It was finally here!

After hours of waiting, last-minute planning, pastry testing, begging Octavia to attend, and general randomness, the hour was neigh. Nigh. You know what I mean. Pinkie watched as Rarity magically placed the last of the banners on the side of the barn. Truth be told, she would rather be anywhere other than a dirty, smelly, stinky old farm right now, but Rarity had felt that such a party might allow her the opportunity to get noticed by some of the ponies of Ponyville.

Applejack, Big McIntosh (carrying the baby foal, Applebloom), and Granny Smith sat on the sidelines, staring. Applejack hummed a bit in contemplation.

"... Ah reckon even this ol' barn can look like th' fancy ballrooms of Canterlot with enough dussyin' up..."

Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup."

Granny Smith simply grunted. "Yeah, if'n y'all are inta that sorta thing. Ah like it better as it normally is. Lets ponies know that it's not puttin' on no face for no pony."

Applebloom simply burbled and blew raspberries, giggling.

Pinkie grinned wide. "I know, right, Applebloom!? This IS gonna rock!"

The three Apples looked to each other, then to Applebloom, who herself seemed confused. They decided to simply ignore it for now. So long as Pinkie didn't start claiming Applebloom was trying to make her start fires, then everything was okay.

"Also, I had Rarity put up the decorations for good reason! But I can't tell you just yet, cause it's all a surprise! And what a surprise it is! I know surprises when I see them, let me tell ya, and I once met a pony named Surprise, although I think I was really dreaming about her, and I was her, so my name WAS Surprise, which was weird cause I was a Pegasus and--"

"Pinkie..."

"Yeah Applejack?"

"What now?"

Pinkie hummed and pulled up her hoof, looking at it as one might look at a watch. "Well, I think we've got an hour before the guests show up! But where is everypony.... oh! There you are!"

Mister Cake trotted into the barn, along with some other stallions, all carrying boxes full of a variety of sweets. Pinkie could feel the saliva running down the side of her mouth instantly, thinking of all the delicious tastiness they promised to hold... but she had to restrain herself. They were for the party guests. If she ate them now, how would her plan succeed? She watched as the stallions sat the boxes on a table, Carrot Cake waving as they left, thanking them for their help.

Not long after, Ms. Cake appeared, with a cart in tow, and moved behind a table right next to Carrot Cake. Opening various drawers, she produced sweets and pastries promising to be as sweet as those of her rival, and with less the need to bother other ponies to boot.

The two ponies looked at each other for a moment, and then turned their faces away, noses in the air, with a loud 'harrumph' each. Pinkie sighed a bit - hopefully, before the night was through, these two stubborn ponies would somehow find a way to be the best of friends! Of course, she was getting a bit ahead of herself right now.

"Yo, Pinkie, I'm here, where do ya want me?"

Pinkie turned around to see Vinyl Scratch, pulling her turntable with her. Pinkie grinned a bit; music was sure to do everypony good! Ponies would dance, get active, forget life's problems... she looked towards Applejack, smiling a bit. Deep down, she hoped her friend would be able to do as she had done; to take the music of life and let it wash away her troubles, if even only for an instant. Pinkie looked around, then pointed to the other end of the barn, where a stage had been set up. "Right on stage, Vinnie!"

Pinkie gave a once over to her own works now that she was sure everypony of importance was where they needed to be. She had a table with a bowl filled with punch, a few party games set up such as bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the pony, and some tofu dogs for a tofu dog eating contest later. Pinkie had even managed to get a Piñata for the party! Oh, she had put so much more planning into this, but she had to make do with what she had. Hopefully, it would be enough.

It was then that the first guest arrived.

"Uhh.. hey, is this where the party's being held?"

Everypony turned to face a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow mane. As soon as she had seen Pinkie, she grinned and trotted in. "Oh, hey Pinks! I heard you were throwing a party, decided I couldn't resist! Flutters came too of course!" Rainbow turned to see nopony there. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fluttershy..." Slowly, the yellow coated pony peaked in, her face barely visible through her pink mane. Rainbow gestured for her to come in, to which she complied, albeit with much reluctance. "C'mon, Shy, you've met Pinkie before."

Fluttershy nodded, and looked around; at the Apples, particularly. The moment she saw Applebloom, however her expression brightened and she trotted towards Big Mac. "Oooh! A foal! How cute!" Applebloom burbled and waved at Fluttershy, who looked at Big Mac. "Is she yours?"

Big Mac blinked, blushing a bit. "Eh... nope... Ah'm her big brother, not her pa..."

Fluttershy blushed a deep red herself. "Oh, uh, I-I-I'm sorry, I-I-I just thought... well, you were holding her and.... I think I'll be quiet now..."

Big Mac smiled and chuckled a bit. "Salright, Ms... 'Fluttershy' was it? Ah aint offended." At this, Fluttershy smiled, and looked towards the filly. She gently poked Applebloom on the nose, who responded by sneezing, then waggling her nose, and giggling.

An hour had passed, and more guests had arrived. In fact, the barn was half full of ponies! Pinkie had expected ponies to come, but she admitted that she hadn't expected so many! All she had done was pass out some invites, talk about how super amazing-tastic-awesome-duper the party was going to be, that they had none other than DJ PON3 playing music, and that for the first time ever, Cup Cake and Carrot Cake would be working side by side.

Then she went home and went to bed, because that all happened yesterday.

"Uhh, excuse me, miss?"

Pinkie turned to face a pink coated unicorn with a purple mane, carrying a small baby filly on her back; the filly herself having a mix of purple and pink in her curly mane. "Oh, you must be that pony who came over... uh.... Pie?"

Pinkie grinned. "Pinkie Pie! And I remember you, Mrs. Rarity's Mom!"

The mare giggled. "Well, that's not my name but we can deal with introductions later. I was wondering if you had somewhere for foals to play? I can't leave my little Sweetie Belle unsupervised, but Rarity so wanted me to see her decorations..."

Pinkie grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Oh yeah! Go to the farmhouse; Granny Smith is watching over all the foals that are too little to play party games and hear loud music! They're a bunch of cuties, probably the cutest foals I've ever seen! Oh, not to say Sweetie Belle isn't cute! I've never seen a unicorn foal before! Well, accept for Dinkie, but I was surprised by that cause her mom's a pegasus and--"

The mare chuckled. "Uh, thanks, Pinkie... I think I will be going to that farmhouse now! Talk to you later!" The mare turned and hurried out of the barn, rushing to flee the talkative pink pony. Pinkie didn't see it like this, however. She just saw a mom wanting to let her baby play with other babies while she had fun herself with friends.

"Now, remember Sweetie Belle, you be good for mommy, okay?"

The small filly was sat inside a bedroom; the room that held Applebloom's cradle, along with a few other fillies. The mare smiled at her daughter. "Remember, mommy will be right back, and until then, Granny Smith will watch over you..."

Granny Smith smiled. "Aww, aint she a cute'n! Ah don't think th' Apples have had a unicorn in th' family fer years now... not sinse ol' Crab Apple up n' died after scammin' an entire town of ponies outta money n' gettin' thrown off a cliff..." She tapped a hoof to her chin. "Heard rumors he had to grandkids who're unicorns, but if'n it's true, they're probably illegitimate. Never heard of ol' Crab Apple gettin' hitched."

As the two mares continued to talk (with mostly the elder speaking) Sweetie Belle began to crawl around to explore. Almost immediately, however, she bumped into another filly. The two looked at each other for a minute; the other being an orange pegasus with a purple mane. They began to paw and poke at each other, giggling and babbling. Soon, they were joined by a third; little Applebloom herself. As the three giggled and screamed at each other, entertaining one another in a silly game, perhaps seeing who could scream the loudest, they managed to upset two other foals who were present; one of which was the daughter of one of the wealthiest ponies in town...

The party was in full swing now. Ponies were dancing, drinking punch, enjoying themselves, having fun in general. It was everything she could have hoped for! Well, the bakers were still not talking; they were tolerating each other, but the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Still, all things in time...

Pinkie trotted towards Big Mac, who had stood in the corner the whole time, and nudged him. "Hey, Big Mac! Why not go on ahead and dance?"

Big Mac shook his head. "Thanks, Ms. Pie, but Ah aint much fer dancin' t' this kinda music! Ah'm more used t' music with a bit more... Ah dunno..."

It was then Pinkie got an idea. She zipped off, faster than anypony could see, and within an instant, she returned with Octavia between her hooves, before Big McIntosh, who stared in awe at what had just transpired.

"Hey, 'Tavi! Remember how you said you'd like to play for the Apples?"

Octavia blinked. "Wha... Pinkie? I was just eating a snack in the kitchen..."

Pinkie grabbed a violin and gave it to Octavia, who stared at it. "Uh... P-Pinkie, this isn't my kind of instrument..."

Pinkie hoof waved. "C'mon! Violin, Bass, Cello, how different can they be!?"

Pushing Octavia on the stage, Pinkie rushed back down as Vinyl stopped playing her own music. Octavia stared at the many gaping, staring ponies before her. Taking a deep gulp, she brought the bow to the string, and started playing.

It sounded awful, and everypony cringed.

"What is THAT, 'Tavi!?"

Octavia glared to Vinyl, scowling at her. "I-I'm not used to playing without music... o-or with a violin..."

Octavia smirked. "You're just not used to making it up as you go... hey Pinks!"

Pinkie returned, giving a violin and bow to Vinyl, who put the two pieces in proper places, drew the bow on the string...

And began to play.

Everypony stared as Vinyl played almost expertly; the music itself very country, even if it was just one Violin. Vinyl looked to Octavia, grinning. "What? My parents tried everything to change my mind about what I wanted to do, including lessons in 'real music!' I also know how to play the Piano and the electric guitar!"

Octavia, feeling something new well up inside her, started playing along. At first, it was scratchy, but slowly, it evened out with Vinyl's. And then, it took on its own life as Octavia began winging it; something she had never done before, save for when trying to write music... but even then, it was controlled. Now it was... chaos. Pure, beautiful chaos.

As the two musicians played, everypony in the room gave a loud "Yaaaahoooo!" as hooves started to stomp in rhythm.

In the back, Big Mac and Applejack watched the events unfold, both very dumbfounded. Big Mac looked to his sister, and grinned a bit. She looked back, quirking an eyebrow. "What?"

Big Mac gestured toward the stage. "Go fer it."

Applejack huffed. "No thanks... Ah don't feel like it..."

"C'mon, sis. Y'all got a great singin' voice... an' you more n' anypony needs to cut loose..."

"Says th' farmpony who talks to as many ponies as he does trees..."

"Now Applejack, you know Ah don't mean it like that..." Big Mac turned to his sister. "... Every since Pa... you've done nothin' but mope... now you get on up there n' show 'em how we Apples do it."

"No, Ah aint doin' iiIIIAAAEEE!"

Big Mac had lifted Applejack up and trotted up to the stage, setting her down. The two musicians slowed and lowered the music, but did not stop outright. Applejack stared at all the faces; ponies just waiting, watching, and judging her. She felt very nervous, very afraid...

And then she looked over to a familiar pink face, who smiled up at her.

Applejack looked back to the crowd.

"Well... here goes nothin'...."

Applejack took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and simply let the words come to her...

.....

I know it's a lil' silly
But since I was a lil' filly
All I ever wanted was to see th' world
And I know it may seem crazy
But I dreamt of livin' lazy
Like any other lazy ol' girl

I know it don't seem right
But I dreamt every single night
Of bein' that pony on the magazine
But when I went to live it
I decided I could just forgive it
But that's never ever who I'd ever been

Cause all I know
Is my family
They lift me up
They set me free
All I know
Is the ones I love
Those standin' by my side...
Or smilin' at me from the stars above.

Everypony began to dance; grabbing elbows, spinning around to the beat, hooves stomping to keep a beat going.

I know it may seem strange
But I used to want some change
That came with big city life you see
But then I felt alone
And I sorely missed my home
And I decided that life simply wasn't me
I came back home one day
For so long I'd been away
And I tell you I saw the world in a new light
Every day that went by
Was like a new one for you and I
I learned to love and cherish every day and night

Cause all I know
Is my family
They lift me up
They set me free
All I know
Is the ones I love
Those standin' by my side...
Or smilin' at me from the stars above.

Suddenly, everypony else started to sing along.

Cause all I know
Is my family
They lift me up
They set me free
All I know
Is the ones I love
Those standin' by my side...
Or smilin' at me from the stars above!

Various cheers, yeehaws, and yahoos filled the room as ponies continued to dance, laugh, and enjoy the seemingly out of nowhere hoedown. Applejack was smiling, a bit red in the cheeks, but smiling. She felt her heart beating against her chest a hundred miles an hour, and looked back at the two musicians; Octavia smiled and nodded, and Vinyl offered a big ol' grin.

Pinkie herself grinned wide, and looked over to the side to see Big Mac staring up at his sister. Pinkie's expression fell when she noticed that the stallion was smiling... a real, genuine, happy smile... and had a single tear flowing down his cheek.

Everypony cheered, and Applejack bowed a few times, before trotting off the stage towards her brother. She hopped up, wrapped her forelegs around him, hugging him tightly; a gesture he did not hesitate to return.

"Thank you fer makin' me do that..."

"Yer welcome, Applejack..."

She then punched him in the shoulder. He grimaced a bit. "What was that for?"

"For makin' me do that!"

"But you had fun!"

"Yeah, but it still coulda been really embarassin'!"

The two stared at each other for a minute or two, before breaking into laughter. Big Mac sighed a bit. "Ah'ma go fetch some cupcakes. You want one?" Applejack nodded, and Big Mac turned and trotted away.

"Hello?"

Applejack turned around to see a stallion; an older looking stallion, whose coat was grey and mane was white, and his cutie mark was a single, golden horse shoe. "Hello... that was a lovely song you sang."

Applejack blushed, giggling. "Thanks... Ah jus' sorta let it flow..."

The stallion nodded. "Oh yes. And you did a perfect job for a pony who simply made it up as she went. Amazing talent, really."

There was an awkward silence before Applejack cleared her throat. "So... uh... do Ah know you?"

"Oh! How rude of me, I was an old friend of your father's... I had heard of his passing recently, and had come to pay my respects. I'm glad to see you're taking it so well?"

Applejack sighed a bit. "Don' let th' party fool ya. Ah'm sad... an' Ah've been doin' nothin' but mope fer the past few weeks..." Applejack looked to her hooves. "... Big Mac says Ah was hit th' hardest cause Ah was closest t' pa..."

The stallion nodded. "Don't worry, I'm not accusing you of not loving your father. That said, I had brought you a punch in case you wanted a drink after that song?"

Applejack tapped a hoof to her chin. "Huh... thanks. Ah guess Ah am a mite parched." She gently took the cup from him, and took a few gulps; she hadn't realized just how thirsty she was! "Uh... thanks. Ah needed that..."

The stallion grinned and nodded. "I know."

Things seemed to be slowing down.

Not many ponies had left, but the energy was fading. Pinkie did not yet know if this was good or bad... all she knew was that despite her best efforts to strike conversation between the two bakers, nothing came of it. Any time she tried to see if they had anything in common (which, they actually had a LOT in common!) they would just ignore one another. So much for that plan...

But at least Rarity was happy that her decorations were getting notice, and Applejack was feeling better.

Wait...

Where was Applejack?

Pinkie trotted around to where she had seen Applejack earlier to find the pony was gone. She figured she had probably just gone inside to use the bathroom or something before she was pulled to the side by a very fearful Big McIntosh, who stood with a very panicked looking Carrot Top.

"Pinkie! Have you seen Applejack!?"

Pinkie shook her head. "No... why?"

Carrot top almost yelled, as much as one can yell while whispering.

"Big Mac saw her talking with her father's killer!"