Miracle for the Cursed

The two ponies rested upon a couple of seats that were set against the walls just outside Mayor Mare's office. The short trip up to that point was rather uneventful, but as soon as they sat down things swiftly changed. And Janos was dumbfounded. He never realized that any individual could come up with so many questions for another. In one breath no less. The ancient actually had to stop the mare just so she could breath.

"Sorry," she gasped, trying to catch her breath, "I guess I got a little carried away." With a final sigh, and after composing herself, she continued, "It's just that you're from a land I've never heard of, and as a mare of intellectual curiosity I wanted to know more."

"It is quite alright, but I believe you should hold some reservation and perhaps stick to one question at a time. I would not be able to satisfy your appetite for knowledge in one setting."

"I can do that," she quipped brightly, "So, why did you come to Equestria?"

Janos thought for a moment. He couldn't tell her that he was thrown through a portal by his arch nemesis, whom intended to send him to a world worse than hell itself. However, due to his high moral standards, he couldn't outright lie to the inquisitive youth. "It was all a matter of accidental circumstance, my dear. I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong moment of time."

"How did this accident happen?"

"I merely arrived between the confrontation of two..." He looked to Twilight, searching for a word that she would recognize in relation. "... ponies, in an attempt to quell the dire situation that they faced. Unfortunately, with the hands of fate authoring other plans for those two, I was propelled from my home land to this domain. To be brief, I was merely discarded here. I only hope that the conflict I was forced to abandon reached a positive outcome."

"In that they resolved their differences in a civil manner?" Twilight asked.

Janos remained silent for a moment. Her innocence is refreshing. I pray that such bright idealism remains throughout her life. "Perhaps," he finally replied vaguely, "I am too far from home to return and discover the outcome, though. Doubtless, I am forever stranded."

"I'm sorry," she said, lowering her head in sympathy.

Janos gently nudged the mare with a hoof. "You have no need to be, my child. While I have been lost, I have also been found. Here, I will have a chance to start anew."

"Won't you miss your friends and family?"

I have missed them for thousands of years. "Yes," he said, "But, I believe they would have wished for me not to dwell on my predicament, and consider it a blessing that I turned up amongst wonderful company."

Twilight smiled with a slight blush at the resolve and the compliment Janos had just given her. She could only help but wonder exactly what kind of life the pegasus beside her led. He seemed so polite and soft spoken, as if he had an infinite reserve of patience. Patience that a parent would have for their foal. Patience that could only be born from the purest of hearts. However, looking into his piercing yellow eyes, she saw something much more than that. She saw a stallion that that had endured a long suffering solitude. Whatever previous company he kept before now was obviously brief, and from the twinge of lingering sorrow deep seated in his distant gaze told her that not all of it ended pleasantly. Twilight new better than to pry, though. As a mare of principle, she wouldn't question him about his life any further. The scholar within, however, demanded answers to other questions about his home.

Just as Twilight was about to resume her interview, a pink coated and white maned secretary popped her head out of the door and addressed the two, "The Mayor will see you now."

Rotten timing, Twilight thought bitterly. The two got up, and proceeded into the office. Inside was a rather humble and formal looking room. Bookshelves and cabinets lined the walls. The national flag of Equestria hung loosely on a pole which stood beside the large window, decorated in light purple drapes. Two seats were placed before a humble looking desk. And, behind the desk, sat an elegant looking earth pony. Her coat a pale tan while her mane and tail were light grey with even lighter streaks. She looked at her new visitors with blue eyes through gold framed glasses.

"Ah, Miss Sparkle!" the Mayor greeted. Her voice carried the weight of age and wisdom most older mortals tend to posses, even though she looked like she had many more years ahead of her. "Have you come to discuss this year's Winter Wrap-Up? I know it's a fair while away, but one can never be too prepared for events like these. Besides, I do have some plans that I want to run by you-"

"Actually, Miss Mayor, we'll have to talk about that next week. I'm here because we need a little bit of help."

The Mayor perked an eyebrow, and looked towards Janos. "My, what a dashing stallion you've brought with you! Is he your-"

"This is Janos Audron," Twilight quickly interrupted, not wanting to answer any of the rather embarrassing question that Ponyville's highest governing body might want to ask. "He came to Equestria a short while ago, and needs a place to stay."

"Accommodations for the handsome pony is something I can do..." she said as she walked over to one of the cabinets, pulled a drawer, and searched for the folder she needed. Fishing out a rather thick file, she returned to her seat and opened it up. "Now, Janos, where did you come from."

Almost automatically, he said, "Nosgoth." The mayor looked at him, slightly puzzled by the answer. "It is a very secluded realm," he finished, honestly.

"Very well," she said, picking up a pen in her mouth and writing the name down on the paper in front of her. She made a side note in an assumption that his home was a distant colony of Trottsylvania, considering his accent. "And, how long do you believe you will be staying in Ponyville?"

Janos answered solemnly, "I have no way to return to my home land. The princess suggested that I move here to get used to life in Equestria. Not knowing this realm as well as you do, I feel it would be best to remain here, at least until I can learn more about the rest of your fair country."

Twilight softly squealed with joy. The prospect of a curious mind looking through the book collection she watched over was almost fantastically unbearable. "I can help with that!" she ended up blurting out, "The library I'm charged to watch over has an extensive collection of tomes that cover many topics of Equestrian life, such as; culture, history, geography, and even surrounding flora and fauna."

"Thank you, my child," Janos said warmly, appreciating the generous amount of help the young mare seems to provide him. Twilight blushed slightly, partially from her slight outburst and from the ancient's warm acceptance of her assistance.

The Mayor jotted down "indefinitely, until further notice" before returning her gaze to her guests. "Do you have pre-existing assets that you might have access to?"

"I'm afraid," he started, "I have no assets."

"Janos told me that he was kinda thrown out of his land unexpectedly after trying stop two ponies from fighting." Twilight added. The ancient looked to Twilight in response to the new and far more innocent interpretation of his problem.

"Oh, you poor dear. I'm so sorry," she said, raising her hoof to her cheek in slight shock. Her expression quickly melted to what seemed to be guilt and regret. "I'm afraid that I can't help you if you have nothing to your name. As much as I would love to run a charity service to help you, finding you a place to stay for free is out of my hooves. Even if I did, you can be sure that other less harmonious individuals might try to take advantage. And that would surely harm the economy of our little community." She shut her folder.

Janos sighed, "It is alright. I understand. Thank you for your time."

For a moment, Twilight felt helpless. Janos was sent to Twilight because the Princess believed she could help him, and the opposite was unfolding before her eyes. She had to think of something, anything, to circumvent the problem. Then, it hit her. "Janos, why don't you just stay with me?"

The Mayor and Janos looked to the lavender mare, almost intrigued and curious of the prospect. Twilight began to elaborate, "Well, I do have a spare guest room that never gets used, and I could always use a little more help around the library." Her demeanor began to get brighter as she continued her little revelation, "You'll also be in reach of the books you need for your research, and I'll always be nearby to ask you questions about your home! It's PERFECT!"

The ancient smiled appreciatively. "Then it's settled," the Mayor said, "Janos, you are left under the room and board of Twilight Sparkle until further notice. I officially welcome you to Ponyville." She held out her hoof. The blue coated pegusus was puzzled at first, but quickly recognized the gesture. Mortals used it as a sign of trust and greeting, originally to check for hidden weapons from would-be assailants on their wrist. Janos reached out his own hoof and they shook.

"Come on, Janos!" Twilight said enthusiastically, hopping out of her seat, "I have a lot of places to show you before we head home!" She beamed with the prospect of being able to share her library with such a unique and foreign pony.

The two departed happily, leaving the Mayor alone in her office once again. She sighed, "I wish I thought of that..."

With a shrug, she picked up the folder with her teeth, and opened her largest drawer in her desk... only to have a pink mare with bouncy curly hair pop out unexpectedly, yelling "SURPRISE INVITATION!" She leaned over the desk holding two envelopes. A couple moments of silence passed before she realized that Janos and Twilight were already long gone.

Her face soured slightly, "Aw, ponyfeathers. My timing was WAY off! Oh well, gotta get back to stalking them." She turned to the Mayor, whom just came out of a slight shock. "Hello, Mayor! How's it going? Pass any neat laws recently? Have you approved my twenty-four six party proposal yet?"

The Mayor gave the pink offender a stern look, "This has been the fourth time this month, Pinkie. I would prefer it that you stop using my desk as a place to ambush new residents. And, no, your party proposal is still in deliberation. I'll get back to you on that next month."

"Okie dokie, Loki!" She exclaimed before disappearing back into the drawer, shutting it behind her. The Mayor opened the drawer again to protest, but realized it was devoid of the pink wonder, as if she were never there. Having experienced this phenomenon more often than she cared to remember, and not being able to make any more sense of it, she decided to continue to let sleeping dogs lie.

"I should probably start putting reality bending laws in place to keep her from doing that to me..."

-v-v-v-v-v-

Twilight led Janos through the hustle and bustle of the Mane Street in Ponyville. Shops and restaurants of all kinds were welcoming potential customers with open arms with the promise of good service and better wishes. And just like the residents themselves, the buildings were bright and colorful. Some of them didn't deviate too far from the designs of the residential buildings he took notice of when he landed here. Most of them used bold and eye catching colors and designs that indeed stood out from the norm of the town. No doubt to attract would be buyers and patrons. Janos wasn't used to being around such variety and couldn't help but let his yellow eyes wander, gazing upon the unique specialty shops; Quills and Sofas, Antique Clockery, Knight's and Mare's Apparel, Bon Bon Confections. One particular shop garnered his immediate attention when he glimpsed the name.

"So, that must be the young Vinyl's establishment," Janos wondered to himself as he slowed to a stop, gazing at the sign. In neon, it said 'Vinyl Turnables and Sound Systems' and had a brightly colored outline of Vinyl Scratch hovering over the name.

Having overheard his statement, Twilight stopped and turned to the secret vampire. "You know Vinyl?" she asked.

"She was the first to greet me when I came to Ponyville, and the one to tell me where I may find you." Janos replied with a nod. "Twilight, would you be so kind as to tell me what a DJ is?"

Wow, your old home land really IS isolated. "DJ is the abbreviation of Disk Jockey." Twilight sensed that this seemingly simple answer she gave him only confused him further, so she continued, "Disk Jockeys are a kind of professional musician that mixes and plays their own musical material to an audience, usually through electronic devices such as synthesizers and turntables. While Vinyl does that on her off time, she acts as a radio personality for the local station that's set up to the north of the town, usually on the weekends. Most nights though, she's a Club DJ by commission, playing at all sorts of parties and pubs. During the day, she runs this shop."

"She's a musician?" Janos asked, slightly surprised. She seemed to be far less diciplined to be one.

Twilight shifted, "Well, yes and no. In a technical sense, yes, she plays music, ergo, she's a musician. However, most ponies tend to differentiate a DJ from other musicians... Even her roommate, Octavia, has had many heated discussions of the legitimacy of the DJ in the music world. I'm just glad that they don't let that tear their friendship apart."

"Is her music truly that different?"

Twilight looked at Janos for a moment, before answering him with a question of her own, "Have you ever heard of the music genre called Techno?" When Janos replied with a no, Twilight told him that she'll tell him about it later.

"Right now, I kinda want to introduce you to some friends of mine." As she said this, the two ponies came up to a rather extravagant looking building. It's first floor, with mixed blue walls detailed with purple edgings, pillars, along with other small decorations and windows shaded by monochrome orange curtains, brought Janos's attention to total bewitchment. As his eyes continued to move up, he noticed the order of the color importance shift, as the second floor and roof were dominated by a light purple diamond checker-board pattern. It was lined elegantly with orange trimming and deep purple designs, and all topped off with a deep purple pillar complex and striped orange cone that held a small red flag at the very tip. The crux of the building's theme seemed to feature carousel persuasions, and the sign at the front (along with the miniature purple ponies that were used as decorations near the top) cemented this observation.

Twilight walked up to the door and was about to open it when she realized that Janos was lagging behind, still letting his eyes wander and explore the building before him. She gave a small cough, before she asked, "Janos, are you coming inside?".

Janos snapped out of his glamor induced trance. "I apologize," he said, "It is not a common occurrence for me to see a building in such color and splendor such as this." The only reverence in beauty I knew that this compares to was my old aerie, Janos thought, which I built in honor of my race and the hero that I believed would redeem us. Janos approached the front door that Twilight stood at. With a gentle push, the door swung open slowly (which followed a gentle ring of a small bell), and the two stepped inside.

"Just a mi~nute!" a elegantly feminine voice sang from an unknown location.

Janos was taken aback by the bright purples and near pinks that dominated the interior, and the continuing carousel themes that were featured in the circular designs, striped patterns of the splashed orange, and various pony shaped manikins that featured the same pose that was on the sign outside. Mirrors were as abundant as the various garments that were either on display of those life sized blank faced dolls or were put on display on hangers or folded neatly on the shelves.

From behind the centerpiece that three mirrors stood, a brilliant white unicorn with a mane of deep purple curls approached the two.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and -"

"Rarity," Twilight said with a smile.

"Oh, Twilight! What a pleasant surprise!" said the fair unicorn, "I'm sorry, but I am rather busy at the moment. I cannot chat for long. I hope you understand."

"That's ok, Rarity. I'm just here giving a small tour," she turns to the vampire, "Janos, this is my good friend Rarity. Rarity, this is Janos Audron."

The fashionista pony walked up to him with grace. "It's an absolute pleasure to-" She stopped mid sentence, and then frantically raced towards the rear end of of the stallion with a horrified gasp. "Oh dear CELESTIA! This is horrible! A TRAVESTY! A true crime in fashion!" She gave Janos' leggings a slight tug, before continuing, "SILK! Oh my poor dear, we will fix you right up!"

Janos was understandably shocked and confused. Before he could protest, however, Twilight spoke up, "Rarity, I don't think he feels very comfortable with you poking at his pants."

Rarity paused and looked up at the shocked and rather discomforted face of the blue and black pegasus. Her eyes widened in revelation as she slowly backed off and composed herself. "You are truly right, Twilight. That was very unladylike of me." She turned to Janos, and said with dignity, "Please, accept my apology."

"It is quite alright." Janos said, with a sigh of relief.

With a sigh of her own, Rarity trotted towards the centerpiece. "Please, follow me." Twilight and Janos looked at each other, wondering what the fashion pony was up to, but ended up merely shrugging it off and following the white and purple mare.

The adjacent room had a similar design as the previous one, but the mirrors were considerably less frequent, garments were either half finished or simply materials, and the very back of the room sat three fitting booths.

"Now that we are out of the public eye, I must ask you to allow me to mend your garments. I simply CANNOT allow you to wander Ponyville looking like that any further," she pressed with a stern composure.

"Rarity," Twilight interjected, "Janos won't have any bits to pay you. He came here with nothing to his name."

"Oh, pish posh, Twilight. I INSIST on this. He can consider it a 'Welcome to Ponyville' gift from me"

"My child, while your offer is most generous, I must decline. As a... pony of principle, I believe in equal-"

"Nonsense. I have NEVER charged first time customers for the mending of fabrics. Please allow me to mend your garments without further fuss?" she said with her lips pursed out in a pout and eyes widening with faux-sorrow, "Pleeeeeeeaaase?"

Unable to resist the adorably sad look on Rarity's face, he caved. "Very well."

With a sudden smile, she exclaimed, "Excellent! Now, remove your leggings."

Janos was slightly stricken by the statement. While he did notice that the other ponies in this world generally wandered about clothes less, he simply didn't feel comfortable with the idea. He has, after all, been clothed for more years than they could fathom. With bashful nervousness, Janos responded, "May I use one of those stalls over there? I don't quite feel comfortable removing my clothing around company."

"Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry," Rarity started, "I didn't know you were that sort of stallion. You must have thought us as-"

"No." Janos interrupted, "The time I have spent here, as brief as it was, allowed me to become used to the public habits of you and your community. But, I feel that I will not be able to conform to the social standard so quickly, as I have been clothed since my youth."

"Well, I'm just glad you don't think less of us for it," Rarity said. Though, I certainly wouldn't mind if every pony in Equestria wore something on a day to day basis. "Right this way, Mr. Audron." Rarity lead Janos to one of the stalls, and with the magic of her horn, opened the door gently. As Janos stepped inside, the door shut behind him. "Toss your leggings over the side of the door, and I'll take them to be mended. I'll be right back with some temporary replacements."

"Janos, you really don't need a replacement pair of pants." Twilight interjected.

"Oh, let him alone my friend. It's a cultural difference that he needs to work out all in due time. One cannot rush these things you know." With that said, she trotted out of the room to look for Janos' replacement garments.

In the stall, Janos raised himself upright. He placed one hoof to lean on the wall, and used the other to first untie the tattered scarf that was tied around his waist to hold his pants in place, then to help slide his pants off of his form. They landed with a soft poof around his fetlocks. With a slight shuffle, he moved his hooves out of the holes of his pants, freeing the garments from him finally. When he dropped down back to all four of his hooves to pick up the leggings, he caught a glimpse of something on his flank. A symbol all too familiar. Two circles of different sizes, one within the other, and the silhouette of a wavy blade that overlapped the circles diagonally. Hilt to the top right, tip to the bottom left. It was the symbol of the Reaver.

But why? Janos thought. The question itself had many layers, two of them obvious. What was the significance of such an image on his body, and furthermore, why WAS there a picture on his body? He realized almost suddenly that all of the ponies he has seen and encountered had some sort of mark, unique to each individual. It must have been some sort of natural law of the land. With a shake of his head, he decided it would be best if he did some research about this phenomenon later. Using his vampiric telekinesis, he picked up the pair of ruined silk clothes, and hung them over the door.

"Excellent," said Rarity behind the door, as the garments were pulled off the door with an aura of purple. "Here are your temporary replacements," she said with a happy chime in her voice, "Because of your rather exceptional height, I assume you would wear an extra large. If they do not fit, return them to me, and I'll find you a better size."

New pants were flipped over the door. Janos, with a tug from his telekinesis, brought them down off the door towards him. They weren't the luscious silk he wore previously, but they were soft enough to the touch. Sliding them back on with a snug and perfect fit, he finished it off by tying the scarf back where it used to belong.

He exited the stall, feeling slightly more comfortable.

What a dashing stallion, Rarity mused in thought, I simply MUST have him in one of my fashion shows one day. "You look simply marvelous, Janos. Though, I don't believe you really need that rather garish looking scarf around you anymore."

"The scarf holds a sentimental value, my dear. It is the last remnants of clothing of my ancestors, aside from the leggings you are mending. I could never think of discarding it."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry." Rarity exclaimed, "Then by all means, keep it. Family importance always trumps fashion."

"Thank you. And, thank you for the new clothing. I must repay you for your grand generosity."

"Oh, think nothing of it."

"But, I simply insist."

Rarity sat on her haunches, and lightly pawed her chin in thought. "Very well then. I'll think of something. In the meantime, enjoy your day in your new replacement slacks."

Janos gave her a small bow, and walked towards Twilight. "Thanks again for having us Rarity," she said with a smile.

"Just be sure you come back in a week. Your silk trousers should be ready by then!"

The two proceeded out of the boutique and into a new day, leaving Rarity alone. Or, so she thought. The second stall suddenly opened up with a slam as the pink mare jumped out. Within an instant, she slid across the floor on her knees, presenting two invitations, yelling "SURPRISE INVITA-"

She stopped just short of a flabbergasted Rarity, and noticed that there was no one else around. "Aw, APPLESAUCE! I missed my cue AGAIN!" Pinkie got up with a frustrated snort, turned around, and walked right back into the stall. With a slam of the door behind her, she caused many of the standing pony mannequins to topple over, creating a bigger mess than ever. Rarity could only twitch an eye, trying to comprehend the incomprehensible.

-v-v-v-v-v-

It was well into the afternoon by the time Twilight and Janos reached the dirt road leading to Sweet Apple Acres. Janos noticed the change in aesthetics the further they got away from the town. Instead of the bright multicolors that were featured in the town proper, earthy colors became the norm, from the lush green of the plant life to the rich brown of the trees and soil. The only colors and shades that contrasted against the natural vibe were the ruby painted barns and sheds trimmed in white, the white fences and gates, and the bundles of golden hay.

"Well, here we are. Sweet Apple Acres," Twilight quipped. Janos continued to observe the harmony of such a place. While the Carousel Boutique bolstered a complex and outward elegance, this location breathed of simplistic peace and beauty. It was almost rejuvenating.

The sound of aggressive competition kicked him out of his observations. Both he and Twilight looked for the source of the sound only to spot it's epicenter. Two mares, one orange earth pony with a brilliant blond mane topped with a stetson hat, the other a cyan pegasus with a... rainbow mane?

The unique mane color of the second pony stood out in his memory. Is that the pony that ran into me earlier today?

"Applejack! Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out with a friendly smile.

The orange pony Applejack was the first to turn her head in Twilight's direction after hearing her name. "Howdy Twilight!" she called in a friendly response, before being toppled over from the sudden jerk in her front hoof by the other mare.

"HAH! Told yah I'd win!" boasted the blue opponent. With a prideful strut, she finally acknowledged Twilight in greeting, "Oh, hey Twilight! What's up?"

"Ooo, Rainbow Dash! Ya no good cheat! That was mighty low of you t' slam me while ah'm talkin' to Twah."

"You're just jealous that I won." she said, sticking her tongue out.

"One match out of seven doesn't count as a full win, Dash. I still have three in th' bag and we have three more t' go." Applejack deadpanned. As soon as she said that, Rainbow Dash's ego seemed to suddenly deflate.

With a chuckle, Twilight lead Janos into the farm area and up close to the two competitors. "I take it Rainbow challenged you to another hoofwrestle?"

"And lost three times in a row, and demanded more matches," the orange mare said with a honest but sly smirk. The cyan pegasus was not amused at the Element of Honesty's, well, brutally honest nature. "So, what can ah I do fer ya?"

"I'm just giving a new pony a tour of Ponyville." With that said, Janos approached the three. "Applejack, Rainbow Dash, this is Janos Audron. He'll be staying here for quite a long time. Janos, these are my friends."

Janos approached the two. "It is a pleasure to meet-" was all he could say before his hoof was gripped by Applejack and shaken with high enthusiasm.

"Well, howdy there pardner!" she exclaimed, still shaking him quick and relentlessly, "Ah'm Applejack. 'Tis mighty fine to meet y'all. Any friend of Twah's is a friend o' mine!"

With that, Applejack finally released Janos' hoof... which was still shaking despite it's freedom. Twilight gave a nervous chuckle, before helping Janos place his hoof back on solid ground, effectively calming it. Janos looked to Twilight, and silently thanked her for the assistance. Once composed, he approached Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, the name's Rainbow Dash!" She said with a newly invigorated pride, possibly hoping that he didn't over hear Applejack's casual admittance of her opponent's crippling loss thus far.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance," he said with a bow, and a warm smile. Rainbow Dash returned the favor, but something caused her smile to falter slightly. There was something awfully familiar about the pony. His yellow eyes, his slicked back dark mane, his height, his pointed... Fangs! she screamed in her thoughts. A subdued shiver ran up and down her back, as memories of horror reels became recounted in her mind. Horror reels that were specifically about a certain monster of the night. No, I can't jump to conclusions again, she thought while calming down, I'll investigate and THEN jump to conclusions!.

With a fake smile now plastered on her face, she replied through her teeth, "Pleasure is all mine."

Satisfied with introductions, Twilight and Janos made some small talk with the farmer pony, asking her what she's been up too lately. Applejack talked about her farm work, the approaching apple-bucking season, and haggling prices for replacement apple seeds of faulty and dying trees. When all was said, they turned to the rainbow headed mare and repeated their questions. The aspiring Wonderbolts fan elaborated on her training regiment, her daily cloud moving and kicking, and her constant trials against the present orange colored company that was the only decent match of her physical prowess. When Applejack asked about Janos, he explained his situation being virtually stranded in Equestria, and originally coming from a land called Nosgoth. He refrained from explaining his job as the guardian of the Reaver, and only said that he was tasked to wait for somepony for years in solitude. While Applejack admired his patience and his drive to keep going even while he's stranded, Dash grew all the more suspicious.

"Well, it was sure nice of ya t' visit. I hope to see you again soon, Sugarcube," she said warmly, before turning to Janos with an equally warm, "You too." Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement when Applejack was talking to Twilight, and halted when speaking to Janos.

"Thanks Applejack, Rainbow Dash." Twilight responded, "Come on Janos. We've got one more place to stop by." And with that, the two ponies departed. Peace and quiet lingered on the farm for a moment while the two mares watched on as Janos and Twilight become smaller and smaller specks the further trekked onward back to town. Just before they were about to resume their competition, they were greeted by a-

"SURPRISE-" screamed the pink pony that leaped out of an idle barrel, only to be given awkward stares by her two friends, and not the stares given by Twilight and the newpony. "Oh for the love of PETE! This joke is starting to repeat itself a bit too much and is getting old REAL fast," she growled before jumping back into the barrel, leaving the two competitors extremely confused.

-v-v-v-v-v-

"I'm sorry, dearies," said the sky blue mare with the light crimson with pink streaked mane, "Pinkie is off on a delivery, and was supposed to be back an hour ago. I have no earthly idea when she'll be coming back. You're welcome to stay and wait for her."

"That's ok Mrs. Cake," Twilight said with a sigh, "We need to get back to the library, and I need to clean out the guest room. Just tell Pinkie we were here, ok?"

"Okie dokie, dearie." she said with a motherly smile, "It was an absolute delight to meet you, Mr. Audron. I hope you enjoy your life in Ponyville."

"I am quite sure I will. Everyone I have met has been a pleasant surprise for me." What followed was a silence that practically dared someone to break with extreme prejudice. When nothing came, they all said their goodbyes, and the two ponies departed for the Library, leaving Mrs. Cake alone to her baking.

As evening reached it's zenith in the day, an uneventful and eerily quiet walk followed Twilight and Janos. Deciding to break the silence a bit, Twilight asked her new guest what he thought about her friends. "You have gained some truly wonderful souls to call as friends, my child. You must be very proud."

She gave a half-hearted laugh, "I wouldn't say proud. Before I came here from Canterlot, it was only me and Spike. Sure, I knew a few ponies here and there, but I honestly didn't give them the time of day. Not because they were bad, but simply because I was so focused on my studies to worry about companions. It wasn't until Princess Celestia sent me here to have me make some friends that I truly got to appreciate such a concept. I'm LUCKY to have the friends I have, and I couldn't be more happy. I'm just sorry that I couldn't introduce you to them all, with Fluttershy being in Cloudsdale and Pinkie being missing."

"I'm sure we will meet them eventually," Janos said, as they reached the Library.

They noticed that all the lights were off. "Spike must have gone to sleep. Probably only finished cleaning up half of the library," Twilight said as she turned the handle with her magic and opened it slowly, "If he cleaned the whole place, it'll be thorough-"

"SURPRISE!!!!!" shouted all the ponies inside of the library as confetti and streamers erupted out the doors and open windows, all with the lights suddenly flaring on. "WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!"

Heart racing from the sudden party, Twilight laughed a little, "I think it's for you Janos... Janos?" She looked beside her and noticed the pegasus was lying on the ground, face up. Pinkie popped out of the mob of ponies that were in the library, and approached the out cold ancient.

"Well, looks like this party will be a knock out!"