“Can we skip this chapter?” asked Malice who looked bored. “I mean, Trixie and Winter Dusk are the only ones here who haven’t heard this part, yet. Dusk is too young anyway and nopony cares what Trixie thinks. ”

“Pardon you!!” Trixie yelled, highly offended.

“Keep this up mister and I’ll throw you back into my husband’s head!” threatened Twilight.

“Yeah, I mean what about the readers? Huh? They might want to know Pixel’s beginnings in Equestria,” countered DJ.

“If they wanted to know about that they should have read the first book like everypony else!” Malice retorted.

HEY! Watch the fourth wall, guys! It’s fragile!

“Sorry!” DJ and Malice said to the sky. The others at the table just watched in confusion, except Winter Dusk who was giggling.

“Daddy and Mally funny!!” Dusk laughed.

Malice turned to glare at the foal. “Don’t call me Mally!!”

“Oh come on Mally, let your nephew have his fun,” DJ said mocking his twin. Malice gave him a look that screamed ‘I will end you’. DJ ignored the false threat and returned to the book, which everypony else was grateful for.

I don’t know for how long I was out, but I definitely wasn’t in the bushes anymore. I was blinded when I opened my eyes by a bright light right above me. After getting used to the light, I looked at my surroundings. I was pretty certain I was in a hospital room, though the table was a little harder than I would have liked. I figured that the ponies must have been some kind of dream. A great dream, but a dream nonetheless. My memory was foggy as well, I even started thinking I had a hangover. The last thing I remembered…

MY thoughts were interrupted as somebody came through the only door in the room. I was expecting the typical doctor; you know, white lab coat, optional glasses, clipboard that listed everything that was wrong with me, and the usual. But no, it was a young man. It took me a moment to register him. I’ll admit, he looked pretty cool. His deep blue jacket (that had a familiar looking symbol on it that I couldn’t place at the time), black t-shirt underneath, and dark denim blue jeans, combine it all with a messy haircut and black sunglasses, then you got a pretty awesome looking dude. I bet when he reads this his ego will double in size (don’t deny it brother!).

DJ looked up from the book with glare to everypony present that said ‘say anything and I will destroy you’. Nyx and Scootaloo were having trouble controlling their laughter. Spike had excused himself and they could all hear his roaring laughter coming from outside. Malice and Trixie smirked at him. Twilight was patting his shoulder, though she was wearing a big smile.

“I hate all of you,” DJ said simply.

“We know you mean love!” they all said back. Dusk’s laughter was the only one DJ was putting up with. Once they were all calm, DJ resumed reading aloud.

After the initial surprise, I decided to start off the conversation. “You’re not what I expected,” I said calmly.

He looked shocked for a second, but then smiled at me. It was a warm smile; a knowing smile. He started to chuckle a little and spoke for the first time. “Yeah, I get that a lot.” His chuckling continued for a few seconds and then he introduced himself. “Nice to meetcha, the name’s DJ. I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you’re up for it?”

I was still pretty confused on what was happening, especially with how real that dream was, but I decided to play along, for now. “Hello DJ, my name is Leandra, but my friends call me Chibi.” For those that don’t know, Chibi means short person in one of the languages from Earth. You see, I am actually much shorter than the average human, being only a little taller than most ponies myself. It wasn’t a name I was overly fond of, but it was better than some of the others that my ‘friends’ came up with.

He lowered his sunglasses and looked at me weird. He obviously knew what I meant. “’Chibi’? Seriously? A little on the nose, ain’t it?” I explained that it was just something I picked up a few years back and he nodded in understanding and shrugged. “Fair enough. First question, what’s the last thing you remember?”

Now I was seriously confused. Why would he ask me something like that? Shouldn’t he know if he’s working at a hospital? By this time, my memory of the previous night had returned in full, but the full shock of not being dead still had yet to sink in. “That’s a weird question, but I guess I could fill in a few gaps,” I say trying to hide the truth. For all I knew, I was in some perverted slave camp. “Hmm. The last thing I remember would be… falling. Yeah, falling!” It wasn’t a complete lie. “After that, I had this strange dream that I was on that pony show.  You know what I’m talking about, right?” I was finally able to recognize that symbol on his coat, the cutie mark of a famous fashion mare. “You’re a brony, aren’t you?”

“What makes you say that?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, isn’t that Rarity’s cutie mark on your jacket? I’d recognize those three diamonds anywhere.” He smiled in response and said something that kept me confused.

"Heh, so you know about that show, huh? Well, that'll make things easier later, but for now...let's just try to stay on topic. Next question. Why were you attacked? Don't try to hide it. We saw your clothes stained with blood, as well as the multitude of scars and scratches all over your body." He must have seen my shocked expression to have clarified. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to say a little more.

I let out a sigh and said, “"I can't remember, but even if I did, why would I tell you? You're probably just stalling until the cops return with my file. I am just going to tell you, that you can't send me back. Others with more connections than you have tried and failed each time. I am just filled with too many smarticles.” I smile and let out a laugh, hoping that I caught him at his own game. Instead, he just looked confused.

“What do you mean, you won't go back? Did you run away from your parents or something?” he asked. My smile disappeared at the mention of my late parents. I couldn’t help, but say what came next.

"That would be impossible." Her smile practically vanished. "You can't run away from someone who no longer exists." His eyebrows shot up in surprise, but they settled back into position after a moment. Though his face then turned to one of compassion and… amusement?

"You're definitely the rebellious type. Sorry if I brought up bad memories. But, I don't think you need to worry about that stuff for now. Let's just talk. If it makes you feel better, why don't I tell you a little about me?" I was a little taken back by how he was so casual about this. What was his game? I just couldn’t figure him out. I agreed to his suggestion, hoping to see where this went.

"Well, as I said, my name is DJ. It's actually Josh, but it such a common name, I figured I needed to stand out a little. Also I am 19, if you were wondering." Okay, that surprised me. He looked and acted so much older than that. I was almost sure that he was in his mid-twenties. "I am what I consider an optimistic realist. Which basically means, 'expect the worst, hope for the best', and I despise planet Earth." His tone darkened a little at that statement. "I don't despise humanity, but I do hate what it has done to our home, I don't see there being any hope to save it. It is destined to be destroyed, that much I am certain of." Once he was finished, he gave me a knowing smile.

I was shocked with his bluntness. Then I tried to play my size card. Due to how short I was, most people would assume I was about five years younger than I actually was. Time to play it. "Why are you telling me this, don't you think I am little too young for something like that?" He began to snicker and then he laughed outright.

"Hahaha. I figured this might come into play, you think that I think that because of your small size, you're really young. Ha. Nice try, but I can tell that you are older than that, I'd guess maybe 15 or 16, honestly."

My eyes bugged. How had he guessed so close? Who was this guy? "H-how could you tell?" I asked.

"Your size makes you seem like you are very young, but your eyes betray you. Your eyes tell me the truth. That you see no future for yourself, but you will try to make a future for others. Certainly a fact that needs years to come across, roughly 15, if I remember right." DJ removed his glasses as he spoke. "How do I know this? Because I used to see those exact same eyes every time I looked into a mirror. Sometimes, I still do, but that's very rare now a days."

I was far beyond shocked. Just by looking into my eyes he was able to tell so much about me. Without his sunglasses, I now got a much better look at him. His hazel eyes showed no malice, only kindness and understanding. And they were… familiar. But why? Was it something I saw on television? Yeah that was it! I had seen this guy on TV about three months back. I asked him if he was that guy and DJ was shocked and… angry? He asked me how I knew that name and I explained that there was a national manhunt for that guy because he had disappeared without a trace. As I thought back on everything that the news cast had described, he surprised me by banging his fist into the wall of the room. He then muttered something along the lines of this being his dream come true. I didn’t understand it at all. Then he calmed himself and returned his attention to me.

"Ugh, sorry about that, but that was not what I was expecting. Yes, I am him, but not fully. This is my home now and don't plan ever returning. I couldn't even if I wanted to, but back to the matter at hand. Is what we are supposed to do with a beat up, run away orphan, who enjoys being around ponies?" he asked with a smirk.

I didn’t take it like a joke. "Hey! You don't have to make fun of me. It just happens to be my favorite show, so what?"

He put his hands up in defense, clearly not meaning to offend me. "I'm not making fun of you. Far from it. You see, Leandra, you're not on Earth anymore. And that wasn't a dream." He was smiling at me brightly, while I was in a stupor.

“Hubba wha?” I asked oh so intelligently.

“In other words,” he began, “Welcome to Equestria!” That was way too much! I passed out not even a moment after he spoke.

When I awoke, DJ was reentering the room. I was rubbing my head, that table really wasn’t comfortable. “Have a nice nap?” he asked. Now I knew for certain that he was a smart ass. I just sat there with a deadpanned look. Then everything fell back into place.

"So, what did I miss? ...WAIT A SECOND!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN WELCOME TO EQUESTRIA!?!? THAT WASN'T A DREAM????" I screamed out of shock and excitement.

DJ only laughed to himself. "Nnope. You're really in the land of ponies, kid. A land of peace and prosperity where we can be our own people...or ponies, I suppose. Now, before you freak out again, somepony wants to meet you. Please come in!" he shouted at the door. What strode through caused my jaw to drop and my eyes to sparkle. It was Princess Celestia. She looked just like she did in the TV show: gold regalia, flowing mane, and a smile that was so calming and comforting. I shrieked!

"OMG! IT'S PRINCESS CELESTIA!!" I jumped at her and started bouncing around the solar princess with vigor that I didn’t have a moment ago. I was taking in every little thing about her and was so enthralled I never heard DJ slam the door shut and pull out a box of popcorn. After a quick inspection and chanting ‘she’s real!’ over and over, I stopped right in front of her and bowed down. "Princess Celestia. It is an honor to finally meet you, I am such a huge fan. You're my favorite pony, after all."

I think I saw the Princess blush at my compliment and she spoke to me, her voice a melody. "W-why thank you, Leandra. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I do hope that my guards didn't hurt you too bad when they struck you." I’m pretty sure I saw DJ facepalm, but it did nothing for me. I just shrugged in response.

“That's okay, I was probably freaking out, and it scared them. I'd have done the same thing."

"Now that greetings have been exchanged, I believe that it is time for you to be honest with us Leandra. We know that you are not telling the whole truth about how you got here, and if you wish for us to trust you, then please be honest with us." said Celestia with comforting smile. My smile, however, disappeared. I did not want to tell them the truth, but could I bring myself to lie to the Princess Celestia? No, no I couldn’t.

"Okay, since it's you who's asking, Princess. How I got to Equestria is a mystery to me, but I do know why I was falling." The alicorn and DJ waited for me to continue. "It's because I was shot out a window. The third story window of an abandoned factory. I don't even know why I am alive, I felt the bullet connect."

DJ interrupted me here. "It did connect, the scar on your chest proves it. And before you ask, I personally haven't seen it. I don't do those kind of things." I thought I had that smart ass that time. I snapped my fingers in mock frustration.

"Thought I had you there. Well, I suppose now you're wondering why someone would shoot me, right? I guess it's in my best interest to explain, but to do that you have to know about who I am." From there, I described my life to the two of them. I told them of the orphanage, my travels, and of my rescues ending with my most recent one. I did leave a few things out, though. I couldn’t bring myself to mention my ‘brother’ as even though it happened years ago, it still hurt to bring her up. The other was of the murder I committed. Any time that was brought up, I was always sent away. That wasn’t gonna happen here. By the end of it, Celestia looked about ready to cry. I wasn’t sure about DJ mostly due to his sunglasses. “Maybe this is my prize, huh? For doing good for others?" I asked myself more than anything else.

There were several moments of silence as the alicorn and human took in my words. I really didn’t know how either of them were going to react. Both were completely silent, though it was DJ that spoke up. "That certainly is a tale. But, you may be right. This is a paradise and you certainly deserve it. Wouldn't you say so, Princess?"

Celestia shook herself from her stupor and stuttered an answer. "Uh, yes I-I believe you are right DJ, but I need to convene with my sister before we do anything else. It was a pleasure meeting you Leandra, a guard will escort you to a better room when you are ready." With that, Celestia left, leaving me alone with the only other human in Equestria. There was another awkward silence between us as neither of us knew what to say. So I decided to ask the obvious.

“So, what now?”

He smiled, a thing he does a lot by the way. "Now, you get a small tour as the guard takes you to your room. You're still recovering and you need rest. After that? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure on what Celestia is thinking and I'm sure Twi will agree."

Twi? I know that nickname! “Twi? Do you mean Twilight Sparkle!?” One of the Mane Six! Now I was excited because if Twilight was here, then the others couldn’t be too far behind.

"That's Princess Twilight Sparkle,” DJ corrected me. “Guess you never saw season four, huh? She's the princess of magic and I am proud to say that she is my marefriend." He gave a smug smile after that last part.

Now I was a little thrown back. I had no idea that humans actually could fall in love with ponies. Thought that only happened in fan fictions. Still, I thought it was cool. You are dating Twilight Sparkle?" DJ nodded his head, a goofy smile on his face. "That is so...cool! A little weird, but cool. Hey! Do you think I can meet Pinkie Pie? She's my favorite of the mane six! Celestia may be my favorite pony, but Pinkie Pie is just so much fun." I could feel my smile warming everything around me, I was so happy.

Then I got the ‘DJ smirk’ as I call it. "Heh, I'm sure Pinkie would love to meet another human. She'll probably teach you Pinkie Physics if you ask, too. She did for me."

I gasped out loud! Pinkie could teach me to act like her!? That sounded like a dream come true!! I think I even squealed a little. "You know Pinkie physics?! That explains the popcorn” I say, just now noticing the empty box in his hand. “SO COOOL! I can't wait! This is gonna be so much fun!!!"

He laughed a little under his breath, clearly amused by my actions. What can I say? I’m random like that! "That's right kid. This place is fun and not like home in any way. Still doesn't explain the references that pop up every now and then, though, and that gives me a headache. But, like I said earlier Leandra, welcome to Equestria. Hope you like it as much as I do." He made his own leave after that and I was alone in the room. Though, I no longer felt alone. I was in a much brighter world, one where maybe I didn’t have to fend for myself just to survive. I was finally someplace where I could be happy. I moved towards the door and took in a big breath, letting it out as I let everything I had been told sink in. As I open the door, I have the greatest thought in my head: Welcome to my new life!

As Celestia promised, there was a guard there waiting outside my door. Thankfully, he wasn’t surprised by my appearance and stoically led me down the halls of Canterlot Castle. We walked for many minutes, but it felt like hours as we trudged. The one thing that has never changed about the castle is that everything looks the same! The walls were white, with very little decoration, and there was the occasional flower pot along the tile floors that all looked the same, and that was about it! We really need to get somepony to redecorate this place. Anyway, we came to a stop outside one of the many, many rooms of the palace. He indicated that this was where I would be staying, so I headed on in. It wasn’t too fancy, nor was it barren. Still had the same white walls and tiles of the hallways, but it had a splash of color with the queen-sized bed. It was the kind that had curtains wrapped around it and was a faint purple color. For a moment, I felt like I had been put in Twilight’s old bedroom, but the lack of bookcases proved that theory wrong immediately.

The guard was still at the door and spoke up after watching me as I took in the room. “You may rest before dinner, ma’am. Princess Celestia will be expecting you.”

“Uh, thanks. I guess I’ll take a nap then,” I said with a little discomfort. The stallion really wasn’t one for conversation, it seemed. He exited the room, saying that he would be standing right outside the door, should I need anything. I thanked him again as he left and laid down on the bed. Even with all the thoughts churning in my head about being in a land of pastel colored, talking equines, I passed back into dream within a minute.

It was about an hour later when I woke up and felt a pain in my stomach. I was starving!! I asked the guard outside if he could lead me to dinner. He nodded and walked off, indicating for me to follow. After a brisk walk through the castle once again, he opened a large door and I was greeted to the sight of several ponies sitting down to a mouth-watering feast at a large table. Sitting at the head was Princess Celestia, of course, and next to her on the (my) left was Princess Twilight Sparkle. On Twilight’s right was DJ, smiling at me as I entered. The others at the table were Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity; the Elements of Loyalty, Kindness, and Generosity respectably. Even though I was a diehard pony fan, my mind and eyes could only focus on the food. I knew that everything was vegetarian, but at that moment, I couldn’t have cared less; I just wanted it in my stomach.

It was Celestia who spoke first as I wondered in, my eyes still on the food. “Good evening Leandra, I trust you had a nice nap?”

I nodded absentmindedly. I snapped out of my trance, though, when I realized who was talking. “Oh, um, yes. Yes I did Princess Celestia, thank you.” My eyes began to wander back to the feast. “Um, would you mind if I…” I wandered off as another course of delicious food was catered in by the pony staff. The smell was intoxicating! Now, I really didn’t care what any of it was, all I needed to know where the fork and spoon was so that I could start piling it into my mouth. I once again shook out of my daze and said, “Care if join you for dinner?”

As one, DJ and Celestia answered my question with a ‘yes’. Both of them looked at each other in surprise, along with everypony else. I didn’t take any real notice and sat down a couple seats down from Celestia, across from Rainbow Dash. Once the server pony put a plate in front of me, I dug in and scarfed everything down in seconds. I look up from my food and see everypony staring at me. I shy away a little, trying to sink into my seat. Then I hear Rainbow speak up.

“Wow. DJ, I think you got a challenger,” said cyan pegasus mare. Okay, that confused me.

“Huh?” I asked intelligently.

“My coltfriend’s appetite has been second to none,” answered Twilight. “Not even Pinkie has been able to keep up with his eating. That’s why it’s DJ’s job to buy the groceries.” She gave DJ a knowing glance as she spoke. I expected DJ to blush or something, instead he just shrugged. Twilight let out small breath. “Not that he minds, though.”

Princess Celestia, who had been quiet through this small exchange, decided to ask me something. “Are you still hungry, Leandra? There is no need to be shy, there is plenty. Eat as much as you please.” My eyes glimmered at the offer and I dug in with fervor. Course after course, I ate and ate. It was the most delicious thing I had eaten in years. In ten seconds I was already on the third with everypony else. When I finished that one, I looked over and saw the glint of a challenge in DJ’s eyes. It. Was. On! Meal after meal, the two of us tried to finish before the other. No matter how fast I was, though, DJ constantly beat me. It was like he was a living vacuum cleaner! Dude was like Shaggy Rogers from Scooby-Doo. I wondered if that was natural or Pinkie Powers at work; either way, I wanted to do it to.

Then, another dream came through the doors as the fifth course rapped up and the famous Pinkie Pie and the Apple Family walked in. I am a little ashamed that I went full fan-girl on them at the same instant. I gave Applejack and the other Apples and quick tip of my imaginary Stetson and said, “Howdy!” Then my attention focused entirely on the pink party pony of Ponyville and she focused on me. Of course, all five ponies were already staring at me, but Pinkie looked at me with excitement not shock and surprise. And then, Pinkie being Pinkie, asked me everything in one, long, run-on sentence.

“Hiwhat'syourname?Myname'sPinkie?Doyoulikecupcakes?What'syourfavoritecolor?Doyoulikecake?Wannaparty?..." I don’t want to confuse everypony, so I’ll cut her off there. Now, most ponies would be confused entirely by this, but I understood everything she asked of me, so I responded in kind.

"MynameisLeandra,butmyfriendscallmeChibi.It'snicetomeetchaPinkie,Iamabigfan.OfcourseIlovecupcakes,whodoesn't?Myfavoritecolorispink!AndIabsolutelylovecake!IwouldlovetopartywithyouPinkie!...." Pinkie beamed in glee at me. We turned to face a table of shocked pony faces, and one amused human. How he was not surprised still eludes me. I returned to my seat as the others found places of their own. Not even a second later, a blue swirl of mist appeared next to Celestia and formed into Princess Luna herself. She greeted everypony and when she saw me, stopped and stared in surprise. Luna rubbed her eyes and then looked at me even closer. Even though she was another of my favorite ponies, I couldn’t help, but shy away from her gaze. I am actually quite the shy person really, especially around new people. It was only my inner fan girl that let me talk to the ponies around me. Celestia then began to giggle.

“Yes, Luna. There is indeed another human sitting at the table. Luna meet Leandra. She will staying here indefinitely.” Luna seemed to accept this as she lifted her leg to me.

“Greetings Leandra. We, er, I am the Princess of the Night, Princess Luna.”

“H-hi,” I say still getting over my shyness and shaking hoof. “It’s an honor to meet you.” From there, DJ and Celestia filled everypony in on my origins as I continued my feasting. I could see a few tears in some of the ponies eyes as my tale was recounted, though I am certain I saw a fire in Granny and Big Mac’s eyes when they spoke of that witch who ‘cared’ for me. After ten meals, I was finally full and the same went for everypony else. Even DJ finally filled his bottomless gut. We turned in for the night with Celestia promising that they would figure something out for me tomorrow.

The next morning, I was once again escorted to the dining hall. I was not alone, however, as Celestia and Luna were already present and eating breakfast. “Morning,” I yawned out, trying to be polite. I knew I should address them as Princesses, but I was too tired to care about such things.

Celestia smiled at me and indicated to take the seat next to her. I was a little scared about sitting next to my favorite pony, but a plate stacked with waffles already in place deterred any other thought. I sat down and once again began eating like I never had. As I scarfed down breakfast, the others soon joined us, with DJ coming in last. To this day, he is always lazy and slow.

“Anypony says anything, there will be recompense,” DJ warned without looking up from the book.

To his disdain, he could still hear the snickering of his family around him.

“Mornin’ everypony!” he greeted, full of energy despite the early hour. Thankfully I was already past my tiredness thanks to the amazing waffles. “And Berry,” he added before heading to the table. I wasn’t really paying attention, but the others were.

“Who’s Berry?” asked Princess Twilight.

DJ pointed at me. “Berry is over there scarfing down her waffles as if she hadn't eaten in months.” That got my attention and I looked up from my plate to face him.

“Why are you calling me ‘Berry’?” I asked.

"Oh, no reason. Only just that you downed 15 bowls of berries last night as if they were skittles. I figure it's a better name than Chibi. Plus, it kinda makes you sound like a pony. Wouldn't you agree?" His sly smile making its appearance once again.

Okay, I’ll give him that ‘Chibi’ was pretty terrible, especially since it was kind of an insult. But ‘Berry’? As I thought on it, the more I began to like it. It definitely would fit in better than ‘Leandra’, which is not pony in nature at all. I smiled when I realized that DJ had hit the nail on the head.

"Yeah, I like it! That's what I'll go by. Everypony, no longer will I go by Leandra. For I am BERRY!” I say with my fork raised in the air in triumph. DJ laughed a little as he sat down to his own breakfast. After a few minutes of eating, DJ spoke up again.

"Hey, you know Pinkie, Berry over there is interested in Pinkie lessons, too. Think there's any chance that she can learn?" I leaned over my plate, looking in anticipation for Pinkie’s answer. Pinkie seemed to think on it for a moment.

"Hmm. I need to confirm something first," she said seriously. "Berry, what is...," she paused for dramatic effect"...your favorite flavor of ice cream?"

I felt like making an anime style faint at the question, but when it came to Pinkamena Diane Pie sweets were serious business. So I slammed my hand down on the table and returned her stare-down with my own and said with dead seriousness, “ALL OF THEM!!” We continued our stare-off for another moment, then Pinkie backed down with a smile.

"Good answer! You are ready to learn! You will need one week of training and we begin today!" DJ choked a little on his breakfast. I looked over, hoping was ok. He was, but seemed a little ticked.

"A-a week?! It took me three! What makes her so special?" he asked a little hurt. Wait, it took that human three weeks to learn the full range of Pinkie Powers, and he seems to be just as random as her. So why am I different? Pinkie answered of course.

"Because, silly. Her mind is much more random than yours, meaning our brains our nearly synchronized with each other. It will be much easier for her to learn." DJ huffed a little, but I yet out a loud ‘YES’ in happiness. Then, without warning, my hands became encompassed in a pinkish glow with surrounded the table and caused it to shoot up to the ceiling, taking our breakfast with it. I was so shocked that I only barely heard DJ speak out.

"Holy frijoles! That girl's got magic. NOT FAIR!" I was completely aghast at what I did. I started stuttering apologies at Celestia, fearful of what she would do to me. Only, she wasn’t mad, just a little surprised.

“Don’t worry, my little human,” she said in that sweet motherly voice of hers. “No harm was done, only to our food,” she said, glancing up at the splattered ceiling. “There is no need to fear. It is certainly surprising that you can perform magic, a lot of it from the looks of it. I suppose you will be needing magic lessons, but we can cover that at a later time. Why don't you, Pinkie, and DJ spend the day together? Luna, Twilight and I need to take care of a few things. The others may spend the day as they please. I feel that you three will have a grand time."

That sounded like a plan to me, so after breakfast, the three of us headed out to the Castle Gardens and we wandered into a jungle hidden away in the back of the castle. Why it was there, I have no idea, but we didn’t care at the time. It was there that my Pinkie training began and, man, was it a trip. I was completely happy with everything, but I kinda wish I could tell you guys what she said, but it’s impossible. Pinkie told me that if she isn’t the one explaining how her physics work, then all of reality will crumble into nothingness. And I don’t really want to do that to everypony.

So anyway, we were bouncing through the jungle, causing all kind of craziness when we discovered what the jungle was: Princess Celestia’s personal animal sanctuary. How did we find out? Because one of us, *cough* Pinkie *cough*, landed on the tail of a big, black cougar! Or popping cat as I found out later. That explains how it and its friends surrounded us so easily. Of course, us being us, did the one rational thing we could: RUN!!! With DJ in the lead, we scrammed out of there. Who knows how long we ran, we didn’t care. We just wanted to live, but then DJ had to go and trip! Since he was the one in the lead, Pinkie and me got caught in his stumble and basically had a snowball effect. We tumbled and rolled eventually coming to a stop, somehow wrapped around a tree by a vine and hanging over a cliff that was overlooking a river. And then the inevitable happened. The tree creaked and broke with our combined weight causing it to fall into the river.

We gasped for breath as the three of us resurfaced. Sweet, sweet air. I decided to take in our situation: I on one side, DJ was wrapped to the other side of the tree, and Pinkie tied in the middle between us. Then I looked forward and regretted it. “Uh oh,” was all I could manage. Then DJ did the one thing I never thought would happen.

“Don’t tell me, we’re about to go over a huge waterfall?” It took me a moment to realize what he said and then I fell into the act, since this was very similar to what happened in a famous movie back home on Earth.

“Yep,” I said with complete seriousness.

“Sharp rocks at the bottom?” DJ asked again.

“Most likely,” answered… Pinkie? How she knew to say that exact phrase, I will never know. Then again, it’s Pinkie Pie. That is the only logical explanation.

DJ was quiet for a moment, then said, “Bring it on.” A moment later, we were falling down the massive waterfall in front of us. The whole time, DJ yelling his heart out, Pinkie and me laughing along. “BOOOOOOOYAAAAAHAAAAHAAA! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" After a moment or two, we were suddenly encompassed in a trio of magic: violet, golden, and a deep blue. It was the princesses to the rescue! Once we were safely on the ground again, the three of us were laughing it up, that being incredibly, awesomely fun!!

Then, DJ had to open his big mouth. “AWW YEAH! That was awesome. Wanna go again?” A quick slap to the back of the head, courtesy of Twilight, ended that thought. Ow! Never mind. Who want's lunch?" he asked moving on completely. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight had to decline, leaving the three of us on our own again. While Pinkie got our lunch, the two of us found some place where the populace wouldn’t freak out from seeing two strange creatures. Pinkie returned with some hayburgers and fries, and we ate in a secluded part of the gardens.

The whole time we ate, there was a nagging question in the back of my mind, one that had been there ever since meeting DJ. I couldn’t hold it back anymore so I asked him. “Why are you being so nice to me? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but it's a rare occurrence for me,” I added so that I didn’t upset him. DJ seemed to think on that for a moment and the answered me in the most unexpected way possible: the truth.

"Honestly," DJ began, "it's because you remind me of my sister back home. See, I wasn't exactly a model brother. I realized the cruelty of the world at an early age and pushed everyone away; I was pretty much a bully to her. She said on more than one occasion that she hated me. I knew that she was just mad, but I knew she had that feeling deep down. So, I guess I'm trying to repent for my sins a little."

I was definitely shocked. He was seeing me as his little sister, not just a friend. He rejected his family, but they rejected him in turn, that much I understood. That was something my brother would understand. She and my folks never got along that well either, though she was heartbroken when they passed on. But I just kept thinking on what DJ had said. To him, I was the sister that he should have had, one that was willing to understand him. I hadn’t had an older sibling in so long, but I didn’t want to replace Harry either. Then it came to me: I didn’t have to replace Harry in my heart, I just had to accept DJ as another brother. That’s how he was to me, another brother. Heh, another brother from another mother, heh heh. Funny. I smiled with that decision.

“Well, then I guess that makes you my BBBFF, huh?" Big Brother Best Friend Forever for those that didn’t know. I guess my response surprised him because he replied as the following.

“Hubba wha?” How intelligent brother.

"Big Brother Best Friend Forever, duh! Didn't you watch the wedding episode? I've never had a big brother before, so I guess what I am saying is that I'm willing to give it a shot. If you don't mind that is." That was a lie of course, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk about Harry. Not after the way she disappeared. DJ didn’t respond at first, but then he pulled me into hug and gave me a noogie.

"Oh, you are so gonna regret that," he said with a laugh. I laughed and agreed. Pinkie joined in and we all had a big laugh together. It was that moment that I decided that I could really trust these two, so I opened up to them completely and told them about the murder. When my tale was done, there were tears ever present in my teacher’s eyes, while DJ’s were one of calm understanding. The dam burst and I was crying as the vivid images of blood and brain matter played through my head. Then, I felt a warmth as Pinkie and my new brother pulled me in for a hug.

“Shh. It's alright. We don't hate you. You did what was needed to be done. We would be worried if you didn't feel awful. But we don't hate you for nor will we ever." DJ was trying his hardest to comfort me, Pinkie nodding in agreement, at a loss for words on how to keep me happy. After a few minutes, everything was over and we decided to return to the castle. Once inside, DJ split ways with us, saying he needed to see his marefriend and the other princesses. It was still weird to consider a human and pony together, but DJ looked so happy speaking about Twilight like that, that it didn’t bother me as much as it should. Pinkie and I meanwhile rejoined the other Elements and the regaled their stories of heroism and bravery to me. Mostly it was Rainbow Dash exaggerating her importance, but Applejack and Rarity were always there to comment and provide the correct events. This went on for hours until one of the guard ponies said that my presence was requested by the Princesses. The girls wished me luck and I went to the throne room.

As I pushed open the doors, I saw all three of them. Princess Celestia was sitting on the tall throne in the middle, with Princess Luna on her left in her own chair, and Princess Twilight on the right with her throne as well. DJ was also present, leaning on Twilight’s chair. DJ smiled and waved as I entered, but I was too afraid of what was happening to return it. “You w-wanted to see me, Princess?” I said with my shyness in full force.

Princess Celestia only spoke a few words, words that caused an earthquake in my body. “Yes, Berry,” she said using my new name. “For I have made my decision.” Why did I feel like everything was gonna go horribly, horribly wrong now?

Next Chapter: 3 - Starting Points Estimated time remaining: 44 Minutes