By the time I got to the library, I had eaten four of the cupcakes. I saved the other two for Twilight and Spike. I made a quick stop at home and ate before heading over there, as I was still hungry.

Arriving at the library, I knock a few times and the door immediately opens. Twilight was sitting in her desk reading a book.

Wow, she can use magic without even trying. I don't think I could do that.

"Hello." Twilight looked up at me and gave me a friendly smile. "You showed up a little later than I expected."

"I visited Sugarcube Corner after Pinkie gave me a tour of Ponyville. I bought myself some cupcakes. I brought some for you and Spike, want one?" I bring out the remaining two.

Spike immediately appears at the top of the stairs. "What? I heard my name and something about cupcakes!"

"Here's one just for you." I levitate one cupcake up to Spike, who was now smiling and licking his lips.

"Thanks!" He grabs it. "I love Pinkie's cupcakes!" He disappears into his room. I gave the other one to Twilight.

"Thank you." Twilight takes hers. "Are you sure it's a good idea to be buying things for others? You have fairly limited amount of bits."

"It's fine, I still have plenty. Besides, I got a job at Sugarcube Corner."

"Really? You walked in and they just hired you?"

"No, Pinkie begged them to hire me, and then they just sorta did. I think it may have been because they feel bad for me. So what are you doing?

"I was just reading a book while I was waiting for you. So now that you're here, do you wanna get going now?"

"I guess so. Let's go."

"Alright, gimme a second." Twilight places a bookmark in her book, and places it on a shelf. She goes upstairs to where Spike is. "Spike! Watch the library while I'm gone!" She came back down the stairs and levitates a saddlebag onto her back. She takes a few books and stuffs them into her bag. "I'm ready to go."

"What is he doing up there?"

"I dunno, he's probably napping. He's a pretty lazy dragon."

I open the door for Twilight and we start heading for the edge of town. On our way there, Twilight started eating her cupcake.

"Those cupcakes are great aren't they?" I ask when she finishes.

"Yes, they are pretty good."

"Pretty good? Those were the best cupcakes I've ever eaten. And that was only one flavor. I can't wait to try them all."

"You don't have cupcakes on Earth? You do come from Earth, right?"

"Yeah."

"Anyway, my books say that humans are loosely similar to us ponies in culture and behavior, I would think that they exist there."

"They do. I've just never eaten one so delicious before."

"Oh, okay then."

I decide to change the conversation to something less frivolous. "So why are we doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"You like to train your magic regularly. Why do you want to train with me, you barely know me."

"Well, you're new here. If you came here from Earth, then that means you probably lost all of your friends. You're gonna stay in Ponyville for quite a while anyway, so I just thought I should be friendly with you. Besides, you saved us from Nightmare Moon the other night. I didn't think about magic being an element of harmony. If it weren't for you giving me the idea, I don't even know what would have happened. Thank you for saving us from her, by the way."

"You're welcome."

"Afterwards, I could sense that you have the potential to be very powerful. Anypony has the potential to be strong, but they don't take the opportunity, and it gets wasted. Maybe if I help you out by doing this, you could use your magic for something useful, like I do."

"That makes sense." It really did make sense. Although I still thought it was weird for her to do something like this with somepony she just met, I could see her point.

By the time we had finished that small conversation, we had arrived at the edge of town.

"This place is perfect." Twilight observed the area. There were a couple trees scattered around, but other than that, the place was a huge clearing. "This clearing has plenty of open space, I could setup everything and still have plenty of space. In fact, I think I'll make this my regular training spot now."

I look up and see a small dot zooming across the sky. "Looks like someone, err, I mean somepony else, had the same idea." I point it out to Twilight.

"I wonder who that is. And by the way, you could've said 'someone' instead of 'somepony'. It doesn't matter which one you use."

"Oh. I wonder who that is." I look up at the sky and bring my hoof up to my mouth, thinking that it would make my voice louder. "HELLO! WHO'S UP THERE?" I shout as loudly as I can.

The dot stops and starts to fly towards us. When it gets close enough, I can see that it's Rainbow Dash.

She smiles. "Oh, hey, Twilight." She waves a hoof. She sees me and give me an awkward glance. "Uh, hey, Daniel."

"Hey there, Rainbow Dash," I reply. "How are you doing?"

"Good."

"That's good. That's real good. Being good is... uh... good."

"Yeah."

I'm glad Twilight said something, as I didn't know how much more of that I could take. "So what are you doing here, Rainbow?" She asks.

"This is where I practice all my flying moves. Sometimes others come to watch, but not today. If I'm ever gonna join the Wonderbolts, I gotta stay in top shape." She flys a small circle over us. "I'd show you what I learned, but I'm getting kinda worn out. What are you two doing here?"

"I just thought that since Daniel isn't going anywhere, we should get to know him."

"You know," I say, "if I knew any better, I'd say we were on a date. I wonder..." I bring my hoof to my chin as if I was actually considering it.

"Ha ha, very funny," Twilight responds sarcastically.

"Well, we better get started then. Rainbow, mind if we practice here too?"

"Nah, I was almost done for today anyway. I think I'll just watch and you two. Besides, I need a rest." Rainbow flies to a nearby tree and lays down on a branch. She lays her head on a pillow that was already on the branch.

"Let's start, Daniel." With a glow of her horn, Twilight summoned a target out of nowhere and it lands a good distance away from us.

"Wow, you can summon things?"

"Not really, it was just a simple teleportation spell. I teleported a target that was in my library to that spot there." She points to the target. "It's more difficult to teleport objects from one spot to another, but I can manage."

"Now, just let me get my book." She pulls a spell tome out of her saddlebag and opens it. She flips through pages and stops when she finds the page she's looking for. "Ah, here it is. Daniel, I'm going to cast this spell, and I want you to cast it after me. It's a basic spell that shoots a small ball of magic at the target. Allow me to demonstrate."

Twilight's horn started to glow again, and for several seconds, her horn continued to glow brighter and brighter. Her face scrunched up in concentration. And without even breaking a sweat, a small ball of purple, magical energy came out of her horn and flew towards the target, hitting it directly in the middle and making a small explosion. She looked at me and said, "Your turn."

I start concentrating and my horn starts to glow. I started concentrating, and eventually straining, to cast the spell. A few drops of sweat dripped down my face. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but whatever it was, it was working. After about a minute of this, a smaller, black ball of magic energy flew out of my horn. Instead of hitting the target like Twilight, this ball sailed right over the target and dissipated harmlessly in the sky.

"Nice one, Daniel!" Rainbow sniggers. Twilight turns around and glares at her. "Hey, I'm just kidding! Come on, that was funny!"

Twilight turned back to me. Although I didn't hit the target, she seemed impressed. "That's impressive. Not very many unicorns can do magic that well on their first try."

"I must be pretty good at it then."

"Maybe, although most unicorns don't bother with this stuff anyway, so it's hard to tell. You know, I said yesterday that I think you're special talent involves magic of some kind. This is further evidence that I'm right."

"You might be. I do have an interest in magic. I've done quite a bit of research on it in my world. Maybe we could study together sometime." I was quite winded, but when I cast that spell for the first time, it actually felt right. I liked the feeling of casting magic quite a bit, as well as the results of the magic.

"Oh no, you wouldn't want to do that. You only arrived here a few days ago. I'm sure you have better things to do."

"No, I don't. I would love to spend more time with you."

Twilight blushes slightly. "Well, if you really want to, then I guess we could do that."

Rainbow burst out laughing. "Wow, really? Is that what you'll do?" she laughs some more. "That's hilarious! 'Hey Twilight, wanna go on a date? We'll read together!'" At this point, I thought she was going to fall out of the tree from laughing so hard. She used her wings to keep herself from doing so.

I simply ignored her. The I came with Twilight because I wanted my magic to be improved, and because I also like spending time with Twilight. If she didn't ask me to go with, I would have asked her. Most people wouldn't really care for being where I am right now, I was happy she was asking me to do this stuff, instead of the other way around. I might have looked suspicious if I asked her.

"So Twilight, maybe us and Rainbow Dash could go get something to eat after we're done here. I'm kinda hungry."

"Sure, I haven't had lunch yet. You just want her to come along because you don't want this to seem like a date, don't you?" She gives me a playful smile.

"You got me. That was my way of asking for a third date from you."

She just rolls her eyes. "For now, let's just get back to your magic. It's still pretty basic."

"Ugh, fine." I feign annoyance as I prepare the spell again, only this time, I try my best to hit the target.

______________________________________________________________________

"That was great. Daniel, you are getting good," Twilight said. "I was expecting you to get a cutie mark, but I guess I can't predict your special talent like I thought I could."

I was able to hit the target after several tries. I missed several times and even failed to cast the spell at all a few times. Fortunately, Twilight knew a spell that restored my energy, cutting down the time we would have spent recovering.

Rainbow just watched and spent the entire time heckling us. And now, the three of us were on our way back to Ponyville. She was flying, following me and Twilight.

"I'm getting hungry too. Any idea on where we should eat?" She said

"Yeah, let's go to the café," said Twilight.

She was talking about the flower café we were just walking by. So we went to the café, found an outdoor table for three, and we each sat down at a chair. Twilight assured me that they would know that we we waiting.

"So what's good here?" I say, skimming through the menu on the table.

"I wouldn't know, I don't eat here very often." Rainbow laid her menu on the table.

"I'm gonna order the daisy sandwich."

"Me too," me and Twilight both say, not knowing what to eat.

The waiter approached our table. He had a combed mane and a vest. His cutie mark was a silver platter. "Hello, I will be your waiter today, may I take your order?"

"We'll all three have the daisy sandwich," Twilight said politely.

"I'll also have the hay fries," I say.

The waiter looked surprised at my appearance. "Oh, it's you."

"Yeah, it's me. What about it?"

"Daniel, what is he talking about?" Twilight asked with concern.

"He's the pony who made a fool of himself about an hour ago, defending the insane baker," he replied.

"Hey!" Rainbow slammed her hoof into the table. "Her name is Pinkie Pie, and she's not insane!"

"Whatever. I'll still et your orders now, because refusing service would be unprofessional of me. But know this: I don't like you. It's Daniel, Right? What kind of name is that anyway?" He headed back inside the café.

"Mocking is unprofessional too, ya know!" I yell. "And my name is completely normal where I come from!" I'm not sure if he heard me, but all the other ponies eating outside did, and now they were all staring at me. They quickly go back to eating. "Are ponies here always like that?"

"Most of them. The ponies of Ponyville don't like being disagreed with. Just ignore them," said Rainbow. "You know, whenever those jerks are picking on Pinkie, it's almost always me who has to convince her they're wrong."

I raise an eyebrow at what she said. "You don't agree with them, do you?"

"What? No! I would never think that, Pinkie's a great friend."

"When I first came here, I thought the whole town was crazy, not just her. Maybe they'll all change the way they think too," Twilight said hopefully.

"I doubt it. They've felt like this the day she moved to Ponyville from that rock farm she used to live on."

The waiter who was waiting us came out and placed our food on the table. I was glaring at him the whole time. He then walked away, saying nothing.

I pick up my sandwich and examine it. It was just a bunch of daisies stuffed between two slices of bread. The hay fries looked like it was just a small pile of hay.

I cautiously take a bite and chew it slowly. "This is great!" I say after swallowing it.

"Do you have flowers where you come from?" Twilight takes the first bite of her sandwich.

"They do exist on Earth. But humans can't eat flowers. They taste terrible, and some are even dangerous to the health of humans. I guess I can eat them now. I can't wait to try all the different plants here in Equestria."

"Be careful with that. Not all plants are edible."

Rainbow ate her sandwich as she listened to our conversation. "Daniel, why are you eating so fast?"

My sandwich was almost gone, and so were my hay fries. The other two had only taken a few bites. "I eat very fast. I always have. Besides, this food is great." I don't try to eat fast, it was just a habit I developed as a kid that stuck to me ever since.

Twilight changed the conversation. "So Daniel, how is Equestria so for for you?"

"I guess I like it so far. I'm just glad Rainbow Dash trusts me now."

"What about Applejack?" asked Rainbow. "She was distrustful of you the minute she knew you were a human. It makes sense if you ask me."

"Rarity said the same thing to me. What are you two talking about? It seems like everyone knows but me."

"I don't know either. What is it, Rainbow?" asked Twilight.

"I can't tell you two. Applejack would kill me if I told you before she does."

"Does it have anything to do with me?" I ask.

"Look, she'll tell you both everything when she trusts you fully. But until then, just leave it alone," She says with a hint of annoyance.

"Alright, I'm sorry I asked."

"Me too." I'm sure Pinkie will tell me. If not, I'll ask Fluttershy.

"Alright, I gotta get going." Rainbow said as she ate the last of her sandwich. "I still have to work. Bye, Twilight. And uh, bye, Daniel." She the flew off.

"I don't know about you, but I'm glad she's finally gone." I say jokingly

"Oh I'm sure you are." She said. I could't tell if it was sarcasm, a joke, or her being serious. "...Wait a second... Did she just leave us to pay for her food?"

"I'll pay for her sandwich. Yours too." I pull out my bit pouch to pay. I really liked how my bit pouch was big enough to fit 200 bits yet it could still fit in my bag.

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I still don't think you can afford to be paying for others."

"It's fine," I assure her. "I have plenty of money. I doubt it's very expensive to live in Ponyville anyway, and I still have well over 200 bits."

"Well, thank you then. You know, it should be us being generous to you, not the other way around."

"I'll remember that." I pull out my bit pouch and leave what we owe. "So are you doing anything else today?"

"Nothing in particular, why?"

"Me neither. I think we should go to your library now. Now that we were talkin' about it, I'm kinda interested in learning about the humans as Equestria knows them. I also wanna learn about that magic."

"Okay, I have plenty of books on that. I'd like to learn more about humans too. I've never had any reason to study them until now."

"Let's go."

Once she finished her sandwich, Twilight and me headed for the library.

I've only spent a little over day here, and I already had a date with a mare. We were just friends, but it was still technically a date. You could say I was settling in pretty well, with pony society being similar to human society.

I was pretty happy at the time for what I've been through. Now I knew for sure I had at least two good friends, Pinkie and Twilight. Rarity and Fluttershy claimed to by my friend, but they just seemed indifferent to my presence. Things seemed a little awkward for me and Rainbow Dash, and I assumed the same would be true for Applejack.

I will try to befriend other ponies, but I don't know who'd accept me. When I do figure that out, I'll try to befriend others. I wasn't specifically trying to do this for the main six though.

So what I'm saying here is that so far, I was settling in nicely. These last few days weren't the best, but I'm sure others have it worse.

"Are you okay?"

I realized I was thinking about all this while Twilight was talking to me. I snap out of it. "I fine. I was just thinking about my new home. I'm still not over the fact that I'm stuck here though. I hope that's not getting old. It seems like I've been telling everyone the same thing all the time."

"Don't worry about it. You'll love it here. I know you will." Twilight gives me a comforting smile.

"At least I have a few friends now."

"You shouldn't focus on just us six though. There are so many good ponies in town."

"I know, but a lot of them are jerks. If they're gonna be jerks to me, then I don't know if I want their friendship."

"Don't you think it would be easier to settle in though?"

"Really? I've been here a day and a half, and I already have a house, a job, two good friends, and a date with you. I think I've settled in just fine."

"No offense, but you only have a house because the princess feels bad for you, and a job because the Cakes feel bad for you. And we may be on a date, but we're just friends."

I sigh, "You're right."

"I know I am."

I give Twilight a deadpan stare and she responds with a giggle. We continue walking along the dirt road.

"You know..." I start, "Before I came here, I was pretty good with machines. Maybe if you need my help with any of them while I'm there..."

"Nice try, but you told me yesterday you're just a computer programmer. We don't have computers in Equestria."

Uh, why did I do that? I give myself a small face-hoof with out Twilight noticing. Looks like I won't be bonding with her over machines.

The café was fairly close to the library, so we didn't have to walk far before the library was in sight.

***

The time was night in the city of Manehatten, and it was very quiet. The bustling ponies who normally crowded the streets were now in bed. The lights were all out, enveloping the city in darkness. Almost everypony was asleep at a time like this.

One Pony who wasn't sleeping was a blue unicorn mare with a white mane by the name of Trixie, although she preferred to be called "The Great and Powerful Trixie".

Right now, she was in an inn, about to buy a room. Trixie is a nomad, traveling through Equestria with her cart and performing magic shows in every town she stops in. She uses most of the money earned from shows to sleep in inns and eat food, as she had no permanent home.

In the inn, she approached the inn keeper, who was behind the counter, with the necessary bits in her mouth. The Inn keeper was an earth pony stallion with a light brown coat and a black mane. His cutie mark was a bed with red covers and a white pillow, but it couldn't be seen from behind the counter.

"Hey there," said the inn keeper as Trixie approached him.

"Shut up and get me a room for the night," she said harshly, throwing a small pouch of bits on the counter.

"Alright then." He takes the pouch and counts the bits. "Hey, did you hear the rumor that there's a human in Canterlot who moved to Ponyville? Sounds pretty bizarre."

"Yeah, right," she said doubtfully as she went to her room.

Her main purpose for this wasn't to entertain ponies, or to make a living. The main reason she does this is to prove that she's the most powerful pony in Equestria. So far, none of the towns or cities she's went to had better than her. In every town she would prove how good she is, everypony would be impressed, and Trixie would earn enough money to go to the next town. Nobody knew why she was so obsessed with being the best, except for her, and she had no intention of telling anybody her tragic past.

It would seem like she was doing a pretty good job, and that she was good at what she did, but she didn't think so. Trixie hated how things had turned out so far, but only because no one could even come close to having her ability. She wanted a challenge, she wanted somepony strong to defeat just to make her victory much better than before. Unfortunately for her, she saw everybody as weak and not worth challenging, but she had to challenge everypony she could. This was the only way she made money, so without challenging ponies in her shows, she wouldn't be able to afford going to the next town.

Trixie had just finished the show she did in Manehatten, and she was now in her room, about to plan her next destination. It was a simple room, with just a bed and a table used for writing. A large map of Equestria was spread out on the table, with several locations crossed out in red.

"I cannot believe this!" Trixie threw off her purple magician hat in frustration. "Out of all the ponies in Manehatten, not one had even half my ability! A victory against weak ponies means nothing to me, I need to find a town with more powerful ponies."

She studied her map for a while, trying to decide where to go, when she noticed Ponyville on the map. "Ponyville? Isn't that the place with the human?"

She sighed in disbelief. "I highly doubt that's true, but I'd like to see one for myself. Maybe I should go to Ponyville next." She put a hoof to her chin in consideration. "That place won't have anypony worth challenging, that's for sure, but if there really is a human in Ponyville, it'd be worth going to see that alone. I don't know if I'll ever get another chance to see one in real life."

Trixie levitates a pencil off the table and marks her map. "It's settled then, my next stop will be Ponyville. Too bad I can't afford a train." Using her pencil, she marks a few more towns. "Since I'll be passing these towns anyway, I could also stop by Fillydelphia and Baltimare, they'd only be slightly out of the way."

She rolled up her map and yawned. "I better get to sleep. I'll leave first thing in the morning." Trixie took off her cape and placed them on the table with the map. She rolled into bed tiredly and turned off the light. "I hope the human will still be there by the time I get to Ponyville." She yawned again and closed her eyes. "And I really need to stop talking to myself," She said just before allowing sleep to overtake her.