Fluttershy and I got to her place right as the sun dipped below the horizon. I didn't even bother to do anything with her. I just went up to the guest bedroom, threw off my coat and backpack, and plopped on the bed, falling asleep instantly.

I woke up to the smell of oatmeal, and I went downstairs to find Fluttershy cooking some. She put the oatmeal into two bowls, and added some strawberries. I sat down to eat it, and it tasted amazing. I thanked her for the food, and headed out to town. I stopped by the library. I went in, and found Twilight and Spike cleaning up after their own breakfasts.

"Morning." I greeted.

They returned the greeting, and Twilight walked out of the kitchen and into the library section.

"Hi, Jacob. What can I do for you?"

"Just looking for a good book. Mind if I browse?"

"Not at all."

I looked in the history section, and saw a book titled 'Legends of The Chaos Era'.

I asked "What's the Chaos Era?"

"That was when Discord still ruled. The Royal Sisters, Princesses Celestia and Luna, defeated him thousands of years ago, ending the era. That reminds me, I should probably write to Celestia that you're here."

"Wait, there still alive? That would make them thousands of years old!"

Twilight looked at me and said "Yes, why? Does that surprise you?"

I just turned back to the book, and decided to just leave and explore the town.

I was walking out the door when Twilight called out "Pinkie wants to see you at the Sugarcube Corner at three!" I waved to acknowledge her.

I walked out into the town square, where there were many stands set up. I walked over to a stand selling apples, and saw a yellow filly managing it. Fluttershy gave me some spending money, so I decided to get an apple. When I walked over, the filly looked at me and ducked under the counter.

I rolled my eyes, and knocked on the counter. "Heeeeloooo!' I said in a sing-song voice.

The filly peeked up, and said "He-hello."

"How much for an apple?"

"Two bits." I pulled out a pair of bits, and set them on the counter. I grabbed an apple from the basket and walked away, tossing the apple casually in the air. I saw a school house as I walked past. It was Saturday, so there were no kids inside. I did see a teacher inside, grading some work. Then I remembered that all the ponies I saw had pictures of things on their flanks. I decided to knock on the door, and the teacher got up and walked to the door. When she opened it, she went bug-eyed at me, and I said

"Is this a bad time?"

She said "Uh, no, please come in."

She stepped aside, and I leaned against the wall and said "You're a teacher, right?"

"Yes, I'm Cheerilee. What's your name?"

"Well, Cheerilee, I'm Jacob. Could you tell me why all the ponies I've seen have pictures of things on their flanks?"

"Those are cutie marks. They appear when a pony finds their special talent, and symbolizes it as well."

"Thanks, that's all I wanted to know. I'm a human, and we don't get cutie marks."

She nodded, and I exited the building. I looked at the town clock, 2:30. Jeez, where did the time go? I ran all the way to Sugarcube Corner, which even then took a good twenty five minutes. I opened the door to the bakery, and all the lights were off.

Did she plan a... Hmmm....

I picked up a pebble and threw it at the far wall. I heard someone say "Ow!"

I flicked on the lights just as all the other ponies were distracted by the first one.

I stated with a grin "Well, Jacob one, surprise party zero."

Pinkie bounded over and said "Wow, no one's ever caught me trying to surprise them!"

All six of them were there. They were smiling, ready to party.

"Uh... What's with the festivities?"

"Silly willy, it's your "Welcome To Ponyville" party!"

"Pinkie," I said very seriously. "I only have one question: What kind of cake did you make?"

"Chocolate, why?"

"YOU FOOL! YOU'VE DOOMED US ALL! ....Kidding. Though, I do prefer vanilla cake."

I saw a towering cake on a table, as well as an assortment of other treats. I wasn't really one for large parties, so I just stood in a corner sipping punch. I noticed a DJ in the corner, a white unicorn with a blue mane and tail wearing glasses. I walked over and asked "You got kareoke?" She nodded, and I spoke on the mic 'Still Alive'. The song came up, and I said "That's the one." She played it, and I sung the verses.

This was a triumph.

I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.

It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.

Aperture Science. We do what we must because we can.

For the good of all of us, except the ones who are dead.

But there's no sense crying over every mistake.

You just keep on trying till run out of cake.

And the science gets done and you make a neat gun,

For the people who are still alive.

I'm not even angry. I'm being so sincere right now.

Even though you broke my heart and killed me,

And tore me to pieces, and threw every piece into a fire.

As they burned, it hurt because I was so happy for you.

Now these points of data make a beautiful line.

And we're out of beta, we're releasing on time.

So I'm glad I got burned.

Think of all the things we learned

For the people who are still alive.

Go ahead and leave me.

I think I prefer to stay inside.

Maybe you'll find someone else to help you.

Maybe Black Mesa.

That was a joke, haha, fat chance.

Anyway, this cake is great. It's so delicious and moist.

Look at me, still talking when there's science to do.

When I look up there, it makes me glad I'm not you.

I've experiments to run, there is research to be done

On the people who are still alive.

And believe me, I am still alive.

I'm doing science and I'm still alive.

I feel fantastic and I'm still alive.

While you're dying, I'll be still alive.

And then you're dead, and I'll be still alive.

Still alive.

Still alive.

The ponies stomped their hooves repeatedly, which I assumed meant that they were applauding me. I smiled and bowed. After that, I went for some cake, which looked suspiciously like the cake from Portal, but I didn't give it a second thought.