Back at the café, Dante, AppleJack, Twilight, Spike and Rainbow Dash had just finished their lunch after a few more exchanges of stories and laughs, and were ready to take their leave, noticing the late afternoon gradually shifting to evening. Twilight had been kind enough to cover the bill for everyone. The group then left the café, heading towards Twilight’s house which doubled as Ponyville's local library.
“Wait. You live in a library?” Dante asked upon the groups arrival at Twilight’s front door.
“Yes, I run the town library.” Twilight beamed proudly, answering Dante.
“Eeeeh, seems kinda nerdy to me. Doesn’t it get boring being surrounded by books all day?”
“No! Reading could never be boring.” Twilight snapped back defensively. “Especially with so many interesting things to learn and discover each and everyday, I can’t see how anypony could get bored.”
“You’ll have to excuse her, Dante.” said AppleJack. “Twilight’s one of them there brainy types. I wouldn’t go knocking her hobby if I were you."
“Yeah, besides reading isn’t all that bad. Especially when have awesome books like the Daring Do series!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, taking Twilight’s side.
“Alright Alright. I’ll take your word for it.” Dante said, hoping to drop the subject. “Anyways, any of you know a place where I can crash for the night?”
“Why would you wanna crash, silly? That sounds painful.” said an unseen voice.
“Who the hell was that?” snapped Dante, flinging around, looking for the origin of the bubbly voice, only to find no one in sight.
“Me, Silly Head.” said a pink pony from behind Dante, appearing seemingly out of nowhere.
“What the…Who are you?” the devil hunter asked, turning to meet the blue eyed mare’s gaze.
“My name’s Pinkie Pie!” she shouted as she bounced around Dante, her curly, fluffed-up, magenta mane following in rhythm. “What’s your name, mister? I’ve never seen you around town and I should know. I know everypony in Ponyville.”
“Dante.”
“Pleased to meet ya, Dante. Oh wait one second I’ll be right back.”
Pinkie Pie dashed off in blinding speed, leaving Dante looking quizzically at Twilight, Rainbow Dash, AppleJack and Spike, hoping for some sort of explanation.
“Care to explain, bookworm?” Dante asked Twilight.
“Hehe, well as you already know, that was Pinkie Pie you just met and she’s one of our closest friends. Thing about her is well…”
“She’s a total spaz?”
“Hey, watch it, pal!” snapped Rainbow Dash. “Sure Pinkie has her moments, but that doesn’t make her a spaz.”
“Kidding kidding.” Dante chuckled.
“IM BACK!” shouted Pinkie Pie, reappearing in the opposite direction from which she left.
“Wait… how did you?”
“Don’t bother asking, Dante.” giggled AppleJack
“Sorry it took so long, but I had to grab my Welcome Wagon!”
“Welcome Wagon?”
Pinkie Pie then proceeded to press a button on the large colorful wagon behind her, causing a joyous bout of music to erupt from the strange device. As the song played, she began to sing and dance for the yellow stallion.
“Welcome welcome welcome
A fine welcome to you
Welcome welcome welcome
I say hooow do you do?
Welcome welcome welcome
I say hip hip hurray
Welcome welcome welcome
to Ponyville todaaaaaaaaaay!”
Dante only stood dumbfounded as one of his eyes twitched at the spectacle that was Pinkie Pie. “What…the…fu-“
*DING*
The bell of a small oven mounted on the front of the Welcome Wagon sounded, which shot out confetti from the small organ pipes on top and fired a cake towards Dante. The demon hunter quickly ducked out of the way, only for the pastry to blast Spike in the face directly behind him, knocking the young dragon off of Twilight’s back.
“Oh hey, I didn’t get the cake and confetti mixed up this time.” Pinkie Pie said joyfully.
“Jeez, Pinkie, mind watching it with that thing?” complained Spike, wiping the splattered pastry from his face. “Keep that up and it’ll eventually be the Goodbye Wagon."
“Ok then,” muttered Dante, still left in bewilderment.
“So, Dante, what brings you to Ponyville?” asked Pinkie.
“Well, you probably won’t believe it, but I kinda got lost.”
“Oh, like from another world while you were trying to find your way back to yours?”
“Yeah, kinda like…wait. How’d you know that?”
“Lucky guess.” Pinkie Pie snorted.
Dante looked back to AppleJack trying to make sense of this Pink Pony.
“Ah told ya before, partner. Don’t even bother asking.”
“Oooh, what’s that on your back?” asked Pinkie Pie, now standing on top of Dante’s back. “Is that a sword? Neat-o it’s a sword. It’s really funky looking too. It’s all big and scary and it even has a creepy looking handle with a skeleton grabbing his head, probably yelling ‘AAAGH! Get me off this crazy thing’, but that’s silly. Swords can’t talk.”
“Great observation.” mumbled Dante, making no attempt to hide his sarcasm. “So you mind getting off?”
Pinkie then jumped off Dante's back, giggling, “I like your new friend, girls. He’s really weird.”
“Tell me about it.” Rainbow Dash laughed as well.
“Yeah, it was nice meeting you all, but I’d really appreciate it if any of you knew a place I could stay.” Dante spoke up, growing annoyed by Pinkie’s antics. If anything, she reminded him all too well of a certain asinine clown. Thinking back to it, Jester was enough of a headache, but Pinkie seemed to be twice as bad if not just as much of a motor mouth.
“Don’t worry Dante. I think I can help ya out.” said AppleJack placing a hoof on his shoulder. “We have some room in the barn back at Sweet Apple Acres, you can use.”
“You serious?”
“Sure. After all, you don’t have a place to stay and until Twilight here can find a way to get you back home and help ya find your brother. I figured we might as well show some hospitality. Plus I think we can use some extra help on the farm if you don’t mind.”
“Whoa whoa whoa!” shouted Dante, taking a step back. “I don’t work for free, and especially farm work at that. Thanks, but I think I’ll take my chances under the stars.”
AppleJack laughed as she patted Dante on the back. “Oh sugar cube, you won’t be working for free. If anything, consider it payment for having a place to stay. After all it’s only right you earn your fair share.”
Dante squinted his eyes at AppleJack, and then began chuckling along with her, “Touché, Miss AppleJack. Touché. You got yourself a deal.”
Both Dante and AppleJack shook hoofs on it, only to be interrupted by Pinkie.
“Ooh, ooh, ooh, I almost forgot. Seeing how you’re new here in Ponyville, I need to throw you a party!”
Dante’s eyes shot wide as a smile edged its way on his face. “Did you say party?”
“Yeah! I throw parties for just about every occasion. I’m one of Ponyville’s top caterers after all!”
“I don’t suppose you plan on throwing this party now, though?” Twilight interjected. “It’s pretty late, Pinkie. Besides, I’m sure Dante is tired after the trip he’s had.”
“Oh, of course not, Twilight,” answered Pinkie Pie. “I still need time to get everypony in Ponyville together for tomorrow. This’d be the perfect chance for the whole town to meet Dante and make him feel right at home.”
“Sweetness, I can’t ever say no to a good party.” said Dante; his mood growing more cheerful at the thought of finally having a little fun.
“Whoohoo!” The party pony shouted enthusiastically. “See you all at Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow. I’ll go get everything ready for the bash. Seeya, girls! Oh, and welcome again to Ponyville, Dante.”
Pinkie Pie then darted off back into town with her welcoming wagon in tow.
“I think I might just get along with her.” laughed Dante.
“Pinkie has that effect on ponies.” Rainbow Dash said while yawning. “Well, I’m out as well guys. Gonna get some shut-eye.”
“Later, RD.” waved AppleJack.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.” joined in Spike.
Rainbow Dash then flew off into the clouds that lay scattered about the orange tinted evening sky.
“Well then, Dante,” AppleJack started. “I best reckon we get you on over to Sweet Apple Acres. Gettin’ mighty late.”
“Lead the way.” said the demon hunter, letting the orange farm pony walk on ahead of him.
“Have a good night,” Twilight waved to the two. “I’ll be reading up on some spells to see if I can sort out this mess.”
“You do that, and thanks again for lunch, Twi!” yelled AppleJack as she and Dante were walking off towards the outskirts of town.
The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was a fairly quiet one as AppleJack silently escorted Dante down the dirt road. The demon hunter, meanwhile, took this time to look around and familiarize himself with the path on which they traveled. Along the way, the sun had completely set, leaving the moon peering over the horizon as if it were a curious eye, assuring itself that it was time to come out. After about a few more minutes of walking along the white fences that lined both sides of the road, AppleJack and Dante finally came up to the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, which sat next to AppleJack’s house.
“Here we are,” announced the blond-maned mare. “Home, sweet home.”
“Pretty cozy looking for a barn.” Dante said, inspecting the structure.
“Come on in,” AppleJack called over to Dante, opening the barn doors.
As they entered the large empty barn littered with bales of hay, AppleJack lit a small lantern at the front door to help Dante get accommodated.
“I know it’s not much, but I hope you can find it somewhat comfortable.” The farm pony said apologetically, watching Dante walk around as he gave the place a good once over.
“Ah no worries. This’ll do just fine. Got a pillow?”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
AppleJack set the lantern down and trotted off towards the house, leaving Dante alone. He then proceeded to make somewhat of a bed out of a few bales of hay in the far corner of the barn. “Not exactly a four star hotel, but it’ll do.” he commented, looking around once more. After setting up his sleeping quarters, Dante then leaned back and shrugged his shoulders just enough to tilt his sword off his back, which he had grabbed with his mouth.
“Holy Crap!” he exclaimed through his teeth. “I finally got the hang of this.” After swinging the sword over his shoulder, he then leaned it up against the wall and proceeded to remove his red coat and hang it on the barn rack next to his blade.
“Got ya a pillow and blanket.” AppleJack called from behind Dante, re-entering the barn.
“Thanks.”
“Well I hope you get yourself a good nights sleep.”
“Lemme guess. I start work tomorrow?”
“Nah, not yet at least, what with the party and all, but ah will be showing you the ropes around here, so get some rest. Ah’ll wake you for breakfast.”
“Thanks again.”
“Oh. And one more thing, Dante.”
“Yeah?”
“There’s no need to dress so formal 'round here.”
“What do mean? I dress like this all the time.”
“Ah mean the pants and boots. Ah guarantee ya won’t be needin’ them in Ponyville and especially once you get to workin’.”
“Shoulda' guessed as much. Thanks for the tip.” Dante said, kicking off his boots and shaking down his pants from his hind quarters. “Hey! Wait a minute!” he suddenly exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” asked AppleJack.
Dante slowly turned to the farm pony with a mischievous grin on his face. “I think you’re just trying to get a good look at my ass.” he said slyly.
“Hahaha! Dream on, Casanova.” AppleJack laughed.
“Oh well, your loss.” said the demon hunter before kicking off his pants and hopping onto his makeshift bed.
“You’re quite the funny fella, ya know that, Dante?” AppleJack said while turning out the lantern.
“And you’re a pretty awesome chick, AppleJack.” the demon hunter replied while pulling the blanket over himself and fluffing his pillow.
“Thank ya kindly. Sleep tight."
“Night,” Dante said, waving a hoof as the barn door closed. “Ya know, for a place run by horses…er, ponies, a guy could get used to this.” he muttered sleepily. I just hope Vergil hasn’t done anything too drastic, he thought to himself before finally falling asleep.
Meanwhile at Fluttershy’s cottage, Fluttershy had just finished getting ready for bed. The pegasus mare was dressed in a white bathrobe with purple fluff trim, and was heading up to her room when she passed by a still sleeping Vergil laid out on the couch. She couldn’t help but smile, knowing she had been a great help to this poor stallion, possibly even saved his life. It was only then that she remembered his sword that she had placed against the arm of the count. Her thoughts began to wander aimlessly, wondering why he would go around with such a dangerous weapon. Was he a knight? Some sort of drifter? Where was he going? Where did he come from? All of these thoughts, however, were interrupted when Fluttershy noticed that the still sleeping Vergil had begun to shiver.
“Oh my, how could I forget?” she said to herself, rushing upstairs to grab a blanket.
After retrieving the blanket, she trotted up to the sleeping stallion and gently draped it over him; subsiding the light grey pony’s shivering with its warmth.
“Goodnight.” she whispered softly before turning out the lights and heading off to bed.
Vergil, who was still asleep in the now empty room, only muttered, “Thank You.”