The sensation of a radical pink pony hitting me straight in the chest was worse than any fast flying stunt mare. Must be since I got knocked out. Definitely doesn't help my pride as a stallion. I must be waking up as I can hear voices now, either that or Emrys has a few new friends in this hat of mine. If that's the case then I'm pretty much screwed.

"Pinkie! We talked about this! No suddenly charging new ponies. You know that you can easily startle them with being... Well you!"

"I didn't mean too! It's just you know how I like meeting new ponies! And he has a cool hat too!"

"Pinkie darling, we understand. Just try to be a bit more reserved next time, it's unbecoming of a lady. But I have to admit, his choice of head wear is different, but not in a bad way."

"You need to be more careful Pinkie. You know how some ponies can be easily startled. Being surprised can be nice but being startled can be very... Startling."

"Am just surprised Rainbow hasn't started laughing yet. It ain't like ya to not like a good scare."

"Hey! For your information, he's new so it'd be mean to do that. Besides, he's a little shy so I thought I should try a different approach. BUT somepony had to screw that up!"

Who's that voice? Isn't that Rainbow Dash?

"A different approach?! Oh. My. Gosh. YOU LIKE HIM! You've never done a different approach for nopony! Not even when you met the Wonderbolts or Princess Celestia!"

Sweet heavens above can't somepony mute this girl?! And what's this about 'liking him'? Who is this 'him' anyway? No wait, scratch that. It's pretty obvious when you think about it. Are they really talking about Rainbow Dash liking me of all ponies? The world is going nuts.

"W-what!? No! He's just shy! Is such a bad thing to be considerate?"

I admit. My heart broke a little but it's expected. The silence however was quickly filled.

"Yeesh. A bit harsh but I was only kidding when I talked about you finding a keeper."

"Please be quiet right now, my head is pounding." I barely managed to speak it out. My throat felt drier than the Saddle Arabian deserts.

"Hold on, I think he's waking up."

I slowly opened my eyes but everything was still blurry so I had to blink a few times to regain my vision. When I finally regained the use of my eyes I was surprised to find myself on a bed in a room somewhere... With six mares surrounding me. Luckily I didn't scream this time. But I may have pulled my head back in surprise, unintentionally hitting the headboard which caused pain to explode at the back of my head.

"Owww! What is it about my head having to be in pain today?"

The mares all took a step back to give me some space except for Rainbow who stepped towards me and held out a hoof to pull me up into a sitting position.

"Hey Hattius, sorry about all this. Are you okay?" She had a sheepish look on her face. I guess I would to in a situation like this. However the orange, white and pink pony's behind had smirks on their faces as if they knew something. Probably still have the ridiculous notion that Rainbow Dash likes me. It made me chuckle for some reason which seemed to lift the overall mood of the room.

"Nah. It's okay. And I'm fine thanks. What hit me though? Felt like I was hit by a steam train."

Before she could reply the face of the pink pony once again filled my vision.

"That was me! Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie! Do you like cakes? Do you like parties? Do you like cupcakes? Oh that reminds me, I still need to throw you a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party! What's your favourite cake flavour! Is it chocolate? Is it vanilla? Is it strawb-"

She got cut off as she was encased in a violet bubble, obviously magic and she was floated back to the group of mares with a sheepish grin while a lavender unicorn approached me- no wait! She has wings, so that must mean she's-

"Hello there, my name is Twilight Sparkle. My friend Rainbow Dash has told me your name is Hattius Mann correct? On behalf of the town here, me and my friends Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash welcome you to Ponyville."

I didn't know what to do. I've never been confronted by royalty before. She had pointed to her friends as she called out their names, they all either gave me a nod or a smile. I thought of an idea. At first it seemed stupid but these are all the Elements of Harmony so I guess I didn't overly worry about them thinking bad things about me really.

I got off the bed and stood tall in front of the princess. "Hattius Mann. Tis a pleasure to meet you Your Majesty." I bowed. Nothing too ridiculous like slamming my face into the ground like an ostrich. I then looked up into her lavender eyes and I took her hoof with my own and gave it the gentlest of kisses. Now I know this goes against everything I say about me being a shy guy. But I ain't the 'sweat buckets in crowds' type. Maybe when I was little but in Trottingham it's practicality law to be polite. I just studied the art a bit more than others.

Screw the haters. I can be dapper as fuck.

Her friends were in surprised silence and Twilight didn't seem to know what to do as her mouth just kept opening and closing. I realised what I had just done... And I literally felt my brain facepalm. Well if she kills me I at least got sat on by a beautiful rainbow maned pegasus. Luckily however she seemed to take it well as a blush came to her cheeks and she giggled.

"Rainbow told me you were polite but I never thought you were such a gentlecolt."

"Neither did I."

I scratched the back of my head and gave a sheepish smile. "Well I am in the presence of royalty after all."

She giggled again. "You don't have to call me 'Your Majesty' or 'Princess'. Twilight will do just fine. I've actually been expecting expecting you Hattius."

Now it was my turn to be surprised. "You have?"

"T told me you were coming. I've actually already got you a job in my castle, working in the new Library since Tirek destroyed the old one. Is it true you like to read?"

I remember telling T that even though my cutie mark is a video game controller I still like to read more than other ponies do. That must be how she knows. So I nodded.

"Perfect! Could you please come to the palace in a weeks time that would be great! Don't worry about funds, I've made some arrangements with Applejack so you can work on the farm for a few days."

The orange farmpony walked up to me and gave me a good pat on the back... And now I feel like I've just come out of Manehatten traffic during rush hour. "Don't worry about a thing sugarcube. By the time the week's over you'll be able to pull a cart twice your size! You'll also be able to have lunch with the family and ah know you'll just love Granny Smith's cooking."

Yay... My thoughts didn't help my now nervous smile but she didn't seem to notice.

"As much as I would like to continue our meeting with you Hattius gaining my castle brings some annoying complaints from some nobles about why they don't get their own castles. If you ever have any problems, my doors are always open. And again, welcome to Ponyville."

Her horn glowed for a second before she vanished with a popping sound. Leaving me with the five mares. Rarity walked toward the door and opened it. I could hear the chatter of ponies from downstairs and the smell of baked goods from the kitchen. The fashion designer looked back to me.

"I'm afraid I have to got as well darling, I have an order to fill out. Maybe we can talk over tea sometime?"

My nervousness seemed to be flowing away now. "Sure, that sounds lovely."

She gave me a nod and walked out the door and the other mares followed her.

"I'll see you at the farm at about eleven, get you an introduction of the farm and family. Just ask anypony 'round town, they'll know where it is."

Um, I have to go and see if my animal friends at home are okay. They can get a little rowdy if left alone too long. Maybe I can join you and Rarity for tea? If that's okay with you that is."

"I should probably help the cakes with some of their or- (gasp) I STILL HAVEN'T STARTED MAKING YOUR WELCOME PARTY!"

I waved off all the mares and said it was okay but Pinkie was gone before I could even respond. I chuckled at her antics and walked down the stairs and out of the bakery to be greeted by Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, I hope you didn't feel too pressured in there. I've got to go and help out with weather management but like what Twilight said, if you ever wanna hang out or having some problems you can look me up to. 'Kay?"

I felt a warm smile come to my face. "Thanks Rainbow, thanks for being a good friend."

Before she could respond I wrapped her in a hug. What can I say? I'm a hugger. I let go of her after about a second and she looks up at me. She's staring into my eyes now. She stays like that for a few seconds before her face suddenly turns beet red and she flies off faster than anything but not without saying "Okthanksbye!"

I looked up to where she had left a rainbow trail in her quick escape. "Was it something I said?"

"It's the Fez. Ladies love the Fez."

I rolled my eyes at his response. "C'mon, there's a grocery store nearby and I need a long nap."

Author's Note

Our hero and hat have met the Mane 6! I wonder what's gonna happen next!