//------------------------------// // Chapter 47 - A Frenemy Indeed! // Story: My Little Pony: Ren's Adventures In Equestria // by MaxTV1234 //------------------------------// Hmm....nothing much really. Today's quite a boring day really. Oh, I didn't see you all out there. It's just me, Rantaro, exploring around Ponyville for my own businesses. Just because I'm narrating the story this time doesn't mean I get to tell ya what I like to do. But then again, this story will only involve...heh heh, me in it. Now then, let's get the story started. So anyway, it was just another boring day here in Ponyville. I was off drinking some coffee that I bought from these 'bits' I managed to get from my clients around here. All I have to do was to sell the remaining apple cider from several weeks ago. I'm already out, but I was able to conned them out of stuff based on stuff that I managed to 'convince' the owners of them. Right now, I was taking a break. As a world-renowned 'Shadow Broker', I do need a break. Speaking of which, I'm always on break almost everyday when I'm traveling the world. But you know, I gotta say...ponies here know how to make a cold cappuccino drink. If there was a Starbucks here, then the ponies that sold it to me would get the job. "Hiya Rantaro!" Huh? Oh great, it's her. "...What?" I asked irritably, feeling not in the mood to be in the same room with her. Really? I was busy taking a nice, relaxing walk around town and yet I get interrupted by her. Ugh, well this is just wasting my time as usual with these guys keeping a straight eye out for me. "Oh! I just came by to say good morning to everypony in town!" Pinkie greeted with a bright smile. "When I saw you, I just wanted to say good morning to ya!" "Well go away. I'm busy." I stated, drinking some of my cappuccino. "Okie Dokie Lokie!" God, she's so annoying, even at day one. "But phew Ran! This day is so busy!" "Ran?" I questioned, glancing towards her before finishing up my coffee. "Yeah! Ran! Your newest nickname!" Pinkie clarified with a grin. "It's kinda similar to Ren's name because you're replacing the 'E' with 'A' in the middle between the-" "I know what it means." I sighed. "Now can't you do something else while I'm busy minding my own business?" "Oh sure! I gotta go and say good morning to all my friends in Ponyville!" Pinkie bounced excitedly around me before realizing something. "Oh...but it won't be morning if I keep staying around like this!" "Well that's quite a downer." I chuckled. Pinkie rubbed her head for a moment before grinning widely, and how irony loves to hit me upon seeing a post light underneath shining brightly, like she just got an idea. "I got it!" I stand corrected. "This calls for a musical number!" "I'm sorry, what?" I asked her with a raised brow. As if on cue, I began to hear some music playing around. Okay seriously, what's happening? Good Morning! - (Singing In The Rain) Pinkie began bouncing off and greeted some ponies, along with Ren, Kodiak, and Fluttershy, who just happened to show up by coincidence. (Pinkie Pie): Good Morning (Ren and Fluttershy): Good Morning (Pinkie, Ren, and Fluttershy): We've talked the whole night through Good Morning Good Morning to you Pinkie bounced off and greeted with some ponies, along with Mason, Carrie, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle as they were buying some groceries together. (Pinkie Pie): Good Morning (Mason, Carrie, Rarity, Sweetie Belle): Good Morning (Pinkie, Mason, Carrie, Rarity, Sweetie Belle) It's great to stay up late Good Morning Good Morning to you Pinkie tapped dance along with the crowd while I watched with a bored look, though I raised a brow at her. I just don't know what they're doing, but I do know that they're singing THAT song. She then tapped dance towards Applejack and her family, who were getting the groove of the beat. (Applejack): When the band began to play the stars were shining bright (Apple Bloom): Now the milkpony's on his way and it's too late to say good night Pinkie grinned happily and bounced and backflipped and greeted more ponies, shouting out their names as the crowds began joining on the song, while Pinkie bumped into Kaede, Jamie, Twilight, and Spike. (Pinkie Pie, Kaede, Jamie, Twilight, Spike): So, Good Morning Good Morning Sun beams will soon smile through Good Morning Pinkie popped out of a barrel from god-knows-how and greeted some children ponies. (Pinkie Pie): Good Morning to you and you and you and you Pinkie jumped out of the barrel and began tap-dancing, along with the rest of the crowd. (Pinkie Pie): Good Morning Good Morning We've gabbed the whole night through Good Morning Good Morning to you (Choir): Nothing could be grander than to be in Fillydelphia! (Pinkie Pie): In the morning In the morning It's great to stay up late Good Morning Good Morning to you (Choir): I'd be as loser if it wasn't Vanhoover (Pinkie Pie): When we left the movie show the future wasn't bright But came the dawn the show goes on and I don't want to say good night (Choir): So say good morning (Pinkie Pie): Good Morning (Pinkie and Choir): Rainbows are shining through (Pinkie): Good Morning (Choir): Good Morning! (Pinkie Pie): Bonjour (Choir): Monsour (Pinkie Pie): Buenos Días (Choir): Muchas Frías (Pinkie Pie): Bongiorno (Choir): Montichorno (Pinkie Pie): Gutten Morgen (Choir): Blakich Morgen (Pinkie and Choir): Good Morning to you Pinkie and the ponies of Ponyville began dancing around, tap-dancing around while ponies used barrels as drums to drop that beat. I remained leaning against the wall, still drinking my cappuccino with a bored look. I wasn't the type to sing, but I'm not admitting that I can't sing, I just don't like singing that much. Besides, this is quite entertaining...in its own way, of course. Soon, the song began finishing dancing up with them making poses before everypony began walking off to mind their own business, along with Ren and co. "Woo-hoo!" Pinkie cheered. "Oh boy, that felt great! I bet even the author wanted to do that as well!" Pinkie gave a wink to someone, but there was no one around. She is quite the weird one of this group, is she? "I'm not going to bother asking you who the hell were you talking to, but that'll be a pain the butt." I sighed before throwing my cappuccino drink in a nearby garbage can and began taking my leave, unfortunately, Pinkie Pie followed after me by bouncing next to me. "Oh! Where you going?" Pinkie asked curiously. "None of your business." I answered, not gazing straight at her. "Now can you leave me alone?" "Aww, but I really want to know ya Ran!" Pinkie insisted, causing me to roll my eyes in annoyance. God, can't this pink fiend go find someone else to bother? Suddenly, I noticed someone was about to bump me before I began to stop. "Huh?" I asked myself with two brows raised, seeing an elderly donkey guy pulling a cart filled with a bunch of junk. Oh wait, they all looked pretty good. I gotta say, I'm quite digging it, but...then again, I don't know if they hold any value to me or not. Actually, now that I think about, that's a talking donkey. Hmm, so I guess this world doesn't include talking ponies, huh? "Excuse me..." He grumbled angrily as I got out of his way and looked at him with a grin. I gotta say, he sure got an attitude problem. I can tell. "Ooh!" Pinkie chimed in as she got in front of the donkey, causing him to halt. "I've never seen you before!" "Kid, you're smarter than you look." He said before walking past her and continued pulling the cart. "Thanks!" Pinkie thanked. "You do know he was being sarcastic, right?" I asked with a raised brow, but she ignored me as she began following after him. Well, I guess I got no choice but to follow them as well. I'm quite intrigued on this guy. And here I thought this world was all about ponies. Guess I was wrong, and if so, just what kind of other species are in this place? "I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pink pony introduced herself. "What's your name?" She looked over at the back of his cart and read the plate that was apparently attached to the back of his cart. "Property of C.D.D." I couldn't help but let out a snicker and said "Well I bet my money that the last 'D' means 'Donkey', right?" "Quick as a whip...uhh..." He eyed at me for a second, wondering what the heck am I. "Wilde. Rantaro Wilde and I'm one of the humans living in this boring little town." I answered with a wave and grin. "Ahh..." He nodded, not showing any care about it. This donkey is quite tough, I'll admit. "Now, how bout that 'C'?" Pinkie popped right in front of him, shocking him at that. I still don't get how she does that, but I gotta say, it's quite impressive. "Hmm...Calvin? Calhoun? Caleb? Carl? Carmine? Carlo? Charlie? Chest? Chico? Claudio? Cletus-" "Or how about you let him ask." I insisted, smiling while trying my best to keep my anger at bay. You all see me with a smile on my face, looking sarcastic and cheery, but that's because I learned to keep my emotions in check. Whenever someone like a little pink pony loves to be chatty, I tend to get easily bored, annoyed, and/or angry. "Heh, quite polite for some weird monkey." I'm sorry, what? "It's...Cranky." "Oh, okay!" Pinkie nodded before asking "What about the second 'D'?" "...Doodle..." He grumbled. "What was that?" Pinkie asked, not hearing what he said. "Doodle..." He spoke up a little louder. "What?" He looked at her with a frustrated look before sighing heavily and said "....Doodle." "Wait...you're name is Cranky Doodle Donkey?" I asked, feeling a bit surprised upon hearing this. "Yes?" He nodded, giving me a look of confusion and irritation. I looked at him for a while before letting out a loud laughter. "AH HA HA HA HA! Oh my god! That's gotta be the most hilarious yet ridiculous name I've ever heard up till now! And I thought some stupid names like Pinkie Pie were hilarious!" Rantaro laughed. "Tee-hee! Well I'll admit that my name is quite hilarious!" Pinkie giggled, not bothered about what I said about her name. "But wow! So you're a Cranky Doodle Donkey?" She began bouncing around Cranky and began singing while both my laughter and her singing were making her more and more upset. You're a Cranky Doodle Donkey guy. A Cranky Doodle Donkey. I never met you but you're my new friend and I'm your best friend Pinkie Pie! Soon, my laughter died down to notice Cranky's unamused look as Pinkie came over and stretched his fact a bit in a weird way with his flaps somehow making a really huge smile as she said "Come now, Doodle! Give a smile!" "Yeah Doodle, got a problem?" I asked with an amused smirk. And just like that, his flaps fell down, making him loose his smile as he glared angrily at us and exclaimed "Nopony calls me Doodle!" Whoa, what's his problem?...Wait, he doesn't want people or ponies to call him 'Doodle'? Hmm, well I do say that his name may something important to him? It's best if I keep my eye out for him. Huh? Oh, looks like he's leaving in a huff. And we just started to get to know each other. That's pretty sad. "What just happened?" Pinkie asked herself as suddenly, the whole town I was in suddenly disappeared and I was floating in a blue empty space, much to my surprise. "Whoa! What the?" I asked myself as a furry picture of Pinkie and Cranky old donkey meeting each other. "Meet somepony new, check. Introduce myself, check." Wait, is Pinkie checking herself from the things we've just done? Because the pictures keep changing by everything we've so far, except it looks...too 3D-ish. "Become instant best friends...uncheck!" Soon, the whole blue space area disappeared and I was back on the streets of this pony infested town with my brows raised in surprise from what I just experience. Well that was quick, I'll admit. "I don't get it, Ran! How can somepony not become instant best friends with me? Was it something I said? Was it something I sang?" Pinkie asked me in worried while she walked back and forth in circles around me. I blinked in surprise before commenting "Has anyone ever tell you you're the weirdest pony anyone's ever met?" "Weird?" Pinkie questioned before giggling at that. "Nah, I prefer the word 'hilarious'." "Whatever, besides, who would become best friends with ya?" I asked her, much to Pinkie's confusion. "What I mean is that not every one of these ponies are gonna be your friend." "But...everypony here are my friend." Pinkie stated. "We all said good morning this morning!" "Okay, that's because ponies here are stupid and naive." I retorted, glancing at her annoyingly. "Look, just because everyone's nice, doesn't mean everyone is gonna be your friend. I mean, I don't think you even want to be friends with criminals." And how ironic that is. "Sure you can!" Huh? Now what she's up to? "I mean, sure we can befriend any bad guys like Nightmare Moon and Discord." "Who and who?" I asked. "Nothing important!" It sounded something very important if you said those names. I mean, Nightmare Moon? Discord? What the hell kinda names are they? "But anyway! I'll prove ya wrong Ran that I can make everypony my friend! Even you!" "What?" I am not liking the sound of that. "Yeah! I haven't even planned a 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party for ya!" Pinkie said before widening her eyes in realization. "Hey, speaking of which...I haven't for Jamie and Jack! Oh man, thanks a lot author, how could you make me forget that throughout Season 2?" ...Somebody out there, get this pony to an asylum because I think she got a few loose screws. "Sure, go knock yourself out." I waved it off before taking my leave. "Besides, I'm telling ya. Not everybody in the world is gonna be your friend." "Well I'm gonna prove ya wrong Ran! I'm gonna make Cranky my best friend! Just you wait!" Pinkie yelled, popping right in front of me. "Besides, I have a genuine plan on how to make him my best friend!" "If it's singing, dancing while you remained chatty with him, then that's gonna be pointless. Besides, if I joined ya, all I'll do is just laugh and see your plan fall in misery...then laugh some more on you moping." I chuckled. "Hey, you know, can't you just be nice?" Pinkie pouted. "Nope. I just like stating my opinions." I shrugged. "Hey, you keep doing that and nopony will ever be your friend with your weird, mysterious ways. In fact, I don't think anypony would come to your 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party." Pinkie pointed out. However, I let out a snicker and smirked. "That's fine, I would've been the only one there anyway." I shrugged before walking off. "Good luck with whatever you're gonna do with that Cranky old donkey, not my problem." "Okay!" Wow, she really's gonna do it? She's really that determined to win him as her friend? That sounds just...pathetic and stupid. Oh well, it doesn't matter. What matters is finding some nice info about this place. I took out my phone and began checking it over out of bordeom. Seriously though, can't this place even think about maybe...I don't know, build satellites, or maybe electric towers? This is just tiring to have an Iphone 7 that can't find a good WiFi signal. Later Nope...nothing yet. I've been searching all day, but no luck. I was walking through the pathway that has some trees around the place. Even here, I can't get a good WiFi signal. Well that ship me and the others were sleeping has a great WiFi connection there, but I can't call any of my clients at all. Hmm...well I know that some of them are...elusive as you might put it due to me being a broker and all that crap, but they always answer my calls. So why aren't they calling me? More importantly, why did I ever got into this mess in the first place? This never happened before.... H-huh? Is that me? I saw myself with some sort of machine on my head, and I had my eyes closed with a nonchalant look on my face. I don't get it, what's going on here exactly? "Hmm...I guess even now, you still don't get it, do ya? You still wouldn't care about what happens to others, right? Not even...me?" Huh? What just happened? What I just say? "Tch!" I muttered, putting my hand on my head with a frustrated look on my face. What the hell was that? Nah, it's probably nothing. Just a minor headache...or was it? "Oh! Are you okay young fella?" Huh? Now what? I turned around to see someone looking at me with a worried look. However, which caught me by surprise, and by the way, I am hiding this emotion with a calm look, just showing off two raise brows of slight surprise, but anyway, what I saw was a donkey, and no, it wasn't that old Cranky old donkey, but a female looking one. Hmm, now I know this isn't a coincidence on meeting another donkey in one day. "H-huh? Nothing much, just a minor headache." I stated before mumbling "And some weird vision." "Well that's a relief." The female donkey sighed in relief before smiling over at me. "When I noticed you putting your hand over your head, I felt something was wrong." "I told ya, just a headache." I sighed in exasperation, but tried to hide that tone from her. "Anyway, darling, I never gotten your name." "Oh, my name is Matilda. I live just up a house around here." She finally introduced herself before asking "Umm...and you are?" "Wilde. Rantaro Wilde." I tipped my hat to her with an amused smile. "Oh, it's quite nice to meet you Mr. Wilde." She greeted me with a smile. "Mr. Wilde? No no, Mr. Wilde was my father. You can call me Rantaro." I chuckled while also hiding my grimace on that. Mr. Wilde... "Oh, of course sweetie." Matilda smiled brightly. "But you know, this is my first time talking to a human right now." "Really? You never talked to the others?" I asked with a raised brow. "Well I've heard and seen about them, but never gotten the chance to talk to them in pony." Matilda explained. "But anyway, I was wondering what was somepony like you doing here?" "What? You think I'm dangerous?" I asked with an amused brow. "Oh Celestia's sake, no! Of course not! Well I mean, you may be a broker, but...I know you aren't that dangerous, right?" She asked in concern. I glanced at her for a moment before I replied "Nope. Not dangerous as what the others say." "O-oh okay! I was just wondering about that." Matilda smiled softly at that. "I was busy taking a nice stroll until I saw you...you know." "Yeah, I get it." I shrugged with a smirk. "I guess it's quite a thing to bump into others while you're lost in thought." "Well...something like that." Matilda chuckled. "But you know...it's quite weird that I bumped into another donkey." I stated, which confused her. "Oh? What do you mean?" Matilda asked in confusion. "Heh, geez, news sure is slow around town." I shrugged and shook my head with an amused smile. "Just to tell ya, there's another donkey in town. Not that I really care due to that grouchy attitude of his." "R-really?" Matilda asked, slowly growing surprise. "I-is that...true? There's another donkey here?" "Yeah? So?" I asked, glancing at her suspiciously. She widened her eyes in shock before muttering "It couldn't be..." "What?" Unfortunately, my question wasn't answer as she immediately dashed off, leaving me behind. Well that was rude. Actually, now that I think about it...Hmm, unless....Ah! So she does know him. Heh heh, this shall be fun. Later Well, another hour or two came as I was busy off exploring this little town. Nothing turned out much really. Besides, investigating this place has taken its poll. I mean, I haven't found anything except learned more about this place. Apparently, it was founded out by someone called Granny Smith one hundred years ago and she still lives today. Now I know that is quite rare to see old people, or ponies, to still live to this day. But I'm sure you all knew that info anyway. "I just can't believe it. Cranky said he would never forever be my friend." Huh? I looked over by the window of the Golden Oaks Library to look over to see Twilight, Jamie, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and Jack. "It was horrible." "D-don't feel bad Pinkie. I-I'm sure he'll forgive you soon." Jamie assured. "I-I mean, he just needs his privacy, after all." "Jamie's right." Twilight agreed. "I know this is hard for you, Pinkie, seeing that you're friends with everypony, but you just have to accept that Cranky is gonna be an exception. He just...doesn't want to be bothered." "Yeah, he doesn't want to be bothered by your over-the-top super-hyper antics." Rainbow commented. "And your frigging weirdness." Jack added. "Rainbow! Jack!" Twilight scolded. "G-guys! You're not helping the situation!" Jamie pointed out. "What? We're just saying." Jack shrugged. "I mean, not everyone in this world is gonna be your friend. You also have enemies and rivals in this. I know this by experience." Well of course you would know because you're an outlaw biker. "No, no, it's okay, Twilight and Jamie." Pinkie sighed. "I get what you're all saying. And I guess...I can leave Cranky alone..." Jamie and Twilight looked at each other with relieved grins, but wasn't expecting what else Pinkie said. "Right after he accepts my apology!" With that, she quickly dashed off right out of the library, nearly getting the door to flip open straight towards me. Phew, that was a close one. "...I frigging knew that she wouldn't give up that easily." I rolled my eyes at his comment. Like he would know. Oh well, it's best I find out what's up with them. "Knock-knock." I said, banging on their door as I gained all of their attention, much to Dash and Jack's irritation. Heh, they still haven't forgotten about my true identity as well as what happened back at their little Cider Season adventure. "Oh, R-Rantaro. It's a pleasure to see you again..." Jamie weakly smiled at me. "Yeah, yeah, cut all the crap Jamie." I said, causing him to flinch a bit. "Anyway, I just came by to see what's up." "Really?" Rainbow Dash gave me a suspicious gaze as she put down her little book and said "And just what suspicious activity are you up to?" "Rainbow Dash!" Twilight cut in, not wanting any of us to argue until Jack stepped in. "Hey! We have the right to tell him to back off! Just hearing and seeing him just makes me wanna beat this little piece of crap." Jack threatened through gritted teeth. "Just stop talking. The grown-ups are talking here." I said with a smirk on my face, upsetting him even more. "Anyway, what was up with little miss pink pony? She looked pretty upset and dashed right past me." "Well Pinkie told us that she was trying her best to make herself Cranky's new friend, but it only made things worse than before, and Cranky told her that she'll never be her friend anymore." Twilight explained. "I was hoping she might learned her lesson at least..." "Well can you blame her? Her brain is as the sized of a bubblegum...no, a raisin." I commented, picking my ear a bit. "Besides, I can't blame Cranky. If one of you were in his hooves, you all would've felt the same thing as he felt when being bothered by someone like her." "That's not true!" Twilight retorted. "Sure, Pinkie is quite...random at times. But she is a great friend and we respect her for being who she is!" "Who's 'we' if I might ask?" I asked with a raised brow. "It sounds two of your 'friends' over there don't share the same idea." "Hey! I know what I said wasn't right!" Rainbow retorted. "But she's a good friend and you know that!" "Yeah! Who gives you the right to tell us some crap like that!" Jack added, causing me to let out a snicker. "Really? And not you yourself didn't want to believe in it? Despite after you kept pleading on finding your way home, in an aggressive state no less?" I reminded him, causing him to screamed angrily before he grabbed my tie and pulled me closer to his face with gritted teeth, almost having the urge to punch me in the face. However, I wasn't afraid of him. I dealt with guys like him in my days when I started out as a broker. "You little piece of crap! Like you would care since you don't have any friends because of who you are!" Jack yelled. "J-Jack! P-please stop!" Jamie begged, causing Jack to glare angrily at him as he hissed "What?!" "N-nothing!" Jamie backed away in fear, feeling terrified upon seeing the biker like this. I gave him an amused smirk and said "You're right. I don't have friends...well, at least Gizmo." And on cue, Gizmo popped out of my hat and gave me a thumbs up before snarling at Jack, who let out an annoyed grunt at him. "What are you getting at?" Jack asked irritably. "What I'm saying is that you guys think you'll be best friends forever, but sooner or later, they'll abandoned you later." I scoffed, causing Jack to give me a dangerous glare. "Rantaro, what do you mean? We would never betrayed each other. More importantly, me and my friends will always have my back." Twilight retorted, giving me a scolded look. "You say that, but it's the truth." I shrugged nonchalant, along with Gizmo. "Well guess what? It'll never happen because we're a team!" Rainbow scoffed with a smirk. "We always got each other's back and I'll never leave Twilight's side!" "Damn straight! I never leave a man, woman, child, or pony behind!" Jack added, giving her a toothy grin. I rolled my eyes at this nonsense and said "You say that, but I know that'll happen. Everyone, even ponies have their ways on how friendship works. Personally, I never had a friend in my life. Just partners who make quick and easy deals with me back in the underground." "O-okay, but still...you should at least b-be our friend?" Jamie suggested with a weak grin. "Sorry, no deal." I shrugged. "Besides, if you all are good friends, then why don't you completely trust me?" "W-we trust you!" Jamie retorted. "I-it's just that..." "And there you have it, you guys don't even trust me yet because of who I am." I smirked. "But whatever, I'm used to these things anyway." "Rantaro..." Twilight looked at me with a concern look. "Is there something in your mind that you wish to talk about? We'll trust you if you just tell us what's in your mind and how you're feeling?" I looked at them for a while before rolling my eyes and grinned. "Yeah, sorry girl. I have no time with ya. Now I shall take my leave, right Gizmo?" Gizmo nodded before using his bushy tail on Jack's nose, causing him to sneeze, loosening the grip as he let go of my tie and we made our get-away. "H-HEY!" Jack yelled as Gizmo hid back inside of my hat, but not before we gave each other a high-five. Sooner or later, I saw Jack chasing after me throughout the streets. "GET BACK HERE YOU! WHEN I GET MY GRUBBY LITTLE HANDS ON YA! I'LL MAKE SURE YOU WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY!" "Ooh, so you're admitting you are fat, eh?" I smirked, causing Jack to scream angrily at me again as we hid behind a dark alleyway and hid inside of a garbage can. I peeked over to see Jack looking around and seeing me gone for good, causing him to huff before running off to find me. Heh heh, sucker. Me and Gizmo snickered before getting out of the trashcan and began exiting our way out of there. Heh, looks like the fat biker is going to taking a long while when he's searches for me. As me and Gizmo began walking through the streets while everypony else looks at us in confusion, wondering what the hell was the commotion was all about before they just shrugged it off and resumed back to their normal business. Yeah, that's right. Just pretend you didn't see anything. "Rantaro! Rantaro!" Huh? Wasn't that Matilda's voice? What now? I turned around to see Matilda racing over to me before halting to a stop and trying to catch her breath. "Great, now what?" I asked with a raised brow. "Oh! It's just about what you said to me about a new visitor in town!" Matilda answered before taking something off her back, revealing some sort of scrapbook before she opened it and revealed to me a picture of her and another donkey, only except that they were younger and that other donkey looked almost like...Yep, I knew there was a connection between that donkey and her. "I was wondering if this was the donkey you've seen?" Matilda asked curiously. I looked at her for a while and sighed "Very well, I'll tell ya what I know...for ten bits." "R-Really?" Matilda asked incredulous. "Yeah, that's all." I shrugged. "But don't bother to pay if my price is-" "Well sure! Here!" She placed ten bits into the palm of my hands, slightly surprising me a bit. "Huh...that was quick. You're seriously eager, huh?" I asked. "Well if it is Cranky, then I need to see him right now! I can't believe that all these years..." Matilda said, feeling joy upon hearing this. She just willingly gave me this money like it was nothing at all in order to see Cranky? Well, that's quite surprising. "Please, where is Cranky?" "...I think I have an idea." I shrugged before gesturing her to follow me. It's quite simple really, follow the pink pony and you find the Cranky old donkey himself. Later And it looks like I stand corrected. Apparently, it wasn't that hard to find Pinkie Pie as we followed some info from some ponies as they saw a wagon in front of a small cabin house out south in Ponyville. And what's better is Pinkie Pie was there as she continued to knock on the old donkey's door. "Cranky? It's me again. I understand that you don't wanna be my friend or accept my apology..." Pinkie took a deep breath and sighed. "Before I leave you alone forever, I have something to at least try to make up for ruining your book." "No, I don't want it, kid! Anything you would give me is sure to lead to some sort of disaster!" We heard Cranky yelled throughout the door, not wanting to be bothered and/or humiliated by Pinkie herself. "Goodness, you really are cranky." Matilda commented bluntly, which caught Pinkie by surprise. "Whoa! Ran! Matilda?! What are you doing here?!" Pinkie exclaimed in surprise. "Ooh! Are you here to accompany me with a surprise yet tearful apology to Cranky?" "No, just thought I brought her here. She says that she's...acquainted to him." I stated, which made Pinkie widened her eyes in shock. "No way!" Pinkie gasped. "Yes, Pinkie." Matilda nodded before walking over to the door and knocked on the door. "I said go away!" We heard Cranky exclaimed angrily. "Cranky...it's me." Matilda said softly. We waited for five seconds for him to come out until we heard the locks and chains jangling and unlocking from the inside as the door opened, revealing a shocked Cranky upon seeing who it was. He jaw-dropped upon seeing Matilda before heading back inside and came back inside wearing a golden toupee. Strange, didn't he wear a black toupee? Well if I had to guess, I say that Pinkie Pie has something to do with this. "It can't be...Is it really you?" Cranky asked, examining Matilda. "It can, and it is." Matilda replied with a soft and joyful smile. Cranky looked at her in shocked before he said "Matilda! But how?" "Rantaro." She answered, pointing over to me. "But...I never told you about her!" Cranky complained. "You didn't have to. I told her about you when we first met each other earlier, and she just ran off before coming back and telling me if you were the donkey in the photo." I answered with a shrug. "And I gotta say, what a coincidence that a donkey like her knows a donkey like you." "Ooh! Now I get it!" Pinkie grinned. "It's because in Cranky's scrapbook, there was a flower, an old ticket, and a menu from the Grand Galloping Gala! And I thought I knew I've seen those things before!" "But how could you have ever seen them before?" Cranky questioned. "Because I also have them in my scrapbook." Matilda answered, showing her scrapbook to him about the items Pinkie described. "And she showed it to me when she came to me to confirm if you were the one she was talking about." I added, picking my ear a bit. Cranky walked over Matilda as she showed him his book, making Cranky old donkey feel...joy, but he wasn't smiling, but was gonna tell us the story. Soon, my surroundings began to turn differently, switching black and white as I was somewhere in some ballroom where I saw different ponies wearing suits. "Oh, Matilda. The night we met at the Gala was the most magical night of my life." "What?" I asked myself before noticing two younger ponies. What exactly is going on here? Am I...seeing a flashback of theirs? Soon, I saw young Matilda giving young Cranky a kiss on the cheek, causing him to pant happily at that as she giggled at his reaction before they walked deeper into the ballroom. The scene changed as I witnessed them wrapping their hooves to each other. So this is how they tried to start out their relationship. Well, this is weird way on how to tell a story, so why am I seeing this exactly? Soon, the scene changed again to some fancy room as I looked over to my right and saw young Cranky entering the room with a happy smile, but one look of the place caused him to frown sadly. "But when I came to your room the next day, you were gone." So this is how it happened? So where did Matilda go that day? "Didn't you get my note?" Note? Soon, as young Cranky closed the door and left, I saw the note attached to the door as it fluttered down and landed on the ground as I gave out a deadpanned look. Seriously? Unbelievable.... The scene changed again as I watched over the young Cranky walking out of a big city with a determined look on his face. "No, I never got it. Ever since that day, I've gone from town to town to town, searching all over Equestria for you..." The scene changed to different towns, along with Cranky aging throughout the years, losing his stylish mane in the process and replacing it with a toupee. All of this because he never gotten her note? Well, that was completely stupid. You think you would looked around the room to search it out. Soon, I was back in reality as I saw Cranky looking down with guilt and depression. Well that was certainly a weird way to tell a backstory, what with seeing their little flashback. Wonder how that happened. "Until finally, I gave up. I came to Ponyville to retire from my search." Cranky sighed. Matilda gave him a soft grin and stated "But I was living in Ponyville the whole time. I always hoped that someday you would come and find me...Doodle." "...Yep, now she's quite desperate for him to start a relationship if she called him by his middle name." I commented bluntly, blinking in surprise with an amused smirk. "But..." Pinkie turned to me, feeling awkward about that. "Nopony calls him Doodle." Cranky must've overheard our conversation as he turned over to us and said "Yes, nopony calls me Doodle...but Matilda." Matilda nuzzled him, which he nuzzled her back. Pinkie slowly began to form a smile while I smirked at them. "Oh Doodle, I'm so happy to see you." Matilda gives him a kiss at the moment the sun started to set down while Cranky slowly widened his eyes in shock before letting out a big grin on his face, along with donkey noises. "Well...looks like he's happy." I shrugged, with Gizmo popping out of my fedora and nodded in agreement. "So..." Pinkie looked at Cranky with a hopeful look on her face as she asked "Does this mean that you accept my apology?" "Yes, Pinkie, I accept your apology, and I am honored to call you my friend." Cranky nodded. At those exact words, Pinkie slowly began shaking before blasting into the air, leaving a pink trail behind as she exploded like fireworks. "Woo-hoo! This is just fantastic!" Pinkie exclaimed happily before landing back down on the ground with an excited grin. "Ooh, now we can hang out together and chat and sing songs and...Oh! Party! Oh, I have to throw you guys a big party! It'll be called the 'Welcome to Ponyville/I Found my Lost Love/I'm BFF's with Pinkie Pie' Party!" "...Kinda a mouthful if you ask me." I stated, looking at her with a blank stare. "...Or maybe something less over-the-top and not so super-hyper." "Pinkie, we're eternally grateful to you." Cranky said with a grin before he turned to Matilda, who was smiling over at him. "But...Matilda and I just want to spend some time together in peace and quiet." "Oh. Um, but we're still friends, right?" Pinkie asked with a smile. "Pinkie, you went way, way, way out of your way to make me happy. Of course we're friends." Cranky nodded. "Great!" Pinkie grinned. "And..." Cranky turned to me with a soft smile and said "Thank you for reuniting me with Matilda as well." "I didn't do much. It felt like the pink pony did something than me." I said, letting out a smirk. "No Rantaro, you done so well to help me find Cranky, and I thank you for that." Matilda smiled. "If I hadn't met you back at my home, then I wouldn't have learned that Cranky was here in Ponyville all along!" "Technically, you would think he would've come out of his cabin to at least buy something other than chatty with ponies." I shrugged while Cranky chuckled sheepishly at that, knowing that was true. "But nonetheless, your welcome." "Hey! I help too!" Pinkie whined. "Yes, and you just annoyed the living crap out of Cranky." I reminded her, causing her to pout. "No no, you guys did so much for us. You all deserved the credit." Cranky chuckled. "Whatever." I shrugged nonchalant. "Although...you two missed a lot of years with each other. Are you sure you can even get in a relationship?" "Never say never, Rantaro." Matilda smiled at Cranky, who smiled back at her. "We're gonna try our best to make up the years. Come along Cranky." "After you Matilda." Cranky offered as he walked over and opened the door for Matilda, much to her amusement as they both entered the place and closed the door. "Wowie-zowie! That was so awesome! I knew I've seen that scrapbook before, but I never thought about it from where I've seen it before!" Pinkie smiled. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Look, I'm about to take my leave..." With that, I began to take my leave until Pinkie stopped me. "Whoa whoa whoa, Rantaro! Aren't you excited that you reunited two long lost lovebirds?!" "No. Not really. Besides, if I wasn't around, I think you would've done it yourself." I stated, putting my hands on my pockets. "Well still, you were quite helpful." Pinkie smiled before hugging me tightly. "And what's better is that thanks to you, you managed to get Cranky to become my BFF!" "No...problem." I nodded before she ended the hug. Man, for an hyper-active pony, she sure knows how to give out hugs. She hasn't been taking any coffee lately, has she? "And you know what, I came up with a great letter for Princess Celestia!" Pinkie immediately took out a paper and quill out of her mane, causing me to raise a brow at her. I am not going to question on how she did that, but whatever. It's her logic, not mine. Dear Princess Celestia, There are many different kinds of friends, and many way to express friendship. Some friends like to run and laugh and play together. But others just like to be left alone, and that's fine too. But the best thing about friendship is being able to make your friends smile. Make your friends smile...well that's something to remember at least. Soon after finishing up the letter, she put it back in her mane and said "I'll give it to Twilight to send to the princess!" "You mention about this 'Princess Celestia'. Is she the ruler of this world?" I questioned. "Yep yep yep! She's quite the nicest princess of all of Equestria, along with her sister, Princess Luna. Though we never got into a good start of getting to know each other, long story, but-" I put my hand on her muzzle with a 'SHH' sound. "Please, stop. Just...stop. I think I'll found out myself." I sighed. "Well...guess it's time for me to take my leave...bye." With that, I began to take my leave and just wanted to be left alone. I had no time to waste more time like this. This is just wasting more time on relaxing and such. "Ooh! Rantaro!" I looked back at Pinkie, who gave me a soft smile. "You wouldn't mind if ya came to the 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party, will ya? I think you might like it." She gave me the old puppy-dog stare, which caused me to raise a brow at her. Man, it's the oldest trick in the book. Although...I am quite intrigued on how her parties goes. "...Whatever. I'll go." I replied, glancing away from her. Soon, I heard another rumble coming out of her as she blasted into the sky again and yelled "YAHOOOOO! YES! HE SAID YES!" ...I'm starting to regret on accepting her invitation now. "Pinkie Pie!" I heard the two donkey lovers yelled at her, wanting their peace and quiet. Pinkie Pie overheard this as she landed back on the ground with no scratches as she let out a sheepish chuckle. "Whoops, privacy. Sorry." And that's just really humiliating. Oh well, I am quite intrigued to see where this goes to. Later Well...I'll admit, this party is quite...fantastic. Sooner or later at night time, everypony in town came over to our 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party, and what do you mean by 'our'? Well I mean me, Cranky, Jamie, and Jack since we never gotten one ourselves since first arriving to this planet. Well I gotta admit, that pink pony knows how to throw a party, almost like one of those Las Vegas parties I once went to. We were even having it at the Ponyville Park, since it was Pinkie's suggestion. "Man! This is so epic!" Kodi commented, eating a bowl filled with red velvet cake. "I know right? It's been a long while since we had a party like this." Ren chuckled, eating some cake with some of his friends. Well, glad that he's enjoying it. I noticed Jack glaring angrily at me while he had a conversation with Rainbow Dash, Kaede, Mason, and Applejack. Guess he still hasn't gotten over with what happened with me earlier. But I don't let it get the best of me. Soon, I was seen over at the nearby table eating some cake. You know, it ain't half-bad. "So...enjoying the party?" I glanced over to my right to see Jamie and Twilight walking over with soft smiles on their faces. "What do you think?" I asked, having the feeling to leave. "Well it looks like you are." Twilight giggled. "Come on, you don't have to be shy." "I'm not shy. Just bored." I shrugged. "Well you should e-enjoy it. I never had a party in honor in me. Let alone my birthdays....alone with my family." Jamie sighed, while I looked at him curiously. Huh, I guess I wasn't far-off with him not having a good childhood. "Well at least you're enjoying your time here Jamie." Twilight smiled at him, who nodded in agreement. "Yeah..." Jamie nodded in agreement before turning to me with a soft and nervous grin and said "Although, I am quite amazed that you were able to reunite Crankey and Matilda together. We're proud of ya, Rantaro." "It was just a coincidence to help out, that's all." I answered. "No it wasn't. You were just trying to be helpful, that's all." Twilight stated before looking past me as I glanced over to my left and saw Cranky and Matilda dancing with each other while I shook my head in amusement. Yep, looks like Cranky old donkey is finally enjoying his time here in Ponyville. "We're glad you helped out." Twilight smiled. "A-and also...do you think maybe you should apologize to Jack later? He's been glaring dangerously at you." Jamie pointed out. "I-I really don't wanna to see you guys try to kill each other..." "Don't worry, I'll apologize to him...later." I shrugged, causing him and Twilight to sigh heavily. "And once again, you never cease to amaze us." Twilight shook her head while I gave her an amused grin. "That's how I roll, toots." I shrugged. "YAHOO!" Huh? We looked over to see Pinkie Pie dancing around the food table, dancing around before pulling out a miniature cannon out of her mane and pulled the cord, releasing confetti out of it. "Is that even legal to own a cannon?" I questioned with a raised brow. "No...it's a Pinkie thing. Don't ask." Jamie sighed tiredly. This pink pony...is definitely gonna need to go to asylum or two. "Come on everypony! Let's dance around and do the Conga in honor of our new friends here in Ponyville!" Everypony let out a loud cheer and began doing the congo, which was formed with Ren, Kodiak, Kaede, Fluttershy, Rarity, Mason, Carrie, the little filly friends of her, Jack, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Jamie, Spike, Twilight, Cranky, Matilda and Pinkie Pie at the end. I stand alone while those who couldn't do the Congo with them just cheered loudly at them. I leaned against a nearby tree and let out an amused smirk. It's nice to see them get along like good little kids. Even though this party is wasting my time, I am enjoying my time here. What should've been investigating for more info and clues about our situation turned out into a reunion between two donkeys. And hopefully...my own reunion with him... I took out my phone and looked at the background of the picture of my Iphone 7, showing off a picture of a young brown curly haired boy with a man with a noticeable short brown beard and brown hair like me, but quite older, presumably in his early 40s. One day...I'll found the answers I want. I became a broker for a reason in order to find him out...I will one day find you...father. "Hey Rantaro!" Huh? I looked over to see Ren and the others still doing the Congo. "Aren't you going to join in on the fun?" Ren asked with an amused smile. "Yeah! Come on! Join in on the fun!" Pinkie added. "Hell yeah! This party is all about us!" Jack laughed loudly while I looked at them for a while before forming a smirk on my face. "Well...guess I got no choice. Would be fun anyway." I shrugged before putting my phone away and went to join on the Congo, at the very end with Pinkie Pie, Cranky, and Matilda. "Woo-hoo! Isn't this exciting Cranky?" Matilda asked him, who smiled softly at her and nodded before he replied "I sure am, Matilda!" You know what? I was wrong. These two will definitely get together and make up for the years they've lost together. Heh, I guess even in your old days, the love inside of your heart will never fade away...just like mine. To Be Continued