The Dark Place

Vanilla yawned as he awoke from the relatively calm ride to Ponyville. He had not gotten much sleep when he got home last night. His mind was focused on what lied at hand, finishing his work. When the train stopped, it was around noon, and the train station was busy, with passengers rushing to their trains, ponies buying tickets, and others meandering around, waiting on their train. Vanilla gathered his things and stepped off of the train. He took little notice of the ponies around him, and the other ponies did not notice him. As he walked through Ponyville he rather enjoyed how simplistic and calm Ponyville was. It was so different than the busy life in Canterlot. To kill time he thought of what his machine would bring. Vanilla looked about the town center. He thought that this small town had quite a bit to offer. Before he could start Vanilla was greeted by an enthusiastic pink pony.

"Hi there!" said the pink pony. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I know everypony in Ponyville but your new so I don't know you which means I have to know you to keep knowing everyone!" Vanilla's mouth dropped just a bit. He was unsure on what to do: entertain this Pinkie Pie, or just ignore her. It isn't like he will be her friends anyways, and he has work to attend to. He thought for a bit and decided to be kind and talk to the pony for a bit. "My name is Doctor Vanilla Swirl. I am here from Canterlot on very important business, so please if you will excuse me." Before Vanilla could get away the pony hopped in front of him once more. "Wait, I give everypony a welcome party, you gotta have one!" she said with the same undying enthusiasm. "I appreciate the sentiment but I really must go. As he walked away, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Startled he picked up speed. As he was going Pinkie Pie appeared in front of him, with a cart. of some kind. "Maybe you will like MY PARTY CANNON!" Then a loud boom sent out confetti around Vanilla. The sudden boom had startled Vanilla, but he regained his composure when he say that no harm had been done. As he sat up a piece of cake was shoved into his mouth. "mhhph" said Vanilla, unable to speak due to the cake. He was more than ready to leave. He figured the best way was to comply with her. "Thank you so much," said Vanilla, "this party was excellent." "So are we friends?" she said. Vanilla was growing tired of her constant enthusiasm. He wondered if she were like this at all times, but he didn't care, if he could escape it now then he would be fine. "Sure," he said in a faked sound of happiness. "Great!" she said. When she began to hop off singing some song that he was unfamiliar with, and he took the time to run out of the square.

When he stopped running he settled down on a nearby bench. He was panting quite heavily from his running he was just glad to get away from that pony. As he was resting he looked around at the scenery. He saw other ponies walking around, some animals going about their tasks, and one library. "Hmm a library", thought Vanilla, "maybe I should go in there when I come back here for some supplies". He then saw what looked to be some kind of baby lizard riding a purple unicorn. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but saw them enter into the library. His curiosity was peaked, he wanted to go speak to these two, especially the lizard creature, but he figured he should get to the mountain before Celestia lowered the sun for the day. So he gathered his things and set off towards the mountain.