I entered the Cutie Map room. To no surprise, Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy were all there.
"What is this, our hangout spot?" I say.
"I guess..." Tirek shrugged.
"I need to tell you something that happened in town today," I said.
"Really? Is it bad?" Cozy asked.
"No, though long story short... I'm going to be expecting a party."
All reformed villains were confused.
"Do you remember watching those first adventures of Twilight and her friends?" I ask.
The reformed villains confirm they did.
"Remember what happened when Pinkie first encountered Twilight?"
The trio caught on.
"You don't mean..." Cozy began.
"Yep." I nodded. "As I explored the town, I turned a corner and ran into Pinkie Pie. I only said a few words before she gasped and ran away, screaming "CHEESE! LIL' CHEESE!"
"What-" Chrysalis was confused.
"Cheese, or Cheese Sandwich, is her husband," I explain. "Lil' Cheese is her son."
The trio expressed their surprise.
"Anyway, at some point, there's going to be some party," I recap.
"But what about us?" Cozy queried.
"Pinkie is aware that you all are reformed. And trust me... she knows a lot of things. Once she finds out where I am and that I'm here with you, we're all going to get a party."
"But... we're here, aren't we?" Chrysalis brought up.
We heard a knock on the door.
"Who is that?" Tirek asked.
"Maybe Pinkie..." I mutter as I leave.
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow all left their seats and followed me as we made our way through the castle. When we opened the doors, all we saw was a box down at the bottom of the staircase.
"Mailpony?" I shrug, before we all go downstairs, and Chrysalis picks up the box. She opens it.
"It's nearly empty," she tells us. "There's just a piece of paper."
"What?" Cozy tilts her head.
CLICK!!!
Our attention is brought to a loud sound from the doors, prompting us to go up the stairs. Tirek lit his horns and tried to open the door.
"It's locked," he said.
"What does the paper say?" Cozy asks Chrysalis.
Chrysalis lifts up the note.
"Collect all notes in Ponyville... there are five in all..." she reads.
"Alright, this is probably some sort of diversion," Tirek explains.
"You're probably right," I reply. "Let's just get this over with."
And we begin our descent into town.
...
Intro
...
"Can I tell you something I just thought of?" I ask as we make our way back to the castle.
"Sure," Tirek nods.
"I've never taken the opportunity to meet the other Mane 6 members... or in other words, Twilight's other friends that were dubbed the Elements of Harmony."
"Come to think of it, even though we reconciled with the Princess, we never dealt with her friends," Chrysalis agrees.
"Do you think they will be at that party we theorize will happen?" asked Cozy.
"It's likely that four of them will be there..." I say. "Rarity is usually out of town... though I forget why."
"Which one is Rarity?" Tirek scratches his head.
"The one with the neat purple mane... the fancy one," Cozy describes.
Tirek snaps his claws. "Got it!"
"Well... we're here..." Chrysalis says as we arrive at the bottom of the stairs leading to the castle enterance.
I make my way up the stairsteps, with my friends following.
"Should we do something about the notes?" Chrysalis questions.
I knocked on the doors, only for them to slowly open.
"Well... I guess we can go in now..." I mutter, before I open the doors all the way.
"Huh?" we all uttered in unison.
The room was as bright as day and empty. Void of life.
"Maybe... the party is in the map room?" Cozy shrugs.
And so we all made our way through the castle halls.
We opened the door to the Cutie Map room...
And it was empty.
"Well... I don't think we're having a party..." Chrysalis mutters.
CLANG!!!
Our attention was brought to the noise from downstairs.
"What was that?!" Tirek wondered.
"THAT BETTER NOT BE MY NEW VASE!!!" Chrysalis bursts.
"We'll go check," Cozy assures. "Calm down."
So we all left the room (with Chrysalis seeming a bit edgy), and yet again ventured for the enterance/exit.
However, this time, when we all caught sight of the enterance/exit...
"SURPRISE!"
All four of us jumped at the sudden crowd of ponies and creatures inside the castle, also complete with streamers, balloons, and food.
BOING!
We all jumped again when a mare suddenly landed in front of us. One we all knew too well.
"HIYA!" Pinkie Pie greeted. Suddenly, two more bouncing ponies landed behind her. Although Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow had no idea who they are, I did... the one on the left of Pinkie was Cheese Sandwich, and the one on her right was Lil' Cheese.
"Hello Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, and stallion I met in Ponyville and went *gasp* at!" Pinkie said in a fast pace. "Welcome to your 'WELCOME TO PONYVILLE PARTY'! Doesn't it look great! Lil' Cheese organized this party all by himself! He even had the idea to have us make you go on a scavenger hunt for a few pieces of paper, and then hide everything when you returned, and when you left the room, set everything up!"
We blinked. Now, in the MLP series finale, when we saw middle-aged Pinkie, she didn't seem as hyper, so some would expect that she wouldn't be so... Pinkie, considering she's in her 40's, and has a kid.
But... she's Pinkie Pie! Of course she'll still be bubbly as she was when she was younger, despite the age and child. Just... not as bubbly as often I suppose.
"Well Pro- *ahem*... Pinkie, it's nice to see you again," Cozy greeted. She looked at Lil' Cheese with a heartwarming smile. "I take it many more things have changed with you and your friends..."
"Well of course, silly!" Pinkie beamed. "Change always happens. Though when you're sealed in stone, it hits a bit different and-"
"Right, right of course..." Chrysalis cut her off. "I mean..."
She motions to her body with her hoof.
"Well, Pinkie, it's nice to (finally) meet you," I say. "And your family."
"Oh it's always nice to make new friends!" Cheese Sandwich bounces. I tell you, this family is the most unnatural one I've ever seen. "Because making new friends and making them smile is always a great feeling for us!"
"Of course," Tirek replies.
"Mommy, Daddy, can I go play party games?!" Lil' Cheese grins.
"Why of course!" Cheese replies. "In fact, maybe Mommy and I can get some music! Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinkie?"
"Some good ol' polka?" Pinkie gives Cheese a sly look. "You just read my mind!"
"The good ol' Cheesy sense!" Cheese replies.
And then they both darted off, leaving the four of us dumbfounded.
"Well... that just happened," Chrysalis muttered.
"Eh, they're all party ponies," I shrug. "No surprise that they still seem energetic. Especially Pinkie."
"So... what should we do now?" Cozy asks.
"I can look around and get aquainted with Twilight's other friends," I say. "Wanna come?"
"This actually might be a good time to do some business, as I don't recognize half of these ponies and creatures," Tirek suggests.
"Yeah, Tirek's right..." Chrysalis agrees. "Though maybe you could ask them to check out our business and we can make amends."
"I guess that will work," I agree. "Cozy?"
"I'll just play some games with the other fillies and colts," she says.
"Alright then, it's settled," I nod. "Now let's make the most of this party..."
And we both began to go about our plans.
...
...
As I looked around for Twilight's friends, I wondered what would happen when the situation came to be. What would their impressions of me be?
It didn't even take ten minutes before I met my next Mane 6 character.
As I wandered through the very large crowd, I soon noticed Fluttershy nearby, who was near the wall and appeared to be speaking to a mouse.
"I know you want some food..." I heard her say softly. "But this isn't the time to come out. How about I take you home with me after the party and give you some cheese?"
The mouse nodded, before it ran back into the hole.
"Um... excuse me?" I speak, catching Fluttershy's atttention.
"Oh!" she seemed shocked at first, but quickly composed herself. "Oh I'm sorry for that. I didn't expect you..."
"Hey, don't be," I assured.
"At least this is... well... now," Fluttershy said. "I used to be very shy back then..."
Character development... what a great asset.
"Well, you seem fine now," I reply.
"Oh I've overcame my shyness. I have my friend, Twilight to thank for that..."
"Yeah... my name is Leo."
"I'm Fluttershy. If I may ask... what brings you here to Ponyville?"
"Oh... um..." I cleared my throat. "Grogar's attack led me here. Caused troubles at my home, and ended up bringing me to Canterlot. I worked with Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy in defeating him... or at least tried to."
I was technically telling the truth.
"Well I think it's nice that you all were there for each other," Fluttershy said.
"Yep. Say, you work with animals?"
"Oh I love animals." Fluttershy cooed. "It's even my special talent to speak to them and understand them."
"Did you know I had two birds?"
"Oh, birds are so cute! What kind of birds?"
"Both are green-cheeked conures."
"Oh those are adorable! Fiesty, but adorable! What are they like?"
"One is fiesty and nippy. The other one is a bit more timid."
"Maybe some day, you could see the majority of birds that I care for. If that's okay with you... that is."
"I can do that," I shrug. "Anyway, I had fun meeting you. Maybe I could come over and check out the birds sometime... and the other animals too."
"Oh that will be swell," Fluttershy nodded.
"Oh hey, I'm going to mention something to you... if you ever have interest, Chrysalis and Tirek are selling something very interesting."
"Really? What is it?"
"A device unlike anything ever before."
"Well... depending on what it is, I might look at it."
"Alright... well, have a good day," I said.
"You too," replied Fluttershy.
And so we waved goodbye, before I turned and left.
Chrysalis and Tirek...
"Here you go."
Chrysalis' blue glow around the phone faded, and becomes replaced by the colored glow belonging to the unicorn that just bought the product.
"Who knew that you can sell new products very well at parties?" Chrysalis said to Tirek. "This business is doing better than ever before!"
"This actually brings to to what I've been thinking..." Tirek said. "What happens when everypony and creature that wants a phone ends up getting a phone?"
Chrysalis rubbed her chin.
"I... haven't thought of that!"
"How about this..." Tirek started. "When the party ends, we can see what other Earth devices Leo has. Agree?"
Chrysalis nodded in agreement.
Leo... minutes later...
"Eh, I came from somewhere far from here," I said to a group of ponies. "It's still weird to be in a completely different location, but I'm managing."
I felt a tap on my ribs. I turned my head and saw Cozy standing next to me.
"Well, it's been nice talking to you all," I tell the group. "We can talk more later, if we can."
I waked away from the group with Cozy.
"Hey," I say to her. "What's up?"
"Just seeing how you're doing," she shrugged. "I also got bored of the party games."
"What about the other kids to make friends with?"
"At least half of them seemed skeptical about me. " Cozy's ears folded down. "I can see why... the things their parents probably told them."
"Oh don't let some non-believers discourage you," I reassured her. "You're goal is to make new friends, right? So ignore the ones against you and try to make bonds with those who seem trusting to you."
"Well... yeah, you're right. Thanks!"
Cozy hugged me and then disappeared in the crowd.
I heard some chuckles from behind me. I turned and saw two familiar ponies... an orange Earth Pony with a stetson over her blond mane, along with a scarf with apples around her barrel. Next to her was a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow mane and a jacket.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash!
They both looked at me with heartwarming smiles.
"You sure know how to assure kids, don't you?" Rainbow smiled. "Yeah... we've all been there before."
"Well, you know, she needed it... concerning her past and everything..." I shrugged. I extended a hoof. "I'm Leo."
Applejack spat on her hoof and extended it. "Name's Applejack."
Now, I wasn't one for germs or spit. But as a polite gesture, we shook hooves.
"And you must be..." I began saying to Rainbow, even though I knew the answer.
"Rainbow Dash!" she shook my hoof. "Current Captain of the Wonderbolts and fastest flyer in Equestria!"
"Interesting..." I say, even though I already knew that.
"We heard of you and the other three after we were released from stone," Applejack explained. "Though Ah' gotta say, it seems mighty odd seeing an Alicorn stallion."
"It feels weird being in that position," I admit.
"How does it feel living with three of the formerlly most dangerous villains in Equestria, anyway?" Rainbow asked.
"Rainbow!!!" Applejack hissed.
"Oh, let me tell you...they're way different than they were potrayed to be in the past," I admit.
"You don't say?" Applejack raised her brow.
Huh... I wonder why they aren't questioning on how I know who the reformed villains are, I ponder. I guess it's because they assume I did reading on them... or assume they told me...
"Well, what do you two do these days?" I ask.
You could of asked it in any other way, but you had to ask like that... I think to myself.
"Oh, you know... Ah' do a lot of chores these days..." Applejack answers.
"And I spend time trying to convince her to let me do some chores," Rainbow says.
"Um... anything else?" I question.
"Oh, and I'm also the Captain of the Wonderbolts."
"Um, Rainbow?" Applejack whispers loudly. "You already said that..."
"Right..." Rainbow blushed. "...My bad."
"Hey, it's fine," I say. "We're all friends here... right?"
"Absolutely!" Applejack nods. "Making new friends is always a great accomplishment!"
"Yeah. It is pretty satisfying. You know, it's been great meeting you both."
"It's been great meeting you too," Rainbow agreed.
"Hey, before we part ways, if you're interested, Chrysalis and Tirek are selling some fantastic devices nearby."
"What are they?" Applejack queries.
"The next step of Equestrian technology," I shrug.
"I'd like to check it out," Rainbow admits.
"Oh alright," said Applejack. "And depending on what it is, Ah' might consider getting it."
I doubt it... it's a phone. The offer was mainly for Rainbow, but you never know, I think.
Both mares turned around.
"May we meet again," I wave goodbye.
Both mares looked at me and waved before they vanished into the crowd.
I sighed.
"Only one to go... if she is here that is."
...
...
I know Rarity might not be here... I thought. But why am I still looking, even?
I noticed that when the party first began, the whole room was filled. But as time passed, the doors opened, and Ponyville citizens kept coming in.
But then, something happened that surprised me.
I came upstairs to get a snack, and as I made my way down the hall, the bathroom doors opened and a white mare in fancy regalia came out. Behind her was a rack with a dress covered in plastic. It appeared to have a small pink stain on the barrel.
"Phew! I knew bringing an extra dress in case a mess would happen."
The mare turned and caught eyesight of me. She gave a look that I wasn't sure was positive shock or mixed-feelings shock.
"Um..." I then patted my mane and remembered the style I always hold it up as. "Should I... change this?"
"Oh, no, darling!" she replied. "I'll admit, your mane is definetly... eeh... unique... but seeing you just caught me by surprise!"
"Yeah, well, I'm no royalty..." I chuckled.
"It's still a surprise," she said. "I have to say, I travel a lot these days, so who knew that the day I come here to grab some supplies from my old boutique would lead to me getting an invite to a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party in this castle... oh I do love old memories. Even though I didn't technically live here. You're very lucky to live in such a glorious castle. You, and those three reformed villains."
"I guess so."
"Oh pardon me, where are my manners?" Rarity chuckled. "I'm Rarity."
"My name is Leo."
"That's a nice name."
"So... what happened?" I pointed to the dress.
"Oh, some strawberry cupcake got all over the frail... oh well. Nothing a little cleaning can't fix. And if it doesn't work, replace it... in my spare time. I'm usually very busy. This is my day off. I have one every week."
"Did you organize your schedule?"
"Yes, but it doesn't stress me out. At least... not usually."
"Do you make the most of your free time?" I ask.
"Darling, I'm doing it right now."
"Right... it's a party. Hey, it was nice to meet you... and I'm sorry if my mane's a bit goofy."
"Again, no need to worry," Rarity said, though it seemed it was itching her mind a lot. It felt like it because her lower left eyelid twitched and her pupils were a bit small. I guess she was trying to not mention it or do anything though, so that's good enough for me.
"Anyway, be careful with all the cupcakes, and drinks, and stuff," I tell her.
"Oh trust me, I will," Rarity promised. "And if it doesn't work out, I have plenty more spare dresses."
"Good to know. One last thing... I should mention Chrysalis and Tirek are downstairs selling pretty unique devices. You don't have to check it out, though."
"I'll keep it in mind. Depends on what it is."
"Alright, well... good luck with the dress, Rarity."
"And good luck... um... with everything!"
I waved goodbye and returned downstairs.
Hours later...
Now that my goals were completed, I actually started to have fun at the party. I ate, played games, and then listened to Pinkie Pie and her family play polka music.
Soon, the party ended. And get this... we didn't even have to clean up! Pinkie, Cheese, and Lil' Cheese ended up taking care of it, spinning like tornados and grabbing everything that wasn't in the room before.
"Wow... Pinkie and her family are highly good at cleaning up after parties..." Chrysalis admired.
"You said it... hey, how was the business?" I queried.
"We got a lot of purchases," Tirek said. "Even all five of Twilight's friends bought phones."
"Even Applejack?"
Tirek and Chrysalis nodded.
"Wow..." I muttered. "Well... after I finished the goal of meeting Twilight's friends... I began having fun. It's pretty much easier to have fun once you either take care of your goals, or ignore your goals if needed."
"Does that qualify as a lesson?" Cozy asked.
Chrysalis shrugged.
Later that night...
Dear Princess Twilight,
Today, we finally got a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party. While Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow did their own things, I went about attempting to meet all your friends. Granted, the meetings were short, and your friends were slightly different than I thought. But mostly the same.
But after that, I had fun. And I sincerely hope to meet your friends again, and have our meetings longer. It was fun talking with them, and once your next reunion comes, I would love to be there for it along with my friends.
Yours Truly,
Leo