This story is a work in progress. As explained in the Chapter "The End that started the Begining", I originally started this story with the ending. I only wanted to write a short piece but due to some liking from others it was enough to motivate me to write a more complete story such as how it lead there. I will leave the ending in the chapter "The End that started the Begining" as I add new chapters explaining how it gets there. Its just there for now for reader amusement and curosity. If you don't want to know how this arc ends then don't read it. At somepoint it will be removed and re-editing as the story closes to its point and will be one polished work. To see the inspiration for this story please watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEYDJi4hv7M The creator of the song.

But if you want pictures here is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA9dFZJtQWc.

I created the story based around the plot of this song. Please enjoy story as I finish it.

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"Daddy told me what to do.

He explained it to me.

He said I had to get close.

And close I will get......"

"Come on Spike, were going to be late." Twilight yelled at the front door of the library to her little assistant who was picking up the last of the scattered books on the ground.

"If you didn't pull out so many I would of had less to put back" Spike replied with annoyance.

"I'm sorry Spike, but I needed them all to be ready for the festival."

Climbing up to the top of the ladder of the bookshelf he called back down, "Why did you need to read all these books? I'm sure anypony could of told you."

"But I wanted to know everything about it and its history, and not everypony knows or wants to talk that much about it. Oh Spike its so exciting! The Hoof Story Festival here is much different than the types in Canterlot. Here they have all sorts of games, stages performing a variety of acts, booths selling things. They even get merchants from other parts of Equestria! Its going to be so much fun!" Twilight couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the thought of the upcoming festival.

"Hmmm, I hope one of the booths will be selling jewels from Denhoof. I hear their some of the rarest and tastiest gems in northern Equestria." Spike couldn't help himself but lick his lips and imagine crunching on some of the most delicious gems he could eat.

"I'm sure they will Spike, now let’s go" Twilight said as she walked out the door. Spike quickly climb down the ladder and ran out of the library shutting the door behind him. With a small jump he hopped on top of Twilights back and said "Ready"

They spent the morning walking around shops in town. The festival was week away but all the ponies were excitedly getting ready with preparations. Banners were being strung across roofs, stages were being built for lots of plays, acts, and a talent show. Every day it seemed as if more booths were being made. Even some ponies not from Ponyville were setting up booths of their own already.

"Wow, everybody sure is busy. I'm surprised that even ponies who don't live in Ponyville come here" Spike said as they passed a mare with a booth deciding what fabrics to put out for display.

"Well this isn't the biggest festival in Equestria but its one of the popular ones. It was originally in celebration of Equestria's history so they would host lots of plays about lore’s and legends. But eventually it turned into a merchant event as well since sometimes ponies outside of Ponyville would come to see the plays." Twilight responded.

"Hey there’s Applejack" Spike pointed ahead. They spotted the orange mare tying down rope for a banner above her booth. "Let’s see if she’s selling anything yet, I'm hungry"

"Hi Applejack." Twilight said when they got close.

"Well hey there Tw'alight and Spike. You two checking out all the booths this morn'in?"

"Yes, I'm so excited for this whole thing. There's so many shops to look at." Twilight responded with a smile.

"Hey, are you selling any apples yet? I can have some please?" Spike insistently asked.

Applejack laughed, "No not yet. The festival is still a week away. I need to make sure my apples are nice and fresh. Big Mac and I will be bringing over everything were selling early morn'in at the start of the festival."

"Aww..then why do you even have your booth out if your not selling anything yet?"

"You see how many other ponies are here trying to sell their stuff? You gotta get a spot real early if you want a good place to sell your stuff. And the Apple family always gets a good spot." Applejack responded proudly. "Granny Smith is even baking some of her special Sweet Apple Pies. There’s not a single other pie that can fit that many apples and still taste so sweet."

"Not as sweet as my peaches!" A voice interrupted. Behind them across the path from Applejacks booth was another with a big sign that said 'Peaches'. The stallion running it had just finished setting up his banner.

"You hush up with that talk now Arnold. You and I both now my grannies pies are sweeter than your peaches."

"HA, that’s a laugh! Every year your apples lose to my peaches. It's a shame I don't have a peach farm here in Ponyville or I'd have ran your business out of here." Arnold replied

"You take that back! It's always your peaches losing to my apples! Everybody knows they'd rather have a juicy apple than a soggy peach"

"My peaches aren't soggy! It's your apples that are bruised!"

Applejack gasped. "My apples are never bruised. Their more ripe and firm than any fruit here in Equestria, including your peaches!"

"Peaches are better"

"No, Apples!"

"Peaches!"

"Apples!"

"PEACHES!"

"APPLES!"

The two ponies stood their glaring at each other with low growls.

"Um.. Applejack," Twilight interjected, "who's he?"

"Oh don't mind him" She replied angrily" that’s Arnold Peach. He always picks a booth across from mine ev'ry year. It's always his peaches against our apples." Arnold sneered and turned away to finish his booth. "Oh if I could just get my hooves on him." Applejack growled.

"I'm sure you will sell more Apples than him. After all the Apple family has years of practice and work towards them." Twilight said, trying to give her friend confidence.

Applejack gave a small smile "Thanks Tw'alight. I'll make sure one of grannies pie is saved for you."

"Well make sure to stop by and pick it up then. Were better get going. Still lots of things to see." Twilight said.

"And get some breakfast" Added Spike.

"Alright then, you two have fun. Let me know if you see any booths selling something I'd like." Applejack waved goodbye and went back to finish setting up her spot.

They walked past alley ways of booths and games until they came to the center of town. Here was where they were building 3 stages for ponies to perform on. Each were separate from each other so they could have different shows on at the same time. The stages were almost complete. Through the commotion of all the other ponies they distinctly heard a voice they recognized.

"CAREFUL! I don't want a mark on any of those outfits. You! Handle those carefully. Oh my no no no, this one won’t do, take it away. Watch it up there. There are ponies here on the stage."

The two of them giggled and headed over to one of the stages to see the pony they already guessed. On the stage Rarity had stands holding costumes and ponies trying to stand still as she worked on them. Deciding the outfits and making alterations. "Oh my, no this one won’t do. Hmmm, this one doesn't match your color. AH! This one has a tear! Oh I have to fix it immediately!"

"Hey Rarity." Twilight said at the base of the stage.

"Oh, Twilight. Is that you? Ah and I see Spike is here as well. You, don't move. I'll be right back" Rarity walked over to the edge of the stage and looked down towards them.

"It looks like its really busy up there. Do you need any help?" Twilight asked.

"No thank you. I have everything perfectly under control. I'm just going over some of the costumes for the plays. I'm designing costumes for three different plays and i've got to make sure they all fit and match their pony." They could see a couple ponies dressed up in garbs starting to sway in their positions. One was beginning to sweat trying to hold his pose.

"The problem is I'm missing a few fabrics to finish these costumes and I don't have anything back at my boutique that will be right I'm afraid." Rarity said with concern.

"Oh, I saw a fabric booth near Applejacks stand. I think their from outside Ponyville."

Rarity's eye's sparkled. "Imported fabrics! Ooooo I just have to go and see. Maybe I can find the fabrics I need." Suddenly a loud crash came behind her as they looked to see one of the pony's trying to model had fallen and knocked over a stand holding multiple costumes.

"AHHHHH What did I say!" Rarity rushed over to mend the situation and the costumes that got torn.

"Come on, we better leave her to work. Looks like she has alot to do" Twilight announced as they turned to leave.

They then headed over to the park to look at the games that were being set up. All kinds of competitions and games were being made in the large grassy fields. From races, to horseshoe, to barrel kicking and hoof wrestling. They had it all. As the passed the games Twilight spotted something.

"Spike look over there." Twilight suddenly said. Across the park they could see a mare huddled at the base of a tree.

"She’s crying." Spike realized

"Lets go check on her" Twilight stated as she trotted over to her.

"Um... hello?" Twilight had asked her a short distance away. The mare looked up in between her tears. She was a purple mare who’s mane looked like swirly cotton candy and she wore a beanie with a propeller on top. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked again.

She sniffled a couple times, "Ya, I guess so." Twilight raised an eyebrow. " I mean, no...I'm not..." The mare bowed her head still sniffling.

"I've seen you around town before, your name was....Screwball right?" Twilight asked.

"Ya, that’s me."

"Can I ask why your crying?"

Screwball looked hesitant to say, but then looked up. "It's the festival. I'm trying to perform in the talent show but I can't do it by myself and I keep messing up my act."

"What about your friends? Shouldn't they be able to help you?"

Screwball looked away.

"Are they busy with booths? Doing one of the plays?"

Tears were forming again and Screwball said quietly,"...I don’t have any....."

Twilight felt horrible a the ponies situation. A pony in Ponyville that doesn't have any friends? How could that even happen, she thought to herself.

"Well, maybe I could help." She smiled trying to cheer her up. "What are you doing for the talent show?"

"I...I'm trying to do a clown show."

"A clown show?"

"Ya...clowns always made me smile."

"Food makes me smile" Spike added in. Twilight gave him a glance. "What? Doesn't food make everyone smile?

At the moment they heard a growl come from Screwball's stomach. Her cheeks flared a light pink.

"How about this, why don't you join Spike and I for breakfast and we can go over your act together."

Clearing her nose Screwball meekly said, "Do you mean it?" Twilight nodded with a smile. All three of them then left the park, looking for the first restaurant that caught their eye and talking about Screwball's show.