It’s now been a whole week since that incident with the truth spell. Everything is fine now for the most part. Twilight and I still aren’t together though.

I’m just not ready. She’s an amazing pony, but I don’t trust myself. Not yet. I still need to change and find out more out about me. I still feel so young, and so uneducated in certain things such as friendship. What is true friendship? The kind the girls experience? Maybe I can learn and find out.

In the past week, nothing really eventful has happened, minus Pinkie Pie being crazier than normal.

I don’t know why….. but I have a feeling something bad is going to happen soon. My time thus far in Ponyville has been far too perfect to be true. I’m not sure when, but it will happen.

-GOLDEN OAK LIBRARY, NIGHTTIME IN JORDAN’S DREAMS-

I was once again floating in a never ending, gray, foggy, sightless, pitiful, ugly, abyss. It went on forever, and ever. I felt so weightless and emotionless as I floated here. Why must I come to this place every single time I’m cursed with a dream?

All of a sudden, like last time, the scene exploded to life and I was jerked into it.

I looked around me curiously. I was a human again! A small third grade child. Sinks….. stalls….. urinals….. a bathroom? What am I doing in a bathroom?

All of a sudden, WHAMO. I got punched hard and knocked to the floor. I cried out in pain and I felt tears fall from my cheeks, hot, salty, tears of pain. Suddenly, I was picked up by the shirt collar, choking as I was lifted. I was then punched right in the gut. I coughed up a tiny bit of blood from the brutal punch, before the bully grabbed my arm and twisted it harshly behind my back.

As I wriggled and cried out in pain, he only made the pressure on my arm worse. I could sense him grin behind me, despite my pain. “You fat little loser, this is for telling the teacher I cheated on my test!” He then relentlessly bent my arm, almost breaking it. It was dislocated.

I screamed in pain, and laid on the bathroom floor, hoping someone would hear me. The bully’s friend kicked me in the stomach before they left.

I stayed there for a few seconds, feeling all of the pain before the scene shifted again.

I was in the principal’s office, alongside my mother and father, with my arm bandaged. They were talking to him about what had happened, and I listened closely.

“Yes, I see, well unfortunately, my hands are tied. I can’t take administrative action against Vinny and Justin, their stories both match over your son’s story. I’m inclined to believe he’s the liar. All I can do is serve them a lunch detention.”

My mother was about to belt the guy, or yell at him, or something, but my father, keeping his cool, calmed her down and glared at the principal. “Yeah, ok, that’s fine. But we’re transferring our son to another school. I hope you realize you just lost one of your star students!”

The scene shifted, once again. I looked around, but didn’t know where I was. Suddenly, I realized I was at my first high school. Oh, all the bad memories of this place!

I was in the hall, walking to my biology class. I must be in tenth grade. I walk to the classroom and, right before I enter, I hear a voice I used to love. My best friend, Joshua.

He walks up to me, with a pissed off look on his face, fists clenched, his bitch of a girlfriend behind him. Oh, I knew her. I used to sit next to her, in this class.

“JORDAN, you been talkin shit about me and my girl on Facebook you little fuck!?” I just stared at him, in shock, fighting back tears as he yelled at me.

He got madder that I didn’t respond and shouts. “ANSWER ME GODDAMMIT!”

I was now crying. “NO, I FUCKING DIDN’T!”

“BULLSHIT, I’ve seen it on my girlfriend’s facebook! And you’ve been hitting her in class!”

He seemed to take a deep breath, and calmed down slightly, but was still angry and pissed.

“GET YOUR ASS IN YOUR CLASS” he said, as he pointed to the door. I ran into the room, slammed my backpack onto my desk, and ran to the bathroom via the other door from where I came in.

I ran to one of the stalls, and cried. Joshua, who used to be my best friend, almost fucking jumped me, because his girlfriend hates me for no reason and lied to Joshua, probably so he would beat me up!

She makes my blood boil, I hate her so much!

After a while, I went back to class. A few of the kids in my class saw what happened, and were talking to the teacher. “There’s some bullying going on out there Mrs. Bartlett, you need to do something.” Was among what was said. But the stupid woman thought they were joking, and never did anything.

I then screamed, as if I was taking charge of my own dreams. “NO, NO MORE! PLEASE WAKE UP! WAKE UP!” I was just in desperation. I thought these wounds had scarred and healed long ago, but this nightmare was forcibly ripping them open again, making me bleed.

However, I didn’t wake up. But, something incredible happened.

All of a sudden, the scene ended, and I was again standing in the perilous, grey abyss. Then, Princess Luna, in the flesh, flew to me. It was amazing to see her. She obviously wasn’t as tall as Celestia, but she had a tall stature, and a regal figure.

“Hello there. You don’t know us, but we are the Princess of the Night, and dreams in equestria. It is our duty to raise the moon, and protect everypony from nightmares. We are sorry we didn’t get to you sooner, we were very busy with poor Applebloom.”

Oh no, what happened to applebloom? “Uh…. What was applebloom having a nightmare about?”

“Oh, she had a nightmare that her family’s farm burned down and they were homeless. We used our magic and power of dreams to have the barn restored so she could sleep easy. Then we came to your dream and….. my my. Quite interesting, to say the least.”

I then opened my eyes wide. Oh shit, did she see me and the other humans in my nightmare?! If she did, everything will be lost!

“We’re so very sorry those ponies were bullying you, that was very unnecessary!” she declared. Phew, she saw them as ponies. Good, because I would be RUINED if she had seen any humans or anything from earth.

“Yeah….. it still all hurts to think about sometimes, but it is what it is. It happened and nothing can change all of it. So, I try to just ignore it. By the way, princess, I must say it is an honor to meet you.”

I then bowed before her, and she smiled at me warmly. “Thank you my child, but the pleasure is all ours! My sister has told us all about you, Jordan. The champion of the haybucking competition in Appleloosa, Twilight Sparkle’s new assistant. You have made quite a name for yourself so far!”

I blushed a little bit and smiled. “Thank you princess. I try to just be as nice as I can to everypony. I don’t think much of it at all. Say though, can you do me a favor and wake me up? I think I’m ready for the day.”

She nodded. “Of course. Just so you know, it’s about six in the morning. Have a good day, Jordan, we shall be around if you have any more nightmares!”

“Thank you Princess Luna, I hope to meet you again. Bye now!” With that, I slowly exited the dream world and woke up.

I slowly woke up, the light from the surrounding world assaulting my eyes with its brightness. I blinked the tiredness from my eyes and sat up, yawning tiredly.

After a couple minutes of gathering my bearings, I got out of bed, used the bathroom, washed up, showered, brushed my teeth and walked downstairs.

As I walked downstairs, I felt something weird tickle my upper lip. What the heck….. This is weird.

I got a mirror and inspected it. GASP. I somehow grew a blue mustache, and I didn’t even notice!

“WHOA, A MUSTACHE! And it’s blue and white like my mane! This is SICK!”

Not only that, but I had a sick new beard that was blue. Well, it wasn’t a true beard. It was a strand of beard hair that was one strand on my lower chin, by my neck, and it hung down like a dragon’s kind of beard.

Oh man, Twilight and the others will get a kick out of this!

I then walked downstairs and saw Twilight reading a book in her chair. I smirked and walked to her. “Twilight?”

She looked away from her book and in my direction.

“I mustache you a question!” I giggled as I showed her my new man hair, and she rolled her eyes.

“Very funny. How did you get the mustache and beard?”

I shrugged, not honestly knowing. “Beats me, I just realized I had it this morning. Pretty manly, don’tcha think?”

She giggled a bit. “Maybe a little. It does fit you. It’s probably a side effect of what happened last week. There might be other changes as well.”

After an awkward moment of silence, I piped up. “So, did you sleep well Twi?”

She nodded. “Yes, I had a very nice dream as a matter of fact. What about you?”

My ears lowered sadly and I sighed. “More nightmares….. memories, bad memories, of my past. Princess Luna actually came into my dream and I got to meet her though, so that was interesting. She’s a very nice lady.” I smiled.

Twilight nodded. “Luna is very nice, she cares about everypony, doesn’t want ponies to have nightmares. Also, Jordan, I have a question. Why is it you have a blank flank?”

I opened my eyes wide. Crap, this is the first time anyone’s noticed. I answered truthfully. “Well, I guess I just never found my talent Twi. Maybe I never will….. who knows?”

She got up and gave me a hug. “You’ll find it, I know you will. Everypony gets their cutie mark at some point, you are no exception to the rule.”

I nodded at her and hugged back. “So, how did you get yours Twilight? What does it represent?”

She pulled away and thought for a moment, placing a hoof on her chin. “I’m actually not sure. It’s obviously a star, which I believe represents my last name of Sparkle more than anything. Maybe it represents how seriously I take my studies?”

I shrugged. “Makes sense to me. When did you get it?”

“I got it when I was about 7 years old. I had just been selected by the princess and had been studying for a couple weeks.”

I nodded. “At least YOU know what YOUR talent is.” I said sadly as my ears dropped and I hung my head.

“Jordan, I’m certain you’ll find your talent. Just try to think of something you’re good at, ok?”

I nodded. “I will twi, I promise.”

Suddenly, we were interrupted by a familiar voice. “RAINBOW DASH!” I heard in an almost singing like voice. It had to be Pinkie Pie.

Me and Twilight both walked out the front door, and saw what was going on.

Pinkie bounced up to us. “Hey guys, have you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere, I need a super special favor from her!”

We both shook our heads. “Nope, sorry Pinkie Pie, haven’t seen her.”

Twilight then looked up. “Hey, isn’t that her up there?”

“Uh oh!” was all we heard, before a vortex of rainbow swirled around us as she dashed off, no pun intended. Pinkie Pie happily skipped in Dash’s direction.

I looked at Twilight with a confused look. “What the friv just happened?!”

She shook her head. “Beats me, Pinkie Pie is a pony her own classification.”

About two minutes later, both Pinkie and Dash came back to where we were, Dash with a bit of a sad/angry/remorseful look about her.

Suddenly, Dash got a lightning cloud and started moving it.

“Ok, over to the right. No, no, a little to the left. Oh, wait, back to the right.” Pinkie Pie said to Rainbow Dash, and she moved the cloud, albeit hesitantly as she was annoyed. “Now, a little leftish while staying rightly, STOP! Hmm. Maybe a few inches south. Now a couple centimeters north. Okay, one more smidgimeter to the-“

“PINKIE PIE!!!!!” Dash screamed out in irritation at the pink pony.

“Uh, I mean perfect. Now, wait for my signal!” Pinkie said, as she snuck around. After a few seconds, Spike came out of town hall. WAIT, SPIKE?! DIDN’T HE MOVE AWAY?! WHAT THE FRIV! This could be a MAJOR problem…..

Anyway, Pinkie gave Dash a signal and, Dash kicked the cloud, making lightning appear and scaring the living daylights out of me, Twilight and Spike. Luckily, me and Twilight didn’t get the hiccups, but Spike wasn’t as fortunate.

He started to hiccup like crazy, dropped all the scrolls he was carrying, and pinkie smiled and laughed as he continuously hiccupped.

“Oh Rainbow Dash, we scared spike into getting the hiccups!” pinkie laughed.

Dash chuckled and Spike spoke. “Good one, Pinkie –HICCUP- Pie! –Hiccup- You’re always pulling a fast one –Hiccup- on me!”

He tried to pick up the scrolls, but the hiccups triggered his dragon fire breath, and he accidently sent the blank scrolls to the princess!

“Oh no, you’re not hurt are you?!” Pinkie asked in a worried tone.

“Naw –HICCUP- don’t be –Hiccup- silly, dragons are –Hiccup- fireproof!” spike continued his hiccups.

“Oh, okay, good!” Pinkie said. Pinkie and Dash started to bust out laughing.

He picked up scroll after scroll, but he just kept sending them, causing the two girls and even me to laugh hard.

“Have you ever SEEN anything more hilarious?!” Pinkie asked Dash.

“I can think of ONE thing!” Dash said, as she once again kicked the cloud, scaring pinkie into hiccups this time!

She screamed, and started to hiccup after a few seconds, laughing as she did.

Twilight sighed. “I’m going to go read a book.....” she started walking home but I stopped her.

“We need to talk Twi….. you, me, and Spike.”

So we did just that. The three of us went into the library and had a talk.

“I don’t understand, I thought you and the princess said that Spike ran away.”

Spike was just as confused. “Twilight, you sent me on a vacation to Canterlot, and now you’ve replaced me! Why?”

Twilight sighed. “Listen Spike, Jordan was homeless and needed a place to live. So, me and the princess had a plan where we would send you away for a few weeks, let Jordan get settled, and then when you came back, you’d both become friends.”

Spike got defensive. “NO Twilight, there’s only room for one assistant here! You have to choose between me and him, because I won’t share with somepony I don’t even know!”

I scoffed in shock and disbelief, before I walked upstairs and grabbed all my things, packing them up in a cartoon style over the shoulder travel bag.

“You don’t have to choose. My ass is out of here. Goodbye!” I then slammed the front door behind me. I heard Twilight cry as I walked away, but I didn’t feel bad. They should have told me and Spike, he and I could have tried to bond and become friends…..

I walked in town for a while. Past town hall, the boutique, sugarcube, I even walked past the spa and café. I walked for a few hours until I decided to head home. Then I realized, I have no home any more…..

I went to one of the alleys in town and sighed. There was even a cardboard box I could live in.

It then started to rain, seeming to match the tears dripping down my face, as I just realized I had no home, and would be seeing Twilight FAR less often.

I sniffled, and started to sing one of my all time favorite songs, by one of my all time favorite bands.

-SO FAR AWAY BY AVENGED SEVENFOLD HERE-

I sniffled as I finished singing, my face down on the floor of the box, my snout and muzzle hanging just outside of it on the pavement. They got covered in rain, as my cheeks drowned in tears.

Right then, I started regretting everything. I love Equestria, and I love the friends I’ve made. It’s all been so perfect, and I knew, I just knew, it was TOO perfect to last.

I just lost my home, and was a vagabond now. So, here I sit in this lonely cardboard box, in the rain, feeling dejected and alone, wishing I could go home.

Home, my real home. My family’s apartment on earth. I wish I could wake up on the nice, cozy couch. I wish I could play my games and listen to my music. I wish I could see my brother, my best friend in life, and tell him one last time, “I love you bro!” Or see if my sister is doing well in college. But no. I’m stuck here in Equestria, and I don’t know what I’m going to do from here on out.

It’s going to be a rough time. And it won’t be fun, it won’t be easy. But this is what god has planned for me, and I have a duty to serve the lord and follow his infinite wisdom.

I then laid my head down, muzzle and snout in the rain, and slowly fell asleep, the soothing scent of the rain putting me to rest.

-TWILIGHT’S POV, THE LIBRARY-

Twilight had tears streaming down her cheeks, as the orange pony left the library in an angry blitz. Her best friend, the pony she loved. She was very sad, but knew this was what had to happen. Spike BELONGED with her in the library, Spike was her little brother. Family has to stick together, before friendship. As much as it hurt, this is a reality that could not be avoided. Jordan had to move out and fend for himself, at least until, Twilight hoped, Spike and him got closer as friends and was comfortable with him staying there.

Spike sighed and hugged his big sister. “Twilight, I’m sorry, but you know I have a hard time with strangers. And one living here? I….. I just don’t think I could do it.” Spike reasoned.

Twilight rubbed her eyes to get rid of the tears and smiled at Spike. “I know Spike, and it’s ok. I’m just glad to have you home little buddy.” Twilight said as she nuzzled his cheek, which Spike gladly returned.

The more Twilight thought about it, the more she realized she might have over-reacted. It would be awkward not waking up every morning to meet Jordan in the living room, but that was the worst of it. She had, for the most part, gotten over her crush on him. It was still there, it would ALWAYS be there. She liked him, but for now, he was just a friend.

He was a strong stallion, and would be fine. Who knows, he might even be better off on his own!

“Nopony knows” Twilight thought to herself.

-JORDAN’S POV, A FEW HOURS LATER-

I suddenly became aware of the present moment, as I slowly and agonizingly woke up in my new home, the cardboard box. I sighed sadly as I realized where I was, and why.

As all the thoughts from earlier appeared into my mind once again, a new thought also came into my mind as I remembered my prayer.

Is it really all that bad? Or have I been given a new chance? Maybe this is a GOOD thing. Maybe this is a sign that I should reinvent myself! Maybe I should discover new things about myself. Get a job, get a new home, make stronger friends, try harder!

The more and more I thought about this, the more and more I got excited. I have the world in my hands, er, hooves, and I can make of it what I want! I am a free pony, no longer Twilight’s assistant!

“This is great!” I thought to myself. But suddenly, I was disrupted by the unmistakable voice of Pinkie Pie. She was talking with some other ponies and seemed very distraught.

“Rainbow Dash has this griffon friend and she’s being a REALLY BIG MEANIE!” Pinkie practically shouted at her friends.

“Pinkie Pie, are you sure that this friend of Rainbow Dash is really so mean?” Twilight asked calmly enough of the pink pony.

I started walking up to them, trying to make it seem like I’d walked THROUGH the alley to them.

“Hey everypony, what’s going on?” I asked, trying to pretend Twilight wasn’t there.

Pinkie wasted no time filling me in. “Rainbow Dash has an old friend visiting town, who’s a griffon, and she’s a giant meanie head!” Pinkie announced to me.

I thought for a moment. “Pinkie Pie, could it be that you’re just, oh, I don’t know, JEALOUS?” I asked her.

“NO! She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she pops my balloons, and she told me to buzz off! I’ve never met a griffon this mean! Well, actually, I’ve never met a griffon at all, but I bet if I had, she wouldn’t have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda!” Pinkie cried out to us.

I thought for a few seconds about the situation. Hmm….. someone who’s mean, either in a bad mood or just naturally pissed off. What is a surefire way to improve someone’s mood?

Then, the idea came to me. “Pinkie, why don’t you throw Gilda one of your parties?! That will show her that you just want to be her friend, and it’s sure to improve her attitude!”

Pinkie gasped and hugged me tightly, so tightly I thought a rib popped. “OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH, JORDAN YOU’RE A GENIUS! I’LL GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY!”

With that, Pinkie dashed straight to sugarcube corner, so fast it made my head spin. Twilight giggled.

“Always the problem solver, I see.” I then chuckled back.

“Learned from the best, didn’t I?”

Twilight and I both looked away before I decided to break the silence.

“Twilight, I’m not mad, just so you know. Spike is your family, and he NEEDS you, he belongs in the library. If he doesn’t want me to be there, then I have to respect his wishes, no matter how much I may miss the library. But hey, I don’t think it will be all that bad! I mean, I have a chance here to really discover and reinvent myself. Being your assistant was good and all, but I feel like a new stallion!”

Twilight smiled at my words. “I’m glad Jordan. Who knows, maybe you’ll get your cutie mark! That would be something wouldn’t it?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it sure would. It could be ANYTHING though.”

I then got an idea and I placed a hoof to my chin. Maybe…..maybe I could help Pinkie prepare the party!

“Hey Twi, I’m gonna go help Pinkie set up the party. Talk to you later!” I said as I dashed to the shop.

When I arrived, she was already baking and setting up decorations. “Hey, Pinkie Pie, need any help?”

Pinkie turned around and bounced around happily once she saw me. “Sure! I need somepony to hang up this banner, can you use your magic to do it?”

I nodded and focused my magic on the banner, lifting it up and using a nearby hammer to hammer it to the wall. It read “Welcome to Ponyville Gilda!”

I smiled at the banner. Maybe Pinkie really took my words to heart and wanted to become friends with Gilda? I hoped so.

“Anything else Pinkie?” I asked, wanting to make myself as useful as I could.

Pinkie bounced again. “OOOH, OOOH, I need some pony to help me bake a cake! I was going to do it myself but with you it’ll be much easier!”

I groaned mentally. Baking…. Never my strong suit back home. I could never bake or cook right, even using a microwave was difficult, and I burned nearly EVERYTHING.

Still, I agreed, wanting to help my friend, and walked with her to the back of the shop.

It was a beautiful room. It was colored a delightful teal with shelves adorning the walls, multiple ovens, fridges, lots of baking supplies, etc.

I went to the table as Pinkie bounced around the room grabbing supplies. These included flour, eggs, milk, sugar, starch, and other various ingredients for flavor.

Pinkie stood next to me and, to my surprise, calmed herself down enough so her hooves were steady.

“Ok, first, crack the eggs into the bowl. Be careful, if you hit them on the side of the bowl too hard they’re gonna splatter onto the table! Do it gently, like so.” She they showed me, using just enough force to crack the shell and peeling the egg open from both sides.

“Your turn!” she announced. I tried to do just as she did, but I hit too hard and it landed on the table!”

“Ooooh, wasting product! If you worked for the Cakes, they’d fire you!” Pinkie giggled, but I had a pale look on my face, realizing I messed up.

“S…..sorry Pinkie Pie….. I just am not a very good ‘working with my hands’ pony is all.”

She then bumped me in the stomach with her hoof. “Oh relax silly, I was just joking with you! Ok, now that we’ve finished the eggs, pour the milk. I usually pour for about three seconds. Go ahead!”

I opened the milk carton and poured for three carefully measured seconds, making sure not to spill. I looked to Pinkie for approval before she placed her hooves over mine and tipped the carton.

“LITTTTTLLLLLEEEE more!” she said as she poured a little more, using my hooves to do the work.

I couldn’t help but smile as Pinkie did this. I figured she would tell me what to do and leave me to it, but she didn’t. She’s made it much more intimate than that. She’s helping me do everything, and I felt like I was with my mother baking brownies when I was younger. She had that effect.

We then finished preparing the cake this way, pouring in the sugar and vanilla extract and everything, her hooves on top of mine, guiding me, helping me whenever I seemed unsure of myself. Like a teacher.

We both poured the now lovingly mixed contents of the bowl into a baking pan, and together pushed the pan onto the rack inside the oven, smiling at each other the whole time.

I found Pinkie to, like Twilight, be intoxicating. She had so much energy, was happy all the time, and now showed me a more tender side. To make it better, her mane smelled of cotton candy, intoxicatingly.

“Hey, while this is baking, why don’t I show you around the house? I live here too y’know!”

I chuckled at her excitement and nodded. She bounced around happily. “Ok, follow me! All aboard the grand tour express!” She said as she led me up the stairs to the living quarters.

There were two rooms. The Cakes’s bedroom, and her bedroom. Her bedroom was big, adorned with party decorations of course, a bed and some posters.

She then held up something. “This is my pet alligator, Gummy! He has no teeth, so he can’t hurt you. He’s really sweet and I found him when he was a baby! He was so cute I just had to keep him I couldn’t leave him and he’s the best pet in the world!” she cheerfully exclaimed.

I chuckled and pet Gummy’s spiny back. I then looked at something behind her and started walking.

“Hey, is that a-AH!” I exclaimed as I tripped, making us both fall. When we landed, I was on top of her. Yes, I was on top of Pinkamena, Diane, PIE.

We both stared into each other’s eyes for a few moments. Her blue eyes were so gorgeous and I just lost myself in the power of their gaze, like a tractor beam. She gazed into my piercing, blood red eyes also.

For a moment, I thought something might happen. Something big, something that might change everything….. but then, BEEP!

The over beeped downstairs, and Pinkie gasped and jumped out from under me. “Ooooo, time to grab the cake!” She exclaimed as she bounced downstairs.

I sighed, a little sadly as the moment ended, and followed her downstairs.

Pinkie sighed a little. “You know, we had so much fun making this I wish it was for something special, not just a party for that meanie old griffon!”

I walked to her and pat her on the back. “It’s ok Pinkie Pie. It’ll all work in the end. At least this helped us become better friends!” I offered.

She seemed to agree, as she turned around gave me a tight hug. “I’m glad you moved to Ponyville Jordan, you’re a great friend!” This made me blush and smile. “Plus, that mustache is just about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” I chuckled as she added this in.

“You know what Pinkie Pie, I can definitely see us hanging out more often. People say bad things about you because you’re hyper all the time, but I guess it’s just because they don’t get you like I do!”

She smiled at me, before turning around and tending to the task at hand.

She grabbed the cake and carefully bumped it out of it’s pan. “OK, now we only need to make 24 more sheets for the six tiers!” she happily exclaimed, not caring how much work it took.

I, on the other hand, didn’t handle it so well, and fainted. This was going to be a long day.

(QUICK AUTHOR’S NOTE. I KNOW THAT IN THE LAST CHAPTER I SAID I WOULD BE FOCUSING ON RELATIONSHIPS LESS….. BUT THIS IDEA FOR THE SCENE WITH PINKIE CAME INTO MY MIND, AND IT WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO PASS UP! AFTER THIS I TRULY WILL BE FOCUSING ON IT LESS. PINKIE PROMISE!)

I was awakened by the feeling of something poking my stomach. I slowly blinked my eyes open to see that it was Pinkie poking me with a wooden spoon. I groaned as I slowly sat upright and looked at her.

“Hey there sleepy head! You weren’t waking up, so I went ahead and made the rest of the cakes myself. It was no problem at all!”

I then face-hoofed and sighed. “I’m so sorry Pinkie Pie, I’ll make it up to you somehow, I promise!”

“Okie Dokie Lokie Jordan! Sounds good!” she said as she finished the cake. My jaw hit the floor. It was a massive cake, apparently 6 tiers like she said, all iced, decorated and ready to go.

“Just one more thing! Jordan, will you do the honors of writing out the words in icing?”

I nodded and grabbed the piping bag, which is a tool cake decorator’s use. I went to the top of her ladder and, carefully with my magic squeezed the icing out in careful letter patterns.

“W E L C O M E T O P O N Y V I L L E G I L D A !”

I smiled happily at my handiwork. All the letters were straight and legible, and I made no mistakes. Pinkie giggled.

“Maybe you should work for the cakes, Jordan! You definitely have talent for decorating!”

I chuckled. “I’m not sure pinkie, it’s one thing to do it for fun, but doing it for a job where one mistake could get you fired might make it not so fun anymore.”

“Yeah, I understand that. Oh, hey, we better get the treats and cake to the party room!”

With that, we wheeled it over to the room and waited for ponies to arrive.

While we were standing there, I got to thinking. It’s amazing how life works sometimes. Here I was, feeling so down on my luck earlier after the incident with Twilight and Spike, and now look. I had one of the best days ever with Pinkie Pie. My day changed so fast. I’ll try to keep a positive attitude from now on!

At that moment, I had the urge to say something to her. She’d been so nice to me today, so selfless in showing me how to bake, so kind in showing me her home.

“Hey, Pinkie Pie?” She then looked at me.

“I….. I just wanted to say, thank you. Thank you for today, baking the cake, the decorating, the tour of the house, everything. I had a lot of fun with you.” I smiled a very happy, grateful smile.

I figured she would just return the smile, but she completely shocked me by tackling me to the ground and hugging me while I was pinned. “Oh Jordan, I had so much fun today too! I really hope you and I hang out more, maybe you can help me with some pranks!” she said with a gleeful smile.

I smiled back and decided to turn the tables on her. “Okie Dokie Lokie Pinkie. I do love pranks!”

She smiled at me, but didn’t let me back up as she gazed in my blood red eyes. “You know, you look REALLLLLYYYYY cute when you’re right there.” She giggled as she said this.

I blushed red to match my eyes and smiled. “You look good where you’re at, too Pinkie. But uh, could you let me up? Guests should be arriving!”

She nodded and let me get back up, just as the first guests started to arrive.

After a couple minutes though, no pony was arriving, so I made a suggestion. “Hey, how about we go and invite everypony to the party Pinkie? That could be fun!”

She gasped. “OH MY GOSH, once again, you’re a genius!” She quickly wrote about 40 invitations and got her basket before coming to me. “Let’s go!”

I smiled at her and we both walked out the door. Well, I was walking, but Pinkie being her hyper self was bouncing happily.

We gave one to Rarity, and then I blew the whistle Rainbow Dash gave me to get her attention.

She flew down to me, and Gilda was with her. “Hey Dash, Pinkie’s having a party in about 15 minutes. Make sure you bring Gilda!” was all I said before we headed to the library.

When we walked in, we saw Fluttershy was with Twilight, crying. I ran to them both.

“Hey, what the friv happened? Fluttershy, why are you crying?”

Fluttershy sniffled and responded with; “I was….. at a pond near my house, helping a mother duck and some baby duckies cross the pond, when I accidently bumped into some creature, I don’t even know her. She…..she got mad at me, and, and yelled at me and…..” she didn’t respond as she cried into Twilight’s shoulder.

“Based on Fluttershy’s description, I’m guessing it was a griffon she bumped into. And, the only griffon I can think of, is-“ she was cut off by Pinkie.

“GILDA!” Pinkie cried out. “I told you she was a gigantic meanie face!”

I then walked over to Fluttershy and nuzzled her, making her blush. “Hey, it’s okay Fluttershy. Why don’t you come to Pinkie’s party? It could be super fun.”

She nodded and smiled a bit. “Okay.”

With that, we all walked over to the corner and walked inside. Ponies were just starting to arrive.

Fluttershy walked up to Pinkie Pie as she was setting some last minute things up and greeting guests.

“Um, Pinkie Pie, about this party for Gilda. Umm... Do you really think it's a good idea? I mean–“ was all she got to say before Pinkie cut her off.

“Don't worry your pretty little head about mean old Gilda. Your auntie Pinkie Pie's got it all taken care of!”

“I'm a year older than you…..” Is all Fluttershy said in response to that statement.

I wasn’t very good at parties, or being social with strangers. So, I decided I would just lean against a wall, and watch everything unfold. It was probably for the best, after all.

I got some looks as I sadly leaned against it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to be a part of the party.

“Gilda! I'm so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties, and I really, truly, sincerely, hope you feel welcome here amongst all us pony folk.”

Gilda grunted in pain, as Pinkie laughed. She’d used a hand buzzer on Gilda! It even made me laugh!

Ponies around the room laughed, and Pinkie giggled more.

“Before we start the party though, I need to tell everypony something! I didn’t do this party all on my own, I had a lot of help from Jordan!” I opened my eyes wide as ponies started to look towards me and smile. Pinkie smiled at me the most and motioned me over. “Get over here you silly goose!”

I smiled and walked towards her. When I got to her, she smiled. “Everypony who doesn’t know, this is Jordan, the most amazing friend I could ever ask for!” she looked at Gilda.

“Gilda, Jordan. Jordan, Gilda!” I extended my hoof out to her, but she just rolled her eyes. “Yeah, hi, dweeb.” I narrowed my eyes a bit angrily….. How rude!

Pinkie felt the same frustration and whispered to me. “Gosh she’s mean. Hoepfully this party helps!” I nodded and went back to the wall.

Right then, Dash, still laughing about the buzzer came over.

“Oh Pinkie Pie, the old hoof-shake buzzer. You are a scream!” Dash proclaimed to Pinkie.

“Yeah, uh, good one, Pinkie Pie.” Gilda said nonchalantly, trying to suppress an angry look in her eye.

“Come on G, I'll introduce you to some of my other friends.” Dash said to her friend.

“Right behind you Dash.” Gilda said before she looked at Pinkie. “I know what you're up to.” Gilda said to Pinkie angrily.

“Great.” Pinkie replied, plain as white.

“Rrrh! I know what you're planning.” Gilda said to get a response out of the pink pony.

“Well, I hope so. This wasn't supposed to be a surprise party!” Pinkie was still oblivious to Gilda’s anger.

“I mean, I've got my eye on you!” Gilda said angrily, trying to get something different from Pinkie than a wisecrack response.

“And I got my eye on you! Everyone, I'd like you all to meet Gilda, a long-time, dear friend of Rainbow Dash. Let's honor her and welcome her to Ponyville!” The ponies in the room cheered except for me.

Gilda was already starting to get on my nerves….. She’s so rude for no reason.

“Please help yourself.” Pinkie said to Gilda as they went to a table. Ah, the vanilla lemon drops I helped make with her earlier. She put in a secret ingredient and didn’t tell me what it was, though.

“Vanilla lemon drops. Don't mind if I do.” Gilda said as she popped one into her mouth, before her head turned red. “HOT!” She cried out.

“G, the punch!” Dash told her.

“Huh?” Gilda said as she tried to drink some punch out of the glass she grabbed, but it dribbled onto her!

“Well, whaddya know, pepper in the vanilla lemon drops, and the punch served in a dribble glass!” Pinkie said, apparently amused at Gilda’s dissatisfaction.

“Ha. Priceless. Priceless.” Dash said as she laughed.

“Yeah, hilarious.” Gilda said, obviously starting to get pissed off.

“Hey G, look, presents.” Dash said to her friend. However, it was yet another prank.

“Spittin' snakes. Hah, somepony pulled that prank on me last month.” Applejack proclaimed to the room.

“Ha ha. I bet I know who that was.” Gilda said with anger deep in her voice.

“You do?” Pinkie asked, innocently enough.

A bit later, we were on to the next activity. I was still in the background, watching.

“Cake time everypony.” Pinkie declared.

“Hey, can I blow out the candles?” Spike asked.

“Why don't we let Gilda blow out the candles, Spike? She is the guest of honor after all.” Twilight told Spike.

“Ugh.” Spike said, a bit sadly.

“Exactly!” Gilda shouted as she pushed everypony else out of the way so she could blow the candles out.

However, they never went out! Gilda continued to try to blow out the candles, blowing repeatedly, to no avail.

“Re-lighting birthday candles, I love that prank. What a classic.” Spike laughed.

“Now, I wonder who could've done that.” Gilda said, obviously about done with the pranks by now.

“Yeah, I wonder.” Pinkie said innocently.

“Mmm, who cares. This cake is amazing.” Spike said as he dug in. Literally, he ate holes in the cake!

“Spike!” Twilight scolded him.

“What? It's great, try some!” Spike offered her.

“Hey G, you're not upset about some silly candles, are you?” Dash finally asked Gilda.

“No way Dash, like I said, I'm down with a good prank.” She told Dash, trying to keep her cool.

“Come on then, let's have some cake.” Dash said.

Right then, I saw Gilda take Pinkie behind the cake!

“Hey, I'm watching you. Like a hawk.” Gilda warned.

“Why? Can't you watch me like a griffon?” Pinkie said in a wisecrack way.

“Hey y'all, it's pin the tail on the pony. Let's play.” Applejack said to the group.

“Oh, my favorite game. Can I go first? Can I have the purple tail?” Rarity asked cutely.

“Well, I am the guest of honor, and I'll have the purple tail.” Gilda replied, stuck-up like.

“Yeah, Gilda should definitely go first. Let's get you blindfolded.” Pinkie said as they started to blindfold her and spin her around.

“Hey what-ugh-what are you doing? Rrrah.” Gilda said as she got spun around.

“We're spinning you around and around and then you can pin the tail on the pony. Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail.” Pinkie told her.

“Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail. Hmph, yeah, right. This is another prank, isn't it? I'm going this way.” Gilda said in a mocking/hurtful way.

“Wait! The poster is this-“ Pinkie tried to tell her before Gilda went the opposite direction, as Gilda ended up setting of a slew of pranks and traps in a row, making her yell.

“Whoa whaa waah waah waaaaah!”

“Uh, Gilda? You pinned the tail on the wrong end.” Pinkie said when Gilda finally stopped. Gilda roared loudly and started freaking out.

“This is your idea of a good time?! I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life. And Pinkie Pie, you! You are queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks. Did you really think you could make me lose my cool? Well, Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together. Come on Dash, we're bailing on this pathetic scene. Come on Rainbow Dash. I said, we're leaving.”

But Dash didn’t follow her, and had an angry look on her face.

“You know Gilda, I was the one who set up all those weak pranks at this party.” Dash declared, making ponies gasp.

“What?” Gilda asked, with disbelief in her voice.

“Oooooooooo.” Pinkie said as this unfolded.

“So I guess I'M queen lame-o.” Dash declared a bit coldly to Gilda. But Gilda just refused to accept the truth.

“Come on, Dash, you're joshing me!” Gilda declared.

“They weren't all meant for you specifically, it was just dumb luck that you set them all off.”

I decided to chirp in. “Yeah, Pinkie Pie set up some pranks too. Dash must have set hers up while we were inviting everypony.” I surmised.

“I shoulda known, that dribble cup had Rainbow Dash written all over it!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“No way. It was Pinkie Pie, she set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me.” Gilda proclaimed out of denial.

“Me? I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down.”

I again chirped in. “Actually Gilda, the party was MY IDEA. I suggested it to Pinkie because you were acting like a bit of a bitch. You were popping her balloons, hogging Dash all to yourself and acting like an all around queen bee. NOT cool for someone who values coolness above everything else.”

Gilda then roared and walked towards me, looking like she was about to hit me. “You shut your mouth and stay out of this, you stupid dweeb lame-o! This is between me, Dash, and Pinkie Pie!”

I then got defensive and in her face. “Well here’s a newsflash, BIRDBRAIN, Dash and Pinkie are two of my closest friends, and when somepony has the gall to mess with one of them, I mess with that pony back! I’d never hit a girl, but if you keep testing my patience, I might just make an exception to that rule!”

Gilda stared me in the eyes for a few moments, before she realized I wasn’t joking and backed off.

“And you sure didn't need any help making a fool of yourself. You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else, especially after you just insulted one of my best friends!” Dash exclaimed at Gilda.

“Rrgh. Yeah? Well you, you, you are such a, a flip-flop: cool one minute and lame the next. When you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call! AND YOU!” Gilda yelled as she walked over to me. “This is for turning my best friend against me!” She roared before giving me a swift kick to my crotch, making me fall to the floor in pain. Gilda roared before she shrieked and flew out of the building.

Pinkie and Dash both ran to me and helped me up. “OHMYGOSH, Jordan are you ok!?” Pinkie asked worriedly.

I growled a bit and nodded. “Yeah, fine. She’s lucky she took off or I might have made good on my promise!”

“Not cool.” Dash declared to the party.

“Wow, talk about a party pooper.” Spike exclaimed.

“Gotta agree with you there, Spike.” Was all I added.

“Wow, what was that about?” Twilight asked rhetorically.

“I'm sorry everypony, for bringing Gilda here. I didn't know how rude she was. And Pinkie Pie, Jordan, I'm really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her.”

“Hey, if you want to hang out with party poopers, that's your business.” Pinkie said jokingly to Dash.

I chuckled and walked up to them. “Dash, everypony makes mistakes. You and her have been friend since fillyhood, people change.”

Dash smiled. “I guess so Jordan, and I'd rather hang out with you Pinkie. No hard feelings?”

“No hard feelings.”

“Hey Pinkie. Sorry I accused you of misjudging Gilda. Looks like I'm the one who misjudged you.” Twilight said sadly.

“It's okay Twilight, even you can't be a super smart smarty smart-pants all the time. Come on everypony, there's still a whole lotta party to finish!” Pinkie said, and everypony cheered in agreement.

Everypony started to dance, and drink, and eat, and really enjoy the party. I sighed and started to think. I shouldn’t be here. I’ve only been in ponyville for a few weeks! I’m not at the level of friendship as everypony in there is. The mane six are so close nothing can tear them apart.

So, I decided to leave, and let them enjoy their party.

I walked out the door and started walking to my alley, when I heard a familiar voice.

“JORDAN, WAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIT!” Pinkie Pie cried out as she ran to me.

“Pinkie Pie? What are you doing? You should be enjoying the party!” I said as she walked to me.

Her mane had deflated, and her tail wasn’t poofy. She was darker now, and had tears in her eyes.

“You’re….. you’re leaving? But you worked so hard with me on the party and I wanted to have fun with you…..” She said sadly and somberly.

I sighed. “Pinkie Pie, I….. oh Celestia, how do I explain this to you. I don’t belong in that party Pinkie. I just am not at that level yet. I’ve only been in ponyville a few weeks. I’m not at the same level of friendship you and the other girls are. I’m not like you six Pinkie. I’m socially awkward, I don’t handle events like parties well anyway. I don’t belong there.”

She suddenly surprised me by tackling me to the ground, much like earlier. “Now you listen here Mr. Mopey Pants, just because you haven’t lived in ponyville long doesn’t mean you’re not as close of friends as us. Twilight moved here a week before you did, and look how close we are with her. Jordan….. what you did earlier, standing up to Gilda for Dashie and I was really incredible. And the way you took that kick….. You’re an amazing friend Jordan, and I know that the other girls think so too, cause they’ve told me!”

I opened my eyes wide in shock. “They have?”

She nodded. “Yeah, they keep saying how you’re such a good friend who’s always there for everypony, who always helps with problems, who has a pure heart and everypony loves. You helped me prepare for the party earlier without anypony asking you to, and we had such an amazing time! And hey, who knows. Maybe I consider you a closer friend than the girls!” She smiled at me and I turned dead pale.

“You…..you do?” I asked, simply enough, and she nodded.

“Yep. You’re such a good friend and I’m lucky to know you! So what do you say, come back to the party and have fun with me? Pleaasssssse?”

I sighed. How could I resist her? I couldn’t. “Ok. For you Pinkie.”

Her mane, tail, and color instantly turned back to normal and she smiled. “YAY! Thank you!”

She let me up, and we walked back to the party together.

The party was mostly as you’d imagine, some hip-hop/jazz music was playing the background, some ponies were dancing, some were playing party games, and having a good time.

I just grabbed a glass of punch and stood around a bit. When I finally went to take a sip it dribble on me. I narrowed my eyes at Rainbow who was on the floor laughing her head off. I just rolled my eyes and got a real glass.

Suddenly, Pinkie jumped out of nowhere and scared the crap out of me. “WHATCHA DOIN?!” She asked.

I panted heavily. “Trying not to have a dang heart attack sheesh!”

She giggled. “Oh c’mon, you’re still breathing!” Suddenly, the music changed to slower, more melodic dance music, true dance music. A waltzy sort.

“OK everypony, time to shift gears! Time to get a little more formal! Grab that special somepony and pull them in REALLLLLLY close!” the announcer said.

A lot of the ponies in the room grabbed their partners and started dancing. Pinkie and I were left in the background watching, before and idea popped into my head.

So, I said “Pinkie, would you want to dance with me?” and at the exact same time, she said “Jordan, would you like to dance with me?”

We stared at each other and gasped before turning our heads away and blushing. I then smiled at her. “I’d love to, Mrs. Pie.”

She then glared. “Hey, Mrs. Pie is my mom!” I laughed and walked to the dance floor with her.

We placed our heads on each others’ shoulder and started to dance slowly to the music. Various ponies in the background gasped and made some comments.

“Are Pinkie Pie and Jordan DANCING together?!”

“Yeah, are they a couple now!?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, they do seem to click!”

I blushed insane red as I heard the comments, and Pinkie did too.

I then whispered in her ear. “Pinkie Pie, I….. I just wanted to tell you, you’re an amazing friend, and I love you.”

She smiled at me warmly. “I love you too Jordan, you’re such a great friend!”

All of a sudden, we broke away from each other slowly. It was like what happened with me and Twilight. We smiled at each other.

She blushed, and we finished our dance. A while later, everypony was leaving the party and going home. Pinkie smiled at me. “Here, I’ll walk you home! Let’s go to the library!”

I then groaned and sighed. I had to tell her….. “Pinkie, wait….. I don’t live at the library anymore.”

She gasped. “What?! What happened. Well, where to you live now?”

I chuckled nervously. Her eyes widened, waiting for an answer. “Well?” she asked bluntly.

“I…..uh….. don’t….. have….. a home.” I finally said. “I sleep in a box…..”

She put her hooves on her hips and looked at me funny. “You’re staying here, I’m not letting my best friend stay out in the cold and dark! C’mon, there’s a spare bed in my room!”

I smiled and gladly followed her upstairs. Sure enough, there was a spare bed, more than big enough for me, king size.

“Thank you Pinkie, this is so nice!” I proclaimed.

“No problem. Now let’s get some sleep! I’m pooped from all the partying!”

I chuckled teasingly. “YOU, Pinkie Pie, are tired?! OH CELESTIA, THE WORLD IS ENDING!”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, good night!”

“Good night Pinkie!”

With that, she turned the lights off and we both slowly fell asleep.

I smiled. The scent of cotton candy filled my nostrils till the very last second. I happily escaped to the dream world.

-THE LIBRARY, TWILIGHT’S POV-

Twilight was lying in her bed, sniffling and crying. She couldn’t believe it. Jordan and Pinkie were apparently a couple from the looks of it. She missed it, missed the chance to be with him, the most amazing stallion she’s ever met. Why? Did he not like her? Was she unattractive? What was it Pinkie had she didn’t?!

She couldn’t wrap her mind around it, and Spike heard her sniffling. “Twilight? What’s wrong?”

“Oh Spike, I’m just sad. I love Jordan so much, and now he’s with Pinkie! What did I do wrong, why does he not like me!? OH!” she groaned and slammed her face into a pillow.

Spike rubbed her back. “Oh c’mon Twilight. It’s not because anything’s wrong with you! Maybe you and him just didn’t get close enough, like he and Pinkie did. You’ll get over it eventually.”

She sniffled, wiped her tears away and nodded. “Thanks spike, you’re a real friend. I love you, little brother.”

Spike smiled. “And I love you, big sister.” She kissed her cheek before turning out the lights and heading to her bedroom.

Twilight sighed and snuggled up. Maybe Spike was right. Maybe it’s not so bad. She’ll get over him eventually. There was nothing she could do, anyway.

She was better by herself, with her books anyway. It was how she’d always been, always would be.

Forever, and ever…..

Author's Note

This chapter was...meh. I wish i hadn't always been such a sad sack of crap when i began writing my story, because it leaked into my writing style and made it too cringe inducing. Onto chapter 7 now.