> A Confusing Life
>  by DrSandwitch
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Arrival
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I walked into the kitchen after a long day of school being greeted by the silence inside. The room was empty and completely quiet showing no sign of my parents.

I see a cup of fresh tea on the table, maybe they left it for me? I approached it while inhaling the air surrounding the room, I pull the seat back and gently sat on the seat, picking the cup of tea up with my hooves and leveling it to my face.

I exhaled as I take a nice and simple sip out of the cup and left a portion of liquid in my mouth, it was warm and had a sweet taste of honey in it.

I close my eyes trying to forget about the day I had in school, I swallowed the tea in my mouth followed by a sigh.

“Finally some peace,” I said quietly to myself as I opened my eyes, "I can finally rela-" 

I was cut off by a sudden shake in the room causing the hot tea I held on my hooves to spill on my chest, the hot liquid started to burn quickly so I sprung myself away from the table and ran straight to the fridge trying to find something to cool my chest. 

I felt my eyes starting to water, I wanted to scream in pain at this point but I was able to hold myself. As I scavenged through the fridge I found an ice bag in the very back of the freezer and immediately placed it on my chest, not caring for how cold it was I sighed with relief.

The room began to shake again but this time it was stronger than the last one, not knowing the cause of it I started to panic. I ran around the room trying to find the emergency kit before leaving the building, I'm not really sure what is causing the room to shake but the only guess I have in mind is an earthquake, as I run around panicking I trip on my saddlebag, slowly falling and landing face flat on the floor.

-

I opened my eyes in shock just to see myself leaning against a window, I looked around my surroundings and realized that I was on a train.

“Oh yeah, I forgot I was on this train,” I said with a huge relief as I stare outside the window admiring the wasteland.

It gets harder for me to relax and think positive about myself every now and then especially if ponies won't stop picking on me in school just because I had no mark and had a stupid name.

My parents knew raising me in Manehattan was a bad idea and I couldn’t agree more with them. My life was so miserable back in the city, I had no friends, I get bullied every day in school, I sit in the apartment never being able to leave the place unless somepony is watching me, and plenty of other things I wouldn’t like to think about.

That is why we are moving to a new town called “Ponyville,” they said it would be the best for me and that I would have a better life there. I didn’t really believe them but they promised me that everything will be fine. I love my parents I really do but it's hard to believe them when it's something about a change in life especially if your old one was terrible.

I look down just by thinking about what they said to me back in the apartment, the row I was in was empty and quiet so it gave me a lot of time to think about. 

“Is everything alright little one?" a deep-voiced stallion asked with a questionable tone and accent.

I turned to my right to see a stallion standing right next to the seat in front of me.

“Everything is fine don’t worry about me.”

“Are you sure? You seem to be looking a little bit down.” 

I didn’t say anything but to stare at the stallion’s eyes with fear. The stallion noticed me staring at him as he gave me a confused look.

“Oh, where are my manners? The name’s Fancy Hat,” he apologizes as he lends a hoof for a shake.

I looked at his hoof then back to him, I stared at him with fear not knowing what he is planning to do, I mean why would a random stranger approach a random cult that is sitting in an empty row alone?"

“M-my name is Confusion, nice to meet you.” I stuttered in fear while shaking his hoof with mine.

“Nice to meet you Confusion, I do say you have such an interesting name.” 

Does he really mean that? I mean the name is quite stupid if you ask me but it is also something you wouldn’t hear from a pony like me, my name was one of the main reasons why I was being bullied in the first place, I shook my head trying to forget about the thought.

“Thanks, I guess,” I replied trying not to show emotional thought about it. 

“It is my pleasure,” he places a hoof on his chest and bows.

The stallion then took a seat in front me, I took this opportunity to observe the stallion scanning him from top to bottom, he was wearing some fancy suit and a top hat on his head plus he had a well-groomed mustache on his face and a fancy hat with a monocle underneath for a cutie mark.

“I'm guessing you’re not from Manehattan,” I said with interest after looking at the stallion. 

“Oh no, I’m from Canterlot, I came here to get some work done.”

“I'm guessing you finished with your work?”

“Indeed I have, that's why I’m heading back to Canterlot. What about you? Where are you heading?” he leans towards me with interest.

“Oh, well I’m moving to Ponyville, my parents said it would be best for me.”

“Oh, uh where are your parents?” he raises his head and looks around trying to find them on his seat. 

“They are not here in this train they are taking the next one, they told me it would be much cheaper if I traveled alone.”

“Oh, I see,” he turned his head to the window and stayed completely silent.

We stayed silent for a while, I guess the conversation became awkward from there. My parents did tell me not to talk to strangers like this pony, but this stallion seems nice, not like the ponies I meet in the city, yet again I just met him so he still might have bad intentions in his mind. I glare outside the window watching the wasteland as we slowly move past it. 

“I hear Ponyville is a wonderful place,” he said breaking the silence in our row. 

I look back to see him staring at me with a smile.

“I hope so, I guess I can take your word for it,” I said trying not to sound depressed while I move away from the window. 

He stared at me with concern while I looked at him with a confused face. He then reaches through his saddlebag and pulls out a small bag of bits?

“Here take this.”

Wait what?! Some stallion I just met is offering me a bag of bits? This has to be a joke right?

“Your joking right?” 

“Don’t be silly little one here take them,” he said holding the bag of bits on his hoof waiting for me to take them.

“But that is your hard-earned bits, I can’t take something that belongs to you.” 

“Don’t worry about me kid, worry about yourself. Take this as a welcome to Ponyville gift from me.” 

I look at the bag of bits for a few seconds and then back to him, he nods as I stared at him with confusion. I didn’t know what to do from here I felt like a homeless pony in the streets being given a bag of food without any warning. I accepted the bits slowly taking them from his hoof and gently placing them in my saddlebag.

“Thank you Mr. Fancy Hat you are so kind but are you sure?” I said with concern making sure he is serious about this.

“It is my pleasure,” he replied tipping his hat.

I gave the stallion a nervously confused smile to show him my appreciation. This must be one of the friendliest stallion’s I have ever me-

“WE ARE NOW ARRIVING AT PONYVILLE!” the train conductor announced out loud in our cart, cutting my thoughts in half.

I didn’t even bother to finish my thoughts for I knew it would just be a waste of time even though I waste time just by talking to myself or if I’m thinking about deep thoughts, like right now.

“This is my stop, it was nice meeting you Mr. Fancy Hat,” I said as I got up getting myself ready to leave the train.

“It was a pleasure meeting you Confusion.”

As the train stopped, ponies in the train were getting themselves ready to leave while I was double-checking everything in my saddlebag and my seat making sure I didn’t leave anything. Ponies were starting to leave the train so I placed my saddlebag on my back and followed the rest of the ponies, as I made it to the exit I sighed with relief.

“I'm finally here in Ponyville,” I said to myself quietly as I breathe in the fresh air around me.

I made my way to the station and stayed by a wooden column close to the wall to give myself a stretch, I then noticed Mr. Fancy Hat through the window of the train, I gave a final wave and smiled at the nice stallion through the window, he saw me and waved back.

“I guess I’ll take his word for it, I hope the ponies here in Ponyville are just like him,” I said to myself as I watched the train leave.

All that talking did get me hungry so I reached for the sandwich my parents left for me in my saddlebag and pulled it out using my magic for me to eat, I then sat on the floor taking a peek at what is inside, and to my surprise, I see PB&J inside of it. As soon as I discovered what was inside I immediately took a large bite out of the sandwich, chewing the food and getting myself ready to swallow.

“Well this was a start for me I wonder what's next,” I said as I lean my head on the wall to relax.
> Lost and Confused
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taking one last bite I finally finished my sandwich my parents made for me back in the apartment, I should be doing something to pass the time while waiting for my parents to arrive on the next train. I stayed on the floor thinking about what I should do now here in Ponyville since the next train won't arrive after the next five hours.

I groaned with boredom hoping something interesting might happen. A piece of paper glided its way to me landing on the floor, I picked up the paper with curiosity and saw a whole map of Ponyville.

“Well that's something,” I said to myself as I inspect the map.

I looked around trying to find who the map belongs to but no pony was in sight but me, I was starting to feel like I was being watched in every direction. I shrugged the feeling off of me for a while and looked down at the map I got from the floor.

"I guess this is mine now?"

I kept that thought in my head as I got up placing my saddlebag on my back and using my magic to hold the map, my magic is not that strong so I’m not able to carry heavy objects just yet but thankfully the map isn’t heavy at all and is light enough for my magic to hold.

"it would be obvious since it is made out of paper," my mind says stating the obvious.

"Oh shut up me."

I shook my head trying not to get into a fight with myself and decided to explore the town, once I walk through this long dirt road leading to it.

-

After a long walk, I finally made it to the entrance of the town, though on the way here I stepped on a couple of pebbles and tripped on a root which caused me to land on more pebbles.

"Oh Celestia, my hooves are really sore and my face is filled with dirt I just hope I could find someplace to relax in."

I gave myself a short rest trying to recover from the pain I had to go through while I was on the way. I pulled out the map with my magic to see where I should go first. The first place that caught my attention was the park, I was wondering if the park would be much cleaner and if they had more ponies in it than the parks I see in Manehattan.

I started to wander into the town trying to find my way to the park, I see a few amounts of ponies outside not like the amount I see in Manehattan because in the city the streets are filled with lots of ponies but here it's almost empty. I was getting the feeling that I was getting lost so I tried to find the nearest cafe or shop I could find so that I could check my map.

I finally found a local cafe after roaming around lost, I approached a chair outside and took a seat, I looked at the map trying to find out where I am and it seemed like I was lost.

“Where am I going?” I frustratingly said scratching my head with my hoof.

"I'm completely lost in a new town why did I think exploring was a good idea," I thought to myself how stupid the idea was.

“Hello there little one, is there anything you would like?” A mare approached me from behind.

I turned around to see a pink mare in uniform "I'm guessing she works here" I thought to myself.

“Uh, do you have any tea I could have?” I asked hoping the answer would be a yes, a drink might refresh my brain and probably could help me with my being lost problem.

“We don’t have tea here sorry, in the other hoof we have iced tea, would you like some?”

"A cafe with no tea? What type of cafe is this?" the thoughts grew everywhere in my mind causing me to think deeply about the cafe, I stopped questioning myself for the mare was staring at me with a confused smile, I probably said all that out loud huh.

We stared at each other silently and awkwardly for quite some time.

“Iced tea is fine thank you,” I said giving myself a sigh at the end breaking the silence between us. 

The mare then shook her head and entered the cafe. "Well, that was something" the thought passed my head as I placed the map in my saddlebag and lied my head on the table, trying to calm myself down from the stress I’m going through right now.

I watch as ponies walk past by the cafe, some on their own, some in groups, and some that are couples. I'm not seeing many unicorns and pegasi around here, but I guess that's fine.

I hear the door open from behind me, "I’m guessing the mare is back with the ice tea."

The idea popped in my head for that's all I ever wanted right now but instead, I hear a couple of ponies laughing together behind me, I turned around to see a group of ponies making their way to the road. They were making jokes and complementing each other about how "stylish" they were when nopony was even wearing a single piece of clothing.

I watched them leave the cafe together as they talked to each other.

"What a lovely group of friends," I said in my mind making me feel depressed.

"What’s wrong with me, why in the name of Celestia would I just make myself depressed?" the thoughts flew in my head as I try to keep myself together.

“Here is your ice tea,” the mare said as I turned around startled by her, she was holding a tray in her mouth with a glass of ice tea on it.

She places the glass on my table, I nodded and gave a half-smile to the mare as she walks back into the cafe.

"Well I guess I could try to relax now," I said in my mind picking up the glass with my hooves and taking a sip out of the drink.

-

Time has passed and I finally finished the ice tea, I placed the glass on the table and grabbed two bits in my saddlebag placing them beside the glass.

“I hope this is enough,” I said to myself in fear as I got up from my seat and pulled the map out with my magic hoping that this time I would probably understand it even more.

I am still lost and I have no clue what I am doing, but all I know is that I’m close to the park, all that resting for nothing that's just great.

“Are you lost, kid?” A mare said from behind, I turned around to see the mare in uniform again.

“Oh, y-yeah I’m pretty much lost.” I stuttered in embarrassment hoping that the mare could help.

“Where are you heading sweetie?” she asked me like it was a normal thing here in the cafe, I guess I’m not the only pony who got lost here.

“I’m heading to the park, can you help me with that?” I said questioning the mare in hope that she would.

“She gave me a smile and said, “Follow me, I’ll take you there.”

I followed her as she leads me to the park, well at least now I don’t have to ask where the park is. I gazed my curious head around my surroundings on the way, I don’t see much but stores and restaurants around me. I looked into the skies to see two pegasus flying together moving clouds around the sky, I'm guessing that they are the weather control.

While staring at the sky I bump into something solid I then tumbled into the ground falling flat on my back.

“Are you ok?” I hear a mare questioned me with concern, I believed I’ve bumped into the mare that was leading me to the park

“I'm so sorry I wasn’t looking at where I was going,” I said while pushing myself back on my hooves while rubbing my right eye.

“It’s fine, I should have told you that we were here sooner,” she replied giggling while covering her mouth with her hoof.

I pulled out a bit to thank her, she places a hoof over mine while I was trying to give her a bit.

“Don’t worry sweetie I’m just glad to help,” she smiled at me as she trots her way back to the cafe.

"What a nice mare," I said in my mind as I walk into the park.

As I walked inside I was in disbelief as I observe the surrounding. The place was completely clean, no trash on the ground no waste on the pathways just green everywhere I look.

With excitement I ran straight on the grass with no hesitation, the grass was so cold and wet I couldn’t even help myself but to just lie down on the green grass and roll on it, I believe I was overreacting while I was on the grass for I saw a couple of ponies looking at me strangely so I tried my best to stop.

I got up after I had my fun on the grass trying to find someplace to sit, I followed the pathway hoping it would lead me to a bench. Following the pathway I see a fountain and a couple of benches surrounding it, I took a seat on one of the benches and tried to get myself comfortable.

A couple of fillies and colts were playing around on the grass as I got myself comfortable, well I guess this is sorta quiet, I chuckled as I got myself ready to close my eyes to rest. I was starting to get an itchy feeling while I was sitting, I just can't stop getting the feeling of me being watched, I’m not sure if something is wrong with me but I try to shake the feeling off.

I decided to have a stroll around the park to try and shake the feeling off. I got off the seat and landed on my hooves getting myself ready to wander around, as I prepared myself I started to hear whispering in the distance, I turned to the area where I heard the whispers from but all I see is a pathway.

"Where the heck is that coming from?"

I followed the pathway where I last heard the whispering, something about this was giving me lots of chills down my spine, though the closer I get the more scared I become. As I continued down the pathway I started to hear somepony crying, it was coming from the bushes.

"The heck? First I hear whispering and now I hear crying, what is going on with me?" I stared into the bushes with curiosity and fear.

"Should I check on the crying pony or should I continue following the creepy whispering?" I questioned myself trying to think of what I should do. 

I decided to investigate the crying in the bushes though I feared that I might be doing something that I might regret in the future but something about this is telling me that this is a probably good idea. So I built as much courage as I can and walked straight in preparing for whatever happens.

I'm just gonna hope this is better than the whispering path I could have taken.
> Behind the Bush
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I walked into the bush I see a filly crying underneath a tree, I stared at her with fear for I was not expecting a filly to be the one crying in the bushes, I'd be glad to help a crying stallion or colt but this, this is over my "Hope to never do list," yes I do have a list like that if you are wondering.

"Why did I choose to here?" my thoughts grew as I continued to stare.

For some reason, I wanted to get a closer look at the filly not to be a creep or anything but so I can find out why she is crying. I looked around the area quietly making sure I don’t get the filly's attention. To my sightseeing, I see a couple of bushes surrounding the tree she is under.

“Huh, how did I not notice that?” I said to myself quietly as I snuck myself behind one of the bushes.

I moved a branch carefully to take a small peak at the filly, I looked at her scanning her top to bottom, she had a yellowish colored fur and a red like color for her mane, she wore a big pinkish bow on her head and has no cutie mark on her flank just like me.

“Why am I standing here, I should do something,” I questioned myself for I felt like a creeper spying on some crying pony behind the bushes.

"Aren’t you already doing that?" my mind states the obvious.

“Well, I have to do something,” I said starting an argument with myself.

"But if you do, you might probably make things worse since you don’t have a good way with words, especially if it's a girl."

"You're r-right, you have a good point I could make things worse if I tried."

I agreed to myself like a crazy pony and decided to leave the filly alone, I backed away from the bush and trotted my way back to the park. 

*snap*

I hear a snap underneath my right foreleg, I looked down at my hooves and saw a separated stick under it. the crying stopped as I stared at the stick underneath my hoof, at this point I knew I was screwed so I turned my head slowly to what used to be a crying filly.

She was staring at me confused while she rubbed her right eye with her hoof, we stared at each other awkwardly for quite some time I myself stayed frozen trying my best not to move because I heard that if you stay perfectly still nopony would see you.

"That's for dinosaurs idiot."

“Oh, now you tell me?! Why in Celestia do I still talk to myself?"

“H-hello?” The filly said as she stuttered in confusion.

She said something! I started to panic, my heart was racing, I began to sweat nonstop. I best make a run for it before I do something embracing, I didn’t hesitate but to run as fast as I can away from the filly.

“Wait come back!” I hear the filly exclaimed at me as I ran away from her, I didn’t care for which direction I was going I just kept running and running until I was at least 10 miles away from her.

-

I've been running away from the filly for quite some time now so I started to slow down, I noticed I ran really far from the place I just in I guess I’m safe for now. I sat down on the ground to give myself some air, while I was on the ground I moved my worries to my surroundings. I see trees and bushes and a couple of fillies and colts playing around in a grassy area.

I'm back at the park what a relief, I got up on my hooves and followed a pathway hoping that it would lead back to town. On the way, I pulled out my watch in my saddlebag to see what time it is, it's been four and a half hours already? Time does move fast huh. After this discovery, I started to gallop my way back to the train station in excitement knowing that I'll be able to see my parents again.

On the way I started to hear the whispering again, I stopped and immediately turned around to the direction where the whispering is coming from. I see nopony down the pathway but plain grass, I started to wonder if I should find out where it was coming from.

"Are you joking? It probably might lead you to another crying filly, just ignore it and head back to the station."

"You're right, I should be heading back. Don't want to risk another embarrassing staring competition with another pony."

I continued to walk back to the station trying to ignore the whispering from behind me, I hope I'm not going crazy or anything.

-

After a long walk, I sighed with relief for I had finally made it to the station even though I tripped on a root and stepped on a couple of pebbles on the way back again. I dusted the dirt off of me as I make my way to a wooden beam in the station.

"Finally I'm back at the station just in time too, the train will be arriving in three minutes!"

I looked around the station with curiosity to see three other ponies waiting, I'm guessing they are waiting to board the next train. I got up and placed my saddlebag on the floor giving my back a break.

*Choo Choo*

I looked into the distance to see the train my parents are arriving in, a smile slowly formed on my face as I jumped in joy. A stallion stared at me with confusion as I jumped repeatedly.

The train arrived at the station, with excitement I galloped straight to one of the doors and repeatedly jumped, I guess I do overreact. As the door opened, a crowd of ponies leaves the train, I stayed on my spot waiting for my parents to walk out one of the doors.

It's been four minutes already and I haven't seen my parents leave the train yet, I was starting to fear that maybe they were not on the train, maybe they missed it? maybe they got the wrong train? I started to panic trying to figure out what's going on.

"Hey there kiddo!" a stallion shouts in the distance.

I turned to my left to see my father waving at me with my mother beside him, I galloped immediately to them and pounced myself around their leg. I wrapped my hooves around both their forelegs and gave them a tight squeeze. Thank Celestia they didn't leave me.

"I'm guessing you missed us?" my father said with a chuckle.

I nodded my head violently brushing my face on both of their forelegs showing them how much I missed them. My father picked me up by surprise and placed me on his back.

"Well now that we are here, I think it's best that we get to the motel so we can get some rest. Especially you Confusion, you look really tired." my mother said as she picks my saddlebag up from the floor.

"No no, I'm not tired I'm just-" I yawned with exhaustion "-I'm just glad both of you are here."

I hear my parents laugh together as I close my eyes for a short nap.

-

I felt myself being placed on a soft surface, I rolled myself around it trying to find a comfortable position for me to sleep in. I then hear a mare singing an alibi to me, the mare sounded like an angel flying down from the sky above. As the mare continued to sing I started to realize who it is. That sounds like my mother! I turned around and opened my eyes a bit to see her sitting on the bed gently combing my mane with her hoof.

"Are you sure our lives will be better here?" the question flew out of my mouth for I was curious.

"I cannot give you an exact answer to that question for your life depends on how you make it, but right now we have to settle ourselves in, it might take a couple of months or maybe a year but we will get there, I promise."

Her words got me thinking for a couple of seconds, she is right my life does depend on how I make it. She is one of the wises ponies I know in Equestria, I'm just glad to see her again, I'm glad to see both of them again.

"Ok, mom-" I yawned "-goodnight."

"Goodnight sweetie."
> First Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I could feel the burning rays of the sun touch my skin slowly rising from the bottom of my bed to the top of my face. I could tell this is a beautiful day judging by how quiet it is, and I'm gonna spend the rest of it lying on the bed, nothing can get me out of this bed today.

"Confusion! wake up, it's time for school!"

"Oh, right school..."

I got up from my bed and rubbed my eyes trying to wake myself up, I looked at the clock above my door with curiosity, the time is six twenty-five am. I got off my bed landing on the floor with my hooves, I used my magic to hover a comb to me from my drawer. I trotted to the mirror and proceeded to comb my mane gently trying not to pull strands out of my head.

"Are you up yet?"

"Yes, mom I'm awake!"

"Then get down here I made Haycakes!"

When my mother said haycakes I threw my comb on the bed and rushed straight down the stairs. As I made it to the kitchen I see my mother placing a haycake on a plate, I pulled a chair back and sat down on the end of the table. My mother places a stack of haycakes in front of me while I was getting myself comfortable, I gave the food a quick sniff and stared at them to appreciate what my mother has made.

I grabbed the maple syrup on the table and squeezed half of the bottle onto the haycakes, I used my magic to pick the haycakes up instead of using the utensils my mother has left for me to use. I then slowly placed it into my mouth taking a big bite trying to savor the flavor, it tasted more like maple syrup than haycakes since I poured half of the bottle on it.

"Are you excited to go to school?" my mom asked with curiosity as she flips a haycake on the pan.

"No, not really I'm more afraid than excited, you gotta remember I haven't been to school for a year already, plus this is a new school in a new town so, of course, I'm going to be scared."

"Don't be silly, everything will be fine, I'm sure you will make lots of friends In school today!"

"I hope so..."

"Listen I know you're still thinking about the old schools we sent you to in the past but you have to trust me on this. The school here in Ponyville is much better than the schools you have been to in Manehatten, the fillies and colts in the school are probably just like you and I'm sure nopony will pick on you, but I cannot promise you anything."

She is right Ponyville is different and I'm sure the ponies in the school are different too. I gave her a hug to thank her for cheering me up, without her I'd probably still have problems in life.

"Thanks, mom I needed that."

"Your welcome, now hurry up and finish your haycakes school opens in a couple of minutes!"

"Oh right sorry."

-

After a two minute trot, I could already see the school in the distance, I’m surprised I lived close to the school yet again I’m also a little upset knowing that I'm close to it. I turned to my mother and gave her a tight hug or at least the tightest one I can give.

“Good luck in school!” she said as she places a hoof on my mane

“Thanks mom, I'll try.”

I stepped back and waved at her as I trotted to school, I could see a tear form in her eye in the distance. Just as I was about to call it out to her she wipes it off even before I could open my mouth to say anything.

I turned to my front as I continued to school and I gazed my curious head to my surroundings, the whole street was empty I couldn’t see anypony nor any filly or colt. 

“Maybe they're already in class?” I said to myself with confusion.

I shook my head trying to focus on the pathway to school, I noticed I was standing in front of the school's pathway, I went up to the door and stayed completely still. Something was holding me back, I tried my best to remember the wise words my mom had told me back in the kitchen to build as much confidence I need to open the door.

It took me a couple of seconds before I was ready to enter, I applied my hoof to the door and gave it a push. The door didn’t open, I then noticed a sign on the door so I used my magic to hover it above me so I could read.

“Closed, what a waste of time,” I said to myself with relief and disappointment.

I hung the sign back and trotted to the playground, I took a seat by the swings while I wait for the teacher to come and open the door. I looked around to see if there is any cafe open for me to stay in to pass the time, I couldn’t see any opened cafe in the distance.

I decided to have a stroll around the place just in case I see another cafe that is open and to my sightseeing, I see a local cafe. I trotted inside the cafe followed by a ding above me and gave quick look around the place, it was empty and the chairs were still hanging on the tables.

I went to the counter and rang a small bell waiting for somepony to show up. A bell rang from behind me a few seconds later, I turned around to see a pony in uniform standing by the door.

“How did you get in here?” the mare asked.

“The door was unlocked and the sign said open so I went inside for a drink.”

I watch as her face turned into a confused and stressful one, she shook her head and trotted behind the counter.

“My drunk flank, what will it be?” she said as she places a hoof on her forehead.

“I'm guessing you don’t have tea?”

She nods with disappointment, this was expected.

“Then ill just take a Latte if you got any.”

She nods and trots to the back of the counter and proceeded to make the Latte I ordered, I grabbed a seat and placed it in front of a table. I took a seat while patiently waiting for my Latte.

Ring

The bell above the door rings from behind me, I turned to see a mare with a pinkish-maroon skin and a white mixed pink for her mane, she had three flowers for a cutie mark.

“Oh hello Cheerilee, it's good to see you again!”

“It's great to see you too, just give me the usual I’ve got a busy day today.”

“Sure thing!”

The two ponies continued to talk while I try to ignore them since it would be a little creepy, especially since I'm literally the only pony inside the cafe.

“Hey kid, here's your drink!”

I turned to the counter and got off my seat, I trotted to the counter and picked my Latte up. I used my magic to carry the drink while I try and reach for some bits in my saddlebag. I placed the two bits on the counter and trotted back to my seat.

I hovered the cup to my face and stared at it, I remove the lid and gave the drink a quick stir. I took a small sip and left a porting of it in my mouth, I closed my eyes as I try to figure out the taste that is left in my mouth.

“Is this seat taken?”

I opened my eyes startled, swallowing the portion of the hot liquid I left in my mouth. I began to cough continuously like if I was choking on a hard candy my grandparents would give me when I visit them. I hit myself on the chest several times until I stopped choking. The mare gave me a concerned look as I try to recover from what just happened.

“I’m sorry for startling you, are you alright?” she questioned me with fear.

“Yes yes-“ I coughed “-I’m alright, I just didn’t see you coming that's all. Also, no this seat is not taken so go ahead!” I said panting trying to recover from what just happened.

“If you say so.”

She pulled the chair in front of me and took a seat, she places her saddlebag on the table pulling out sheets of paper. The papers looked like something you would receive from school activities, these sheets had sentences with gaps in between and at the end of them. I’m guessing this mare had set some activities for the first day of school, oh wait...

“What is a colt like you doing here in a cafe this early?” she asked with a face of interest.

“I’m just passing the time while waiting for the school to open nothing much, how about you?”

“Oh, you must be one of my students!”

“I guess so yeah.”

“Well, we better get you in class then, right after I get my coffee.”

I grabbed my drink and gave myself a little stretch before I leave the cafe with the teacher.

“Your coffee is ready!”

The mare trotted to the counter to grab her drink, she pulls out three bits and places them on the counter. She then makes her way to the door while I follow from behind.

-

On our way back to the school a question flew inside my head, why did the mare go to the cafe first and why was I the only one to show up to school this early? I didn’t bother asking since I would probably get the same answer that's left inside my head.

“My name is Cheerilee, but I would prefer it if you call me Miss Cheerilee!”

“Nice to meet you Miss Cheerilee! My name is Con-“

The mare places a hoof in front of my mouth cutting my name in half.

“I’ll just wait until the rest of the class is here, don’t want to waste these activity sheets I made for the whole class would I?”

I nodded agreeing to what she had said. After a short walk, we finally made it back to the school, she grabs a key in her saddlebag and unlocked the door. We both walked inside the school and to my surprise, it was just one big classroom, I never been to a school that's just a huge classroom but I guess I should have expected it since Ponyville is a small town.

Miss Cheerilee trots to what I believe is the teacher's desk in the front of the class, she places her saddlebag and her coffee on it. 

“Since you’re a new student and first in class, I believe it would be fair to let you pick your seat first!”

I turned to the room and gave it a long stare, I observe the desks provided for the students. They were all made out of wooden planks and were built to look like a pedestal, I looked at the very back of the classroom and laid my eyes on the desk in the corner. It looked perfect, despite a few carved holes on it.

I trotted to the seat and applied my flank on the small wooden chair behind it, I placed my saddlebag beside the desk and placed my Latte on the desk. I sighed with relief as I looked around the room, Miss Cheerilee stared at me confused, I’m guessing she wasn’t expecting me to sit at the very back corner of the class.

I smiled at her nervously trying to change whatever is in her thoughts right now, she shook her head and gave me a smile she then sat on her seat, she then picked her coffee up for a sip. I grabbed a sheet of paper and a pencil in my saddlebag and placed it on my desk, I decided to draw stuff while waiting for the rest of the class to arrive.

“What are you doing my little pony?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m just drawing stuff to past the time since nopony else is here.”

“Well, what are you drawing?”

“Nothing much just a ma-“

The door opens in the middle of our conversation, fillies and colts trot through the door either in a group or alone. Almost everypony is talking to each other as they trot inside scattering around the room.

“Good morning Miss Cheerilee!” half of the ponies inside the class greeted the teacher, what surprised me is that most of them said it at the same time.

“Why hello there my little ponies, I’m sure most of you know what to do!”

Everypony wandered around the room looking for a desk of their own, a purple colt trotted his way to the desk beside me. This is one of the scariest bits of being a new student for me at least, either your new seatmate is a total idiot or if he’s a smart flank.

I turned my attention to the class again instead of staring at a colt trying to take a seat. Everypony was already in their seats and were talking to each other while I sit and drink, nothing special.

“Alright, class I have an activity for all of you to introduce yourselves, make sure you read the instructions given to you on the paper!”

Miss Cheerilee trots to each desk leaving the sheet of paper for the class to have. Everypony receives a sheet except me, I guess today is my lucky day.

“Oh I’m out of copies, is it fine if you can make your own introduction on your own paper?”

“I guess so, do I have to copy the other sheets?”

“If you wish to do so then maybe you could ask a seatmate,” she said as she leaves my desk and trots back to her’s.

I turned to my seatmate with curiosity just to see him drooling on the paper. I’m definitely making my own introduction, this is gonna be interesting.

-

“Alright, class time is up! I’ll be gathering your papers with this basket so be sure you've done them before I get them!” Miss Cheerilee announced to the class.

Just in time I just finished my paper, but I feel like I added a little too much information about myself, no matter it’s probably fine. I looked around the class with curiosity to see if other ponies were done with their papers, some of them were waiting while the others continue to write.

“Hey dude can I see your paper?” the colt or my seatmate asked.

“Why should I? You’re probably gonna copy everything I have written.”

“Bruh, you had to be one of those ponies, besides I don’t even know what to write. This is boring as B”

“Just write something basic if you have nothing in mind, that’s usually my solution to everything.”

Miss Cheerilee trots in between us during our conversation, either she overheard us or she is here to take our papers away. I watched as the colt panic and rushed writing on his paper, I folded my paper and placed it inside the basket.

“Are you done yet my little pony?”

“Indeed I am!” the colt said with a panicked look on his face as he places his paper inside the basket.

Miss Cheerilee smiles at both of us as she trots to the other ponies for their papers.

“That wasn’t so hard was it?” I smirked at the colt while waiting for his reply.

The colt ignored me but gave me a dumbfounded look, he is definitely upset but I’m sure I did him a favor.

“Alright, class I believe I received all your papers. I will now wander around the class and allow you to pick a folded paper inside the basket. I will then read one of your paper’s to start the introduction, the pony that owns the paper that I read will be the next one to read the paper that they received, and then we continue the cycle until the last pony reads his!”

Miss Cheerilee starts trotting to ponies' desks and placing a folded paper on them. I was not really expecting this to happen yet again I should have known since it is an introduction activity, at this point, I was starting to fear for the pony that received my paper since it is partially long and is a little bit deep.

A folded paper was placed on my desk while I was stuck in my thoughts, I picked the paper up and unfolded it. Inside was the five sentences I read back in the cafe, I am now sure that my introduction has more information than whatever is written in here.

“Alright, now that everypony has a folded paper, I will be the first to read-“ she takes a deep breath “-I’m from Ponyville, my favorite food is cupcakes, I bake cakes with my mother during my free time, and the thing I dislike is reading. My name is Truffle Puff. Please stand and read the paper you’ve got Truffle!”

The filly stands as she prepares herself to read the paper in front of everypony, this is probably gonna take a while.

-

It’s been five minutes ever since we started and not even half of the class is done reading their paper. The introductions I heard so far are basically the same thing, the only thing that pulls me into interest is the names of each filly and colt. Truffle Puff, Cinnamon Bun, Scootaloo, John Stick, and other ponies that I have already forgotten.

They all do have more interesting lives unlike me, I’m more of a sit, think, and drink kind of guy just like my father. Just thinking about all of this makes me fear more for whoever has my paper since they have to read a sorta long paragraph that has too much information about me. But the chances of my paper being read to the class is seventy-five percent especially if it's randomly given to everypony in the room.

“Apple Bloom please stand and read the paper you got!” the teacher announced.

The filly stood up from her chair and looked down at the paper. I watched as her excited face slowly turns into a sad and concerned one, just by that I can tell that the paper she got can’t be good.

“Hi my name is Confusion, I am a colt that moved away from Manehatten four months ago to be exact. The reason I moved to Ponyville is because of the schools I’ve been to from the past years, I had been pushed around and picked on every single day in school no matter what, just because I had no cutie mark and because I had a stupid name, I mean c’mon is Confusion even a name for a pony? I usually waste my time sitting and thinking about life and personal things since I don't have any friends in the city to hang out with, I don’t physically do stuff for fun besides sitting and standing but it's better than sleeping in your own thoughts. Life is somewhat short and I was told to live to the fullest here, I just hope everything will be better here in Ponyville... PS My favorite food is Haysagna.” the filly reads the paper out loud sounding speechless.

Everypony in the room stared at her with shock and confusion, ponies were looking around the room and started to whisper to each other. I stayed in my seat since I didn't want to grab the attention of the entire class that is probably talking about the paper I had written for my introduction.

“Dude I feel bad colt that wrote that, he has been through many stuff judging by what he had written. You got any idea who he is?” The colt beside me or my seatmate asked.

I stayed silent pretending not to know who the colt was.

“Oh! Uh, Would you look at that its recess time, everypony is now dismissed! Miss Cheerilee announced in the front with a rush.

I'm not sure if she tried to find a reason for me not to stand or if she is serious about the time but either way I'm not complaining. Everypony in the class got off their seats and trotted their way to the door, I could hear some ponies whispering to each other on the way out.

I stayed in the class since I have nothing to do outside, I pulled my unfinished drawing and pencil out of my saddlebag and continued to draw to pass the time.
> A Failed Stunt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Blah blah blah blah blah!”

The only words I hear from the teacher in the front right now, my brain really can’t take whatever she is saying seriously and I know I should be learning right now but it's just so boring. I was expecting more activities and rules to be said about the school instead of jumping straight into the subjects after one short introduction on the first day of school.

I stared at the clock hanging on the wall with boredom waiting until dismissal.

“Just one hour left Confusion you can do this I believe in you,” I said to myself with a groan of impatience and boredom.

I gazed my head at the rest of the class to see if anypony is listening to the teacher in front. The ponies seem to be listening and showing lots of interest in the subject, I don’t even know what the subject is now that I think about it. I tried my best to listen to the teacher in front so that I have a story if my parents ask me about school today or at least what I had learned.

“Blah blah blah, and that's how Equestria was made, any questions?"

“Nope!” the whole class said except me.

“Great I will now be asking all of you questions about what we had just learned, so get those papers and pencils ready!”

I started to panic since I did not learn a single thing today, I pulled out my paper and pencil in a rush trying to look smart. The colt beside me stared at me with a strange look, I guess I’m overreacting? I turned my head to the teacher and waited for the question, I crossed my hooves hoping that I wouldn’t be called first.

“Alright, we will begin starting from the back to the front!”

I turned around with fear just to see a wall behind me, I turned to my right to see another wall. At this point I know I’m screwed since I’m the pony on the back corner. 

“What is the name of the blah blah blah?”

Everypony turned to me waiting for me to do something, I turned around pretending to not know what is going on. I looked to my right and pointed to the poster of a blue mare with a rainbow mane on the wall and gave a small smile to the rest of the class.

“Hey Rainbow Horse, I think they’re looking at you.”

A few ponies in the room laughed after the small joke I had said, never expected me to make anypony laugh at all.

“Please stand and answer the question,” Miss Cheerilee asked waiting for me to answer.

I stood up slowly with fear I could feel myself shaking as I stand, I hovered my paper to my face and read what I have written. “Blah blah blah Equestria,” I stared at the sentence I had written with shock and disbelief.

“Did I write this?” I said scratching my head with confusion.

“So what is the answer?” Miss Cheerilee asks breaking my moment of silence.

“Oh uh, the Wonder Bolts?” I said grabbing the name from the poster I recently stared at.

I can tell that I got the answer wrong just by staring into the mare’s eyes, I mean, I was not listening to the teacher in front so I guess I do deserve whatever might happen to me.

“Correct you may now take a seat!”

Hold on what? I was shocked to hear the answer being correct just by taking the word from a poster I just looked at. I sighed with relief and sat back down on my chair trying to recover from almost embarrassing myself while the class is staring at me. 

I lied my head on the table while watching Miss Cheerilee question my seatmate, well not much to worry about for me now I hope.

-

“Goodbye, my little ponies!”

“Bye Miss Cheerilee!”

It's finally over and we are all dismissed, everypony got off their chairs and went straight to the door. I followed behind trying my best to leave the room without bumping into any other pony, squeezing my way out I was standing on the pathway.

I sighed with relief and looked around the place hoping to see one of my parents. I watched ponies as they reunite with their parents, some left the school on their own and some waiting by the small playground beside the school.

“Confusion!” A stallion shouted in the distance.

I saw my father waving at me by a street light while holding a beer with his magic. I galloped straight to him running past the groups of ponies, I then crashed myself onto my dad wrapping both my forelegs around his. I felt his hoof brush my mane as I gave him a hug.

“Good to see you too kid but didn’t I tell you about hugging? You're a stallion now and stallions don’t hug stallions, I’m sure you remember that.”

I nodded my head agreeing to what he had said, I backed myself away from him and proceeded to trot home with him. I swear to Celestia I saw a couple of ponies staring at me while I was hugging my father, Is it weird to hug your father? I guess so judging by everyponies reaction.

We followed the path quietly not having short or long conversations but instead having simple sips from simple drinks, of course, I don’t get a sip from his drink since I’m still young to drink alcoholic drinks like his beer. But my father didn’t leave me out and gave me a small juice box for me to drink, it’s not something I would drink a lot but it's something to clench my thirst.

-

Lying on the bed trying to get myself comfortable after a long boring day sitting and listening in class was probably not the best idea I had in mind. I was starting to think about the ponies that were looking at me strangely from time to time, something about it just gets me thinking. I got off the bed and trotted around my room repeatedly trying not to think about the day I had in school.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the close call I had back in school, I’m still surprised how my guess was correct but I still think I had done something to embarrass myself back there. I remembered a book my grandparents gave me a year ago, they told me to read it when I feel like something is wrong, I decided to find the book my grandparents gave me and read it somewhere private.

“There is nothing to worry about Confusion I'm sure reading would cheer you up, right?” I said to myself as I grabbed my jacket, saddlebag, and the old book from my cabinet.

I left my room and trotted down the stairs into the living room where the main door is, I opened the door and trotted outside breathing in the air surrounding me, I closed the door from behind and proceeded to follow the path to one of my favorite places around Ponyville, the park.

-

I sat underneath a tree beside a pond in the park providing some shade, I lied my head against the tree and closed my eyes to give myself a quick rest. There were not many ponies around the park when I first got here but that's probably because I’m here in the afternoon.

I pulled the old book out of my saddlebag and placed it on the ground, I blew on the book removing the dust that was left on it. I noticed a couple of stains and weird symbols on the book cover so I dusted the book with my hoof removing the extra dust and stains on it. I placed my hoof on the book cover and slowly opened it to the first chapter, I wonder why my grandparents wanted me to read this.

“You got this honey!”

“MOM?!”

I hear two ponies shout in a distance, I turned in the direction where I heard the shouting from and saw a purple colt riding down a hill with his skateboard. He was losing balance and control over the board and fell off of it tumbling down the hill and screaming in pain. The colt then fell into the pond stopping the rain of pain he was going through.

I got up and galloped to the pond with concern. When I got to the pond I see the colt by the end of the pond trying to pull himself out, I lend a hoof for him to grab and pulled him out of the pond.

“Thank you I appreciate the help but I didn’t need it.”

“It seemed like you needed the help, are you alright?”

“Yeah yeah I’m fine,” the colt backs away from me and the pond and started to cough repeatedly.

I gave the colt his space so that he would be able to recover from what he went through. A mare galloped to the colt with concern and fear, she then stopped and asked a couple of questions to him like if he is ok and stuff. I trotted back to the tree I was at before any of this happened, I sat down and watched the two ponies talk to each other for a while.


The mare leaves after a couple of minutes while the colt stays by the pond with his board, I'm guessing they’re done talking.

“Hey uh kid, can you come for a second?”

I got up and trotted to the colt with curiosity not knowing what he wants from me. I sat on a flat rock beside him while waiting for whatever he is going to say to me.

“Listen I appreciate the help and I’m sorry for being a little rude to you when you helped me, It’s just I don’t trust anypony every now and then since all they do is make fun of me and make bets if I would successfully do my stunts or not. But I was never expecting somepony to actually help me when I needed it, besides my mother. So I don’t really have much to say but... thank you.”

I stayed completely silent after everything I had just heard from this colt, I looked at the pond and started to think deeply about what he had said.

“You’re welcome and it's fine there is no need to apologize about acting a little rude, I’ve experienced what you have experienced so I understand why you acted a little bit on edge”

The colt looked at me with a smile, I stayed silent with an awkward face since I have no idea what to do next. The colt stood up and brushed a couple of rocks off of his body.

“I’m gonna go back to the hill and try the stunt again, if you wish to come then go ahead, I wouldn’t mind a little bit of support. Oh and by the way, I’m Twitch,” the colt lends his hoof for a shake.

“I’ll think about it and my name is Confusion, nice to meet you.” I gave my hoof to the colt and shook his hoof tightly.

“Confusion?! Oh um nice to meet you too, I’ll see you there.”

He follows the pathway up the hill he came down from. He sounded surprised when I said my name, either he thought the name was stupid or he was one of the students in school today that heard my introduction paper. I shrugged the thoughts off my head and followed Twitch from behind.

-

Making it to the top I stopped and watched Twitch as he prepares for his second attempt at the stunt he had recently failed. He stood on the skateboard and breathed in a huge amount of air as he observes his surroundings. He then exhales all the air out looking confident enough to go down the hill. He then pushes himself off the hill with his skateboard and proceeded to skate down.

I watched as he followed the pathway on the hill with perfect balance, he looked calm as he followed the pathway down the hill. He then skates to a ramp close to the pond causing him to jump over the pond, he then lands perfectly into the other side of the pond without falling off of his board.

I galloped down the hill and to the other side of the pond he had just landed on to congratulate him.

“DUDE THAT WAS AMAZING!”

“You think so?”

“HECK YAH, NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT!” I exclaimed as I stopped by the tree I first started.

“Oh well thank you they don’t call me Twitch for nothing.”

He was starting to take the compliments I gave him a little too much attention, he kept asking me to repeat what I had just said and wanted me to say more cool stuff about him. I stayed silent and waited until he calms down.

“Listen, man, I don’t think I have to repeat anything, you’re getting the words over your head right now, besides look at the time it's almost sunset so I best get going.”

“S-sorry I just never heard somepony say that to me before.” 

“It’s fine just chill ok?”

“Yeah I’ll try my best to do so, I’ll see you tomorrow right?”

“Probably, have a goodnight!” I said as I trotted my way back home.

“You too!” Twitch says as he trots in the opposite direction.

I never knew I would be able to meet another colt that is just like me here in Ponyville, minus the Daring Doo act. Well, all of that was interesting for me today besides the long and boring day I had in school. Maybe I’ll be able to make friends here in Ponyville after all?
> "Hanging Out"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, the best day of the week. One of the only days I don’t have to go to school but to sit and relax in front of the fireplace poster on the wall. I do wish we had a real fireplace in our home so that I could be able to roast myself when I want to, but I guess it’s not necessary.

The door of my room opens with no warning slowly making a long annoying creaking sound, I see my father opening the door and peaking his head through the gap. I gave a confused stare not knowing what he wants from me.

“You forgot to knock on the door.”

“Don’t worry I’m your father besides I was just checking if you were still asleep.”

“Well I’m not, just sitting in front of my poster getting myself warm. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Right... anyways there is a colt outside our door and is asking if you are inside.”

I paused for a second and turned to my father with a confused stare trying to put together everything he has just said. Did Twitch find out where I lived? If so then how and what does he want from me?

I stood up and gave myself a stretch as I exited my room to see if my thoughts were correct. I trotted down the stairs to hear a pony talking about some sort of stunt, just from this, I could already tell who is outside the door. Making my way to the main door I see Twitch standing outside with his skateboard leaning on our door frame.

“Ah, Confusion I found you!”

“H-how did you find me?” I said stuttering in confusion.

“C’mon man I’ve seen you walk home before, it's not like we are in a big crowded city.”

“You got a point there but uh why did you come here?”

“It’s a Saturday, isn’t it? So I thought I should stop by and hang with you for the day!”

I stayed silent with shock not understanding why Twitch would want to hang out with me since I just watch him do stunts after the end of classes. I don’t do exciting things and I’m not even sure Twitch is a fan of sitting and drinking in a local cafe for the rest of the day.

“You want to hang with me? The colt that does nothing but sits, stands, and drinks?” I said trying to point out the fact that I’m pretty much a boring pony to hang with.

“Yep!” he exclaimed with joy not showing second thoughts.

I stayed silent thinking about what I should do next, I trotted back inside my house grabbing my saddlebag on the couch before leaving the place.

“I’m heading out!” I announced loud enough for my parents to hear.

“Ok, come back soon!”

I trotted out the main door closing it from behind me, I then double-checked if I had everything in my saddlebag before placing it on my back. I’m just gonna hope that Twitch doesn’t mind doing anything for the day.

“I’m ready when you are.”

“Great where are we heading?”

“To one of my favorite places in Ponyville.”

“Is it the park?”

“Nope even better, the local cafe.” 

-

Sitting comfortably on the wooden chair inside the cafe enjoying myself while waiting for my drink to be served. The conversations of ponies in the cafe were mixed with the calm and soothing music that is being played for all the ponies inside. Everything was perfect, I could finally get myself some rest after a whole week of school.

Twitch in the other hoof, is waiting for his drink and trying his best to relax but judging the way he's acting right now, I am totally sure that he doesn’t want to be a part of any of this.

“Your drinks are ready you two, come get them!” the barista said as she places the two drinks on the counter.

I pulled out five bits from my saddlebag and placed it on the counter while hovering the two drinks to our table. I placed Twitch’s drink on the table first followed by my own. I then sighed with relief as I hovered my drink to my face giving it a good stare.

“So do I just drink this or what?” Twitch asks while looking at me with confusion.

“Uhh yeah, that’s what a drink is for, have you ever had one?”

“Not really, I never tried coffee before, is it good?”

“I’m drinking it and these ponies are too, I’ll leave that for you to decide.”

I took a small sip out of my cup and left the hot portion in my mouth trying to show my appreciation to the barista behind the counter. As I was taking in the taste of the portion left in my mouth I felt a sudden feeling of being watched, I really hate this feeling.

I looked around the cafe to make sure I wasn't being spied on but as I looked around I turned to Twitch and noticed him staring at me with a face of interest, I was feeling a little creeped out by the way he was staring at me. Should I say something or should I let him be?

He continued to stare at me even after he realizes that I had noticed him. Yeah, I'm going to say something, this is too weird.

“Do you mind?” I said breaking the silence between the awkward staring contest.

He had shaken his head and took notice of my uncomfortable actions, he then looks around the room acting like I didn't say anything. I stared at him with seriousness showing him how serious I am about the question I had asked.

“Sorry about that, I’m just not used to seeing you doing something you actually enjoy. Though I don’t even understand how you enjoy this, you just sit and do nothing for the rest of the day like a boring pony. No offense by the way.”

“None taken.”

I looked down at my coffee with deep thoughts knowing that Twitch isn't enjoying himself here in the cafe. He drags a tissue left and right repeatedly showing all signs of boredom, watching him look bored made me feel bad about myself making me feel a little selfish.

"If you don’t like doing what I do then let's just do whatever you would like to do," I said with pity for I want him to actually enjoy himself instead of pretending to like what I do.

He paused and turned his head to me immediately after what I had said to him. I watched as his bored and miserable actions turned into an exciting one, he got off his chair and grabbed his coffee on the table.

“GREAT, I’LL MEET YOU IN THE PARK, I HAVE A PLAN FOR BOTH OF US TO DO!” he exclaimed in the cafe grabbing the attention of the other ponies inside.

He then left the cafe in a rush looking excited, I’m not sure what’s up with him since we always do the exact same thing every afternoon, was the cafe really that boring to him? If so then he should have said sooner, because I could have just taken him to the park after getting at least one drink for myself.

I shrugged my confusion off as I got off my seat while leaving a tip on the table at the same time. I then gave myself a stretch before leaving the cafe, I grabbed my coffee on the table and trotted my way to the park where I’ll probably meet Twitch in.
> A Crash To Remember
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Making it to the top of the hill, I see Twitch pushing something big inside a bush. I approached him to see what he is trying to do, he notices me approaching him and turns around instantly showing a huge smile on his face. What is he up to this time...?

"Ah, Confusion! Good to see you again."

"What's up with you, you seem a little more active today than usual?"

"Am I? Oh well, it's nothing special, it's just something I have planned for us!"

I stood still in confusion trying to understand or at least get a clue to what he has installed for both of us. He trotted back to the bush and started shuffling something inside of it, he kept turning his head to me like he didn't trust me with something.

"So what is behind the bush?"

"Something you might like, though I have a question to ask you."

"Hit me with it."

"Do you wish to do the stunts I do?" 

I nodded my head showing him that I was never interested and never even planned to do the stunts he does. He looks at me strangely after I nodded my head, he obviously didn't expect me to say no.

"Well that's fine... I guess because now I shall show you the first stunt YOU will be doing today!"

He grabs a paper on the ground close to the bush he kept touching. He then trots to me and lends the paper for me to see or read, I took the paper with curiosity and unfolded it to see what is written on it. The paper had a drawing of a pony on a wooden block on the top of a hill, there were red dashes leading to the very bottom of the hill and onto a giant X. 

I stared at the drawing with confusion, I didn't understand why Twitch gave me a drawing from a two to three-year-old foal. I gave the drawing back to Twitch with a puzzled face.

"So why did you give me your sister's drawing?"

"What?! I drew this myself, what are you talking about? It's a drawing of you going down the hill with a wagon, didn't it look obvious already?"

"No, it looked nothing like it... and no offense, but you have to improve your drawing skills because I had no clue what was drawn on it."

"Don't worry non taken, I knew my drawing sucked in the first place," he said as he trots back to the bush shoving the drawing inside of it.

"Why exactly do you want me to do a stunt? I'm sure you know that I have no experience on those skateboards you have, plus I never even tried to do a stunt in my life and I never even planned to do one."

"Exactly, that is why I'm here to help you have fun!" he trots into the bush causing it to shake a lot.

I started to hear him groan in pain like if he was trying to pull something out, I then saw him struggle to leave the bush with a handle in his mouth. I then approached him to give a helping hoof, as I was trotting closer to him, he began pulling the handle with his hooves. Just as I was about to help him pull the handle, he fell on his back pulling out a wooden wagon from the bush.

I stared at the wagon with confusion trying to understand why he had pulled a whole wooden wagon out of a bush. I  looked back at Twitch to see him pushing himself back on his hooves.

"This, this is your stunt board," he said while catching his breath.

I turned to the wagon and gave it a good look, the wagon was made out of wooden planks with a handle made out of a wooden tube. I noticed a couple of carved holes and dirt on it, it looked like something you would see from a local fruit market. The whole thing didn't look sturdy especially with those wheels under it, the wheels had a couple of holes on them and they didn't look properly screwed in.

"I'm using that?" 

Twitch nods his head violently showing no negative thoughts about it.

Seeing how Twitch is acting right now shows how this might mean a lot to him if I use it. I trotted to the wagon slowly with fear trying not to show any of my negative thoughts about it. I climbed into the wagon and took a seat on a pile of dirt, the wagon had nothing in it besides dirt and... wait is that a half-eaten apple? I'm starting to have second thoughts about this.

"Are you ready?!"

"Uhh, I guess... where is the steering wheel on this thing?"

"Don't be silly it's a wagon, not a racing cart!"

I felt myself moving closer to the slope of the hill, my heart started to beat rapidly and I began to sweat nonstop. I turned to Twitch who is pushing me closer and closer to the slope, he was smiling at me while I stared at him with fear. I can't disappoint him, he obviously set this all up for me like a good friend... a scary one though.

"Will I be fine?"

"Hehe, I have no idea!"

"What do you mean by thaAAAWGH!"

I turned my head to my front after being pushed off the slope by Twitch, I held myself tight on the wagon using my hooves. I began to scream in fear for I was going down a hill at somewhat high speed. I tried to stop the wagon with my magic by holding the wheels still, but I had no luck in trying.

I noticed a couple of ponies walking by the pathway I'm sliding down from, I began to panic as I try to stop the wagon before crashing into them. I turned to the wooden rod behind me and grabbed it, I moved it from left to right hoping that it would prevent me from crashing into the ponies on the pathway. I felt myself steering to the left as I twisted the handle of the rod, I continued to twist it until I steered away from the group of ponies.

I noticed I had steered myself away from the group, but I also noticed that I went off the pathway I was on. The ponies watched me as I zoomed past them, I sighed with relief knowing that I just saved myself from crashing onto a couple of ponies and possibly harming them. I felt the wagon hit a flat surface and began slowing down, I looked around and noticed I was at the bottom of the hill.

"I'm alive... OH CELESTIA IM ALIVE!" I said with joy and excitement knowing that I could finally leave the wagon I'm on.

"WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE!" A pony shouts from behind me in a distance.

Watch out for the tree? What does she mean by that? I pulled my attention to the road or at least where I'm going, I noticed a couple of trees ahead of me... oh you have to be kidding m-

I came in contact with the tree at a high speed, basically, I crashed onto the tree. My whole body was burning and started to ache, I felt completely dizzy as I tried to move around. I opened my eyes to see myself hanging on the tree with a blur, wait... I'm hanging on a tree?!

I shook my head and tried my best to get myself off the tree, I tried to push myself away from the tree with my hooves but every time I try I just keep feeling even more pain. I tried to turn my head around but something was stopping me from doing so, I placed a hoof on my head and felt my horn injected into the tree I had crashed into.

"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!" I shouted in anger and pain not understanding how I was able to get my horn stuck into a tree.

"Oh my gosh! Are you alright?" a sorta high pitched mare with a weird accent asked with concern.

"Yes I'm fine, I normally hang myself on a tree on a daily basis," I said sarcastically stating the obvious.

"C'mon girls let's help him!"

I felt a couple of hooves being wrapped around my hindleg while I was hanging. It took me a second to realize that these ponies were getting ready to pull me out of the tree. I placed my hooves on the tree getting ready to push myself against the tree.

"Yall ready?"

"Mhmm!" a couple of ponies agreed, how many are here trying to help me?

"Three... two... one... PULL!"

I felt myself being pulled with full force, I began to push the tree with as much effort I can put in to.

*SNAP*

The last thing I heard before falling onto the grassy ground was the snap from the tree, I landed flat on the ground followed by an OOF from my mouth. I groaned in pain while rolling around the ground, I opened my eyes to see three heads above me with a blur vision.

"Is he alright?"

"Hey kid you ok?"

"Should we get somepony to help?"

The only things I hear right now are the three fillies that are trying to help me up. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes with my hooves to see clearly again, I then pushed myself off of the ground and stood on my hooves again. Every part of my body burns and my head won't stop aching, I picked off the pieces of bark on my body and turned to the three ponies that had helped me.

"Thank you for the help, I really needed it," I thanked the ponies with as much appreciation I could give.

The three fillies stared at me with shocked looking speechless, I got confused as to why these fillies were staring at me like they had seen a ghost or something.

"DUDE, that was some crash you got in to- MOTHER OF CELESTIA WHAT HAVE I DONE!?" 

"What is it? Is everything alright?!"

"IM SO SO SORRY, I NEVER MENT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN!"

"What happened is there something wrong with me?!"

"It's your horn... It's uhh... how can I put this together...?"

"It's cracked," one of the fillies said finishing Twitch's sentence... hold on what did she just say?

I placed my hoof on my horn and felt a crack on the tip of it, I stood speechless to what I had just felt. I have a crack on my horn because of this STUPID stunt Twitch had set up for me... though I'm not mad, it was kinda fun now that I think of it, despite me having a crack on my horn. Sure my parents would be upset but heck that was FUN!

I began to laugh uncontrollably for no reason at all, the silence between every other pony was then broken by Twitch who began to laugh with me in confusion. The three fillies stared at me confused, I won't judge them since I'll probably be doing the same thing if I was them.

"Wait so your not mad at me?" Twitch asks me with fear and confusion.

"Mad?! I'm furious, you're the cause of me getting a crack on my horn! But that ride? IT WAS AMAZING, I NEVER HAD THAT MUCH FUN IN MY LIFE... besides me sliding down a slide for the first time but still, THAT WAS FUN!" 

"Sorry to interrupt, but uh why in Celestia were you sliding down that hill?" a filly points to the hill in question.

"Oh, well you see Twitch here he uh-" I paused after I laid my eyes on a familiar face among the three fillies.

The filly had a yellowish fur with a red-like color for her mane, she wore a pinkish-red bow and had no cutie mark on her flank. All of this was starting to ring a bell in my head... is it her? The filly notices me staring at her, she looked at me back strangely with confusion. Her face then popped into a sudden realization, I watched as her eyes widen and her jaw drops, judging by that I can tell she knows me.

We stared at each other silently not breaking eye contact for even a second. The others began to notice our little starting competition, the two fillies stared at me and back to the filly repeatedly in confusion while Twitch stares at me with a smirk.

"You ok man? hope I'm not breaking anything between you two," Twitch chuckled with a smirk while poking me with his hoof.

I shook my head breaking eye contact with the filly and bringing myself back to the real world, I turned my head to Twitch with a dumbfounded look on my face.

"Everything is fine, I just... saw something," I said making an excuse to not continue the conversation.

"If you say so... anyways, the reason why-" Twitch continues to explain why I was sliding down the hill with a  wagon to the fillies.

I sighed and look onto the ground placing my hoof on my face to cover it. How is this possible, I met the filly I ran away from four and a half months ago, and in the worst scenario to be in. I probably just embarrassed myself in front of Twitch and the filly's friends.

I groaned to myself and removed my hoof from my face I then looked back at the Twitch who is still explaining everything to the fillies. I noticed the filly was staring at me in the edge of her eye, I tried my best to ignore her and looked around my surroundings instead of having another staring competition.

I turned to the tree that I had crashed into and gave it a good close look. The wagon I had ridden on was destroyed, the front of the wagon snapped into two pieces. the long wooden rod or the handle was dislocated from the wagon, it was lying on the ground a few inches apart from the wagon, it must have flung itself after the impact followed by one of the wheels of the wagon.

I looked at the tree and gave it a good look, just another excuse not to look back. The tree had bits of bark removed after the crash, I noticed the tree had a face mark on it, wait... that's my face. I looked above the mark and saw a deep hole which is probably because of my horn when it got injected into it. There were pieces of bark and wood everywhere surrounding the crash site.

“Hey dude, let's get you something to treat those wounds!” Twitch says interrupting my alone time followed by a short giggle from the two fillies.

“Yeah you’re right, I’ll see you back on the hill!” I said as fast as I can with an embarrassing tone.

I galloped my way back to the top of the hill with no hesitation of stopping. The faster I run the less awkward conversations I’ll be a part of, sorry Twitch.

“HEY, WAIT UP!”
> A Pink Familiar Face
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lying on soft and grassy ground I can finally get myself a breather. I kept panting with exhaustion after running from the bottom to the top of the hill on hoof. I grabbed my saddlebag by the bush where Twitch had hidden the wagon by and pulled out a bottle of water inside of it. I removed the cap and took a few mouth fulls of water, I didn’t even bother leaving it in my mouth as I would normally do with every other drink I have since this is just water and has no exact flavor to it at all, but mostly because I was dying with thirst.

I began to hear hoofsteps down the hill’s pathway, I didn’t bother checking on who it was since I was already getting myself comfortable underneath the tree. I see Twitch in the distance as he approaches me, he seemed exhausted at the time and maybe a little upset though I’m not really sure if he is.

“What... the heck... was that about?!” he says with an angered tone while panting.

“What was what about?”

“YOU JUST LEFT ME ALONE DOWN THERE WITH THOSE FILLIES!”

“Uhh, is that really a problem? If it is then I’m sorry but I can explain everything to you, just not now.” 

"Ugh, It's alright just promise me you won't leave me like that again ok?"

"I promise I won't leave you alone with girls," I said showing a big smirk to Twitch.

Twitch notices my smirk and gave me a you got to be kidding me face. I don't think he is convinced by that, but I'm sure he knows I'm just messing with him.

"Listen, I'm sorry for what I dragged you into. I really REALLY didn't mean for your horn to crack, I just wanted to help you have fun and all."

"It's fine don't be sorry, I know you were just trying to help... though I'm not sure how my parents would feel about this."


"TWITCH GET BACK HERE, YOUR FATHER IS HOME!" a mare shouts in the distance somewhere close to where I had crashed.

"Oh, right... I have to go now, it was nice hanging with you. Here take this-" Twitch lends four bits to me "-It's not much but I'm sure it's enough to get you something to treat your horn."

"Thanks, I guess... but you didn't need to give me your bits, I still have a couple in my saddlebag."

"I'M STILL WAITING!" Twitch's mom shouted stronger and louder than before.

"Well I'm off, cya Confusion, make sure you spend those bits wisely!"

"I will don't worry, cya Twitch!"

We both waved to each other as he trots down the hill, I stayed by the tree and stared at the four bits Twitch had given me. The only thing that came across my head was to go back to the cafe and have a drink, I'm sure I can walk the pain off. Is it the best Idea? No definitely not. Should I find some paste for my horn instead? Nah I'm sure it'll be fine... I think.

I pushed myself off the ground and placed my water bottle inside my saddlebag, I placed the bag on my back and gave myself a short stretch. I then followed the path to the cafe Twitch and I were at before any of this, I'm sure they won't mind my horn.

-

A long trot back and I can see the cafe in a distance, I can finally get some decent rest after that crash. I made my way to a chair outside the cafe and took a seat by a table with an umbrella above it. I lied my head on the table and groaned with pain and exhaustion, I slowly moved my hoof to the crack on my horn and rubbed it continuously while doing my best to resist the pain I'm going through. 

I removed my saddlebag and placed it on the table pulling out the four bits Twitch had given me before he left. I stared at the bits showing deep thoughts about what I should do with them, either I get myself some paste for my horn or spend it on something else. I looked into my saddlebag and spotted one bit of change I received after buying a coffee hours ago, this is definitely not enough to buy me paste for my horn if I buy myself a drink but it will help me with my thirst, yet again it won't help me with my horn problem.

I was thinking about buying a drink before but now that I think about the situation, I started to have second thoughts about it. I placed the bits back inside my saddlebag and sighed with deep thought not knowing what I should do with the bits I have.

Ponies inside and outside the cafe were staring at me strangely, it's obvious why they are staring but I just find it a little weird. I was starting to feel uncomfortable outside the cafe for ponies wouldn't stop looking at me with concern, the last thing I want right now is more attention being brought to me.


I began to hear familiar voices in a distance while I was groaning in confusion, these voices were high pitched and one having some accent... hold on it can't be them. The guess that's floating in my head started to strike fear into my mind, it can't be them, can it?

I turned my head to the familiar voices in the distance hoping that the ponies that are talking are not the ponies I'm thinking of right now. To my surprise, I was correct the ponies were the three fillies I met in the park... I hate being right. I moved my saddlebag in front of my face and pulled out anything that would help me to hide from them. This was a stupid idea for I was bringing more ponies attention to me since I'm showing obvious signs of struggling to hide from fillies walking by a cafe... just by thinking about it, I believe that sounds wrong even for me to say.

"What should we do today crusaders!"

"Hmm, maybe we can go hiking?" 

"Didn't we already do that?"

"Oh, right we did..."

I could hear the three fillies' conversation as they trot past by, weird for me to eavesdrop but I couldn't do anything, could I? What were these ponies up to, and what are they doing here by the cafe? Shouldn't they be I don't know, playing dress-up or something?

As I try to listen more into the conversation my horn began to sting A LOT, I wanted to screech in pain but doing so will give my position away so I held it in for as long as I can until they are at least somewhere away from my sight.

"Wait! Do you girls hear that?"

I believe they can hear my groans of pain as I try to resist the stinging, I'm trying my best not to make any noise that would grab the attention of the fillies and even other ponies. I placed my head inside my saddlebag to make my groans less audible to the three fillies. Why are they still here can't they talk somewhere else?!

"I don't hear anything."

"I swear I heard something, never mind that then. Let's just go back to the clubhouse!"

The three fillies began to trot away from the cafe, watching them leave gave me a sudden snap of relief. I began to rejoice quietly to myself as they started to leave my sight, nopony was close besides the ponies inside the cafe and the three fillies were far enough for me to screech in pain so I took this opportunity before some other pony comes by.

Keeping my head inside the saddlebag, I shouted as loud as I was holding it in for inside the bag making myself less audible to other ponies surrounding the block. After a sorta long shout to myself, I pulled myself out of the saddlebag and sighed with relief. A few ponies were staring at me strangely looking generally confused as to why I screaming inside a saddlebag... ok so the saddlebag was not very effective, but it was better than nothing.

I gave a small smile to the ponies that were staring at me and placed my saddlebag on my back, I think I had enough rest for now. I got off the chair and trotted onto the pathway following it until it leads me to something I might be interested in, maybe a bakery or some small shop I could go to buy something or maybe even find something for my horn.

-

Minutes of wandering and I had not found anything that appeals to my interest, except for a local cafe that is three blocks away from the cafe I would normally get my coffee from. Knowing this gives me a few scratches of confusion, why are there so many cafes here in the town?

I continued to walk down the pathway until I find something that catches my attention, something that isn't a cafe but something a little more unique and relaxing for me to go in. Maybe I could spot a big arcade zone where I would gladly stay in for hours, or maybe I would find a bowling ally for me and my father to go enjoy ourselves in, oh or maybe I would find a building made out of candy... hehe, that would be impossible to find especially in a small town like this.

"Enjoy your cupcakes!"

I hear familiar voices in the distance as I was following the pathway. I peaked a corner of a building not because I'm a creep or anything but because I was curious, I spotted a stallion waving at a pink mare while trotting away from a house that looked like it was made out of candy, hold on... did my small joke come to life or am I just going crazy?

I want to know how this house is even built and why it looks so delicious. The whole structure looked like something you would find from a gingerbread house in Hearts Warming Eve, there were candy canes as support beams for the main door with a roof that looked mostly like chocolate and frosting above. At the very top of the building was a huge cupcake with three lit candles, I'm telling you if I was dared to eat a bit of the place by Twitch then I would gladly take the dare and eat the roof first.

All of this obviously grabbed my attention for I had never seen any place like it. I gladly trotted straight to the building not giving a heck about my surroundings. I notice a sign hanging outside the building, on the sign was a pink cupcake with yellow sprinkles on it and with a blue wrap under it. Judging by it all, I'm gonna guess this is a bakery and I know how much my mother loves pastries, I might get some cupcakes for all of us to share only if I have enough bits for it.

I trotted inside the bakery while thinking of what I should buy with the bits I got. As I trotted inside my jaw dropped from what I had laid my eyes on, the whole place looked like a foals dream house. The whole place was filled with pastries like cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and many more pastries I had never tried!

After standing by the door for a short period of time, I wandered around the place with interest to see if there was something I could buy for my parents and even for myself. As I was observing the pastries that were displayed almost everywhere I started to hear somepony using a mixer in the back.

"I'll be there in a minute just getting something done!" a mare announces in the back.

This mare had a very familiar voice, not like the ponies I met here in Ponyville but somepony I met back in Manehatten. This started to give me weird chills down my spine making me fear for whoever is in the back of the lobby. The mare leaves the back room and makes her way to the counter I was standing by.

"Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner's is there anything you would like?" a pink mare stared at me with a smile on her face.

I stared at the mare dead in the eye with a puzzled face, the mare kept staring at me with a smile but then slowly changed her facial expression to something more familiar.

"Wait... do I know you?" The mare questioned me as she trots to the other side of the counter.

I used this time to scan her from top to bottom, this mare was mostly pink with blue eyes and an even darker shade of pink for her mane and three ballons for a cutie mark. This gave me a snap of realization, it's Pinkie!

"Pinkie is that you?!"

"Confusion?!" the mare exclaimed dropping her jaw with shock as she stares at me with realization.

"Yes, it's me Confusion what are you doing here?!"

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?!"

"I don't know I just came for some pastries what are you doing here?!"

"This is my home silly! But what are you doing here? Where are your parents? How have you been, it's been so long!"

"Yeah, I know right! I think it's been four years since we last saw each other!"

"KEEP IT DOWN PINKIE, YOUR GOING TO WAKE THE TWINS!" a mare shouts from upstairs making herself clear.

"Oops, sorry... we should keep our voices down, the cake twins are asleep. Follow me, I'll take us somewhere we could talk." Pinkie trots her way to the back while I followed from behind.


Following Pinkie to the back of the lobby she trots inside the kitchen she had left a few minutes ago. The place was a little bit of a mess seeing a couple of spilled batter around the counter and the floor dashed with a bit of flour, seemed like somepony had a busy day today.

"Make yourself at home! I'll get us someplace to sit." Pinkie says as she trots into a room.

I stayed in the room and gazed my curious head around the kitchen, the place just looked like every other kitchen you would see in your average home but with less mess. Pinkie trots back into the room while pushing two stools with her head, one of the stools had a tray of cupcakes on them similar to the cupcakes she had made for me years ago for my birthday.

She removes the tray of cupcakes from her stool then takes a seat while placing the tray on a counter. I took a seat on the stool she had provided for me, we sat there quietly not knowing what to say or do. She looks at the cupcakes she placed on the tray and smiled at it, I turned to the cupcakes and stared at them with nostalgia.

"I'm guessing you remember them?" she said breaking the silence between us.

"Why would I forget something like that?! That was one of the best parties I had ever had in my entire life!"

"Aww, thank you! I'm glad you still remembered, would you like one?"

I nodded my head showing how much it would mean to me if I had at least one cupcake or even the slightest slice of it. She giggles as she grabs a cupcake from the tray, she then lends a whole cupcake to me while giving me a smile. I obviously accepted the cupcake and hovered it to my hoof, I stared at it with a glimmer in my eyes.

I had no hesitations to take a huge bite out of it, I left a huge portion in my mouth slowly chewing it and letting the sugar and taste melt all over my mouth. It all tasted sweat and nostalgic, each pop of the sugar in my mouth brings me back to the party she had planned for me years ago. She was the best pony I had ever met and the only pony that had made me happy when I was feeling down in Manehatten, though it was sad knowing that she had left the city after a short visit but I'm just glad I get to see her again.

"What brings you to Ponyville?" she asked with curiosity while I was still chewing on the first bite of the cupcake.

"Well you see, I and my parents live here now!" I said after swallowing the portion in my mouth.

"That's wonderful to hear, though why did you move to Ponyville?"

"My school problems like being bullied and stuff like that, you know the usual."

"Oh, I'm sorry... but I'm sure you're doing great here in Ponyville right?"

"Absolutely!"

She smiles at me showing how happy she is to know how I'm doing, I'm glad to see somepony who actually cares for me again even if it had been years ago ever since I've seen her. I watched as her face changes from a happy one to a concerned one, just by this I think she had noticed something was wrong with me.

"OH MY GOSH, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HORN!?" she exclaimed with shock and concern while pointing at my horn.

"It's nothing really, It's just a minor crack, not a really big deal... I think."

"Well, how did you get it?!"

"I crashed onto a tree while sledding down a hill with a wooden wagon, it was fun I'll tell you that."

"Stay here, I think I got some paste that could cover the crack on your horn."

"NO NO NO! I don't think that would be necessary, trust me I'm fine!" I obviously lied.

*Ding*

A bell had rung in the lobby, thank Celestia for that. Pinkie turned her attention to the lobby and trotted to the counter, at least this would give me a few minutes to think about my horn getting paste on it.

It was completely silent inside the kitchen, nothing interesting was really happening. I started to hear familiar voices in the lobby, not just Pinkie's but other ponies... oh your just messing with me now Celestia huh?!

"Hey, Confusion! may I introduce you to the crusaders?"
> Pinkies Pie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The words that had left Pinkie's mouth filled me with fear knowing that the "crusaders" she speaks of are the fillies that I had met and attempted to avoid for the whole day. Pinkie knowing these fillies or so-called crusaders made me worry for myself even more.

"Earth to Confusion, you there?" the Pink pony says attempting to snap me back to reality.

"Uh, yes I'm here."

"Great, follow me!" Pinkie says as she trots out the kitchen door and to the lobby.

As much as I hate talking to other ponies especially fillies, I do hate to see an old friend look disappointed, especially Pinkie the world's most active and happy pony I know here in Equestria. But out of all ponies, why did it have to be the three fillies that happen to be standing inside the lobby. The only benefit I can get from this is that I won't be getting any paste on my horn.

I shook my head getting myself back to the real world and putting my focus back on Pinkie who had already left the kitchen. I got off my seat and proceeded to trot to the lobby as slow as I can, the slower I trot the better... I didn't say I was excited to do it, did I?

"Confusion are you coming?" Pinkie shouts in the lobby.

Ok, maybe I should get this over with, I'm probably trying her patience right now.


Walking into the lobby, I see the three fillies talking to each other by the counter with Pinkie. Pinkie notices me as I trot to the lobby and grew a face of excitement. I crouched behind the counter making myself un-visible to the fillies in the lobby, though I should have known this was a stupid idea for it did not even work for a second. The fillies noticed and stared at me with confusion, Pinkie did the same.

I looked up to see Pinkie staring at me with a confused and dumbfounded look on her face, something you would see from one of the "Pony Drama Island" comics in the stores.

"You alright Confusion?" Pinkie asks me with concern.

"CONFUSION?!" the three fillies exclaimed making their voices audible to the ponies outside the store.

I got off the floor and stood by Pinkie as we stared at the fillies with confusion. They stared at me with their jaws dropped and their eyes widen, I know how stupid my name is but it couldn't be that shocking to a pony especially these three.

"You're Confusion?!" the orange one asks with interest, I replied with a casual nod.

"The pony from school?!" the white one asks followed by a squeak, I noded with an eyebrow raised, where are they going with this?

"The one that lived in Manehatten and lived a horrible life?!" pink bow pony asked with a really concerned face... really weird question to follow up with the rest if you ask me. I nodded slowly with a scared look on my face.

"Apple Bloom!" Pinkie exclaimed at pink bow or Apple Bloom with shock showing a grin of disappointment, I guess that was necessary.

"Give me a sec Confusion, I have to talk to them in private for a moment if that's fine with you!" Pinkie says as she trots to the three fillies and escorting them somewhere farther away from me or at least away from my sight.

"Go ahead, take your time I won't be doing anything," I replied casually not even giving a damn at this point, I mean hey at least they're gone, right?


It has been about four minutes since Pinkie and the others left the lobby, I don't know what's taking them that long but I don't really mind. The door opens revealing both Pinkie and the crusaders, just as I was getting comfortable they arrive.

"Sorry you had to wait here for a couple of minutes, I just had to... explain something to the girls," Pinkie says while giving the others a death stare.

"Don't worry it's fine, you know I like being alone right?"

Pinkie trots to the kitchen leaving me and the other fillies in the lobby. The fillies looked sorry and embarrassed, I'm not sure if I should fear Pinkie for this or if I should be thankful but in this case, I think I'll stay neutral I mean she might have used her Gipsy magic I keep hearing about, hehe what a joke.

Pinkie left the kitchen while holding a tray with a couple of pastries on it, a gift for me perhaps? She places the tray on the counter in the lobby, she pulls out a piece of paper and places it on the pastry or a pie to be specific. She then pushes the tray towards me, I was starting to get a weird feeling about what is going on, but it's a pie so... I guess it's for me?

"Listen Confusion, I have a lot of things to do here. Would you be so kind and deliver this pie to this location right here?" she points to a dot on the piece of paper or a small map left on the pie.

I stood with confusion not understanding why she would want me to do this chore, these fillies are here why not let them take the job? They probably know the town better than me.

Pinkie takes notice of my confused stare and giggles, she then turns towards the three fillies and placed a hoof on her chin rubbing it like she had an idea. 

"Hey girls, I have a job for you too! Why don't you help Confusion deliver this pie?" she announces gladly to the three.

"NO NO NO IT'S FINE! I can do this on my own," I made myself clear to Pinkie hoping that she understands I don't need the help at all... though I do think I need it.

"Nonsense you do need the help besides, I know you hate talking to other ponies when your on your own," she smirks at me showing that she knows me too well.

She uses her knowledge about me to win, great... I won't argue she is right, I do hate talking to others but I think I'm starting to overcome that fear. But the logic to this is stupid, she wants me to work with fillies when the chances of having a conversation with them are very high.

I shook my head and snapping back to reality, I used my horn to carry the pie beside me. For a cracked horn, I'm surprised it still works. I turned my head to the fillies and sighed, I then nodded at them showing that I would be glad to have them with me. The fillies looked at each other with a questioned face, they then looked at Pinkie and gave her a smile then slowly looking back at me. It's creepy how they are so synchronized.

"Don't worry Confusion we can help you, maybe we can also show you around the town after that... only if we have enough time to do so, what do you say?" the white filly asks with excitement.

"Uhh, sure why not I don't have anything better to do, I think..."

"Well you guys better get going, that pie won't deliver itself you know," Pinkie says as she continues to laugh.

"You're right, we should get going. Cya Pinkie, it was nice meeting you again!" I said as I trot out the main door while waving at Pinkie.

I started to look down onto the ground after trotting away from the door, why do I have to put up with this. The fillies noticed me looking down with depression, I did nothing but stared at them with confusion since I have no idea what to do.

"It's ok if you don't want to deliver this pie, you can do whatever you want while we deliver for you!" pink bow says with a concerned tone.

"Oh, no no it's fine, I can do this. Thanks for the offer but I'm fine, Pinkie told me to do it so I'll do it!"

"If you say so..."

"WAIT CONFUSION I FORGOT TO PUT THE PASTE ON YOUR HORN!" Pinkie exclaimed from the building making herself audible to anypony close to the area.

The three fillies looked at me with confusion, I stared at them with fear and a nervous smile. I pulled out my saddlebag and looked at the watch I packed inside.

"Oh, would you look at that girls, we are running out of time, LETS GET GOING!" I said as I started to gallop away from the block.
> Familiar Voices
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So what did ya do?"

"Oh, well... nothing really, he was able to get away with it. It really sucks if you ask me."

"That's terrible!"

Few minutes ever since we had left and all three of them are already having conversations. The only thing I want to do now is to finish this delivery and trot back home to place my aching head on my bed.

I looked down at the map attached to the pie to see how close we are to the destination. looking at it made me feel nauseous for some odd reason, my head began to ache and my stomach began to rumble. We were a couple of hoofsteps away from our destination... I think.

The pink bow filly galloped to my side and proceeded to trot with me. She stared at me with a grin on her face acting like something interesting had happened. I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable about it, I did not think but stared back with a feared and nervous stare. She took notice of the facial expression I was giving and began to giggle. The rest of the fillies had caught up and continued to trot with us, I'm actually quite glad these ponies are here.

"How close are we to this mare or stallion's place? because my legs are killing me!" the orange filly had asked while continuously panting.

I looked down onto the map to see how close we are, I still have no idea how far or close we are to this pony's place. I hope navigating in the future will much easier than using a map because I think I got us lost. The filly had noticed me receiving stress from the map and decided to take over navigating. I won't complain, I always have trouble reading maps, possibly one of the main reasons why I'm here in the first place.

I sighed with relief and looked onto the ground while inhaling some air to refresh my brain. I looked back up and turned my head to the orange filly who is trying to read the map. I then turned my head to pink bow, she was looking at me with an eyebrow raised. She then turned her head away from me and onto the white filly beside her. How the heck did I get myself into this mess.

"We have been trotting in the opposite direction, how did you not notice this?!" the orange pony said giving me a stare of frustration. I guess I can now confirm that I'm the worst at navigating.

She slaps her hoof on her face and turns in the CORRECT direction to the mare/stallion's place. The rest of the fillies followed her while I stayed behind, don't wanna embarrass myself like that again.

-

The rest of the trip was mostly quiet, silent enough for me to think. The fillies always get into a conversation about their cutie marks and how they might possibly get a delivery mark if they finish this task that I was supposed to do. But none of that matters, as long as the job gets done I won't need to worry about anything at all.

I gazed my curious head at my surroundings since I have nothing to do at all. The streets were quiet and only a few ponies are out, this did not concern me but made me feel good about myself. The sky was cloudy and the sun was high above me, It's the afternoon and I have not packed anything to eat. I was not expecting to be out this long, I hope my parents don't mind.

"Something seems to be bothering ya Confusion, is there something wrong?" the pink bow filly said as she slowed herself down to trot by my side.

"Nothing is bothering me don't worry, I'm just a little hungry."

"Oh, well the crusaders and I are headin to my place later this afternoon for supper. You could tag along if you like!"

I stayed silent in deep thought questioning myself about what to do now. Somepony has invited me to their place with her friends to eat. I have never been invited to some ponies place before, yet again I've never been invited to anything except that one time I was invited to the teacher's birthday years ago... it didn't end well. But forget about that, I'm hungry, I don't have enough bits and the only place I can go is home but the possibility of my parents not being home is high. Well, I guess I have no other choice but to accept the invite and put up with whatever might happen.

"Sure, I mean I have nowhere else to go so why not."

"Great to hear! Oh, and by the way, the name's Apple Bloom it's nice to actually talk to you! The other two are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle!" she said pointing to both the orange and the white filly.

"Oh, well nice to meet you, Apple Bloom, I'm sure you already know my-"

"OOF"

I had felt myself compress against a soft yet solid surface. I had then tumbled two steps back and shook my head clearing myself from my thoughts and onto the real world. As my vision began to clear up again, I see the Sweetie Belle staring at me with a weird face while Apple Bloom over here is giggling... I guess I bumped into her?

"Sorry about that, I was not looking to where I was going."

"I'm sure It's fine, anyways we are here," Scootaloo had said while pointing to a house in front of us.

"Oh, well then let's get this over with shall we?"

-

We are now trotting away from the place and heading to what these girls call their clubhouse, or to what I believe is some small tea party set up they might have planned before any of this. Either way, I agreed to follow them so I have to pay the consequence. Though I am still getting weird vibes about that mare who had ordered the pie, she seemed nice but she was also completely wasted when she opened the door. She gave us a bag of more than ten bits, I'm not sure if that was the amount she had to pay but I guess it's too late for that.

I felt myself getting pushed to my left side followed by the giggles of somepony, it was the Apple Bloom who had bumped into me intentionally. 

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?"

"Yeah, I guess talking to ponies ain't too bad when you're in a group... though I think that mare was-"

"Drunk? Yeah, we know it was obvious from the start, "Sweetie Belle finished my sentence, she isn't wrong she was obviously drunk from the start when she had opened that door.

"Yeah... yeah..."

Everypony had remained silent for a while not saying a single word. Usually, these ponies would say something or bring a conversation up almost every three seconds but I guess that isn't the case right now.

"Sooooo... Confusion, how was Manehatten?" the silence had been broken between the group from Sweetie Belle.

"Sweetie Belle! Pinkie told us NOT to talk about that stuff!" Apple Bloom exclaimed making herself audible to everypony surrounding us... which was nopony so thank Celestia.

"Oh, c'mon why not? It's not like we did a Pinkie promise, so would it kill her or us if we just ask one question?"

She has a really good point there, if you didn't make a Pinkie promise then there will be no problem with it at all. But, I wish she had made it into a Pinkie promise...

I had stayed completely silent looking a little uncomfortable trying to give signs that I would like to skip that question and continue trotting to the clubhouse with the sweet sound of nothing. She immediately took notice of my discomfort and gave a sorrow-like facial expression.

"I'm sure you can see that he would not like to answer that question you asked there, " Apple Bloom had said stating the sorta obvious to Sweetie Belle.

"Sorry, I was just curious..." Sweetie Belle said as she turns her head away from my direction and onto the pathway.

I will be honest, I do feel kinda bad for her but she did pop the personal bubble so I guess she kinda deserved it. Well, I guess this is some kind of start to making new friends... I'm not sure if it's temporary or not but I'll take any chance. I just hope Twitch is having a better day than me, I'm not saying that I'm having such a terrible one but because I'm just curious about what he is doing.


"Well would you look at that, we're here!" Apple Bloom announced pointing to a structure on the tree.

My eyes widen and my jaw dropped to what I had laid my eyes on. A very big and well-built clubhouse displayed nicely on a fully grown apple tree, with stairs leading to the main door of the clubhouse and what I believe is an outpost or a balcony attached to the left side of the structure. This can't be true, how in Celestia's name do these fillies own such a thing?

"THAT'S YOUR CLUBHOUSE?!"

"It sure is! Why do you ask?"

"THIS THING IS HUGE! IF I WERE A RUNAWAY, I'D LIVE IN SOME PLACE LIKE THIS... THOUGH, I'm not planning to do something like that..." the fillies gave me a stare of concern and shock, I guess I made myself too clear about what I think about the place.

"Ok then... let's get inside shall we?" Scootaloo said breaking the silence between the group. Everypony agreed with her and began trotting their way to the clubhouse, leaving me behind. Why the heck do I always get myself into situations where I easily embarrass myself?

I stayed outside of the clubhouse since I have no reason to be in it at all. I found myself a nice stump to sit on just to kill time since the main reason I'm here is for some food to eat. Though I do wonder what is going on inside the clubhouse... maybe I can take a small peek through the window? No no, that would be creepy for me to do.

My stomach began to rumble and I had gotten bored of sitting and thinking of ways to peek through the window. I trotted to the closest apple tree to pick an apple to satisfy my hunger for at least a couple of minutes. The only thing I have to figure out is how I can get the apple hanging from above, the first thought in my head was to buck it but that sounded wrong in my head when ponies back in Manehatten told me. The second option was to climb the tree, but I suck at that and the risk of me falling is more than a hundred.

I decided to wander around the area to find a stick that is long enough for me to be able to hit the apple off of the tree. The cold breeze began to blow making it harder for me to explore the area. I removed my saddlebag off of my back and grabbed the coat that I left inside for me to wear just in case... where is it? I flipped my saddlebag and continuously shook it removing everything inside the bag. Everything I own had fallen off of the bag except for my coat, I probably left it in the kitchen in Pinkie's place.

Accepting the fact that I had forgotten/lost my coat, I started packing everything I had dropped back inside my saddlebag and placed it on my back. I sighed with disappointment, not only did I get my horn cracked but now I lost my coat somewhere in Ponyville. I'm not sure how my parents are gonna take this.

"Come here..." a sudden voice was heard fading in the distance followed by a strong breeze.

The voice sounded familiar, something I had heard long ago. I had decided to follow the voice and proceeded to trot in the direction where it had called me. The voice had been leading me to a pathway to some kind of dark forest, it seemed bad at first but something about that voice tells me that this is a good idea. Shaking the odd feeling off, I had decided to continue through the forest to find out where the source of this voice is coming from.
> It Speaks for Itself
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minutes of trotting in the forest and I have not seen anypony nor any creature. I was beginning to think this trip was completely pointless. Maybe I should return to the clubhouse, everypony must have left the clubhouse ages ago, besides... I think I'm getting myself lost. I looked around the environment with curiosity to get a clear idea of where I am. It was pointless, all I could see were trees and bushes everywhere... I guess a fake tea party doesn't seem bad after all.

The decision was made, I should get the heck out of here before something bad happens. I turned around and attempted to retrace my steps back to the clubhouse. I was obviously not successful in doing so, instead, I got myself even more lost. I was starting to freeze in the forest, so I trotted to the nearest tree (which was not hard to find) and curled myself into a ball to try and keep myself warm.

I removed my saddlebag from my back and placed it in front of me. I dug straight into the bag to try and find something useful or at least something that could keep me warm for a while. I had no use for anything inside of my saddlebag unless this forest has some sort of pit stop I could go to then yes I might have a few uses for these bits. But in total, no I have nothing useful at all. I gave up and decided to put up with the cold for as long as I can. I got up and continued to find my way out of the forest.

"This way..." a fading voice was heard in the distance followed by a cold breeze.

It was the voice again, the voice that brought me into this forest. The reason why I might die in the forest. Without hesitation, I galloped my way to the direction of where the voice was last heard. I didn't care about where I was going, as long as I see somepony I'll be happy. Without taking notice I tripped on something prickly and solid causing me to land flat on my stomach. I groaned in pain trying to recover from the fall, my vision was blurry and I was getting dizzy. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes to try and get a clear picture of where I am.

I have landed in front of a big old stump. I pushed myself off the ground and dusted a couple of rocks and dirt on me. The stump had scratch marks surrounding it, the marks were not from a creature but from a pony. I gazed my head around the area I was in, the place was surprisingly open. There were stones formed like tombs surrounding the stump a few meters away. This didn't seem like a natural thing, but that isn't much of a bad thing to me since this shows signs of civilization.

I wandered around the area to see if I could find some sort of pathway leading to somewhere beyond the forest. Unfortunately, my luck was down the drain for I could not find anything that could lead me back to Ponyville, either that or I'm just completely blind. A sudden flash was seen the moment I turned to the stump again. An item was visible underneath one of the tombs, it was white and was displayed neatly. This caught my attention so I trotted to the item with curiosity to get a better look at it.

The tomb read "To the one who had their heart stolen from a sudden picture of betrayal." Huh, weird for a tomb to have such deep thought written into it.

Shaking my head, I moved my focus onto the object that had been left underneath it. It was a white mask displayed neatly on a stone pillar, the mask was in good condition and had no dirt marks left on, I think this mask can fit my face if I try. It's surprising to me since this could have been left here for days, but seeing how well it looked gave me hope that somepony actually goes here.

I picked the mask up for close observation. A small buzzing noise was becoming audible the longer I hold the mask. This concerned me a lot for I had no idea where the source of this could be coming from. My head began to ache and my vision became blurry only focusing on the mask, I was starting to become nauseous again for some reason. The wind started to blow giving me weird chills down my spine.

"Learn the truth..." the voice came back but this time it sounded like it was coming from my head, the exact words repeated encouraging me to wear the mask, I think I'm going crazy.

Losing control over myself I slowly moved the mask closer and closer to my face while inspecting it. The buzzing was starting to become louder the closer I bring it onto my face... But that did not concern me, I just wanted to wear the mask. My head began to ache even more and my thoughts were scrambled, the only thing left in my head is the mask. An electric shock was then distributed onto me causing me to snap my head back to reality and dropping the mask onto the ground.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!" I said as I backed myself away from the mask while continuously panting.

"Wake up..." the exact same voice was heard in my mind, what does it mean by 'wake up' though...

My horn started to sting a lot and my head began to ache continuously. The world was starting to spin and the ground felt like it was shaking causing me to tumble onto the ground. My vision became blurry and my head was getting dizzy, I couldn't tell what was happening anymore. Well, now that I'm lying here on the ground in the middle of some cult in the forest I guess the best solution to this is to sleep through it. I slowly closed my eyes accepting the fate I'm soon gonna face, life is somewhat cruel huh.

As I was slowly fading away from reality, I see a tall stallion approaching me without alert, he was standing above me while looking down onto me with a face showing no concern about a child having a seizure. This stallion had a well-trimmed moustache and had a nice and fancy hat on his head... wait, why does that sound so familiar. As confusion strikes my head, my eyes slowly closed shut showing nothing but darkness.

"Don't worry little one, you will be back on your hooves in no time... but I can't let you remember this nor tell anypony about it. I'm sorry for what I'm about to do to you, but it's all for a good cause... I promise," the final words I hear before I was slowly sent into the deep bliss of sleep.