I headed through the market area of Ponyville, noting several changes since I was gone. I look around for familiar faces only to come up empty. Had Ponyville really changed so much since I was gone? I continued my walk and come across a pony I knew all to well. Roseluck. She became a friend to me after the first few weeks of my stay, commenting when I brought some roses for Twilight as a thank you. Apparently roses are a food item and if brought in bunches quite the declaration of love. Let's just say I was shocked by that but then I thought, in my old world flowers were brought as a declaration of love or attraction anyway.

On that day I asked her if she wanted to get something to eat, when she blushed I threw my hands up. I explained that it was because I still didn't have much friends here or even know very many ponies, and that she seemed like the nice sort I could talk to. Roseluck calmed down after that and agreed. Since then we shared many lunch breaks and evenings just chatting as friends.

At this moment though it seemed she needed somepony to talk too. Roseluck was looking very bored, while flicking a rose with her hoof. I smiled and silently made my way behind her. I couldn't help but notice she still had a great looking figure, not like I never looked myself....*cough*....any way! I managed to get right up to her back and in one movement I put both my hands over her eyes.

“Guess who!” I say.

“W-What!” Roseluck replies, grabbing my hands in her hooves.

“I said, guess who?”

“Wait! I know that voice! J-John!? I-Is that you!?” I pull my hands away as Roseluck turns around. “Oh Celestia! It is you!” Roseluck grabs me in a hug.

“Hey Rose, How have you been?”

“How have I been!? How have you been mister!?” Roseluck hits me with a hoof. “Where have you been all this time? Everypony missed you.”

“I was....Away, let's just stick to that for now. I will tell you all about it later but I have some sisters to round up.” I smile. “I just thought I would say hello and say I'm back now.”

“It's great to see you again, I’ll look forward to our meet ups if you still want to?”

“I would enjoy that immensely Rose, oh! You wouldn't mind if I have a rose to take with me. I need some motivation right now.” I reach into my pocket and find I had no bits on me. “On second thoughts scratch that!” Roseluck smiles and hands me a rose in her mouth, I take it.

“You just buy me lunch next time ok?” Roseluck states, smiling.

“Thanks Rose.” I place the rose over my ear. What? I'm in a world were the female reigns, I don't think a male with a rose in his hair is going to draw much attention. I turn and wave Roseluck farewell.

I adjust the rose making sure it won't fall out, before continuing my trek towards sugercube Corner. When I get in sight of the building that gives you diabetes just by looking at it, I see Twilight standing by the door. I approach the bakery, but notice it's closed which is weird considering it's only one thirty in the afternoon.

“Twilight? Why is it closed?” I ask.

“It's like that everytime the cakes go on a long delivery, Pinkie just closes the bakery and refuses to open it.”

I look into one of the windows and look around, I see the bakery is quite dark inside with no movement.

“Pinkie must be up stairs. I can't see her in there.” I say, not pulling away from the window.

“You still want to go in there?” Twilight asks.

“Yeah, I owe it to Pinkie.”

Twilight nods. “I haven't seen her in a while, be careful ok?” Twilight hugs my side.

“Twilight. Pinkie won't hurt me, she's not that far gone.” I look back through the window. “I hope!” Swallowing I reach for the door and find it locked. I hear Twilight sigh.

“You need the key, which I have.” Twilight levitates a key out of her saddle bags and opens the door. “There you go.” Twilight goes to follow me in but I stop her. “What?”

“Twilight I need to do this alone, if your in there she might think it's a trick.” Twilight nods again before backing off. “Wish me luck!” I enter the semi dark bakery, jumping as the door closes behind me. I walk to the centre of the bakery. “Pinkie? Are you here?”

“Whooooo is iiiiiiit?” Comes a reply.

“Pinkie it's me, your brother. I've come home.”

“Brother? I have no brother! He left! Gone! Gone! Not coming back!”

I step further in. “Pinkie! It is me, I was taken Pinkie....I was taken from you, and i'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” I stepped up to the counter. “I fought so hard to come back to you, to the others. You are my family, my sister. Please Pinkie, come out.” I see movement to my left and turn my head. I see a shadow of a pony standing in the corner of the room. My wings flutter nervously as I walk towards the shadow figure. “Pinkie?”

“Why did you leave? Why? Why?” The shadow asks me, the voice low and monotone.

“I had no choice, they drugged me and took me against my will. Before I knew what happened I was in the Griffon Colonies.” I reply. “If I had the power I would have fought them. Even if it would mean I would be seriously hurt.” The figure walks out into a small patch of light. I look as Pinkie stares at me tears flowing from her eye's. Her once vibrant mane flat and almost colourless. “You and the others are the greatest thing in my life. I would die, if it meant saving you.”

Pinkie sniffs the tears back and rubs a hoof over her eyes. “Y-You mean that?”

I stand up getting Pinkie to look at me confused. I walk over and reach under the main counter and pull out a cupcake. I made the motion of the promise then physically stuck a cupcake in my eye, it hurt but I didn't care. My sister needed to be sure that I was sincere, and I made sure she saw it.

“I promise Pinkie.”

Pinkie smiled and rushed to me, her flat hair suddenly springing up. “I love you brother!” Pinkie says, crushing me in one of her hugs.

“I love you too, sis.” I reply, embracing Pinkie in a return hug. “Now? What's this I hear that you have been ignoring the others?”

Pinkie looks up at me, her face drawn and tired. “I just....” I put one finger on her muzzle.

“I just want to know you won't do that anymore ok?” I give her a smile. “And here, you need this more than me.” I take the rose out from behind my ear and put it over Pinkies. “Think of it as a remember me gift.” Pinkie touches the rose and smiles.

“Thank you.”

I stand up. “Pinkie! I need you help with something, and being the premier party pony I think you can help.”

“Help with what?” Pinkie asks, her head tilting to one side.

“I need to prank two ponies but I might need some help.”

I notice Pinkies face light up as she suddenly darts upstairs. I go to follow but get stopped as she comes back down just as fast. Pinkie comes back wearing two saddle bags filled with various items, I even see a slingshot poking out.

“Um Pinkie? What's all that stuff?” I ask, gesturing to her bags.

“These are my prank bags. Anything you want to prank somepony with, you'll find it in here.” Pinkie reaches in and pulls out a whoopee cushion. “There isn't anything I don't have, well I don't have a giants toe or some rainbow powder.”

“Giants toe? Rainbow powder?” I was really not getting it, but then it's Pinkie, so when she goes to explain I just wave my hand to get her to continue.

“I have something here for you too, I was going to hold it for your birthday but then I don't know when that is.” Pinkie reaches into her bags again and pulls out a parcel. “Um...Happy home coming brother.”

“Thanks pinks, and to let you know my birthday is on December the 12th.” I reply, taking the parcel from Pinkie's teeth. I feel that it doesn't weigh much. “I wonder what it could be?”

“Open it silly and you'll know!” Pinkie states, sitting in front of me.

I open the parcel and inside I find a ring, I take it out and see that it was six different colours. All were matching to my new family. I saw Pinkie's initials, Rainbows, Twilights, Fluttershys, Applejacks and Rarity's. They were engraved on their respective colour as I turned the ring around. I slipped the ring on my right index finger and I felt several emotions come forth that I haven't felt for six months. I felt like I truly belonged.

“Thanks Pinkie.” I knell down and hug my Pink sister.

“N-No problem.” Pinkie sniffs in reply.

“Now before we turn into two crying heaps of mess, I think we should plan our prank.” I say, wiping my eyes. “But Twilight is outside, should we bring her in?”

“She is?” Pinkies face drops and her ears flatten. “I've been so mean to her, I didn't think she cared about me anymore.”

“She cares deeply about you Pinks, she cares about all of you. Twilight wants our family back together as much as I do!”

“She does?” I nod. “Then let's get my new step sister in!” Pinkie states bouncing around me, with a beaming smile on her face.

I sigh and approach the door as Pinkie lays out a plan for the spa (don't ask because I have no idea how she got it). I open the main door to the bakery and see Twilight sitting on the bottom step sleeping. I spot ponies across the street looking at me shocked. I lift up a finger in a shhh gesture, they smile before walking on. I bend down to Twilight who seems to be having a nice dream.

“Twilight, I have come to steal your books!” I whisper into her ear.

“No not my books!” Twilight mumbles.

“They are mine and you can't have them!” I whisper again.

“No! My books! Give them back!” Twilight says in her sleep, reaching out with her hooves.

I reach my hand over her head and with one move of my finger I flick her horn. Twilight suddenly lurches up screaming. “My books!” I break into a fit of laughter, as Twilight turns to me with a blush on her face. “John! That wasn't very nice!”

“I-I'm sorry....I couldn't help it!” I reply, trying to calm my hysterics.

Twilight looks at me with a concerned stare. “Did you find Pinkie?” I nod. “I-Is she ok?”

“Ask her yourself!” I gesture behind me.

Twilight looks around me and spots Pinkie trying to keep a sheet of paper unravelled on the bakery floor.

“Pinkie!” Twilight shouts, running past me and tackling Pinkie to the ground. “I missed you.”

Pinkie recovers and even turns the hug on Twilight. “I missed you too step sister!”

“Right! Now Twilight is here, the real fun begins!” I say, clapping my hands together.

“W-What fun?” Twilight asks, still attached to Pinkie.

“I am going to prank Rarity and Fluttershy before I make my entrance, and I need your help.” I raise my hand and the plans on the floor float up and towards me. Twilight and Pinkie just stare at me. “What?”

“You used levitation?” Twilight states.

“Yeah, it was one of the first things I learned to control in the Griffon Colonies.” I point my hand to Twilight and she raises up into the air. “See? I can even levitate you!” I swish my hand back and forth, chuckling as Twilight just flails about.

“Hey! That's enough!” A groan comes from Twilight. “I think i'm gonna hurl!”

I sigh as I let Twilight down, Pinkie just giggles. “I have some other abilities I can do but most involve damage, so I won't be doing them here.”

“Aww!” Pinkie says.

“I can show you a trick or two but after my family is back together. Deal?”

“Deal!” Twilight and Pinkie say together.

“Now Pinkie, i'm not going to ask where or how you got plans for the spa. But i'm sure it wasn't by any illegal means.” I give Pinkie a raised eyebrow. “And i'm happy you did.” Pinkie beams at me as Twilight stares down at the plans.

“So? What exactly are we going to be doing?” Twilight asks.

“That Twilight, is a great question.” I walk over to Twilight and put my hand on her neck. “Listen carefully because this maybe the greatest prank ever!”

Twilight swallows hard. Twilight may have been on the receiving end of a prank or two but never had she had such a big part in one. According to John she had to distract Rarity and Fluttershy while he snuck in and changed the hot coals in the sauna for stones that gave off a blue smoke. The smoke would then cover both Fluttershy and Rarity, leaving both looking like a creature called a 'smurf'. Twilight had snorted at that, what creature would call itself a smurf?

Twilight looked down at her body. She was shaking. Twilight shook her head.

“Come on Twilight, you can do this!” Twilight mutters to herself, before approaching the spa's main door and pushing it open.

“Well hello, Miss Sparkle!”

Twilight looked over to the source of the voice, it was a mare Twilight knew as Lotus. One of the twin sisters who owned the spa.

“Hello Lotus, not much business today?” Twilight asked as she looked around.

“Not today i'm afraid, but you have great timing! Your friends Miss Rarity and Miss Fluttershy should be along any minute now.” Lotus replies.

“Thanks Lotus. Actually that's the reason i'm here.”

“It is?” The blue spa mare asks.

“Yes! I....I would like to surprise them!” Twilight says, looking nervously from side to side.

“Ok, so what would you like? Massage? Sauna?”

“Sauna!” Twilight blurts out. “Um...Sorry! I would like the sauna treatment.”

“Very well, if you would like to follow me, I can get you sorted.” Lotus says, a smile forming on her face.

Twilight follows Lotus into the back of the spa. First stop was the changing rooms to grab a dressing gown, Twilight never went to the spa very often but when she did it was a rewarding experience. Lotus took Twilight into the area of the spa that housed the sauna.

“Miss Sparkle, if you would like to step inside I can get the coals hot for you.”

“Thank you.” Twilight looks around before stepping into the sauna. “Lotus? If you don't mind me asking? Where's your sister?”

“Oh aloe is in Canterlot, she said something about new massaging technique, it apparently uses your whole body. Not just your hooves.” Twilight and Lotus look up as a sound of something falling heavily comes from above. “Huh? What was that?” Lotus asks before shrugging.

“That was weird.” Twilight asks, looking flustered.

“Would you like me to stay and stoke the coals?” Lotus asks.

“No, I'm fine. Though could you tell me when my friends arrive, but please don't tell them i'm here.”

Lotus nods before turning away. Twilight watches Lotus leave then turns to a side window. Using a small bit of magic Twilight lifts the window up.

“John? You there.”

“Yeah, give me a sec.” Twilight looks around before Johns head drops down from the spa roof. John was rubbing his head.

“You ok?”

“Just hit my head that's all.” John replies, squeezing through the window.

“Where's Pinkie?” Twilight asks, looking back out the window.

“Here I am!” Pinkie says, jumping from behind my back.

Twilight facehoofs. “So that's the sauna?” John asks, pointing to the sauna's entrance.

“Yup! Did you bring the rocks?” Twilight asks.

“Duh! Of course we did!” Pinkie replies, pulling out a bag from her mane.

Twilight looks at the bag of rocks, they seemed exactly like the rocks in the sauna.

“And they will work right?” Twilight says to Pinkie.

“Yeah, when they heat up they give off a blue smoke that sticks to everything.” Pinkie replies with a giggle. “I wish dashie was here, she would enjoy this.” Pinkie adds.

Twilights ears fold back and John sighs.

“She's next Pinkie, I promise you.” John says, looking at the sky through the window. “I just wish I knew where she was.”

“We can figure that out later.” Twilight states taking the bag from Pinkie and proceeding to exchange the coals. “But first, we have a prank to do.”

John claps his hands. “This is going to be so great! I can't wait to see Rarity and Fluttershys faces after this.” John walks over and puts his hand on the coals. “Oh yes! Their faces will be priceless. That reminds me Pinkie. Did you bring the camera?” Pinkie pulls out an old looking camera and hands it to John. “Perfect!”