How did I get stuck with Pinkie Pie? I don't get this pony. She defies all natural laws of physics. I mean, how is she eating this much sweets? Perhaps this is why she seems hyper all the time. I grabbed the pink pony just as she was about to take a bite out of yet another cake.
"Really Miss Pie? First off, I think you have had enough sweets. Second, these are for the princess. If you can't stop taking bites out of everything, I am going to tie you up."
"But I have to make sure everything is fit for the princess. She can't taste anything less than perfect."
"Do the Cakes make sub-par sweets then?"
"No! How dare you imply that?"
"You are implying that by tasting everything."
She opened her mouth to protest, then stopped. She deflated a little. "Okay, everything is just so good and I couldn't resist."
"I am sure they are good, just try to exercise a little self-control." She nodded. I noticed Twilight walking in. "How are you Miss Sparkle? Satisfied with the preparations?"
"Mostly good. A few hiccups here and there, but mostly good. How's the baking going?"
"It's, uh, going. Just need to bake some more."
"What that supposed to mean?" She was about to speak further when Fluttershy actually bounded in.
"Oh, am I interrupting anything?" She slid to a soft stop.
"Nope," Pinkie exclaimed. "Make yourself at home." She slid a whole cake in her mouth and ate it. Instead of scolding her, I just stared at her. How is that freaking possible? There isn't even a widening of her stomach. "What's going on Fluttershy?"
I turned to Fluttershy as a weird ball thing flew out of her mane. I raised my eyebrow as Fluttershy exclaimed, "Three?" Then Twilight exclaimed, "I have never seen anything so adorable." Adorable. If you say so. They just look like flying bug balls to me.
When Pinkie identified them as a parasprite I felt a wariness flow through me at the creatures. That sound like a combo of things that were never good in my old world. Twilight offered me a sprite thing. "Uh, no thanks. I think I'll follow Pinkie and make sure she stays okay after all the sugar she ate." I quickly slipped out the door.
I found Pinkie going door to door looking for a trombone. I quickly caught up to her and asked, "How come you guys don't have a music shop?"
"Don't know. Why are you here?"
"Didn't want to stick around those bug like things, and I wanted to be sure that you are alright after eating all that sugar."
"Oh I am fine. Just need to find a bunch of instruments. Know where I can find an accordion?"
"Nope. Already found the trombone?"
"Yep. Do you mind carrying it?" I shook my head. She handed me the instrument and we headed to Rarity's boutique to ask about an accordion. Pinkie burst in and asked, "Does anyone know where I can find an accordion?!" The occupants ignored her, totally engrossed in the creatures. Seriously, why are they so enamored with them? I don't see the major amount of cuteness they do.
I ran to keep up with Pinkie as she headed to her next stop. Night fell as we gathered a few more instruments. "Hey, Alex. You can go home now."
A jolt ran through me. The statement was so simple, yet the words floored me. I nodded and left to go to the library. Home. A word so simple, yet complex. I tried out the word in relation to the library. "The library is my home," I whispered out. I could've sworn my heart skipped a beat, as I stopped walking.
For that statement was becoming truer and truer every passing day, and it wasn't just the library. I enjoyed waking up surrounded by books, listening to Twilight's lectures, watching her practice magic or science, and interact with Spike. I also enjoyed watching her be with her friends. Except for Fluttershy, I didn't know them very well, but they still included me in what they could. I found I was content, less cold to the world.
I realized my heart had found its home against my best efforts. My home was in Twilight and her friends. I had a home again. Sure I had had a house, the one I grew up in. After Jack died though, it was just that, a house. I never realized Jack was my home till she was gone. I can't lose my home again. Losing Jack made me into Alex the Spy, so cold and emotionless that some would say I was heartless. If I lost these six ponies, especially Fluttershy, what would I become?
The thought shook me to the core. I didn't want to speak to Twilight in my state, so I climbed the outside of the tree to my favorite balcony. Taking blankets out of the chest I had stored there, I made a nest and settled into it. I fell asleep looking at the stars, the word home floating through my mind.
I woke up. Strange, this isn't the balcony. I looked around. What the? This is my old room. I got out of bed. I looked at the walls. Instead of being bare, there were college poster and pennants on the walls. My favorite football team was there. I looked to my dresser. Instead of having my spare gun there, photos cluttered the top. I looked closer at them. My eyes widened. My parents are there, looking older than I ever saw them in past photos. There's me graduating college, and Tom is there, so is Sabina and Jack. There were photos of me and a younger girl that looked a lot like me. Is that my sister? I look so...happy. Laughter sounded out. I ran downstairs.
My jaw dropped. There was my uncle his arm around Jack smiling at me. Alive and well. Then a woman came up and hugged me, murmuring how proud she was of me. This is my mother. The girl I assumed was my sister exclaimed, "Awesome! My brother is a professional football player."
As I realized as I looked around,This...this could've been my life. If SCORPIA and MI6 never happened. My parents are here, I have a sister, and my uncle is alive and well...and...and I'm not a spy. This… is home. My heart ached.
Suddenly everything went black. Then I reappeared outside my house. It was chaos. Half the house was blown apart. I ran into what was left of it, to see my uncle holding Jack as she sobbed at my parents and sister's death. Then Yassen came in and shot my uncle. He turned to me, once again he was shot. Telling me to go to SCORPIA with his last breath. I turned to go to Jack, but fire and flames consumed her once more as an explosion rang out and I was thrown from her. I tried to run forward once I stood up, but found I couldn't. I tried harder and as I did, Mr. Blunts face flashed through my mind his voice saying, "We own you Alex. It's in your blood to be a spy. Spies have no home. You don't have a home. You never will."
Ponyville flashed through my mind, Twilight and the rest. I tried to run to them to reassure myself they were okay. Again, I couldn't. And all of it burned.
"NO!" I woke with a scream and tears pouring down my face. I swiped the tears away and frantically threw the blankets off. Standing a looked around. Everything was fine. Twilight! I have to see if she is okay. I ran into the library to see a ton of those bug things and Twilight and Spike trying to gather them.
A sigh of relief left me. She is alright. Well, as much she can be with all these things. Time to find Pinkie, she seems to have a weird plan. I can deal with that nightmare later. I found Pinkie talking to Rarity. Oh good, they're both alright.
Rarity walked off and Pinkie was about to dash off when i called out. "Pinkie! Still need help?"
She turned to me and said, "Yes, you go look for a banjo while I look for some maracas."
We separated and I looked for a banjo. I scanned the area for a banjo. Oh, would you look at that. How convenient. I ran to the pony trying to play a banjo "May I have that? I need it to make sure there is a perfect welcome for the princess." I don't know why I need it, truthfully, but this'll make her give it to me. She gave me the banjo and I searched for Pinkie, grabbing a pair of cymbals lying around. Where did they come from? Seriously it's like I need something and they appear. Though why would I need cymbals?
Pinkie ran by me. Then stopped. "Oh good. You found the banjo and cymbals. How did you know I needed cymbals?" Before I could answer she ran off yelling about a clarinet and could I meet her at the edge of Ponyville opposite the Everfree.
I ran to the spot she mentioned. Looking at Ponyville my jaw dropped. I thought the parasprites were eating food, not Ponyville. Pinkie ran up. "Now help me with all these. I need to become a one-pony band." I stared at her. "It'll help with the parasprites."
"If you say so." I helped her with the instruments. She then went through Ponyville playing away. I followed her. Twilight was scolding her, then stopped as she realized the parasprites were following Pinkie. Wow, it's like the Pied Piper. I walked with the group. Twilight looked worriedly at the sky where the silhouette of the princess's carriage was coming. "So how are you going to explain this to the Princess?"
"I don't know. Maybe we can build a replica and she won't notice."
"In less than 5 minutes?"
"You are not helping!" We ran ahead of Pinkie as the carriage reached the ground. I bowed low with the others.
"Twilight Sparkle, my prized pupil." The princess's voice was filled with warmth to her student. As she was about to continue, Pinkie passed by with the parasprites and one alighted on the Princess's wing. "Oh, what is this? It's adorable." Yeah, not really. "I honored you and the wonderful people of Ponyville put on a parade for my visit."
"A parade? Oh, yes a parade!" Good save there Twilight.
"Unfortunately, that visit will have to wait. There has been an infestation in Fillydelphia and I must take care of it. I'm sorry you went through all that trouble."
"Oh, what trouble?" As she then gave her report per the Princess's request, I watched Pinkie. She is not so bad. A little hyper and random, but she is something.
"Wonderful, it seems you're all learning so much from each other. Including you Rider." I shrugged at her words. She then departed.
I turned to Twilight, "Pinkie is weird and random, but she is a good friend. You're lucky to have her."
Twilight nodded in agreement as we watched the long line of parasprites get smaller.
We walked up to Pinkie as the last parasprite left. Twilight explained why the princess left. Pinkie almost left to help, but Twilight stopped her. I stepped up to her, "So that is why you needed all those instruments. Parasprites apparently love parade music."
She giggled, "Yep, thanks for your help Alex. I almost didn't get them in time." I shrugged. She turned to the rest "I tried to tell you girls."
"We know Pinkie Pie, and we're sorry we didn't listen." The other chimed in with agreement. "You're a great friend, even if we don't always understand you. You saved our reputation with the princess. And you saved Ponyville." We returned to the town that was quite...trashed. "Or not."
Pinkie Pie played the trombone in the 'that's too bad way' and I laughed. "Oh well, Miss Sparkle. Time to clean up the town."
This was becoming home. I am terrified I may to lose it, lose them. I am going to stay, though. My heart is winning the battle. After 10 long years, it's winning. I finally have a home, and I am slowly being less Alex the Spy, and more just Alex. I'm still don't know who that is, but slowly he is appearing.