Random Task vs. Equestria

by GutiuSerenade

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Pinkie Pie, Crossover, DJ P0N-3, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Original Character, Comedy
Length: 15991

Random Task meets the mare of his dreams, but if he wants to be with her he must defeat her six evil exes. Is he up for the challenge? Or is he doomed to be another ex-coltfriend among their ranks?

Random Task is your not-so-average Ponyville resisdent who lives up to the full extent of his name. He is a pony of all trades doing odd jobs and deliveries for Pinkie Pie, who has secretly developed a crush on him. But little does anypony know of his alias Mix Tape, who is renowned as one of Equestria’s premiere music reviewers for a number of top tier music magazines, which always attracts the attention of music artists and their colleagues. And if there were anypony he has started to love writing music reviews about, he was biased towards a local DJ he’s never met. That is, until he discovers that this DJ is the mare of his dreams.

But when fate allows the two to meet, Task learns there’s more to this mare than he thought! She has a dark past, filled with flaws and triumphs in her own musical endeavors. And that past comes with six bitter ponies who have all shared a romantic history with her. Can Task overcome her six evil exes and win the mare's heart? Or will he be condemned to being just another stepping stone of his crush’s past?

Published 2013-01-19 22:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-15 21:30:01 UTC

Chapter 1: In A Dream

The low, dim lighting of the house gave off the vibe of a warm, welcoming glow. This vibe tapped a pony’s psyche perfectly for a cold winter evening. The owner liked this setting after a long day of work - a calm living room with gentle mood lighting, smooth jazz playing from his multi-speakered entertainment system, and the company of friends relaxing on some comfy furniture. It was one of those bachelor pads one would always want to hang out at.

Despite the gentle scene the house was attempting to establish, one could hear the annoying clickity-clacking of a typewriter from the kitchen, where a lone beige pony with a black fedora sat at the table with parchment scattered about in front of him. His hooves were sweeping across a typewriter, his thoughts flowing and pouring from mind to paper like water.

“...but the dynamism in his recent works is perhaps the least appealing factor to this writer. The tempos in his music lately are hit-or-miss, what with shifting from 3/4 time to something like 7/12 in the middle of the bridge. The bass is so arbitrary, almost as though he’s trying to give the melodic line to the root of the chord at what sounds like should be the most methodical parts of the song.”

A stallion’s audible sigh turned into a slight grumble from the living room.

“Yo, Tas!” the voice called, making its way to the kitchen along with a sound of hoofsteps.

Random Task looked up towards the entryway upon hearing his friend call his nickname. “Yeah?”

A light gray stallion with a lengthy crimson mane peaked into the kitchen, his blue eyes scanning the table. “You about done in here?” asked Serenade.

“Almost. Just finishing a music article,” Task responded.

Serenade nodded. “Well, alright then. Just come kick it with us in the living room when you’re done. I invited you guys over to chill and hang, and you’re doing neither,” the stallion said with a chuckle. He then returned to his guests to let his friend finish his work. Task took a deep breath and exhaled, blowing some of his messy brown mane from his eyes. Resolute to finish his article, he continued.

“While one can’t say what caused Gravestone to attempt his own twist of post-modernism as of late, this writer believes that it still holds purpose. He has always had a way with expressionism in his music, even if one can’t pick out just what is on his mind. Who knows? Perhaps after some tweaking, he’ll find his comfort zone with this new spectrum of music. Or perhaps listeners and fans will latch onto it and defend it before long.”

“That should do it,” he said to himself. The time had come to sign off with his well-known pen name.

“As always, I’m Mix Tape. And that’s the way the bass drops.”

Nopony knew Mix Tape’s real identity, but ponies of the music world knew Task’s alias well. He was a music reviewer for Equestrian Music Monthly, the most highly regarded music magazine in all Equestria. To his friends’ knowledge, he was a simple, occasional contributor for other cities across the land. He even sent some articles in to the Ponyville Press, just to maintain his cover. And maybe he’d sometimes bring his writing down a few levels so as not to make himself too noticeable.

Pulling the last page out of the typewriter with a hoof, he placed his article in a folder and made his way to the living room, where he had left his saddlebags. The sound of a smooth, sensual saxaphone filled the air as Serenade’s jazz music filled the living room. Their host telling his two other guests a rousing tale from the radio world.

“...and we had no idea what to do! Nothing was coming through the studio speakers so we thought we were off the air. So we’re scramblin’ around...”

Task had walked in mid-conversation. He didn’t want to interupt his friend or ask him to start the story over, so he took in the room before him. A small piece of his mind broke down and analyzed the three ponies sitting in the room. This fragment of his mind acted involuntarily, and always seemed to classify ponies and objects in a small black box for labelling purposes.

Applejack

Job: Apple Farmer

Hobbies: Apples

Favorite drink: Orange juice

Rating: Apples/10

Serenade

Job: Radio host, DJ, Socialite

Hobbies: Music, Being Busy, Socializing

Status: Lives here

Rating: So much class he’s grading papers/10

Red Glayr

Job: Please

Hobbies: Video Games, Crushing on Applejack, Flying

Status: Crushing on Applejack, also lives here

Color: Burgundy and Greige

Rating: 7/10

This fragment of his mind also seemed to come with its own sense of humor. Nevertheless, analysis was Task’s specialty.

“... and then we realized we were still on air after all! Just the in-studio speakers were off!”

The other ponies chuckled at his story.

“Heh heh,” Applejack chimed in. “Ah can’t say I get all the techno-hooplah that y’all work with everyday, but ah know how that goes!”

Serenade’s pegasus roommate ceased laughing as he noticed Task walk into the room. “Wha-hey, look who decided to join us!” Red Glayr said with the slightest hint of sarcasm.

“You’re finished, I take it?” asked Serenade, hoping his friend would relax and take a load off.

Task nodded, smiling. “Yeah, all done. Thanks again for letting me use your typewriter!” he responded. “I’ll be sure to keep better tabs on my ink count next time.”

Serenade threw his hoof out in a “psh” fashion. “Don’t worry about it. I kinda wish office supplies stores would stay open later just for reasons like that. Not like in Canterlot when you got so many places open late.” I tell ya, Ponyville goes to bed way too early.”

“Ain’t nothin’ wrong with Ponyville,” said Applejack. “Just means an earlier start t’yer work day.”

Serenade blinked. “You’re telling this to a radio personality. You think I don’t know this?” he said with a grin.

“Much as I hate to admit it, he’s got a point, AJ,” remarked Task.

“Tch, yeah,” Glayr chimed in. “Take it from the colt who lives with him... hearin’ him up trotting and rustling around at four in the morning,” he groaned, not being one who particularly enjoyed being up before Celestia’s sun.

“Four in the mornin’?” Applejack asked. “Mighty respectable for a big city pony,” she teased. Serenade only bowed his head in gratitude.

Red Glayr got up from his seat and hovered to Serenade’s kitchen for another bottle of cider. “Anypony want another drink?”

“I’m good for now,” responded Serenade.

“Ah’ll have another cider, if yer offerin’!” called Applejack.

“Not thirsty,” responded Task as he put his folder in one of his saddlebags. He closed the flap, which was adorned with a teal quill and sixteenth note along the feather. It matched his cutie mark to a T.

Applejack took notice. “What were y’all workin’ on anyway, Rand?” asked Applejack. It wasn’t a nickname Task was particularly fond of, but he always took it with a grain of salt.

“Just another music review to send to the presses tomorrow,” he responded.

“Ah, yes, I meant to ask,” Serenade began. “Who were you reviewing this week?”

“DJ Memento Gravestone,” he responded. “I’m looking to expand my horizons in the top 40 area, though.”

Serenade tilted his head in interest. “Are you now?” His horn glowed with an aqua aura as he levitated a CD case from a shelf on his entertainment center over to Task. “Have a listen to this, Tas.”

Task opened his saddlebag flap again as Serenade placed the CD within. He looked back to his friend giving an inquiring look.

“It’s new music by DJ-Pon3. I think you’ll enjoy it. Her music really has a way of getting in your head. I guess you’ll have to hear it to get it,” he said with a smile.

Task’s eyes shot open. “DJ-Pon3?! The DJ-Pon3?!” he asked. “The one you work with? She’s making her own music now?!”

“Oh yes,” Serenade responded with enthusiasm. “We’ve been playing some of her stuff on the radio whenever we get the chance.”

“Well when do you get the chance?!” he asked, not missing a beat.

“Wow, somepony’s excited,” remarked Red Glayr as he hovered back into the room.

No doubt was the colt excited! He didn’t always get the chance to, but Random Task loved listening to DJ-Pon3’s morning show. Her energy, her attitude, her taste in music... it was no wonder it was Ponyville’s most popular radio show!

“It depends on the programming,” Serenade offered. “We have lots of mainstream music and sponsors to air, but if we find an open spot we tend to sneak a tune or three where we can.”

“I’m thinking I want to go home and listen to this right now.”

“Aw, really? But you just stopped working!” Glayr countered. “Besides, it’s not like it’s your home anyway... right?” he continued trying to be smug.

“You’re one to talk,” responded Task, who definitely didn’t have a place of his own. He lived with another pegasus friend other theirs, Summer Scorch. He was probably out drinking. Who could say?

“Yeah, yeah...” Glayr said with a clear lack of comeback. Instead, something else occurred to him. “Hey wait, that reminds me. Serenade, I know for a fact you didn’t work last weekend, so why were you up and about so early Saturday?

Serenade gave him a puzzled look. “Wha? I was in bed, dude.”

“No, I remember you saying you were looking forward to sleeping in Saturday, but when you’re up that early you’re usually getting ready for work. If you weren’t doing that, then what-?”

A knock at the door interrupted him. Everyone turned to look. “Hello?” came a mare’s voice. A white unicorn with a curling purple mane let herself in. “Ah, good evening everypony!”

Rarity

Job: Fashionista

Hobbies: Fabulosity, dressmaking, being condescending

Status: Fabulous

Currently dating: Serenade (on/off)

Serenade smiled as she entered. Grinning, he turned back to look at Glayr. “Like I said...”

“Alright, I get it!” Glayr shouted. “So you’re back together. Again. Didn’t know that.”

“On that note...” Task began, “I think I will get going. I need be up early to help Pinkie.”

“Ah yes, the other part time gig of yours,” Serenade said.

Everypony knew how random and crazy Pinkie Pie could be. If not, they needed a good smack to the head. At any rate, when he wasn’t writing music reviews, Task would make his way around Ponyville doing assorted jobs for Pinkie.  Some jobs consisted of refilling emergency eye patch and ball caches, preparing supplies for the always-imminent party, or even doing something that was actually related to her job such as delivering treats from Sugarcube Corner - a new feature the Cakes decided to promote now that they had extra help. It would all boil down to assisting with Pinkie being Pinkie.

“So how is Pinkie?” asked Serenade, spicing his question with extra curiosity.

“She’s, uh... good. Random. It’s uh.. cool.” Task knew what was coming.

Glayr facehoofed. “You still haven’t asked her out yet, have you?”

“Wellll I may have... sort of... kind of, yeah, no.”

“Oh come on!” Rarity interjected stamping a hoof to the ground. “She’s crazy about you!

She paused a momentarily. “Well, perhaps crazy about a lot of things, but why don’t you give her a chance?”

Rarity’s labelling box reappeared in Task’s mind.

Rarity

Job: Fashionista

Hobbies: Fabulosity, dressmaking, being  >>>SUPER<<< condescending

Status: Fabulous

Currently dating: Serenade (on/off)

Task didn’t get along with her very well at all.

“She’s nice, I just... I don’t know, I don’t think I’m really very super interested much.”

Rarity rolled her eyes at all those adverbs.

“I sometimes think about it when she cuddles me. I guess that means she might have a thing for me?”

Everypony in the room shuffled in their own way at Task’s obliviousness.

“What? She cuddles everypony! I don’t pick up on these things!”

“Task, darling,” Rarity began “at least consider asking her on a date, will you?”

“Fine, I’ll think on it,” he said putting on his saddlebags on his way out. “I’ll see you all later.”

“Hold up a sec, sugarcube,” Applejack called to him. “That roommate of yours... is he still hanging out with my cousin Braeburn?”

Task blinked. “No.”

Applejack regarded him for a moment and narrowed her eyes. “Alright then.”

Now in the entryway letting more cold winter air in, Task looked back to Serenade before closing his door. “Thanks again for the music. Can’t wait to hear it!”

“Give track seven a listen,” their host said before Task left. “It’s got a nice mellow feel to it. I doubt Scorch would care to listen to some headbanging dance beat before passing out.”

Task nodded. And with that, he was off. Pleasant warmth filled the room again almost instantly after the door closed.

====

The light snow was beginning to stick and pile up on the ground, but barely inch high. There had yet to be a big snowstorm scheduled this year.

The trek back home (well, to Scorch’s home) didn’t take very long, but it was still chilly enough to make Task want his jacket and scarf. His regular white vest just wasn’t going to cut it, not in this cold. He would have to remember them tomorrow.

He walked down the road past the Ponyville Bowling alley. The apartment wasn’t quite at the end of town, but it was close to the end of where all the hussle and bussle tended to take place. Task crossed the intersection to the complex. It was a dark green building with a simple rectangular shape positioned perpendicular along the intersection. The building stood two stories high, but Task was heading straight ahead to a red door labeled A-7. Pushing it open, he was greeted by three disgruntled voices.

“Ahh! Close the door, close the door, it’s freezing!”

“COLD! COLD!”

“Oh, hey, look who’s home!”

Okay, well at least one of them sounded somewhat pleased.

Task closed the door and took in the room. Three ponies were playing video games on Scorch’s medium-sized TV.

“Thank Celestia. Hey, stop comboing me, I can’t move!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash

Job: Weatherpony

Hobbies: Flying, training for the Wonderbolts, being awesome

Status: Tipsy

Rating: Awesome!

A grey unicorn stallion with black spots shifted a bit on the couch, as if adjusting would help him at all in the video game. “It’s part of the game, Dash, you should know that by now!” said Bookmark, now watching the screen above his drooped black glasses.

Bookmark

Job: Bookstore owner, professional bachelor

Hobbies: Reading, video games

Status: Winning!

Rating: 8/10

“Still you can’t-OH! Yeah, what now?!” she yelled back, clearly gaining an upper hand in the game.

Task walked into the room and deposited his saddlebags on the table. The apartment was practically one room. The living room and bedroom essentially mashed together only because Scorch’s air mattress sat in the corner. The TV sat diagonally on its respective stand facing between the sofa and mattress, so one could watch it from either position. Task, however, always thought the TV had more of a bias towards the sofa. It made things a tad awkward trying to watch TV while in bed. First Equestrian world problems, right?

A tall, white pegasus stallion stepped out of the kitchenette across the room. His red and yellow-streaked mane draped around his neck. “Am I going to have to separate you two?” asked Summer Scorch.

Summer Scorch

Job: Cherry Rancher, cool gay roommate

Hobbies: Flying fast, being gay, video games, parties

Dislikes: Heights

Rating 11/10

“No way dude, you’d just put me in a corner so you could take advantage of me,” said Bookmark. He was straightforward, but in the sense that they were joking. The two stallions had, after all, been friends since foalhood.

Scorch sighed. “You know you’re nowhere near my type. Hay, Dash is more my type than you.”

“Pass,” said Rainbow. She was trying desperately to outmaneuver Bookmark in their game. She hated losing, after all. “I’m more into stallions, DUH!”

“You guys are still playing Ultra Crush Ponies?” asked Task. “You started playing before I left for Serenade’s.”

Bookmark looked up at the clock. “Aw, damn! Think it’s still early enough we could head over?”

“Doubt it,” Task responded. “Rarity was just arriving as I was leaving, which probably means they’ll be calling it a night soon,” he said rolling his eyes in a disgruntled knowing fashion.

Dash had taken advantage of Bookmark’s distraction. “YAHHHH!!!” she yelled, as an explosion rang from the TV. “I WON! YES!!”

“Aw dammit! I can never dodge that wind attack!” Bookmark complained.

“HA! You say that like you’re able to fight it! You can’t beat wind, just accept that it’s going to buck you up. I would know!” she finished pridefully, putting a hoof to her chest.

Scorch hovered onto the sofa, cider mug in hoof. “Don’t worry, Task. If they wanted to stick around here and break poor ol’ Serenade’s heart by not attending his little soirees, that’s their problem, not mine.

“If you’ve got such a colt-crush on him, you could’ve gone yourself,” said Task in a snide tone.

“Hey, he’s a busy guy,” responded Scorch. “That and Rarity doesn’t like it when I hit on him. Even though I’m just joking... maybe.”

“Whatever,” said Task. He took the CD and its casing out of his saddlebags and trotted over to the “bedroom” and put it on the nightstand.

“Hey, what’s that?” asked Bookmark.

“Oh, this?” Task replied, gesturing to the CD with his head. “New music Serenade wants me to listen to.

“Cool!” said Rainbow Dash. “Can we listen to it?”

“Ehhh, not tonight. He kind of wants my second opinion of it before it goes on air. Keep it a surprise, you know?” Task half-lied. It was already going on air at certain intervals of the day, sure, but perhaps Mix Tape’s review would give it the edge it needed to hit the airwaves full-force. To that end, he could focus better on the music when he was listening to it alone. If it was too upbeat, ponies may start dancing which would have been too distracting. For slower, more mellow music like what was recommended for him, well... the less ponies around, the better.

“Lame! Maybe next time then,” she replied.

Bookmark stretched his forelegs. “Well, it is getting kinda late. I gotta open the Book Fort in the morning,” he said, yawning. “Same time next week?”

“No can do, Bookmark!” said Scorch. “Pinkie Pie’s having a party next week, remember?”

“Oh yeah!” said Rainbow Dash. “Yeah, Bookmark, how can you forget about a Pinkie Pie party?!” she teased.

“Aw c’mon, I just forgot! Do you two always need to side against me?”

Dash and Scorch had become pretty close friends. They hung out a lot, they raced, they pulled pranks together, everything. Dash thought he was a pretty cool colt, even if he was afraid of heights. It was nice to have a stallion friend that never hit on you.

They looked at each other. Both of them responded with a bored, matter-of-fact “yes”.

“Whatever,” Bookmark said, coming to terms with his defeat. “Anyway, are you going Tas?”

“Well, I do work for Pinkie Pie soooo... I dunno, I’ll think about it,” he said leaving no trace of sarcasm in his voice. His grin gave it away.

Bookmark facehoofed. “You’re all out to get me, I swear to Celestia,” he said on his way out. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Taaassssss, that reminds meeeee,” Scorch started in a somewhat singsong fashion.

Task knew what was coming, so he deadpanned and lip synched along with Scorch’s question “When do you plan on asking her out? I bet she’s getting impatient now.” His mouth fumbled around during the second sentence. That part was new.

“You know how I feel about that, Scorch. She’s a fun pony, she’s a great friend, she’s fun to cuddle and get the occasional random kiss from, but that’s it.”

Scorch blinked. He moved his head a bit forward in an ironic fashion. It was as if he was trying to sarcastically say “Aaaaaand?”

“What? We’re just friends.”

“News flash, Rando. Half of those things are what couples do."

“Rando? Really?”

“You don’t know because you’re never given it a chance,” said Scorch, ignoring his previous comment. “Give her some thought, Tas. Or better yet, give her a chance,” he said nudging his shoulder with a hoof.

Task sighed. “If I do this... will you all shut up about it?” he asked exhaustively.

“Yes!!” shouted Rainbow. “Finally!”

“He’s gotta actually do it first, Rainbow.” Scorch said to her.

“Yeah, yeah. Hey, do you still wanna hit the Factory?” asked Rainbow. She was, of course, referring to The Cider Factory, their group’s usual hang out spot. It was a bar several blocks down the road from the apartment. “I think Cloud Cover’s working tonight.”

“I’m sure he could use the company. Coming Tas?” asked Scorch.

“Not tonight. Gotta be up kinda early to help Pinkie in the morning.”

“C’mooonnnn,” Scorch teased, grabbing his neck in a hoof and giving his fedora a noogie.

“You know I don’t drink.”

“But you love the Factory!”

“Yeah, and the apple juice and the company. Not the booze.”

“Urgh, so lame,” said Dash flying towards the door.

“Whatever you want, Tas. Just make sure I don’t come home to you hogging all the blankets again.”

“What’re you going to do, put your tongue in my ear?”

“Well I might now. Later, bro.” he winked.

Task shuddered, and not just from the cold air blowing in as they left.

The colt sighed. He made way for the mattress to lie down on his pillow. It was one of the few things in the apartment he actually owned. He thought about all the conversations he had exhausted himself through tonight. Why did all of his friends want him to ask out Pinkie so bad? He never had a good, real relationship before. Pinkie could very well be a first marefriend, but he just couldn’t fathom really being with her. He couldn’t see himself being together with her when he was pretty sure it would only end in a break-up. To Random Task, dating only seemed like “testing” other ponies to see who you’re best suited with. What was the point when this “testing” was nothing more than a means to an end?

The pony shook his head to clear his thoughts. Partially. They would still haunt his mind, but he only brought it upon himself.

Analysis. That’s what he was known for. For Mix Tape, it may have only been for music; Random Task couldn’t help the fact he did it for just about everything in life. At times like these, there was only one thing that he could ever use to escape his hyper-active mindset.

Task turned on his side and reached for his new CD on the nightstand. Sitting up, he put the CD in the rectangular CD player, which doubled as an alarm clock. The media player read the disc and identified twelve tracks.

“Give track seven a listen. It’s got a nice mellow feel to it.”

Task figured he should just play the one mellow track, so he set the player to it’s single-play option. As tired as he was, he wouldn’t want to risk moving on to track eight only to be snapped awake by a booming dubtrot.

He scrolled the knob down to track seven, which indicated a play time of 8:41. “Good, a lengthy one,” he thought. He hit play, and rolled over on his back, pulling his fedora forward slightly over his face. At first, he couldn’t make out much sound, but soon he could hear the sound of bass. It gradually crescendoed its way into his hearing range, but it didn’t thunder like he expected most mainstream-styled music to play. The bass did more than thud to a tempo, though... it was if it had its own voice. A pre-established countermelody perhaps?

But no. Another part was starting up. It’s melody was soothing. The bass maintained it’s smooth, translucent thudding - delicately flicking the eardrums. It was just right. Task’s vision began to fade. The tiniest black tendrils made their way into his darkening vision. There was no way he could keep analyzing at this rate. He was barely a full minute into the song, but he could feel himself fading, almost hypnotized by the sound. Finally, the colt submitted to the music’s embrace, and he was gone.

====

The music never faded.

Somehow it was more resonant... and seemed far off, as if being heard from the other side of a solid wall.

Random Task opened his eyes slightly to a hazy, purple blur, but closed them again. The bass he heard falling asleep resonated, and he could make out new sounds to the music as he opened his eyes again, wider this time. He was greeted by a large, endless abyss filled with a rosy-purple mist. He could feel himself moving in what felt like slow motion. His brown mane and tail flowed in the space, almost like it would if they were underwater. Trying to take a step forward, he moved forward as if drifting through space within his own will. He blinked a few times, having been surprised at this phenomenon. After his last blink, silhouettes of dancing ponies appeared amidst this hazy space. All of them moved in slow motion, while illusionary after-images followed their forms as they moved. He saw earth and unicorn ponies kicking and grooving  and skipping to the music; pegasi were dancing with their wings spread, others were in the air shaking their hooves around. Some silhouettes blobbed together, but upon further observation, Task saw they were ponies dancing and grinding with each other.

Lights of all colors started flashing from above. They seemed to shine and flash at normal speed. Task looked all around, seeing he was surrounded by dancing pony silhouettes, the lights beginning to flash in tandem with the music tempo. Eventually, the song began becoming more and more clear to his hearing. Flashing lights started shining in a distinct direction. It was almost as though they were trying to point out where the music was originating from. Following the lights, the colt turned to look behind him. The more he turned towards them, the clearer the music became.

Several lights began shining vertically above a cluster of pony silhouettes. They blinked in and out, leaving way for adjacent lights to shine down. Something was different though. The music became completely clear. He could make out one pony silhouette with an electric blue mane lashing about the crowd. Several other shadows began converging around the pony, lifting their hooves in the air as if to strike.

The music shifted to a minor key and became aggressive.

There was something about this pony with the blue mane. If something happened to her, the music would be snuffed out. It would end. Task couldn’t let this happen. As his mind stood in direct opposition to the aggressive shadows, he could feel himself closing the distance in space between him and the other ponies. As if the shadow ponies had heard him yell to them, they all turned to face him. While moving through the space and mist, his hoof moved in the air as if to start a gallop.

The music resolved.

All the lights went out around them for a split second. They suddenly appeared altogether striking from every diagonal direction around the cluster of silhouettes. As lights starting hitting these shadow ponies, they dispersed, completely disintegrating in the light... all but one pony.

The lights brightened. The music escalated in intensity. Almost to the feel of Task’s beating heart.

But... why was it beating faster?

The silhouette was facing away. It had its head and neck facing what could best be described as a floor; the pony looked like it was cringing, as if it were anticipating pain. The lights shone brighter on the shadow pony as a misty black cloud began to sizzle off its body, floating up into the abyss. The lights weren’t disintegrating this pony; they were... purifying it? More black clouds left the pony’s body as the dark silhouette form gradually became lighter and lighter until it’s coat was a refined off-white. The darkness was gone from it’s body completely.

There stood a unicorn mare, eyes snapped shut. Slowly she opened them, almost as though she were in a daze, wondering where the expected imminent pain had gone. Her eyes shot open completely as she looked around in a panic. Then she saw Task, her mouth slightly ajar.

Task drifted towards the mare. She had a look of pure astonishment on her face, as though he couldn’t be real. Her mouth curved into a smile. She didn’t appear afraid any longer. Her eyes partially closed halfway as he drew nearer, giving him a look of desire. Slowly, she moved her hoof to touch his face.

And it was ecstasy.

He felt warm. Task could no longer focus on the sound of the music - now he could feel it. At the touch of the mare’s hoof, the misty world seemed to wash all around them like a whirlpool, his mind drinking in the deluge of vehemence. She saw a spark in the mare’s soft, violet eyes that sent electricity jolting through his body. Never before had Task felt something like this.

“It’s not complete...” whispered a female voice.

The mist became thicker to the point that it clouded his vision of her. A sudden burst of air blasted him away, clearing the mist around him, revealing only darkness.

The world quaked and crumbled. A scream echoed from far away. The sound came closer and closer until it was deafening all around him.

====

“AHHH!!!”

Task shot up in bed.

“Wha... what just...?”

Scorch sat up in bed next to him and yawned. “You okay bro?”

Task looked down, still somewhat surprised. “Y-yeah. Just had a... really weird dream.”

“Well try to keep the mumbling down next time, alright buddy?” Scorch turned back over and took most of the blankets with him. “Don’t know anything about needing to resolve the whatever and the zzzzzzz,” he said falling back asleep.

“Resolve...” Task repeated. “And who was that mare?..”

Task shrugged and laid back down on his pillow with a yawn.

“Guess it can’t be that important,” he managed to mumble before falling back asleep.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

Chapter 2: The Very Thought of You

The music gently increased in volume when Task’s alarm went off. It wasn’t like older alarm clocks that snap you awake with a sudden sound that leaves you pissed off for the rest of the day. It starts off low and the volume increases however high the listener programs the alarm to stop. Task’s eyelids slowly opened as his music woke him from what was perhaps the most relaxing slumber he had in months.

One question my mind can’t help but retain

Will I ever get a chance to meet you again?

Tonight you set me free, filled my life with infinite bliss

Before I forget, come closer...

“Gimme kiss,” said Summer Scorch with a scrunched kissy-face, which was the first image Task woke up to.

As loud as Random Task screamed, you’d think Sweetie Belle saw a ghost. He shot backwards off the mattress, completely forgetting about the wall that he rammed his head into. He pushed a hoof forward to point at Scorch... and possibly keep him away. “What in Tartarus are you doing?!” he asked. From above, several objects fell due to Task’s wall impact. A doll hit the floor and a pair of toy hoofcuffs fell just right over Task’s outstretched hoof. His pupils shrank and a panicked expression flashed on his face when he saw them.

Scorch chuckled as he got off the mattress. “What can I say?” he asked smugly while walking towards the kitchenette. “You were just so charming when you were talking in your sleep last night.”

“Where do you even cuff thes- wait, talking in my sleep?” asked Task as his attention went from the hoofcuff mystery to Scorch.

“Oh yeah. Really cute stuff,” Scorch said matter-of-factly into the refrigerator. “Please don’t go, it’s so quiet, you need-need me,” he said each statement blandly. “I can understanding needing to get your hooves on something but whatever it was you were really clawing for it. Bad dreams?”

“Actually, not at all,” Task replied curiously. “I feel well rested... like I slept for a whole day.” Task reached over to turn off his alarm clock. As he did, he noticed he woke to the third track of DJ-Pon3’s new album. Despite the rude awakening that accompanied it, the song was captivating to him. Simply hearing it gave him a taste of the blissful feelings of last night’s dream. Task made a mental note to write an article on her new album later.

Scorch came out of the refrigerator (which totally isn’t a metaphor) with a bottle of apple juice and tilted his head at him. “You sure about that Bro? Jolting awake in the middle of the night doesn’t really mesh with feeling well-rested too often,” he said with a bit of concern.

“Well...” Task began, glancing aside in thought. He reconsidered the events of the dream he had. From what he could recall, it seemed to react and shape with the music. Even when it felt as though he was in control of things within the dream, there was still one thing that stuck out in his mind: pain. He remembered pain. “I had a weird dream with this... gorgeous mare, who was-”

“Pinkie Piiiiiie?” Scorch asked teasingly.

Task groaned. “Not. Pinkie Pie,” he said deadpanning. “I doubt this’ll make any sense but... I heard a song in my sleep, and the mare I saw...” He quickly pointed a hoof at Scorch. “NOT Pinkie Pie mind you, felt like the source of it. When she was near me, everything felt peaceful. When she went away, it hurt. No idea if it could mean something.”

“Know what I think it means, Tas?” said Scorch as he hovered back towards the living room.

“What? I’m open to speculation, man,” replied Task.

Scorch approached Task and put a hoof on his hat. “I think it means somepony’s working his night job too hard,” he said as he proceeded to give him a noogie into his hat.

Task tried backing out of Scorch’s noogie, but this only made the pegasus pursue him further. In his attempt to break away from his strong roommate, Task’s back hoof tripped over an end table leg, causing him to spiral down and faceplant on the mattress. He looked up at Scorch, whose smile turned into a look of skepticism.

“Meh. Too easy,” he said as he hovered back towards the kitchen.

Task got out of bed again and grabbed his saddlebags. Considering he would be trotting about town for awhile, he decided to pack his portable media player and ear blooms before he left. “I better get to work. Pinkie’s probably started everything without me,” he said as he made his way to the door.

“Let me know how the talk goes, buddy,” Scorch said teasingly.

Task sighed to himself and looked down as he left. He was apprehensive to bring up the topic to the party pony, but it seemed like the thing to do. Not the right thing, but not necessarily the wrong thing either. Just... the thing. “Alright I’ll... catch you up on it later. Same time same place?”

“Yup. See you at the Factory for brewskis, broski.”

Task left the apartment, the image of the blue-maned mare flashing in his memory.

“She seemed so real...”

====

It was mid morning by the time Task reached Sugarcube Corner. He wasn’t running late, but there was no real rush either. This was Pinkie Pie after all, so it’s not like deliveries wouldn’t get to their destinations on time. The bakery, however, was far too quiet.

“Uhh... hello?”

"Gooood morning Random Task!” Pinkie Pie screamed from above.

The colt was startled if not surprised. Such could be expected from Pinkie Pie. He turned around and looked up, but there was no sign of the party pony. Before he could turn back around, he was pounced by a blur of pink. Should have seen that one coming.

“Hiya bestest best coltfr-er... bestest best colt...” A pause.

Pinkie’s face shifted to one of concentration. There was a whirring sound, followed by a buzz in her head which prompted her to continue.

“-Friend! Since you’re a colt who’s also my friend, and also one of my best friends who also happens to be a colt, but not in a dating sense-”

“P-Pinkie,” Task muttered through her rambling.

“Yes, Tas?” she asked batting her eyelashes.

Pinkie Pie

Job: Baker

Hobbies: PARTIES

Rating: 10/10

Special: Party cannon, Party busters, Soiree blades

“You wouldn’t mind getting off, would you?”

“Yes. I mean, no. I mean, okay!” Pinkie hesitated a moment before she leapt up on all fours and backed up so her co-worker could stand.

“So! You ready to make some deliveries? There’s lots of hungry ponies out there this morning who ordered breakfast. I’m so happy we have a fast pony like you to help with our new service!”

Task laughed. “Don’t flatter me, Pinkie. If you weren’t here doing most of the baking, everything would get where it needed to go even faster, I’m sure!”

Pinkie’s smile deepened and her cheeks seemed to take on a more rosy shade. “Well, I may not be Rainbow Dash fast, but you know your way around Ponyville well enough to be the best pony for the job! So here’s today’s orders to start off. We have a half dozen donuts and a medium coffee going to the library,” Pinkie said as she Task the sweets. “A box of cookies for the spa, and a dozen donuts to the radio station!”

“Sounds good, I can handle that,” replied Task taking the food.

Pinkie looked around. “Hey! Where’d everything go? You didn’t eat it all did you?”

“Nah, that’d be too easy,” replied Task. “I just put it in my Inventory.”

Pinkie raised an eyebrow. “Your what?”

“My Inventory page. Keeps it easier to organize all my quest items.”

Pinkie stared blankly. Task raised a brow of his own. The pink pony blinked.

“Okay!” she said as if the information suddenly making sense to her. Granted, it still probably wouldn’t make sense to anypony else.

Pinkie glanced down towards the floor. “So...” she began as she shuffled her hooves together. “I’ll see you when you get back?” she added with a smile.

“Y-yeah, sure thing,” said Task as he turned around. He began walking towards the door when his thoughts stopped him. Maybe it was time to stop beating around the bush, swallow his pride and finally confront Pinkie. Task wasn’t sure he could take it anymore.

“Hey uh... Pinkie?”

The party pony perked up. “Yes, Tas?” Her eyes glimmered.

“You have something in your mane.” Task pointed a hoof around the top of his head to mirror where the item in question was.

“Huh?” She felt around her mane until she found what it was. “Oh! It’s Rarity’s scarf!” she exclaimed, pulling the long fabric out of her hair. Green and red layers came out of her head like a magician's tied-napkin trick. “Rarity made us all scarves for Winter and she gave me mine but I had my hooves full when she gave it to me because I was pushing my Party Cannon to a surprise party and if I put it on I might’ve tripped over it while wheeling the Party Cannon around so when I got the party I forgot that I kept it in my mane and it’s funny because the whole time I was thinking ‘why is my head so warm?’ and then you pointed out-”

“Okay, okay, Pinkie! I think I get it,” said Task as he added a chuckle to his amusement.

Pinkie’s cheeks went rosy again. “Hehe, sorry.” She threw her lavish scarf around the back of her head. Even after it wrapped around her neck, both ends were still long enough to brush against the ground.

Task put a hoof to his chin. Was there something else he was forgetting?

“Are you ever going to ask her out?”

“Darling, at least give her a chance.”

“C’mon bro, I think you guys would be cute together.”

“Tas, c’mon, Pinkie really likes you.”

“If you don’t ask her out, I’ll stick my tongue in your ear while you sleep.”

“Oh, right. That.”

Task couldn’t lie to himself. He didn’t have his heart fully in the idea of dating Pinkie, but she was nice. And they had a lot in common. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try asking her and see where it goes?

“Hey Pinkie, by the way...”

Pinkie looked up curiously.

He inhaled through his nostrils to buff himself up. “Would you wanna... I dunno...”

Task turned his head every which way as if to shape what he was trying to say.

“...something...whatever... sometime?”

Pinkie’s eyes lit up like sparklers as she lunged forward to grasp Task in a choking hug.

“I THOUGHT YOU’D NEVER ASK!! I’D LOVE TO YOU-DUNNO-SOMETHING-WHATEVER SOMETIME!”

Smooth.

Speech Level Up!

“Pinkie... can’t... breathe....”

Task’s Air Supply

[/////----------------------]

Pinkie wasn’t all out of love, but Task’s shortness of breath would cut her Super-Pinkie hug short. She released him. “Oh sorry Tas, I’m just so excited! Do you... think we can hang out after we’re done with deliveries?” she asked.

Task shrugged. “Sure, why not? I’ll swing by after I’m done. See you then.”

“Okay! Bye Tas! I’m excited, are you excited, because we-”

And with that, he left Sugarcube Corner and left Pinkie to her ramblings. Even if his heart wasn’t fully in the idea of...whatever...with Pinkie, who knows... maybe it could be fun. Nothing bad could come of it, right?

Right?

*****

The front door to the library appeared to open by itself, until Task heard a voice below him.

“Oh sweet, breakfast is here!”

Spike

Job: Library Executive Assistant

Hobbies: Cooking, Cleaning, not having time for any real hobbies

Rating: 4/10

Hunger rating: 7/10

“Oh, hi Spike. Order for you and Twilight, I’m guessing?”

“Well... I kind of messed up this new recipe this morning. Twilight was in a rush and told me not to worry about it, but I still felt bad.”

“Lucky for you that we have this delivery service now, right?” Task replied with a smile.

“Sure is. Come on in! I’ll go grab your bits,” said Spike as he hustled over to a cabinet. “You can just set the stuff on the table if you want.

“Can do,” said Task as he took the food items out of his inventory. “Just curious, where did Twilight trot off to?”

“Oh yeah, she went to Bookmark’s Book Fort to place a few orders. Oh, and she needed some CDs, though I’m not sure what for.”

Task’s head perked up. “Audio CDs? Like music? Since when did he carry those?”

“Uh... pretty recently, I guess. He didn’t tell you?”

Task thought a moment.

~~///000oooo000\~~

“Yo Tas, wanna come by the Book Fort later? I have some new stuff there that you might liiiike~” said Bookmark teasingly.

“Uh-huh.” said Task, who was currently concentrating on a game with Summer Scorch and Red Glayr.

“We’ve got books on tape now, and I started carrying CDs, I figured that’d help with your writing-”

“Yeah, sure.”

Scorch chuckled. “Hey Tas. I’m going to put my tongue in your ear when you fall asleep tonight.”

“‘Kay.”

“Well, okay then!”

~~///000oooo000\~~

“No, I guess not. I’ll have to check that out later! Maybe he has some new music in stock that I can get my hooves on.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Spike as he walked up to him with a pouch. “Here’s your payment, by the way. Thanks again!”

+20 bits

500 points!

“Where you headed next, Tas?”

“The spa, of course, to make a delivery. Then the radio station.”

“Oh. Great. Let me guess.” The dragon cupped his claws together faking a damsel in distress and somehow made his eyes sparkle and deadpan at the same time. “Sarah-nade, right?” he said in a falsetto tone.

Task sighed and turned around before leaving. “Look Spike, I know you’re bitter because he ‘snatched Rarity up from nowhere’ to you, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad colt.”

Spike rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t mean I can’t be upset about the whole thing. I mean if he’s such a nice guy, they wouldn’t be so on and off, right?”

“That’s just their thing. He’s one of my closest friends Spike, so could you at least try to be a little more respectful towards him?” asked Task.

Spike was silent for a moment, then sighed. “I guess I can try, but it doesn’t mean I’m not jealous.”

Speech Leveled Up!

Task tipped his hat in gratitude. “Thanks, Spike. Just remember: Envy is never a good thing to have.” he said as he trotted out of the library.

“Guess not,” Spike said to himself after Task left. He shrugged, and decided it was time to dig in for some breakfast.

*****

As loud and rambunctious radio stations tended to sound, Task wasn’t expecting the front office to be so quiet. After entering through both sets of doors, Task took in the office which he expected to be much more lively. Dull blue carpeting with black streaks and laced with gold diamond shapes and squares with a hodgepodge of dotting colors filling those shapes, covered the floors. The champagne walls had pictures and photographs of Equestrian landmarks, one of which seemed like an overhead picture of Ponyville. It certainly looked like an older picture. Judging by the photograph quality it must have been taken quite a few decades ago, possibly not too long after the town’s founding.

Each side of the room had a red-orange sofa with a glass table in front of it. A waiting room of sorts. The only sound Task could make out was the clickity-clacking of pony hooves typing on a laptop. Not even remotely curious how that was possible, Task trotted past the furniture towards the desk balancing the box of donuts on his back. The front desk had a stylish marble green top with various pamphlets advertising nearby locales and businesses to the right. On the left side of the desk was a bell in front of a sign that read “Please Ring For Assistance”. Behind that were window stickers of the various radio station logos in the building.

The typing sounds stopped. A unicorn mare with a vanilla coat looked up over the rims of her thick, black glasses. Her cranberry mane was in in a bun, and she gave a quick, frustrated exhalation - what would have otherwise been a sigh - through her nose. Her yellow eyes just screamed “Great, now I have to do my job,” as they looked at him.

“Can I help you?” she asked flatly. She obviously had different priorities.

“Yeah, donut delivery for...” he began, reaching for the box on his back and placing it on the front desk. He skimmed the receipt for the name. “Pft... for DJ Alda Bass.”

The mare’s mood seem to elevate slightly, now knowing she didn’t really have any daunting tasks to do for him. “Oh sure, just a moment.” she said, sounding a bit bored. The mare reached a hoof over to an intercom and pressed a four-digit code on a side panel. There was a ring, followed by a clicking noise.

“Yes?” came a stallion’s voice from the speaker.

“Your breakfast is here,” the mare said in a suddenly happy and enthusiastic voice.

“Awe-some,” replied the voice in a crescendoing fashion. “Be right up!”

Another clicking sound and the feed was cut.

“He’ll be just a moment.”

“Thanks.” replied Task, who started looking at the wall behind the secretary. The letters “PRP” bulged out of the wall with the “R” in the shape of a microphone, the right leg of the letter was made to look like a cord. Below that, the full logo “Ponyville Radio Plex” spelled out the acronym. To the left of the ingrained wall logo was a poster with four serious looking ponies posing for the image, one in the middle looking directly at the observer with smug confidence, the other three simply showing off-glances from their own positions in the picture. One of the station’s frequency numbers “102.7” were in white while with a red letter “K” behind the numbers, indicating the station ID as “K-102.7”. The station ID was in front of a black oval, displayed for the station’s logo on the poster’s bottom. The top of the poster had “SPARKZ” in large 3-D letters, lightning crackling through the cobalt letters. Below the name in smaller font the word “and” was sandwiched above “The Forcez of Nature”.

Task looked back at the secretary. “Sparkz and the Forcez of Nature? I heard they’re playing here soon.”

“Mhm,” replied the secretary, indicating she knew all too much about it. “We have a few tickets left here, but none for sale.

“Do you remember when it is?” Task asked.

“Next week, Friend!” came the same stallion’s voice from the intercom, as hoofsteps approached from down the hall. Task looked up to see Serenade trotting from the hallway to the desk “Yessss, oh baby those smell delicious!”

“Giving up on watching your figure, Serenade?” asked the mare.

“Hey now, we can’t all look as good as you, Seevee,” joked Serenade.

“Oh, and what would your marefriend say to that?” she responded.

“Ah-heh." He really had no comeback to that one. "Tas, I assume you’ve gotten acquainted with Cherry Vanilla here. She’s a sassy one.”

“Well, that explained the coat color.”

Cherry Vanilla

Job: Secretary

Hobby: Professional Hipster

Rating: HIPSTER!

Glasses Prescription: Totally fake

Task nodded. “We were just talking about the concert you’re selling tickets for.”

“Were selling tickets for,” interjected Cherry.

“Down Girl,” Serenade said with a light chuckle. She merely smirked and gave a snide glance above her fake frames. “Yeah, sorry Brotha, our rock station sold those tickets hot. Only ones you can get now are won over call-in contests.” Unable to sustain his hunger any longer, he levitated a white frosted float out of the box and took a bite. “Funny though, I didn’t know you were a Forcez of Nature fan,” he said out the side of his mouth since the rest of it filled with donut.

“Oh, definitely! Although, I’ll admit I’m more of a fan of their older stuff. Their newer albums have gotten pretty anti-Solar and political lately. Not really my thing. And if you ask me, it never seems like something they completely understand either,” Task said, not realizing he was set to ramble.

“Hahah, woah dude! Save it for the typewriter, eh?” Serenade said swallowing his donut. “I like reading your stuff in the paper, don’t go spoiling it now!” he added with a laugh. He levitated the box in his magic and began making his way back down the hall. “Well, I’m sure you have more jobs on hand, and I gotta get back to the studio, but I’ll catch you later Brotha! Thanks again for breakfast!” he called as he trotted back down the hall.

“No problem! We’ll be at the Cider Factory tonight!”

“I’ll be therreee!” he called back in a falsetto tone from down the hall.

Task turned to leave and put his ear blooms back into place for his next trot-about-town.

“You know, since we’re talking bands, Sparkz and them are okay, but have you ever heard of Clash and the Boys?” asked Cherry in a snooty hipster tone.

Task shrugged as he paid more attention to his media player. “Never heard of ‘em.”

=====

Another song was ending on K-KOLT’s Morning Grind playlist as Task began making way to his next stop. Several electro bleeps played followed by a spinning disc sound effect, followed by a catchy K-KOLT radio jingle.

“Aaaand GOOD MORNING PONYVILLE!” came the sound of a mare’s enthusiastic voice. Any regular listener could identify it as DJ-Pon3. “I know I sounded only partially alive by my standards a few minutes ago, but let me tell ya my little ponies, I have seen the light! That’s right, we were visited by a savior this morning who brought us donuts! Sweet glazed donuts, fresh from Sugarcube Corner! This hour of music is brought to you by Sugarcube Corner, the freshest delicacies, desserts and pastries to get your morning or your latest party started! If you waited til later, call Pinkie to cater! Schedule your next shindig with Sugarcube Corner today!”

“Hot dayum these donuts hit the spot! I was starving! This next song goes out my little hero who brought me breakfast, right here on K-KOLT 91.3!” The voice exclaimed into the transitioning song.

Last night, my heart could not stop beating

Could it be-cause I saw your face while dreaming?

It was track three from his new CD.

Task’s face went bright red.

Chapter 3: If You Could Read My Mind

The sun was setting over Ponyville and the group had met at the Cider Factory as planned. They sat in their usual corner booth next to the jukebox. The maroon bench cushion wrapped around the table, seating Random Task and four of his friends. Two mugs of cider, a scotch glass, and a glass of apple juice with a straw sat on the table before them as Task told them about his eventful day.

"...and she called me out on the radio! Me! Calling me a hero bringing her donuts and all. It was awesome!"

"Oh, did she?" asked Serenade. "That was cool of her!"

"You sure she wasn't talking about you, Serenade?" asked Red Glayr.

"Of course not. It had to be for Tas! He delivered breakfast, I just brought the box down the hall 'n shared the wealth." Serenade paused a moment. "Well, she threw in too, but still... we were hungry, okay?"

"So she called your name out on the air?" asked Scorch. "I'd love to tell other ponies that I got a celebrity roomie."

"Well, she didn't say my name. I didn't get a chance to meet her either... but she dedicated a song to me! One from the CD Serenade gave me!"

Serenade jolted to attention when he heard this news, almost spilling his drink inches from his muzzle. "You've listened to it already then? That's good to hear! I can only assume that you like it, what with your excitement and all, right?"

"Her music is amazing, Sere."

Serenade's stomach turned at the sound of the nickname. For whatever reason it sounded too feminine to him. He took it with a grain of salt as always and let his friend continue.

"You weren't kidding when you said it can get inside your head! I turned on track seven like you said, and well... I don't remember much after that. It was so hypnotic and put me to sleep almost instantly. Even with how stressed I've been lately."

"Stressed?" asked Red curiously. "What's wrong, Tas?"

"Oh, it's nothing really, just that every chance you guys get you tell me to ask Pinkie out!"

The booth fell silent. Red took a sip of cider from his mug. Serenade cleared his throat. Scorch decided to point out the elephant in the room.

"Sooooo did you ask her out?"

"Can I finish my other story first?"

"Hahaha, oh Tas." Scorch took a hefty gulp of cider from his mug, letting out a satisfied "ahh" as he set his mug back on the table. "No," he matter-of-factly responded with a pleasant smile. "Now did you ask her out or noooot?"

Task could hear the whining in Scorch's voice. He couldn't resist it's allure, but it was more out of annoyance than charm.

Task gave a flat stare. "Fine, yes, I asked her and she said 'yes'."

He held his flat look while the other three ponies threw their hooves up in the air with glee. In Red's own excitement, he neglected the fact he still had his mug in his hoof and spilled what was left in his mug.

The rogue beverage landed on a pegasus passerby. His charcoal black coat remained relatively untouched, but his brown flight jacket was drenched along with his sky blue mane, which had fallen over his face.

Task immediately burst out laughing at the display.

"Heh... whoops. Sorry, Cloud Cover."

Cloud Cover

Former job: Flight Commander

Current Job: Cider Factory Bartender, knows everypony

Rating: 8/10

Hobbies: Aerial stunts, Procrastination, Procrastinating stunt practice

The ponies could only see the frown on their friend's face; his soaked mane covered the rest of his expression.

Cloud Cover began speaking with his mane still over his face and mouth still visible. He sounded slightly irritated, but after working at a crazy establishment as The Cider Factory, he had dealt with worse. "Uhh Roger Wilco, Red Chief. We have a positive on a sticky, consumable liquid that can be laundered easily at approximately 2330 hours."

"...what in the Goddess' graces did you just say?" asked Serenade. The others shared his look of confusion.

A curious look appeared on Scorch's face. "Wait a sec, I think I can break this one down." He stroked his goatee with a hoof while he analyzed the speech. "I think it was something like "it's okay, I can wash it later", right?"

Cloud Cover wiped his wet mane from his face. "Affirmative!"

Serenade sighed and laughed. "Well, we weren't all in Canterlot's air force. Careful CC, Scorch likes their manes wet."

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I do. Mmmmm," replied Scorch raising his eyebrows bemused.

Cloud Cover sidestepped away from Scorch. "Aaaaaand going to go dark on comms to get Red Chief a cider refill. Cloud Cover is Oscar Mike." And with that he fluttered back to the bar.

Task wiped the last tears from his eyes. "That... was one of the funniest things... I've ever seen," he said, catching is breath from all the laughter.

"Wait, so now his name is Os-" Serenade began.

"Oh, that's right! Sooooo what happened after you asked her out?" asked Red interrupting Serenade.

"Just gonna let this one go, huh?" mumbled Serenade to nopony in particular.

"Red, does that even need explanation?" he asked coyly. "Typical Pinkie fashion, she essentially pounced on me in a hug."

"D'awwww," remarked Scorch.

"I went to make my deliveries and we met back at Sugarcube Corner for lunch. I'm still not sure where I'm going with this whole thing, but for now I'm guessing I'll just see what happens. Can I get back to my other story now? It actually kinda ties in to the stuff with Pinkie."

"Oh? How so?" asked Serenade leaning forward interestedly.

"Well... about Pinkie's big party next week. It's not just your average party..."

*///000\*

"...the Equestrian Music Festival?"

"And guess who's kicking it off with most splendiferous of musical music parties ever?"

"Y-" Task got a pink hoof in his mouth.

"Obvious answer! Me!" She giggled. "And what better way than to kick off a festival with a Pinkie Pie party?! Ohmigosh, it's a party to kick off an ongoing party, so we're going to need streamers and balloons and do they make balloons in the shapes of music notes? I'm sure we can figure that out when we get all the supplies!"

"Pinkie, hold up a sec!" Task waved his hooves in front of her to get her attention before she got on another tangent. Music festival? Is that what Sparkz and the Forcez of Nature are coming to town for?"

"Yup yup! Ponyville's hosting this music festival and there's gonna be bands and singers and performers coming from all across Equestria!"

If Task was smiling before, now he was beaming. Mix Tape would have so much stuff to write about! Bands, DJs, solo artists, the possibilities were endless!

"Say Pinkie... any chance you have a list of performers coming to Ponyville for this whole thing?"

"Hmmm... nope! But..." She rested a foreleg on the table and rested her head on it. "For you?" she started, reaching over and playfully flicking his hat with her other hoof. "I'll see what I can do, Tazzy!"

Feeling as though his hat was about to fall off his head, Task hastily brought his hooves to his head to adjust his hat. The action was treated as a life or death manner.

Pinkie couldn't help but giggle at the display. "You're cute when you're silly, Tas." His unsure eyes drifted towards her. Concerned that she may have said something wrong, she quickly changed topic. "I'm, um, not entirely sure I'll be able to get the list of music artists," she said trying to hide her blush. "So far, the pony sponsoring the event is keeping quiet on musicians."

Task nodded. "Yeah, I guess I can understand that."

"Oh! Hey! You're usually "up" on the music scene, right?!" Pinkie asked in sudden realization. "There's one thing you can definitely help me with for the kickoff party next week!" She lowered her head and smiled. "That is, if you can?" she asked with a pleading look on her face.

"Wha'cha have in mind Pinkie?"

"See everypony knows that I throw the wildest bestest best parties in Ponyville, but that's just in Ponyville. If we're getting ponies from all over Equestria, then I want to make sure I'm starting off a big humongous music festival the right way! So... do you think you could help me pick out some music for the party?"

Task didn't think he could brighten any more during this conversation, but somehow he did. "Sure! You know... I think my friend Bookmark just recently started carrying music CDs at the Book Fort-"

*///00000\*

"Oh, hey, you were paying attention to that conversation."

"Shut up, Scorch."

*///00000\*

"Maybe sometime this week we can go check?"

"Yes!!" Pinkie exclaimed. "How does Thursday sound?"

"Works for me."

Pinkie giggled. "It's a date!"

*///000\*

Serenade slammed a hoof on the table, causing other ponies to turn in their direction. "Another nickname! HA! I love it!"

"Don't even think about it," Task replied quickly, killing his friend's fun.

"Aww."

"So basically we're going music shopping on Thursday. Does that answer your questions guys?"

"Yeah buddy, I'm glad you guys are finally getting something started," remarked Red as a pitcher of cider was placed in front of him. Cloud Cover's mane was still damp over his head.

"...and I guess while I'm there I could look for new music to review for Ponyville Press." Task sighed and held his head in his hooves. "I'll have a lot of music reviews and shows to write about when the festival starts up."

Cloud Cover perked up. "Sayyyyy, local unit Cloud Cover has some possible intel on an idea, over."

Task sighed and replied blandly. "Reading you loud and clear, go ahead Cloud Cover, over."

"Roger copy that, uhhhhhhhh why not write a review on the CD you borrowed from comrade Serenade?"

Task blinked.

Serenade tilted his head. "Hey, that's not a bad idea! Wait does that make me a commu-"

"Oh duh, why didn't I think of that before?!"

Scorch nudged him with a hoof. "Probably because you were so excited about the music festival in general, I bet."

"Be advised, reports indicate that an article of that caliber would elicit positive feedback and great publicity for aforementioned festival, over," Cloud Cover added sagely.

"I should've thought of it sooner... I mean, the tracks are all amazing. And the song you recommended I listen to painted these perfect images in the dream I had last night."

Serenade tilted his head. "...A dream, you say? Ha. You really do have an ear for this kinda thing, eh?"

"He also has a habit of waking me up when he's having them. At least he sounds sort of cute when he's talking in his sleep." Scorch lifted his mug to take a sip of cider, but paused a moment. "Since he doesn’t drink, that'll probably be the closest to drunk I'd ever see him!"

While his friends continued to jest at his expense, Task thought to himself for a few moments. This could be the perfect opportunity to give one of his favorite music artists the push they needed to make it big. Random Task knew his music review in the Ponyville Press could have some influence by generating an informative review on a musician. But Mix Tape's music review on DJ-P0N3 in a national music magazine could potentially grant stellar reviews. And right before the Equestrian Music Festival, no less. The timing couldn't be better!

Levitating his own drink back down to the table, Serenade rested his head on a hoof. "As much as I would love to hear about this dream, I think I'll save the spoilers for your article." He said with a chuckle. Either way, the other radio DJs and I like to gauge what's popular based on music reviews, and yours are no exception Tas."

Tas snapped back to reality. "Heh. Thanks, Serenade." Time to be evasive and cover up his identity and plan. "I really do want to write a review on her, but... I'm a bit backed up with a list of others I need to get through, too." Task feigned a yawn. "in fact," he said mid-yawn, "I should probably... get home and get some writing done before bed. Hate to fall behind, eh?"

Task's friends all raised an eyebrow at his sudden shift in mannerisms.

"Hah, whatever mang" Red said.

"Alrighty then." Serenade laughed.

"Roger that," replied Cloud Cover.

"Ten bits says he's still awake when I get home," remarked Scorch.

"Like you wouldn't do things to me in my sleep," Task said getting up from his table. "Well, music calls guys. I'll see you when I see you!" And with that, Task briskly trotted out of the bar.

Scorch put a hoof to his goatee and stroked it. "...if I didn't know better, I'd say he was hiding something."

Red looked back at the remaining group at the table. "Yeah, and he seemed to leave in an awful hurry all of a sudden."

"Heh, I wouldn't worry about it guys. He's just excited about doing what he does best!" Serenade chimed in. "Take it from a stallion that works in the industry. Music's a powerful thing. And if there's anypony who understands music... it's definitely our buddy Task."

*****

"...anyone can say that a work of music is magical, or indescribable, but such is its splendor as I've said many times before. However, it's very difficult to make the music speak like DJ-P0n3 has done - with *electronic music no less. There are so many producers these days who aim for "just the right chord" or "the perfect drop" and even in some cases "the sickest wubs". While that's all well and good, DJ-P0n3's album tells a story. You can feel her tunes shaping your emotions and making you feel what she's felt - joy, sorrow, rage, but most important of all... passion. And of course, all stories have a history, and what better way to express the past than decorating one's music with elements of nostalgia. You know what I'm talking about - music we grew up to when we were foals.*

This album has it all. While not to say it trumps most music I've reviewed lately, because all music speaks a different language, you will love this album even if you're not as deeply analytical as I am. You'll dance, you'll chill, you'll loop the tracks time and again. With the Equestrian Music Festival coming up in Ponyville, the event planners would be wise to heed this suggestion. DJ-P0n3 is an up-and-coming artist that is due to take Equestria by storm! And she couldn't have a better opportunity to kick start that career at the festival. You better believe I'll be there to witness it next week. Maybe I'll see you there. But then again... maybe not!"

"That's great and all, Tas, but do you always need to talk out loud when you're writing?"

Task's head perked up, his face turned red from embarrassment.

"Uh... I guess it helps when I'm getting to the climax of my work. I get excited. Heh..." he said sheepishly.

"Oh, no problem. I know how that goes," Scorch suggestively surmised as he waggled his eyebrows. "Finish it up and get to bed already."

At least he could keep his closing piece to himself.

"As always, I'm Mix Tape... and that's the way the bass drops."

And with that, Task ripped the parchment from the typewriter and proofread his work in the light of his candle. Everything looked to be in order, and this article felt like it was the first in ages that was so easy to write, and with such a near-perfect review. Task packaged his review and put it on the table by the door, so he would remember it when he left the next day. Yawning deeply, he trotted over to the blow-up bed and practically flopped onto the edge of the mattress. He began to slowly close his eyes... until he felt a pair of hooves sneak across his shoulders.

"Euuugh," Task groaned shoving Scorch's hooves off.

"Tas, why don't we cuddle anymore?" Scorch asked with feigned sincerity.

"We never cuddle. Ever." Task shifted even further along the edge of the mattress. "Besides, wouldn't Braeburn get jealous?"

"Yeah Scorch, y'all t'ain't bein' fair," Braeburn said sitting up on the other side of Scorch. "Ah come alllll the way over here from AaaaaaapplLOOSA, and y'all go 'n give yer roommate that kinda attention?"

"You owe me ten bits, Braeburn. He was still awake when we got home. Go back to sleep."

Braeburn sighed, defeated. "Alrigh', fine," he said flopping his head back down.

Scorch nudged his roommate. "Try not to keep us up tonight with any crazy dreams, alright Tas?" He rolled back over in bed. "Night, buddy."

As excited as he was to get the article out for Equestrian Music Monthly, Task felt so giddy that he wasn't sure if he could even get to sleep. The anticipation of possibly meeting one of his new favorite artists excited him to no end. He at least made an attempt to go to sleep and closed his eyes. He could already hear her music carrying him off to sleep...

*****

...as a purple mist began to cloud his vision.

"Hello?"

Through the fog, he saw the dark outline of a stallion. The shadow pony stood firm facing away from Task. He was taller than the others he'd seen in his dream a few nights prior.

"Who's there?"

The stallion turned his head around as though he had heard Task for the first time. His body seemed insubstantial, covered in deep shadows and smoke. Suddenly it parted revealing to Task the unicorn's broad shape. His mane parted around his face, framing it perfectly such that Task could see his eyes of pure white over a pair of perfectly square-framed glasses that sat on his muzzle.

The stallion smirked and squinted his eyes maliciously; the world around Task grew darker as a distorted, an electronic screeching noise began piercing the serene music that was gracing his ears. The frames on the silhouette's glasses cracked at the sound but he seemed unaffected, only squinting harder and holding his mouth in a sharp line. Task listened with confusion as the sharp screeching sound seemed to build and get louder and louder until it seemed as though it was physically pressing down on him.

"Ur-URGH... why... so dark?!" he shouted. The pressure was becoming unbearable. The gravity around him intensified as he struggled to stay on his hooves. No good. Whatever this stallion was doing, it felt wrong. Task could still breathe, he could still walk, he could still think... but he felt as though his very motivation was faltering, as if some kind of force was oppressing and depressing him at the same time. It couldn't be... the song? It felt as though the shadow was using the song itself against him.

Task became dizzy and could barely stand on his hooves anymore. He fell to the ground, and could feel himself begin to black out...

A streak of light blue energy struck the midpoint between Task and the silhouette pony. A shockwave of the same color pulsed from the impact point causing the darkness to disperse and the screeching to stop. Task's ears still rung from the noise, but the sweet sound of the original song filled them just as well.

The shockwave knocked the stallion silhouette back several feet and shattered what remained of his glasses. He still stood firm, but he was clearly damaged from the beam.

"See? It's not that dark," came a mare's voice. Task couldn't quite place it in his disposition, but it sounded all too familiar.

Task turned behind him to face the voice only to see electric blue streak blast by his vision, startling him. He turned to follow it, but found the beam difficult to keep up with. He turned back to the stallion, who also had his eyes on the beam. When Tas' vision adjusted to the light, he saw it was a trail. An electric blue disc of pure magic energy buzzed through the air. The stallio reared on his hind legs as if to challenge the disc.

He was too slow.

In a burst of energy, the disc sped up and pierced through the silhouette. The stallion dispersed a misty black cloud and faded away.

"Sometimes..." came the mare's voice. He felt a pony's head brush against the side of his head. His peripherals identified an electric blue mane in the corner of his vision. "...you just need someone to help you light the way!"

A rich scent of vanilla rendered him paralyzed. A cream colored hoof touched his shoulder. Tas wanted to stand there and bask in the pony's fragrance as well as her touch. He could feel the images around him beginning to fade, but her touch felt so real...

*****

He was onto his roommate's game now.

"Celestia dammit Scorch, I don't wanna cuddle!" Task yelled flailing his hooves on the mattress.

Alone.

Task jerked his head around in search of his roommate. Scorch perked up from the dining table across the room. "Oh. Mornin'," he said with his mouth full of Crunchatrice cereal.

Task blinked and looked around awkwardly. "Uh... yeah. Morning," he said climbing off the bed. "Any idea what time it is?"

"Eleven-oh-eight," replied Scorch after taking another bite of cereal.

"Oh," said Task. The sound of glass shattered in his mind when realization overtook him.

"Eleven-oh-eight?! I was supposed to meet Pinkie like ten minutes ago! How could I forget to set my alarm?!"

Scorch swallowed. His cereal, that is to say. "Woah, take it easy Tas," Scorch said trying to calm his friend down. You've slept pretty soundly in the past few days than I've seen you sleep in awhile. I can't say I know why, but it's good to see you... y'know let go of things."

Task snorted. "I... let go of things," he remarked ambiguously.

"Sure you do. When you're done overanalyzing everything."

Scorch had a point. Task's skill was analyzing and understanding music. It's what made Mix Tape such a famous writer across Equestria. But outside of writing, his life was all about statistics and it showed. Especially when it came to personal relationships.

"It was a big step giving Pinkie a chance, but how about you consider that being step one?" He got up from the table and walked towards the counter to pour another cup of coffee. "And maybe," he said as he turned around pouring another cup, "you won't be feel so stressed all the time, yeah?"

Task let a sigh escape his nostrils. "You're really smart when you're not being flirty, you know," remarked Task barring snideness. "What gives with that anyway?"

"Eh, Braeburn through a hissy fit before he left. He'll come back though." Scorch took a sip of coffee. "They always do."

Task chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Alright, well thanks for the pep talk. I gotta go meet Pinkie so we can hit up Bookmark's Book Fort for music."

"Hey before you leave," Scorch began, prompting Task to stop at the door and turn back to him. "You got some fan mail."

"F-fan mail?!" Task blurted. Had someone discovered his alias?!

"Yyyyyyes... fan mail. Or regular mail, whatever floats your boat. Did you listen to anything I just said?" Scorch rolled his eyes and took another sip of coffee. "Left it on the stand by the door for ya."

Seeing as he was already running late, reading one letter probably wouldn't ruin anything. He opened the envelope which only read "TO: RANDOM TASK" on the front end. It must have been dropped off anonymously since Ditzy Doo didn't deliver mail until the afternoon. He pulled the contents out and set the letter on the table to read it aloud.

To My Esteemed Colleague Random Task,

It is of my understanding that you and I shall soon be making introductions with one another. Permit me to make it known to you that I represent a council of individuals who pride themselves in the removal and erasure of ponies who come into emotional contact with a particular mare whom of which is incapable of comprehending her own needs. You may consider my arrival and presence as my personal "cease and desist", which will also entail the removal of your flank from your posterior via incineration, and quite possibly your living credentials from your existence. I quite look forward to seeing you in the near future for our Battle Royale, upon which you and I shall fight to the death for aforementioned mare! Please take care. Sincerely yours, Magnam Pyre

"Wait a sec!" Task blinked and looked the letter over. "This..."

He focused on the words "cease and desist".

"This is..."

He focused on the words "Battle Royale"

"I think this... is..."

He focused on the words "fight to the death".

"Sloppy!" he hollered. "Who wrote this piece of trash?"

Scorch trotted over. "Nothing interesting then?"

"Hell no! Whoever wrote this was definitely not a unicorn." Task grabbed Mix Tape's article sealed in the envelope and turned to open the door. "And even if it was a unicorn, it looks like it was written by a five year old."

"I swear to Celestia if I ever meet the pony who wasted my time I'm gonna kick their flank!" Task yelled slamming the door behind him. Scorch took a step forward to look at the letter, but not before the door re-opened again, with Task peeking his head inside. "Unless it was a colt or filly. Then I'd probably let it slide." His eyes darted around. "Maybe." He then put a hoof to his eyes, then pointed to Scorch's conspiratorially before delicately closing the door behind him.

Scorch blinked at the strange gesture, shrugged, and stepped over to the table to read the letter. As a pegasus, as well as a pony who didn't always have the best quill writing himself, he glanced at the letter. Sure enough, it was a little hard to read, but he could decipher it if he took his time. Scorch squinted his eyes and began to read.

As he read, his face contorted in response to the message's contents. He pursed his lips.

He furrowed his brow.

He stroked his goatee.

He shook his head in disbelief.

His eyes opened wide and his pupils shrunk.

His jaw dropped, but edges of his mouth curled into amusement.

"Not interesting my flank! Tas, you lying pony you..."

*****

"Tas! Tas! Over here!"

Pinkie was bouncing to get Task's attention just outside Bookmark's Book Fort, even though there we no ponies around. Plus, how could he miss Pinkie? He couldn't help but laugh aloud at her excitement.

It had been a few days since their "talk", and they had met at the Book Fort for music shopping as they had agreed. The Book Fort stood two stories tall, and in a way to convey a triangular-shaped roof there was a large book with a green cover sitting page-side down atop the building. A blue ribbon streamed from the inside cover of the book-roof and down through the space between the windows of each floor. The words "The Book Fort" were inscribed in fancy golden letters. Tas knew that the first floor was where all the business took place, and the second floor was Bookmark's personal apartment. He could tell he didn't want any flying passerby to see the inside of his room because the blinds were closed on the second floor. Bookmark wasn't the cleanest of ponies, but Task was not one to complain himself.

"Hey Pinkie! Sorry I'm late," he said trotting over to her. As he approached he noticed a more stern look on her face.

"So you don't think it's considered rude to keep a lady waiting?" Pinkie said with a posh voice and sticking her nose in the air. Task raised his eyebrow in confusion, unsure of how to respond.

The pink pony then opened an eye to look at his confused face. Her mouth contorted and burst, unable to contain the laughter it held any longer. "You know I'm just teasing, Tazzy!" She hopped towards him and pulled him into a tight hug. After being taken be surprise, he put his hooves around her back to return it.

He heard Pinkie sigh happily in his ear. "I'm glad we're hanging out like this," she whispered. The way she spoke sounded totally unlike her. She nuzzled his cheek and moved her mouth to press against the area just below his ear, but didn't have the courage to initiate a kiss. She jolted back after the gesture and bounced backwards with a blush on her face.

Task felt the warmth on his cheeks as well, and stood still shooting his eyes in all directions, unsure of what to say or do.

"So music!" Pinkie said breaking the silence. "Wanna head in and see what Bookmark's got?"

"Do I ever!"

The interior of the Book Fort had shelves of books stacked as to the height of the top of an average pony's head. There were ponies perusing the shelves through the isles, fillies and colts sifting through children's books and comics, and other ponies sitting on soft cushions and bean bag chairs preoccupied reading various books and relaxing with coffee. The store was oddly quiet despite how crowded it was. Though Task did note that the store seemed to be populated by certain ponies.

Hipsters.

Task took a deep breath and exhaled, and began looking around for where the new music section of the store could be. It was then that he noticed a particular section of the store that had been previously blocked off by shelves of books and boxes. Rather, the bookshelves now seemed to make a "passageway" of sorts to a new area. It was lined with more shelves, but these held CDs, DVDs, music players, headphones for music sampling and more.

Task considered asking Bookmark about renting rates.

The pair spent a good couple of hours checking out assorted music and listening to new music. Task tried his best to heed Scorch's advice, but with all the music he was listening to, he couldn't help but analyze every bit of it he could. But this time he felt like he had a new outlook to his analysis. It could have been the feeling of still having DJ-P0n3's new album as his personal number one, but everything he listened to with Pinkie seemed almost... lacking. Not necessarily in a bad way - it was still great music that the party pony could use at her festival kickoff. But it still paled in comparison to-

"How about that one?" Pinkie asked pointed with a hoof to the "most popular" display.

There it was. DJ-P0n3's Sindulgence. Album cases were dwindling on the top shelf.

Was Mix Tape partially responsible for this?

"Definitely one you'll want to grab, Pinkie," Task said as cool as he could contain himself.

After acquiring a good collection of music, Pinkie happily bounced her way towards the front of the store with Task following close behind.

"You know Tazzy, I think it would be super duper cool if we could get one of the performers to play a live show at my party, don't you?"

"Yeah that would be something," he replied absentmindedly. He was more entranced by the cover art of the Sindulgence album. Thick blue streaks of light ran horizontally from one side of the cover, curved around twice as if to make an elongated "S" shape that stretched to the other side of the cover. The streaks thinned into the curve and shifted into a prism, each line an electric color of the rainbow, and shifted back to the blue streaks as the lines curved back horizontally. Two reflecting blue discs were opposite each corner made by the streaks. He was so deep in thought on why those blue lights looked so familiar that he didn't notice the rambling party pony in front of him.

"...going on about how sad they were for like two seconds and hiya Tazzy!"

Pinkie had been making conversation with Bookmark, even though they were only next in line. "Sure was, Pinkie," he said to her. He turned back to briefly address his previous customer. "Thanks, come again!"

"No doubt I'll be back, thanks Bookmark!" The familiar voice rang in Task's ear.

He instinctively turned to where the voice came from to see a vanilla coated mare with a wild electric blue mane trotting towards the exit.

Task's eyes widened, his jaw slowly opened in absolute astonishment.

"Alright, I can help you guys now."

He hadn't even heard Bookmark speak, but he already began stepping forward. And a bit to the side towards her like a flower to sunlight. His head goose-necked to watch the mare leave.

"Ah, buying some of the music I told you about, huh?"

"Uhhh," was all Task could mutter before running into an entire rotating literature holder of comic books. He tumbled to the ground, the literature holder falling on top of him while the assorted comics fell to the floor around him.

Pinkie's cheeks puffed as if to hold in laughter and put up a hoof as if to say "one moment". She took all the music CDs she had on her, placed them gently on the countertop, and promptly doubled over in laughter.

He noticed the mare was startled by the catastrophe, but it was okay. He just had to make sure that the mare never saw him after that event. Ever. Unfortunately for Task, she turned around and lowered her purple sunglasses to look at his pitiful state.

Those beautiful violet eyes...

Task snapped out of his stupor and grabbed the nearest thing he could - a Megamare comic book - and hid it over his face to hide.

The mare chuckled into her hoof before trotting out the door.

*****

"I honestly don't know what you boys see in this bar," Rarity huffed. "Sure, the drinks taste lovely but otherwise it's a bit tacky, wouldn't you agree?"

They sat at a table in the middle of the bar. The venue was loud, ponies were shouting across the way to each other, and their voices were empowered by inebriation. It was a typical weekend evening.

"Lighten up Rare, it's pretty much where most of us met," Serenade stated. "The place just feels like home, y'know?"

"Yeah Rarity, and you gotta try the hard shider and not jusht your girly drinksh all the time!" shouted a rambunctious Rainbow over the other ponies. "It's called the Shider Factory for a reashon, helloooo?"

Scorch snorted a laugh. "R-Rainbow, you're... you're drunk, and we jush... we jush got here like... what time is it again?"

"Looks to be about nine-thirty," replied Serenade looking up at the clock.

"Ugh, and Tash was shupposed to be here like half an hour ago? Why did he invite ush all out here if he's-"

"SHE'S REAL!" Task yelled slamming his hooves on the table.

Everypony at the table jumped. Rainbow shrieked like a schoolfilly.

Rarity put a hoof to her chest. "Honestly, Random Task, must you scare us half to death with such an entrance?"

Task pulled up a chair and sat, paying no attention to the stallion behind him who moved to sit down only to fall to the floor. "She's real! My dream mare!"

Scorch's mouth opened in adoration. "Aww, look at our little Tas growing up so soon!" he said rubbing his friend's cheek. "I think Pinkie would love to hear that you-"

Task brushed his hoof aside. "No no! Not Pinkie!"

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Wait, not Pinksh?"

"You know those pleasant dreams I've been having since I listened to that CD? I kept thinking somepony was trying to tell me something, and each time there was this mare. This white mare with a blue mane, and she's like... I dunno, like the source of all the amazing music I started hearing, because whenever she appeared, that's when it sounded the fullest."

Task smiled at everypony at the table. "This mare is real, you guys. I have to find out who she is!"

Cloud Cover had come by to take Task's drink order, but stopped along the way to help up the fallen pony at the adjacent table.

Serenade gave a thoroughly confused look. "Wait a sec... white mare, blue mane, music... Uh, Tas I think I know exactly who-"

"Cloud Cover!"

Task pulled the charcoal pegasus over to their table, causing the bartender to lose grip of the pony, who fell to the floor again. "You know everypony, right?!"

Cloud Cover thought back to his stats page from the first scene, as the black text appeared above him emphasizing "knows everypony" in the box. "Ah, that's an affirmative."

"Great! I need you to tell me who this is!" Task exclaimed grabbing a quill from his hat and a napkin in his hoof. He began drawing on it furiously for a few seconds and showed Cloud Cover the picture.

"Affirmative, that's a positive identification on "Vinyl Scratch", actual confirms callsign "DJ-P0n3" for those in the music industry."

Task's face visibly twitched. He felt like his brain was going to snap. "What?! You're telling me all this time the mare of my dreams is the same one you work with?!" he yelled pointing at Serenade.

Serenade shrugged and took a sip of his drink in his magic. "Hey brotha, not like I control your dreams or anything."

"Yeah you do! Kind of!" Task remarked. "I mean, you letting me burn that CD is the whole reason all this started happening in the first place!"

"Yeee-eesh! Chill your hooves, Tashk. Why sho uptight?" asked Rainbow.

Scorch belted out a laugh. "Dash I-I totally shaid that earlier today! Ha! Hahaha!"

The two of them broke out into hysterics, but that wouldn't deter Task. "Cloud Cover, I need to know more about her."

"Uh, roger that, Cover-Actual recommends pushing to the IP." Cloud Cover lifted his wing and pointed directly to the corner of the bar.

There she was again, in all her beauty. There were two other mares she was talking and laughing with.

Task squeed. "Oh Celestia she's actually here. Argh, what should I say?

Rarity cleared her throat. Task glanced over at her, clearly demanding his attention.

"Task, darling, I know that you and I don't always see eye to eye per se, but... I'm afraid I must ask you to reconsider this endeavor of yours. Surely you can't forget about dear Pinkie Pie either?"

Scorch had calmed down enough to rejoin the conversation. "Yeah, Pinksh ish," he began, but hiccuped. "Pinks ish." He hiccuped again. "Ah, do what you want, jusht don't forget about Pinkie."

Task nervously chuckled. "What? I just wanna go talk to her, what's the harm in-"

"No!" exclaimed Rarity. Task jumped back and watched the world around Rarity darken as she continued her rant. "Task you will listen to me and listen well! As the social butterfly at this table I’m sorry to say that I know more about most ponies around here than you. As such, I know enough about that mare's history that I forbid you from trotting over there and saying even one word to her! It's for your own good!" she finished panting.

Task blinked, then looked to his other friend for reassurance. "Serenade? What do you think? I just wanna go talk to her."

"Hm? Oh, right." Serenade began. "I'd be all for it, agreeing with you and all, but I'm trying to get some tonight," he said nonchalantly.

Rarity visibly twitched. She stared at Serenade. "And just admitting that in public is going to help you achieve such a feat? Hm?! You think you're going to "get some" after that blunt little statement of yours?!"

Serenade finished his drink, then firmly set it back on the table. He narrowed his eyes at her across the table.

"Yes," he stated confidently as if accepting a challenge.

Rarity snorted and continued staring.

Serenade somehow managed to squint his eyes even further and pursed his lips, not backing down.

The other three ponies' eyes glanced towards one another, then back at the awkward tension before them.

Finally, Rarity gave a long sigh. "Fine. But don't expect me to back you up anymore when you're losing an argument," she said getting up from her seat. "I suppose this is goodnight, everypony."

"I bet you can't even remember what we were fighting about anymore, Rare," said Serenade.

"Oddly enough, I haven't the slightest," Rarity mumbled, even though everyone could hear it.

On his way out, Serenade nudged Task on the shoulder. "You're all clear, brotha! Knock her off her hooves!" And with that he took his leave.

He nodded and tipped his hat. "Alright. I'm going in!" he confidently exclaimed to Scorch and Dash.

Random Task slipped away from the table and began trotting over to Vinyl, his nerves now turning from steel to butter as he made his approach.

Red Glayr had made his way back to the table. "Did I miss anything?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Scorch shooting his hooves in the air. "Only the ultimate Batmare gambit! Combined with being a pro wingstallion!"

"Batmare gambit?" Red asked raising a brow. He was sure Scorch would have made more sense if he wasn’t eight ciders deep. He looked around and saw Task walking towards the bar. "Where's Tas off to?"

Scorch took another drink of cider. "Finally making hish move! Woo!" He outstretched his hooves in excitement, only this time collapsing on the table.

The friends that Vinyl had been speaking with before had stepped away for the moment, leaving the DJ of his dreams now having a drink to herself at the bar.

Now was his chance.