Who Your True Friends Are

I was now standing in front of Sugarcube Corner. Thinking about everything that had just happened, I came to the sudden realization that I never mentioned to the others that I'm from the human world. But, if the fandom is right about Lyra, they'd probably think I'm crazy for saying I believe in humans, let alone am one. I decided at that moment that I'd hold off on telling anypony about my human origins until the time comes for me to reveal it.

I remembered that Aqua Flare was to be performing stand-up comedy at Sugarcube Corner, so I walked inside the bakery, and when I came down to the basement, there he was, waiting for an audience.

"Hey, Aqua Flare!" I said to him. "Well, I made it, just like I said." He seemed disappointed, like he was expecting at least a few more ponies than just me. However, with everypony except the six of us seeming to be missing, it couldn't really be helped. He turned his head at me, and said,

"Look, Source Code, no offense, but if you're the only pony here, then I might as well cancel my act." At that moment, my eyes widened, and I heard a familiar, yet unrecognizable voice say,

"Laughter." As if by instinct, I knew what this meant. I had to convince him to go on with the show.

"Aqua Flare, I agreed to come here because you said you were doing stand-up. I know you were expecting an actual audience, and not just me, but you should at least make sure your plans don't do to waste," I said with a serious look.

"You're right, Source. Take a seat, and I'll show you what I got." There weren't any chairs around, so I just plopped down right in front of him.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" He took a deep breath, and began.

"Thank you Sugarcube Corner for letting me perform here tonight. I see the whole town came to watch me, so that's a start." I giggled a bit at the opening line. "So I hear that everypony in town has gone missing, and this pony right here," he said as he pointed at me, "came into town just this morning. I know it's hard to welcome new ponies, but come on, we already have one Fluttershy in town." I laughed pretty loudly at that one, since I know very well how timid she can be. "I also heard that Rarity is in an on-and-off relationship with a boulder named Tom. I guess you can say things are kinda rocky for them right now." As a fan of bad puns, I cracked up at that joke, and started clapping my hooves. "And as for Twilight, that mare is way too uptight about her reading and studying. She has already been made into an alicorn princess, considered as an equal by her former teacher, Princess Celestia, and shortly after she realized that her books all have value to her, they were destroyed in an attack from Tirek, along with the library. Take a hint, Twilight. Just wing it for once." That joke got me laughing so hard, I almost cried. When I finally settled down, I noticed a light-blue aura coming from Aqua Flare, and a rainbow glow coming from his eyes. He passed out, so I got up and trotted towards him, and when he opened his eyes, I said,

"Aqua Flare, are you alright?"

"S-Source Code? What just happened?" I was baffled by what happened myself, but when I remembered the voice that beckoned to me, and the light-blue aura, I realized that this must mean Aqua Flare is the element of laughter, as our group back home imagined. I thought it was too soon to tell him the truth, so I said,

"You just gave one of the funniest comedy acts I have ever seen." He smiled at me, and said,

"Really? Well, that's great! Nopony usually laughs at my jokes."

"What? That's hard to believe. You're a natural." I grabbed him by the hoof, and helped him back up. I checked the time, and remembered that I promised to observe Regal Shadows with his drum solo. "Well, I need to get going. See you later, and keep up the good work, Aqua Flare!" I trotted out of the basement, tapped my TATTHoW, and it responded,

"Regal Shadows' home, I presume?"

"Exactly!" I pictured it in my mind, closed my eyes, and tapped on the button. I opened my eyes, and there I was.