Another three years past with only a few minor disturbances. All were fixed by the seven elements.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake opened a new branch of the Sugarcube Corner in Canterlot (at the request of Princess Celestia herself) and gave the old one to Pinkie Pie. The resulting cheer was heard from Manehattan to Fillydelphia.

Midnight reopened his business and was quite busy, but he always found time for his little girl.

"RROOAARR!!!" Midnight charged at a tiny purple unicorn who faced him bravely. "I'm going to eeaatt you"

"No you won't. I'm going to dah-feet you." she turned and bucked his ankle.

He winced and let out dramatic, "NOOOOO." the yell was acted but the wince was real That actually hurt a bit, he thought as he flung himself on his back 'ats my girl

"I WIN!!!" the little filly exclaimed proudly, "I beat you dad, now i get a cupcake." she looked at the unmoving blue pony, "Come on, daddy, get up." she poked him with her hoof.

"Gottcha'" he said as he rolled over and grabbed her, tickling the poor filly, "Now your mine, NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!" he pretended to eat her. The little unicorn was laughing uncontrollably.

Aurora finally got to her hooves and caught her breath when Midnight stopped, "NO FAIR." she said, "you cheated."

"Fine, I cheated so you win. Let's get your cupcake."

"Yay, cupcakes." She said and started singing Pinkie's cupcake song while hopping around. Obviously the kid spends too much time with the pink party pony

When they finally arrived at Sugarcube Corner Aurora ran in ahead of her father, "Auntie Pinkie!!!"

"Hey there, Rory." said Pinkie, "So which do you want."

"TRIPLE CHOCOLATE!" the little unicorn said excitedly.

"Just regular chocolate." Midnight corrected, "You don't need all that chocolate, your sweet enough."

"Oh, pleeeease..." she gave him the biggest, most adorable eyes she could muster

"Oh, geez," that was it, she had him in her hooves, "fine two triple chocolate cupcakes."

"Ooo, what unshakable resolve." Pinkie said handing the sweets over laughing.

"Oh, shut it, Pink." he said before taking a bite of his own.

"Here's the cake you ordered by the way." she said as she pulled a box out from under the counter.

Midnight just swallowed the last bite of his cupcake and went to get his cake, "Thanks, Pink, here's the bits." he put several coins on the counter she was about to say something but he interrupted her, "and, no, it's not on the house. You work too hard to not get paid. Seriously, you should hire an assistant." he and Aurora left with their goodbyes before she could protest.

It was Hearts and Hooves day and the cake was for Twilight. As he walked through town he saw all the couples together. He even saw Dash with that Storm Runner guy. He laughed as he thought to himself I guess she's really not gay.

As they started toward their next destination Midnight noticed Fluttershy across the road. She looked upset so Midnight decided to try and cheer her up, "sup, Shy." she looked up at him, her eyes were puffy, "are you ok? You look like you've been crying."

"Oh, h-hello Midnight, hi Aurora."

"Hi, auntie Fluttershy. Daddy bought me a cupcake." the little filly smiled. She still had chocolate on her teeth.

"That's very nice of him." the timid yellow mare said, "I'm ok, Midnight, I really am."

Midnight sat next to her, "Come on, Fluttershy, I'm your friend. I know something's bothering you, lemme help."

She remained quiet for several moments before sighing, "Its just that it seems everypony has somepony but me, even Applejack has a date today." she said, "I just want to meet a nice stallion."

"AJ has a date?" He was kind of surprised about that, "I'm sorry your feeling so lonely. I know why don't you spend the day with Twilight and me."

"Thank you very much but I need to get home to feed my animals. I'll come over tomorrow... I-I mean if you want me to." she said

"Your always welcome at our house, Shy. Take care." he waved to her.

"Bye Auntie Fluttershy." Aurora said.

"Goodbye, and happy Hearts and Hooves day." she said with a trace of pain creeping into her voice.

Midnight and Aurora went to the Carousel Boutique for his last gift.

Entering as quietly as possible Midnight used his seal to make his voice sound like Prince Blueblood, "Rarity, my love I finally found you!"

"AAAHHHHH!!!" Rarity shrieked, jumped up and threw herself into a pile of cloth.

Midnight and Aurora fell to the floor laughing. Rarity was not amused.

Midnight said through the giggles, "You should have seen your, OOOWWWWW!!!" three needles buried themselves into his back side. NOW Rarity was amused.

"I deserved that, I guess. Truce?" Midnight said extending his hoof.

She took it, "Very well. I take it your here for the gift?"

"Yes I am." he said as she handed him a wrapped box, "Hey have you noticed how upset Fluttershy is."

"Oh, yes, the poor dear is always upset on Hearts and Hooves day. She's so lonely, but too timid to find somepony. It truly is upsetting." she said returning to her work.

"That's a shame. Well thanks, Rare, I'll see you around." he said heading towards the door.

"Do visit again soon." as they left a thought came to Rarity. She walked up to her counter and put a hoof on a metal box Midnight made and thought of Pinkie Pie and waited a few moments.

"Helllooooooo." said Pinkie's voice from the box.

"Pinkie, it's Rarity."

"Really, where?"

"No, this is Rarity. I just had a marvelous idea for a party."

"You don't say." Rarity jumped as Pinkie Pie's voice come from right beside her.

"How, Did you get here that fast." She asked the pink one.

"I walked, duh." she answered.

Rarity was confused before she realized she was trying to under stand Pinkie Pie, "Never mind, we need an emergency party tomorrow."

Pinkie gasped, "An emergency party?! What's wrong? Who's it for."

"It's for two ponies." Rarity answered, "They both need love and are perfect for each other." she had a huge smile on her face, "Fluttershy and Big Macintosh. They are both kind, quiet, lonely and in need of somepony special."

"You're right, Rarity. This is an emergency. Follow me." said Pinkie with a serious look on her face.

They left the boutique and headed back to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie turned the open sign to the closed side and led Rarity down to the basement.

She walked to a painting of cupcakes, "This calls for my Super-Duper-Ultra-Max-Awesome-Amazing-Excellent-Party-Maker-Thingy." she touched the painting and it slid to one side, and a panel slid out. She put her hoof on it as a beam scanned her eye.

A voice suddenly spoke as the wall slid aside, "Good morning Pinkie Pie." Rarity Was stunned.

Inside the hidden room was all manner of party favors form games and streamers to a disco ball and a brass pole. At the end of the room was a large machine that pinkie sat in front of and began pushing buttons. It came to life displaying images of Fluttershy and Bug Mac as well as several locations and other possible party accessories on a big piece of glass.

"Where did you get that thing from, Pinkie Pie?" Rarity asked amazed at the object.

"From The Doctor." Pinkie said before addressing the machine, "I need a hookup party for Fluttershy and Big Macintosh."

"Calculating..." the machine spoke, "factoring personality types... location, LAKE, confirmed, printing accessory list." a sound came from beside the machine and a list came out of a slot and pinkie grabbed it. looking it over "Printing invitations" It pushed out a basket full of cards.

Pinkie grabbed the basked and handed it to Rarity, "Can you deliver these while i get the party set up?" She asked

"Oh, of course, Darling." Rarity looked at the machine, "You'll have to tell me how exactly you got that thing and this doctor is."

"Sorry I can't, I pinkie promised." she said and started bouncing around the room grabbing decorations and favors

---------------------

Midnight and Twilight just finished the cake and were sitting at the mantel with a cozy fire burning while Aurora was playing with the Crusaders with AJ watching. Spike had some "things to do" and gave them their privacy.

"Hey, Twi." Midnight said as he pulled the box from Rarity out, "I got this for you."

"Oh, Mid, thank you." she quickly opened it and lifter out a silver quill with a gem in the shape her cutie mark in the middle, "Oh, it's beautiful." she hugged him and pulled out a box of her own.

Midnight took the box and opened it, "Oh, wow." It was a silver rope necklace with dark blue diamonds, "I like it it's cool."

"It's not just for looks though." Twilight said, "I asked Princess Celestia to make it. It's a magic reserve. It takes a little of your unused magic and stores it so you can use it later. It takes about three days to charge if you don't use any of it, but it will double your magical energy without needing a unicorn to channel."

"That's awesome. It'll definitely come in handy" He put it on just as a knock came from the door, "I got it."

It was Rarity, "Good evening, Darlings. I just came by to give you your invitation to Pinkie Pie's party tomorrow, and to ask if you could see if the Wonderbolts would be willing to come and for a quick show."

"That shouldn't be a problem, Soarin owes me a bunch of bits from poker Tuesday anyway. If I tell him we'll be even he'll come."

"Marvelous, I'll let Pinkie know later, she's busy now. Bye." Rarity said as Midnight waved bye and shut the door

Midnight looked back at Twilight, "Shall we?"

Twilight gave him a seductive look, "We shall."

After fooling around for few minuets there was another knock.

"Celestia, damn it." Twilight said, "I'm going to kill whoever it is."

"In that case I'll answer it." Midnight looked out the window, "Crap, it's AJ." he opened the door a crack, "Hey, AJ, can you give us twenty minuets?"

"What? Ah'm Tired, you said bring Aurora back..." she looked at Midnight then Twilight seeing them sweaty and breathing heavy, "Who wants ice cream?" their answer was unanimous, "Half an hour." she said.

"Thanks." Midnight said and shut the door and turned back to his wife.

"Finally," Twilight said, "I thought she'd nev... oof." Midnight finally got his revenge.

-------------

"Hey Twilight, what's with the limp?" asked Rainbow Dash. Midnight was over joyed to hear that.

The party was huge, even for Pinkie Pie standards. Even Princess Celestia and Luna were there. Twilight ran to greet them.

Midnight saw Pinkie talking with Soarin looking upset so he walked over, "What's up Pink, Soarin, how's it going."

"Terrible." said Pinkie, "Spitfire hurt her wing and can't fly for a week."

He looked over to the fiery mare and saw the bandage on her wing, "Damn, I was looking forward to the show."

"But the show is to important to not go on." Pinkie was hyperventilating.

"What's up guys, you ok Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash asked joining the conversation.

"Spitfire hurt her wing, so they can't do the show." Midnight answered.

"That's not entirely true" Spitfire said with a thoughtful look towards the blue pegasus, "I may not be able to perform but we can still do the show." the others looked at her confused, "I just need a replacement for the show. Whadaya say, Rainbow Dash. You were awesome at the young fliers competition, the Canterlot open, and the Sky Winder's Showdown. You got skill and we could use that sonic rainboom you can do. How would you like to perform in my place"

Rainbow was so shocked she forgot to flap and face-planted. Snapping back to reality, "You mean it. Me. Perform with the Wonderbolts." she was on the verge of tears.

"That would work." agreed Soarin, "You are an amazing flier."

"YYYEEEESSSSS!!!!!!" Rainbow jumped in the shouting, "YESYESYESYESYES!"

"Come on let's get you into uniform and go over the act." Soarin said leading her away.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh..."

"You need smokers and other equipment, too" Soarin continued as they got out of earshot

"...ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh..."

Midnight laughed, "This is going to be the highlight of her life you know."

"I know," Spitfire said, "I've wanted to invite her to join us, but Soarin insisted we don't need any new recruits. Well I guess he was wrong. see ya." she took off the bandage and flew off.

Midnight laughed even harder, "Wow, nice one Fire. Soarin really is simple."

-----------

Rarity and Fluttershy were heading towards the tables that were set up with plates of food in tow.

"HEY, RARITY, FLUTTERSHY, OVER HERE" AJ waved them to a table with her and her brother.

"Hello, Applejack, Bic Macintosh, hew are you two." Rarity said as they sat.

"Oh, me and mah big brother 'ere were just havin a bite ta eat. How 'bout y'all?" said Applejack.

"Oh, we're peachy." Rarity answered.

The four made small talk for a few minuets before Rarity stopped it, "Say, Applejack, could you help me with something for a moment?"

"Oh, of course, tha's what friends are for." AJ answered, "Why don't y'all two wait for us here. Ya can tell Shy 'bout them squires you saved."

Just like that the shy mare and quiet stallion were left alone.

"S-so," Fluttershy whispered, "you l-like animals, t-too, huh?"

"Eeyep." was the answer.

They were quiet for a while until Fluttershy a pony she recognized, "Is that Soarin with Rainbow Dash?" she asked in disbelief.

"...ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh..."

The Big Mac and Fluttershy looked at each other and started laughing

"Y-you have a n-nice l-laugh." the yellow pegasus said.

"So do you." replied the quiet giant.

They talked foe awhile as Rarity and Applejack watched from afar.

"Phase one complete, Rare, next step." Applejack said

"We get them to dance." Replied Rarity.

They went to the DJ and requested a slow dance.

"Sorry, love birds, DJ Pon-3 don't do slow."

"LOVE BIRDS." Rarity turned red with anger.

"You got tha wrong idea we're tryin' to get a friend together with mah brother." AJ explained.

"Why ain't the point. I don't do slow, sorry." the DJ said.

Rarity thought for a moment, "I have an idea. Follow me."

They searched the crowd until they spotted three little thirteen year old fillies.

"Sweety Bell, We need your help." Rarity pleaded.

"For what?" The filly asked.

"We're trying tah get Fluttershy and Big Mac together, but tha DJ don't got slow music." AJ explained

"Awwwwww." the three said at once

"Please, I've already arranged for Lyra to play tonight you just need to sing for them." Rarity sounded desperate.

"WHAT?," the young pony said, "Sing in front of everypony. I can't do that."

"Sure you can, Sweety, you're great." said Scootaloo.

"Yea, you got the purdiest voice in Equestria. Do it for Fluttershy and Big Mac." Applebloom agreed.

"Um...," Sweety Bell thought for a moment, "OK, for love."

After a quick setup they were ready. Lyra began playing her lyre in a sweet soft melody. Sweety, still nervous, cleared her throat looking at all the ponies watching her.

I can do this, she thought, for Fluttershy and Big Mac. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let it out again. ok, here i go. When she opened her mouth the sweetest, most beautiful sound filled the air.

She opened her eyes to see the smiling faces and teary eyes of all the ponies. She felt something, new. Her voice brought them joy. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Big Mac get up and extend a hoof to Fluttershy. When she saw the two begin dancing, she was hit by a feeling of euphoria. It was beautiful. Amazing. Exhilarating. She didn't want to stop.

Big Mac felt a well of emotions stir. He had always had feelings for her but was too shy to say anything.

As they danced he heard the Wonderbolts in the air. A pop sounded and he looked into Fluttershy's eyes only to see them sparkling from the light of the sky performers. That was it, he couldn't take it anymore as he leaned in and kissed her.

"Tha was amazing." Applebloom said as Sweety Bell came down from the stage after finishing.

"That was so cool." said Scootaloo.

"It felt amazing. It was like the whole world was watching me, but i liked it." Sweety said. The three hugged.

"hey, whut's tha'?" said Applebloom.

The three looked at what looked like a microphone on Sweetie Bells flank.

"I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!!!" she shouted as loud as possible jumping for joy.

-------------

"Hello, Pinkie Pie." Princess Celestia approached the party's organizer after the guests started leaving.

"Oh, Princess, how did you like the party?" she replied

"Well let's see. Two of our friends got together, the Wonderbolts got a new member, and Sweety Bell got her cutie mark." the white alicorn smiled, "In a nutshell... the best party in a thousand years."

It took three hours to wake Pinkie up.

Next Chapter: Chapter 3: An Unexpected Guest Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 51 Minutes