“So how do you suppose Pinkie did this all in one day?” asked Applejack to Twilight. It seemed that everypony in Ponyville was at Sugarcube Corner, and for good reason. While Pinkie says that every party she does will be the best one ever, she really meant it this time. The entire outside of Sugarcube Corner was decorated with streamers, balloons and banners. Pinkie seemed to have rented an entire carnival, as there was a Ferris Wheel, bouncing castle, bumper cars, and even a fully equipped stage were Vinyl Scratch was debuting her new tracks.

Twilight was at a loss of words, as her and Applejack began to walk towards the party. There was street performers dancing, and juggling and stalls handing out gifts to little ponies as they passed by. “I have no idea; I mean this is big, even for Pinkie” as said as they head inside of Sugarcube Corner.

If they thought that the outside was impressive, the inside blew their minds. Every single wall was just stuffed with different decoration. There was a clown handing out balloon animals, and there were ponies playing all sorts of party games. And then there was the food, and I mean there were literal mountains of it. All sorts of different colored cupcakes and pies, and punch, with plenty of fruits and hay for those with less of a sweet tooth.

Applejack entered the room. “Oh my horseapples” gasped Applejack as she took a look at the giant mountain of food. “How’d that pony make all this in one day?” she looked around and spotted Rainbow Dash chilling by the punch bowl, she waved them over.

“Hey looked who finally came” Rainbow gave them each a cup of punch. “Can you believe this party, it’s incredible!” she took a giant gulp of her own punch. “Everypony in Ponyville must be here!”

Twilight looked around. “It sure looks that way” then she spots a familiar pony. “Soulstice?”

The blue pony looked up from what he was doing and heads towards the three ponies. “Hello Twilight, Rainbow, and…..” he looks towards Applejack. “I don’t believe we’ve met before, the name is Soulstice” he reaches out his hoof.

“Applejack” she said as they shook hooves. “I run Sweet Apple Acres just on the outskirts of Ponyville.”

“Yeah, I remember passing by a ranch on the way into town. Do you run that whole place by yourself?” he asked.

“Shoot no” Applejack replied. “but your close. It’s me, old Granny Smith, my little sis Applebloom, and Big Macintosh. She peeps at the doorway. “Speaking of which, Over here Mac!”

All the ponies turn to look to see what she was talking about. Right at the door was Big Macintosh and his strange glowing friend, Gigawatt. The two just seemed to be unable to hear the cowpony calling for them. The two just walked around as Gigawatt started to flirt with some random mares.

“Who’s that weird pony beside Big Mac?” asked Twilight.

“And why is he glowing?” asked Rainbow, scratching her head in confusion.

Applejack rubbed the back of her head. “Oh yeah, y’all don’t know, that there is Gigawatt, he’s an old buddy of Big Mac, I think he said he was from Canterlot, or somethin” she looked at Gigawatt with the laughing mares, clearly they were getting along. There was something in her that didn’t like what she was seeing, the same feeling from last night as she watched him walk away with the mares.

“Are you okay?” asked Rainbow, catching her staring. “Hellooooo?” She looked at where she was looking and figured it out. “Applejack, do like him or something?”

That snapped her out it. “Wha? Of course not!” she said angrily. “I mean, me with some city pony, and I’ve got too much work to do to have a coltfriend!” there was a pause, she had said that last part a bit too loud and a couple of other ponies were looking at her, giving her blank stares before resuming what they were doing before.

Twilight approaches her. “Applejack, are you okay? She asks.

“I’m fine…I just need to some air is all.” Apple jack said as she started to head to an open window. She leaned up against it and just looked outside, getting lost in her thoughts.

Rainbow begins to talk. “What is with everypony today? First Pinkie is in love and now this!” she starts walking away. “I mean I expect this from Rarity, but no the rest of you.” She disappears into the crowd of ponies.

“Speaking of Rarity…” Twilight began. “Where is she anyways?”

Soulstice turned his head slightly. “Who’s Rarity?” he asked.

There are waves of gasps as almost everypony looks towards the door. Twilight exhales a light hearted sigh. “That’s Rarity” she pointed.

And there stood Rarity in the most beautiful gown that she had ever created, even better than the gown she wore for the Grand Galloping Gala. It was a flurry, golden, princess dress, with sashes of glittering gold and diamonds looping on the skirt of the dress. Wit hit she wore her special golden necklace of a heart ruby that Spike had given her not that long ago. And to top it off, she had a golden diamond tiara on her head.

Behind her is Spike in a little tuxedo. He stands behind Rarity, holding up the ends of her dress so it couldn’t get dirty, his eyes never leave Rarity’s flank.

“I think she may have overdressed a little” laughed Soulstice. “I mean, this ain’t a Gala.”

Twilight just rolled her eyes. “You still have a lot to learn about Ponyville” she smiled as they go to greet her.

“Twilight, darling!” she said as she slowly shuffled to them in her dress. It clearly was difficult to move in. “Oh my I am ever so sorry, you haven’t introduced me to this, handsome stallion” she said, batting her extended eyelashes at Soulstice.

“Soulstice, Miss Rarity” he said so properly. He picked up her hoof and gave it a gentle kiss. “And might I say that you look just ravishing today” shooting a smile at her.

Rarity gives a little giggle towards Twilight. “I like this one” she said before turning towards Soulstice. “Oh Soulstice, you are just a charm.”

“If by ‘charm’ you mean charming, then guilty” he gave a little laugh at the terrible joke.

Rarity though it was hysterical. “Oh, and he’s funny too, Twilight you got a keeper with this one.” She nudged Twilight a little. “Well I would love to chat but I have to share myself with the rest of the ponies. “Ta-ta” she waved goodbye as she shuffled towards some colts to show off her dress. Spike follows behind her.

Twilight looked at Soulstice it a confused smile on her face. “Okay, what was that about?”

“What was what” he said smugly back. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“No seriously, what was that?” she asked as the two ponies walk away laughing as Twilight tries to figure out what Soulstice was doing with Rarity.

At the door, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy finally make it to the party. Pinkie begins to look feverishly around.

“Do you see him, do you see him, how is my hair?” Pinkie asks as she begins to panic. “Does this smell okay?” she reaches up her front hoof and sticks her armpit in Fluttershy’s face.

Fluttershy looks like she is about to hurl. “Oh, it’s smell…… Just fine” she said, removing her head to get rid of the smell being emitted from Pinkie Pie.

“Ooooooo, I’m just so nervous! Which is weird because I am never nervous. Usually when I’m nervous I just start singing a song that I make up at the top of my head, but my head has been full of other stuff, like, like……..” she gives out a dreamy moan. “Ink Spoooooot.”

Fluttershy tries to speak up. “Umm, Pinkie?” she asked. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to find Twilight.” The pink mare didn’t even seem to notice her talking, so Fluttershy just headed off in search of her friends.

“Did you say something Fluttershy?” Pinkie asked, still in her dream state. “No? Okay have fun….”

“Are all your parties this extreme?” A voice asked from behind her.

She begins to turn around. “They are when they’re thrown for the love of your-EEK” she squeaked.

It had been Ink Spot who had asked her. In her dream state, she was completely unaware that he had entered the party. There he stood, wearing (in her eyes) the most dashingly handsome tie in all of Ponyville. His father and little sister were standing right behind him as they all stared puzzlingly at the pink pony.

His little sister asked first. “Love of yer what?” she giggled.

Pinkie was speechless. “l-l-l-l-lo-lo-lo-“she stuttered, a face of horror striking across her face.

That’s when Rarity came over. “Well hello again Inky” she blushed at the still confused colt as she waddled over towards them, Spike not far behind. “It is so good to see you again.”

“Hey!” cried Clutter happily. “The pretty lady is back!” she jumped up to Rarity and gave her a big bear hug. She was still just as filthy as she was yesterday.

Rarity cried in horror. “OH GOOD CELESTIA! MY DRESS!”

Clean Sweeps apologizes for his daughter. “Oh dear. Sorry about that ma’am” he grabs Clutter and pulls her off Rarity. “Clutter what did I tell you about hugging?”

Clutter just looked at her father with her big puppy dog eyes. “I’m sorry daddy, I can’t help it sometimes” she pouted, increasing the intensity of her eyes.

Even a big stallion like Clean Sweep was powerless against those eyes. “Just apologize to Miss Rarity. WITHOUT HUGGING.” He was very clear with those last two words.

Clutter looked up at Rarity. “I’m sorry Miss Rare-e-tee” keeping her big apologetic eyes on her.

Rarity forced a smile. “Oh it’s alright dear.” She took a big gulped and continued “It’s just a dress.” She looked to the side. “A dress that had taken months to perfect” she muttered before turning to Spike. “Spikey, it’s time to go.”

“What already? But we just got here! Can’t we stay a bit longer” he begged.

“Now, now Spike” she reassured him. “You need to come back with me to help me change.” She gave the dragon a sultry look.

“Nice meeting you guys!” Spike said as he dragged Rarity out the door.

Ink Spot watched as Rarity waddled out of the store in her filthy dress. “Well that was interesting, so Pinkie you were saying.” He turned to look at Pinkie, she hasn’t moved an inch since she first froze up.

“L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-love y-y-you” she said nervously.

“Come again?” Ink Spot asked.

“CUPCAKES!” she screamed. “I-I-I-I said cupcakes” she forced a smile as she began turning red.

“Okaaaaaay?” said Ink Spot. “Sure I like cupcakes.

This was her chance. “Oh y-y-you like cupcakes too, so do I” she said. “I made some really good ones over here” she led him to the snack table.

Ink Spot couldn’t believe his eyes. “You baked all of these?” he asked in amazement. “That’s incredible.”

Pinkie gasped with exhilaration. “Y-you, think I’m incredible?” she jumped on the pony. “Oh that is the sweetest thing that anypony has ever said to me!”

Ink Spot was a little shocked that Pinkie had embraced him so quickly, but he really didn’t mind, as he wrapped is front hooves slowly around her. In fact, she was actually pretty cute when you really think about it. Her warm, slender pink body, that puffy pink hair, and those big, big blue eyes. The very thought of her just made him want to-

“Oh no” said Ink Spot as looked down. He quickly crossed his back legs with embarrassment.

“What oh no?” Pinkie thought, her mind jumping to the worst possible conclusion. “Oh no, that hug was too much” she was tearing up as she ran towards the bathroom. “I’M SORRY!”

“Pinkie wait!” he screamed as he tried his best to follow her to the bathroom.

Somewhere else in the party, Twilight introduces Fluttershy to Soulstice.

“Oh it’s always so nice to meet a new pony” said Fluttershy.

Soulstice gave her a heartwarming smile. “Why thank you, and might I say that that is a beautiful hair piece you have there.”

Fluttershy giggled at the comment. “Oh, why thank you Soulstice. Umm Twilight, can I talk to you for a second……..In private.”

“Oh sure Fluttershy” she said. “Excuse us for a second.”

“Not a problem” he said. “I’ll go get something to eat” he said as he left.

“So Fluttershy, what’s up?” asked Twilight.

“Well…” Fluttershy began. “I just wanted to say that I’m happy for you and Soulstice, he seems like a very nice pony” she forced a smile and her voice got higher as she held back tears. “I just hope that someday I can be as happy as you and Soulstice are” she couldn’t hold back anymore, she grabbed Twilight by the neck and started crying on her shoulder. “I sorry Twilight, I’m just so lonely” she sniffled, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Twilight patted her distressed friend on her back. “Hey there, don’t be so upset.” She had to reassure her friend somehow. “Listen, Fluttershy. You are a smart, kind, caring, and beautiful pony. Anypony in all of Equestria would be lucky to be with you. And if they can’t see that about you then they don’t deserve you.” She pulled her friend from her shoulder and looked in her eyes. “And besides Fluttershy, me and Soulstice are just friends.”

Fluttershy wipes a few stray tears from her face as she starts to calm down. “Oh that’s nice of you to say, but it’s not like the pony of my life will just walk through the door.”

“Krispy! You finally made it!” Stray Cloud called as a stocky light orange pony entered the room. He was a little beefy around the middle, but strong. His dirty blonde mane and seemed well kept, and he had blue eyes that made you think of oceans. His tail was a bit longer than normal and beside his flank were three strips of haybacon.

“Hey Cloud, what’s up?” Krispy asked his friend.

“Not much, you know…..just being ninja” he said as he stuck his flank in Krispy’s face, showing off his four-bladed shuriken cutie mark.

Krispy tried to avoid his friend’s flank being pushed in his face. “That’s great; get your flank out of my face.” Stray Cloud did as he was told. “So anyhooves, what happened to you last night? You sort of just..... disappeared.”

“Yeah I got uhhhhhhh” Stray Cloud tried to think of something. “I was doing…..undercover ninja work!” he said smugly. “I got a call from the great-“

“I saw you last night racing Rainbow Dash” Krispy stated bluntly.

“What?”

“When you were racing” he began, “I saw you zoom by with her as I was closing up my shop. So what’s up with that?”

Stray Cloud was beginning to blush. “We just had a little race, that’s all. What, you think I like some stupid tomboy pony?”

Krispy gave him a sly look. “Well she is cute. Anyhooves you deal with that, I’m getting a drink.” He said as he headed towards the punch bowl.

As he left his friend to think about how stupid it was to like mares, he started looking around. He never really thought too much about having a special somepony for Hearts and Hooves Day. He looked around, there were plenty of decent mares at this party, and maybe he would bump into one here.

BUMP

As he was lost in his thoughts he didn’t see this one pony to his side. He turned around to apologize.

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” They both said. He looked at the other pony he had just bumped.

It was a mare about his age. She had this small slim yellow body and a long pink beautiful mane. Taking a look to her side, Krispy saw the three butterflies on her flank. She looked up and stared at him with her perfect blue, sparkling eyes.

He had just bumped into the mare he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. He had just bumped into Fluttershy.

Next Chapter: Chapter 10: A Chance Meeting, and a Heart Beating Estimated time remaining: 42 Minutes