the imaginary friends at his sides. Despite her attempts to be cheerful, Pinkie's mane and tail stayed straight and her coat a dull shade of pink.

"Thank you all so much for coming" said Pinkie, trying to be cheerful, "It means so much to Gummy!" Nobody said anything as Pinkie smiled before rushing over to the bucket of turnips, narrowing her eye brows as she tried to make the bucket of turnips talk.

"Could I have some more punch?" said the bucket of Turnips.

"Well, of course, you can have some more punch," said Pinkie as she brought the turnips a glass of punch. Her faces give a twitch before she headed over to the stack of rocks.

"This is one great party!" Pinkie makes the rocks say, using a deep voice and making a similar face as she made them talk, "You really outdone yourself."

"Why, thank you, Rocky," Pinkie replied giving the rocks a side hug.

"I'm having a delightful time as well," said Pinkie, giving the clump of lint a sophisticated voice.

"I'm so glad, Sir Lintsalot," Pinkie answered before her face made a twitch again.

"Might I trouble you for anozer slice of cake?" Pinkie made the bag of flour say, using a light French accent.

"Anything for you, Madame le Flour," Pinkie answered as she placed a slice of cake in front of the flour bag.

"I'm just glad none o' them ponies showed up," said Rocky as Pinkie nudged tapped a hoof against them.

"Oh, they're not so bad," said Pinkie as she gave a smile, but then her eye pupils shrunk and widened apart as a low string instrumental whine was heard. Pinkie was now suffering a full mental breakdown.

"Not so bad?" said Rocky, now talking on its own, "Puh-lease! They're a buncha losers!"

"Oh c'mon now," Pinkie answered, looking dumbfounded at first but then sheepish, ""Losers" might be a little strong, don'tcha think?"

"After the way they treated you?" Sir Lintsalot replied as the ball of lint hopped about, "I say "losers" isn't strong enough!"

"Well, it was pretty rude..." Pinkie thought aloud with a hurt look on her face.

"Pretty rude?" put in Madame Le Flour using the tips of the bag as arms, waving them about and then slamming one bag corner to the table, "It was downright, deespicable!"

"It was, wasn't it?" said Pinkie an agreement.

"If I were you," Mr. Turnip added, jiggling about its bucket, "I wouldn't speak to them every again."

"You know what?" said Pinkie, "I'm not gonna speak to them ever again. And I'm not gonna invite them to another party as long as I live! They don't deserve to be invited to my parties..." Pinkie made another twitch, "...not after the way they've been acting." Pinkie just sat at the table with a bitter look on her face as her imaginary friends supported her decision.

"Deeespicable!" Madame Le Flour replied as it clapped.

"Such losers!" Sir Lintsalot added.

"Yes, zat's right," added Madame le Flour.

Back in reality, Pinkie was the one doing all the talking, as she jiggled each imaginary friend and mimicked their voices with wide eyes.

"Well done," said Mr. Turnip.

"Yeah!" cheered Sir Lintsalot.

"You show 'em!" Rocky added. Pinkie's moment was then interrupted as she heard a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" Pinkie asked curiously.

Rainbow Dash was waiting outside as she opened the door.

"Hey there, Pinkie Pie!" said Rainbow cheerfully, "Sorry I was in such a rush earlier. Had some places to be and couldn't slow down to say, "hello." You know how it goes." Pinkie just glared as she made her way from the table.

"I know how it goes, all right!" Pinkie muttered through her teeth.

"Yeah..." said Rainbow sheepishly as she leaned her head low to show her discomfort, "so why don't you come with us over at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"No thanks," said Pinkie snootily and returns to her seat next to the bag of flour and hugs it, "I'm spending time with my real friends. Isn't that right, Madame le Flour?"

"Oui! Zat iz correct, madame and monsieur," Madame le Flour answered as Pinkie animated her before Rainbow Dash as she looked rather disturbed.

"Uh...Pinkie Pie?" said Rainbow awkwardly,

"Another slice of cake, Sir Lintsalot?" Pinkie offered.

"I'd love one," said the lint as Pinkie animated it. Both ponies just felt more and more disturbed as Gummy bounced past them on a pink balloon, startling Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow need to put an end to this...whatever it was...now and get Pinkie to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Aaalrighty," said Rainbow slowly, "What do you say we get out of Creepytown and head over to Applejack's..." Pinkie took offense at Rainbow's comment and shoved Mr. Turnip before the blue pony.

"She's not going anywhere," said the animated Mr. Turnip.

"I most certainly am not," said Pinkie snootily, "I'm having a wonderful time right here."

She ducked under the table.

"You really should come with me." Rainbow Dash insisted, starting to get really creeped out by Pinkie's 'antics'.

"You heard the lady!" Rocky said sternly, "She ain't goin' nowheres, chump!"

"Who you calling a chump, chump?" Rainbow challenged until the rocks fell to the floor. Rainbow then realized that she had just gotten defensive over a pile of rocks.

"Ugh...that's it. Party's over," said Rainbow, "Come on, Pinkie Pie!"

"No!" said Pinkie as she got out from under the table and sat down, sticking her nose in the air.

"Pinkie Pie, Let's go!" said Rainbow. Pinkie just smirked.

"I said No!" said Pinkie firmly. Rainbow then got behind her and tried to push her forward with her head.

"You...have to...come with...me!" Rainbow grunted as she continued to push Pinkie forward, but the pink pony began to hold her ground.

"No...I...Don't!" Pinkie yelled sternly as she lifted her back end and smashed it on top of Rainbow's head.

She struggled to get free and she did, only to crash into Madame le Flour and Rainbow got a piece of cake on top of her head.

"Oh, you wanna do this the hard way?" Rainbow challenged once she recovered, "Well do this the hard way!"

(Scene changes)

All that could be said afterward was that Pinkie really did not want to move. Even with Rainbow Dash dragging her by the tail, it had taken a good half an hour before they finally arrived at the front of the barn door. Rainbow grunted as she got close enough.

Gummy just enjoyed the ride as he sat comfortably on Pinkie's flank.

"We're...here…" Rainbow Dash panted before she opened the barn doors. Pinkie just glared at she looked inside.

"SURPRISE!" said Storm, Aqua, Crimson, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy, all wearing party hats.

Pinkie looks surprised at first, but then just glared as Rainbow reluctantly pushed her inside. But Pinkie doesn't stop giving everypony angry looks.

"I really thought she'd be more excited," said Fluttershy worried as Twilight looked concerned and Applejack was, once again, just smiling nervously.

"Excited? Excited?!" Pinkie barked, making them flinch twice, " Why would I be excited to attend my own farewell party?"

"Farwell party?" said Twilight in shock.

"Yes!" Pinkie answered, making the flinch again as she stood on her hind legs, "You don't like me anymore, so you decided to kick me out of the group and throw a great big party to celebrate! A "Farewell to Pinkie Pie" party!" Pinkie then demonstrated getting kicked out, landing on her back end, and waved her arms angrily as she looked away from them sadly. Gummy just stood nearby watching Pinkie.

"Why in the world would you think we didn't like you anymore, sugarcube?" Applejack asked Pinkie as she walked up to her.

"Why?" She asked, getting into Applejack's face.

"Why?" Pinkie repeated as she got into Rarity's face.

"Why?!" Pinkie yelled again, causing Fluttershy to topple over.

"Because you've been lying to me and ignoring me all day, that's why!" Pinkie jumped into the air as she yelled, waving her hooves, and landed on the ground panting heavily.

“Pinkie, we had to do it for a really good reason,” Aqua said, stepping forward with a calm smile. “We didn’t want you to spoil the surprise.”

Crimson grinned, trotting up beside his sister. “Yeah, do you really think we’d go through all this trouble just to say goodbye? C’mon, Pinkie. You’re smarter than that.”

Pinkie’s glare remained, but her ears twitched as if she was listening.

"Uh, yeah!" Rainbow continued, "because we wanted your party to be a surprise!" Pinkie just kept glaring but was still listening.

"We'd been planning this party for such a long time," Rarity explained as a she pushed away a falling yellow balloon, "we had to make excuses for why we couldn't attend Gummy's party so that we could get everything ready for yours." Pinkie said nothing, but was still listening.

"If this is a farewell party," said Twilight as she looked at the cake, "why does the cake I picked up from Sugarcube corner say "Happy Birthday, Pinkie Pie"?"

Pinkie just looked around, feeling rather puzzled, until she notices the presents, all the party streamers and decorations, and then her birthday cake. She just looks blankly for a moment before...

SQUEAKY TRUMPET BLAST!

Pinkie's tail and mane got their cotton candy likeness again and her coat was back to being a bright pink.

"Because it's my birthday!" said Pinkie excitedly, back to her peppy old self, as she stretched out her fore-legs and grabbed everypony for a group hug, "Ooh, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?"

Pinkie just hugged them as everypony else just sighed in relief.

"And you like me so much you decided to throw me a surprise party!" said Pinkie as she bounced around the area happily.

"That's what we've been trying to tell you, darling," said Rarity.

“We’d never get rid of you, Pinkie,” Storm said, his calm, reassuring voice cutting through the commotion. “We just wanted this to turn out great for you because, well, you deserve it.”

“Yeah!” Crimson chimed in, flashing a grin. “We’d be crazy to kick you out. Who else is gonna throw us the best parties in Equestria?”

“And make cupcakes with way too much frosting?” Aqua added with a rare playful smirk. “No one does it like you.”

Pinkie beamed, though her cheeks turned slightly pinker with embarrassment. “You girls, Storm, and Crimson are the best friends ever! How could I have ever doubted you?”

"It's okay, Pinkie Pie," Twilight reassured her, "It could have happened to any of us."

"Uh-huh! It sure would," said Rainbow.

"Don't worry about it," Fluttershy replied.

"No worries," said Storm.

"I'm just glad I haven't been replaced with a bucket of turnips." Rainbow Dash said as Pinkie shrugged her shoulders and smiled sheepishly.

“Huh?” Twilight, Storm, Aqua, and Crimson said in unison, their puzzled expressions perfectly mirrored.

"You don't wanna know," said Rainbow.

Storm raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. He turned his skeptical glare toward Pinkie, who began to sweat nervously under his gaze. “Pinkie,” he said, his voice low and steady, “do you mean to tell me... you went completely delusional?”

Pinkie squeaked out a nervous, “Sorry,” with an embarrassed grin, looking like a foal caught sneaking cookies from the jar.

For a moment, Storm kept his serious expression. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he chuckled softly. “I’ll let it go this time,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “But next time, talk to us first, alright?”

“Alrighty!” Pinkie chirped, her bubbly personality already bouncing back as she grinned widely.

"All right, everypony! Enough of this gab," said Applejack as she started up the music player, "Let's party!" The music began to play as Pinkie, Rarity, and Rainbow dance. Applejack and Fluttershy enjoy pushing a balloon back and forth.

Storm lingered near the edge of the barn, watching the group with a small, contented smile. Crimson sauntered over, balancing a slice of cake on his hoof. “Hey, big bro,” he said with a grin. “You’re staring again.”

Storm chuckled softly, leaning against the wall. “Just making sure everyone’s having a good time. That’s what matters.”

Crimson snorted. “They’re all having a blast. You should stop being Mr. Observer and join in before Pinkie drags you into the conga line.”

Storm raised an eyebrow, smirking. “I’ll take my chances.”

Aqua, holding a glass of punch, walked over to join them. “You two done chatting? Because Rarity’s about to trip over her own hooves trying to figure out how the conga works, and I don’t want to miss it.”

Crimson laughed. “Seriously? Rarity trying to conga? This I gotta see.” He headed off toward the dance floor, leaving Aqua and Storm standing together.

“You did good today,” Aqua said quietly, glancing at her brother. “Pinkie’s happy, and everything turned out alright.”

Storm nodded, his smile softening. “We all did. Thanks for helping keep everything together, Aqua.”

“That’s what family’s for,” she replied with a rare smile.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight later recited in a letter that night,

"We are writing to you from the most delightful party. We're not only having a good time with our friends, but also was given the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson about friendship. Always expect the best from your friends, and never assume the worst. Rest assured that a good friend always has your best interests at heart.

Your faithful students,

Twilight Sparkle and Storm Shadow."

As Twilight recited her letter, Rainbow Dash and Crimson Charge enjoyed some cake together, Rarity and Spike shared a short conversation as Spike begins to dance, but then finds that he is dancing alone as Pinkie and Twilight start a conga line. Rarity joins, followed by Aqua, Fluttershy, and then Applejack. Meanwhile Gummy is just playing with a balloon as they conga by.

"You guys wouldn't mind if we celebrated Gummy's after-birthday party too, would you?" Pinkie requested, "His party got cut short, and he's pretty upset about it."

"Oh definitely," said Fluttershy.

"Aww, he was upset?" Rarity replied.

"Uh-huh, sure!" said Applejack.

"For Gummy, yeah!" Rainbow added.

"You got it." Crimson added.

"I'm game!" Aqua said.

"Of course." Storm agreed.

“Yeah, why not?” Twilight added. “Let’s have a party.”

Just then, Gummy tried to swallow the balloon he’d been playing with. Storm’s eyes widened, and he quickly rushed over to gently pry it out of the little alligator’s mouth.

“Easy there, buddy,” Storm said, setting the balloon safely next to Gummy. “We don’t want you choking on that.” He gave the alligator a light pat on the head, shaking his head in amusement.

Gummy blinked in his usual slow, unbothered way as Storm stood and glanced back at the others. The party continued in full swing, everypony laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. Storm smiled softly as he watched, content in the knowledge that everything had turned out alright.

“Hey, Storm!” Pinkie called, bouncing over to him. “You’re not getting away from the next conga line!”

Storm chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, alright, Pinkie. Lead the way.”