With a clatter of cutlery and the ominous sound of rattling pots and pans, Pinkie Pie exploded out of the kitchen at Sugarcube Corner, beaming her trademark smile.
“Ponkyyyyyyy!” squealed the excitable mare, launching herself into the open hooves of her very special somepony.
“Ciao, Pinkie!” Ponky yelped, laughing as he was nearly bowled over by Pinkie Pie’s hug.
Pinkie giggled, releasing the pegasus from her grasp to hold him at arm’s length. “How’ve you been, Ponka-doodle-doo?”
“Busy! Teaching in Bitaly is hard work, passing along my knowledge and passion, but it’s been totally rewarding,” Ponky replied, beaming at Pinkie Pie.
Pinkie Pie leaned forward and inhaled a deep sniff of the white collared shirt and tie Ponky was wearing, grinning. “Ohhh, you smell like foreign bakeries and spaghetti.”
Ponky glanced at his immaculate shirt, frowning and sniffing it. “...Do I?”
Giggling, Pinkie bopped him on the nose. “Nope. But a mare can dream, can’t she?!”
Ponky laughed, pulling Pinkie into a hug. “Ah, amore mio, mi sei mancato.”
Pinkie Pie swooned in his arms theatrically, fanning her face with one hoof. “I...have...no idea what you just said, but it was pretty.”
“I said I missed you,” Ponky said with a grin.
“I missed you too!” Pinkie giggled and broke out of the hug. “It hasn’t been so bad, though! I love getting your letters! Pegasus mail is so fast, it’s like you’re just a week away, instead of all the way across the ocean!”
“I get so many letters every week. Everyone is so good about writing to me! I’m humbled by their constant correspondence.” Ponky’s smile grew brighter. “My job is excellent, and I meet so many interesting ponies, but it’s good to hear from friends at home.”
Pinkie bounced up and down happily. “Oh! Oh! What about my letters?”
“Yours are the most special, of course. Though, please, don’t try sending me baked goods in an envelope again,” Ponky said with a wink.
Pinkie blushed. “Yeah, sorry about that. I think the only reason I was able to send it at all was because I bribed Ditzy Doo with some muffins.”
Ponky and Pinkie Pie shared a laugh that was slow to stop, leaving them beaming at each other in the wake of their shared humor. Pinkie Pie blushed happily and broke the silence. “So, how long are you visiting for?”
“Just a day,” Ponky said with a smile. “A whole day to spend together.”
“Awwww, Ponkyyy!” Pinkie gave him a playful shove. “I can’t do that!”
Ponky’s smile faltered. “I thought, considering what day it is, that we’d spend it together?”
Pinkie gesticulated wildly as she explained. “You’ve only got one day at home, and I’d be a mean-mean-meanypants if I kept you all to myself when there’s so many other ponies that want to see you, and I love making everypony happy, and even if having you to myself would be good, sharing you with everypony would be even better! Hey, that reminds me of that time when we had to teach a bunch of buffalos to share! They sure were a hairy tough crowd!” Pinkie gigglesnorted at her own pun.
Ponky frowned slightly. “I… understand, but are you sure you don’t want to have the day to ourselves? Just you and I, and maybe some zap-apple pie?”
“Rhyming won’t convince me, Elder Ponky-pants. Besides, I’ve got a ton of baking to do for a super-special order, and it needs to be done today! The Cakes are counting on me!” Pinkie said with an air of finality.
Ponky sighed. “Do you think you’ll be done later this evening?”
“I think so!”
“Pinkie Promise?” Ponky asked with a small smile.
“Incrociare mio cuore e speranza volare, ficcare un cupcake nel mio oculare!” Pinkie pantomimed the movements with a grin.
Ponky stared at Pinkie Pie, his jaw hanging open. Pinkie giggled. “Problem?”
Ponky smirked. “You used the wrong form of ‘eye,’ it should be occhio, or cruna.”
“I had to make it rhyme! Deal with it!” Pinkie Pie picked up Ponky, heaving him over her head, and lugged him outside Sugarcube Corner. Ponky righted himself with a flap of his wings as she dropped him on the doorstep. “I’ll see you later tonight, Ponky!”
Pinkie Pie planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, and then slammed the bakery door in his face. Ponky chuckled softly, one hoof raising up to touch his cheek, and then stood up. “Well… I guess I should go to the theater...”
With a small, forlorn glance back at Sugarcube Corner, Ponky shook his head, put a smile on his face, and trotted towards downtown Ponyville.
Just Another Day
by PropMaster
for my fratello
Everywhere Ponky went, he always smiled. It was a part of who he was, now, internalized after many months of teaching in Bitaly. His work wasn’t always easy: there were those that did not want to learn, or were resistant to his ideas. He’d become accustomed to being ignored or rebuked… but Ponyville was different.
The ponies in Ponyville returned his smiles. He greeted them with waves and friendly nods, and he received in kind every passer-by’s happy grin.
He loved his work, but it was good to be home. Ponyville was unlike any other city he’d traveled to. Veneighce may have had a unique beauty, and Fhayrerra was a historical city of marvels, but the ponies of Ponyville were special. They had a spark, a love of life that only the Bitalians rivaled, and they lived in a state of harmony and friendship that was, in a nearly cliche way, magical.
Ponky’s spirits were raised by the smiling faces that filled his home town. Though he’d been looking forward to today for many reasons, he’d especially been looking forward to spending time with Pinkie Pie. For her to not take time out of her schedule, even in light of the special order that needed filling by the bakery, had hurt—perhaps more than he’d be willing to admit. He kept smiling, though, because there were many other reasons to be happy about today. He’d get to see Pinkie Pie later. Now, though, he had received some extra time to visit other special ponies.
He halted before the theater, looking up at the marquee that read in bold letters, “This month: The Tragedy of Haymlet.” Ponky chuckled and pushed open the double doors to the theater’s foyer. He closed his eyes for a moment as familiar voices and the clash of fencing foils swept through the doorway leading to the audience seating area and the stage, his smile growing wider.
“Come, for the third, Neighaertes: you but dally; I pray you, pass with your best violence; I am afeard you make a wanton of me!”
“Say you so, Haymlet? Come, then!”
Ponky entered the theater proper, standing in the aisle as his dear friends Razzberry and Props dueled across the stage with fencing foils. In the front row sat Purple Prose and Forceful Will, directing the action onstage. Above, in the rafters with the lights, sat Ellipsis and, startlingly, Miss Cheerilee, who were both working on adjusting the lights. Ponky stood silently, content to simply watch for a few moments. The fighting onstage reached a critical juncture, as ‘Haymlet’ and ‘Neighaertes’ fought over control of the poisoned weapon, and finally both fell away, panting for breath.
“That was pretty good, gentlecolts, but there’s always room for improvement,” said Forceful Will with a smirk.
“You said that about the last two times, Will!” complained Razzberry.
“Well, it’s true. That’s why we’re doing these extra practice sessions. You both need to get the fight choreography down. It needs to feel believable, and the only way that’ll happen is if you practice more,” Forceful Will replied.
Props chuckled. “He’s right. We’ve got a week until we open, so we need to make sure everything is perfect… and practice makes perfect.”
Ponky knew the perfect opening when he heard it. “I don’t think there’s any amount of practice that could fix that mess!” he jeered from the back of the stage.
There was a brief moment of stunned silence, followed by cheers.
“Ponky!”
“Holy cow, look who it is!”
“Heya Ponky!”
“Welcome back, brother!”
Ponky grinned at his friends as they clustered around him, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. “Hey fellas. It’s good to be home.”
Ponky laughed as his friends slapped him on the back and offered hoof-bumps, welcoming him home in their gruff manner. Props threw a hug around Ponky’s shoulders, grinning unabashedly. “No hoof-bumps from this pony! You get a big ‘ol hug! Now, the rest of you, quit being sissies and get in on this.”
After a few grumbles and chuckles, Ponky found himself in the middle of a group hug. Even Cheerilee joined in, giggling softly. The stallions and mare broke apart, laughing happily. “When did you get home, Ponky?” asked Props.
“Just an hour ago! I stopped in to see Pinkie Pie, but she was busy, so I decided to come see you guys.” Ponky ran a hoof across his cheeks quickly to wipe away the moisture that had gathered at the corner of his eyes. “It’s really good to see you guys. I’m here in town just for the day.”
“One day? Bah! Stay the week!” cried Razzberry, winking at Ponky.
“C’mon, Raz, you know he can’t. He’s got responsibilities,” said Ellipsis.
“Yeah yeah, Ponky can’t go AWOL. Can’t blame a guy for tryin’!” muttered Razzberry.
Ponky laughed, “Thanks Raz.”
“So, what are your plans, Ponky? Can’t help but think you didn’t drop by just to hang around the theater,” said Purple Prose, a rare smile lingering on his usually stern face.
“Well, I don’t really have any plans. I know I need to visit my family a little later, but they’re busy this afternoon. I was planning on spending the day with Pinkie Pie and taking her with me to meet my parents, but that isn’t looking very likely,” Ponky replied. “She’s got a big order that the Cakes are counting on her to complete.”
“Big order, huh? On the day you come home? That’s inconvenient,” said Forceful Will.
“No kidding. She practically pushed me out the door, but I guess she was right about it being good that I get to see everybody while I’m here,” Ponky said, brightening up at the thought. “I’m actually really, really happy to see you guys. I’m sorry I didn’t plan on getting to see you at first, but since I only had one day…”
“We totally understand,” Ellipsis replied, shooting a small smile at Cheerilee, who nodded.
“You have your priorities in the right place, Ponky. Though, I’m happy I was here! The fillies and colts from my class missed your piano playing at the last play, and they’ll be so happy to hear that you’re doing well!” Cheerilee added.
Ponky chuckled. “I miss them, too. Hey, no offense, but what bring you here, Cheerilee? I didn’t think school was in session.”
Ellipsis and Cheerilee grinned and stepped closer together, and Ellipsis wrapped a hoof around Cheerilee’s back. “We’re dating.”
Ponky’s eyes widened, and he felt a surge of excitement and happiness for his friend. He remembered how long Ellipsis had been interested in Cheerilee, and he’d pushed the shy stallion a few times, trying to bring them closer together. “Wow! That’s so, so great! When did this happen?”
Cheerilee spoke up. “It was right after we did Romule and Fillyette, actually. Ellipsis had been such a gentlestallion, helping out for the play, and he finally mustered up the courage to ask me out on a date. We actually started seeing each other regularly a few days after you left for Bitaly.”
“It’s all your fault, Ponky,” Ellipsis said with a wink. “Thanks.”
Ponky beamed at the happy couple. “You are so welcome!”
“So, visiting family and Pinkie Pie. When will you be free, then?” asked Props. “We’d love to get a little more time with you.”
“Well…” Ponky said, “I’m free right now. Later this evening, though, I’ll see my folks, and then Pinkie Pie after that.”
The crowd of ponies suddenly went quiet. Ponky winced slightly, “Bad news?”
Props sighed. “Yeah. We’ve got a show coming up in two days, and there’s still a lot of work to be done. We’ve been busting our flanks to get everything ready, but… tartarus week is tartarus week, Ponky. You know how it is.”
Ponky felt like the happy balloon inside his chest was deflating. “Yeah. I do know.”
“You’re welcome to hang out and watch the practice, though. Heck, you could even play the piano for us, just for old times sake!” said Props.
“We’ve missed your talent, Ponky. Almost as much as we missed you,” said Purple Prose with a small laugh.
Ponky smirked. “... You know what? Yeah. That sounds good.”
The group dispersed, and Ponky walked down the aisle to seat himself before the piano. He smiled as he sat down in front of the instrument, stroking a hoof across the keys. He was surprised to see that there was no dust that had built up.
“Purple Prose dusts the piano once a week. He said he’s just keeping it ready for when you get back,” murmured Cheerilee, from behind Ponky.
Ponky turned around, slightly startled. “Oh? Huh… that’s… awfully nice of him.”
Cheerilee smiled, looking over at the stage where Raz and Props recited their lines, working up towards their fight scene once more. As she watched, she spoke softly. “They’ve all missed you dearly, Ponky. Props and Purple Prose talk about you all the time,” she turned to look at Ponky, giving him a gentle smile. “I feel like I almost know you as well as they do.”
Ponky blushed, turning to tap the middle ‘C’ key, listening to the tone as it played smoothly and lingered. “I’ve missed them a lot… and I’m really happy you’re a part of the group, Cheerilee. Ellipsis is crazy about you.”
Cheerilee giggled. “That he is! He’s a wonderful stallion. I can’t remember the last time in my life I was so… content! And like he said, it’s all your fault for pushing him, and giving him the courage to ask me on a date.”
Ponky laughed. “Well, I can’t take all the credit!”
“Of course not!” Cheerilee’s gaze settled on Ellipsis, who worked dutifully in the rafters, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. “He did a lot, but still, I had to take the chance to say thank you.”
Cheerilee gave Ponky a quick hug, then trotted away to help Ellipis with the lights. Ponky’s smile redoubled, and he struck a happy chord on the piano. All eyes in the room went to him, and he grinned. “Let’s get to work, my little ponies!”
Ponky left the theater a few hours later, leaving his friends behind to finish their rehearsal. He sighed happily, looking up at the blue sky and closing his eyes blissfully. He spread his wings, stretching out his feathers and giving them a few experimental flaps, before kicking off the ground and flying towards Cloudsdale.
It took him about half an hour of quick flying, but he soon reached the lofty outskirts of the Pegasus city. He couldn’t contain letting out a whoop of joy as he flew over the familiar streets of his childhood home. He banked hard, making a pass around the weather factory, before landing on the massive cloud bank that was his home. He bounced once on the spongy surface of the clouds, enjoying the feeling of the cold moisture beneath his hooves, before trotting towards the clustered cloud homes that most pegasai in Cloudsdale lived in.
He reached his house in short order. The multiple turrets of white cloud marble spiraled upward, a few columns leading to the wide front door. He walked to the front door and knocked gently, sending a rumble of thunder through the nearest walls. After a moment, the door opened, and Ponky found himself face-to-face with his mother, a white-coated, red maned pegasus similar to his own coat colors. He smiled. “Hey, mom. I’m home!”
Bookend Piano, his mother, clasped her hooves over her face briefly, tears springing to her eyes, before embracing her son. “Welcome home!”
Ponky grinned over his mother’s shoulder, seeing his similarly red-maned siblings gather at the door. “Goaltender! Buzzcut! Falsetto! C’mere, you guys! Get in on this family reunion!”
His sister, Goaltender, leapt ahead first, her wings shooting open and carrying her over Ponky’s head, before she tackled him to the ground. His two brothers, Buzzcut and Falsetto, joined the happy pile of siblings, the four pegasai laughing as they embraced. Ponky finally managed to extricate himself from the pony pile and met his father, Shine Top, at the door to the house. Shine Top smiled at his son and extended a hoof to shake. “Well, my boy’s grown into a man. Welcome home.”
Ponky solemnly shook hooves with his father, only for his dad to pull him into a dear embrace. “Thanks, dad,” Ponky squeaked, slightly overwhelmed.
Ponky felt a tap on his shoulder, and he turned, to see yet another familiar face. “Beau Tie! You came to see me too?”
Beau, a gray coated pegasus with a slicked-back brown mane, grinned at his friend. “Of course. I heard you were coming home for a bit, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say hello!”
Ponky grinned and hoof-bumped Beau. “Thanks for coming.”
Bookend gestured inside their home. “Everypony come on inside! I’ve got some snacks waiting, and we can eat and hear all about your work in Bitaly!”
Ponky grinned as Beau threw a hoof around his shoulders, and his siblings clustered at his sides. He chuckled softly, wiping a hoof across his eyes quickly, and nodded. “That sounds great, mom.”
Ponky found himself seated in the living room on a familiar and comfortable cloud couch, his mother sitting to his left and Goaltender to his right. His brothers, father, and Beau clustered nearby, lounging on the floor or on tufts of clouds, listening eagerly to his stories.
“...so, we used too much baking powder in the mix, and the cookies puffed up like little cakes! All the Bitalians loved them, though, and a few asked for the recipe for our ‘pegasus cloud cookies!’”
Bookend chuckled. “That’s surprising! You’d think with all the time you spent with Pinkie Pie, you’d have picked up a few tricks about making cookies by now!”
Ponky rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “She does most of the cooking. I just help stir things and stuff. You’re right, though, maybe I should pay more attention to her when she’s working.”
Goaltender beamed at her brother. “Where is Pinkie, any way? I’d have thought you’d have gone to see her first, and maybe brought her with you.”
Sighing, Ponky shrugged. “I did go see her, but she was busy with a big order for the Cakes. They were counting on her to get the order done today, so I’m going to go see her later tonight.”
Realizing she’d struck a nerve, Goaltender winced. “Oh. Sorry, Ponky.”
Ponky smiled at his sister. “Hey, no worries! I’m just happy to spend time with you… with all of you.” He turned to face the rest of the group, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. “I’ve missed you all a lot, and I know that this is just one day back, but it’s really great to see everypony.”
“Aw, ya big softie. We’re happy to be here, of course!” Beau replied, winking at his friend.
Ponky looked between his mother and father. “So, what are the plans for tonight? Dinner, maybe some hoofball or music?”
Bookend and Shine Top shared an unreadable look, and Shine Top cleared his throat after a moment. “I hate to say this, son, but your mother and I have unavoidable plans this evening. We’ve got an hour to spare, here, but after that we need to run.”
Goaltender glanced down at her hooves. “I’ve got practice this evening. We’ve got a game coming up in a week, and coach says training is mandatory.”
Falsetto and Buzzcut shuffled their hooves in the clouds, sending wisps into the air. Ponky sighed. “Let me guess? Busy?”
They nodded. Ponky chuckled. “That’s okay, I understand. Everyone is busy.”
“I’m not,” Beau chimed in.
Ponky turned to face Beau, unable to hide his surprise. “Really?”
Beau nodded, smiling at his friend. “I cleared my schedule for today. You coming home trumps anything else in my books.”
Ponky laughed, shaking his head. “Honestly, after the day I’ve had, I expected that everyone in Equestria was busy today!”
Beau grinned. “Not me, buddy.”
“Thanks, Beau,” Ponky said gratefully.
“Yes, thank you, Beau. We appreciate you taking time for our son,” Bookend added, smiling at the Ponky’s friend.
Beau flashed a charming smile at Ponky’s parents. “Of course! I’ll take him out and we’ll ride the wind and watch the clouds, and I’ll deliver him safely to Ponyville when Pinkie Pie is done with work.”
Ponky smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
Goaltender tapped Ponky on the shoulder. “So, tell us more stories about Bitaly!”
Ponky smirked. “Well, let’s see… it rains all the time in Bitaly, and I seem to get caught in downpours more than any other teacher in the district! Just the other week…”
It was nearly an hour later before Ponky left his family’s home behind, Beau following him. They stood together in the late afternoon sun, chuckling quietly with shared amusement, before the two friends grew quiet. Beau smirked at Ponky. “So.”
“So?” Ponky asked.
“Are the mares in Bitaly as cute as I’ve heard?” Beau said with an exaggerated wink.
Ponky laughed. “Aw, seriously? That’s the first thing you ask? You know we’re not supposed to think about that. I focus on my work!”
“Just kiddin’ pal,” Beau replied with a smile. “So, we’ve got an hour or two to kill. Where should we go?”
“Hmm,” Ponky mused, scuffing a hoof in the clouds and opening his wings.
Beau’s eyes lit up. “I think I know where you want to go.”
“Sugarcube Corner?” Ponky asked, a wry grin floating across his features.
Beau shook his head. “Nah. The tower.”
Ponky’s eyes widened. “... Yes! Absolutely, yes.”
Beau glanced up at the sky, which was darkening as the spoke. “Think we can make it there in time?”
“We’ve gotta try!”
Ponky broke into a gallop, taking a few swift steps before launching himself in the air, his wings catching a thermal current and lifting him into the sky. Beau followed close to his friend’s flank, almost flying in formation as they raced across the sky. The buildings of Cloudsdale passed beneath them, a kaleidoscope of cloud marble, rainbows, and winged ponies. The sky grew darker, orange streaking through the sky, as Ponky and Beau made their way towards the edge of Cloudsdale, launching themselves higher into the air, a final warm updraft hurrying them along to their destination.
The Cloudsdale Weather Factory loomed ahead of them, its doors opening to release a multitude of pegasai from the interior, all of them taking flight in gaggles and flocks to return home after a long day of work. Ponky and Beau dodged and weaved agilely through the throng of flying ponies, breaking through the final straggling workers and managers as they closed the doors. They didn’t venture inside, though, instead flying up to the highest point in Cloudsdale: the wind turbine tower.
The wind turbine tower was a mass of huge fan blades attached around a central stalk. It was incredibly efficient, and was able to power many of the more complicated machines in the weather factory. The air currents were not strong today, so the turbine blades spun a slow rotation. Ponky and Beau cast each other daredevilish smiles, before beginning their final ascent. Ponky began a clockwise spiral around the tower, dodging in and out of the spinning fan blades. Beau flew counter-clockwise, taking a different route through the mass of ever-moving obstacles. They raced each other, laughing and whooping, before finally they arrived at the top.
A small crows’ nest sat at the very top of the tower, a rarely-used space for weather ponies needing a vantage point to rest and coordinate their weather teams. Beau reached the top first, alighting on the platform with a sigh. Ponky arrived moments later, grinning at his friend. Beau returned the smile. “You’ve gotten rusty.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
The two pegasai chuckled, and then turned to watch as the sky was shot through with purple hues and deep indigo splashes. The sun settled gracefully on the horizon, a mighty red-orange ball that perched for a moment atop the mountains, before slipping away from sight with a wink and a brief yellow corona. The clouds glowed in response, their stained orange deepening to beautiful pinks and reds with silvery-blue edges, before darkening to purples that were almost invisible against the black sky.
“Celestia always does such a beautiful job,” Ponky said softly.
Beau and Ponky turned slowly around, watching the dark horizon to the east. “The show’s only just getting started,” murmured Beau.
The mountains to the east were backlit briefly with silver, before disappearing into stark silhouette as the moon rose into the sky. The clouds swirled mysteriously as silvers and deep blue hues poured over their contours. As the sky grew darker, the stars began appearing, pinpoints of light that spread from the very center of the sky and outward, like a veil being drawn back to reveal a hidden beauty. The moon continued its stately glide, fully emerging over the horizon, before settling into its place, its speed decreasing to an imperceptible, fluid, crawl. The moon was in a crescent phase, waxing towards full if Ponky remembered correctly, and it was just as beautiful as always.
“Celestia may have her sunsets, but Luna’s night is beautiful for hours,” Beau stated reverently.
“I think it’s the fleeting nature of sunset that makes it so beautiful,” Ponky replied.
Beau chuckled. “Bitaly’s changed you.”
“You think so?” Ponky said, tilting his head up to look at the stars overhead.
“Yeah. For the better, though. You’re still you, Ponky, but I think you’re… more fulfilled.”
Ponky had no reply, and Beau had nothing more to say, so they sat quietly and gazed at the stars together.
It was an hour later when Ponky tapped Beau on the shoulder. “Pinkie ought to be done with her work by now. Ready to go?”
“Mm-hm,” Beau hummed with a nod, grinning at his friend.
Ponky and Beau took to the air, flying down from the tower and over the darkened town of Cloudsdale. They dropped down over the plateau of clouds, floating with a strong tailwind towards Ponyville. Beau lazily slid alongside Ponky as they flew, catching his attention with a wave of his hoof.
“So, Ponky, have you had a good day?” Beau asked.
“You know, I was worried that I wasn’t going to have a good day. When Pinkie Pie ended up being busy, I was pretty disheartened… but as the day has gone on, I’ve realized that I’m very, very lucky. I’ve gotten to see everypony that I care about, visit my family and friends, and enjoy their company. I know I have to leave tomorrow, to get back to work, but I don’t think this day could have gone any better,” Ponky said with a serene smile.
“Good,” Beau replied, “because the day isn’t over yet.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ponky asked, tilting his head quizzically.
Beau chuckled. “You thought we all forgot, didn’t you?”
Ponky stared at Beau for a moment. “Forgot?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” Beau said, his grin widening.
Ponky smirked. “Yeah, I suppose. I mean, it’s not really important. Like I said, I’ve had a great day. There isn’t much more that I could ask for!”
Beau winked at Ponky. “Nothing more that you could ask for, huh? Well, buddy, I hope that you remember that.”
With that, Beau dove sharply, pulling into a tight downward spiral into Ponyville. Ponky’s eyes were drawn down as Beau flew down into the central square, in front of the Town Hall. A single light lit the stage in front of the darkened square. Ponky followed Beau down, landing beside his friend. “Okay, what gives?”
Beau grinned, reaching beneath the podium and retrieving a black suit coat, which he offered to Ponky. “You’ve already got your shirt and tie, but you need your coat, too!”
“For what?” Ponky asked, shaking his head incredulously as he pulled on the coat. “Seriously, Beau, what’s going on?”
Beau said nothing, simply trotting away into the darkness, leaving Ponky alone on the stage. Ponky squinted, but the light kept him from seeing beyond the shadows of the empty square. A quiet popping sound and a flash of violet light startled him, as Twilight Sparkle appeared out of thin air. She wasn’t alone.
Pinkie Pie stood alongside Twilight, wearing a satin blue dress accented with cream lace. Her hair had been done up into careful ringlets that cascaded along her face and down her neck, rather than her usual messy, poofy, style. She beamed at Ponky. “Well, hello handsome.”
Ponky swallowed the lump in his throat. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“Want to dance?” Pinkie said, offering him a hoof.
Twilight winked at Ponky, and disappeared in another flash of violet light. Ponky grinned at his special somepony. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d like that.”
Ponky took her hoof, and they stepped closer together, cheek to cheek From somewhere in the darkness, the gentle sound of a Cello reverberated through the square, playing a soft waltz. Ponky smiled nervously. “Usually I’m not the one dancing on stage. I’m the music pony.”
Pinkie giggled at him. “Follow my lead and don’t worry!”
Ponky nodded and began to dance, his steps uncertain, but Pinkie was true to her word and led him as the waltz continued. Ponky sighed happily as he tucked his head into Pinkie’s shoulder, and Pinkie gave him a dear nuzzle. The waltz was over before he knew it, leaving the two ponies breathless on the dimly lit stage. Pinkie stepped away, grinning at Ponky. “That was great!”
Ponky laughed. “Yeah, it was! I wasn’t too terrible, was I?”
Pinkie’s grin turned mischievous. “I dunno. Let’s ask the crowd.”
Ponky raised an eyebrow. “What crowd?”
All around, brightly colored stage lights burst to life, lighting the square as the darkness suddenly was gone in a twinkle of violet light. A spell of magical darkness had concealed the rest of the area, but with Pinkie’s not-so-subtle signal, the town square was revealed.
Ponies crowded the area, grinning up at Ponky and Pinkie Pie. Colored lanterns accented the stage lights, bringing a festive mood. Streamers and balloons filled the area, along with tables full of baked goods and snacks. Ponky stared into the crowd, his eyes wide. His parents and siblings were there, as were Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Props, Purple Prose, and the rest of the theater ponies. Among them were other familiar faces, his friends and neighbors from Ponyville, all gathered together. A second stage stood in the center of the crowd, where DJ Pon-3’s equipment sat, with the DJ herself readying a mix. Alongside her, Octavia finished tuning her cello, smiling happily as she sat down, taking a break from her music.
“Happy Birthday Ponky!” cheered the entire crowd, yelling, clapping, and stomping enthusiastically.
Ponky found himself at a loss for words. Pinkie giggled, poking him in the side. “You didn’t think we forgot, did ya!?”
“I… but… everypony was busy… I thought… how?” stuttered Ponky, staring at Pinkie Pie.
“My fault! I orchestrated the whole ruse! Everypony had to come up with excuses, so we could get you out of Ponyville and to Cloudsdale, and then once you were away, we got the party ready, and got your family down here! All that was left was for Beau to distract you for long enough for everything to be ready!” Pinkie Pie winked at him. “Surprised?”
Ponky laughed, shaking his head. “Yes! È bellissima donna, you never cease to amaze me.”
Pinkie blushed. “Well, I’m happy you’re happy! Happy birthday, Ponky!”
Ponky grabbed Pinkie Pie and gave her a close hug. “I… don’t know what to say!”
“How about ‘Ti amo, Pinkie Pie!’ That’s always a good option!”
Ponky nodded. “Ti amo, Pinkie Pie. Ti amo davvero!”
Pinkie Pie smiled, then gave Ponky a playful shove. “Okay, enough mushy stuff! I made this a party, so let’s get ready to PAR-TAY!”
The assembled ponies cheered, and DJ Pon-3 took her cue. Dance music poured out of the speakers, Ponky found himself pulled into the throng of family and friends, and together they celebrated. They knew that he’d be gone the next day, but there was no bittersweet note to the party—they lived for that moment, and that was enough. They made it feel like just another day, full of the love and laughter that filled every day in Ponyville, and Ponky was grateful for that.
That night, they all made memories that would bolster Ponky through the next eighteen months, through the good times and the bad, until he could return home once more, a better stallion for all his adventures and experiences.