I yawned as I entered the main room of the library. I could hear the sounds of something being made in the kitchen and judging from the smell it was something good. Twilight was sitting by the table yet again with a book in front of her. She looked up with a smile as I entered the room.

“Good morning!”

Great, she’s a morning person. I, on the other hand, was not. “What’s so good about it?”

“Well somepony is grumpy. Are you feeling alright?”

I waved off her concern as I shuffled toward the kitchen. “I’m fine. Mornings just aren’t for me.” Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel in the morning. Now that I knew it wasn’t that I had lost my memory but rather I never had any memories to begin with, everything was sort of a new experience.

I heard Twilight say something else but my sleep-addled brain just couldn’t put together what she said so I ignored it. Whatever it is, it can wait until I wake up. Standing at the entrance to the kitchen I found both a savior for my drowsy state and a somewhat disturbing image making pancakes.

Ponies have coffee? Thank Faust! At least she isn’t sadistic towards me. As I went to grab a mug I tried to ignore the other thing I was seeing. There’s no way that’s actually happening. After all, he is a guy right? No guy would be caught dead with that!

“Oh, hey Don. You don’t look so good.” said a frilly-pink-apron-wearing Spike. As I took a sip of the amazing life giving liquid as I turned to confront this beast.

“Morning’s just aren’t my thing. More importantly, why are you wearing that?”

Spike looked down at his chest for a moment before answering. “What? It’s just an apron.”

“Yes, but it’s a pink apron with frills. You are a guy, correct?”

“Duh, of course I am. This is just the only apron we have.”

I started turning back toward the library. “Then I’ll have to ask Rarity to make something when I see her today. There is no way in hell I’m letting you continue wearing that.”

He almost fell off the stool he was standing on. “R-rarity!? Why are you going to see her?”

“She’s making me some clothes and needs my measurements. She seems real nice so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind adding a baby dragon sized apron to that.”

“Ya, she’s so generous. But don’t you get any ideas!”

Looks like someone has a crush, though he could probably do a lot better. I put on a sly smile as I headed for the door. “Don’t worry Spike. She’s all yours.”

“Ya, she- W-wait! I didn’t-”

“Relax man. Your secret’s safe with me.” That seemed to calm him down enough as I stepped back into the library. Twilight was still at the table reading a book, only from this angle I could see a cup of coffee sitting next to her.

Aha! I knew it. No person, human or pony, could be that cheery in the morning. As I walked over to the table Twilight took notice of my return.

“I see you found the coffee. Good thing I made extra.”

“Thanks Twilight. What have you been reading?”

She looked back at her book as she spoke. “I’ve been trying to see if there is any mention of a ‘human’ in any history books but it doesn’t look like they show up anywhere. It just makes no sense!”

I better hide the book that mentions the old Overlord when I find it. Can’t have Twilight start making up theories. “Well I did assume I was from another world. If that’s true then there wouldn’t be any mention of humans because they wouldn’t have existed here until yesterday.”

Twilight sighed. “I guess that’s the best we’ve got right now. Oh, by the way, the princess replied to your letter.” As she said this a scroll with a sun seal on it floated over to me. “I haven’t opened it yet.”

I grabbed the scroll out of the air and opened it. Definitely the handwriting of a three thousand year old princess.

Dear Don,

I am so glad that my little ponies are treating you so well. I know that sometimes they can be rather skittish but it is good to see my student, Twilight Sparkle, could see past how you appear on the outside.

She has informed me in her letter that you appeared at the strange magic site I had sent her to investigate and that now the site is gone. Stranger still is that you have claimed to have no magical knowledge whatsoever, as well as no memory of your previous life. I cannot say for sure what brought you here but I assure you that I am looking into the matter.

If it is not too much trouble, I would like you and Twilight to come visit me in Canterlot at the end of the week. I have enclosed two train tickets with this letter.

I look forward to meeting you,

Princess Celestia

Well I had expected her to want to meet me, but this part about her ‘looking into the matter’ worries me a bit. I put the letter down for a moment before turning to Twilight. “Looks like we need to go to Canterlot at the end of the week.”

This sent Twilight into hyper crazy mode without warning. “What!? The end of the week? But I have yet to even send her a single report on the magic of friendship!? How can I-”

I can’t believe this. I grabbed Twilight by the horn just like before. “Calm down Twilight. I imagine the only reason she wants you to come with me is because she doesn’t want anything like Rainbow Dash to happen. Besides, you told me you already had done all of your tests on me so you should be fine.”

Twilight’s breathing slowed as her pupils grew back to their normal size. “Right, of course. The princess just doesn’t want you getting hurt. Ya. Ya, that’s it.” I wonder if Equestria has any mental facilities. Just in case.

I let go of her horn as Spike, without his apron, picked the opportune time to walk in. “Pancakes are done.”

* * *

Once we had finished breakfast, Twilight and I headed out to Rarity’s place. Spike practically begged to come with us but Twilight insisted he stay home and finish his chores. Instead of fleeing like they had the previous day, most ponies would just cower on the spot. I think I saw one or two of them faint. I am plotting to be an evil Overlord. Might as well get used to it.

During the walk I got the strangest feeling I was being followed. It didn’t help that every time I turned my head I saw a pink blur disappear behind a corner or duck behind a market stand or just flat out vanish. Eventually we stopped in front of the carousel I had seen from a distance, although it turns out that it wasn’t a carnival ride but just the top of a building.

Wait, please don’t tell me…

“Here we are, Carousel Boutique.”

Damn it!

As Twilight and I walked in a bell hung above the door announced our arrival. The inside of the building was just as colorful and fancy as I had expected. Drapes with frills, mirrors lined with gold, intricate framework. Overall it looked less like a boutique and more like a princess’ dressing room, and every bit of it made me want to gag.

We heard Rarity call out from somewhere outside the room. “Oh, is that you Don? Give me a moment would you?” With nothing better to do Twilight and I sat down in the chairs by the door. It wasn’t long before Rarity walked out wearing a pair of red glasses with a measuring tape floating next to her.

“Good day Don. And Twilight, you’re here as well! I wasn’t expecting you to visit.”

Twilight got up from her chair as she spoke. “We weren’t sure how the rest of the town would react to Don considering what happened yesterday, so I came along just to make sure.”

“Oh my, how awful! Don’t you worry Don, I’m sure within a week Ponyville will see you as just another pony.”

And then I get to show them that they were all right to fear me. “Well if you and the rest of Twilight’s friends are any indication, I’m sure you're right. But enough about that, shall we get started?” Let’s get this over with.

“Of course, just come stand over here and I can get your measurements.” She waved a hoof at a small pedestal that had three mirrors at different angles next to it. I did as she asked and soon she was wrapping measuring tape around every part of my body. Since I was facing away at the moment Rarity started a conversation with Twilight.

“Tell me dear, have you seen Applejack recently?”

“Don and I saw her on the way into town yesterday. Why do you ask?”

“You haven’t been living here that long Twilight, so you should know that applebuck season is next week. It’s the busiest time of year for the Apple Family so I’m a bit worried she might overwork herself.”

“Well it’s a good thing Don and I are going to get him a job at Sweet Apple Acres after this. Maybe with him there things won’t be so bad.”

“Oh I’m sure that would help lighten the load a bit. Still it’s a lot of work. Alright Don, you’re all done. I should have everything done before the weekend.”

I stepped down from the pedestal eager to leave. “Thanks Rarity. I’ll definitely need that suit now since I have to go see the princess.”

“Oh my! A meeting with the princess. What an honor! I will have to make sure this is my best work yet.”

I really hope that doesn’t translate into ‘make it as terrible as this room is’ “I’m sure whatever it is it will look great. Oh, and I have two things I need to ask you. First, do you know what shoes are?"

"I know what horseshoes are. I assume they are something similar."

"Sort of. They are basically coverings for my feet. I don't have a hard hoof like you ponies have so I need something to keep from getting cut up."

"Really? Well then I'll make sure to make something for you. And what was the second thing you needed?"

"I need you to make an apron for Spike.”

The look of confusion on Twilight’s face was one I was starting to get used to. “Spike already has an apron Don. Didn’t you see it this morning?”

“Well ya, but the thing is pink and frilly. Heck, it has a heart on the front of it. Spike’s a guy and unless things are a lot more different here then I thought then he shouldn’t be wearing something like that.” I then turned to Rarity. “I’ll pay for the apron once I get some money from my job.”

Rarity waved a hoof at me as she headed toward her stairs. “Oh sure, that will be fine. Now if you’ll excuse me my head is just bursting with ideas right now!”

* * *

Twilight and I were back on the road again as we headed out to find Applejack. Although a job would take up a lot of time I could spend finding the artifacts, any of my night training would only help my mind. I would need some muscle if I was going to properly heft a sword and I figured a job on a farm would help with just that.

Just as our trip to the boutique, something pink followed us. Eventually I couldn’t help but ask Twilight. “Have you noticed we are being followed?”

Twilight looked behind us. “I don’t see anyone. Who did it look like?”

“I don’t know, all I see is a pink blob before it disappears.”

Twilight snorted in laughter as I feared for my life. What have you brought upon me? “That’s probably just Pinkie Pie. She’s silly like that, though I’m not sure why she is hiding from you. Probably just some game of her’s.”

Soon we made it to the market square where we found Applejack selling apples. Once she had finished with her customer we walked over.

“Howdy there Twilight, Don. How’s it going?”

Twilight, as usual, spoke first. “Hey Applejack. We were wondering if you were looking to hire any help for the farm? Don could use a job.”

“Well sure! An extra set of hooves, or hands for that matter, couldn’t hurt. Especially with applebuck season coming up. You free to work tomorrow morning?”

I nodded. “That sounds good, although I’m going to be out of town this weekend. The princess apparently wants Twilight and I to visit her.”

Applejack let out a low whistle. “Darn tootin’! Hope everything goes swell with your trip then. Now I don’ wanna cut this short but it looks like I got another customer. I’ll see tomorrow bright an’ early.”

* * *

It was around noon when we got back to the library, which I forgot to mention was in a giant tree. I know, ponies apparently like to live in the strangest things. Anyway, just as Twilight was about to open the door she stopped just shy of touching it.

“How about you open it?” I was a bit confused by this but I honestly didn’t care enough to ask. All I wanted to do was find a book and start searching. So I reached down, opened the door and…

Walked inside the library while Twilight stood by the door in shock. She walked in and started looking around for something and it wasn’t long before I had to ask. “What are you looking for?”

She pulled her head out from underneath the table to speak. “I was expecting one of Pinkie Pie's surprise party. She loves throwing parties when someone new comes to town. I figured if she was following us she must have been doing it to make sure we didn’t come home before the party was ready.”

I just shrugged and turned back to the bookshelf I had been searching. I wasn’t really interested in a party to be honest. Especially one made by some crazy pink stalker horse. Twilight on the other hand wasn’t going to let this down.

“I’m going to go see if I can find her. Maybe she just hasn’t finished planning it.” Before I could say anything she was out the door and I was alone in the library.

Or at least I thought I was alone.

Lets see… Dragons… Duels… Everfree… Ah, here we are! The Mortal Life of the Goddess Faust. Hopefully this will…

I turned to find a pink pony standing across the room from me. Her hair was an absolute mess of tangles and poofiness. Combine that with the glare she was giving me and I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.

“Well hello there. Twilight’s not here at the moment so if you’re looking for a book-”

“Don’t play dumb with me mister!”

“I don’t know what-”

The pony began walking around the room toward me as she spoke. “You may have fooled Twilight into thinking you’re some weak creature who doesn’t know what he’s doing here. You may have the rest of my friends thinking you’re just some nice guy who can’t remember his old life. But I know just what you are! My twitchy tail never lies!”

Wait, WHAT?!?!? “I’m sure you must have me mistaken for someone else.”

“Oh no. My Pinkie sense is spot on. Somewhere behind that nice guy act is something evil. I can feel it! And I will find a way to prove it. Mark my words, I, Pinkamena Diane Pie, will find out the truth! And when you are sent to the darkest pits of Tartarus, you will rue the day you tried to mess with my friends.”

Wha- but how did- this makes no sense! I was completely speechless as Pinkamena slowly backed away toward the door never taking her eyes off of me. Once she was gone my back hit the wall behind me and I slid down to the floor.

How did she find out! I have been so careful. It couldn’t have been the fight with Rainbow, could it? Or maybe she was in the forest and saw Gnarl and me talking. Wait. She said her tail never lies and something about a Pinkie Sense. Could she be psychic? I guess it could be possible in this world.

Around this point Twilight came back, interrupting my mental breakdown. “Pinkie wasn’t where she works. I hope nothing happened to her.”

I managed to find my voice around that time. “About Pinkie, is she a pink pony with poofy hair and balloons for a cutie mark?”

“Yes, that’s her. Did you see her?”

“She came in here yelling about something. She seemed kind of…” Crazy, insane, possibly even psychotic. “nuts.”

“That’s weird. Pinkie usually doesn’t get so riled up. I wonder what got into her.” Twilight shook her head before looking to me with a warm smile. “Don’t worry Don. She really is a nice pony. I’ll go have a chat with her tomorrow while you’re at work.” And with that we both settled into our usual reading places.

* * *

Later that afternoon I was still looking through the book making sure I got any and all information on the artifacts when all of a sudden a familiar rainbow blur flew through the window and pinned me to the wall.

“Don! You’re alright. Thank Celestia.”

I won’t be if you keep doing this. I grabbed the hooves she was using to hold my chest and pulled them off gently. “I’m fine Rainbow. Just a few bruised ribs. I’ll live.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight walked over from where she had been reading her book. “You can’t just come barreling in here like that. Somepony is going to get hurt.”

Or some person. Rainbow didn’t seem to hear her. “Dude, I’m so sorry I hit you so hard. I understand if you hate me for it.”

Wow, someone’s taking it a little hard. “Really Rainbow, there’s no need for that. I’m still alive and you’re not trying to change that so there is really no reason for any of this.”

Rainbow seemed to relax a bit. “Oh, by the way, I’m about to go practice my flight routine if you want to watch.”

I looked down at the book I had been searching through. I guess I could use a break. Plus if I do this there’s a good chance she won’t bother me later. “Sure, sounds like fun. Mind if Twilight comes?”

“Sure. I think everypony else is meeting up on the hill to watch. Pinkie wanted to have a picnic and figured this was a good opportunity.”

If Pinkie’s gonna be there then I better be careful where I step. I can’t give her any reason to continue her suspicions.

Twilight picked up the books and put them back where they belonged on the shelves. “Let me grab Spike and then we will be ready to go.”

* * *

Most of the picnic past by in a blur. I wasn’t interested in talking much to the six ponies or Spike, and I was more concerned with making sure that I don’t do anything to attract Pinkie’s attention. Not that I had to do anything as it seemed like she spent the entire time watching me when she wasn’t talking to the others.

Rainbow Dash’s routine on the other hand was amazing. I didn’t think that something with such small wings would be able to pull off such feats of aerobatics. I figured magic had something to do with it but that didn’t take away from how awesome it was.

After the show Twilight and I headed back home and after a quick look at everything the story had about the artifacts, I went to bed. Just as before I woke up sitting in my throne with Gnarl waiting patiently.

“Good evening Master. You are here early.”

I smiled a bit as I stood up. “I’ve got to be at work in the morning. Figured I should get here so that we still had enough time to do everything we need to.”

“Ah yes, well than let us not delay.”

We began walking to where Clobber held his training sessions. Along the way we discussed what I had learned.

“So Master, did you figure anything else out about Faust’s artifacts?”

“I know that they were a last resort that Faust had planned. She released her power in the form of six objects and gave them to her generals. They then used them to seal away my predecessor deep underground. After the battle they buried them, and from that spot came a tree shimmering like crystal. The story fails to mention where this tree is though.”

Gnarl sneered. “Of course. I’m afraid until we find a new lead we can’t risk having the minions leave the fortress. They will be a sure sign of your return if the princesses find them. And if you can’t bring the minions I’m afraid you’re going to need to be at nearly full strength before you go after any of the nests.”

“What if I got help elsewhere?”

“Elsewhere? Who do you know that is willing to help an evil Overlord take over?”

“No one yet, but I doubt everyone in this world is happy with how it is. I’m sure I can eventually find someone that would be willing to help.”

Gnarl put a claw to his chin as he grinned. “Oh yes. That could work. They would be able to move around much more freely than the minions. But you would need some way of… ah! I’ve got it! Master, may I see the gauntlet for a second. There is something I must show you.”

Author's Notes:

I can feel the idea train for this story beginning to slow down so I wouldn't expect these daily updates I've been cranking out.