Twilight's advert had yielded good response. Many party ponies from all across Equestria had applied for the job of throwing a party for Equestria's premiere party pony and the iconic pegasus famous for pulling off two Sonic Rainbooms, not to mention two sixths of Equestria's primary source of defence.

Unfortunately, of the many applicants, only two were successful. The unsuccessful applicants had all travel costs paid, so they could travel back home for free.

Twilight stood, as if in judgement of the two successful ponies, studying each one closely. The first successful applicant was a tall, slender stallion. His coat was a light shade of brown, almost close to orange, with a chocolate brown curly mane. His eyes were emerald, and his cutie mark depicted a toasted cheese sandwich.

The second successful applicant was a mare. This mare completely perplexed Twilight. She almost didn't believe the party planner was real. This wasn't without good reason, as the second applicant looked exactly like Pinkie Pie herself. The physique, height, mane shape, and even the eye shape were exactly the same. There were only a few, admittedly large difference. For a start, the wings. Whilst Pinkie Pie herself was an earth pony, this pony was a pegasus. The second difference was the colours. Pinkie Pie's double shade of pink was, instead, white and yellow for coat and mane colour respectively. Instead of baby blue eyes, this pony had purple eyes, and whilst this ponies cutie mark was a trio of balloons, they held a different colour configuration.

“So, Cheese Sandwich...” Twilight briefly looked at the stallion, “...and Surprise...” her gaze moved to the mare “as agreed, your accommodation in Ponyville is completely free, after this, my assistant, Spike, will show you there. I imagine Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash will be back in a week or two. I believe time shouldn't be an issue?”

“Nope,” the stallion known as Cheese Sandwich replied.

“Nopey dopey,” replied the mare, Surprise. Ironically, her voice, and her mannerisms only serve further to remind Twilight of her friend.

“Well, just remember this; this party has to be the best party you've ever thrown. Combine your experiences and work together to do the best you can. The entire town of Ponyville will be here, so it's imperative you do your best. I'm sure if you need any help, the residents will be more than happy to help. Are you ready to plan and put on the best party of your lives.

“Yes indeedy,” replied Surprise.

“I was ready before I was born,” replied Cheese Sandwich. “That didn't sound as good as it did in my head.”

After being constantly reminded of her, Twilight couldn't help but enquire. “Before you leave, Surprise, I have a question: Are you related to Pinkie Pie? There are noticeable similarities.”

The white pegasus simply shrugged. “Not sure. I mean maybe it could all be a super massive coincidence.”

“Well...” Twilight was about to argue, but she was taught not to question Pinkie Pie's logic, so she thought it may be better not to question Surprise's logic either. “Okay, it just looked a little too striking to be a coincidence, but it could be. Alright then, if you would kindly wait in the reception for my assistant, he will gladly escort you to your accommodation, where planning and preparations can begin.”

The two ponies bow before Twilight before making their way into the reception. Twilight makes her way up the stairs before an idea hits her. The similarities between Surprise and Pinkie Pie were too clear to simply ignore. She had to find out for sure if they were related or not. She was resigned to the fate of constant irritation until she found out. Being the vigilant pony she is, she already knew exactly how she could find this piece of information hunger sating detail. “Spike, you're up. Feel free to take a break once you have escorted Cheese Sandwich and Surprise. I'm going to be busy with genealogical research.”

Knowing Twilight as well as he did, Spike had long ago learnt not to question her motives for studying or research. He simply accepted that she had her reasons. “Okay, Twilight. I accept your offer for a break. I will take them right away.”

Silence was Spike's reply, as he looked back to see his elder sister figure bustling around looking for something. Spike knew she was looking for the genealogy records. “Second shelf up, fourth row from the left,” he called before he left the room. As soon as Spike entered the reception, he knew exactly what Twilight was looking for. So, that's her reason, Spike noted mentally. She looks just like Pinkie.

The pony in question immediately flew mere centimetres away from Spike, before bouncing up and down on the spot, just as Pinkie Pie would when she was excited. “Awwww a wittle baby dwagon,” she says, in a tone that Spike thinks is as mocking as other possibly can be. Spike simply shrugged this off, taking little notice.

“Yeah yeah. Come on, I'm your escort.”

***

Having chatted on the way to the party ponies accommodation, Cheese Sandwich, Surprise, and Spike had all gotten well officiated. Naturally, Surprise did offer an apology for mocking Spike, and stated that she didn't mean for it to offend him. Cheese Sandwich and Surprise spoke of their careers, how they had heard of Pinkie Pie, the parties of hers that they were at, and all manner of party related chatter.

Spike and Cheese Sandwich, however, we're different. Rather than casual chitter chatter, the pair of males, drake and Stallion, had formed a tight bromance already. It was natural for the males of Equestria to bond together as they were spread few and far between. It was the same for Spike with Big Mackintosh, Breaburn after the truce with the buffaloes were made, of course, the chief of the buffalo, Chief Thunderhooves. Spike was even a friend of Soarin's when he used to live in the castle. Shining Armour, of course was practically his brother anyway, regardless of a bromance or none. In fact, the only stallion Spike disliked was Prince Blueblood. Spike absolutely hated his pretentious snobbery.

“Well, here we are,” Spike announced, as the trio stood in front of the house. “I'm afraid I can't really give you a tour since I've never been here, but if you need anything, feel free to ask me, and I'll do my best to help. Failing that, I'll speak to Princess Twilight, who will be able to help.”

“Thank you, Spikey Wikey,” Surprise stated. With this comments, Spike died inside. Memories with Rarity, the time spent pursuing the fashionista, the times he thought he was in with a chance. It all came back to him. From when they met, all up to now.

To remain a tough demeanour in front of guests, Spike swallowed the lump in his throat. “No problem at all, Surprise.”

“And again,” Surprise adds. “I'm sorry for being such a meanie pants to you.”

“Don't worry at all. You didn't mean it, you apologised for your mistake, I didn't take much notice anyway, so it's all good.”

“Anyway, Spike,” adds Cheese Sandwich. “It has been grateful to meet you, but we got one doozy of a shindig to plan. Why don't you take Princess Twilight's offer and take a break?”

“Sure thing. Good luck you guys,” Spike says before turning around. He then turned around to ensure his two new friends weren't watching, before drooping his entire body and moping. Spike needed some time to think, and to be alone with his own thoughts. He wasn't angry at Rarity, or even Fluttershy. He was just a fool in love.

As he continues to slow walk with his slumped body posture, he glances up to see that he is approaching Sweet Apple Acres. He looks around briefly before his heightened dragon hearing picks something up. It sounds like....Crying? Spike questioned himself.

Spike followed the sound to it's source, weaving in and out of trees. On approaching the source of the crying, it's something he never expected to see. Applejack was the source of the crying. Applejack looks up to see Spike. “Oh, howdy Spike,” Applejack greets to the best of her ability.

“Not a good time?” Spike inquires, his tone equally downtrodden. This, however, went unnoticed by Applejack.

“We're related,” Applejack stated through her sobs.

“We can't be,” replies Spike, oblivious to the situation. “I'm a dragon, you're a pony.”

“NOT NOW SPIKE,” Applejack snaps.

Not one to make his thought process even worse, Spike simply shrugged, confused at Applejack's outburst, and turned to walk off in the same slumped posture in which he arrived.

“Wait, Spike,” Applejack shouted, causing the young dragon to look her way. “Ah'm sorry fer that. It's just that now ain't a good time fer jokes.”

Spike found himself confused, but rather than argue, Spike simply nodded. “Not really the best time for me either.”

“Bad day?” inquired Applejack.

“Could say that,” replied Spike, bluntly.

“Spike, Ah'm sorry Ah snapped at yah. Maybe Ah should explain somethin' to ya start to end.” Applejack let out a heavy sigh. “No Spike, we're not related. But there is someone Ah'm related to that Ah hurt.”

“Who's that?” Spike asked.

Applejack looked to the ground, before looking dead into Spike's eyes. “Pinkie.”

Spike was gobsmacked. In fact that was probably an understatement. Deciding it would be best not to question her validity of statement, Spike had an easier question that couldn't possibly upset Applejack. “How did you find this out?”

“Well, Twi was lookin' ta see if somepony was related to Pinkie Pie, and found out Ah was related to 'er. Twi told me straight away, an' well, Ah guess ya can see the rest.”

“Why, exactly, does this bother you? I thought you'd be happy.”

“Ah am happy were related, but Ah just can't help feelin' ma and pa would be disappointed in me for hurtin' her. Mah parents valued family over everythin', an' to them, hurtin' a family member was a sin. They believed family are meant ta stick together, even Ah believe that, but it's not what Ah did.”

“It's something you had to do. You made a mistake, everypony does. The important thing is that everything is back how it was. Your friendship is as strong as it was, and now even stronger. I'm sure your parents would have took satisfaction in that.”

“That's just it, Spike. Ah guess Ah'm worried it'll make things awkward between us, because of how she used to feel an' all, but Ah can't live with mahself lyin' to her.”

“Applejack, I'm sure she will understand. She's moved on with those emotions now, and she's happy with Rainbow Dash now. Everything is going to be fine.”

The gears started to turn in Applejack's head as she gazed up to the sky. She then looked down at Spike again. “Yah know, Spike. Ah didn't expect ya to be good with thins kinda thing. Ah really do appreciate it.”

“Don't mention it, Applejack.”

Applejack thought briefly again. “So, what's botherin' you, Spike.”

“I guess I was just reminded of a better time. A time when I thought I had a chance.”

“Rarity?” Spike nodded, without saying as much as a word, prompting Applejack to continue. “Ya know, no disrespect to 'er or anythin' but Ah never liked the way she used ya. Ah guess Ah just let ya both get on with it, because it wasn't mah business ta interfere in.” Still Spike remained silent. “Ah guess it just goes against what Ah'd do.”

“I get you, AJ,” Spike replied.

“Well, if'n ya need a friend ta' listen to ya, ya know where take find me.”

“Thanks Applejack. I guess I was just being silly. After all, why would she be interested in me.”

“Why wouldn't she be...” Applejack stopped herself, remembering that Rarity’s significant other was a mare. “Well, ok, she's with a mare, but ah know she likes stallions aswell, like that Blueblood fella. But either way, yer a kind hearted soul, and....well how do ah put this. Nah never mind.”

“I'm not really sure how I should respond to that, Applejack.” Spike then chuckled to himself. “Besides, Prince Blueblood is enough to turn any mare off stallions.”

“From what Ah heard, Ah'd have ta agree,” replied Applejack with a chuckle of her own. “So, Spike, there's somethin' Ah've always been curious about. Now, ya don't have ta answer it if'n ya don't wanna talk about this, but...”

“I know what it is, Applejack.” Spike interrupted. “Everypony who asks uses the exact same sentence. I was raised by Twilight and her parents because my real parents took a nap. You know how us dragons can be. Besides, I considered Twilight's parents my parents, Twilight my sister, Shining Armour my brother, and Princess Celestia my second mother. Talking about family doesn't upset me, after all, it's dragon nature, a lot of dragon's live the first few centuries of their lives not knowing their parents. I consider myself lucky, because most of them have to grow up alone, whereas I was raised by a loving family. That's why I consider myself a pony at heart.”

“Wow, that's mighty impressive, Spike. Anyway Ah guess Ah better get headin' back tattoos do some chores, and Ah suppose Twi will need yer help. Don't forget, if'n ya need me, ya know where ta find me.”

“Ok, AJ. Thanks. Catch you later.”

“Bye, Spike.” Applejack waved her hoof, before turning back. Was Ah gonna tell him Ah reckon Ah could give him a try if Ah knew it better. Ah just don't know, Ah mean he's nice an' all, but Ah just don't know if Ah could feel for him or not. Either way, Ah can't see him feelin' that way about me.

Author's Notes:

To justify my tardiness with the release of this chapter, I would first like to apologise for the delay. I tagged a blog post explaining why, but also the extended length should justify it.

Anyway, I notice that since Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie left for Pinkie Pie's parent's rock farm, I haven't put much mention into what Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Apple jack, and Fluttershy are getting up to, so here I added a chapter to rectify that problem (if any of you thought it was one. That leads me into my next point. Would you like to see more chapters based on Ponyville? Or should I focus it purely on Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash? If you have an opinion on what you'd like to see, I'd be more than happy to work to it.

Anyway, in about 15 minutes (at 07:45 PM GMT) I'm starting a gaming overhaul thats due to last till 11:00(ish) AM in the morning (Again, GMT). If any fans of this happen to have xbox, and want to join in the fun at any point (Whether the whole night, or drop in-drop out) my gamer tag is on my page, under a blog post called xbox live gamer tag. (It's a massive link near the top, you can't miss it)

That's all for now. Enjoy this chapter.