“Christina…Christina! Wake up!”

I opened my eyes to see a pair of light blue ones staring straight where mine should be.

“Good morning!” Pinkie said happily.

I gently pushed Pinkie away as I sat up.

“Why are you here?” I said, yawning.

“I’m here to invite you to my super-spectacular party this afternoon!” She replied.

“You didn’t have to wake me up to do that, you know…”

“I didn’t?” She scratched her forehead for a second. “Well anyway, here’s your invitation!” Pinkie placed a pink envelope at the foot of the covers. “Bye!” She hopped over to staircase humming until she was out of sight.

I tore open the envelope and read the small invitation card:

You’re invited to Pinkie Pie’s Party!

The party will be at: Sugar Cube Corner

At the time of: One O’ Clock This Afternoon

See you there!

I don’t know if there’s a special occasion or not, but I’ll go anyway.

“Good morning Christian,” Twilight’s voice called from the stairs. I turned to see Twilight walking up to and sitting down on the bed.

“You just missed Rainbow Dash,” she said. “She came just a few minutes ago to borrow the rest of the Daring Do series. She wanted to say hello, but I told her you were asleep.”

“Yeah, sorry,” I said. “I just wanted to get some sleep last night. I was pretty tired.”

“I understand. Everyone needs to sleep.”

I hopped out of the bed and stretched like any normal morning (except I wasn’t capable of stretching like a human like I’m used to with my bone structure, so I stretched like an animal instead)

“I fancy a walk,” I said, stretching my back like a dog. “Are you coming?”

“I’ve got a little research to do,” she responded.

“Alright then.”

I teleported outside of the front door, taking in a deep breath of air. I started walking down a road that I wasn’t too familiar with, keeping my head down slightly and listening to all around me.

“Lyra, why is it you always sit like that?” A female pony said.

“I’m comfortable like this,” a second answered

“Can you please start sitting like everypony else? Ponies are starting to spread rumors about you.”

I turned my head left very slightly to listen to something better.

“Hey Vinyl, have you seen my Cello anywhere?” Another female pony said.

“I put it in the basement. It was taking up space for my new speakers I bought,” yet another female pony replied.

“And where did you get the money for that?”

“From your savings.”

“From my-?! Well, I guess it isn’t so bad, if it’s for your music. How much did they cost?”

“Five hundred bits.”

“FIVE HUNDRED!?!”

“Each.”

“DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH THAT IS!?!”

There’s got be something else that’s really interesting around here…

“Berry, I’m getting worried about your drinking problem,” yet again a female pony said.

“I don’t have a problem,” and once more a female answers.

“That proves it right there. You DO have a problem. Denial that you have a problem is a sign that you really do have one.”

“And where did you hear this?”

“I have my sources."

Come on; give me something to listen to.

I suddenly bumped my head against something hard. I looked up, taking a step back to see a very large tree. Apparently I didn’t notice that I went off of the road. I turned around and went towards the road again, tuning my ears to listen to anything interesting.

Suddenly, I feel dizzy and tired.

Everything was going black and I began to lose balance. I wobbled left and right, hardly able to see anything as I tried to stay conscious. I had gone completely blind, and I felt my legs hit the ground before I felt nothing at all.

“Professor Arch, are you sure that the plasma shields function properly?”

“Christian, if they didn’t, why would I say that it’s ready to be sent out to Russia?”

“I was double-checking, sir.”

“Christian, I’m not your commander, nor am I your father. You don’t need to call me sir all of the time.”

“Force of habit.”

“I understand. I was about to go and take the head off for programming this morning like any other occasion, but then I had remembered that I had finished just last night.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Does the E.O.A.L. have its voice already?”

“It should. We can’t risk activate it here to check; otherwise our intentions would go in reverse.”

“Why can’t you just take the head off again and turn it on with your computer like any other time?”

“Because the head has been permanently attached to the body after the final changes were made.”

“So does that mean no other part of the E.O.A.L. is able to be altered now?”

“Yes, it does. Not a single thing is going on or off of it now.”

“I hope nobody forgot anything to it.”

“Now, it is time to give Russia what they truly deserve. Christian, would you like to do the honors?”

“Oh no sir, I can’t.”

“It’s on the President’s orders that nobody is to activate the E.O.A.L. but you, Christian.”

Another moment of silence passed.

“It’s alright, my boy. This is for the good of humanity. We are doing what is right. You have helped us with our supplies; we all would like you to do the highest of honors.”

“I-I guess, if it’s for humanity…”

“I think he’s waking up.”

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Once my hooves went back down, I immediately saw the cyan eyes of Fluttershy. I looked around. I was still in the same spot I fell at.

“How long was I out?” I asked.

“My squirrel friends told me that you were unconscious for about ten minutes,” she explained quietly. “They said that you were walking and just fell, I hope you’re alright.” I’m not even going to bother asking about talking squirrels.

“I personally don’t think I am,” I said, giving a sigh. “You see, I’m not capable of getting hurt, sick, or harmed in any possible way.”

“How are you able to do that?” She asked, and I could tell in her voice that a small part of her didn’t believe me.

“I can’t explain, but I know that something is wrong when I pass out like this. I need to go and see Twilight.”

“I think Twilight is at her house,” Fluttershy said with a little concern. “But I think you need some rest. You can come over to my cottage if you like.”

“I just really need to see Twilight,” I said. “She might know what’s going on. I might decide to come over later, though. Bye!”

“Okay, bye then,” Fluttershy said, waving as I walked over behind a nearby tree.

I looked around to make sure nobody was around. I even looked upward to check for pegasai. Luckily not a soul was in sight.

I want to be inside of Twilight’s room.

Twilight had jumped when the flames vanished. She had a book open in front of her, along with a large stack next to the bed.

“I passed out,” I said. “I need to know if there’s something wrong with me.”

“I’m sure you just need rest or something,” she assured.

“You don’t understand. I cannot be harmed in any possible way. Passing out counts as being harmed.”

“I don’t know if there’s anything wrong with you,” she said. “The book didn’t mention any more side effects besides being sleepy.”

“Well, are you sure that you made the potion correctly?” I asked, remembering that

“Yes, I did all of the steps correctly,” Twilight answered.

“Are you sure you didn’t forget any?”

Twilight’s horn glowed and an open book zoomed from downstairs on top of the one she was reading just a minute ago. Her eyes went back and forth like an old typewriter.

“No, I don’t think I did,” she said. “I think you might have resisted the potions effects or something.”

“That’s a possibility,” I agreed.

I don’t want to be affected by sleepiness unless I want to. I also don’t want to become unconscious for any reason, ever.

“Thanks for the help,” I said.

“You’re welcome?” Twilight answered, not really sure about what I’m thanking her for. I looked at Twilight’s clock, which read nine-thirty.

“I’ll be at Fluttershy’s place if you look for me,” I said.

I want to be in front of Fluttershy’s cottage, only if she’s inside.

Purple flames erupted around me, and I appeared in front of a wooden door. I knocked three times and took a couple of steps back to observe the cottage. Its roof was made of grass and leaves, containing several bird houses, windows, and a chimney. The outside walls were painted what must be lime. The door was opened by Fluttershy before I could see any more of her house.

“Oh, it’s you,” she said. “Are you not feeling well?”

“No,” I answered. “Well…I’m not sure if I am. I just need to sleep it off tonight, and see if I’m any better tomorrow.”

“Well, feel free to stay as long as you like. I hope you don’t mind the mess.” Fluttershy went inside, I followed.

Her house was unlike any house I’ve ever seen. In the middle of the floor was a red rug with a large flower. The right wall had an empty fireplace with pots and pans hanging from it, a table supporting a pitcher and empty vase, and a doorway to a hallway. Several birdhouses and birdfeeders could be seen hanging from the ceiling, and in the back of the room was a couch, chair, and table with a portrait of something I couldn’t see resting upon it. There was a staircase along the left wall next to a doorway to another room (the staircase had a bookshelf built into it). For some reason a mouse hole was about three feet above the ground, with a miniature case of stairs ascending to it (and there were many other staircases to locations that I can’t really describe). Despite the animals of various species running about, the place seemed quite clean.

“Make yourself at home,” Fluttershy said politely, flying in the air.

I tried to avoid stepping on any tails as I walked over to the couch in the back. After taking a seat, I was able to see what was on the front wall; a birdcage, different bags of food, and a piece of furniture that I never knew the name of (nor its purpose).

“I appreciate you letting me stay here,” I said. “It’s very kind of you.”

“Don’t mention it,” Fluttershy responded. “Any friend of mine is welcome to stay as long as they like.”

“So is caring for animals all you ever do here? Do you make a living out of it or something?”

“I take care of animals all of the time; they always need somepony to take care of them. And I don’t make any money out of what I do. I live off of welfare.”

I didn’t know there was welfare in this world.

“Are you sure that welfare is able to support yourself and all of these animals?” I asked. “Because where I’m from, welfare isn’t all that much to support many ponies.”

Hey, I actually said ponies instead of people this time.

I think I might be getting used to this place.

“Of course it is,” Fluttershy explained. “Princess Celestia gives everypony in Equestria just enough bits to support anyone or anything that lives with them. She listens specifically to what our needs are, and she’ll send the right amount to us.”

This government is better than any I know about.

“I’ve got to go and take care of Angel. He’s waiting for his bath, and he really doesn’t like waiting very long.”

Fluttershy landed on the ground and went into the hall on my left.

I closed my eyes for a minute as I rested my head on my legs (reminding me of a dog waiting for something).

“I think you’ve been the most contributing than any of us, Mr. Gordon.”

“Don’t say that, Thomas. Everyone else built the thing, I just provided the supplies.”

“Exactly! We can’t work without supplies! Without you, the E.O.A.L. would cease to exist!”

“It isn’t a big deal, really.”

“So basically you’re saying the spending billions of dollars worth of parts for a robot of ultimate destruction isn’t a big deal?”

“No, I-I mean…I don’t know.”

“We are all very grateful with your generosity. In fact, we’re having a party down at Elizabeth’s place. Why don’t you come?”

“I’m not sure…”

“Come on, we’re celebrating that the E.O.A.L. is almost finished. Soon, it’ll bring hell to Russia, killing every single last Russian man, woman, and child in existence. Aren’t you excited that America is finally going to win this war?”

“Of course I am…”

“Great. Party starts at seven, bye!”

“Goodbye Thomas.”

When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a soft bed in a large room.

The fireplace (which had a shelf holding undistinguishable pictures) was on my left, and seemed to move upstairs as well, before going into the sky. Two windows accompanied the fireplace on either side, along with a pile of logs. The staircase was directly in front of the foot of the bed. There were some more tables holding vases, and a bookcase over on my right, holding an unlit lantern. Even more birdhouses hung from the ceiling, but there wasn’t a birdfeeder in sight. I conjured a clock in front of me. The time was eleven-twenty. I still have some time before Pinkie’s Party.

I had the clock vanish, and saw the stunned face of Fluttershy, her jaw hanging open.

“Did you just see that?” I asked. She nodded slowly.

Crap.

“Well, I’ve got some explaining to do then…”

“Could you make some more food for my animals, if you don’t mind?” Fluttershy asked an hour later when we were downstairs.

I had explained everything about me, like I did with Rainbow, and had told her that she can feel free to ask me for anything she wants.

“I don’t mind unless you ask me more than twice a day,” I explained, conjuring one bag of every food type Fluttershy claimed she needed in a neat line against the wall. “That gets on my nerves.”

“I’ll try not to,” Fluttershy said.

“I forgot to thank you for taking me up to your room when I passed out again. I really don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“It was no trouble at all. I’m sure you’ll get better soon. In the meantime, you can stay here as long as you want.”

“You are very kind to me, Fluttershy. I truly appreciate your kindness towards me, especially since I told you that I’m not a pony.”

“Just because you aren’t a pony doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be treated like one. You’re free to call my home your home. What’s mine is yours."

Nobody I ever know would treat me that way, considering that I had only met Fluttershy only two days ago, and even at that we haven’t exactly spent much time together.

I pulled Fluttershy into a large, warm hug.

She seemed surprised at first, but returns it.

“I think I might stay with you,” I said. “You’re the nicest one I’ve met in my entire life; and depending that I’m over three-thousand years old, that’s a long time. You’re being a real friend to me.”

“That…” Fluttershy seemed speechless, but my head was over her shoulder, so I couldn’t see her face. “Nopony’s ever said that to me before…”

“Well I just did. So that means someone already has.”

Fluttershy gave a short laugh. “I hope you don’t mind when I say; could you let me go? I have a few things to take care of.” I released the pegasus, who said “Thank you”, walking over to the doorway on the left wall (facing towards the door).

I followed her, since there is still time until Pinkie Pie’s party.

I followed the long pink tail of the kind pegsus through an empty hallway until it disappeared into a room, the door being shut. I knocked.

“Would you like my help with anything?” I asked. “I don’t have anything else to do right now.”

“Its fine,” Fluttershy’s voice called from behind the door. “I’m just making Angel his food before we leave for Pinkie’s Party.”

“Do you want me to feed the other animals?” I offered.

“Oh, that would be very nice,” she responded. “It’s quite simple, really. All you have to do is open a bag and poor everything in it on top of a newspaper. The animals will share.”

It sounds like they have a big appetite.

I went back into the main room, conjured a bag of food (so I didn’t waste one that’s already here) and a newspaper on the ground. I had my telekinesis tear the bag open and pour itself onto the newspaper. As soon as the last bit of hard food had dropped from the bag, a dozen animals came to eat it immediately.

Okay…now what do I do?

I can’t risk going for another walk alone, I might miss the party if I pass out again.

I had the ripped bag vanish, walked over to and laid down onto the couch and stared at the ceiling. What can I do for another forty-minutes before the party?

I closed my eyes and tried to think of what I could do to pass the time…

“Uh, Christian?” Fluttershy’s voice called from somewhere in the room. I opened my eyes and looked over in the direction the voice came from.

“Do you need me to do anything?” I asked to the doorway in front of the stairs, where Fluttershy was standing.

“I was just wondering; could you get me some soap? I’m kind of low…” she said.

I want a bottle of the kind of soap that Fluttershy uses directly in front of her.

Purple, spiral flames erupted from the ground for a split-second, making Fluttershy jump a foot into the air (literally), and then there stood a white bottle with a baby-blue label in front of her feet.

“Um…thanks,” she answered, grabbing the bottle with her maw and walking back into the room.

I closed my eyes again and relaxed myself, trying to get comfortable. If I didn’t have a chance of fainting, I would be wondering around like I would any other time. But until I know for sure I won’t be passing out anymore, I’ll just have to sit here bored to pass the time.

Time…

I want time to fast forward until one o clock, unless someone tries to get my attention.

All noises vanished; the birds chirping outside, the animals playing about, the splashing from the hall where Fluttershy is at, and everything else I could hear silenced. I opened my eyes and looked at the animals scurrying round the floor. They were going at such high speeds that they were almost nothing but blurs, zooming from one direction to another, in one room and out another.

This state I was in halted when Fluttershy’s words struck my ears, saying “Oh, Angel, you look so much cleaner now!”

I gazed at the little white rabbit standing in the doorway, which was white as snow, but looking gloomy.

“Don’t be like that Angel,” Fluttershy consoled. “I had your coat and your tail brushed just the way you like it.”

Angel the Rabbit didn’t look any happier at these words, and hopped off out of sight.

“Does Angel get special treatment or something?” I asked.

“No…” Fluttershy answered. “Well, sort of. He’s actually my pet.”

“So none of all of these animals running around are your pets?” I said.

“Not really, I just look after them. All animals need someone to take care of them.” Fluttershy flew into the air, came over above the couch, and landed gently next to me.

“So what is it you do around here?” I wondered. “Do you just take care of animals, or do you go out to do stuff sometimes?”

“A mixture of both, really,” Fluttershy answered. “I mostly tend to the animals, but I do go out and have some fun every now and then.”

I wonder what her definition of “fun” is. Out of nowhere, there was a knock on the front door.

“I’ll get it,” Fluttershy said. She spread her wings and whooshed into the air, zooming over to the wooden door and landing gently.

She opened the door by a crack, before she opened it wide and revealed Rainbow Dash in the doorway.

“Christina!” She yelled in excitement, flying over in front of me without asking to enter. “I didn’t expect you here!”

“I thought you were reading, still,” I said, observing the blue pegasus’ features.

Her eyes seemed a little droopy, her mane was a disaster, and her no-longer-broken wing seemed fine, despite the fact that a feather was bent in an odd direction.

“Did you even sleep last night?” I asked.

“Sleep is for losers,” she responded. “I don’t need sleep when I’m reading Daring Do! I mean, she never sleeps!”

“She’s a fictional character, Dash,” I remarked. “Of course she doesn’t need to sleep.”

Fluttershy had joined in by sitting back down next to me.

“Why did you decide to come and visit?” Fluttershy asked.

“I wanted to walk with you over to Pinkie’s Party,” Dash explained with a short yawn, “but it looks like you’ve already got someone to take you.”

“Oh no,” Fluttershy said. “Christina isn’t taking me to Pinkie’s Party. She’s just here to stay for a while. She hasn’t been feeling well.”

“I keep passing out,” I explained. “And I can’t remember if I told you already; I can’t be harmed. That means there’s something wrong with me, and I need to fix it, because nothing else in the universe can help me.”

“A-are you sure you want to talk about that kind of thing around her?” Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash said simultaneously, realizing what they just did and stared at one another.

“I forgot to mention that I recently told Fluttershy what I told you,” I explained. “So you two can comfortably talk about my abilities or anything else like that around each other.”

“Well, did he tell you that he’ll do anything for me?” Rainbow Dash remarked to Fluttershy.

“That’s because I technically broke her-”

“Anything?” Fluttershy repeated, not listening.

“All because I was in the hospital!”

“Are you bringing this up because you want me to do that ‘anything’ you wanted?” I asked.

“No, just wanted to let Fluttershy know that you’ll do anything for me,” Dash answered. I rolled my eyes.

“So, do you think that your fainting is a serious problem?” Fluttershy wondered, getting back on subject.

“Yes, I believe it’s a very large problem,” I responded. “I can’t be harmed in any way, and I consider passing out for absolutely no reason while I’m walking as harmful.”

“Is there anything I could do to help?”

“Not really, unless you can help someone who’s hurt when they normally can’t get hurt under no circumstances.” Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash put hooves to their chins in thought.

I conjured a clock, realized that it was almost one o clock, and made it vanish.

“We’d better be leaving soon,” I said, standing up and stretching.

I don’t even need to stretch, I can stop myself from needing to, but it always feels so good whenever I do it.

The two pegasai stood up as well, still a little lost in thought.

“Look, don’t worry about me right now, alright?” I said. “I’m sure I’ll be fine soon. Let’s just go and enjoy ourselves, okay?” Fluttershy nodded, and Rainbow Dash said “If you say so.”

I walked over to the door and opened it, letting the females walk out first before I went outside of the cottage as well.

The three of us walked along the road in silence for a while. Nothing but the busy chirping of birds could be heard around us.

“Hey Christina,” Dash suddenly said. “Are you still up for that race?”

“Where’s the finish line?” I responded. “We can’t leave Fluttershy too far behind.” Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes for a moment, looking straight forward, pointed and said “We’ll race to the Ponyville Bridge."

I looked towards the direction she was pointing and saw the destination.

“Ready?” Rainbow Dash said. “GO!!”

Slow down time majorly.

Everything around me seemed to almost stop; the birds chirping deepened, the trees blowing in the wind looked a bit odd; the only thing noticeably moving was Rainbow Dash, who was going at almost walking pace. I walked at a slightly faster-than-average pace (as I have done my entire life) next to Rainbow, passing her instantly.

I wouldn’t call this cheating. Everyone sees me going extremely fast whenever I do this, after all. The road’s stone bricks were pretty well-kept; they didn’t have any moss or weeds growing anywhere near them. Most stone roads in the country are never taken care of unless someone’s wheel gets stuck in a hole. This world’s community is a lot better than the ones I know.

I had finally reached the bridge. I looked back to see Rainbow Dash’s shocked expression on her face.

Let time play normally.

In less than two seconds Rainbow Dash zoomed over next to me, leaving a trail of rainbows in her wake.

“How did you go so fast?!” Rainbow asked immediately, shocked.

“I’ll just say it’s about the timing,” I remarked. “Hold onto something of mine.” Dash obeyed and grabbed my leg with her hoof.

I teleported us back to Fluttershy’s side and had Dash let go.

Fluttershy had jumped, but she saw it was only us and said “You were the fastest thing I’ve ever seen!”

“Nopony’s ever been faster than me,” Dash said to herself quietly, a little disappointed.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, walking down the path with them following. “I don’t need a whole lot of attention on me about that, it’s one of my abilities that lets me move that fast. So if anyone asks Rainbow Dash won the race.”

Rainbow Dash smiled meekly, and the three of us (with Fluttershy leading) walked the rest of the way to Pinkie’s party in silence.

When we arrived, I thought I was looking at some kind of giant gingerbread house.

Fluttershy knocked three times on the door, and it swung open less than a second after.