(A/N – if you see anything about snow, I apologize. I started making this about a prelude to Winter Wrap Up but then realized that autumn came first. Duh. Sorry.)

The Forgemaster was walking through the town of Ponyville on an annoyingly sudden fall's afternoon. Apparently, the day after Nightmare Night is also a holiday; all ponies are given the day off that day. The reason is most likely because of the previous night's events, staying up past 4 will do that to you. Regardless, the day after that every single tree had changed the color of the leaves on their branches, it got really cool, and ponies were jumping into piles of leaves.

Equestria has (apparently) incredibly sudden season changes: 1st day, Nightmare Night and comfortably warm, 2nd day, holiday and comfortably warm, 3rd day, all the leaves are orange and brown and it is nearly freezing in temperature. And all the damn ponies had asked why he dressed up in a large coat! Just because he didn't have a nice warm coat (of fur) makes him the target of all the ponies' unknowing racism. Ponies can be quite racist without realizing it. Though winter was The Forgemaster's favorite season, mainly due to the cold, and fall was his second favorite for the same reason, the sudden shift left his body reeling: seasons are supposed to take weeks to change! It happened so fast, and then the ponies acted like it was normal for season to change in a day. Ponies are weird. And racist.

Seriously, the weather thing was kind of confusing. It meant a few possible things, all of which more confusing than the last. Number 1 was magic, obviously. You'll find that when you work with magic, the laws of physics are more like… general guidelines. Second was that the planet had no rotation, though that would probably just cause a lack of seasons it would also explain why the sun went around the planet instead of the other way around, Celestia's magic counteracted gravity. Third was that the core of the planet wasn't molten anymore. That opened an entire box of impossibilities. So yeah, the answer was magic.

Anyways, he had discovered a wonderfully new thing, albeit old, about ponies that he had noticed but only recently came to his attention. He had thought that previous songs and the accompanying dancing were mostly due to Pinkie's influence, but in fact, ponies are instinctually required to automatically enter into any song. So long as any song you sing is both upbeat and positive, ponies are genetically required to sing and dance along, even if they have never before heard the song, even if they do not want to, and even if they are old and they might throw out a hip or something. But the best part is: not even the ponies themselves were aware of it!

And oh, it was wonderful.

The Forgemaster was walking down the streets of Ponyville, merrily (as merrily as he could) singing and watching with an almost sadistic glee as every single pony joined in, even those not known for their singing or their dancing. The forced smiles on their faces did nothing to hide the confusion and fear held in their eyes. Yes, fear; if you had been walking down the street and suddenly and inexplicably thrust into a song and dance routine you've never done, seen, or heard of in all your life, and for the life of you, and all your friends who have also joined in, cannot stop: it'd be terrifying. Pinkie was the only one who fully embraced the forced singing and dancing, the glee in her eyes obvious to all, even if the joy was also terrifying. Pinkie had to be hedonistic, she takes joy in everything she does and that is one, if not the, defining characteristic of a hedonistic individual.

Accompanied by a chorus of unwilling ponies, The Forgemaster sang:

"Do you believe in magic, in a young girl's heart?

How the music can free her, whenever it starts?

And it's magic, if the music is groovy,

It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie!

I'll tell you about the magic, and it'll free your soul,

But it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock and roll!"

It was fantastic! Every single pony sang and danced with the correct pitch, timing, and step as though they had rehearsed it for years before hand: a perfect rendition of any master choreographer being played out seemingly spontaneously, while they simultaneously sang the words as if they had heard the song every day of their lives since birth.

Every time he went out for supplies whether it be food, metal, or just getting out of the house, the ponies would all sing and dance on command! It was like he was a puppet master and they were dancing on his strings! Muahahaha!

Sadism probably played a large part in his utter and complete joy at doing this, but he wasn't really hurting them so it was kind of hard to tell.

He continued to sing:

"If you believe in magic don't bother to choose!

If it's jug band music or rhythm and blues,

Just go and listen it'll start with a smile,

It won't wipe off your face no matter how hard you try,

Your feet start tapping and you can't seem to find,

How you got there, so just blow your mind!

If you believe in magic, come along with me,

We'll dance until morning 'til there's just you and me,

And maybe, if the music is right,

I'll meet you tomorrow, sort of late at night,

And we'll go dancing, baby, then you'll see!

How the magic's in the music and the music's in me!

Yeah, do you believe in magic?

Yeah, believe in the magic of a young girl's soul!

Believe in the magic of rock and roll!

Believe in the magic that can set you free!

Ohh, talking 'bout magic!

Do you believe like I believe? Do you believe in magic?

Do you believe like I believe? Do you believe, believer?

Do you believe like I believe? Do you believe in magic?"

(A/N - by The Lovin' Spoonful.)

Ah, forced musicals on a population of cheery, colorful, talking horses. If that wasn't something that one could sit back and say, 'That's it, my life is complete.' Then I don't know what is.

The song ended just as The Forgemaster reached his destination: Rarity's boutique.

He left quite a few ponies in the street just finishing their dance routine as though nothing had happened. He would probably have to cut back on it before they ban him from singing. Forcing an entire village to dance to your tune (literally) is not something they appreciate. Except for Pinkie.

A shipment of assorted precious gems and metals just came in courtesy of Rarity's business contacts and The Forgemaster's coin. Due to their previous business arrangement, both were rich enough to live the rest of their lives, and most of the Afterlife, in complete comfort and their fortune was growing every day. But as every rich person will tell you: being rich does not give you permission to make stupid business decisions. Therefore, The Forgemaster got his goods on the cheap.

As it turns out, anything that Humans considered basic technology was revolutionary to the ponies, and they whole-heartedly accepted them and bought them en mass. It was perfect for those who could capitalize on it (i.e.: The Forgemaster) and the ponies certainly appreciated the tech. He wasn't about to let them have guns though. That was just a head-ache he didn't need. In Human history, the moment guns were invented all of the honor that was previously in warfare disappeared. Instead of smallish conflicts with men armed with swords would fight each other like men, whole armies could be conscripted to reload their muskets and level and fire, that's all they needed to know. Hell, even bows and arrows needed extensive training to use it correctly, and armies passed it by even though it was far superior to early firearms. They passed it by because having a thousand conscripts with muskets was more effective than 10 soldiers with bows and arrows. It caused a whole heap of deaths, millions actually, and it was mostly just civilians that were given a weapon, not soldiers trained and disciplined in battle. Truly annoying. The fun of warfare was destroyed by guns.

Anyway, Rarity's Boutique.

The reason behind his obtaining of a large supply of precious metals and gems was simple. Captain Shiny Git and Princess Love-you-long-time are getting married. When, where, why, and how he did not know, but if you've ever gotten jewel-encrusted sword as an engagement present, you would know why The Forgemaster is making one for Shining Armor.

That being said, The Forgemaster was interested in Princes Cadance. She had a few… discrepancies and talents that confused and intrigued The Forgemaster. Number 1 and chief of them all; the girl wasn't immortal. She's an alicorn and not immortal, therefore: alicorns are not born immortal, from that can be deduced that something must have happened to Celly and Lulu to make them immortal. That's all well and good, and where the majority of his interest lay, but she had a few more qualities that he pondered upon.

For instance, she was especially talented in love. Whatever that meant. There are many forms of love: familial love, the love friends share, intimate love, romantic love, etc. Was she talented at one of these or all of them? Clearly, it required more study. That's why he invited them over for dinner tonight, partly to study her and ask questions, and partly to congratulate the 2 of them. Of course, Rainbow was going to be there, she had invited herself and The Forgemaster couldn't bring himself to refuse her, whether that was because he was a good person (fat chance) or that Rainbow was a very threatening individual remained to be seen.

While we are on the subject of love, I suppose the ramifications of him telling Rainbow that he loved her should be told. Apparently it was some major accomplishment for Rainbow, who knew?

Anyways, the next day, the one between Nightmare Night and autumn, Pinkie threw a party for him, Rainbow, and the other 4 mares, because it's just not a party without all of her friends. Totally, completely, weird. But, Rainbow seemed to love it, Pinkie seemed to love it, like she does most things, Rarity seemed to love it, mares and their emotions… Rarity got all teary eyed. When The Forgemaster was questioned as to why he didn't see this as important, the response, 'Only females have emotions, they come from their ovaries.' Did NOT go over well. The explanation that it was more of a private affair in human culture was taken much better by the mares.

But Fluttershy was best; she offered the most congratulations and the most valuable gift, and acted so cute that The Forgemaster literally had to restrain himself from cooing. Amen, I say to you; 'He who does not love and adore Fluttershy should be hanged from the tallest trees and stoned with the sharpest rocks. For God hates those who don't love Her.' Gospel of Forgey, chapter 1, verse 1, the shortest books of the Bible, and the shortest book of all time.

The gifts were as follows: 1 party and extra large cake made of hearts from Pinkie, 1 book on pony love techniques called the 'Ponysutra' from a terribly blushing Twilight, 2 tickets for a free entry to the spa with the best treatment from Rarity, 1 apple tree from Applejack as though it were creative, and 1 hug from Fluttershy; it was enough.

And The Forgemaster sat there in his chair with a glass of anything alcoholic in his hand just staring off into the distance. Until Rainbow made him participate.

Hell hath no fury like Rainbow every day, any day.

(A/N – just realized that I've been leaving you hanging for about a month, again. I'm so incredibly sorry! I don't mean to, honest! I just get caught up with other things and I can't get to this, and when I do the spark isn't there! Therefore; this small chapter will have to be put up ASAP.)

(EXTRA SPECIAL A/N!: those individuals looking to use The Forgemaster or Broken Bulb/Shattered Globe for any story of theirs need but ask and I shall let you. For Oplindenfep is a gracious and benevolent despot.)