Chapter Three

Party Hardy and Saying Sorry

“Wowie Wow! I’ve never seen anybody jump that far.” Pinkie Pie managed to gasp out after a fit of heavy laughter.

“It’s not funny Pinkie!” Little D snapped from the kitchen. He stepped out with a groan and rubbed the back of his head. “I mean seriously, who does something like that.” He frowned at the hyperactive party thrower as he dusted glitter and and confetti off of his shirt.

“Well I do this all the time when I throw parties.” Pinkie beamed. “Which is exactly why I came over today, I wanted to tell you that I’m throwing you a great big ‘congratulations on starting your mystical journey and sorry we thought you were a monster’ party.”

“You thought I was a monster?” Little D sounded hurt. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know that now, that’s why part of the party title is ‘sorry we thought you were a monster.’ You can tell us all about yourself then!” Pinkie smile broadly. “This is gonna be the bestest best party I’ve ever thrown for a near-immortal!”

“The only party you’ve ever thrown for a near-immortal.” D smirked.

“Well yeah, which is exactly why it’s gonna be so super-dee-duper fun! There’s gonna be all kinds of treats, music, punch, fun, and tons of people will be there!” Pinkie hopped around her blue cannon.

“Wait, how many people did you say would be there?” D asked with concern. “I don’t think it’s wise for me to talk about myself in front of an entire village just yet.”

“Aww, why not?” Pinkie asked.

“Trust me, the second people find out that I’m a near-immortal student of Death on a quest to stop my former friend from wiping all life off the face of the planet, I’ll be fending off torches and pitchforks in no time.” D grinned sadly.

“Oh Dee Dee, I’m sure everything will be fine.” Pinkie smiled reassuringly, then her eyes went wide. “Ohmigosh! I almost forgot to give you your welcome to Ponyville surprise! Wait right here!” Pinkie suddenly sprinted out of the library in a pink blur and returned only seconds later with the strangest contraption that D has ever seen. It looked like a pink and white chest on wooden wheels. Twilight groaned when she saw what Pinkie had brought.

“Pinkie Pie, you are not using that thing inside the library. I’m still finding bits of cake from the last time I let you use it in here.” Twilight said sternly.

“Ok Twilight, come on Dee Dee, I’ll give you your surprise outside.” Pinkie took her cannon and her wagon and wheeled them outside. Little D looked back at Twilight with a curious look.

“So what’s this surprise, something about cake?” he asked.

“Go out and see for yourself.” Twilight said with a sly grin. “You’ll love it I’m sure.”

“Ok then.” D said slowly as he walked to the door. “Wonder what was with that wagon.” D exited the building with a sigh. “I was so close to getting some quiet study time too, is it really too much to ask to read a few books in hopes of preventing the apocalypse.” he looked up at the library and scanned the branches for his bird. “Ey Terra! Come on down girl, Pinkie has a surprise for us.” D looked over his shoulder and frowned. “Speaking of whom, did you see which way she went? She left like, two seconds ago and she’s already disappeared on me.” Terra whistled and flew down to D. She landed on the Golden Oaks signpost and pointed the way Pinkie Pie ran off.

“Good girl.” D smiled as he let Terra fly to his shoulder. “Now let’s go find her, shall we?” Terra sang out happily as D set out for the party girl.

D followed the path that Terra picked out, his hands stuffed in his pockets. “Seriously though, do these girls have any idea how important this journey is for me, hell, for the world even? Terra, when I got back to Twilight’s place last night, I spent the entire night reading almost every book in the history section hoping to find something that seemed even remotely useful, and do you wanna know what happened the second I thought I found a lead?” Terra tweeted her response. “I was dragged into a soundproof basement and set on fire. Twice.” Terra let out a low whistle and nuzzled D’s cheek. “Well aren’t you sweet? But don’t worry, I’m all better now. I just hope Pinkie’s surprise doesn’t involve pain or anything too weird.” Terra made a series of low croaks, to which D smirked.

“Come on Terra, we don’t even know Pinkie that well. She can’t be that crazy. Remember those stories I’ve been telling you about my sort-of-cousin Johnny?” Terra nodded. “Well he’s practically psychotic. He talks to himself and actually listens to these voices in his head. He’s even given a few of them names.” D chuckled to himself while Terra tweeted shortly. “What? No. Talking to you is not the same as what Johnny’s doing. You actually talk back.” Terra then sang a long series of notes to D, making him stop in place. “Woah.” he mumbled. “That, uh, that’s some deep philosophy you’re throwin’ my way. I never thought about it like that. Allow me to reflect on that for a brief moment.” D stood in spot for five seconds, humming to himself and stroking an imaginary beard before looking back at his bird. “Nope,” he said. “,still completely different.” to which Terra pecked at his ear.

“Gah, would you stop pecking at my ear?” D snapped then stopped and tilted his head to the side. “Wait a minute. I sense hyperactivity behind me.”

“Wowie! Nobody has ever been able to sense me coming.” came a bubbly voice from behind D. “Are you some kind of psychic?” D turned to face a smiling Pinkie Pie.

“No, I’m just good at paying attention to my surroundings.” he nodded at Pinkie’s wagon. “So is that the surprise?”

“Yessire Dee Dee. Well ok, it’s only part of the surprise. This is my Welcome Wagon.” Pinkie patted her contraption affectionately. She smiled and pressed the little pink button on the side, causing the top half of the wagon to open and slide into itself. D watched confusedly as several horns, an oven, and numerous impossibly long flags rose out of the chest.

“What the?” before D could even begin to comprehend the mess of parts in front of him, Pinkie Pie began to sing.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome. A fine welcome to you. Welcome, welcome, welcome I say how do you do?” Pinkie danced up to D and put a party hat on his head, before suddenly appearing at his other side playing an enormous base drum. “Welcome, welcome, welcome. I say, hip-hip-hooray!” she danced back over to her Welcome Wagon, the bass drum had mysteriously disappeared. “Welcome, welcome, welcome, to Ponyville today!” Pinkie slid towards with him a huge grin on her face as the song came to an end. “Wait for it.” she said slowly. Suddenly, the door to the oven burst open and a cake two tier cake twice the size of the oven came hurtling towards Little D. He was too dumbfounded to react and the frosting covered missile slammed into his stomach with more force than he thought could be possible, knocking him on his back. Fortunately for him, he was still conscious enough to witness a shower of confetti rain down on him.

“Ohmigosh D! Are you alright?” Pinkie asked frantically as she rushed over to her fallen friend. “I didn’t think that you’d get knocked down.”

“I was hit by a flying cake,” D stared at the sky. “,a cake that was twice the size of the oven it came out of, and the oven came out of a wagon. What is this magical new hell I have discovered?” he sat up with a groan and began cleaning himself up as best as he could.

“Oh, I’m sorry Lil’ D, honest. I just wanted to give you a super surprise and welcome you to town.”

“Ya know I’d be doing a lot better is someone wasn't laughing at me right now.” D grumbled and shot an irritated look at his bird, who had doubled over in a fit of croak like laughter. “Does my pain amuse you Terra?” D asked angrily as his bird rolled around on the ground. “Do you enjoy my suffering?” D shouted with a smirk. “You can be so cruel, you know that?” D got to his feet and brushed off more cake and confetti. “Do you normally shoot people with cake?” D asked Pinkie Pie with a bemused look.

“Most of the time, yeah.” she smiled and giggled. “But sometimes I put the confetti in the oven and the cake batter in the confetti shooter. It actually happens a lot.” D raised an eyebrow at her.

“Riiiiiight. So anyway, you mentioned a party earlier. When and where exactly is it?” D asked with a smile.

“Oh right! The party is at 6 o’clock tonight at Sugarcube Corner and you can leave when you get all tuckered out. There’s gonna be all kinds of fun stuff happening, and don’t forget that everybody is gonna be asking you questions, so get your story straight before you come!”

D rolled his eyes. “Right, I’ll be as honest as I can, but I think I’ll be leaving some things out.” he told her. “Anyways, I’ll see you around Pinkie, I need to get some reading done so I can prevent the apocalypse.”

“Okie dokey Dee Dee!” Pinkie waved happily. “Good luck with preventing the accomplice!” she watched D walk back to the Library with Terra flying high above him. “Hmm. I really want to party now, but it’s hours away.” Pinkie frowned the immediately smiled again. “Oh I know what I can do. Plus sign time break! Duh!” and with that Pinkie Pie happily skipped back to Sugarcube Corner.

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It was party time and almost everybody in Ponyville showed up for another one of Pinkie Pie’s signature parties, and, to a lesser extent, welcome the stranger to town. The Element Bearers were scattered throughout the party, mingling with the guests, handing out punch, and just having a good time. Little D was leaning against a wall, casually sipping his punch and smiling as he watched the party. He watched the guests dance about and laugh. almost everyone was down in the middle of the dancing mob, with the exception of a few people talking and laughing amongst themselves outside of the dancing mass, but there was one girl standing by herself away from the crowd.

D smiled and walked over to Fluttershy with his drink in hand. “Hey there Fluttershy, why are you just sitting over all by your lonesome?” he pointed to the crowd. “Shouldn't you be in there with your friends and dancin’ and all that?”

“Oh I’m fine right here actually. I love Pinkie’s parties, but I’m no good with crowds, especially not when I’m actually in the crowd. As surprising as it might seem, I’m actually very shy.” she said in a soft voice that could just barely be heard above the roar of the crowd. “Besides, I’m not a very good dancer.”

“Well, neither is Twilight, but that’s not stopping her.” D replied as he pointed to Twilight who appeared to be having some sort of epileptic fit. “And she’s still having a good time.” D’s smile wavered as he continued to watch Twilight. “Though she should probably stop soon. I’m starting to think that she’s actually having a problem.” but, as the song ended, so did Twilight’s wild flailing about. “Oh nevermind, she’s fine now.” he smiled. “Now we just have to hope that they never play another song again, ever.” Fluttershy giggled softly.

“At least Twilight has the nerve to go out into the middle of a crowd and do something like that. I don’t think I’d ever be able to do that.”

“Ah, hey now. Why not?” D smiled warmly at her. “Nothing wrong with making a fool of yourself every twice and a while, just as long you know how to laugh at yourself along with others, ya know?”

“Oh, I really don’t like it when people laugh at me either.” Fluttershy said sadly as she lowered her head.

“You can’t let those things get to you. Let it wash off of you like, water off of rocks or something. You just gotta’ prove ‘em wrong later. Like I remember this one time, when I first turned into a near-immortal, John and I were practicing with throwing knives out in the woods and I was just awful. So, naturally, Johnny starting laughing at my complete lack of skills. So I just sat back and watched him work, a few minutes later he was done and I grabbed his knives and started practicing.” Little D smiled at the memory. “I kid you not, I threw the first knife and hit the tree dead center, then I threw the next one, it hit the first knife, and cut clean through it. John was, surprised, to say the least.”

“Oh my. But, I don’t think I could do something like that.” Fluttershy said quietly. “But, I suppose you’re right. I’ll try to remember that.” she smiled at him appreciatively.

“That’s the spirit.” D looked around and noticed that the music had stopped and that a few lights came back on. “Well, I gotta go for a sec, I think Pinkie want’s me to address the crowd.” D pushed off of the wall and walked over to Pinkie Pie, who was just finishing up talking to the crowd.

“And here he comes ladies and gentlemen, Let’s give a big round of applause to our guest of honor, Little D!” The crowd let out a loud roar as they cheered for the stranger. “D is really new here everyone, so make him feel welcome and don’t be afraid to ask some questions.

“Hey everybody how’s it goin’?” D asked and the crowd let out another loud cheer. “So I understand you have some questions for me. Now I can only answer a few questions, I haven't got my story straight yet.” D smirked and a light chuckle ripple through the crowd. “I’m bad at jokes.” D said, his smirk growing slightly. “Ok, so who’s up first.” D scanned the crowd as a flurry of hands shot into the air. “Ok, uh, you, young lady with the blue and purpleish hair.”

“Hi, my name is Bon Bon and I was wondering where you lived before you came here.”

“Ok, I didn’t really live in one single place Miss. For a long time I’ve just been travilin’ around and learnin’ all kinds of stuff, how to survive in the wild and all that good stuff. Next question. You there in the green sweater.”

“My name’s Lucky and I was wondering what you were, like are you a mage or...”

“Nah, I’m as normal as they come, couldn't you tell by my hair and choice of clothing?” D asked jokingly. “I know you got more questions, guys. How about you with the mint green and white hair.”

“I’m Lyra and I was wondering why you were wearing those sunglasses inside. Are you blind or something?”

“Yes! Oh how could you be so insensitive.” D wailed as he put his arm on his head dramatically. The crowd went silent and Lyra looked down ashamed. “Guys, I’m joking.” D said as he dropped his arm to his side. “Truth is, my eyes are just weird looking.” Lyra breathed a sigh of relief as quiet laughter passed through the crowd. “Anyone else?” D spent the next few minutes answering any questions that the crowd had, trying his best to be funny while secretly hoping that his joking manner would discourage any more questions.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Several hours of partying later, everyone was heading home. The Element Bearers and D held back a bit to thank Pinkie Pie for the party.

“Man Pinkie, that was undoubtedly the coolest part I have had thrown in my honor.” D said with a big smile.

“Well thanks for saying so Dee Dee. Party throwing is my special talent! Wanna see my cutie mark?” Pinkie said happily.

“Uh, no Pinkie, It’s ok, you don’-”

“Too late!” Pinkie Pie yelled. She grabbed her sleeve and rolled it up. She lifted her arm and flexed her bicep, revealing three balloons. “See! Balloons mean party!” she smiled broadly happily at D.

“Yes, quite. Pinkie, darling it truly was another spectacular soiree.” Rarity complemented politely. “However, I must be getting home now, I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow, and I simply must get to bed soon to get my full beauty sleep.”

“Yeah, I got an early day tomorrow too.” Rainbow yawned. “I got stuck with the early shift on weather patrol.

“That goes double fer me.” Applejack said as she stretched her arms above her head. “Gotta get up early an’ help Big Macintosh with the harvest.”

“Yeah, Twilight and I have to get up early and make up for some lost study time. We only got through two books today.” D said with a hopeful smile. “Right Twilight?”

“Yes D. We can do some research tomorrow.” Twilight replied with a smile of her own.

“Really? You wanna get up early just so you can read some dusty old books?” Rainbow asked skeptically.

“I am trying to prevent the apocalypse. Faust forbid I do everything I possibly can.” D deadpanned.

“Yeah ok, fine.” Rainbow muttered. “Still sounds boring.” D let out a deep sigh.

“Think what you want, but these books have the potential of saving billions of lives.” D said seriously. “With that in mind, I think you can form some sort of appreciation for the kind of work I’m putting myself through.” D said sternly. “But for now, I think it would be wise if we all went home, yeah?” The girls all nodded in agreement and said their goodbyes and they all headed home. D watched Fluttershy take a few timid steps in the direction of her house, before stopping just outside of the arc of light being cast from the lights inside Sugarcube Corner. “Ey Fluttershy, you alright?” Fluttershy gasped and quickly whirled around and looked at D.

“Oh, you startled me. I’m alright. It’s just so very dark.” D raised an eyebrow.

“You, uh, want me to walk you to your house?” D asked kindly.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that, if you don’t want to that is.” Fluttershy replied meekly.

“Hey I don’t mind it one bit. It’s not everyday that I get to escort a pretty young lady back to her house.” D replied with a smile, making Fluttershy blush deeply.

“You think that I’m....pretty?” Fluttershy asked softly.

“Of course I do, I mean, just look at yourself.” He smiled and held his hands out in front of her in a ‘ta-da’ sort of way. “You have adorable long hair, you have a cute little voice, you have stunning blue eyes. Why? Do guys not tell you how cute you are?”

“Oh, guys don’t really talk to me much.” Fluttershy said quietly. She looked at D who stood in stunned silence.

“D-do women tell you?” D asked hesitantly.

“Why would women tell me that I’m cute?” Fluttershy asked innocently. She thought about what he had said for a minute, then her face turned an even darker shade of red as she became flustered. “O-oh. n-no it’s, um, not like that at all.” she stammered nervously as she tried to hide behind her hair.

“Ok. I was, uh, just asking.” D said, his face starting to turn red as well. “So, should we get going?” D asked, putting out his arm for Fluttershy in an attempt to both, be chivalrous, and to stop an awkward moment from blooming..

“Yeah, we should probably go, oh goodness, I need to make sure my animals are OK before I go to sleep.” she said, forgetting her awkward moment from earlier. She her arm through D’s slowly.

“Well then, just stay close, and I’ll make sure you get home safe and sound.” he smiled at Fluttershy once more and then the two of them made their way back to Fluttershy’s cottage.

Author's Note

Don't forget to like, comment, favorite, subscribe, re-tweet, messenger pigeon, and use smoke signals when crossing the road....wait.