Cheese Sandwich was walking between parties, as usual, when he got a weird Cheesie Sense. It was weird because it caused thumping in his chest, which had never happened before.

"Wow, never got that Cheesie Sense before." Cheese told Boneless 2 with surprise. "Well, I don't know what the thumping means, but the rest of the sense tells me to go to Ponyville so I guess I'll find out when I get there."

He went on the journey to Ponyville, and when he finally got there...

"Hey Cheese Sandwich!" Pinkie beamed as she saw him coming.

"Hey Pinkie Pie!" Cheese grinned back, always glad to see her. "So, any important parties coming up? Because I got a unique Cheesie Sense that told me to come here."

"Well not in Ponyville, but there is one coming up in Canterlot." Pinkie smiled. "The Grand Galloping Gala! It's usually one of those fancy-shmancy parties, but my friends and I have been livening it up ever since we first went. Twilight especially has helped with that, and lately Spike and Discord have also contributed...oo, I think I just figured out your Cheesie Sense! My family is too busy to go with me this year, so it's telling you that you should come as my Plus One!"

"Plus One?" Cheese nearly blushed, not knowing what it meant but liking the sound of it.

"Yeah, sometimes those fancy-shmancy parties have limited room so those who are invited are only allowed to bring one guest. Hence 'Plus One'."

"Oh." Cheese smiled. "Well, even though I can't help with the planning I'd love to go with you."

"Great! I'd better take you to Rarity so that she can get your tux ready." Pinkie grinned before zipping off.

Cheese instantly zipped off after her. Once they got to Carousel Boutique...

"Rarity!" Pinkie called.

A startled gasp was heard, and Rarity came out irritatedly wearing a measuring tape around her neck along with her sewing glasses.

"Pinkie dear, you really must learn to not do that. What if I accidentally stick a pin into somepony?" Rarity gently scolded.

"Oopsie, sorry Rarity I forgot." Pinkie rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I was just extra-excited because an old friend is here and is going with me to the Grand Galloping Gala."

"Oh...why Cheese Sandwich! It's delightful to see you again." Rarity beamed. "My goodness...it's been months hasn't it?"

"Yes, since Pinkie's last birthday party." Cheese confirmed. "One of the best parties I ever attended actually."

"Also one of the best you ever threw!" Pinkie grinned.

"Well, at least we had the foresight to keep Pinkie busy by playing a game with Rainbow Dash while the rest of worked on the preparations." Rarity giggled.

"Oh yes...I remember you told me about the first surprise birthday party you threw for Pinkie." Cheese winced. "Sorry I wasn't there at the time to help out."

"It's okay, the important thing is that we know you now." Rarity smiled. "Now, I'll be ready to get started on your tux in a minute. I'm just making last-minute adjustments to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' gowns."

"Sis, can you please finish up with our dresses?" Sweetie Belle called out from another room. "We've got another Cutie Mark Crusader mission to get working on!"

"I'll be there in a second!" Rarity called back. "Better get back to them before they decide to leave with their dresses still on."

"No problem. Oh, is it okay if I try on some tuxes you already have out? I never wore one before so I should probably get used to wearing them." Cheese explained.

"Why of course, best to make sure you're comfortable enough to enjoy the Gala after all." Rarity smiled. "Just fold them neatly on the bench when you're done, I'll put them back later."

"Thanks." Cheese smiled back.

With Pinkie's help Cheese then started trying on the tuxes (that is Pinkie fetched the tuxes and passed them to Cheese through the curtain without looking inside the dressing room). Once he found one that fit comfortably he started walking around a bit trying to get used to it.

"Gee, you look pretty good in a tux." Pinkie smiled.

This time Cheese blushed.

"Heh...thanks...oh, where's Boneless? I'd like to see him again." Cheese smiled, changing the subject.

Pinkie's face fell and her mane deflated a little, instantly worrying Cheese.

"Oh no...is Boneless okay?" Cheese asked worriedly.

"Well...it's kinda complicated...did you hear of Tirek?" Pinkie asked.

"I think so...evil magic-stealing centaur right?" Cheese asked. "I mean I travel so much that I didn't encounter him, but I did hear about him from the towns and cities I visited."

"You got it. Well because of his magic-stealing ability my friends and I couldn't stop him the usual way, but not long before Tirek attacked Twilight got this special box from the Tree of Harmony, where our original powers came from. We couldn't unlock it at first, until after Tirek attacked. Then a bunch of gifts we got from various ponies - plus Discord - suddenly transformed into keys and unlocked the box, giving us these new rainbow powers that allowed us to defeat Tirek. The box then buried itself into the ground and formed into a crystal tree-shaped castle, where Twilight now lives. That's...That's what happened to Boneless, he was one of the keys." Pinkie then hung her head, a little worried that Cheese might get mad at her.

"Oh..." Cheese said sadly.

There was an awkward pause.

"Well...I am going to miss Boneless...but even though I'm a little sad I'm not upset." Cheese sadly smiled. "Instead I'm just proud that Boneless helped save Equestria. And it wasn't your fault, obviously Boneless was meant to be a hero key from the very beginning."

"Yeah." Pinkie smiled, feeling better.

Oh just to explain: after Rainbow Dash's Birthaversary the only times Cheese visited Ponyville were during Pinkie's birthdays (no other birthdays since Ponyville already had Pinkie to take care of those), and since he was so busy planning and enjoying those parties he kept forgetting to ask about Boneless before. In fact this was the first time he and Pinkie could actually have a non-party related conversation, since they usually were too caught up in her birthday celebration to talk about anything besides parties.

Cheese was grateful for this too, he wanted to get to know Pinkie outside of the subject of parties. After all she was the mare who inspired him, as well as the mare he...well...loved.