“How did you... I don’t even...” I took a step back and stumbled, falling flat on my ass.

“Do what, sugarcube?” Applejack wiped a tear of laughter out of her eye.

“That... Making shit disappear thing!” I threw my hooves up in confusion.

The four mares then shot me a look, which I can only describe as ‘what the hell did you just say?’. I scratched the back of my head and just felt more confused. Applejack leant me a hoof and helped me to stand back up on all fours.

“Um, beg pardon, but why ya goin’ on usin’ that kinda language fer?” Applejack glared.

“Yeah, it was just a prank, c’mon.” The cyan Pegasus threw a hoof into the air.

“Wait, what? No, I know it was.” I held out a hoof in partial-understanding. “I’m just stumped on how you guys did that.”

“What, never heard of magic before?” The lavender unicorn scoffed, tapping a hoof on her horn with a sarcastic grin.

“See?” The Pegasus turned her gaze to the unicorn and smiled, “Told you would have fun pranking with me and Pinkie! Maybe you’re not such an egghead after all!”

The unicorn giggled and bumped hooves with the Pegasus.

“S-Sorry, still uh... kinda new here I guess...” I chuckled nervously, hoping to brush off a few facts of my old life.

For one, I was used to throwing swears, and might I add, goddamn hilarious, vulgar comments left and right back in my old life, especially when I was with my two pals. For another, magic didn’t even fucking exist. So a god damn purple unicorn mocking me for not knowing what magic is, is kind of a piss-off, and not to mention, a total buzz kill. I can’t believe I’m being trolled by ponies of all things.

“Oh it's fine Dav-e-do!” Pinkie Pie grinned then hopped over to me, and threw a hoof around my neck.

I sighed and shook my head in embarrassment as she rustled my mane with a hoof.

My aunt used to call me that...

“Everypony, this is Davin! He’s new in town!” Pinkie introduced.

“Pleasure to meet you.” The unicorn raised a greeting hoof. “I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

“Could’ve fooled me for a ‘Buzz Killington’.” I grumbled underneath my breath.

“What was that?” the unicorn turned up an eyebrow.

“Nothing,” I shook my head, “Nice to meet you too. I’m Davin.” I held out a hoof to greet hers, when I was jolted with electricity.

“Pfft-BAHAHAHAHA!” the pegasus burst into laughter and fell over on her back, “Twilight, really? The hoof shake buzzer? Classic!”

Twilight covered her mouth with a hoof and laughed along at my expense.

Great. Just like friggin’ high school again. Nothing like being ridiculed by a group of girls; no matter what their age or species happens to be.

It took me a second to shake off the sudden shock of electric current and stop my eyes from spinning about my head. Whatever though. Getting shocked with electricity is nothing new to me, ‘cause of working years in a shop on electronic components and all that, plus occasional pranks set up by Tom and Mark.

Man, I can't believe how much I miss those guys; I've gone a day without them, and I feel like I haven't seen them in decades--Ok, I need to change my train of thought... I can't assume that I just won't ever see them again... Right? OK, NOW I'M STOPPING THIS TRAIN OF THOUGHT.

I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit, “Is this how you treat all the newcomers around here?”

The four mares laughed. Applejack was the first to speak up.

“Not usually. Ah guess yer just lucky!”

“Yeah Davin, we thought it would be a good idea to come try out a prank or two on you with Twilight!” Pinkie trotted over to me and gave me a nudge with a hoof.

“Yeah... lucky. That’s an understatement.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, c’mon now, y’all know it’s in good fun.” Applejack also nudged me with a hoof, “Anyway, this here is mah friend Rainbow Dash.” She pointed to the Pegasus with the rainbow mane picking herself up off the ground, still catching her breath from laughing so hard.

“The one and only!” Rainbow Dash jumped and hovered in the air crossing her hooves, chin held high with a wide grin.

“Somepony’s a bit boasty today...” Twilight rolled her eyes at the sight.

“She’s usually out pullin’ all kinds of pranks like this ‘round here.” Applejack gave a quick glare to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie, then turned to me and rolled her eyes.

Seemed like I wasn’t the only one to come to the misfortune of their pranks... I looked back to Applejack and nodded in understanding.

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” I turned my gaze to Rainbow Dash, being all proud of herself and stuff, still hovering a few feet in the air.

“Name’s Davin by the way, nice to meet you Rainbow Dash.” I beamed flatly at the confident Pegasus.

“Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you, uh, Gavin.” She dropped down from the hover and rolled her eyes.

“That’s Davin.” I corrected.

“Whatever.” She shrugged and rolled her eyes, “C’mon Pinks, we still got a lot of pranking to do!” she curled a leg around Pinkie and began trotting off, leaving Twilight alone with Applejack and I.

“Oh! Don’t forget to get your cupcake at Sugarcube Corner Dav-e-do! It's ready there for you!” Pinkie smiled back as she waltzed away with Rainbow.

“Ah wouldn’t worry ‘bout her, none. She’ll come ‘round.” Applejack pawed a hoof in Rainbow’s direction.

“Yeah, she’ll take some getting used to, that’s for sure.” Twilight added nodding agreement with Applejack.

“Wait, which one?” I looked to both mares in confusion; they both laughed.

“Both of ‘em ah guess.” Applejack shrugged and giggled.

“Yeah, anyways, I should get back to pranking with Pinkie and Rainbow. I’ll see you around Applejack. It was nice meeting you Davin, take care!” she smiled and her horn began to glow, then she vanished in a flash of purple light.

“Huh.” I huffed, “That was... weird.” I stared blankly to the spot where Twilight was once standing.

“My, ya really don’t know a thing ‘bout magic do ya?” Applejack stared at me wide-eyed.

“Not one damn thing.” I continued to hold my blank expression.

“Ah’m sure Twi’ woudn't mind teachin’ ya a thing er two!” Applejack pointed to the spot Twilight was once standing.

“She’d probably be wasting her time. I haven’t used any kind of magic my whole life.” I turned to face Applejack.

“Now how in the hay does a unicorn not know a single dang thing ‘bout usin’ magic?” She dropped an eyebrow and pointed to my horn.

“Just lucky I guess.” I stated mockingly, shaking my head and looking to the ground in shame.

“Well ah’ll tell ya what, it ain’t ever a bad thing not knowin’ magic. Jus’ means ya work harder for what ya want.” She used a hoof to tilt my head up to her, meeting her eye level.

She paused for a moment, then smiled up to me, “It's how all us earth-pony folk live, day ta day. Ah can honestly say, ah respect ya a lot more now for that.”

“Thanks Applejack.” I managed a slight half-smile.

Well, having respect is never somthing I'm wiling to turn down.

“Speakin’ of which, ah owe ya fer yer hard work gettin’ my cart all fixed up!” She trotted to her cart and pulled out a bag full of coins with her teeth, and set them before me.

“Applejack, that’s quite a bit for just a bearing repai-bbrr” She stopped me by pressing a hoof to my mouth.

“Now before ya go gettin’ all, ‘that’s too much’ an’ such,” she began, “just know ah’m thankful there’s good ponies like ya out there. Thank ya, Davin.” She took her hoof from my mouth.

Ok, taking more money given to me than what I’ve earned, is one of the things that just makes me feel extremely guilty. Don’t get me wrong, getting paid to do something I love is the best. But when I’m given more than what I would’ve asked for, doesn’t sit well with me. I’m all about the fair service, fair price thing, but even if I didn’t get paid to fix or work on things, I’d still do it for the love of the job. Can’t put a price on happiness I suppose.

“Applejack, I... Thank you.” I graciously sent her a smile and picked up the bag of coins with my teeth and set it inside the bag of tools, “I’m always willing to help out a friend.”

She smiled brightly, “Now if yer ever lookin’ fer a job, don’t ya hesitate ta ask me. There’s plenty of ol’ equipment at the farm, which could use some of yer fancy fixin’!”

I didn’t even need a second to consider.

“I think I’ll take you up on that, Applejack. That would be great!” I almost jumped into the air in excitement, but I didn’t. Gotta stay professional after all. Don’t jump for joy like a kid at Toys-R-Us when someone offers you a job. Just don’t.

“Well shucks Davin, that’s jus’ dandy!” Applejack swung a hoof in pride, “Y’all think ya can start Monday?”

“I can start as soon as possible Applejack. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.” I gave a confident smile and nod of my head.

“Well it's 2 days ‘til Monday anyway. That could give ya some time ta gather up some of ‘em specialty tools that y’all might need.” She tilted her head and pawed a hoof in consideration.

“Sounds perfect. Thanks Applejack.” I smiled and offered a hoof for a shake, which she met with both hooves, shaking my entire body.

“No, ah’m the one who should be thankin’ ya, Davin,” She let go of my still trembling extended hoof and giggled, “and call me AJ. All mah friends do.”

“Hah,” I paused as I awkwardly put my hoof back down, “well you know you can count on me, AJ,” I smiled, “I’ll see you Monday morning.” I turned and picked up the bag of tools, now also containing about 200 bits. Figuring out how currency works in this place is going to be a blast! Not.

“See y’all on Monday!” AJ called to me as I trotted off in the direction of the hardware store.

“So who are we going to prank!? Who are we going to prank!?” Pinkie jumped along grinning at Rainbow Dash.

“Fluttershy would be fun to prank! Oh wait, no that would hurt her feelings...” Rainbow put a hoof to her chin in thought.

With a burst of purple magic, Twilight appeared, startling both Rainbow and Pinkie, who both jumped and hovered mid-air.

“Got’cha!” Twilight exclaimed triumphantly.

“You’re a lot better at this than I was expecting Twilight, being a total egghead and everything.” Rainbow touched back down and rubbed the back of her head with a hoof.

“Yeah Twilight, you’re like a total pro already, and this your first time ever pranking for real!” Pinkie squealed with delight.

“Hey! I’m not an egghead Rainbow Dash, I am well read. And it’s not that hard really, just coming up with a scenario that works is the tough part.” Twilight shrugged as the three mares trotted along in search of their next prank victim.

“Jeez, you even sound like a pro.” Rainbow turned her head to beam at Twilight.

“Ooh! I know! Let’s prank Rarity! It’d be so easy!” Pinkie jumped in excitement and threw her hooves around the necks of Twilight and Rainbow.

“You know Pinkie, you’re so random.” Rainbow laughed and shook her head, “Let’s go find Rarity.”

“She’s probably at her boutique.” Twilight suggested flatly.

“Well of course that’s where she is, silly! She’s always working on new dresses or something super fancy-schmancy!” Pinkie laughed to herself.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle rolled their eyes as they trotted along with Pinkie towards Rarity’s boutique.

“So what exactly are we going to do this time Pinkie? Twilight nudged Pinkie as they approached the boutique.

“Hmm... No, that wouldn’t work... How about... No, that wouldn’t work either.” Pinkie’s bottom lip hung out as she pressed a hoof to her chin in thought.

Twilight turned to Rainbow and raised a hoof in question, which Rainbow returned only a frown and a shrug.

“Oh I know!” The pink pony suddenly squealed, “Or, maybe, I don’t know...” she slumped down onto the ground.

“This could take a while couldn’t it?” Twilight asked Rainbow blankly.

“Hope not. After all she IS Pinkie Pie, her reputation is pretty much eating sugar and doing random stuff. She’ll come up with something good.” Rainbow pointed a hoof to Pinkie who was still trying to conjure up an idea of a prank.

“Make her dresses disappear? No... Have the dresses change color? Nope...” Pinkie stumbled along prank scenarios as Twilight came up with an idea.

“How about we switch out her scissors for a pair that doesn’t cut?” Twilight suggested raising a hoof.

This idea snapped Pinkie out of her train of thought, “That’s a perfect prank, Twilight! She just bought a brand new, shiny pair earlier today too!”

“How do you know that?” Twilight raised an eyebrow and a hoof.

“I saw her coming back from hardware store with them before we pranked Applejack and Davin.” Pinkie grinned, Rainbow and Twilight facehooved.

“Alright, let’s go do this.” Rainbow grinned as they trotted up and hid behind a bush near Rarity’s boutique.

“Ok Pinkie, go distract Rarity while me and Twilight wait here.” Rainbow pointed Pinkie to Rarity’s front door.

“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie happily hopped off to the front door of the boutique and knocked.

“Ok now what Rainbow?” Twilight asked, watching Pinkie rap on the door.

“You see that window?” Rainbow pointed a hoof to a window on the second storey of the boutique.

“Yeah, that’s Rarity’s inspiration room.” Twilight examined the window and raised an eyebrow.

“After Rarity opens the door for Pinkie, open the window so I can fly in and switch the scissors.” Rainbow gave a flap of her wings, “It’s easy as that.” Twilight nodded in agreement.

“Rarity, are you in there? I have to ask you something super-duper important!” Pinkie knocked on the door a few more times before getting any kind of response from inside the boutique.

“Coming darling!” Hoof steps became clearer and louder as Rarity approached the door from inside. The door swung open to the preppy mare, wearing a green mud mask, and a purple bath robe.

“Ok Twilight! Open the window!” Rainbow flew into the air, and entered the boutique through the window Twilight magically opened.

“Now what is it you wanted to ask that was so important Pinkie?” Rarity pawed a hoof across her own mane.

“I forgot to ask what you wanted for your birthday!” Pinkie stood still, blinking at Rarity, awaiting a reply.

“Oh Pinkie, you’re so thoughtful! You know the only thing I could ask for is for one of your marzipan mascarpone meringue cupcakes you bake, they are positively divine!” Rarity pawed a hoof and sqee’d in delight.

By now, Rainbow would’ve have had enough time to not only switch around the scissors, but every other tool in Rarity’s inspiration room. Twilight waved to Pinkie from behind the boutique, in attempt to signal the prank has already been planted.

Pinkie noticed Twilight in the corner of her eye, and quickly ended the conversation with Rarity, “Ok thanks Rarity! Gotta go now, Bye!”

“Um, goodbye Pinkie?” Rarity stood back in confusion with shifty eyes, then retreated back inside, shutting the boutique door with her magic.

“La, la, la, la, la...” Pinkie hummed as she met up with Twilight and Rainbow behind the boutique.

“And now, we wait...” Rainbow Dash smirked, rubbing her hooves together.

“Twilight! Twilight!” called an approaching voice, sounding rather concerned.

“Spike! Be quiet!” Rainbow Dash made a zipping motion across her face with a hoof, “We’re trying to prank Rarity!”

“Yeah Spike, we don’t want Rarity to hear us and spoil the surprise!” Pinkie added.

“Come on over here Spike,” Twilight waved a hoof, and Spike joined the 3 mares in hiding.

“It’s important Twilight.” Spike whispered, holding a scroll out to Twilight.

Twilight silently read partially through the scroll, then gasped. She met Pinkie and Rainbow eye level after rolling up the scroll and giving it back to Spike.

“Sorry guys, but I have to go, this actually is important.” Spike climbed aboard Twilight’s back and she began to run off.

“What?” Rainbow exclaimed as she raised a hoof.

“Why?” Pinkie frowned.

“I’ll explain later. Let me know how the prank turns out!” Twilight galloped off towards the library, with Spike atop her back.

“Um, alright then, guess it’s just me and you Dashie!” Pinkie turned to Rainbow, who was now looking into the window of the boutique for any sign of Rarity.

“Yeah, guess so.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, Pinkie giggled.

“Hmm... I think I’ll get a better look from atop the clouds, there.” Rainbow pointed a hoof to a tuft of clouds above them.

“Ok Rainbow Dash, go watch from up there. I’ll stay and watch from here!” Pinkie assumed a prone position, and poked her head through the bushes now with a set of binoculars.

“Um, alright Pinkie.” Rainbow contemplated for a moment as to how and where she got a pair of binoculars from, but shrugged it off.

It was Pinkie Pie, after all. Rainbow Dash took to the air and landed atop a cloud. After what seemed like hours of waiting, Dash found herself awakening to the near-dark of night.

“Oh darn it, I missed it!” Dash looked over the edge of the cloud; Pinkie was nowhere to be found.

“Great. She probably got distracted or something.” Dash said flatly as she hung her two front legs lazily over the side of the cloud, “Twilight is going to be disappointed.”

I stopped by Sugarcube Corner on my way to the hardware store, to pick up the cupcake Pinkie had made for me. I walked in through the front door and made myself towards the front counter.

“Well hello there, you must be Davin!” called a female voice from behind a saloon-style doorway to the left of the counter.

“Uh, yup. T-That’s me!” I called back to the voice with a grin.

“Pinkie Pie told me to give you this when you stopped by!” Emerging from the saloon-style doorway, trotted a light blue mare with a single cupcake on a tray.

“I’m Mrs. Cake by the way,” She set the cupcake down on the counter in front of me, “my husband Mr. Cake would normally be here too, but he’s out on business.”

“Nice to meet you too Mrs. Cake, thanks.” I smiled and picked up the cupcake in a hoof.

The cupcake looked absolutely delicious; a chocolate batter, the frosting was the same dark navy as my fur, with a few white sprinkles and dark chocolate chips. I drooled over it. But I mean really, who wouldn’t? I wasn’t usually one for sweets, but this was just... Wow. I pretty much destroyed the entire thing in 10 seconds flat.

Damn... THE tastiest cupcake I’ve ever had. I can see myself blowing a lot of money in this place.

“Mmmm...” I smiled as I scarfed down the remainder of the cupcake, and wiped my face with a hoof.

Who's a fatty? I am...

“Tell Pinkie I said thanks, and that was hands- uhh, I mean hooves down, the best cupcake I have ever had!” I grinned to the blue mare.

“Oh yes, I sure will!” Mrs. Cake gave me a cheerful smile, and waved me off as I left for the door, “See you again soon!”

“You bet!” I waved back as I walked out of Sugarcube Corner and back to the busy streets of Ponyville.

Author's Note

I hope this chapter can tide you guys over until I can complete the next few. Work has been stupid busy lately and I haven't had much time to work on the story. I'll be updating them as soon as I can! I cant stop coming up with good ideas for this story, so I'm just gunna keep on truckin!
Feel free to comment and send your feedback!