"Oh my gosh they're here! They're finally here!'' Twilight squealed with excitement.

She was in the main floor of the library, along with Quentin, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Spike. They all arrived there after Twilight received a letter from Shining Armor that he and Princess Cadence had just arrived in Canterlot to rule in Princess Celestia and Princess Luna's absence.

"Alrighty there, simmer down sally. Ya don't wanna give yurself a heart attack,'' Applejack chuckled.

Twilight looked at her friends happily. "Sorry guys but I just can't help it. I'm just excited to see my brother and Cadence again!''

Quentin widened his eyes a bit, but then had an epiphany. "Shining Armor and Cadence...why do those names sound familiar?'' he asked.

Rainbow Dash grinned. "They were in Celestia's first letter to us since she left. Remember, you were there after all?''

The stallion brought a hoof to his chin in thought. A light bulb went off in his head and Quentin nodded. "Oh yeah that's right. Now I remember.'' Quentin then smiled at Twilight. "I didn't know you had a brother, Twi.''

Twilight nodded with a bright smile. "Yeah, Shining Armor is my BBBFF!''

"You what?!'' Quentin asked loudly, scrunching up his face clearly having never heard of such a term.

"Big Brother Best Friend Forever!'' the others said in unison.

Quentin looked blankly at them. "Ohhh,'' he said slowly, but Rarity giggled.

"Don't worry Quentin. We didn't get the terminology at first either. But I agree, it'll be nice to see them again.''

"Well what are we waiting for sillies? Let's get this show on the road and see them. Maybe we can have a 'Happy to See You Again' party!'' Pinkie exclaimed happily, doing her usual logic defying antics with streamers and confetti falling from the air.

Quentin just looked at the hyper pink pony in wonder and confusion. "How does she do that?'' he asked softly.

"We'll never know,'' Rainbow Dash answered, leaning in.

Fluttershy nodded with a soft smile. "Yes, it would be lovely to see them.''

"Well then what are we waiting for. Let's go!'' Twilight cried in delight. The others voiced their approval in unison, while Quentin just smiled at them.

Twilight then walked up to the male earth pony. "And of course, you're welcome to come along with us Quentin,'' Twilight smiled.

At first, Quentin was a bit surprised by the offer and he averted his eyes briefly before speaking a bit timidly. "Um, you know you girls don't have to take me everywhere you go. We've only known each other for a short time, and I know you girls have shared many experiences that I've never been through.''

The six mares looked at each other blankly before looking back at Quentin. "Oh poppycock. Of course we would love for you to come with us Quentin. Why wouldn't we?'' Rarity asked, giving Quentin that graceful smile of hers.

"Yeah! We're friends after all. Which means that we should share all of the fun things together, am I right?'' Pinkie Pie spoke up excitedly, catching Quentin off guard with a rather tight embrace from behind as the others agreed.

Although initially shocked by the act, Quentin nevertheless gave Pinkie Pie a reserved smile and patted her hoof as Twilight said with warmly. "And besides Quentin, I really like you to meet my brother. I just know you two will get along. So will you come?''

After a moments thought, Quentin finally nodded with a smile, grateful for wanting his company. "Sure, I'd love to Twilight.''

Twilight beamed and nodded excitedly. "Great, how bout we all get ready and met at the train station in an hour?''

The rest of her friends all agreed happily and they all left to their homes. Back at the farm, Applejack and Quentin packed for the trip. Luckily, she had an extra saddle bag for him to use and the only thing Quentin could really pack was his pouch of bits. He heard a knock on his door and answered for them to come in. Applejack walked into the room, her saddlebags around her back.

"Hey Quentin, ya ready ta head out?'' she asked.

Her friend nodded. "Yep, ready when you are.''

Quentin followed Applejack downstairs and they stopped into the kitchen. "Who knows how long we will be in Canterlot, so best we pack a little somthin' ta snack on,'' Applejack said, going into the cabinets.

That never sounded so good to the stallion. "Nice plan, I am getting a little munchie, especially after all that work today,'' Quentin remarked, rubbing his growling belly.

Applejack chuckled. "Then I'll defiantly make sure ya get somethin good ta eat.''

Quentin smirked at this comment. Together, he and Applejack packed some apples, an apple tart, and even a slice of apple pie. After saying goodbye to Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom, the two headed off the farm and to the train station. It took nearly twenty minutes before Quentin and Applejack finally arrived at the train station. It was a small station, with few other ponies waiting for their train. Not surprisingly, they saw Twilight with her saddle bags, waiting eagerly for the rest of the group.

"Well I guess Twilight is a punctual one, especially if it means to see her big brother,'' Quentin chuckled.

Applejack giggled. "Yeah, ya can say that again.''

As the two earth ponies headed towards the platform, Twilight saw them and smiled, galloping towards her friends. ''Applejack, Quentin. Finally, I thought you guys wouldn't make it!'' she confessed.

"Aw Twilight, ya know we're just as excited ta see Shining Armor and Princess Cadence again, jus' as much as you are,'' Applejack grinned.

Quentin nodded. "So Twilight, what time does the train comes?''

''In about twenty minutes, you two should hurry and get your tickets,'' Twilight answered, looking at the clock.

Applejack and Quentin nodded and went over to the ticket counter. On the other side of the window was a grey earth pony wearing the hat and shirt of a railway officer. "Can I help you sir?'' the pony said.

"Yes, I would like two tickets to Canterlot please,'' Quentin answered politely.

The ticket clerk nodded. "Two tickets to Canterlot coming right up. That'd be...ten bits sir.''

Applejack did a sort of double take. "Now wait a minute Quentin. Why'd ya get two tickets?'' she asked, puzzled.

The human just smiled at her. "I'm paying for your ticket too silly,'' he responded.

Applejack was baffled by Quentin's off and she shook her head. "That's mighty sweet of ya sugarcube, but that's not necessary. I can pay fer my own fare.''

Quentin just chuckled. "Nope, I won't take no for an answer. Besides, I'd take it as a personal insult if you refused.'' He gave Applejack a wink.

Applejack just looked at him speechless. She then formed a slow smile and lowered her head, a faint blush on her face. "Why, I don't know what ta say Quentin,'' Applejack said softly.

Quentin smiled. "Don't mention it AJ.''

He took out ten, gold bits from his saddle bag and handed it to the ticket clerk and in return, gave Quentin two train tickets with white front and a brown background. On the front of the tickets were information like their departure time and cost per ticket. Quentin handed Applejack her ticket which she gratefully took and went back across the platform to Twilight.

"So Twilight, Spike's not coming with us?'' Quentin asked, curious to where the little dragon was.

Twilight smiled and shook her head. "No, he's staying back at the library to finish his chores. Besides, he said there was a new, gem cake recipe he wanted to try.''

Quentin cocked an eyebrow at the thought of gems in cake and the only thing he could think of was broken teeth. "A gem...cake?'' he asked, a little uneasy.

Twilight giggled. "Yep but you see, dragons eat gems. They're pretty much like sweets for dragons.''

Applejack chuckled. "Yeah, I remember the time we went ta the Crystal Empire an Spike wanted a bunch of gems fer payment fer looking after our pets to make into a cake.''

"I know, and the funny part is at the end of it, Spike still managed to eat all the gems before he could even put into the batter,'' Twilight finished. The three friends shared a hearty laugh.

Within the next ten minutes, the rest of their friends finally arrived at the station, saddlebags in tow. One by one, they each went to the ticket counter to pay for their tickets. Fluttershy was the last to purchase her ticket and the seven met in the center of the platform. All the friends voiced in unison their excitement to get to Canterlot. At last a train whistle sounded from the distance along with some smoke as the train came into view and stopped at the platform. The doors opened as ponies got off the train from their trip.

When the last few ponies have gotten off the train, a pony that appeared to be the conductor stepped of, looking at gold pocket watch.

"All aboard!'' the pony called and the seven ponies and the other waiting ponies made their way and made a line to get on the train.

"This is so exciting. I always look forward to going to Canterlot,'' Fluttershy said softly with a smile.

Pinkie nodded happily, bouncing up and down. "You said it Fluttershy. I mean who doesn't like going to Canterlot?!''

Rarity put a hoof on Quentin's shoulder as she smiled at him. "You're going to love Canterlot Quentin. It is without a doubt the most beautiful city in Equestria,'' she said ever so gracefully.

Quentin smiled at the claim as the line moved, the conductor taking the tickets. At last, the conductor took the seven equines' tickets and they boarded the train. The seven friends were able to get a car to themselves at the very back of the train. The car was quite spacious with the back of the seats divided by an artistically green glass barrier that dipped low in the center. They all pretty much had a seat to themselves, but that did not stop them from chatting with each other.

Within minutes, the train suddenly jerked forward as it slowly moved and they cleared out of the platform, gaining speed with each second. "So how long does it usually take to get to Canterlot?'' Quentin asked no one in particular.

"About an hour, plenty of time to relax an' enjoy the ride,'' Applejack answered.

The human turned equine smiled and nodded and he turned his head towards the window and gazed outside and into the scenery. This was the first time Quentin have ever been outside Ponyville, other than going into the Everfree Forest. But unlike the dark forest, the scenery was much more beautiful as they ventured across a vast meadow.

Among the low chatter of the six pony friends, Quentin just looked out the window, resting his arm on the windowsill and enjoyed the sights. He really didn't care much for trains, nor have he rode them regularly, but there was something about the ride that seemed almost charming. Unlike planes, you can appreciate the surroundings by riding through them instead of looking down from them.

Later in the journey as the friends long passed the boundaries of Ponyville, they were approaching a cave and as quickly as Quentin saw it, they were engulfed by darkness as the train rode inside it. Quentin felt something rubbed against his arm while in the dark and when the train rode out of the cave and into the light, he turned to see Rainbow Dash sitting next to him.

"Hey Q, you don't mind if I sit next to you, do you?'' she asked, looking a bit uncertain.

"Umm...no Dash, you good. No trouble at all'' Quentin responded, with a small smile, patting her on a hoof.

Dash smiled relieved and looked away sheepishly before asking, "So, uh...you ok Q. You seem awfully quiet?''

Quentin chuckled as he responded. "Sure I'm straight. Trust me I'm always quiet.''

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Well it's true, you are pretty quiet, but that's cool with me.''

Quentin smiled warmly at the Pegasus for the comment. "Hey Quentin, can I ask you something?'' Dash asked.

"Sure, what's up?'' her friend replied.

Dash looked as if she was trying to find the right things to say before she opened her mouth. "Are you, ya know...happy about being in Equestria?'' Rainbow asked.

Quentin looked a bit surprised by the question, but then smiled. "Well yeah Rainbow I am. Sure I can't wait to get back to my world, but this world is beyond amazing.''

Dash smiled at Quentin from this, but frowned slightly. "And what do you like about Equestria exactly?''

Quentin rolled his eyes and thought as he tried to come up with an answer. "Well, a lot of ponies are much kinder to each other than a lot humans back on Earth. Here there's little wars or conflicts whatsoever. And if there are, its mere playground bickering compared to those of world.''

Rainbow Dash looked at Quentin, whose face fell sadly at the sight of his falling somberly as Quentin thought of his imperfect home world. "Ok, let's change the subject,'' Dash quickly said, and then she grinned. "Well I bet all the girls in your world would be on you huh?'' Dash nudged Quentin's arm as he chuckled halfheartedly.

"Well actually, I've-'' he stopped, embarrassed by what he wanted to say.

"What? C'mon tell me,'' the rainbow haired mare egged, nudging him again.

Quentin sighed and continued softly. "I've never...really had a girlfriend before.''

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened at the surprise, her mouth hanging open slightly. She then burst out with laughter. "Yeah right, nice one Q!'' She laughed and looked at the stallion and when she saw him giving her a deep frown, she stopped laughing abruptly.

''Wait, seriously? You've never had a girlfriend before?''

Quentin shook him head.

"Well how come?'' Dash asked.

Quentin just shrugged, irritated by the question. "I don't know. I usually keep to myself. I don't bother anyone and they don't bother me, which I was perfectly fine with. Besides I've never really been good at talking to girls. And when I do try to talk to one, my mind goes blank and I end up saying stupid stuff.''

Quentin looked at Dash who just nodded understandingly, looking down. "Well we're girls, and you don't have any trouble talking to us,'' she replied.

"Yeah I guess, plus girls back on my world never seemed to come talk to me. In fact, I don't think they ever noticed I even existed.''

There was silence among the two. Quentin felt a little dumb and embarrassed about talking to Rainbow Dash about this kind of thing. Finally, Dash scratched the back of her head, looking uneasy as she spoke.

"Well to tell you the truth Q, I wouldn't know how to answer that since we're in the same boat.''

The stallion widened his eyes a bit. "You mean, you never had a boyfriend before?'' Quentin asked.

Dash chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, I don't know why but some guys tend to think that I'm into girls.''

Quentin was shocked at this news and his mouth dropped opened, but Rainbow Dash quickly spoke. "But I'm not. Hay no. I really do prefer guys over girls!''

Quentin looked at her with relief. "Well that was...unexpected,'' he muttered.

"Yeah,'' Dash replied. "Plus, other colts would sometimes mistake me for a boy.''

Quentin cocked an eyebrow at this. Surly he couldn't believe that claim. Yeah Rainbow Dash had a tough, wild, tomboyish personality, but one could clearly see she was a female, in fact her wild, rainbow colored bang hanging low made her look more feminine.

"Well I don't know how they could make that mistake. When I first met you, I knew you were a girl from the get go,'' Quentin replied with a small smirk.

Dash chuckled. "Glad to know you have some sense. But it didn't matter, those guys were nothing but douchebags anyway.''

Quentin was kind of surprised that even Equestria had terms like douchebags, but he decided not to think too much about it. "I mean, you may act like tough and tomboyish, but you still manage to be attractive,'' he added.

Rainbow Dash was completely taken about from this comment. "Y-You actually think I'm...attractive?'' Dash asked in disbelief.

Her human friend smiled with a nodded. "Yeah I mean, all of you are.''

Quentin think looked over at his other friends who were happily chatting with one another. His eyes fell on Applejack and smiled fondly, her blonde mane hatless and untied and cascading beautifully down her back, her mane and coat glistening in the sunlight. Rainbow Dash just looked at him, like she was expecting for Quentin to say 'psych'. When he didn't say a word she smirked.

"So you DO think us fillies are easy on the eyes?'' Dash asked, whipping her bang out of her eyes and giving Quentin a flirtatious look.

Quentin laughed, but found it surprising that he actually just called ponies...beautiful. Dash then spoke, "Well those girls from your world, are beyond stupid for not paying attention to you,'' Dash added, placing a hoof on his shoulder with a smile.

Quentin looked at the brazen Pegasus speechless. "D-Do you really mean that Rainbow?''

Dash nodded. "Totally. You're the coolest colt I've ever met. And that's coming from THE coolest pony in Equestria.''

Rainbow Dash gave a smug smirk, but Quentin just chuckled. "Well that's certainly and honor, especially giving by the coolest pony in Equestria,'' he joked.

"You know it,'' Dash replied.

The two both shared a laughed after which shared a tender hug. When they broke apart, Dash looked away a little awkwardly. "And another thing, Quentin?'' she began.

Quentin looked at her, waiting for a response.

"If you were to stay here in Equestria with m- I mean with us,'' Dash quickly corrected herself as she continued. "I'm pretty sure you would have no trouble finding a girlfriend.''

The earth pony looked at his friend fondly. "You really mean that Dash,'' Quentin asked.

She smiled and nodded. "And who knows...maybe there's a pony somewhere who has their eyes on you right now,'' Dash said a bit shyly.

"I wouldn't count on that, but it'd be nice though,'' Quentin laughed.

He failed to see, a faint blush on Rainbow Dash's face. For the sake of curiosity, Quentin humored the thought of actually starting a relationship with a pony in Equestria. Since so far they were his six, closest friends, Quentin decided to use the mane 6 as a reference. Pinkie Pie is a fun loving, party animal, but she was a little TOO crazy for him. And those crazy antic she sometimes pull would eventually start to scare him. Fluttershy, well actually the two did have a lot in common with each other. They were both shy, timid, and soft spoken, though Quentin wasn't nearly as soft spoken as her, but...it's just she seems more like a little sister to him. Twilight Sparkle is intelligent, logical, rational, and nothing short of brilliant, but she'll probably only go for the smart guys.

Though Quentin did go through high school with B's, he wasn't nearly as smart as Twilight. Rarity, she'll probably only go for someone wealthy or a prince. Rainbow Dash, Quentin would probably need to be an adrenaline addicted, daredevil to win her heart. Quentin was definitely not that type of guy. And then there's Applejack, the humble, friendly pony that saved him from being eaten by Timberwolves. The pony that out of the kindness of her heart allowed Quentin to stay at her home for as long as he needed to. That beautiful pony with southern girl's charm and with freckles that just makes her cuter. Sure she'll probably work Quentin to the bone, but it never seems like work when he was with her. Quentin gazed again at Applejack, her blonde mane hatless making her even more beautiful. He couldn't help but smile warmly at her for a moment or two before shaking out of his train of thought, frowning.

Of course, none of these relationships would work let alone it'd be pointless, for Quentin would be headed back to his world eventually. Though he admit, if Quentin somehow been able to stay, he'd really would consider a potential girlfriend, or maybe just maybe someone to spend the rest of his life with. As the group of friends continued on the train ride, Quentin felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier. Before he knew it, Quentin had fallen asleep. As the stallion slept, he completely failed to notice something resting against his shoulder. Quentin's head shifted to the right and rested softly on the mane of another pony as the train made their way to Canterlot.