Ponyville Emergency hadn't seen this many injured mares and stallions in all its days. Nurse Redheart was overwhelmed by the number of patients she had received in the past hour alone. What could've possibly caused this?
She stopped a pony being wheeled in.
"Where are you coming from?"
The pony looked nervously up at the nurse. "Ponyville Town Hall. I was dancing in the big dance contest when I slipped and sprained my leg."
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Hours Earlier
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Everypony who was anypony was at the Ponyville town hall. Mares and colts from all across Equestria had gathered for what was promising to be the premier event of the summer: The Summer Dance Marathon.
All the couples, friends, and dance partners were limbering up. The lights in the town hall were lowered except on the dance floor. The floor remained empty for the moment, but the dance marathon was moments away from beginning.
Spike pushed his way inside the town hall. "Hurry up, Rarity! We still have to register for the dance marathon!"
Rarity trotted up nervously. Spike had asked her to be his dance partner. She agreed solely because nopony else had asked her. She didn't see the appeal of dancing all night for nothing. At least her friends had come to dance with them.
Applejack and Big MacIntosh were signed up already. According to Applejack, Big MacIntosh was the best dancer in all of Ponyville... when the mood struck him of course.
Twilight and Pinkie were signed up to dance together. Twilight loved to dance and so did Pinkie. For them it was just a reason to dance the night away.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had also signed up together after Rainbow convinced Fluttershy it was both fun and a healthy way to build up endurance. Even so, Fluttershy was less than enthusiastic about the whole thing.
Rarity sighed as she and Spike pushed their way toward the sign up table. If nothing else, she thought, this night would be a fun distraction from her busy work week. She trotted over to the sign up table, where Spike was already waiting, rocking back and forth on his heels in anticipation.
"Rarity and Spike. We're here for the contest. Sign us up, please."
Rarity smiled cheerfully at the unicorn pony behind the table. The pony glared and levitated a quill with her magic and signed them up.
"You're team number 76. You are only to dance when music is playing. Breaks are scheduled between each song for bathroom, food and drink as needed. If you or your partner is disqualified for any reason you will both be out of the competition. Remember to hydrate and have fun." The unicorn pony rattled off the marathon disclaimer like a well rehearsed act.
"Um, how would one be disqualified, exactly?" Rarity inquired.
The unicorn rolled her eyes as she read off the list of dance offenses. "If our judges think you're dancing isn't up to snuff-you're out. If you stop dancing while the music is playing-you're out. If you are late back to the dance floor after a break-you're out. If you're unable to compete for whatever reason-you're out."
"Don't worry about that, Rarity. We're sure to win!" Spike smiled proudly at his dance partner. Rarity feigned relief and smiled back.
"Everypony to the dance floor!" Mayor Mare called from behind her podium perched on the stage in front of the dance floor. "The dance contest is about to begin."
Spike took off like a shot into the crowd of gathering ponies. Rarity sighed and walked onto the floor looking for her dance partner. Amongst the sea of strangers she noticed a few familiar faces. She spotted not just ponies she had seen around Ponyville, like Lyra and Bonbon, but more universally recognized faces.
There was Trixie with some colt she'd never seen before. Prince Blueblood was there with a young unicorn mare with light pink mane. Flim and Flam were off in the corner looking smug as could be. Fancy Pants and Fleur had taken a spot near the front of the crowd. Iron Will, Gilda, Mule-ia Mild and Pony Joe were all getting ready to dance.
"Spike," Rarity asked as she found her partner. "Why are so many ponies here? What exactly is this dance marathon, anyway?"
"Oh, didn't you hear?" Spike looked up at Rarity with a lost look on his face.
"Everypony," Mayor Mare addressed the contestants. "Before we begin it is my honor to present our beloved Princess Celestia!"
Celestia stepped out from behind some curtains and waved a hoof at everypony as they all cheered. Mayor Mare stepped back up to the podium.
"Princess Celestia will be joining our judges panel, along with myself, Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and our other Princess, Luna!" The residents of Ponyville stomped their hooves in cheer. "Remember, everypony, to have fun and stay hydrated. And don't feel the need to keep dancing just for the grand prize."
"Prize!?" Rarity's ears perked up. She looked at Spike. "What prize?"
"There's a prize for the best dancing team." Spike said.
"But what's the prize, Spike?" Rarity asked anxiously.
"The prize," Mayor Mare continued, "will be one wish granted by our very own Princess Celestia."
Rarities jaw dropped. Many of the ponies started to murmur in excitement.
"Within reason." Celestia added sheepishly.
"The first dance will be a warm up. The real fun begins after the first break." The mayor smiled. "Everypony ready?"
The crowd cheered.
"Hit it, DJ!" Mayor Mare cried.
Vinyl Scratch nodded and starting spinning the first hit.