> Journey to Equestria
>  by FeatherFoot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N

Changed the name of the main character to Alex (Edit level: Minor)

End A/N

Chilly air. That is all I felt when I woke up here. At one moment, I was at my computer looking up GMOD videos, and the next thing I knew, I am out on a snow covered path. I get up, obviously freezing without my jacket with me. I trekked through the snow, and heard voices. I heard them coming from behind me. Thinking quickly, I dove into the nearby bushes. I poked my head out of the bushes to peer back at the trail. What I saw stunned me.

Ponies. Multicolored ponies.

I ducked back into the bush. My mind was racing about what I was seeing. 'Okay, there are two things that may have happened. One, I fell out of my chair, and slipped into a coma from the impact, or two, static built on me and I got electrocuted by my computer.' I am picking through my thoughts, when I hear a sound from behind me. It was sort of a growl. I turned around slowly, and go wide eyed.

I am staring face to face with a manticore.

I froze in the very spot I was in. I did not dare move, lest the manticore in front of me attack. It glares at me like it senses my fear of it. I start to raise my hand. "H-hi there." The manticore kept glaring at me, like it was anticipating me to make a move. I slowly start to get to my feet. I then peer out of the bushes, and notice the coast is clear. I pull my head back in, and turn back to the manticore. I smile a very nervous smile. I slowly back up toward the bush I hopped through, and sure
enough, I got to the other side of it without a conflict. I breathe a sigh of relief. "Wow that was close." I say. I start to stroll to the right down the path, not even knowing I was being watched...

It felt like hours since the encounter with the manticore, and I feel like I am going to freeze at any moment. It felt like it was below freezing, and getting colder. I saw a sign that read that a small village was ahead, called Ponyville. I looked ahead, and I saw it. Ponyville. I started to run, but I could not get very far in the cold air. I tripped and fell in the dirt. "Ow." I got right back up, and I kept moving, speed walking rather than running. In no time, I made it to the bridge over the stream. I began to cross the bridge. Once I crossed
it halfway, I walked to the side. The scene downstream was beautiful. It looked like it was a masterpiece in a museum. I stare at it in awe, and rest my head on my hand, and let out a blissful sigh. I back up, and continue my walk to Ponyville. As I walk the rest of the way to the small village, something tackles me from behind. I fall to the ground with a thud.

"Hi!"

I feel the weight on my back shift as whatever tackled me gets off. I pick myself off the ground, and look at the being that tackled me. My eyes go wide.

It was a pink pony.

I stare in disbelief at what I was seeing. it was just standing right in front of me. I began to speak. "H-h-hi t-there." I stutter, nervous. She stared at me, while I stared right back. Her eyes showed her curiosity. Suddenly, she leaps into the air, and emits a loud gasp. She darts right past me, straight toward Ponyville. I stare in that direction with a confused look on my face, but shrug it off. I stroll in that very direction.

Once I reach the small village, I realize there are no residents out and about. They all must be inside spending time with their families. I look around as I go toward the center of town. I saw a building that resembled a carousel, a building that, by the look of it, was a bakery, and a tree that had a door in the side. I reach the center of town, and sit on a bench. I picked through my thoughts, thinking about everything that has happened so far. As I am doing so, I hear a door open. I turned toward the source, and it was the tree's door. I pay no mind at the moment. I lie down on the bench, slowly closing my eyes, and drifting to sleep.

When I awaken, it is morning. I look around a bit, and notice that all of the ponies are strolling around now. I try to keep my head concealed, in hopes that none of the ponies see me. But as luck would have it, one strolls to the bench. This one had a mint colored coat with a grayish white mane. The next thing I saw was the very same pony sitting by my feet. I slowly inch in the other direction, hoping no pony sees me doing so. As I was about to get off the bench, one of the ponies called out in horror.

"On the bench!"

The next thing I knew, the bench I was on became surrounded by all the residents. I looked at them all. Every one of their gazes bore into my very soul. I start to feel much more nervous than with that pink pony. I figure it is no use, and I start getting up. All of the ponies back up, muttering to each other phrases that only made me feel low.

"What is that thing?"

"Where did it come from?"

"Is it evil?"

"It's evil!"

"Does it talk?"

I tried to speak, but one of the ponies flew right at me at blazing speed, knocking the wind out of me, and sending me flying into a tree. I fall to the ground, hearing the boasting of a cyan pegasus pony. I closed my eyes, and a tear dripped from my eye. I cover my face with my hands, and run from the scene. I was in so much of a fog from what just occurred, that I did not even know I was running toward a forest. I burst in blindly, and halt. I get to my knees, and scuffle over to a tree. I sat there, upset about what has happened so far. As I cried, I heard steps. I looked toward the forest entrance, and I saw a pegasus approaching. I thought it was the one that harmed me, so I got up, and ran the other direction. The pegasus called out in a quiet yell that I could hear by a miracle. "Wait!" I realize the voice. I turn around, and a butterscotch pony trots up to me. She sees the tears in my eyes, and softly gasps. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

I was too sad to speak. I just looked down, and sat on the ground. I bent forward a bit, but felt pain. I let out a grunt, and the pony in front of me went wide eyed. "You're hurt!" she states. "Don't worry! I'll take good care of you!" She grabs my shirt, and drags me toward the forest entrance.

She opens the door to a small cottage, and pulls me in. She drags me to a sofa on the other side of the room, and gently places me on the top of it. She smiles a bit. "I'll be right back. I have just the thing!" She wanders out of the room, and I slowly get up. I look around, and see a variety of bird houses and squirrel dens. On the other side of the room, a little white rabbit was sleeping. I heard hoofsteps approaching from the other room. The butter colored pony trotted back into the room, carrying what looked like a first aid kit. She pulls out what looked like a tube of ointment. She opened the bottle, and lifted my shirt. She proceeded to rub the ointment on my back, and it hurt at first. After a few seconds, the pain subsided. I sigh in relief that the pain stopped. I look back at the pony. She was indeed a pegasus with a butter colored coat and a pink mane. On her back thigh is what looked to be three butterflies. I wore a puzzled look, but shrugged it off. In a minute, the rubbing on my back stopped. I put back on my shirt, and turned to the pegasus.

"T-thank you." I say. She goes wide eyed at hearing me speak.

"Y-you can talk?" she stutters. She then shrinks back, and starts shaking a bit.

"Y-yes. But I'm a...quiet person." I state. The butter pegasus looked at me with widened eyes. She trotted up to me, and gave me a hug. I looked down to her, wondering why she was doing this, but I hugged her back instinctively. She lets go after a few seconds.

"I-I'm...Fluttershy." she squeaks. I can't help but think she was so adorable.

"Y-you can just call me Alex." I state. We both walk out of the cottage, right into a crowd of ponies.

I look into the crowd with a nervous smirk. Fluttershy shrinks back. The same cyan pegasus from before flies up to me. "What do you doing with my friend?!" she calls out at me. I back up a bit, but the pegasus keeps following. I keep going back, but she mimics my direction. Eventually I back into a tree, and she gets up to my face. "If I catch you with her again, you are going to get it." She backs up, and flies away. I just stare into space. Fluttershy looks at the crowd as it disbands. I do so as well. The only ones that did not leave were a lavender unicorn, a white unicorn, and an obvious cowgirl pony. They look at me, like scanning my being. Before they can speak, I dart away, straight toward the nearest building, which was the building that looked like a bakery. I burst through the door and stop in the middle of the room.I fall to the floor, exhausted from everything that has happened so far. I slowly get up, and move to a nearby table. I pull the seat out, and sit down. I prop my head in my hand, and pick through my thoughts once again.

'I don't understand...why did that pegasus...umm...Fluttershy, help me?' As I was deep in thought, the lights suddenly flicked on. I looked up, and a sign was floating in front of me. I read the text.

Go upstairs.

I wore a puzzled look, but as I was going into thought again, the balloons popped. I stared at the now fallen sign, and look at the stairs. I got up from the seat, and carefully walked to the stairs, just as I ascend however, a bell rings, and I hear hoofsteps.

"Do you think he went in here?"

"Ah suppose, but he did look pretty sad."

"Dears, Maybe he's upstairs."

Hearing this, I raced up the stairs. I ran to a closet, and hid in it, hoping they would just pass by it. i hear hoofsteps again.

"Nope not in here" Door shuts.

"Not in here either." Another door shuts.

"Don't come in! It's a surprise!" I hear a pony call out from one of the rooms.

"Nope not in here either." one more door shuts.

I cross my fingers, hoping they go away. To my relief, the hoofsteps get quieter and quieter. I open the door of the closet and step out. I sigh. "That was close." I say. I go to the door that I heard the yell come from, and open it. The room is pitch black. I fumble a bit trying to walk, but I come across a light switch. I flick it on, and I am instantly covered in confetti and streamers.

"Surprise!" I hear a voice call out right in front of me. I fumble back, falling to the ground. I shake my head. "Silly, that's not how you play that game!" I tilt my head in confusion. The pony in front of me grabs a stick from nowhere. I go wide eyed, bracing for a hit, but I am hit by something else. Candy falls right on top of me. Once the downpour stops, I look up, and see a busted piñata. I sigh in relief. I look to her, and she has an entire bowl filled with the candy. "I figured you were new here, and if you're new that means you don't have any friends here, and if you don't have any friends here, you must be lonely, and if you are lonely, then you need a friend, and if you need a friend, you have me!" the pink pony in front of me said in an entire breath. I just stare in disbelief. "Anyway, I'm Pinkie Pie and I threw this party just for you!"

I look around at the room. Everything is decorated in the room. Tables had party cloth on them, balloons were scattered throughout the room, and there was an entire buffet table, complete with a punch bowl. I turned my attention back to Pinkie. "So...you threw this party...for me?" I ask. She nods her head. "Duh! I always throw a party for anypony new here!" She states. "So what's your name?"

"Just call me Alex." I respond. "So...you like parties huh?"

"Absotively posilutely!" Pinkie responds to me. "I absolutely LOVE parties! Parties are my specialty! Like this one time, in Canterlot, I threw a big party for Rarity that..." She talked nonstop about parties she has thrown in the past. When she was finished, we began a two-person...pony...whatever, party. She had really outdone herself with it. Three hours passed. It was only noon, but I felt tired from the partying. I turned to Pinkie.

"So...I was wondering...I need a place to sleep...and I was wondering-" I was cut off.

"Of COURSE you can stay here silly!" she responded before I even asked the question. I sighed, and looked around. I looked at the couch, and made my way to it. Just before I lay down, Pinkie stops me. "Wait a minute!" I stopped.

"What, what is it?" I respond. She did not answer. A minute passed before she spoke again.

"There's a guest room upstairs if you want to use it!" She stated with glee. I looked at her, and gave a growing smile. I pulled her into a hug. She hugged back. She let go after I did, and I made my way upstairs. I entered the guest room, hopped onto the bed, and drifted to sleep.

When I woke up, I heard pots and pans clanging, and metal trays hitting tables. I groggily got out of the bed, and made my way downstairs. I looked in the kitchen, and saw Pinkie. "Hey, what are ya doing?" I asked while I rubbed my eyes. She turned to me.

"Hi there!" She said with glee. "I was just about to make cupcakes!"

"Cupcakes?" I ask. "I Haven't had a cupcake in a while!"

She gasped. She pulled me into the kitchen, and put a baker's hat on me. I wore a confused look. "You gotta know how to make cupcakes, right?" she said.

"I guess." I responded.

"Wanna know how to make 'em?" She asked. I nod, and music plays out of nowhere.

All you have to do is take a cup of flour,
Add it to the mix!
Now just take a little something sweet, not sour,
A bit of salt--just a pinch!

Baking these treats is such a cinch,
Add a teaspoon of vanilla.
Add a little more, and you count to four
And you never get your fill-a~

Cupcakes, so sweet and tasty~
Cupcakes--don't be too hasty,
Cupcakes~ cupcakes, cupcakes

I smiled a warm smile. I had not heard anyone sing like that in a while. She pulled the cupcakes out of the oven. I looked at them, and they looked way better than cupcakes on Earth. She took a tube of filling, and topped the cupcakes with it. When she was done, she picked one up and gave it to me.

"Try it!" she asks. I bit into it, and the flavor burst throughout my mouth like a tidal wave. I look at the cupcake, and to Pinkie. I beam.

"Pinkie...This is the best cupcake I have ever had. EVER." I state. I finished off the cupcake, and went to go sit down. I sat on the couch in the other room, and looked around. On the small table next to the couch, I spotted a book. I picked it up, and read the title.

"Hmm...Daring Do." I examined the cover. "It reminds me of Indiana Jones." I open the book and begin reading.

"Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone." I read. For the next few hours, I sat on the couch, and read the book. By night time, I had finished, and I beamed. "That was one of the best things I have read." I got off the couch, and headed upstairs. I stepped into the guest room, when I spotted somepony other than Pinkie in the room. I got closer, and the figure turned to me. "Forget this suspense." I say, and turn around and flick on the lights. What I saw was the lavender unicorn I saw earlier that day. "Umm..."


"This doesn't look good does it?" she says, holding up a plastic baggie with my hair in it. She vanishes in a flash. I look around. I figure she isn't here anymore. I get in the bed, and go to sleep, wondering what the next day will hold.

END OF PART ONE
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N

Once again, like in Chapter 1, the main character's name is now Alex.

End A/N

I felt weightless. I looked around, and saw nothing but darkness. I squinted, trying to peer through the black scenery. Suddenly, everything turned white. Wind blew against my face, as more colors appeared. I soon realized. I was in a freefall. I felt terrified. Flapping my arms wildly, I plummeted to the ground. I prepared for a rough landing, and I hit the ground.

________________________________________________________________________________
I thrust up from a lying position, dripping in a cold sweat. Breathing heavily, I look out the window. It is still night time. I lay my head back down, and don't shut my eyes. I began thinking about recent events, from arriving in this land, to getting helped by two of the beings here. As I am thinking about these events, the door to the room opens. I look toward the door.

Two little foals run into the room, followed by Pinkie Pie. Both the little foals, one a pegasus, the other a unicorn, ran up to the bed. The little pegasus fluttered up, and the unicorn teleported. They looked at me curiously, as Pinkie smirked a bit. I looked toward Pinkie, then back to the two foals. I pat the pegasus on the head gently, and it giggled. It made its way to my head, and hugged me. I hugged back gently, and after a few seconds, I let go. I turned to Pinkie.

"So...Pinkie, was it...what are these two's names?" I ask. Pinkie smiled warmly.

"These two are Pumpkin Cake," she pointed her hoof toward the unicorn. "...and Pound Cake." She pointed her other hoof to the pegasus. I smiled back to her.

"I see." I state. "They are great names."

"I'm in charge of babysitting them while the Cakes are gone." Pinkie said.

"Really?" I ask. "From what I've seen so far about you, you don't seem to be exceptionably responsible." She shined a glare at me, and I wondered if I accidentally struck a nerve or something. But she smiled, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's what they said too, but I took care of the Baby Cakes well!" she said. As she said this, the two little foals ran back to her. I smirked a bit. As I got out of the bed, Pinkie wanted to tell me one more thing.

"I need to tell you something, but I need you to Pinkie Promise that you will not tell anypony." she said, and I nodded. She shook her head.

"What?" I said. She came closer to me.

"Like this." She motioned an X motion on her chest. "Cross my heart, hope to fly," She flapped her front legs like a bird. "Stick a cupcake in my eye." She stuck her hoof in her eye. I stared, confused. "Now you try!"

I mimiced what she did. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my ey-YOW!" At the last step, I jabbed myself in the eye. I held my hand to my eye, and Pinkie giggled. She leaned closer to me, and I leaned closer as well. When we were only about an inch apart, she told me her secret.

"I like you. I hope you stay here." she whispered as she pecked me on the cheek. I took a step back, and fell to the floor. She smiled, and trotted out of the room, the baby Cakes following her. I sat on the ground, in shock at what happened. After about a minute on the floor, I got up, and made my way to the door. I opened it, and headed downstairs.

I made my way off the stairs, and walked through the main room, watching the little Cake foals playing with their toys. I walked to the front door, and opened it. Walking out, the ponies in the streets stopped what they were doing, and turned in my direction. Some of the looks were of confusion, others of fear. One I saw was of intrigue. I walked to the right, and went to look around the small village.

I made my way to the same area I went to when I arrived. I looked around, taking in the scene around me. The fountain in the center, the buildings all around, the multicolored ponies giving me mixed looks, I took it all in. I sat on a bench to rest my legs, and laid back.

'I wonder how my family is doing...' I thought. A tear started running down my cheek as I thought of my family. I hung my head down, and put in in my hands. I looked up for a brief moment, and saw that same lavendar unicorn I've been seeing off and on right in front of me. She wore a look of curiosity. "Can I help you?" I said, tears still dripping.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I...I'm fine." I said, but she had other thoughts.

She had a look of worry on her face. I looked back with my expression showing I was upset. She spoke again.

"Come with me." she said. I shook my head. Her horn glowed, and I was being lifted. It felt odd, like I had no mass at all. She made her way to the tree with the door. She opened the door, and took me inside. I looked around as she was carrying me. It seemed like an enormous library. Books lined the shelves, and were sorted in alphabetical order. She opened another door, and we went down another flight of stairs. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the lights flicked on. I looked in the center of the room, and there was some kind of machine. She placed me on the seat attached to it.

"Okay, please put this on." she told me as she levitated what looked like a helmet to me. I once again shook my head. "Put. It. On." She repeated. I pushed the helmet away. Frustrated, she levitated the helmet over me, and dropped it on my head. It suddenly locked into place. She pressed a button on the machine, and it spurred to life. I was becoming increasingly panicked. The machine ravved and spurred, and as suddenly as it all started, the machine stopped, and started printing paper. The unicorn held it up to her face, and examined it. She finished looking at it, and levitated the helmet off of me. She gave me an upset look.

"I...I had no idea." she said. "You must really miss them."

I was astonished and upset at the same time. The machine read my thoughts. I sat on the ground.

"Yes."

"But...how did you get here...from there?" she asked quizzically. I looked up to her.

"I...don't know. One moment I'm on my computer, the next thing I know I'm here." I stood up. "I'm sorry, I really can't explain anything Miss..." I realized I never asked for her name. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

She had an embarassed look on her face, as she looked away for a moment. "Oh right." She looked back to me. "I'm Twilight Sparkle."

"Call me Alex." I reply. We both walk back up the stairs.

Once we reached the top, a little purple reptile ran up to Twilight. "Twi', we got a letter from the Princess!"

Twilight looked like she was in a panic for some reason. She turned to me. "Could you excuse me for a second, Alex?"

"Sure." I said. She took the little purple reptile with her magic and ran as fast as she could to another room. I decided to take this time to explore around the room. As far as I could tell, there were nothing but books lining the shelves. The authors of some of the books sounded familiar. One was Albert Hoofstein's theory of magic. Another was The Pony Games by Suzanne Trotlins. I wore a confused look on my face every time I saw a name I saw as familiar. I pulled one off the shelf, a book called "Elements of Harmony." I sat down, and read through, starting from the beginning...

Once upon a time...in the magical land of Equestria...
There were two regal sisters who ruled together, one raising the sun,
and the other raising the moon, therefore giving the land a balance of harmony.
As time passed, the younger sister, the controller of the night, became resentful.
One day, the younger sister refused to lower the moon to start the day.
The oldest sister tried to ask her to lower the moon, but the bitterness in the younger one's heart transformed her...
Into the mare of darkness...
Nightmare Moon.

I looked up, and saw Twilight trotting back out. I closed the book, taking note of the page number, and set it on the table next to me.

"Alex, we need to talk." she told me.

"What is it?" I said.

"Princess Celestia will be arriving in a few days to ask you a few questions." she says. "I hope that doesn't trouble you in any way."

"No, nonono, not at all." I say. "I'm pretty sure she'll be glad to see me." I said with a nervous smile. 'I hope.' "By the way, who was that?"

Twilight smiled. "That's my number one assistant, Spike!" I smiled back.

"Well, I have to go run some errands. I'll be back in a few hours!" she says, and trots out the door. I turn my attention to the book.

'Was this 'Princess Celestia' mentioned in this book?' I thought. I picked up the book once again, and continued reading.

She vowed she would shroud the land in eternal night.
Hastily, the elder sister harnessed the greatest power known to Equestria...the Elements of Harmony.
Using their power, she defeated Nightmare Moon, and banished her in the moon permanently.

I paused. 'Why would she do that to her younger sister?' I continued to read.

The elder sister took responsibility raising the sun, and moon, and harmony had been maintained for generations since.

I closed the book, got up, and placed it back on the shelf. 'Hmm...'

"Pretty interesting, isn't it?" I heard a voice say. I was startled a bit, but not very noticably. I turned around, and it was Spike. "Twi' was freaking out over it a while back."

I looked at the shelf I returned the book to, and turned back to Spike. "I can see why, that was a bit interesting." I said.

"She was concerned because she believed Nightmare Moon would return and bring eternal night." Spike said. "She was right, but her and the others stopped her."

I go wide eyed. 'Nightmare moon was real?'

"They used the Elements to return Princess Luna to normal." He concluded.

'So that Luna character is one of the regal sisters.'

"Anyway, I gotta go help Rarity with something. I'll catch ya later!" he said, but I asked one more question.

"Wait...Spike, was it?...Why aren't you asking what I am?"

"Twilight told me your name and what you are." he said with a slightly embarassed smile. "Well, see ya later!" he said, and made his way out of the library. I walked to the shelf, and pulled off another book...The Pony Games.

2 Hours later...

I made my way out of the library, with a few ponies giving awkward glances, while others just went on with their day. I tried to pay no mind. I walked along the dirt path, and found myself in front of that carousel building from before. I looked it over. It did, in fact, look like a carousel. Walking up to the window, I peek inside. What I saw stunned me. Designs, fabric, and fancy outfits were everywhere in the building. I saw a few dresses, both finished and in progress, on modeling dummies. I saw Spike running around in the building...

Spike!

I track along where he is moving, and he stops in front of a white unicorn. She had a blue hued mane that shined in the light, and had three diamonds on her thigh. 'That must be who Spike was talking about earlier'

The door of the building opened, and a little filly ran out, followed by two others. They did not even glance at me as they ran in one direction. I smiled a bit. 'Youth...gotta love it.' I then remembered what happened with Pinkie and me. I was about to walk, as a voice spoke from behind.

"Peek-a-boo!"

I nearly jumped as high as the clouds...metaphorically speaking...and quickly turned around, hands held in karate position. I saw it was Pinkie.

"Geez Pinkie, you completely freaked me out." I say, but she just giggles uncontrollably. Suddenly...I hiccup, again, and again. She is practically in tears she is laughing so much. I hear the building's door open again.

"Dearest Pinkie, what in Equestria are you-" she cuts her sentence off as she looks at me. I look back to her. We both exchange glances for a while. Eventually Pinkie speaks up.

"Rarity, this is Alex!" she says with glee. "Rarity" just wears the same confused look, probably the same I'm wearing.

Finally, I speak. "Um...hi?" Suddenly, a force yanks me into the air, and into the building. As I am placed in front of a mirror, I can hear bits of chatter from outside. Rarity finally enters, and shuts the door.

A tape measure floats toward me, and unravels. My arms fly up, perpendicular to my body, and the tape measure runs along the length from end to end. The tape measure just floats in the air, as I can hear Rarity speaking.

"Mhm," she mumbles. I cannot hear what she said however, as she writes something down. The tape measure then runs down the length of my body from head to toe. She gasps.

"Six feet?" The tape measure floats away again, and is set on a table. "Well, my my."

"What?" I ask.

"Well...mister..." she pauses with a confused look.

"Alex." I correct.

"Right. Mister Alex, you are the tall one aren't you?"

"Yes." I say with a smile.

Yes, well, Come by tomorrow, I'll have something for you." she says. I nod, and make my way out, to an awaiting Pinkie.

"Rarity is really something, isn't she? Always making ponies clothes." she says.

'Okay, the special gift I guess is clothes.'

I start walking on one direction, with Pinkie following for some reason. Passing by the bakery, she stops, and waves goodbye to me.

A bit of walking later...

I come upon the library once again, and make my way inside. 'I guess Twilight isn't here yet.' As if right on cue, the door opens. I turn around, expecting Twilight, but I see a cyan blur. I am tackled to the ground once again. 'Okay, this is definitely getting old.'

"I'm gonna say this one. More. Time." she scolded. "If I see you anywhere near ANY of my friends again, you'll get it." Her tone sounded so menacing, it was almost scary. Almost.

"And what would I get as a consolation prize?" I ask mockingly. She just gives me an angry look.

"You'll get this." She lands, and bucks me in the gut. I retch, and fall over, holding my gut. "And that was just the consolation prize." She says smugly. "Wait 'till you see the grand prize." She flies out the door, leaving me on the floor in a heap.

'Damn, not even giving me a chance to explain myself.'

The door reopens as I stagger up. This time, it was Twilight.

"Hey..." I say, trying to hide my pain.

"Hi! I'm done with my errands!" she says.

"Great to hear. Anyway, can you do me a favor and get some ice for me?"

"Why?" she asks concerned.

I start to talk, but I look out the window, and see the cyan pegasus once again, and she is furious.

"I tripped and hit a chair." I lied, for the sake of my well being.

I look out the window again, and the cyan pegasus was not there anymore. 'I'm screwed.'

"Okay then, let me get some ice." she ran off to the next room, as I sat down, and holding my gut in pain. I made my way upstairs, shouting back to Twilight.

"I'm heading upstairs, just to let you know." As I reached the top of the stairs, I saw two beds on opposite sides. The bed next to the window must be Twilight's, so I opted for the opposite one. I laid down, and ran through my thoughts. Then the window flew open.

The cyan pegasus flew in.

"What did I say just ten minutes ago?!" she said, furious.

"Umm..." I fumbled with my words. 

"Well, time for your grand prize." Just then, she flew full speed at me, but a voice from behind her made her halt.

"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?"

"Rainbow Dash" just hovered in midair, and turned around. "Twi', this thing is dangerous! I'm doing Ponyville a favor!"

"It is NOT dangerous Rainbow!" Twilight snapped back.

"But-" Rainbow Dash tried to retaliate, but Twilight reiterated.

"It. Is. NOT. Dangerous." she said slowly.

Rainbow Dash just looked away, then to me. 

"I don't know Twi', this thing could be a spy."

"Rainbow, this is Alex, a human, and I assure you he means no harm to anypony."

I smile, and try to make light of the situation.

"Cool mane." I say. This made the pegasus blush.

"I guess I was a bit hard on you huh?"

"I don't blame you." I patted her on the back. She landed, and made her way downstairs. "Well...that went well." I said, then yawning. "Well, I'm gonna get some sleep."

She nodded, and made her way downstairs to study a bit. I got back in the bed, covered up, and fell asleep, wondering what the next day would hold...

END OF PART TWO
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sleepless night. That is all I could think about after last night. Pinkie Pie decided to drop by in the middle of the night and throw a random party, and the noise level was too much to sleep through. I groggily uncovered myself, and stepped on the wood floor. I was so tired, that as I made my way to the stairs, I didn't see a book on the floor, and I tripped. 'Ow...'

I got back to my feet, and made my way down the stairs, carefully as to not fall. As I reached the bottom, the room was a mess. Ponies were sleeping anywhere they could find, streamers were everywhere, and apparently, there was a pastry fight in here because there was a random assortment of desserts splattered on the walls. I looked around the room, looking over all the ponies lying on the floor, but there was one thing I noticed.

Pinkie Pie was not one of them.

I scoped again, and did not see her. I shrugged, and began to walk to the shelf to pick The Pony Games, but Pinkie Pie popped up out of nowhere. I flipped backward, and onto my back.

"Geez Pinkie, at least warn me if you are in the room!" I said, giving a slight hint of my frustration. Pinkie only smiled.

"Hi there Alex! I brought some leftovers from the party last night!" she said with such glee you could not be mad at all. I took the pastry, a slice of cake, and bit into it a bit. 'Ehh, not as good as that cupcake from before, but still pretty good.' I finished the cake, and picked the book off the floor, being careful not to wake any of the sleeping house guests. But apparently Pinkie beat me to the punch.

"Here Alex, Ya want some punch?" she said, holding a glass of punch. 'Oh the coincidence.' I take the glass and thank Pinkie. I walk back to the stairs, and Pinkie follows. Reaching the top of the flight of stairs, I hear the mumbled groans of the sleeping ponies, and the sound of trotting subsequently. Sighing, I looked behind me, only to see Pinkie Pie in my vision. "You must be bored. I know just what to do!" with that, Pinkie pulled 3 board games from nowhere.

'How did she just do that?!'

"Let's play some games!" she says excitedly. I set down The Pony Games, and held my face with my hand.

"Pinkie, I'm sorry, but I am really getting into this book, and I can't really have any distractions." I said. Hearing this, Pinkie's cheerful expression changed dramatically, accompanied by a record scrape from out of nowhere. I looked around. 'Am I hearing things now?'

"N-no games...?" she spoke, distraught. In just a half a second, her mane went from its normal poofy appearance, to completely devoid of fluff with a popping sound, and hung down to the floor. Her tail did the same, and her bright pink tone darkened. 'Oh great. I just HAD to say that.'

I walked up to her. "Pinkie, what's the matter?" I asked with concern. Pinkie sniffled.

"Y-you don't want to p-play games with m-me...?" she said, before she burst into tears. I was completely taken aback by this, and fell backward. My mind was racing. 'Oh geez! What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!'

Without even thinking about my movements, I moved closer to Pinkie, and held her in my arms. I whispered softly. "Pinkie, I'm sorry. I really am. Listen, if it really matters to you, then I really don't want to read the book right now." her head tilted up, and her eyes met mine. "Pinkie, I'll play any game you want, I promise, just please stop crying, you'll make me cry too." i said, starting to tear up. she spoke softly.

"P-Pinkie Promise...?"

I backed up a bit, and started doing the Pinkie Promise, along with the words. "Cross my heart..." I made an X on my chest. "...hope to fly..." I motioned my arms like a bird. "...stick a cupcake in my..." I remembered to close my eye. "...eye." I smiled a bit, hoping she would cheer up. My hopes came true with out warning, as her mane and tail refluffed with a loud pop, her color brightened, and she smiled from ear to ear. She dashed right up to me, and gave me a pony's version of a bear hug. "Now remember you have to keep that promise!" she said with glee mixed with a hint of seriousness. I nodded, and she pulled out "Ponies and Dragons".

For the next five hours, Pinkie and I had pretty much played every one of the board games, including tic-tac-toe, which Pinkie won just about every game, save for one she obviously let me win. I was on my last bits in "Ponopoly" by Flim Flam Brothers.

"Aaaaaaaaand I just got Sugarcube Corner!" Pinkie said with glee. I chuckled a bit, seeing as how I only have 100 bits left, and she has just about every lot. All I had was the first one on the board, Cranky Doodle Donkey's home. I eventually made a wrong move and landed on Canterlot Castle. "That'll be 3000 bits please!" Pinkie excitedly stated. I gave her the last of the play money I had, and that was it.

"Well, Pinkie, you have beaten me in every one of these games!" I said happily. Pinkie wore a wide grin. I stood up. "Anyway Pinkie, I have to stop by Rarity's to pick up what she had for me." Pinkie looked at me confused, but smiled.

"Okay dokey lokey! I'll be right here when you get back!" Pinkie exclaimed, and I walked downstairs, and headed out the door.

______________________________________________________________________

Approaching where I met Rarity, i noticed I was getting much weirder looks from the townsponies. 'Just let them stare.' As I came upon the building however, one pony approached me. She looked me over, and I recognized the color. It was the pony that I saw in the town center when I arrived. She turned around, and screamed out.

"See! I told you all I was right!" Then she ran off. I shook my head. 'What in the world? Are many of the ponies here crazy?' I entered the building, and a bell rang.

"Just a moment please." I heard the voice from another room, obviously Rarity. She came out into the room with an outfit floating beside her for one of her clients. "Oh hello darling. Are you here for your gift?"

"Yes ma'am." I said. She made her way to a table, and some clothes resembling what I am wearing drift over to me. "Wow, thanks Rarity."

"It was my pleasure, dear. Just stop by my boutique if you need anything else."

"Can do!" I made my way out of the boutique, and back to the library.

_______________________________________________________________________

Making my way in, I called out to see if Twilight was home. "Yo Twilight? You here?" No answer, but there was a note on a table.

Alex,

Me and Spike went out to meet with the princesses about your arrival. We'll see you in a few days.

~Twilight

'Well, looks like it's just me and Pinkie here then-' I derailed my own train of thought. I made my way upstairs, and entered the room, with Pinkie still sitting where she is. She looked in my direction, and beamed.

"So, what did Rarity getcha?" she asked.

"I got some clothes." I say, smiling. I set them down on the bed, and sit in front of Pinkie. She suddenly pulls a cupcake out of nowhere, and hands it to me. I bite into it, and we continue playing games.

5 hours later...

After finishing more than 30 board games, 30 games of tic-tac-toe, and 50 games of pin the tail on the pony, I was exhausted. I yawned, as I looked outside, and seeing the moon shining bright. I turned to Pinkie.

"Pinkie, do you mind if we stop for the night? It's late." I say.

"Aww, but why do we have to stop? You Pinkie Promised..." I noticed that she tensed. I continued on my statement.

"Just for now Pinkie. We can play more at a later time. Right now, I need some shut eye."

She seemed to loosen up. "Okey dokey lokie!" she says, as she trots to the stairs, but I stop her.

"Pinkie, you can sleep here if you-" Before I can finish, she already has a sleeping bag ready. "...want."

"Yay! Sleepover!" she exclaimed. I sighed. 'This is going to be a long night.' I hopped into bed, and covered up. Pinkie slipped into her sleeping bag. I drifted off, but Pinkie had other ideas except sleeping. She slipped out of her sleeping bag, and got to work.

The next morning...

Once I started waking up, all I could smell was pastries. I opened my eyes, and I could see nothing but a variety of pastries surrounding the bed. I shifted a bit, and carefully made my way around the pastries, downstairs, and maneuvered toward the kitchen, only to be stopped by a mountain of cupcakes. 'Okay, Icing Climber Alex ready to climb.' I took hold of one of the sides of the massive pile. Ascending, I nearly lost my grip on some icing. I held on, and continued climbing, and eventually reached the top. Getting down was much easier. I slid all the way down to the base of the mountain in the kitchen. "Pinkie Pie, what is going on in-" I was hit by a random flurry of cupcake icing. I got knocked back, and into the pile of cupcakes. 'What the-'

Pinkie turned to me in surprise. "Oh sorry Alex. I didn't see you coming." She seemed so apologetic. I felt a bit bad.

"It's okay Pinkie, although it would have been great if you told me you would do this."

"Oops." she whispered. I offered to help clean up. She denied my offer, as she called out the window. "Free cupcakes!"

In about 3 seconds, the ground started shaking.

"Ya might want to take cover." She ducked under the counter, and I followed suit. I heard a door slam open, ponies flooded the entire library, and chaos ensued. Within about 15 seconds, there were no pastries in sight. I glanced around at the entire room, which was now entirely spotless.

"How did- never mind." I said. Just before I walked away, Pinkie grabbed me, and pecked me on the cheek longer than before. She then nuzzled my arm, and trotted out of the library. I just stood where I was, motionless after what just happened. After a few seconds, I shrugged, and walked upstairs to read a bit.

Later...

I placed a bookmark on the page I was on, closed the book, and placed it on the table next to me. I stood up from the chair, and walked back downstairs. Upon reaching the base, I notice Spike has returned.

"Hi there Spike!" I say, happy to see him. Spike turned to me.

"Hi there Alex! How have you been?" Spike asked.

"I've been great! Also, me and Pinkie apparently had a game marathon." I said.

"Wow, how late was it when you two stopped?" he asked.

"Well, we started around three o'clock in the afternoon, and we ended around twelve hours later after playing 90 games." I said, while thinking about it made me tired out.

"That's Pinkie for ya, oh also, has she been twitching oddly?" Spike asked, a bit of concern in his voice.

"No. Why?"

Spike breathed a sigh of relief. "If she twitches, something will happen in the immediate future. So if you see any part of her twitch, or a combination of twitches it means something will happen!"

"Spike, that's just crazy talk!" I laughed.

"Alex! I'm being serious!"

Whatever Spike. I'm going out for a bit." I said, still chuckling. Spike sighed.

"His loss."

_______________________________________________________________________

I made my way through the town, and saw a side path, leading toward an enormous orchard. By enormous, I mean every square foot of the land surrounding the path had a tree on it. I walked down the path, toward what looked to be a farmland. As I walked, I looked in awe at how many apples there were on the trees.

'Good gosh, if there were this many apples on Earth, there'd be enough to supply the entire world!'

I approached a gate that led into the farm in front of me. As I walked in, i heard what sounded like a cowgirl.

"Yeehaw!"

I turned in the direction of the voice, and saw an orange mare with a blond mane and tail that have braids holding both in ponytails. On her thigh were three apples. I watched as she kicked a tree, and dozens of apples fell perfectly into big wooden baskets on the ground with such precision, that it defied physics. "Wow." was all I could say, and she apparently heard my voice.

"Y'all must be the boy that ran to the Everfree a few days back." she said. 'Everfree? That must be that forest by Fluttershy's home.' "Not too many go in that forest. Stuff just ain't natural in there."

I think about what she said. 'Not natural? Magic, flying, and random actions are natural here, but a forest like that is not natural?'

"So...what makes it so...unnatural?" I say, and the orange mare smirks.

"So y'all can talk! I shoulda guessed!" she said smugly. "But anyway, that forest is said to have clouds that move on their own, changing its weather whenever it wants, and there are only three ways in and out."

'Basically, from what she is saying, That entry in front if Fluttershy's home must be one of the entries and exits, but what are the other two?'

"So, what can I help y'all with?"

" just saw the humongous orchard, and figured I would check it out." I said. "It really is a sight."

"Aw shucks mister, y'all making it sould like it's impressive."

"It really is. Back where I'm from, apple orchards have never grown this large." I say. "In fact, a lot are usually cut down."

"What in the hay?" she said.

"My thoughts exactly."

"Well, ahm Applejack. Pleasure making your aquaintance."

"I'm Alex."

Just then, a red stallion trotted up to Applejack, and promptly turned to me. He spoke.

"Applejack, who is this?" he said.

"Big Mac, this is Alex." Applejack said. "Big Mac" came up closer to me, and looked me over. With a nod, he simply said "Eeyup."

He stepped back and a little filly ran up, one of the three I saw running out of the boutique. "Howdy mister! Ahm Applebloom!" She glanced at my sides. "Wait, where's your cutie mark?"

"Cutie...mark?" This raised a new question for me. Applebloom gasped. "Y'all don't know what a cutie mark is?!" She grabbed my hand, and tugged me. I played along, and followed Applebloom to where she was taking me.

_______________________________________________________________________

Coming to a spot outside of town, I saw what looked to be a clubhouse. Two fillies were playing outside it, one white with a horn like Rarity, and the other orange with wings. Applebloom led me toward the clubhouse, grinning the entire way.

The two fillies playing stopped when they saw me. They made their way closer as I stopped. The little white filly spoke first.

"Gosh mister, what are you?" 'Self-esteem -1, but +2 for a little filly asking.'

"Little ones, I am a human." I say proudly.

"What's a...hooman?" the orange pegasus said.

"Hu-man. We walk on two legs, have thumbs..." I held my thumbs up. "...and we can pick stuff up, like this." I picked up a stick. The little orange filly tried to hold the stick, but to no avail.

"Girls, this fella doesn't know what a cutie mark is!" Applebloom said. both the white and orange fillie's eyes went wide, and they both talked at the same time.

"You don't know what a cutie mark is?!"

"I'm Scootaloo!" the orange filly said.

"I'm Sweetie Belle!" The little white unicorn filly said.

Applebloom joined in. We are the CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" they all chanted at the same time.

"So you three made a little group to get something called a...cutie mark?" I said.

"Yes sir!" Scootaloo replied.

"We haven't had any luck so far, but we will keep trying until we have our marks!" Sweetie Belle said.

"It's our solemn oath!" Applebloom concluded.

"Well, I'd like to know more of these "cutie marks" you're talking about." I said.

All three inhaled. 'Oh boy.'

CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TEACHERS YAAAY!" With that, they ushered me into their clubhouse.

_______________________________________________________________________

"...and then a cutie mark shows up when the pony finds their special talent!" Applebloom concluded.

5 hours after they started their lecture, it had finally concluded. I stood up, and clapped.

"Girls, you have told me so much, I don't even know what to say." I said.

"Always happy to help!" Scootaloo said. "Now girls, do we have our cutie marks?" Each one checked each other's thighs, and there were nothing. They all looked down.

"Hey, it's okay, like you told me, it takes time." I said. "Now, I've gotta meet up with Pinkie. I think she's expecting me at Sugarcube Corner." 'Why do I feel as if she wants to see me? Do I have feelings for her?'

"Okay! See ya later!" the three fillies said at the same time. I walked out of the clubhouse, amd made my way to Sugarcube Corner.

_______________________________________________________________________

As I approached the center of town, it seemed unusually quiet. I then looked at the skyline.

"Hmm, it's that late?" I say to myself. I sit on the bench nearby. I look toward the sky, like I can see all the way to Earth from here. Something snaps me out of my trance, the mint green pony from a few days ago sat on the bench, the same way I was. I looked to her confused.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" she said. I replied.

"Yeah, it is." I looked down to the ground.

She looks toward me. "Something on your mind?"

I sighed. "I just wonder how my world has changed since I got here."

She puts a hoof around the back of my head. "I'm sure it's changed for the better. Earth did seem like it was a bit dirty." I look at her in shock.

"How do you know about Earth?"

'I've studied on humans and their nature. I tried to tell everypony about my findings, but nopony believed me." she said. "But now that you got here, they see the error in their beliefs!"

I stand up. "Well, it's been nice talking with you miss..." I trail off.

"Call me Lyra." she says.

"Miss Lyra, but I've gotta go get some sleep." I finish.

"Okay, hope to talk again real soon!" she says, and I go off to Sugarcube Corner.

END OF PART 3
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I opened the door to the Corner, entering slowly. I looked around, and saw one of the cake twins, Pumpkin Cake, playing with toys. I smile warmly. "That is really cute." I said, then looked around. "Wait, where's Pound Cake? Probably playing Hide and Seek?"

I hear hoofsteps coming up behind me, and turn around to see Pinkie. I ask her about Pound Cake. "Pinkie, where's Pound Cake?"

"Haven't seen him. I've been looking too!" Suddenly, her tail begins to vibrate. "Twitcha-twitch!"

I looked at her with confusion. "Pinkie, are you okay?" Without warning, she bolts underneath a table, and motions me to do the same. "Pinkie, I don't know what's going on, but why did your tail shake?"

"Twitchy tail! Something is about to fall!" she replies.

'That's what Spike said.' "Pinkie, this is ridiculous. Nothing's going to-" Suddenly, I feel a weight fall on my head. I put my hands on my head, and fell fuzz. I took what it was, and smiled. It was Pound Cake.

"There you are!" I said, smiling. "Pinkie's been looking for you." I place Pound Cake on the ground, and he runs up to Pinkie. Pinkie picks him up, and snuggles him. 'Daww.'

She places Pound Cake ont the floor again, and he goes to play with the toys with Pumpkin. "Well, Pinkie, those two are something." I say.

"Yep, they are so energetic, like ours." she replies, making me turn my head sharply to her, wide eyed, mouth agape, and blushing.

'W-what did she just say?!' "Er...I...uh..." I stutter, making Pinkie giggle.

"Well, I have to go help Rainbow Dash with something. I'll see YOU later!" She said, emphasizing the word "you" by bopping my nose gently. She makes her way out of the Corner, when Mr. and Mrs. Cake stroll in, and see me in a state of confusion and shock.

"Everything alright?" Mrs. Cake asks.

I shake my head, trying to get my thoughts out of my head. "Erm...yeah." I said, and made my way upstairs to take a nap.

________________________________________________________________________

*dream*

I awoke to find that everything is dark again. I am able to walk around however, and i feel around in the darkness. Oddly enough, I can see my hands and arms. The only thing I am able to see is myself. I continue to feel around, and eventually come upon a wall. I make my way along it, and feel a switch. I flick it, and the darkness disappeared, replaced with light. It was a basement. I scoped around, and all the objects in the room were made to look like morbid party decorations. Suddenly, I felt a force on the back of my head.

*end dream*

________________________________________________________________________

I jolted upright. Breathing heavily, I looked around to find myself in the guest room once again. 'Why am I having these nightmares?' I hopped out of the bed, and made my way to the bathroom. I opened the door, walked in, and turned on the faucet. I splashed cold water in my face. 'Is something trying to mess with my head?' I hear hoofsteps, and Pinkie makes her way into her room, not turning toward the bathroom I was in. I turned to look toward the hallway, and saw her go into her room. I sighed, looking at myself in the mirror.

"Hi!" I stumbled to the side, completely freaked out by the sudden greeting. I Turned to the source, only to see Pinkie smiling.

"Pinkie, warn me next time!" I said with a bit of a smile. "Anyway, what's up?"

"Ya wanna play some more games?" Pinkie said cheerfully. I reminded myself that the games were limited. 'I can't just say no. I have to come up with an excuse.' I then remembered what I had promised. 'I'll just have to make something up, and make a break for it.'

"Okay Pinkie, just let me go get something." I said. Pinkie smiled, and made her way back to her room. I saw this as my chance. I ran downstairs, opened the front door, and made my way to Twilight's library.

________________________________________________________________________

I made my way inside, and found Twilight and Applejack in the middle of the room. "Oh hey, what's up?"

Applejack just cringed, and Twilight spoke up. "Alex, Pinkie told me you would be playing games with her. Why aren't you there? Didn't you Pinkie Promise?"

I nodded. "Yes, but I just left to-" Twilight went wide eyed, and interrupted me.

"Alex, doing that signed your death wish." Twilight said. 'Death wish?'

"What makes you say that?" I ask, when suddenly, I hear a very loud call.

"ALEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I cringed, at the unexpected scream. Applejack makes her way up to me.

"Alex, ah suggest you run, y'all got about four seconds." she says. Without even an objection, I dart toward the rear entrance, and slam open the door. Running as fast as I can, I look behind me every so often, and hoped what I heard wasn't anyone mad at me. Then I see a pink blur going around the library.

"YOU PINKIE PROMISED!!!" I heard Pinkie say in a more demonic voice. I panic. Adrenaline coarsing through me, I keep running. I see what looked to be a chariot cab loading a few passengers. I see this as an opportunity. I get underneath the chariot, just as it starts moving. I cling to the bottom of the cart for dear life. What happened next completely took me by surprise.

The ground began getting farther and farther.

I look down to the ground, and see Pinkie still in full chase. She rushes over to the nearest chariot, gets in, and the chariot takes off. I begin to get more panicked, and begin to realize my fingers are slipping. I look at the bottom of the chariot, then I make my decision.

I let go.

I flipped over, and see that I am in a freefall, no parachute, nothing. Then I remember something.

This is exactly what was in my dream a few nights before. I close my eyes, bracing for the impact with the ground, but suddenly, I my freefall ends without me hitting the ground. I am gently placed on the ground, and I look at what or who stopped me.

"Well that was close." I looked toward the owner of the voice. It was a mare with goggles and a blue suit on, and had yellow wings and a mane with the colors of fire. "What were you doing on the bottom of a chariot going to Canterlot anyway?"

'Canterlot?' "Well, I-" I heard my name called out again.

"THERE YOU ARE ALEX!!!" I turned sharply. I hold my hands out in front of me.

"Pinkie, wait, I can explain!" I say, but Pinkie rams right into me.

"Alex, you made a promise!" she stated. "Say your'e sorry!"

"Pinkie, if you would just let me explain!" I yelled back. "Yes, I'm sorry for running off, but I was going to look for more games!" I said. "That's why I said I wanted to go get something!" My voice showed huge frustration. Pinkie then wore a frown. "Geez! We've already played the games you have, and I wanted to get one from...who knows where, and you think I'm breaking a promise!" Hearing myself, I calm down. I look at Pinkie, who had tears welling up. 'Damn it! I calmed myself too late! What now?'

Before she broke down crying, I walked up to her. "Look, Pinkie, I'm sorry for raising my voice. I'm just frustrated about what just happened." I started tearing up. "Pinkie, please, forgiveness?"

She looked toward me, and I gave her a hug for comfort. She began wearing a smile. "You know what, forget the games. Let's just do something else." she said. 'Let's see, what to do.'

I then smirk a bit. I walk away for a moment. "Be right back Pinkie." I speak wth the pony that saved me.

"Excuse me...uh..."

"Spitfire." she said.

"Spitfire, could you do me a quick favor?" I whisper in her ear. She nods, and brings a cloud down. She kicks a cloud, and Pinkie is instantly startled. I kinda got startled also, since I didn't know what Spitfire would do. In an instant Pinkie got hiccups. I started to chuckle, but I started hiccuping. I hear her start giggling. Spitfire just smiled.

"You got- *hic* -scared into getting- *hic* -the hiccups!" Pinkie said.

"You- *hic* -too!" I retaliated. Both of us stopped talking for a moment. A moment of silence ensued. After about seven seconds, both Pinkie and I hiccuped at the exact same time. We looked to each other, and broke out laughing. I waved to Spitfire, and Pinkie and I made our way back to Ponyville, hiccuping all the way there.

________________________________________________________________________

Off in the distance, Rainbow Dash saw me and Pinkie with Spitfire. She had a frustrated glare in her eyes.

"Alex, how did you befriend Spitfire so easily?" She said to herself as she flew back to Ponyville.

________________________________________________________________________

Pinkie and I arrived back in Ponyville at close to sundown. I take a look around. 'hmm...not a lot of ponies are out and about, it's getting closer to night, and a cart that seemed like a movie star's trailer is sitting in the center of town. Typical nighttime ambience.' I stopped in my tracks. 'Wait, what?' Pinkie turned around to me.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"That." I pointed to the cart, and it suddenly opened, revealing a large stage that glowed with fireworks.

"Wow you're good." Pinkie said, thinking I made it do that. I turned to her, then back to the cart. Someone yelled out into the night.

"Behold! The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned!" A unicorn wearing a cape and wizard's hat trotted on stage.

Pinkie's expression changed to one of boredom. "Booooooooring." she said. The unicorn turned toward us.

"Pinkie, you're drawing attention to us." I whisper to Pinkie. She completely ignores me.

"Oh, and you have something more amazing than I, the Great and Powerful Trixie? HA!" Trixie boasted.

'Sheesh, what a gloater.'

"Let's see what you have that can best The Great and Powerful Trixie." she says. Pinkie smiled toward me. I was confused.

"Pinkie, what are you-" I realized her intentions. "Oh, nonononono. I'm not going up there. I don't think I can best her." Pinkie simply shook her head, then held my hand in her hoof. I looked at her confused, then remembered my time with the Crusaders. 'Wait...'

"Trixie does not have all day, pink fool. Show me what you-"

"I'll challenge you." I called out. Trixie was completely taken by surprise.

"How dare you interrupt the Great and Powerful Trixie. But your request is accepted. Get up here." She said.

"I'd be happy to." I said 'Boaster. I've got it all figured out.'

I look out into the distance, and see a magenta pony look out her window. She sees the stage, and sees Trixie and I on it. She gasped, and called for other ponies. I can make out what she says.

"Everypony look! Trixie is challenging the strange creature!" '-1 self-esteem, but +5 self-esteem for the support'

Suddenly, all the ponies in the town came up to see what was going on. I looked upon the crowd, but was snapped out of my gazing by Trixie.

"Tell your name naive." Trixie said like I was some sort of captive. I turned to her giving an uninterested look.

"It's Alex." I say.

"Well, Alex, If you can best Trixie, you will get bragging rights, but if Trixie wins, you will be humiliated in front of all your peers!" she boasted.

'Geez louise, will she stop talking in third person.'

"I challenge you to a magic contest!" She finishes. I stand in shock. 'Wha-?'

She creates a light show using her magic that everypony loved. I could tell by their reactions that they were interested in her performance. 'Think think. Aha!' I brainstormed an idea.

The light show finished. "Your turn naive."

"Okay." I smirked. I looked at a stone on the ground and picked it up. "Try doing this with your hooves."

She went to a stone and tried to pick it up, but to no avail. She tried numerous times, but she could not pick it up. The entire crowd gasped at my display and went silent. I looked into the crowd, and suddenly, I heard stomping on the ground, followed by cheering.

"Go Alex, yeah!" It was Pinkie I was hearing. Suddenly, another pony joined in the stomping, then two more. After a few seconds, the entire crowd was in an uproar of cheering and stomping, even more so than Trixie's performance.

"See what happens when you gloat, Trixie? It gets you nowhere." I toss the pebble aside, and walk off stage. 'Well, that went well.' Pinkie and Lyra trotted up to me.

"Alex, that was great!" Pinkie said. "You showed Trixie who was the better one!"

"Alex was it?" I turned to Lyra. "I've never actually seen a human do that. I nearly fainted!" she said. "I like humans even more now!" I smiled.

"I'll never know completely how you know so much about humans, but I won't question it." I say. Suddenly, the entire crowd of ponies came running up to me, yelling random words.

"Can I have your autograph?"

"That was amazing"

"I need you!"

"Marry me!"

The last two expressions I cringed at. I turned to Pinkie. I had to yell over the commotion.

"Pinkie, I'll see you back at Sugarcube Corner!" I yell. Pinkie nodded, and I made my way through the crowd. Some of the ponies refused to budge, and some I had to lift gently. Eventually I made it out of the crowd, and charged toward the Corner, the entiire crowd chasing me there.

________________________________________________________________________

I burst through the door, placing myself in front of it to block the other ponies from entering. Mr. Cake enters the room. "Is something wrong?" he asks.

"Crowd. Of. Ponies. I. Need. Rest." I said, and collapsed on the floor.

________________________________________________________________________

When I awake, I am in the guest room once again. I wipe my forehead with my hand, and get out of the bed. I look downstairs, and nearly have to regret it. All the ponies that chased me are downstairs getting cupcakes. Every. Single. One. I go back into the guest room, and look out the window. I see the crowd of ponies extending to about twenty feet outward from the entrance. 'Wow, I'm kinda glad I got here in time.' I turned around, looking for something to do, when there is a knock on the window. 'Wha?'

I turn around, and see a flock of pegasi just outside the window, staring at me. I go wide eyed. I walk up to the window, and close the blinds. 'Okay, this is getting creepy.' I got back into the bed. "Just need to rest...that's all. Yeah, rest. This will all blow over soon." Three things then drop into the conveniently placed fireplace in the room. I pick up the first one.

You will be MINE!

I toss that one away. 'Oooooooookay.'

The second one was what looked to be a spoof of the Roses are Red poem.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
You are great
And I want YOU.

I toss that one aside too. 'This is getting wierd. How do these many ponies know about me so fast?!'

The third thing was a newspaper that apparently had a lot of kiss marks. I opened it.

Trixie bested by strange creature!

This just in to the Ponyville Press, An unknown creature bested Trixie. Witnesses say it was odd yet extremely amazing to see this display. Here are some responses from the local residents in response to our question:

Would you want to meet this being?

"Meet him? I WANT him!" Colgate

"If he was a pony I'd have him for sure!" Roseluck

"He's not a strange creature! He's a human! I've been telling you all about them for months!" Lyra Heartstrings

We will have more on this in the next issue on the Ponyville Press. Until next time!

'Okay, that's how they know about me. But what the hell?!' I hear banging on the window. I brace for the worst, and open the blinds. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see just Rainbow Dash. I opened the window, and motioned her in, but then I see the flock of Pegasi rushing back to the window. She made it in as I closed the window, blocking the other pegasi. I closed the blinds.

"That was close. Anyway, what's up Rainbow Dash?" I asked.

"How do you know a Wonderbolt?!" She asked with glee. I was confused.

"Wonderbolt?" I asked in confusion.

"That pony you and Pinkie hung out with?" she explained. I still had no idea what she was talking about.

"I don't follow."

"Spitfire."

"OH!" I facepalm. "Well, Pinkie thought I broke a Pinkie Promise, I hitched a ride on a chariot bound for Canterlot 'wherever that is' and I lost my grip, and she saved me from falling." Rainbow Dash was just surprised.

"That must have been AWESOME! I would have loved to be saved by one of them!"

"Believe me Rainbow Dash, it's only fun falling until you realize you can't fly." I said both seriously and jokingly. Rainbow giggled a bit. "Okay, now that you know about that, what now?"

"That's it. I just wanted to know about that, that's all." I nodded, then walked to the window to check if the coast was clear. It was for the moment.

"Okay, ready?" I counted down from three. "Three, two, one, go go go!" I opened the window, and Rainbow Dash blasted out of the room. Then I look outside, and see the flock returning. I closed the window, and the blinds. I then got into bed, and drifted to sleep.

END OF PART 4
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

*dream*

Nothing but darkness once again. The darkness began turning into different shades of color slowly. After about a minute, I felt wind against my face. I thought I was falling once again. However, I realized I was not falling, rather I was flying. I looked down, and my suspicion was confirmed. I was indeed flying. I flew through the air, not giving a care in the world. I took in all the sights, and did flips. Everything was going my way. I put my arms out in front of me, and did a double take.

My hands were hooves.

*end dream*

________________________________________________________________________

I got up from the bed with a groan. I walked over to the window to inspect for any Pegasi. None were around, probably asleep. I opened the window gently, and rested my head on my hands.

I sighed. "Why am I having these dreams?" I said to myself. "Did something happen when I got warped here?" I walked from the window and down the stairs. Not a single soul was abound downstairs. I walked across the room to the front door. I opened it and walked outside.

I sat down on the stairs, and it started raining. 'Just my luck'. I walked back inside, and went back upstairs. I realized I left the window open. Cautiously, I opened the guest room door. Nothing was inside. I walked across the room, and closed the window and pulled the blinds. I walked toward a bookshelf along one of the walls. Nearly all of the books had to do with baked goods. I chuckled a bit,

"Well it's pretty obvious what they like." I chuckled. I pulled out one of the books, titled "Baked goods vs baked bads." I opened the book, and instantly I realized it was a novel, involving the adventures of Sir Muffin going on an adventure to slay the Dragon known as Burnt Oatmeal. I gently shook my head. "Wow. The things that can be in a book." I said to myself. I put the book back. I heard a knock on the door of the room. I hastily answered it.

"Yes?" I asked. Suddenly, the door burst open and a shower of confetti shot in. I got caught in the confetti, and stumbled to the ground with a thud. I shook my head, and looked up to see Pinkie wielding what looked like a cannon. I instantly backed away.

"Whoa whoa whoa! Pinkie careful where you point that!" I exclaim. Pinkie laughed. She fired again, and, expecting a cannon ball to crash through the wall, I ducked down. After a few seconds, I heard nothing get annihilated by any cannon ball. I got up from where I was, and looked where it was fired. The table in that direction, previously undecorated, now had a tablecloth with a vase on it. I turned back to Pinkie, who was now going berserk with the cannon. I ducked for cover, and once the booming and sounds subsided, I scoped the area. Everything was now decorated. Cupcakes lined one of the tables, streamers hung along the walls, a piñata hung from the ceiling, and Pinkie made her way to me and held my hand. The entire room was colored in party supplies.

...wait, what?

I turned to Pinkie, who now had her hoof wrapped around my hand. I looked up from her grasp, and got a spook when I saw her with a set of joke glasses. I scooted along the ground, and ended up a few feet away. She started to laugh.

"Oh Alex, you make me laugh so much!" she laughed. I turned my head for a moment, and began to chuckle. My chuckle eventually grew into a laugh and I fell backwards. Both of us laughed for about thirty seconds. Once we finished, I asked the all important question.

"Uhh...Pinkie, that cannon-" I got cut off by Pinkie.

"Oh! This is my party cannon!" she announced. "I always have them stashed around Ponyville, in case of party cannon emergency!"

I looked at her quizzically, while she stared back with that goofy expression that told me she was full of irrational exuberance. I shook my head.

"Oooooookay..." I said out loud. I browse around the room. Every table had a white cloth on it. One table had a vase, others had baked goods. 'How is that even possible?!' I think, pondering how baked goods could be fresh made from a cannon.

"Anyway, all the other ponies aren't after you anymore! They are admiring one big Pegasus!" she exclaims. I look out the window and spot a beefed up white Pegasus with tiny wings ans a buzz-cut. My eyes went wide. 'WHA?!' My mind screamed, while I kept trying to remain neutral in reality, barely succeeding. All around the Pegasus, numerous mares cheered and stomped the ground. He put on a pair of sunglasses., and with a mighty shout:

"YEAH!"

I stumbled back a bit, shaking my head a few seconds later. I made my way back to the window, just in time to see him fly off.

...wait.

'HOW THE HELL CAN HE FLY WITH THOSE TINY WINGS?!' My mind raced again for the answer.After about 6 seconds, he was out of sight, and peace returned to the outside world.

'Who was that?' I thought.

"That was Snowflake!" Pinkie answered, taking me by surprise. I looked at her, and she looked back to me.

"Uhh...did you just...read my mind?" I asked.

"Nope!" Pinkie responded. "I read the text!"

"I see...wait, what?" I asked with massive puzzlement.

"You really can't see it?"

"I have no idea what I am SUPPOSED to be seeing Pinkie." She points her hoof toward thin air.

"Right THERE!" she tells me.

I shook my head. "Still don't see it."

Pinkie then shakes HER head. "You really need to get out more." She says jokingly. She bounces around giggling. I lust turn my head to watch her. She suddenly stops, and pulls out a timepiece from out of thin air. "Oh gosh! I've gotta go do something. I'll be back later!" She bursts out of the building. I just stand there.

"She has so much energy." I say. I walked back to a shelf and pull off another book, entitled "Hummingjay". I opened the book, and began reading.
____________________________________________________________________________________
*third person*

In the middle of the Canterlot Garden, ponies filled the area, catching a glimpse of a newly carved statue of King Sombra, Celestia and Luna, watching over the ceremony, talked amongst themselves.

"Sister, we have a problem." Luna stated.

Celestia looks at her with a confused look. "Yes, my dear Luna?"

Luna levitated a black book to Celestia. Celestia looked quizzically at Luna.

"I found this in the crystal mines. I know we are not supposed to go there but, thou might want to look inside it."

Celestia opens the book, and sees a printing of a prophecy. "Hmm..." She reads the page, trying to decipher what it means. After about seven minutes of skimming, she closes the book.

Luna makes her way from looking off the balcony at the newly placed Sombra statue. "So?"

Celestia explains. "This book contains the prophecies of Equestria. From how we began, to how the Mareans thought we would end." She opens the book to one of the pages. "This page depicts the defeat of Nightmare Moon." Luna cringed a bit. "The next page depicts Discord's second awakening and second defeat." She flips the page again. "Here is Queen Chrysalis's defeat." As Celestia turned the page, Luna becomes a bit more worried. "This page depicts the defeat of King Sombra and the saving of the Crystal Empire." She flips the page one more time. I have looked over this page the most since it follows the previous events. It reads an evil incarnate of Star Swirl the Bearded, named Star Spiral, will arise, and attempt to take control of Equestria." Luna shook her head.

"We are sure if someone like him does arise, he will fail." Luna stated.

"The story depicts that even the most powerful unicorn does not have the power to defeat him." Luna looked down. "It does depict one thing however..."

In the subsidence of shadows, A new threat will arise, with the lust of a thousand unicorns. This being, the one known as Star Spiral the Bearded, will come to be the most formidable force known to ponykind. Not even the strongest unicorn will be able to stop his tyranny. He will stop at nothing to take control of all of Equestria. He has appeared millenia ago and made his time to try and conquer the land, but was stopped by the regal sisters. But I fear he will return and spread his rule far and wide.

The only hope for ponykind is another being, not of our kind, to hone his own abilities, and vanquish Star Spiral, and return harmony to all the land.

Celestia closed the book. She turned to Luna.

"Call in a search party. Search for the human Twilight and I discussed about."

Luna nodded, and took flight. Celestia looked into the horizon, wondering if he has already arrived.
_______________________________________________________________________
*first person*

I closed the book. It seemed vaguely familiar to a book I read back home. I got up from the chair, and walked to the door. I opened it and stepped out into the hall. Walking into the hall, I spot the two little foals at play. I can't help but smile, but I then remembers what Pinkie said when I first met the two foals...

Yep, they are so energetic, like ours.

I shook my head, and brought my hand to it. "Best not to dwell on it." I state. I make my way down the hall, as they continue playing with their toys. I descend the stairs slowly, as to not disturb anypony. As I made my way to the door, someone knocked on it. I hastily walked to the door.I opened it, and two stallions in gold armor stepped in. They both gave me glances, then turned around.

"We found him Princess!" one of them called out. A short time later, a dark blue pony, obviously taller than the others I have seen here, made her way in. She was wearing a dark tiara, a black collar with a white crescent moon, her mane flowed while giving off star-like sparkles, and the mark on her thigh was a crescent moon as well.

"May I help you?" I ask. The guards rushed up in front of her, giving me snarled looks. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" I fell back at their sudden action.

"You will NOT talk to Princess Luna that way!" the other guard announced. "Princess Luna" tapped one of the guards, and gestured for them to go wait outside. They nodded and trotted outside. I got up from the floor, and Luna spoke...which is probably not the right term to use for this conversation.

"THOU MUST BE THE HUMAN WE HAVE BEEN SEEKING." she shouted, sending me back into a wall. I pick myself off the floor, and make my way back to her. I dare not speak, but I nod, though I don't quite understand what is going on. She prepares to speak again, so I brace for it by crouching. "THEN THOU MUST COME WITH US. IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT THOU COMPLY." From my crouching position, I get up, and my ears are ringing. She makes her way out of the building, and I am enveloped in a dark blue aura. I am being lifted off the ground. I hover out the door, as Pinkie made her way toward the bakery.

"Hi Luna!" she announced with glee. "What'cha doing?" She asks, before seeing me hover out. "OOH! Are you taking him to a slumber party! I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna go!" she whines. I look at Luna.

"Can she?" I ask. Luna ponders it for a bit, then responds.

Then in an astonishing twist, she has a much quieter voice this time.

"I suppose we could make an exception." she says. Pinkie bounds forward, and wraps her forelegs around me. I sigh.

'This is going to be a long day.' I think as we enter the carriage, and the two guards harnessed to it took flight.
_______________________________________________________________________________

The view was breathtaking. I looked around at the sights around us. It felt like I was on an airplane again. I glanced down at the path below us, and I saw the trail I had walked along when I first arrived. I looked at the forest next to it. It seemed to go on for a few miles.

'Good thing I didn't walk the wrong way. I could have gotten lost.'

I continued glancing around, not even looking next to me as Pinkie slowly rose next to me. She peered out the window, and spoke suddenly, startling me.

"It looks like a nice view!" I jumped a bit, but not too much. I turned to her, and I reply.

"Yeah it is." She grasps my hand with her hoof again. I give a confused look. Luna then calls out to us.

"We are arriving at Canterlot now." she states. The Guard Pegasi land, and subsequently, the carriage as well. Luna disembarks first, followed by Pinkie and I. Making our way to the castle gate, I get quite a few looks from the residents of Canterlot. Some glared, others were wide eyed. Even some of the ponies from Ponyville were here, but they had no reaction, and were just going about their day, except for the one that looked like Lyra, who was wide eyed, and looking at me intently. Luna makes her way to the four guards, and they opened the gates. As the doors opened with a soft, but audible creak, I got a glimpse inside the castle. What caught my eye was the castle garden. It was filled with statues. One looked like another pony, but had what looked like stone-carved smoke or something around it. Next to it was a statue of what looked like a snake. The third and fourth ones looked like ponies too, only one looked like it had armor carved, and the other had holes in the legs and wings. The other ones in the garden were probably ancestors. We made our way through the garden, and to the other side. Luna opened the doors, and all three of us stepped inside the impossibly large hallway. I decide to break the silence.

"So...Princess Luna, was it?" I ask. Luna looked back and smiled.

"Yes?" Luna replied.

"Why do you shout when you talk?"

Luna stopped and turned to me. "This is the traditional Royal Canterlot Voice." She turned, and brought her hoof to her chest. "It is tradition to speak using the royal whee" She turns back to me. "...and to use THIS MUCH VOLUME WHEN ADDRESSING OUT SUBJECTS." Her sudden outburst knocked me backward. I landed with a thud about 20 feet away. Shaking my head, I made my way back to them. "Have we made our point?" I just simply stare and nod slowly, and we continued down the hall.

We approached the end of the hall, after 20 minutes of walking, being bombarded by questions by the guards, and Luna taking on a sudden creature called a changeling that was posing as a guard. She opened the door, and we all stepped inside to a throne room. The room was enormous. The windows had stained-glass panes on them. Each one is showing some kind of event. There was one thing that was all the same on each one of them, save for one, is that they have Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity on them. The last one had what looked like Spike, along with a second pink pony with wings and a horn, and some kind of heart shaped object.

Celestia noticed our presence. "Hello, human."

I looked to Luna, and she shook her head lightly in Celestia's direction. I turned back toward the other end of the room, and started walking nervously. I had finally got a glimpse of her up close. She had a gold tiara and collar, her coat was a bright white, and the mark on her thigh was a sun. I stuttered. "H-hello, Princess."

Celestia gave a bit of a giggle, and she reassured me. "There is no need to be afraid." she stated. Luna and I called you here for a reason. Why you arrived here in the first place."

I looked on, and spoke. "Then, why?"

Celestia looked at me with a not so assuring expression. "Our prophecy foretold you."

I instantly felt my eyes get wider, and I couldn't control my voice, when I shouted. "WHAT?!"

Celestia nodded. "Luna, the book please." Luna's horn glowed, and she levitated the book to her. She opened the book to a page, and brought it up to me. "Read this."

"It's kind of illegible to me." I state. Celestia speaks again.

"Look at the picture that was drawn."

I examine the picture. I saw what looked like a pony with a wizard's hat and cape, along with a spiral beard. The cape was lined with dots, which I can only assume were stars. Below it, and the text, I saw what Celestia wanted me to see.

It was a human.

I stood there, mouth agape, and the book floated over to Celestia. "I will translate it for you." She began. I took in every word of what she said, and so did Pinkie.

When she finished, I was astonished. Pinkie Pie bounded into the air. "You're the chosen one! We have to throw a giant chosen one party!" Pinkie yelled. Celestia had a confused smile.

"So why is Pinkie Pie here?"

"She wanted to tag along. She thought we were going to a slumber party." Pinkie Pie halted in mid-air, and descended slowly. "Sorry Pinkie."

She beamed. "S'alright!" she replied. Celestia gave a little giggle. She then asked the all important question.

"So, human..."

"Sorry to interrupt, but you can call me Alex." I state.

"...Alex, are you ready for your training?"

I looked at Pinkie, then to Luna. I pondered. I turned back to Celestia.

"I'm ready."

END OF PART V
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia and Luna guided me to where me and Pinkie would be staying. Apparently Pinkie had begged the princesses to let her stay here with me. I was confused at first, but- well okay not THAT confused. Learning from Twilight about her antics told me not to question anything about her. Within moments, we were at the door to my room.

It was quite a sight, to be honest. There was a mirror on a dresser that had a vase with a flower in it. The bed looked like one you'd typically see in one of those fancy homes, with the bed awning on it. The chandelier hanging over the room glowed bright, and the window to my left gave the widest view of the land I have ever seen. I could even see a shoreline. A map was on the wall on the other side of the room. I snapped out of my focus, and resisted to look out the window further when I looked at the bed again. I turned to the princesses.

"Um...Just a quick question, since Pinkie is staying here. Where is she going to sleep?" I ask.

The princesses looked at each other. Apparently my question was a good one. They looked at Pinkie, who I already knew had an idea, judging by the giant not-possible-by-the-Earth's-laws-of-physics smile on her face. What she said was what I feared a bit.

"I can share his bed!" she exclaimed. This made me cringe. I bit my lip. 'Welp, no sleep for me tonight, I suppose.'

Celestia and Luna were about to leave. Before leaving however, Celestia let me know what was going on tomorrow. "Alex, tomorrow we start your training. We will have you practice channeling magic. We will see you tomorrow." I nodded, but then I delved deeper into what she just said. 'Magic?'

I was about to object and say humans cannot use magic, but they had already left. "Oh this is bad." Pinkie was suddenly in my face.

"Isn't this exciting?! Are you excited cause I'm excited..." She rambled on nonstop. 'Exactly what I'm talking to myself about.' Suddenly, Pinkie pulls out a briefcase and opens it up. Dozens of preinflated balloons flew out of it; and by preinflated, I mean the ratio of the briefcase to one of the balloons was- well I guess I should not question it.

I pulled what little I had brought with me, which were three apples, the Daring Do book I read the day I arrived, and two bottles of rainbow juice, from Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash respectively. I decided to have an apple right now. I asked Pinkie if she wanted a piece of it. She obliged, and I made an attempt to break the apple in half, to no avail. Pinkie exalted a loud laugh at my struggle to separate the apple into two halves. Suddenly, she pulled a knife out of thin air. I went wide eyed, set the apple down swiftly, and backed away as fast as I could. With a slice, she cut the apple clean in two. I shook my head. "Whoa."

She put the knife back into hammerspace, and I picked up one of the halves. She picked up the other one. I took a bite just as she did, and I looked at her awkwardly, apple still in my teeth. We both stared at each other for a brief moment, and she broke the silence.

"You got a little something-" she states, before I realize what she meant. I turn around and pick the apple from my teeth. I turn back around, and Pinkie had vanished. Looking around, I wondered where Pinkie had gone. I checked under the bed, no luck. In the closet, zilch. In the briefcase she had pulled out of nowhere, not there. 'Why did I even check there?' I inspected the room, and did not find her. 'Well knowing her she could be somewhere in here at some point. I sat down on the bed, and reread the Daring Do book.



As Daring Do trekked through the tropical jungle, the wet heat sapped her energy and slowed her every step...




For the next thirty minutes, I sat there and read the book. After reading the part where she avoids all the traps, and pulls an Indy Hat Roll, I got to the part where she finally reaches the treasure.



Daring Do stood at the entrance to the central temple chamber. At last, she was face-to-face with the legendary sapphire statue!



I enjoyed this so much, I tuned out everything around me, just to go deeper into the story. I read that she scanned the room, found the pattern on the floor, and cleared it without a problem.



Daring Do carefully examined the Statue, getting ready to pick it up. She grew frustrated, however, and snatched it from the podium.



I went a bit wide eyed at that swift action. I knew Indiana Jones would have used a sandbag to keep the exact pressure on the podium to keep it from activating. I read on.



Suddenly, she heard a small clanking noise. She looked behind her, only to see a cylinder where the statue was raise up, and abruptly fall into the podium. The entire room shook, and the ceiling began to collapse. She doubled back and turned to get out of the room, but the ground began to collapse, revealing a pit of boiling lava. Daring Do ascended to where the podium stood, but the lava was rising quickly. She had to think of something. Luckily, one of the pillars fell in just the right spot for her to jump on to. She looked up and saw a hole in the ceiling, showing a way out. She jumped onto the fallen pillar and ascended. As she reached the top, she halted, and looked at the hole in the ceiling. She knew she had one shot to make the jump. She went for it, and grabbed the edge of the hole with her teeth. She climbed her way out of the hole halfway, before a blast of steam blasted out, sending her skyward, followed by a flow of lava. She hit the ground with a thud, and the Sapphire Stone landed upright in front of her. The ground shook with a heavy footstep. The creature that created the sound stood before Daring, and prepared to speak-



"Helloooooooooooo Alex!~"

I was snapped out of my reading trance with the sound of Pinkie's voice. I looked up from the book, as Pinkie held out a cake. It was well decorated with a chocolate icing, frosting flowers, and topped off with quite a few cherries. I tilted my head. "Umm, what's this for?"

Pinkie giggled. "Silly! You can't have a party without a cake!"

"Party?" I looked around the room. It was drastically different from when I started reading. "I guess I didn't really pay attention to the room. I was busy reading this." I held out the book for Pinkie to look at.

"OOH! Rainbow Dash LOVES this book!" Pinkie exclaimed. I wore a confused look. 'Didn't know she liked to read this, or anything for that matter.' Pinkie continued. "Maybe you two have something in common!"

I thought back to the day I arrived, where she pummeled me because she thought I was going to hurt someone. Knowing she had a change of heart, I decided to let the past be the past. I pulled back the book, and placed it on the nightstand.

"Actually, Pinkie, I think I'm gonna hit the hay." I said apologetically. Pinkie grew a bit of a pout. "No, no, Pinkie! It's not that I don't like parties! Really I do. But I am tired and I gotta get some sleep. We can have the party tomorrow." I mentally facepalmed. 'Training is tomorrow! I most likely bomb it anyway. I...wait scratch that...no one I know...wait a minute, scratch that too...no human on Earth can do legitimate magic.'

Pinkie gave me a quizzical look. "I know you can pass that training if you just believe!" she exclaimed before shooting through the air and onto my bed on the other side. I gave a surprised expression before slapping myself out of it. 'Don't even question it.' I reminded myself. I shook it off, got in the bed, and covered up. As I was about to fall asleep, Pinkie nudged me a bit. She gave me a puppy dog stare, and I knew why. I gave a bit of a smirk, and pulled up the other side of the blanket. She hopped right over me and laid down. Giving a yawn, her eyes slowly closed, and I pulled the covers over her. The sandman (sandpony?) got to me too, and I fell asleep as well.



I found myself just outside a jungle of some sort. I looked toward the jungle, trying to piece the location together. I tried to stand up, but fell over. I discovered I was a pony again; a pegasus to be exact. However, my wing was bandaged. I walked along the edge of the forest, and after walking about fifteen meters or so, I heard a voice from behind me.

"This must be the place."

I turned around, and I saw her. Daring Do. I shook my head to be sure I was not hallucinating, and all I remember was falling asleep, then winding up here as a pegasus. If I could try to pinch myself I would. I made my way toward her, but stopped in my tracks when I heard the "call of the wild", namely the big (and not so big) cats. I saw Daring bolt into the forest, and promptly I followed, just before the cats entered the forest. As I ran, I felt this was very familiar.

I trailed behind Daring Do, hoping not to lose sight of her. She hopped over a log on the ground. I looked behind me and the big cats were nowhere to be found. I failed to stop in time before I slammed headlong into the log, pretty much making Daring jump a little bit. I shook my head, and held my hoof to it. I looked up, and Daring Do was looking over the log at me. "Uh, hi?" I said, very shakily.

"Who are you? And why are you following me?" Daring spoke in a stern tone.

"I-"

"You aren't working with Ahuizotl are you?" She seemed even more stern with that remark.

"N-no." I responded.

Daring finally spoke softer. "Okay, but I've got my eye on you. Now stay close." She was about to continue down the path, but in her face was a tiger. She hopped over the log, as did I, only to be stopped by a black panther. A puma blocked abother way. Daring looked as if she were about to faint. They surrounded us. Luckily, the last of the big cats was a little house cat. It meowed as it hopped into the last path. I looked at Daring, who now had a smile on her face. "Come on!" she called to me. We both hopped over the little cat as it meowed angrily. It looked at us as we jumped, before looking back and noticing the big cats giving chase. We heard a loud cat meow at that moment.

We were dodging many trees, as the cats did not relent on their "purr"-suit. Daring looked back with a look that gave a hint of jumpiness. To make matters worse, we reached an abyss. We looked behind us and saw the cats getting closer and closer. I looked back at Daring. "What do we do?!"

Daring Do grabbed my hoof, and jumped. I dared not look down. She grabbed a vine and swung us both to the other side of the pit. She breathed a sigh of relief. I did too, with adrenaline coarsing through me. We turned away from the abyss, and came face-to-face with some kind of temple. It had a dog face, and ruby eyes. Exclusing that, it looked similar to an Aztec temple. I turned to Daring, who was now slowly making her way closer to the relic. "This...this is it. This is what I've been searching for for two months!" I went wide eyed, as it finally hit me.

I was in the story of Daring Do's quest for the Sapphire Stone.

She made her way toward the temple opening. I nervously followed, as I knew what I would be facing by following her. The smell of decay was overwhelming to me. For Daring however, she just smiled. "Smell that?"

"Yes, and it smells horrid. Did something die in here?"

"That's the smell of danger. Be on guard." Daring continued forward, as I watched my step. The sound of bats made me jump a bit. We slowly made our way through the corridor. Daring looked around, while I followed by her side. I was scared out of my wits here. However, she had her usual 'this isn't hard' disposition. However she accidentally set off one of the pressure traps on the ground. She immediately yelled "DUCK!" We both shot toward the ground, just as three spinning souble-sided axes flew from the wall, and embedding themselves in the other side. The lower part of my eyelids rise up, and I held my head low. Daring stared at the axes with a very nervous look. She was about to keep her cool, when the floor opened up under us. We both managed to keep our hooves on solid ground, and she and I jumped off just as flames shot out. I dove to the side, and she landed right under a ceiling of hanging alligators. She ducked under it, and motioned me to come along. We crawled under the gators to make it to the other side. A giant axe swung down. She jumped it while I dodged. I saw her navigate through an arrow trap with relative ease. I hopped through the jutting arrows. She landed in front of a hole in the ground, from which a spike flew up through. She was able to evade it. I finally caught up to her, as she started into the spike maze. She hopped off of tiles just as spikes flew out of them. At this point I was just being lucky none impaled me. Up ahead the door began closing. She dodged spike after spike. I followed behind and mimicked her moves as to not crash into one. We both slid in unison to get under the door. I cleared it, but Daring did not. I covered my eyes with my hooves as the door closed. I peeked, to see Daring standing in front of me with a confused face. "What?"

I replied with a spooked tone. "Nothing."

She took one step, and tripped another set of traps. She groaned, and I shook my head. Let's just say that things happened, traps were dodged, and I was rescued by Daring after I tripped over a Spike panel. We ran into another doorway, and it closed behind us. She was holding her hat, which is now riddled with arrows, in her mouth. She wiped off the arrows, and put the hat back on. A light shined on what Daring apparently was looking for; the Sapphire Stone. We began to move, but Daring stopped, and I almost continued walking. It wasn't until I saw the panels on the floor that I stopped, right before I accidentally stepped on one that showed a wolf. Daring kicked a stone and it landed on an eagle. the tile dropped, causing a flurry of arrows to fly out of the wall, embedding themselves on the other side. I looked at the arrows with strong worry.

"Hmm, there must be a pattern here..." I heard Daring utter. She examined the tiles. "What do all these animals have in common?" As she said that, I examined the tiles as well, though I pretty much had the story memorized. Before I could say anything, Daring Do spoke. "Aha! All these animals are predators..." I finished her sentence.

"Except rats!" Daring Do turned her head to me. She actually gave me a genuine smile. She turned back to the tiles, and nervously placed her hoof on the rat tile. Nothing happened. She let out a sigh of relief as she fully stepped on the rat tile. She craned her head to me.

"Follow my lead!" I nodded and as she jumped to the next rat tile, I hopped onto the one she just got off of. We both hopped from tile to tile, thankfully not setting off any traps. In due time, we made it to the pedestal where the statue stood. Daring Do stared at it as she climbed. She reached the top, and gave it an approving gleam. I smirked, seeing how I actually MADE it this far. She took her hat off and took a good look at it up close. Quickly putting it back on, she gave it a good look, similar to how Indiana Jones inspected the treasure. After a few seconds. I saw her wear a bored expression, and she simply plucked the statue from the pedestal. My smile was broken once I saw her wield it. Looking back at the pedestal, I see what I hoped not to see. A cylinder rose up from the pedestal. I pointed toward it, and Daring caught notice of my pointing after she put the statue in her pouch. She turned around to notice the cylinder rise up, then fall back in, leaving a hole where it was. The entire room started shaking in that instant. Stone fell from the ceiling. Daring motioned me to follow her, but the ground collapsed revealing a pit of lava. We backpedaled onto the pedestal steps, rising by one to keep the lava from reaching us. Eventually, we both were on top of the pedestal itself, barely having enough room to stay on.

I noticed a support beam of some sort falling. "Look, Daring!" I pointed at it, and Daring thought of a risky plan. She looked toward the falled support, and a hole in the ceiling. She grew an angry-determined face, and jumped onto the support. "Come on!" she yelled. I nodded and jumped as hard as I could, just as the pedestal became engulfed in lava. We ascended the beam, toward the hole. Unfortunately, the beam did not reach the hole. We both got to the top of the support due to the rising lava, and she jumped toward the hole, grabbing the edge with her teeth. I followed suit, narrowly catching the edge the same way. Steam shot out of the tower, ans sent the both of us flying. While we both were mid-air, we looked back to see the relic flowing with red-hot lava. Now the tricky part: landing. Daring faceplanted the ground, and the statue fell out of her pouch, landing upright. I fell back first to the ground, and felt a bit dizzy. I shook it off, and we both heard a pound on the ground. We looked up to see a four legged creature that looked like it had a hand on it's tail. It prepared to speak.



"Helloooooo, Alex! Wake up sleepyhead!" Pinkie Pie spoke. I stirred a bit, and opened my eyes swiftly to see Pinkie standing on me, with her face close up to mine. I was a bit spooked by her being so close, but I calmed down.I slowly got up, and I remembered the dream I had.

"Oh Pinkie. I had a dream where I went on adventure with Daring Do. It was awesome." I turned my head to see Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, who somehow wasn't standing on me anymore despite just being there. Rainbow Dash gave me a wide smile, and Pinkie had her usual dispositional smile. "Pinkie, what's going on?"

"Ooh! I heard you talking in your sleep! I heard you mention Daring Do, so I hurried to get Rainbow Dash! Good thing she was doing her nighttime practice!" Pinkie finished without even needing a breath. I turned to Rainbow Dash, who then turned to Pinkie.

"Umm, Pinkie, could you leave the room for a bit?" she asked the pink hyperball. Pinkie nodded, and left the room. Once the door was closed, Rainbow Dash made her way to me. "Do NOT tell anyone about this or I'll pound you into jerk cider." she stated, before rearing up and giving me a hug. I had a surprised face, then smiled. I hugged her back. After a few seconds, we let go of each other, just as Pinkie burst back in, boasting a party cannon. I didn't even duck in cover this time. Things might not be so bad after all.