“A sleepover?” Applejack couldn’t believe what she hearing.

“Yea, what’s the problem?” I said as I picked up my hat from the ground outside the house. “It’s only for the night.”

“Sugar, ya are twice her size and probably weight three times her weight. Forgive me if I seem a bit worried.”

I turned around and gave her a strange look. “Are you suggesting that I might hurt her? Applejack, you insult me.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “I did just meet ya yesterday, something about you still are a bit shady.”

I sighed. “Applejack, I won’t hurt her. In fact, she’s the one forcing me to come.”

Applejack giggled and walked closer to Riddle before looking him in the eyes. “Forcing ya? That shy little bookworm mare?

Ha! What could she have on ya that’d force you?

I moved away before she could see my blush. “You don’t want to know, trust me. I’ll be back tomorrow, are we still gonna try and make my hut?”

“Of course, ya are staying here for a while right?”

I hated to lie but I put on my best fake smile, I didn’t want to leave quite yet. “Yeah, I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

“Good.” Before I could go inside she put her hoof on my shoulder. “I didn’t want to ask but… what’s with those gashes? “

I winced; I was hoping not to lie to her so soon. “Just some cuts going through the forest, those branches really hurt.”

“Also, I couldn’t help but notice ya’ll never wear anything that shows ya cutie marks, why is that?”

I couldn’t help but smile “I didn’t know anypony was looking for it. Are you?”

Applejack blushed but she got a grip. “Funny, you didn’t answer my question.”

“I just have the habit of wearing clothes for cold weather, I did travel through most of Equestria, things can get pretty cold if you’re not prepared. But you didn’t answer my question ether, are you looking at where my cutiemarks are?

Applejack was hoping somepony would interrupted them so she couldn’t answer.

“Um… excuse me… if you don’t mind.” The voice came from behind us.

“Ah… Fluttershy… you came at the right time.” Applejack walked over to the pegasus.

I looked over to Appejack and saw the yellow pegasus from before. “Hey, Fluttershy.”

She shyly looked away. “You know me?”

“Not really, Twilight mentioned you before. Something about a dragon.”

Fluttershy jumped in surprise and hid behind Applejack. “Dragon?! Where?!”

Applejack gave me a sour look before comforting Fluttershy. “Easy there sugarcube, there’s no dragon around here.”

Fluttershy slowly moved out from behind Applejack. “Really?”

Applejack tries to hold back her annoyed sigh. “Yes, just relax now.”

“Oh… ok, um, Rainbow Dash… wanted to see somepony named Riddle. She said he’d be here with you.”

I raised a hoof. “Present, what did she want to see me about?”

“Um… she something about a talk with you. I’m uh… supposed to walk you over.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “She asked ya to bring him over for a talk? That seems a bit suspicious for Rainbow Dash; normally she just talks to ponies if she wants to talk to them.”

“Um… I don’t know, I’m just supposed to bring him over.”

Applejack gave Fluttershy an odd look “Where?”

“Um… I’m not supposed to say.”

Applejack looked pretty annoyed. “Then I’m coming with him.”

Fluttershy shakes her head but still speaks softly. “You’re…um… not allowed, only Riddle.”

I walked over to Applejack and patted her back. “Don’t worry, it’s just a talk. Besides, I can handle myself.”

Applejack sighs but keeps her determined look. “Fine, but if anything happens, you will tell me right?”

“Of course, see you soon.” I followed Fluttershy to find Rainbow Dash.

**********

I followed Fluttershy to an air carriage after walking through the town.

I raised an eyebrow to Fluttershy. “What is this?”

Fluttershy was quiet. “It’s a quick way to Rainbow Dash… just get in… um… if you want.”

I was a bit confused but stepped on with her as the stallions flew in a certain direction. “So where are we going?”

Fluttershy was quiet but looked away. “I’m not supposed to say.”

“Hey, Applejack isn’t here and I want an idea of what’s going on.”

“Well… um… ok, but don’t tell Rainbow please.”

I tapped my hoof impatiently. “Well?”

“Well… um… we’re going to the… uh… one of the forests.”

“Why are we going to the forest?”

“Um… Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy blushed. “She wants to be alone with you”

I was starting to get a bad feeling this was just a mistake, but I knew that I was too far from walking away. “Is this another fight?”

“Um… not exactly.”

*************

We landed in a clearing deep in the middle of a forest, Fluttershy pointed me in the right direction before the carriage flew off with her.

I sighed and followed the direction she pointed until I hit another clearing; this one however had Rainbow Dash standing in the center.

“I see you found you way alright.” Rainbow Dash said with a bit of pride.

I however was completely suspicious. “Why did you bring me here?”

She walked closer to me. “Just wanted to talk, is something wrong with that?”

I frowned. “Only if things take too long, it’ll be dark soon and I need to keep an appointment with Twilight.”

Rainbow Dash looked surprised. “You have an appointment with Twilight? For what?”

I coughed nervously. “It’s none of your concern. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Rainbow Dash walked until she was right in front of me. “About you, we have time, so talk on.”

I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. “Well um, I was born in Canterlot, lived there until I was 3 and left.”

“Who were your mother and father?”

Crap, more lies, I hated to lie. “My father was an earth pony, my mother… I never knew her but she must’ve been a unicorn or, you know, I would be a earth pony.”

“Where did you go after you left Canterlot?”

I could tell the truth this time, she wouldn’t go and check. “I went to the far off lands, where sand and heat are common things each day. I lived there for 6 years and moved on to other communities until I ended up here.”

Rainbow Dash was extremely close to me that I could feel her breath. “Last question, are you seeing Applejack?”

My eyes popped out in surprise. “Wha-what?!”

“You heard me? Are you or not?”

I was glad it wasn’t about my past but this was equally awkward. “No, I’m not. We’re just friends.”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “Good, then she won’t mind this.” Then she started to kiss me on the lips.

I was completely off guard but pushed her away, wiping my lips. “What are you doing?!”

Rainbow Dash looked at me weirdly “Kissing you, why? Is something wrong?”

“Of course there’s a problem! Why were you kissing me?!”

Rainbow Dash started to look hurt. “I like you; you seem like a good pony. Why are you so upset?”

“Because you just kissed me without any warning!”

Rainbow Dash looked annoyed. “I thought you said that you weren’t seeing Applejack.”

“I’m not.”

“You have feelings for her though.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes you do, I noticed that your right eye twitches every time you lie. You do.”

Crap, found out. “Ok, fine, I do like her. What’s wrong with that?”

“I like you, you like her, she probably likes you. You seem to get everypony to like you.”

“Look Dash, I’m sorry but I like Applejack.” It started to get dark, it was time to go. “How do I go back to town?”

Rainbow Dash looked like she wanted to stay quiet but sighed and pointed where I came from. “Go back where Fluttershy dropped you off, she should be waiting to pick you up and bring you back.”

I gave Rainbow Dash a quick hug. “I’m sorry.” I headed back to Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash was pretty upset, her hopes dashed in seconds without a chance. She flew back to Ponyvile while Riddle was brought to Twilight’s library.

I got off the air carriage and paid for the ride since apparently Rainbow Dash didn’t pay them and Futtershy was dead broke. I walked away with Fluttershy, hoping she would be somewhat less shy and embarrassed around me.

In the distance by a plain I saw a stage with ponies going towards it. “Hey Fluttershy, what is that in the distance?”

Futtershy continued to walk with me. “Oh…um… Vinyl Scratch is playing tonight.”

I stopped in my tracks. “Vinyl? You mean Scratch? Vinyl Scratch?”

“Um… yes?”

I felt the old anger flare up in me. “When?” when she didn’t answer fast enough I snapped at her. “When?!”

“I… um… don’t… know.” She looked pretty scared, she actually cowered in front of me but I didn’t pay her any attention. My hated rival was here, and she was doing a gig, this was too much to pass up but I still had to see Twi.

“Go home Fluttershy.”

“Wait, what… what are you gonna do?”

I felt nothing but pure rage. “Nothing you need to worry about, run home.”

Fluttershy walked back to her house quickly wondering why Riddle seemed so cold and angry.

******

I was walking towards the stage, hearing the heavy beats as I walked past the ponies blocking my way, after knocking enough ponies out of my way the ponies seemed to make way for me. Up on the Dj stand was… her. Vinyl Scratch is one of the few ponies that I truly hated and became my Dj rival.

She was having a lot of fun, smiling as she always did while she played the beats. Just seeing her made my blood boil, she looked pretty damn happy.

“VINYL SCRATCH!” I yelled her name after moving to the center of the crowd.

Everything quieted down, ponies stopped dancing, everypony was staring at me including Vinyl.

She crossed her forehooves and smiled as she saw me. “Well, well, well. It appears my loser rival decided to come and lose again. Hello there Shine, how have you been?”

I scowled at her. “I want a rematch, no tricks this time.”

Vinyl came down from her stand, even though she was small compared to me, she was very confident. “I don’t know; why should I do a rematch to such an even victory?”

I stared coldly into her eyes. “Because if was cheating and also because you don’t want to disappoint your fans here by declining a contest. Which Dj is better, once and for all.”

A pony in her crowd gave her a reassuring nudge. “Don’t worry Vinyl, I’m sure you’ll wipe the floor with him.”

Vinyl ooked around to see the other ponies nod in agreement. “Alright Shine, one song, and if you can’t beat me, I want you to give up being a Dj and put this stupid thing to rest.”

“Fine, but if you lose I want your goggles to prove that I beat you.”

Vinyl looked surprised. “My goggles? I thought you would want me to quit as a Dj.”

“No… I don’t want that anymore. Just give me the goggles and say that I beat you, fair and square.”

Vinyl crossed her forehooves and smiled again. “Alright, but where’s your gear? You can’t fight me if you don’t have your gear.”

It was my turn to smile. “You have it, after you cheated; you took my gear as your own. The question is, do you have anything to play?”

Vinyl shook her head. “That’s not yours anymore, I won that. It’s mine, so how about you get some gear and we’ll battle some other time.”

I was pretty annoyed that she was dodging our battle but stuck out my hoof. “2 months, right here.”

She shook my hoof and smiled. “You on, try not to lose again Shine, you don’t want to disappoint the fans, do you?” She turned to the fans. “It’s that right, ponies?”

The ponies started whooping and cheering as I nod.

************

I was walking away from the stage when Twilight ran up in front of me.

“Why didn’t you tell us this?”

“It’s none of you business, piss off.”

Twilight binked in surprise. “ Excuse me?”

“I said piss off, or I’ll knock you down. I have some work to do.”

Twilight was completely shocked at his new behavior. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you so rude?”

I pushed her aside and kept moving. “I have work to do, ether help me or go to hell.”

Twilight started to get angry; she used her magic to hold Riddle in place. “What’s going on? You were so nice when you came to the library.”

I lost all of my patience from seeing Scratch, I used my magic to toss her against a tree. She smashed against it hard; I think a heard a crack but I was already walking away. I made sure not to kill her; I only put enough force to paralyze her for a few minutes.

I immediately regretted it; after all, she was only trying to understand. I picked her up with my magic and brought her to the library.

***********

Twilight woke up in her bed with an ice pack on her head and a throbbing pain in her side. “Ow…”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you too much.”

Twilight turned and saw Riddle by her bed, he readjusts her ice pack, Twilight moves away. “Stay away from me. Where’s Spike?”

“It’s not that bad, you should be fine in a few hours. Spike is fine; he went to Rarity’s for the night.”

Twilight gives Riddle an evil stare. “You hurt me, who the hell are you.”

I frown. “Riddle, duh. You need to relax.”

Twilight stands up shakily, trying to keep standing. “No, Riddle was a kind and caring pony, even when I only met him once, I could tell he would be important someday. You are a fake.”

This was getting out of hand; I didn’t want this coming out yet. I stared at her, hoping she would make this easier. “Twilight, you need to listen to me.” She didn’t look at me. “Twilight, I can explain, just look at me.”

Twilight slowly looks at Riddle, before things around her started to get hazy. The walls seemed to break away but Riddle just stands by her, never breaking his gaze. Riddle’s eyes seem to be endless but they seemed to change from their normal green to violet.

Riddle spoke but the voice wasn’t his, it was feminine with a dark tone to it. “You know too much Sparkle; I can’t let you say anything. I am very sorry, you weren’t supposed to find out.”

Twilight felt powerless, her body felt miles away and her magic wasn’t responding. “Y-you are an f-fake, aren’t y-you? W-who are y-you?”

Riddle’s wings swung out as the spell wore off; in his place was a black and grey alicorn with violet eyes, and a cut streaked across her face. “I am Nightshade, and you, dear mare, aren’t going remember a thing.”

Twilight collapsed on the bed, unable to move, think or breathe. Then she coughed on the air of life and fell into a deep and dreamless nightmare, limp in her bed.

Nightshade closed her wings and redid the spell; Riddle returned and tucked her into the bed. “Sweet dreams little one, may the night ever embrace you heart.” Riddle kissed her forehead and slept in the other bed.

Sweet Apple Acres, at Dawn

Applejack was working on Riddle’s hut in the morning when Riddle appeared from Ponyvile. Applejack looked up from her work and saw Riddle walking towards the frame. “Howdy Riddle, how was the sleepover?”

I cracked my neck. “It was good; Twilight showed me an amazing spell. She must’ve over done it since she knocked herself out though.”

Applejack chuckles. “That pony, one of these days she’s gonna wear herself clean out. Ya mind helping on this?”

“Not at all, it is my soon to be hut.” I used my magic to help put bricks in place.

“Riddle, I thought I said no magic, stop it.”

I stopped but gave her a curious look. “Why? What do you have against magic?”

“Well… since the wedding of Shining Armor and Cadence when the changelings attacked. I’ve been mighty freaked out about magic, I mean; those changelings could change into anypony. That scares me.”

I was a bit annoyed but gave a fake smiled. “I understand, sometimes magic can be scary.”

Suddenly a voice behind me spoke up. “Hey guys!”

I jumped in surprise and landed on my face. “Ouch.” I looked and found Pinky Pie laughing behind me. “That’s not funny.”

“Sure it is! I mean, what pony doesn’t like a good scare once in a while? Someponies just love a good prank!”

Applejack groans. “Pinks, I wish ya didn’t discover ‘em pranks. There’s so much ya could do with ‘ur energy if ya just quit ‘em stupid pranks.”

Pinky Pie just giggled. “Why? Their so fun! Anyways, Celestia’s coming down here to Ponyvile today!”

I felt my jaw drop. “Celestia… here?” I grinned and thought “This is perfect, she’s gonna come down here for her son, what she won’t expect is me!” I noticed that the girls were blabbing about Celestia so I tried to listen in.

“…  She’s just so amazing! I can’t wait to see what she’ll do here today.” Pinky Pie said as she bounced happily around Applejack.

Applejack however pulled Pinky Pie back to the ground. “Hang on their Pinks, why now? She only visits on important reasons, so what makes ya think she’s coming today?”

“Because silly! My Pinky-sense told me.” Pinky Pie smiled.

I was pretty confused when Applejack nodded like it made sense. “What’s Pinky-sense?”

Applejack looks at me like I was wearing pants on my head. “It’s a feeling Pinks gets when something’s about to happen. You’ve never heard of that before?”

I shook my head, sure I met some strange creatures that did things that would make fillies wet their beds but I never heard of a prediction that always came true.

“Well know you do! Let’s go wait for her at Town Hall, she’s gonna talk there!” Pinky Pie started bouncing into town.

Applejack and I followed behind; I was close to my goal.

It was working.

What could possibly go wrong?

*********************

The Everfree Forest, at dawn

A orange pony groaned as he got up from a hard stone surface. He wiped his face back into feeling while trying to remember how he got there. That’s when reality hit him like a ton of bricks when he touched the top of his head.

“Where the hell‘s my favorite hat?!” The pony screamed as he checked around for his fateful hat only to find more bad news.

“Damn it! My freaking armor’s gone too! Along with my map and food, I’ve been robbed!” He kicked a rock across the floor in anger.

Suddenly as the rock slid into a wall, the wall opened up revealing a way out of his prison.

“Well… open fucking sesame.” The pony walked out of the cave to face the forest.

“At least I have a clue where I am… a freaking forest… yeah this is gonna work just fine.” He chuckled at his own bad luck. “It was bad enough getting robbed by the forest entrance, now I’m stuck in the fucking forest with no food, water, protection and my freaking hat.”

He sighed started walking, for once he was wishing he took that old stallion at the entrance seriously. “Don’t go in there young one, this forest is known to make you lose your way.” He mimicked the stallion’s voice perfectly. That was another one of his talents that had no real value other than his amusement.

“You know, the only reason I even went this stupid way to Ponyvile was because I was too cheap to buy a chariot ride over here. Serves me right for not paying the 10 bits for transit and taking the forest path instead.” He mused in his mind as he found an opening in the branches.

He moved past the last branch to find a small town, Ponyvile to be precise. He grinned at the sight of it, now he could FINALLY try one of those Sweet Apple Acre apple pies that he took the whole trip out on from his temporary home in the Dusty Sands just to taste.

Humming a song he was working on, he made his way to what looked like a farm in the distance. Zecora however was looking out her window as the pony walked by, and saw the familiar figure but now she saw a pair of wings on his sides instead of the armor she saw before.

“Riddle? That one passed by, but another takes his place like a fly.” Zecora then walked out and stood in front of Riddle. “Excuse me my friend, what brings you back to my den?”

The pony gave Zecora a weird look. “How do you know my name? We never met before.” He gave her another look but shrugged. “Haven’t met you, but it’s nice to see you anyway I guess.”

Zecora gave Riddle a weird look as he walked away. “He claims to not know, but surely this is but a show?” She wondered as the pony walked out of sight. She shrugged and went back inside her hut to make a new brew with Poison  Joke.

After some walking…

Riddle knocked impatiently on the wooden door, slightly confused that a zebra knew who he was before he even told her his name. His stomach was easily disturbing these thoughts as it felt like he hadn’t eaten in two days.

Finally the door opened and Granny Smith walked out. She looked at Riddle and remembered the unicorn that was at her family dinner a few nights back, but didn’t expect to see wings on him like an alicorn. “Well howdy there, didn’t expected to see you by here again so soon.”

At that second Riddle snapped back into reality instead of his daydream about the pies. “What are you talking about? I have never been here before. I-… um… could I perhaps buy a hot apple pie from you, please?” he added as his stomach rumbled loudly, cutting him off.

Granny Smith chuckles as she invites Riddle inside. “Hungry, are we? Your belly sounded like that before you stuffed your mouth full of my treats at dinner.”

Riddle’s mouth started to water as he smelled the air in the house. It smelled like cooking was a very common thing here as he eyed the pile of food on the table in the kitchen. Then he realized that his money was gone when he was robbed, he cursed himself for not hiding the money better.

Granny Smith however didn’t expect Riddle to pay for the food, after all he was a guest and he seemed to make Applejack a bit happier the last few days so she felt it was good to reward him.

They both sat down and started eating; Granny Smith looked at Riddle who was stuffing his food down his throat at break neck speed while she ate as fast as she wanted.

Riddle slowed down after he felt much better and more aware of his surroundings. “So… you said I was here before?”

“Yep, you had dinner with ma family a few nights ago. What’s the matter? Gone ‘nd bumped your head?”

Riddle had a theory of what was happening but needed to check anyway. “No, I was robbed of my stuff outside the Everfree forest. I think my thief could’ve went in this direction” He noticed she seemed scared from the name and mentally made a not to walk near it again. “So describe what I was wearing when you saw me.”

Granny Smith put a hoof to her chin. “Well… you ‘ere wearing some clunky junky armor…”

Riddle bit his lip. “So… it appears my thief went here, I’ll ignore her comment of my Dusty Sands Armor.” He thought as he bit down on another slice of pie.

“You ‘ere also wearing some kind black hat too, looked mighty nice in it too.”

Riddle nearly choked on the pie. “He’s wearing… MY HAT?!! MY FREAKING HAT?!! That crosses the line! You can rob me, steal my clothes and all of my stuff, but when you take and WEAR my hat… Grrr… that thief is gonna need surgery after I’m done with him!”

Granny Smith was pretty confused on what was happening. One side of her mind said she shoud take this bemused alicorn to a mental ward while the other part said to believe him. It wasn’t hard to pick which side.

“I’ll help you.” Granny Smith said as she got up. “This sounds pretty confusing but you seem to be a truthful pony. Besides,” she added with a small smile. “Ponies think I’m crazy too, so I can’t judge you the same.”

Riddle hugged Granny Smith. “Thanks, now let’s find this punk.” Then Riddle remembered something.

“Uh… I forgot to mention that I was robbed of my money, I can’t pay you for the food you gave me.” He added sheepishly.

Granny Smith smiled. “I didn’t ask for money, so you don’t need to give me anything. The name’s Granny Smith by the by.”

Riddle just stared at Granny Smith, jaw on the floor.

“Granny …”

“Yes?”

Riddle smiled. “Your freaking awesome.”