The sun was setting over Ponyvillie. Faint shadows were cast on the ground by the surrounding building and houses. The water near a large fountain glistened in the golden sunlight's reflection. Ponies were beginning to return to their homes for the night while others remained to enjoy the warm evening. A small outside cafe still had customers, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the sunset. At a small table sat a pink pony and a blue hedgehog. Both enjoying an ice-cream.
"Well Pinkie, I'll admit, this world is pretty peaceful. In comparison to my world, you'd think world peace existed here" Sonic had spent the entire day wondering Ponyvillie with Pinkie Pie. He managed to keep attention off of himself by telling everyone that asked who he was that he was just a pony in a costume. Having an 'alien' in their midst might have caused a massive panic. They visited Sugercube Corner, the Carousel Boutique (though Rarity was absent from there) and several other locations. Pinkie Pie finished off her ice-cream and got off her chair.
"You know, you still haven't met my other friends. Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack" she said happily.
"I'm sure I can see them tomorrow. Right now, I'd like to return to Twilight's house. I'm a little tired", after all, he had been through a lot.
"Oh! And you must meet Rainbow Dash when you get the chance. She'll be very eager to race you by the way" Sonic's ears picked up at this suggestion. A race? He liked a challenge. He wanted to know more about this 'Rainbow Dash'
"Oh really?", Sonic got up off his seat, a sly grin appears on his face. "What's she like?" He leaned against the table next to Pinkie.
"Well, she's very brash and confident in herself. She likes a challenge and adventure", Pinkie raised a hoof to her chin, "She can be a little stubborn at times though, but still she's a great friend!" She lowered her hoof and smiled. "This one time, she flew so fast she caused a Sonic Rainboom! Imagine a rainbow blasting across the sky. THAT is a Sonic Rainboom", she proclaimed.
Sonic chuckled and finished his ice-cream. He liked the term 'Sonic Rainboom'. "Well, I will just have to meet this 'Rainbow Dash at some point then, wont I? I'll see just how fast she is!" Pinkie giggled. She was already excited about the inevitable meeting between Rainbow and her new friend. "Well, I suppose I should return to Twilight's then. I'll see ya tomorrow, Pinkie."
"G'night!", Pinkie shouted excitedly, and she bounced away. Sonic had a fair idea where Twilight lived and decided to show off a little. With a grin, Sonic done a quick stretch and, without warning, boosted right past Pinkie Pie, living a streak of blue behind him.The raw force of his speed blew some nearby flowers away. Like before, Pinkie's mane straightened completely. It flopped down as she stared with amazement at the blue blur that just past her. She smiled as she cheered for Sonic. "Woo! Tomorrow is gonna be fun!!" she gleefully bounced home, and her hair once again poofed back to normal.
Pinkie Pie was very happy, happier than usual. She met someone new and was already good friends with him, and knew there was possibly going to be an epic race the next day. The sun disappeared behind the hills as the stars of the night glistened in the sky, the fine work of a twin princess Pinkie caught sight of another one of her best friends. A white pony with a curled purple mane. Rarity was obviously just returning to her house, but Pinkie was not going to pass up this opportunity to say hi. Her own way of saying hi that is.
She slowed her bounce to a steady crawl as she moved silently behind Rarity, making as little noise as possible. She quickened her step, all the while remaining as silent as the night. She was now right behind her. She raised her arms into the air, brandishing a grin.. She suddenly put her hooves on Rarity's back and and whispered, "Hi." Rarity stopped dead in her tracks. For a brief second, it was as if she didn't react before yelping in terror. Pinkie Pie erupted into laughter and began to roll around on the ground, giggling. Rarity turned to her aggressor to see her friend in a fit of tearful laughter. Her face of pure horror turned to a look of slight irritation.
"I got you!" Pinkie cried happily, still giggling.
"Yes you did. Very good Pinkie Pie", she remarked, slightly deadpan. "I haven't seen you all day. Where have you been?" Rarity asked
"Oh! I have been giving the grand tour of Ponyvillie to a guest!" She stood up from the floor. Rarity raised a brow.
"A guest? Who is new in town?"
"Oh...Um...just a hedgehog.." Pinkie awkwardly smiled. Rarity lowered her brows in disbelief.
"...You gave a small hedgehog a tour of our town....really?", she asked. Pinkie smiled nervously. "Well I'm not completely surprised if I'm honest, but whatever pleases you I suppose. I hope your spiny friend enjoyed himself", she looked off to the side and played with her hair. Pinkie Pie continued to grin, trying not to give away that the 'hedgehog' was a little bigger that she thought. Much bigger. "Well, if you excuse me Pinkie, I'm off home. I'm very tired. I'll see you tomorrow", Rarity waved and walked off home. Pinkie let out a sigh of relief. She walked off home. She assumed Sonic got to Twilight's with ease. Even if he didn't find it at first, she knew it wouldn't take him long since he ran so fast. The moon began to rise over the horizon, lighting up the landscape a little.
"I'm sorry that I don't have any spare beds around. Will the couch be ok?, Twilight asked Sonic. He stretched his arms and scratched his spikes.
"Sure thing!", he hopped on the couch and landed on his back. He stretched his legs and arms before folding them behind his head. "Ah...perfect" he sighed happily.
"Well, as long as you’re comfortable I suppose", she began to walk off to her own bed before stopping. She turned to Sonic,"Hey..Sonic?" Sonic turned to face the pony. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, fire away" Sonic said with a grin.
"What's it like in your world?"
Sonic turned to face the roof. "Well, it's bright and colorful. Just like this one. Where I spent my childhood was particularly beautiful. Checkered and striped green hills, clear blue rivers and large yellow flowers. I've been many places" he said. Twilight got up onto her bed and sat attentively as Sonic reminisced. "Emerald Coast is this big beach with plenty of little caves and wildlife. Speedy Highway is this massive road that stretches across a city. I've met many interesting people as well. My best friend is a yellow fox with two tails. He's called Tails funnily enough and he's probably the smartest guy I know, he's very good at inventing. Another one of my friends-well a rival to be more precise- is a hedgehog who looks a little like me. He's black and red and is waaaay to serious, but he's fun to fight with. His name is Shadow" Twilight stared at him, giving him his complete attention.
"And then there is my friend Silver, he's from the future!", Twilight smiled in excitement at just what this hedgehog has done in his life. "He's also a bit serious, but he's a nice guy. Bit naive at times but still, you can trust him. And then there's Blaze, uh, she's a bit like me in terms of what she can do, but she believes she can do everything herself. We have saved the world twice as well. Oh, and she control fire", Sonic stared up at the ceiling and sighed happily. Not many have such a life as him. Twilight smiled at his stories.
"Your friends sound fun to be around, well maybe not the 'Shadow' one but still"
"I wonder what Shadow's up to just now...", Sonic wondered aloud, "Probably moping" He shrugged. Twilight giggled slightly.
"Well, you just get some sleep Sonic. I'm sure you'll be busy somehow tomorrow"
"Heh, you bet", he replied.
"Well, goodnight Sonic" said Twilight as she turned again.
"Night"
Twilight curled up into her bed and turned out the light. Sonic remained awake for a while, lost in his thoughts. Just how was he going to get home? And was he alone in this world? He put his thoughts to rest and drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy was finishing sending all her animals to their homes for the night, making sure they were all safe and sound. Not too far off was a very irritated black hedgehog that stood there, arms closed. These 'things' Fluttershy had to take care of turned out to be chores to Shadow. He was nowhere closer to finding a Chaos Emerald. Fluttershy turned to the hedgehog and her expression worried as she remembered what she said she'd do for him.
"I'm...I'm sorry Mr. Shadow, sir. I forgot about the gem you were after. I got so caught up and...it's getting late" Shadow just stared. If it was anyone else, Shadow would have left hours ago, but there was something about this pony that stopped him.
"Hmph, tomorrow, you take me to this friend of yours first thing in the morning. Don't disappoint me" He growled with frustration. Fluttershy took a step back a squeaked a little in fear. Shadow just stared as he observed the pony’s reaction. He put his head in his hand and sighed. "Look, I just really need to find these emeralds...ok?" Fluttershy looked up and nodded slightly. She smiled at the hedgehog's vague apology.
"Ok. But I won't let you sleep out in the cold. I'll find you a place to sleep in my house", and Fluttershy walked past Shadow with confidence. He said nothing for a few seconds before muttering.
"..Thank you"