Road to Nowhere

When I finished my shower, I got dressed and headed for the stairs. I then noticed Spike at the end of the hall, counting Twilight's books. I’d totally forgotten to introduce myself to him!
“Hi, Spike!”
“What, who’s that?!”

When he turned around he saw me, he was, at least, shocked to see me. Twilight came in JUST in time. Before Spike panicked, she grabbed hold of Spike with a deft levitation spell.
“Spike, this is the human I was telling you about. His name is Josh, and he’s harmless.”
The world slowed when Twilight set Spike down, and he slowly ambled up to me.

“H-Hi; name’s Spike.”
“’Sup, little dude!”

As I gave him a fist-bump, he no longer feared me, which made me glad. Just before I was going to ask something so we could bond, Twilight ended up intervening. “It’s good you two are getting along, but we have to hurry for the welcome party.” She was right. She grabbed her book with her magic... the one for humans, I realized...
“Why do you need to bring the book for?” I asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

“I’m bringing it to study how you socialize with other ponies at the party,” she replied matter-of-factly.
As stupid as it sounded, she was right AGAIN. I STILL had to tell her and show her what humans did.

As we headed off to Sugarcube corner, I asked Twilight, “Umm, you don’t mind being called ‘that…’ right?”
Twilight looked at me with concern. “Called what?”
“Your nickname... TWI.” I thought I’d made it obvious, but maybe not.
“OHH, I don’t mind one bit, Josh! Most of my friends call me Twi.”
“Then why was Dash laughing at it?”
“Maybe it’s just the way you said it?” The lavender mare suggested.

She might have a point! When Pinkie’s was in sight, I almost forgot… it was a SURPRISE party! So I'll pretend not to see it coming. When we approached the door to Sugarcube Corner, I opened the door slowly to see that the room was completely dark.
Uh-Oh. This can only mean...
“SURPRISE!!!” The confetti and cacophony of party arsenal could’ve blown a kid back.
Yep; just what I thought.

Everypony showed up to the party. Obviously Twilight’s friends are there to, including Dash! Pinkie trotted towards me with a big smile. “SO, what do you think? Do you like it? Isn't this fun?”
I just stood there, dumbfounded, and then replied, “Yes, Pinkie, I love it! Thank you!”

Pinkie beamed more explicitly and hugged me very tightly. “I KNOW YOU WOULD LOVE IT!” I tried to tell Pinkie to let me go… cause she was killing me... literally!
Then, Dash broke up the hug saying, “OK, Pinkie, I think Josh gets it!”
Pinkie looked at me with a worried face. “Hee, hee… sorry, Joshie.”

Great, I have a nickname all of a sudden!

Dash couldn't help but laugh as she replied, “HAHA! Guess you got a nickname now!” I didn't mind it a bit. I find it kind of cute...NOT that kind of cute! But cute. I glanced over and saw punch at the table, and took some. When I tried it, it was AWESOME!

As I had a few punch cups, I noticed Lyra next to me. She noticed me as well. “Hey, you! Thanks for calling me... cute” I noticed her blushing ‘a bit.’
“No problem; sometimes it’s fun to flirt!”

I can see that somepony has a crush on me already...I’m flattered, but I’m just not ready to have a relationship...with a pony, But I guess I have to get used to it, I’m the ONLY human here. I’m like an endangered species in a way! I guess I have no choice then.

I still notice Lyra waiting for me to say something. “So, uhhh, Lyra, what do you do around here in Ponyville?”
She smiled widely and replied, “OH, thank you for asking! I study rare species, along with reading spell books, and playing the lyre!”

“You like music too; that’s great!” I noticed her avoiding eye contact with me, trying so hard not to blush that it was adorable… ish.

She then came to face me again. “Well, uh, enough about me… What about you?”
“Well, I used to work at a store, and go to school, too! That’s all I can say about myself. For now, anyway.”
Maybe I wasn’t the most social by definition, but Lyra got the idea and nodded with a proud beam. “Work AND school,” she marveled, “so much responsibility for your age... Your dad must be so proud!”

BOOM! There went the happy bomb!

What Lyra had said made me feel that my dad is still there with me... in spirit, watching over me ... knowing that I was safe. But, before we continued the conversation, Dash barged in. “’Sup, you two?” She’s a little like a best friend to me.

“I’ll talk to you later, Lyra.”
“Ok; bye! Nice talking to you, Josh!”
“You too… CUTIE!”

Lyra hid behind her blush as she left me and dash at the punch bowl. I turned to Dash, who was giving me a serious look. “WHAT?” I asked in confusion.

She sighed and said to me with a smile, “You just can't get enough of her, can you?”

“I’m telling you, Lyra and I are JUST friends; it’s just flirting!”

“Suure you are!!” Dash rolled her eyes to accompany the thick sarcasm in her tone.

“I can do it to anyone… I mean everypony! including you!”

Dash gave me an angry look. “DON’T…YOU…EVEN...DARE!”

I gave her an evil smirk and replied, “Watch me!” After what I said, I came up with a bunch of compliments; perfect for wooing a mare. And I know just what to say to her.

“Hey, Dash, do you know that you're the most awesome pegasus in the whole world?”

Dash smirked a bit and replied, “Well, I am awesome… now cut it out!”

I gave her an evil laugh and retorted, “OH no... I’m just getting started!” After that, I thought of ALL the nice things to say to Dash.
“Your mane is beautiful!”

Dash begun to blush, and tried to hide it. “STOP IT!”

I smiled and kept going.

“Your eyes are pretty!!”

“I MEAN IT!!” shouted Dash with an angry, blushing face. I stopped for a few seconds, and she sighed and thought it was over... but then I said one quick thing..

“You’re hot as well!”

She punched me hard in the shoulder, which hurt like HELL!!

“OWWW!!”

Dash gave me a smile and said “HAH, that’s what you get for flirting with me!”
I smiled at her and responded, “That’s too bad. ‘Cause It was starting to get fun.” I then laughed and realized that Dash was getting fed up with it.

“Ha, ha, very FUNNY.” said an angry Rainbow Dash.

“You should’ve seem the look on your face! You were blushing like a tomato!”

“I was NOT blushing! I had something on my face, that’s all!”

I knew she was lying. I rolled my eyes and replied, “Suuure you did.”

“You know, you're THIS close to ending up in the hospital!”

“From the look on that blush, you seem to enjoy it!”

Just before anything got outta hand, or hoof, Pinkie came by and said, “Noticed you two are getting along. I noticed you flirting with Lyra... How CUTE!”

“Me and Lyra are JUST frieeends! All we did was a little flirting... I did the same with Dash!” Dash gave me an angry stare, but something told me that were gonna be Ok!

“Whatever you say, McFlirtypants!”

As she left, I noticed Dash still giving me an angry look. She came closer to me and whispered, “I’m gonna get you back for this!”

I was a little nervous of plans she had for me. Apparently, Rainbow could be ruthless with pranks. Not only had she wanted to prank Fluttershy, but she made Gilda Griffon explode! “What are you gonna do?!”

She smiled and said “OH, you’ll find out soon!” She suddenly began leaning closer and closer, which made me feel uncomfortable. Oh GOD, she’s not gonna kiss me, is she?! She then whispered in my ear, “You know… I always find different species...HOT!”

Sweet Jesus!!

I blushed like mad now and my face was boiling a bit...I then heard Dash giggle and then burst into laughing. I was confused: what she was laughing about?

“HAHAHA! GOT YOU! You should see the look on your face!” While she was laughing, I couldn't help but smile. Who knew flirting with Rainbow Dash was so much fun?

Twilight approached, levitating her book. “I studied your behavior with other ponies…and something tells me you're fine with everypony else.”

I smiled and replied, “Glad to hear it!”

“OH! I almost forgot. I have to introduce you to my friends!” As I followed her, I saw the rest of her friends in a line.
“Josh, these are my friends. This here is Applejack.”

Applejack walked towards me and shook my hand like CRAZY! “Well HOWDY, Josh! Glad to see you here again. I thought the princess wasn't gonna go easy on ya, but here you are!”

Twilight giggled a bit, and muttered, “I can see you met her already.” She then continue her the introduction of her friends.
“And this here is Rarity!”

I stuck my hand in front of Rarity for a handshake. She looked at my hand with a curious face and I knew what she was thinking and I told her, “Don’t worry; my hands aren't dirty. I washed before we left!”

She then smiled and shook my hand. “It’s a pleasant meeting you here, darling. What kind of clothes are you wearing?” The latter sentence had a note of curiosity.

“Oh, this is just a black t-shirt I’m wearing. And jeans.”

She looked at them with interest and said, “Well, I say they're quite..,unique, if I say so myself.”
“Thanks! You're quite unique as well, my lady!”

Rarity giggled a bit and replied to my comment. “What a fine gentlemen for your age! I bet your parents raised you well!” AND… there goes the happy mood.

“This here is Pinkie Pie” Pinkie shook my hand up and down for a little while and started talking. “HEY, name’s Pinkie Pie, even though we already met! It’s nice to meet you again!” She continued to shake my hand for a while. When it finally got a little weird, then she finally stopped.

“And this here is Rainbow Dash, but it seemed you already met her?” Dash smiled at me and stuck her tongue out at me. I did the same, and we both giggled a bit. if only I could give her the middle finger! But that wouldn't do anything would, since they didn't know what it meant.

“And, last but not least, Fluttershy!”
I looked at Fluttershy and I can tell she was scared at meeting me. “Umm, hi?” I attempted.

“Eeeep!”

She hid behind Dash and trembled. Dash just sighed and told me, “She’s very shy.” She nodded and turned to the yellow mare. “Fluttershy, he’s harmless!” She then pushed her towards me...she stared at me for a few seconds and finally introduced herself.

“Umm…hi...Josh…”

“Hello to you too, Fluttershy!” She no longer feared me...much, anyway. “You don’t mind if I call you Flutters... do ya?”

“Oh no, not at all!”

“So, Flutters, you love animals, right?”

“Oh, I just LOVE animals!”

“Me too; one day you have to show me!” I said.

Fluttershy smiled. “Oh yes, that would be lovely.”

“Great to know that you got along with my friends! Now let’s continue the party.” said Twilight. As I talked with everypony, they gave me questions and I give them a short answers...We all got along just fine. Everypony were having a fun time! When everypony went home, they said their goodbyes to me, including Lyra, who passed by me and gave me a wink.
“Now THAT was a party!” said a happy Pinkie Pie.

Twilight then came up beside me and said “Well, that was fun and all, but me and Josh have head back home.”
Pinkie’s face twisted into an uncommon frown. “Aww! Do you have to?!” Twilight nodded in response, and Pinkie turned her frown upside down. “Well, ok then! See you later, Joshie!”
I grinned. “Bye Pinkie; thanks for the party!”

After we made our ‘byes, me and Twilight walked back home. I then asked her, “What do I have to do again when we get back?”

She turned to me and replied, “I'm going to ask you questions about humans; mostly important ones I need to know.”

OH MY LORD NOOO!!!

I gave her a fake smile and said “…I wouldn't mind one bit.”

“Splendid! I can’t wait for it!” When we got home, we saw Spike relaxing in a pile of books. Noticing Twilight and me, he started back to work again.

“Hey guys; you’re back! How was the party?”

“It was nice. Met some new friends, tried out new things, it was wonderful!” I replied cheerily.
Twilight smiled and said, “Glad you had fun! NOW with those questions!” I really didn't like the idea..So I tried to save time JUST for today..

“Umm… Twi? If it’s possible, can we do Q&A tomorrow? It’s just because I JUST got here and I want to explore Ponyville for a bit; if you don't mind, that is.”

Twilight thought it over and said, “Well…I suppose it would be better to get used to the village. SURE. Why not!” Phew!! That was a close one! “Spike, do me a favor and put this book on humans on the shelf for tomorrow.”
“Sure thing, Twilight!”

I decided to take a little nap in my room, so I’d have enough energy for touring the village.

*Third Pony View*

While Twilight was reading one of her books, she heard a knock at the door. “Spike, can you get that?” Spike skipped to the door to open it. When he did, he saw Rainbow Dash standing there.

“Oh; hey, Spike. Is Twilight home?”

”It’s Rainbow Dash!”

Twilight put her book away and greeted her friend. “Hi, Rainbow Dash. Is there something I can help you with?”
The unicorn gave her a small smirk, saying “Maybe the new book of Daring Do!”

Rainbow Dash shook her head and replied, “Uhh, no. Actually, I’m here to see if Josh is home?”
“He’s just upstairs having a little nap.”

Rainbow Dash had an evil smile as planned something for our friend, Josh. “You don’t mind if I go check on him, do ya?”
Twilight looked at her friend with skeptically. “Sure, but don’t try anything funny.”

Rainbow Dash then flew upstairs and found Josh’s room. He was sleeping like a log. She flew on top of him and shook him hardly. When Josh slowly opened his eyes, he saw Dash smiling at him saying, “Wake up, you lazy bones!” Josh then panicked and fell off his bed.

*Josh’s Point of View*

“HAHAHA! Morning Josh!” laughed Dash as I lay on the floor.

I gave her an angry look, replying, “HAHA very funny! What do you want, anyway?”

“I was wondering if you wanna hang out today?” I realized that I needed to explore the village. “Actually, I’m going for a walk to see the rest of Ponyville. You can come help me if you want.”

“AWESOME, let’s go!”

She grabbed my hand and flew straight downstairs! When we got outside I said, “Warn me next time that you're gonna do that!” Her only response was sticking her tongue at me and smiled. We went around Ponyville and saw some nice houses and ponies... it was a lovely day out.

“So, Dash, your friends are nice!” I said cheerfully.

“Yeah, they're pretty cool once you get to know them. Uhh… Josh?” I turned to face her and she continued, “When you flirted with me at Pinkie’s...did you mean ALL of it?”

I kinda felt a little warm inside that she asked. “Dash, of course I MEANT it...especially the hot part.” She punched me in the arm. Guess I deserved that! As we continued our walk, I notice her trying to hide her blush.

“So, uhhh JOSH! What was your place like!”

I tried my best to think of things that she’d understand.

"To be honest... Nice, I guess. But there are bad times like war, global warming, violence... Some bad stuff you can THINK of!"

Dash then looked at me with a frown. ”How can you live with that?" I shrugged as an answer. Where I was from, things like that didn't happen often, since we had gun control and all stuff like that.

“If it's not too much to ask...what was the last thing you did before you came here?”
Then it hit me... My dad passing away by a fire, me being forced into a foster home, doing underage drinking in a party... And finally a car accident that caused me to be here.

"…Maybe I'll tell you and the gang when I'm ready... It's just... I was going through a tough time after someone…important in my life passed away, and-"

Just then, Dash hugged me, knowing that I was going through a bad time and said, "Hey… We’re your friends! We will never let anything happen to you!"

I attempted not to cry. I was in a better place now…"Thanks, Dash...I really needed that."

"Anytime, Josh. I am the element of loyalty, after all!"

“Can we hang out tomorrow?”

"Sorry, dude... I gotta work tomorrow." I decided to head back to Twilight's; the moon was extremely high. I gave her a groupie and she flew off, saying goodbye.

As I watched her fly off, lit by the moon, I decided to take a quick stop at Flutter's place, so I could see her animals...including Angel! I then made my way to Flutter's house.

To Fluttershy’s!