Chapter 5: Party Time and the truth

I still couldn't shake off the feeling by what would be happening at Sugarcube Corner. My gut was telling me something would surprise me...but what is the question? Everypony seemed too keen on going to the Sugar Cube Corner…

"We're here everypony." I heard Twilight call out as we arrived at our destination.

I was snapped out of my train of thought and looked up…..I didn't know whether these ponies were hyper on sugar, or If this just happened to be how the place was decorated. The building looked like a frikin gingerbread house, completed with frosting, decorations, and gumdrops all over it.

"Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting this kind of decor." I chuckled a little as the idea of a building like this existing back home came up.

"What makes you say that?" Lyra asked as she followed the rest of the group to the building's entrance.

"Well, usually if something was decorated like this I would see it in a big city, not a small rural town like this." I explained.

"Oh, I see." Lyra said in understanding. “Well the Cakes are very passionate with their business, especially with Pinkie Pie’s help nowadays.”

"Come on everypony, I’m starving!" Twilight said, licking her lips as she pushed the door open.

I followed Twilight and the others inside. However, following them became a hard task due to the fact that the lights were off and somepony had shut the door behind us. .

"Hey Twilight, why are the lights off? I thought this place was open?" I asked while trying to locate the rest of the group, feeling around blindly.

*CLICK*

"SURPRISE!" The others yelled with a lot of the other townsfolk as the lights turned on.

"JESUS!" I yelled back as I had the shit scared out of me and I nearly had a heart attack. I nearly jumped out of my skin and fell on the floor in surprise..

While I regained my composure and breath from the surprise, I looked around the room.The room was filled with many ponies, along with a banner that said 'Welcome to Ponyville Daniel Blaze'. There were balloons, streamers and confetti everywhere, along with a table filled with sweets and a punch bowl.

"HI DANNY!" Suddenly Pinkie’s face was mere inches from my own, expressing one of the biggest smiles I’d ever seen, "So Danny, were you surprised!? Huh? Huh? HUH!?" She asked excitedly.

"Did...did you do all this….for me?" I asked, still stunned by the turn of events.

"Of course I did silly willy! Nopony should live without a party here in Ponyville!" She explained happily, bouncing in place happily.

I was so stunned and shocked that she did all this for me, especially after how we all first met. I felt my heart bursting with joy and happiness towards these girls, my new found friends.

"Danny?" Pinkie asked, snapping me out of my thoughts with her voice, "You okay?"

"Yeah, why you ask?" I asked wondering why she suddenly seemed so worried.

"You're not smiling and just staring at everything" She answered as her mane seemed to deflate,"Do you...like your party?" She asked nervously.

I smiled warmly at her and then pulled her into a tight hug, making her gasp in surprise. "I love my party Pinkie. I’m still just a little stunned by the act, but I AM overjoyed with this!." I explained while I tightened my embrace a little to enforce my explanation.

I was expecting Pinkie to give me a bone-crushing hug….but instead, she gently wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me gently, returning the embrace.

"I'm glad you love it Danny Wanny." She whispered.

I simply chuckled at my new nickname, and I'll say this...she knows how to make somepony smile. But one thing still confused me, why did she seem so worried about whether I liked the party or not? Was she worried I’d still be hurt from our first meeting?

Pinkie broke from my embrace and turned to the ponies in front of us, "Come on everypony! LET'S PARTY!" She yelled this to them, getting everypony else to cheer in agreement. She quickly disappeared into the party beginning around us, sadly before I could determine if my suspicions were correct.

After the initial surprise and greetings, the party quickly went into full swing. Pinkie had really gone all out, she had a DJ by the name of PON-3 who was spectacular. Most of my time was spent on the dance floor as I was absorbed into her music, much like a lot of the other ponies around me. Eventually I ran out of energy and needed a break. I took up a seat at a table and looked around, seeing that though there were still some hard partiers out there dancing, others had the same idea of sitting down and chatting with a cool drink in their hand.

I myself was enjoying a cupcake and a glass of punch. As I enjoyed my sweet and beverage, I couldn’t stop thinking about how delicious both were. Pinkie really knew how to make her sweets and drinks, the cupcake and punch were bursting with flavor. I wonder what she uses that makes them so good?

"Hey Daniel!" I looked up and saw Twilight coming up to me, "You enjoying the party?"

I nodded, "I am. It’s been too long since the last time I was at a party like this." I said with a big smile.

Twilight smiled back, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, and that you're happy." She then took a closer look at me and began to giggle a little. “And I believe you since you seem to be drenched in sweat!”

I laughed at her comment, looking at the state of my own shirt. “Yeah, I’m definitely gonna need a shower after this!”

"What is it you wanted to show me Lyra?" Asked a female voice.

Twilight and I looked around at the sound of the voice. Eventually we found the source to be that of a mare being pulled by her arm towards us by an excited Lyra.

The mare who had a dark blue and light pink striped mane and tail. She had light blue eyes and a light yellow colored coat. She was wearing a yellow t-shirt, jeans and had yellow shoes.

Lyra pulled her towards me and Twilight, her smile never faltering "I want to show you that humans actually exist Bon Bon!"

"Lyra, how many times do I have to point it out to you, Humans don't-" She stopped speaking when she saw me. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

I smiled and offered my hand to her, "Nice to meet you Miss. I'm Daniel Blaze."

Bon Bon, if that's her name, slowly raised her hand and gently shook mine. "This...this is impossible. Humans can't be real." Her expression of shock never leaving her face.

I chuckled at her reaction, "Well, I'm very real."

"Daniel, this is Bon Bon, my roommate. Bon Bon, this is Daniel, the human." Lyra said to the two of us, getting introductions out of the way.

I smiled and nodded to her while Bon Bon was still awestruck.

"You enjoying the party Daniel?" Lyra asked me.

I nodded, "Enjoying it very well thank you for asking!"

"Glad to hear that. Well, me and Bon Bon are gonna go on the dance floor now. We'll see you later! Come on Bon Bon." She grabbed Bon Bon's hand and dragged her away while she continued to stare at me in shock.

"I think I broke her." I joked to Twilight.

Twilight laughed, covering her mouth with a hand. "I believe you did!"

Suddenly another voice spoke up. "Hey Daniel!" I looked up and saw Rainbow flying above me.

"Hey Rainbow what's up?" I asked.

"Not much, you lovin the party?" She asked.

I nodded again, "Yep. I can tell you're enjoying yourself as well." Her mane was more ruffled than what I’d seen before and she was panting heavily.

"Sure am, just got done on the dance floor!" She answered.

As she hovered there I looked at her tattoo on her arm, which was a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt on it. Curiosity getting the best of me, I asked Twilight, "Hey Twilight, what's up with the marks on everypony's arms?"

She looked at me, confused, until she realized what I was saying. "Oh, these are called cutie marks." She answered, showcasing her own which was some sort of diamond in the shape of a six pointed star.

I snickered a little at the name of the tattoos, "Cutie Marks?" I asked.

"They symbolize the talent of that pony and only appear when that pony finds his or her talent." She explained.

"Oh, that makes sense, but how do they just appear?" I said understanding the concept, but not how they came to exist.

"Well, it’s not really well known, other than the fact it’s due to some sort of magic. However it appears in two locations, one on our arm as you can see." She said showing her mark again, "And one on our...ummm…*Cough*...flanks." she answered blushing a little.

I blushed a little as well due to her mark being on her...'flank'.

"Right. So, what does your mark mean?" I asked, trying to get on a less embarrassing topic.

"Mine talent is magic in general and spell casting." Twilight answered.

"Mines being the fastest flyer in all of Equestria!" Rainbow said proudly as she flapped a little more energetically at the bold statement.

"Those are some interesting talents you two have." I said, finding the concept of cutie marks interesting.

"What about humans? Do they get Cutie marks?" Twilight asked.

I shook my head, "No, humans don't get those Cutie marks. We really don’t have any specific special talents that show like that." I explained. “But of course there are people who’ll be really good at specific things or multiple things, but that is seen through your work, not by a mark on their body.”

"Really!? That sucks that you don’t get any cool Cutie Marks" Rainbow said amazed, "But what kind of things are you good at Daniel?"

"Well...my skills with wielding my grandfather’s sword and martial skills, I'm good with singing and playing the guitar. I also know a lot about Earth's early history but that’s more of just a interest than a talent." I explained.

"You can sing and play a guitar? Awesome! You have to play a song for us!" Rainbow begged.

"I'm interested in seeing you perform as well." Twilight added with a smile.

"Well...I suppose I can play a song, but I don't have a-" I was cut off when Pinkie appeared with a black-red streaked guitar in her hands, "Guitar? Where did you get this, and where did you come from?" I asked Pinkie.

"I come from everywhere." Pinkie answered happily and bounced back into the crowd, disappearing yet again.

I turned to the two, and they both had faces saying Don't ask . I'll take their words for it. I got off my seat and walked up to the stage and saw the DJ Pony, but this time I got a real good look at her. She was wearing a white shirt, had a blue lightning colored mane, and was wearing a pair of purple shades.

"Excuse me!" I called out, making her look up at me as I walked up to her.

"Hey, glad to meet ya! The names PON-3, but everypony calls me Vinyl Scratch." She greeted holding her hand out.

I smiled and shook it, "Glad to meet you. My names Daniel. If you don't mind, I would like to play a song tonight." I said, gesturing the instrument held in my other hand.

She gave a big smile and said, "Sure thing! Let me get set up first real quick." She stopped the music, adjusted some things with her equipment, and pulled out a mic. "Attention Everypony!"

All the ponies looked up at us once they heard Vinyl call out.

"Tonight, our guest known as Daniel will be playing a song for all of us! What do you all think of that!?"

The ponies cheered while Vinyl gave me the Mic.

I stepped into the center of the stage, placing the mic in a conveniently placed stand Pinkie managed to materialize before me. After ensuring it was adjusted comfortably and effectively for me, I spoke. "Good evening everypony! Tonight, since I’m not from here, I’d play one of my favorite songs from back home.. This one is called 'Rebirthing' by Skillet." I then prepared myself for the song and signaled Vinyl with a thumbs up.

She nodded and turned the volume of the speakers up and adjusted the lights so I was in a spotlight of sorts. I then started playing the guitar, filling the building with it’s music. All the ponies were awestruck by my talent, but were even more awestruck when I started singing.

I lie here paralytic, inside this soul
Screaming for you till my throat is numb
I wanna break out I need a way out
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this womb I'm suffocating
Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I've died

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Right now
Right now

I lie here lifeless in this cocoon
shedding my skin cause I'm ready to
I wanna break out, I found a way out
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this womb I'm suffocating
Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I've died

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Tell me when I'm gonna live again
Tell me when I'm gonna breathe you in
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside
Tell me when I'm gonna feel alive

Guitar Solo

Tell me when I'm gonna live again
Tell me when this fear will end
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside
Tell me when I'll feel alive

Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now
I come alive somehow

Right now
(I come alive somehow)
Right now
(I come alive somehow)

Silence fell through the room...until i heard my friends cheering for me.

"That was awesome!" I heard Rainbow Dash yell from the crowd.

The ponies then began to cheer wildly for my performance. I smiled and gave a bow. I then placed the guitar down and walked off the stage. Twilight and the others walked up to me, with huge smiles plastered on their faces as they were full of excitement.

"I never knew you had such talent vocally or with an instrument Daniel." Twilight said while finishing her small, ecstatic clapping for my performance.

"What can I say, I'm full of surprises." I said shrugging while smiling.

"That was so AWESOME!" Rainbow squealed as she flew circles above us in excitement.

I just simply chuckled at her, finding her reaction adorable.

"I must say darling, that was truly something." Rarity said, holding her composure better than the rest.

"Thanks Rarity." I thanked in response to her compliment.

"Daniel!" I turned, looking for the source of the voice and saw Derpy smiling at me from a little ways away.

I smiled and walked up to her, "Hey Derpy, how are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm doing okay. I loved your singing tonight!" She said excitedly.

I smiled, "Thanks Derpy."

Derpy then smiled shyly while looking away, a small blush appearing on her cheeks.

"You doing okay?" I asked her, confused with her change in demeanor.

She looked up at me and smiled warmly, "I am, I just wanted to thank you for how you treated me earlier today."

I smiled back and pulled her into a friendly embrace, "No problem at all, It's what friends are for!"

I felt her arms wrap around my waist and return the embrace. Shortly after we separated, both smiling warmly at eachother. But suddenly I heard something I’d never thought I’d hear again…

~I'm so proud of you my son.~

I snapped my head up at the sudden voice I heard. It sounded like….no. It can't be.

"What's wrong Daniel?" Derpy asked me as my I frantically looked around the room.

~Never give up and keep helping those in need.~

I then saw a small ball of light near the door. I immediately ran for the door, following the light as it went outside. As I made it outside I saw the Moon high up in the sky. I was stunned and saw the sky with so much awe and beauty. There were thousands of stars everywhere, and they looked so big, and gave off an amazing shine. The moon was also big as well. I've never seen such an amazing night sky in all my life…

~I love you my son. Always follow your heart.~

I snapped my head to the right and saw the ball of light a few feet away from me. I was still finding it hard to believe who it was…

"M...Mother?" I asked in a shaky voice.

~I'll always be in your heart Daniel, and I'll always watch over you.~

I began to think whether I’d gone insane or not as the ball of light slowly began to fade away. As it did I just stood there, unsure of what to do. Was that really my mother… While I contemplated this I reached for my pendant and grasped it, gently rubbing it with my thumb. Regardless on whether or not I was still sane, memories of my mother and grandfather began to resurface in my mind and before I knew it I was shedding silent tears.

I didn't know how long I was crying for, but suddenly I felt a gentle hand rest on my shoulder. I turned and saw Twilight and the others, who were now more worried about me than before.

"Daniel, what's wrong?" Twilight asked me. The hand that had rested on my shoulder belonged to her and it was not moving away.

I simply returned my attention to where the strange spirit of my mother once resided. “I’m not sure…for a second I thought I had heard my mother's voice and seen her spirit.” I slowly wiped away the tears that had formed and flowed freely down my face. “The memories that experience made resurface just made me a little sad, I’m fine.”

As I sat there, trying to regain my composure, everypony began to slowly surround me in a giant group hug. I did nothing to stop them and accepted it happily, I was so glad to be able to call them friends.

After enough time had passed for me to compose myself again, I gently broke apart the group hug. “Thanks everypony.”

Derpy stepped up to me, her face filled with nothing but worry. “Will you be alright?”

I smiled and put my hand on her shoulder. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

I looked down at my pendant and smiled at it, knowing my mother is very proud of me. Then, something clicked in my head, where am I gonna live? "Hey Twilight, where will I be spending the night?" I asked.

"You're more than welcome to stay at the library with me and Spike." Twilight offered.

I smiled, "Thank you Twilight."

"Come on Everypony, there's still a lot of partying to finish!" Pinkie cheered.

As we walked back into the building, I stopped in the doorway and gazed at where my mother’s spirit had vanished. For the first time in a long while I found myself accepting her passing as I smiled and turned back to the party inside.

Eventually, like all parties, it came time for it to end. Wow. I never had such a good time in all my life but I was also extremely tired. Twilight, Spike, and I said our goodbyes to the others and the three of us walked back to the library. While walking back, I continued looking up at the night sky, admiring the beauty before me.

"Is something on your mind Daniel? Twilight asked me, making me look at her.

I smiled and shook my head, "No. I'm just enjoying the beauty of the night sky." I said looking back up.

"You love the night sky?" Twilight asked me.

"I really love it. During my times back on Earth, My mother and I would go outside and watch the stars come out, along with admiring the beauty of the stars and the moon. Sadly, from where we lived it was hard to really see anything that spectacular, but this is truly breathtaking. I've never seen such a clear sky with every star shining so prominently. It’s beautiful!" I explained, turning my attention back to gazing at the sky above.

I looked back at Twilight, who was looking at me with a smile, "I'm glad you care for the night so much. And I'm sure I know somepony who will truly appreciate that."

"Who?" I asked as this mysterious pony spiked my curiosity. Whoever this mysterious pony maybe, I know he or she might get along with me very well, since we both enjoy the night a lot.

Twilight simply chuckled in response, "You'll find out soon enough."

I shrugged and rolled my eyes, Turning my attention back to the night sky. The three of us eventually made it to the Library and entered.

"You'll have to take the couch tonight Daniel. I'll work on getting you a bed tomorrow." Twilight said.

I nodded, "Alright, and thank you again for all of this Twilight." I then smiled at her, "I'm glad to call you a friend."

Twilight blushed, but smiled in return at the praise, "Me too Daniel, we're all glad to have you as a friend."

Twilight then walked upstairs with Spike following her. After a short period of time Twilight then came back down with a pillow and set of sheets for me to use.

"Thank you Twilight." I thanked, grabbing the sheets and pillow, arranging them on the couch.

Twilight nodded to me, "You're welcome Daniel. I'll see you in the morning."

“Alright. Night Twilight." I wished Twilight as we both went to prepare ourselves for the night.

"Goodnight Daniel." As Twilight left she turned off the lights..

I yawned and stretched as I began to get comfortable. I took off my shirt and jacket and folded them up and placed them to the side of the couch. I then took off my shoes and socks and laid them down on the floor. I pulled the sheets over me and shifted till I got warm and comfortable. I slowly closed my eyes, and allowed sleep to take hold of me. I was now whole again. I now had it back, the feeling I lost a long time ago….happiness.

Author's Note

Special thanks to The Great Reader for the editing and Alejin for the images. Rebirthing is properly owned by Skillet.