It was the day of the Ponyville's Annual Hearts and Hooves Day Hoedown, as everyone hustled to get all their preparations done. The Cakes were extremely worried since at least fifteen of their chocolate-covered red velvet cupcakes went missing overnight. Rarity was fixing up everyone's outfits for the hoedown and no pony could find Fiddlesticks.
"Now where did that darn fiddle-playin' mare go to." grunted Applejack. She, for one, was stressed to her core.
"Applejack, she said she'll show up. She came all the way from Fillydelphia and she probably went back to the train to get her bags." said Twilight, intuitively. She looked at the next item on her list.
"Alright. Let's get the girls to the barn to set up everything. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy will hang the banner, Pinkie pie will help with the decorations, I'll light all the lanterns and candles, while you set up the tables. Then we'll all meet Rarity back at Carousel Boutique for our outfits"
"Gotcha. Thanks Twi! Sure do 'ppreciate yer help." Coming from the stubborn mare, Twilight felt complete with those heartfelt words of gratitude.
"No problem AJ. Happy to help." The two, then, trotted off to the barn to get it ready, with a baby dragon trailing behind them.
"More streamers!" Pinkie pie demanded.
"More balloons!" Cheese Sandwich countered.
Both their party cannons were poised, ready to shoot at any moment. No pony dared to make a sound as Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich looked at each other, fiercely.
Then instantly, when the clock struck 1:10, both cannons shot, causing an explosion of balloons, roses, streamers and pieces of confetti. Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy braced themselves from the impact. It was too late for Spike, as he flew out of the barn.
When the dust settled, all eyes were amazed.
The barn had transformed from a barren stable to a red and pink wonderland. The streamers were tied in perfect bows and a bouquet of roses were arranged beautifully on each table top, with petals scattered below them.The light from the lanterns lit against the wooden planks of the barn at the right angle, which gave it a glowing effect. Heart-shaped balloons were tied to every chair and corner, while the dance floor was sparkling clean. It displayed Ponyville's own logo: two mares holding a heart in between. The heart however, glimmered in the light, as Pinkie pie must have put glitter on its outline. The chandelier was assembled with red rubies and crystals, alternating each layer. The stage was set for the performances that were to be given tonight, with all the equipment set up correctly. The dessert table was filled with an assortment of red candy apples, cinnamon swirls and chocolate-covered red velvet cupcakes. The apple cobbler was next to the chocolate fountain and more than two dozen bottles of cider were chilled in ice-filled buckets.
It was truly a magical scene.
Each of the friends looked in amazement as the sights took their breath away. Pinkie pie and Cheese Sandwich had one hoof around each other's flanks, each with their own proud smile.
No pony had noticed Rainbow reaching for the cider.
"Now hold on one darn tootin' minute here, Rainbow!" Applejack called out. Rainbow Dash froze as if she had just been caught with her hoof in a cookie jar. "None fer y'all 'til the hoedown."
"Aww come on AJ! That's like five hours away! Just a little sip?" Rainbow did her signature pout, which usually made Applejack's heart melt. But Applejack wasn't in the mood.
"No!" Then, Applejack turned to Pinkie pie and Cheese Sandwich. "Thank y'all fer makin' this so pretty. Ah haven't seen the barn this gorgeous since....ever."
"Oh it was nothing." Pinkie pie smiled, with all her teeth showing. Cheese Sandwich then surprised Pinkie pie with a kiss on the cheek. This brought "awws" from each pony witnessing it, except for Rainbow Dash, who was making a gagging gesture with her hoof instead.
Pinkie pie stood there, with a wide smile plastered on her face and her body frozen. Her body then started vibrating wildly, like she could not contain her happiness. Inevitably, she shot up in the air like a pink firework, bursting into sparkles. "Yoooohooooo!"
No one had seen Pinkie pie this happy before. When Pinkie landed back down, she had a red tinge in her cheeks. "Wanna do that again Cheesy?"
"Alright. Enough with the warm fuzzy stuff you two!" Rainbow Dash said, clearly not liking the mushy aura around her. "Come on Fluttershy! Let's hang up the banner". Fluttershy nodded and followed Rainbow.
"Thank y'all again. This saved us lots of time ta spruce up before the event. Let's go girls!" Applejack said with relief. "We got ta make it to Carousel Boutique before-"
Applejack's words were interrupted by a cyan blur near the entrance of the barn. She knew who had arrived.
"Prism!" Applejack ran towards his direction. The remaining ponies, including Rainbow Dash, saw the scene unfold. Applejack hugged Prism Glider tenderly and brought him over to meet them. Every pony's mouths dropped once more, as they looked from Rainbow Dash to Prism Glider and back to Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash's eye twitched, as the remaining ponies snickered mischievously. Applejack started. "Every pony, this is Prism glider. He's ma date fer the hoedown tonight! Cute, ain't he?" Prism Glider's face turned red.
Cute? Rainbow thought. No, he's not cute! And really AJ, this guy? I could totally beat him in a race. He's my subordinate. You can do better than that!
Pinkie Pie, who was the only one present for Team Applejack, grinned slightly. "Oh its on!" Pinkie said as she wiggled her eyebrows at Fluttershy and Spike.
As if to prove Pinkie's point, Prism Glider gave a quick peck on Applejack's cheek. Applejack was completely taken aback and felt her cheeks turn red. "Whoa there loverboy!"
This infuriated the rainbow-maned pegasus. HEY! No one's allowed to kiss her! Only I am...well in my dreams anyway, but STILL! That jerk's gonna get it. On Monday, I'll make him kick so many rain clouds, he'll be tired before sundown.
"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy yelled. This got Rainbow's attention. "May I speak to you for a second?"
Fluttershy knew that look and she was now unsure if Rainbow Dash could keep her feelings in. Modeling wasn't that bad of an ordeal, after all.
"No! Let's go team! Looks like some pony needs to be alone with their new coltfriend!" Rainbow Dash gave a disapproving look at Applejack and Prism Glider.
"What did I do?" said a bewildered Pinkie Pie.