“Woo! Party!” screamed an energetic DJ.

It was the night of the Annual Apple Family Reunion and the celebrations were going on strong. It was a much smaller gathering than last year due to conflicting schedules, but there were still a good amount of ponies gathered. There were the Ponyville Apples, a few from Manehattan, and a good amount from Applelossa. Also the Sparkle family was in attendance. This gave Ma and Pa Apple a chance to meet their daughter-in-law as well as their grandfoals. They were a little hesitant around Nyx, but warmed up to her after they spent some time around the little filly. Scootaloo, Babs Seed, and Apple Bloom spent most of the day speeding around the farm crusading their little hearts out. This left the adults to talk, once Nyx was allowed to join them.

“I think you’ve had enough, son,” Apple Crisp said trying to take DJ’s drink.

“Nuh uh!” DJ responded by yanking back his cup. “Mine!”

“Trust me, Mister Apple, you can’t win an argument with him,” Twilight said. “Only I can do that. Don’t worry, though. He’s not drunk.”

Apple Crisp wasn’t convinced. “First, you can call me Pa since you’re his wife. At least he knows how to pick ‘em like an Apple,” he mumbled under his breath. “Second, are you sure? He sure is actin’ like it.” What he was referring to was DJ’s crazy antics: running around, yelling, saying crazy things. Or the usual, as the town residents call it.

“This may be surprising, but this is exactly how my husband acts on a daily basis. Ask anypony in town and they will agree. DJ’s uncontrollable, crazy, and insane. Well, actually we don’t know about the insane part.”

“What do you mean?” asked Red Gala.

“The darn fool refuses to have any kind of mental test!” Applejack said in a testy voice.

“Why?” Ma and Pa asked together.

“Because…” responded Big Mac, Applejack, and Twilight. This was left off because this is where DJ pops into the conversation.

“If they knew what was wrong with me, then they would try to fix me!” DJ finished, somehow getting between Ma and Pa Apple. They both turned to look at their adopted son with wide eyes, not understanding how he got there or what just happened. “I am like this for reason, ya know! Ooh, pie!” And he was gone again. Gala and Crisp were bewildered beyond reason.

“What the hay was that?” they both asked.

“DJ being DJ,” the three Ponyvillians answered.

“And you fell for him because?” Crisp asked Twilight.

“Because he cares.” The in-laws motioned for her to continue, hoping to learn a little more about their son. “He may act like this most of the time, but when he’s serious, DJ is the greatest friend and husband. My husband acts like this because of the world he came from, which was dreary and depressing, so he does this craziness to stay happy. When he’s not, well, DJ’s cunning, knowledgeable, and, most surprising of all, intelligent. From what I have seen of him, he’s a borderline genius!”

“Say again?!” Apple Crisp said with saucer eyes.

“I know! From the way he acts, you would never guess, but he is about as smart as, well, me! DJ was able to fly and learn magic all in the span of a couple months. That would take any other pony almost a year, if not years!”

“But that’s only when he actually bothers,” Spike said, entering the conversation with a plate of apple fritters. “If DJ doesn’t have any interest, then don’t expect any results. Also, stay away from him when he’s inventing.”

“Inventing?” asked Red Gala.

“Stay away?” Apple Crisp asked.

“My husband has been trying his hoof at recreating technology from his world here in Equestria, with some questionable results.”

“I think you mean explosive,” Spike commented.

“And fiery,” Applejack added.

“Eeyup.” This didn’t explain anything to the two older Apples, but they just let it drop. No need for a brain aneurism after all.

“Heyo!” DJ said out of nowhere. Nopony jumped this time, though, as they were getting used to it. “Hey, Big Mac, Spike. Wanna get this party really goin’?” The two guys looked at each other and then back at DJ with smiles.

“Thought you’d never ask,” said Spike.

“Eeyup!”

“Great! Let’s go!” DJ popped out of existence once again and his two band mates proceeded to the center stage of the Apple reunion, much to the confusion of the parental Apples.

“What’s goin’ on now?” asked the stallion.

“Just sit back and watch Mister Apple. I think you’ll be surprised at what your sons can do,” replied Twilight.

Apple Crisp huffed and sat on his rear. “Alright. And Ah though Ah told ya to call me ‘Pa’.”

Back on stage, the three males were ready start the show, with the Discords ready for backup.

“It feels great to be back on stage boss,” said Quatro. The others muttered in agreement.

“Yeah, ya don’t rely much on us anymore! What up with that!” commented Dos.

“I know guys and I’m sorry. Just been living my life without strangeness for a while. We’ll figure something out, though. I promise,” DJ said, hoping that his assistants were going to commit mutiny.

“We’re just yanking your chain boss," calmed Uno. “Just riling ya up! We’re good, we’re good! Been giving us time to work on our things; I think you’ll like some of the stuff we came up with.”

“Can’t wait!” DJ then turned to Spike and Mac. “Ready guys?” Both gave nods of approval, so DJ addressed the assembled family members. “Evenin’ everypony! How we doin’ tonight?” The crowd yelled back mutual agreements that everything was good. “Awesome! Now some of ya know me, some you don’t, so allow me to introduce myself. The name is DJ Sparkle, adopted son of Red Gala and Apple Crisp. That’s all you’re gonna get out of me right now, so let’s focus on our guitarist, Spike!” Said dragon walked forward a little, dark shades covering his eyes and a smug grin gracing his face. “This bad boy is my little brother-in-law and my number one buddy. Give him some love!” The audience applauded in turn and Spike drank it all in.

When they quieted down, DJ spoke again. “Didn’t mean that much love, he’s already got ego problems.” This elicited a laugh from the crowd, and a smirk from his wife. Spike was not as amused, but his glare was blocked by his dark glasses. “And now on to our resident bassist. You know him, ya love him, he keeps Sweet Apple Acres runnin’! Give it up for my big brother, Big Macintosh!” The ponies roared for the big lug, causing Big Mac to blush a little. “Huh, that usually only happens when Fluttershy is around,” DJ quipped with a big grin, receiving a glare from his brother.

“Who’s Fluttershy?” Red Gala asked, suddenly curious.

“Didn’t Big Mac tell ya?” Applejack responded with a question. Both her parents shook their heads ‘no’. “That durn fool. To shy to even tell our parents about his marefriend. Fluttershy is one of mine and Twi’s best friends and she and Big Mac have been together for almost a year and a half.”

“WHAT?! My little colt has fillyfriend and he never even told me?!” Red Gala was going ballistic. Apple Crisp tried his best to calm down his hyperventilating wife. Twilight meanwhile whispered to Applejack.

“Since when has Big Macintosh been ‘little’?”

DJ’s voice once again went out over the crowd. “Alright, so you met the band, that means it’s time to get to the music. Time to get your country on everypony! Uno! DO THE THING!” The Discords started up and let the two stallions and young drake do the rest.

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“Big Mac, everypony!” Big Mac trotted forward and began to do a country rap. His deep voice replacing Colt Ford quite well for this number. It also helped DJ’s ego when Ma and Pa’s mouths dropped at the sight of their big son singing like that. What can I say? The dude’s got a rapper’s voice and we gotta utilize it!

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“So how’d you like that little number?” His assembled family members cheered in appreciation. “Awesome! Hey guys,” DJ said turning to his fellow players, “I think they want another. Should we give it to them?”

“I don’t know,” replied Spike. “Doesn’t sound like they want us to go again.”

“Nnope.”

DJ returned his gaze to the crowd. “Come on everypony! Let’s hear it! You want another?”

“Yeah!” was sent to the band.

“I don’t think that was enough. Let’s try it one more time. Do you want us to do another song!?”

“YEAH!!”

“Woo! I think the planet felt that one! Alright, one more song! Let’s go guys; a one, a two, a one, two, three!”

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The cheers were deafening. DJ, Spike, and Big Macintosh took a bow as the applause grew. They could see that everypony was really enjoying themselves now. So their job was done for the night. “Hey, guys?” DJ asked causing the two to look at him. “Who’s up for some cider pong?”

**********

“Ugh, my head,” whined Spike at the table. Last night really took its toll on the young dragon.

“I told you to stop after the third game, but NOOO. You just had to prove that you could beat an Apple at Cider pong,” DJ commented while sipping a purple concoction.

“You drank just as much as me, so why aren’t you suffering?” Spike said holding a frozen bag of corn to his head. He was also still wearing his dark shades from the previous night.

“Well for one, I don’t get drunk. You know that.” For some reason, that is one of the few perks of being previously human for DJ. Twilight came up with the theory that it’s because his mind was the only part that was not changed into pony’s so it can handle a higher level of alcoholic consumption. DJ came up with not looking a gift horse in the mouth (so to speak). “Second, here.” He passed over his drink to Spike who looked at it wearingly.

“What is it?”

“Drink it and find out,” DJ said with a smile. Spike slowly lifted the cup to his lips and took a quick sip. He seemed to like it and he downed another swig in a quick gulp.

“Ah, that’s good stuff! But why did I need to drink it?”

“Well, do you have a headache?”

“Of course I… holy guacamole! My headache’s gone! And my eyes aren’t sensitive anymore! What the hay!?”

“The forever drink! I discovered that the dang thing can actually create drinks too. All I had to do was ask. Either that or there’s some reality that came up with an instant hangover cure. Don’t know, don’t care, all that matters is that it freakin’ works!”

Spike gave his brother-in-law a deadpan stare. “And you’re just telling me about this stuff now?”

He shrugged in response. “To be fair you never asked, ‘Hey, DJ, you got a cure for hangovers?’. Simple as that.” Spike face palmed. “By the by, where is everypony?” DJ had looked around the table to see that he and Spike were the only one’s to come down for breakfast.

“Don’t you remember? The breezies are blowing through town today and Twilight is helping the others cheer for them. The fillies got an early start so they could see the show, too.”

“Completely forgot about that,” DJ admitted. “You wanna go see them?”

“Well, duh! They’re a rare species that only show up in Equestria every now and then! They live in some magical land hidden inside Equestria.”

DJ looked intrigued. “Now this I have to see.”

DJ and Spike finished up their breakfast, that DJ cooked since Spike was out commission at the time, and got ready to join the massive crowd that was watching for the breezies’ arrival. It didn’t take long for the swarm of tiny, bug-like pony-things to come flying on the breeze. Twilight had explained to DJ that breezies were not very strong fliers on their own, so they flew in swarms on the wind to carry the colony to their destinations. He took in the sight of them, a little weirded out by their appearance, but still fascinated by them. What DJ didn’t notice was his best buddy climbing a tree behind them so he could get a look.

DJ took notice of Spike’s disappearance after a moment. “Spike? Little dude?” He kept turning his head, but was soon shushed by the crowd around him. Right, the breezies need quiet. The slightest additional wind could send the breezies off course. DJ then heard some rustling from above him, so he looked up to see Spike on the branch of the tree. Unfortunately, the rustling shook a leaf free from the branch and, with the great luck of Equestria (It’s a thing!), flew right in the face of the lead breezie and they went spiraling.

Thanks to Fluttershy’s last minute rescue, the breezies were saved from a deadly crash. DJ, Spike and the other girls gathered around them to make sure nopony was hurt. “Everypony okay?” DJ asked once they were gathered.

“Don’t worry, everypony’s okay,” Fluttershy replied.

“I am so sorry!” cried Spike, throwing himself to Flutters’ mercy. “I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry!”

“Oh, it’s okay! It could have happened to any of us,” Fluttershy said comfortingly. Apparently, the breezies didn’t share her feelings as they started shouting at the drake.

“Uh… I’m… just… gonna stay over here.” Spike when and stood off to the side, away from the group.

“Well, they may not be able to speak Equish, but at least they know how to communicate,” DJ quipped. Which earned him a slap to the back of his head from his wife. “Ow!” How does DiNozzo put up with this crap!?

“So, Fluttershy,” started Rainbow Dash, “you want us to get the breeze going again so these little guys can get the move on?’ This earned a cry of a protest from the assembled breezies, save for a blue one with a pink mane.

“Maybe we should give wait a moment or so. They’ve been through so much,” Fluttershy replied.

Rainbow accepted this. “Just gimme the word when you think they’re ready.” The girls started to disperse with the breezies flying off with Fluttershy back to her cottage. Meanwhile, the blue breezie hung back a moment to glare at its fellows. DJ took notice of this a walked up to it.

“You don’t look so happy there,” he commented.

“We supposed to be almost home now,” the breezie responded with a Norwegian accent. Not what I expected in the least. “I miss my family and we should be moving, not waiting.”

“Wait, you’re a dude? Wow, hard to tell,” DJ said with a shrug and a glare from the offended breezie. “Sorry, don’t worry. You can trust Flutters. She never let’s down her friends or little creatures.” The breezie huffed and floated off after his fellows. “Come on Spike, let’s figure out something to do today.”

“Coming!” Spike trotted off after his brother.

**********

Later that day, DJ and Spike wandered upon the girls and the breezies standing a little on the forest road. The two of them had spent the day doing whatever: gaming, inventing (don’t ask about what happened, just don’t), and eating. Ya know, typical guy stuff.

“What’s up girls?” DJ asked.

“We’re trying to get the breezies on their way home, but they’re too small of a group to fly on th breeze,” Twilight explained. “So I’m going to turn all of us into breezies to help them home!”

“Yeah!” exclaimed Pinkie. “You two should come with! It’ll be fun!”

DJ and Spike looked at each other and then back to the girls. “Let me get this straight,” started DJ. “You want to turn us…”

“Into little bug-like ponies…” filled in Spike.

“That are girlier than all get out…”

“And can barely fly…”

“Just to get them home…”

“To Celestia knows where?” The two looked at each other again and then back to the Mane Six.

“WE THINK NOT!!” The two said together. And they trotted off into the tree line.

“Well that was rude,” commented Rarity once the two guys were gone.

“Who needs ‘em,” added Rainbow. “Come on Twi, get to the spell work.” Twilight activated her magic, transforming the six mares into breezies and they flew off, leading the others back home. As they took off, DJ and Spike emerged back from the tree line.

“We gonna follow ‘em?” Spike asked.

“Eeyup. Climb aboard,” DJ knelt down and Spike clamored on top. “Let’s go!” DJ took flight after his wife and their friends. After flying for hours, the group flew into a tunnel, while DJ and Spike landed on the gorge above and waited for them to fly back out. After a few minutes, the Mane Six flew back out and Twilight turned them back into their natural pony forms. As they trotted back towards Ponyville, with Rainbow Dash begging Twilight to turn her into other creatures, DJ and Spike watched Fluttershy hang back for a moment. They watched as a new, blue flower in hair briefly glowed the color of the rainbow. DJ added it to the list, while Spike’s jaw dropped.

“Did Shy’s flower just glow?” the drake asked.

“Eeyup.”

“Does it mean anything?”

“Not sure, yet. But I have an idea.”

“Can I know?”

“Not yet, Spike. I need to confirm it firs before anything else. I don’t think we need to wait too much longer, though.” DJ took flight, heading for home. While he and Spike soared through the air, DJ and Malice exchanged thoughts.

The key of kindness. That’s generosity, loyalty, laughter, and kindness; four down, honest and magic to go.

This better lead to something exciting. I’m getting bored in here! I hate peace times!

Don’t you think I know that? At least I’ve been keeping up our training. Can’t go soft, not after what happened with Sombra.

Why do I get the feeling that something’s about to happen soon, but it won’t be what we think?

I don’t know. You’re the one with these weird premonitions. You tell me.

I am so gonna punch you one of these days. This I swear!

Yeah, yeah. Just focus on your own problems.

Trust me on this, partner. Something’s gonna go down soon enough, the only question is what? I hope it’s another baddie whose face we get to cave in!

Alright, Malice. I’ll head your words, but we aren’t gonna force anything. No point in that and it could only make things worse.

Yeah, yeah. Don’t cause trouble, just let trouble come to us. It always does.

Don’t remind me.