Twilight was writing in a book when Princess Celestia's message came. Twilight had decided to copy down all the lessons on friendship she had learned and have it published after her time on Earth was up.
"Another message from Princess Celestia." Spike said, coming downstairs.
Even though he was now dating Rarity he still lived with Twilight. Twilight needed him, and he needed his big sister.
"What's it about Spike?" Twilight looked up.
Spike opened the scroll and read it:
Dear Princess Twilight,
A new unicorn will be arriving in Ponyville shortly. His name is Panelo, and the poor stallion does not have any friends so I am sure that you and your friends will remedy that problem. Even though I had only met him for a few minutes I could already tell that he is a kind and good-hearted stallion and will be a good friend to you and your friends. And when he arrives tell him to eat one of Pinkie Pie's cupcakes for me please.
Princess Celestia
"Heh, still can't get used to my new role as a princess." Twilight chuckled, a little embarrassed.
"Boy does Princess Celestia know Pinkie Pie well." Spike chuckled back, amused by Celestia's last sentence.
"Yeah, well, she is good at judging character." Twilight smiled back. "Come along Spike, we must prepare for Panelo. Like letting Mayor know so that she can set up a house for him to live in. Princess Celestia didn't say anything about living arrangements so he obviously doesn't have a place to sleep."
"I'm coming." Spike quickly put Celestia's message in a drawer and hopped onto Twilight's back.
Meanwhile, Panelo arrived on one of the palace's chariots. He enjoyed the ride a lot, especially since it was his first experience flying. He had dreamed of flying ever since he first read the Superpony comics when he was a young colt.
"Tank you gents." Panelo smiled to the pegasi guards who flew him here.
The pegasi guards nodded back politely.
Panelo walked through Ponyville with his satchel and a much larger bag. All the ponies around him stared at him, but no one made any unkind comments. Well, actually they didn't say anything at all but it was a welcome change of pace for Panelo. Not too much later, he came across a pink pony with wild hair.
"'ello." Panelo smiled to her.
Unexpectedly, the pink pony leapt into the air with a gasp and zipped off.
"Huh...wonder if she 'as x-ray vision?" Panelo joked awkwardly.
Now, when he was all packed and went to meet Celestia back at the palace she told him to head straight for the library, which was in the middle of the town, so that's exactly what he was doing. But when he was about thirty feet in front of the library he froze. Walking towards the library was the most beautiful unicorn he had ever seen!
Her coat was the color of lavender flowers, her main an excellent mixture of the colors he had started to see in the sky recently just before nighttime. Her eyes sparkled like amethysts, and she even had stars on her flank, a fitting Cutie Mark for a fine mare. Then Panelo noticed that she had a baby dragon riding her, interesting him even further. He had never seen a dragon before but always wanted to meet one. He then got a huge surprise when he saw the young mare casually walk inside the library like she owned the place!
"Dat's Twilight Sparkle?" Panelo dropped his mouth open. "I shouldn't be surprised...she looks wordy of being in de company of Princess Celestia...unlike me."
He plucked up his courage and continued on to the library. He then nervously knocked on the door. The baby dragon opened the door.
"Hi, you must be Panelo." The baby dragon smiled. "My name is Spike, Twilight Sparkle will be right with you, she's just finishing a sentence in her book."
"Actually I'm done now Spike." Twilight closed her book and got up from her chair.
Panelo felt a lump form in his throat upon hearing her voice. Her voice was light and kind, and befitting of a pony of high society. Twilight went to the door and he felt mesmerized by her standing so close to him. His heart started pounding.
"Hello Panelo, I'm Twilight Sparkle but I guess you already knew that." Twilight giggled.
Panelo swallowed the lump in his throat down and found the courage to speak. He couldn't stop his heart from pounding though.
"Yeah...I mean yes I'm Panelo and yes I already knew dat you're Twilight Sparkle." He chuckled.
Spike smirked, he'd recognize Panelo's actions anywhere. Not surprising, considering he used to act them out himself.
"Well, I've already got your new home worked out with Mayor." Twilight smiled. "I just need to introduce you to my friends. Please follow me."
Twilight walked out the library, Panelo and Spike following her.
"She already got my new 'ome set up?" Panelo was surprised.
"Yeah, she's very organized and loves to help others." Spike nodded.
"Huh, you know I didn't really plan to move 'ere dough I 'oped to." Panelo smiled to Spike, already liking the young dragon. "I guess I 'ave to ask my parents to send me de rest of my tings later."
"So, Princess Celestia said her message that you didn't have any friends." Twilight said. "I find that surprising."
"Yeah, well, I kinda stand out when compared to de other ponies in Canterlot." Panelo explained. "And most of de oder ponies teased me about it. De rest of dem just ignored me."
"Sheesh, bunch of snobs." Twilight shook her head. "You might find it surprising to learn that I'm from Canterlot like you."
"Well, not dat surprising. I mean you look like you belong in a rich family." Panelo smiled. "Only your personality clashes wit' de oder ponies I've known."
"Thanks." Twilight smiled, knowing he was calling her beautiful without calling her snooty or a snob. "You're not bad looking yourself."
Panelo blushed.
They soon reached Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack was harvesting more apples. She already sold the morning's supply and was now getting the afternoon's supply.
"Hi Applejack." Twilight smiled.
"Well howdy sugarcube, and who's your new friend?" Applejack smiled, taking a break.
"His name is Panelo, he just arrived from Canterlot." Spike explained.
"Well pleased ta meet ya!" Applejack shook Panelo's arm rapidly. "Any friend of Twilight and Spike's is a friend o' mine!"
Applejack left go to get an apple, leaving Panelo's arm still shaking. Twilight giggled as she steadied it.
"Same thing happened to me when I first met her." She grinned.
"Friendliest greeting I've ever gotten." Panelo chuckled back.
"Here, have an apple on the house." Applejack tossed a red apple to Panelo.
He caught it and ate it in one bite.
"Yum, no wonder your farm is called Sweet Apple Acres." Panelo licked his lips.
"Thank ye kindly." Applejack smiled. "You off to meet the rest of the gang?"
"Yup, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie." Twilight smiled.
"I don't think we have to go to Rainbow Dash...INCOMING!" Spike called out!
Twilight and Applejack ducked, Panelo, upon seeing the situation, followed suit.
"YIKE!" He gasped before ducking.
Sure enough, Rainbow Dash crashed into a mud puddle, splattering Applejack, Twilight, Spike, and Panelo.
"It's a good thing Rarity isn't here, she'd be furious." Applejack remarked as she got up.
"Sorry guys, still need to work on my breaks." Rainbow Dash got up; she then noticed Panelo. "Whoops, sorry there, didn't mean to dirty ya. What's yer name?"
Panelo didn't say anything. Instead, he looked upset.
"Aw come on, I apologized." Rainbow Dash looked very apologetic indeed. "The name's Rainbow Dash, what's yours?"
Panelo then grabbed some mud in his hooves and flung it into Rainbow Dash's face. Applejack, Twilight, and Spike cracked up. Rainbow Dash was stunned, obviously caught off guard, then she laughed too. Panelo soon laughed as well.
"Hey good one! You actually had me going there." Rainbow Dash laughed, calming down.
"Yeah, you're lucky I'm not one of dose snobs from Canterlot." Panelo chuckled. "De name's Panelo."
"Panelo? Interesting name." Rainbow Dash shook his hoof.
"Tanks, I come from Cavallin. It's de faraway Italian section of Canterlot." Panelo smiled. "Not as snobbish as de royal section of Canterlot but certainly not as friendly as Ponyville 'as been so far."
"Canterlot? You? Get outta town!" Rainbow Dash was surprised.
"Yup, same place as me." Twilight grinned.
"Oh, then I guess not as surprising after all." Rainbow Dash remembered.
"Well, we have to go see the other three girls." Twilight pointed out.
"Count me in." Rainbow Dash grinned.
"Me too, I can sell apples any day but a new friend isn't as common around here." Applejack agreed.
They then headed for Fluttershy's place. She was tending her animals as usual, but was having trouble getting Angel, her pet rabbit, to finish his carrot. As usual.
"Come on, just one more bite? A little nibble?" Fluttershy pleaded.
Angel refused.
"Hey Fluttershy, we have a new friend for you to meet." Rainbow Dash called out.
Fluttershy was startled at first, but quickly recovered. She was used to Rainbow Dash's speed and noise.
"Fluttershy, I'd like you to meet Panelo. He just moved here from Canterlot." Twilight introduced. "Fluttershy is our head animal caretaker Panelo."
"'i, glad to meet you. I'm fond of animals too." Panelo smiled.
"Really?" Fluttershy smiled; normally she was shy of strangers but she always opened up when it came to talking about animals.
"Of course, who isn't?" Panelo grinned. "'aving a little trouble dere?" He pointed at Angel.
"Yes, Angel won't eat his carrot again." Fluttershy shook her head.
Angel shunned them.
"'ey come on ya varmint, your friend 'ere really wants you to grow to be a strong rabbit." Panelo smirked to Angel, leaning in. "And you'll need it, you look as skinny as a carrot core 'ere!"
Angel punched him in the nose, then actually smirked back and finished the carrot! Everyone looked at him with surprise.
"Eh, I could tell right away dat he was a tough rabbit. Sometimes you 'ave to get tough with dem." Panelo shrugged sheepishly.
"That was cool!" Rainbow Dash smiled.
"Thank you." Fluttershy smiled shyly.
"No problem." Panelo grinned.
Now by this point Panelo was surprised: not one of the ponies had commented on his mask or cape. But, he let it go. Eventually they were gonna ask.
Next was Rarity's boutique. When they walked in Panelo marveled at all the dresses and gowns that were in the store.
"Wow, whoever de seamstress is she's good." Panelo remarked.
"That would be me, and thank you kindly." Rarity smiled, walking up to the group.
"Hi Rarity!" Spike smiled, hugging her.
"Why hello Spike, always wonderful to see you." Rarity hugged him back.
Panelo looked confused.
"They're dating." Applejack explained.
"Oh." Panelo smiled. "Cool."
"Hello girls, and who's your new friend?" Rarity smiled.
"This is Panelo." Twilight smiled back. "He just moved here from Cavallin...it's the Italian section of Canterlot."
"Canterlot? Really?" Rarity smiled. "You must be quite the gentlecolt then."
"Oh I don't know, but I am a friendly one." Panelo shrugged.
"Oh don't be so modest, I'm sure the girls all fawn over you."
"Dey don't, dey pretty much ignore me, and most of de guys tease me." Panelo admitted.
Except for Twilight and Spike, everyone was surprised. They knew about him not having any friends in Canterlot, but not about being teased.
"Teased? What for, your cape and mask?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I was wondering when someone was going to mention dem." Panelo chuckled. "Yeah but also for anoder reason...I'll tell you after we meet dis Pinkie Pie. What is she like?"
"Fun!" Spike grinned.
"Random." Rainbow Dash smirked.
"Eccentric." Applejack said.
"Hyperactive." Twilight said.
Panelo thought for a moment.
"Wait...she wouldn't 'appen to be a pink colored pony wit' wild 'air would she?" He asked.
"Did she leap into the air with a gasp upon first seeing you?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah. 'ow'd you know?"
"She did the same thing with me when Spike and I first moved here." Twilight chuckled. "She did that because she just realized that you're new and so don't have any friends, so she's set up a party to welcome you. Since you don't have a home yet the party will probably be at Sugarcube Corner, where we were going to go next."
Panelo chuckled back.
Spike and the ponies then headed to Sugarcube Corner, where sure enough a surprise party had been set up. Pinkie Pie then approached Panelo.
"Hi remember me...?" Pinkie Pie began.
"Sure do, who couldn't remember you?" Panelo said. "You're de one who gasped upon seeing me. Startled me at first, and not as pleasantly as the party just did, but I'm glad to meet you. Pinkie Pie right?"
"Yeah." Pinkie Pie calmed down a little; newcomers rarely got her right away. "Wow, you already...oh I see, Twilight and the others must've told you about me. Well you know me but I don't know you."
"The name's Panelo." Panelo smiled.
"Hi, interesting name, say what's with the cape and mask are you a superpony?" Pinkie Pie said quickly. "Can you fly around and beat up meanies or go through walls or posses other ponies or..."
"Actually de last two are done by ghosts." Panelo laughed. "And no I'm not a superpony but I am a fan of one. Come over 'ere."
He led Spike and the mane cast over to a table where he took out some comics.
"'ere, dis is Superpony." Panelo pointed to one comic. "'e's an alien from a faraway planet but few people know it. 'e 'ides out as Mark Trent, a reporter, until a crime 'appens. Den he takes off his disguise and stops de crime." Panelo then pointed to another comic. "Dis pony 'ere is Batstallion. 'e's a millionaire who lost 'is parents to a crook when 'e was very young so 'e dedicates 'is life to wiping out criminals. Superpony and Batstallion also 'elp out the Equity Corral, a group of superpowered ponies. Dere's Wonder Mare, De 'urtle, Jade Lamp, Aquahorse, and Martian Ponyhunter."
A.N. By urtle Panelo meant Hurtle. He'a a parody of The Flash.
"Wow, I've never seen books like these before." Twilight looked over a Superpony comic.
"Really? Dese are comics. Dey're fun but most of de Canterlot ponies consider dem low class." Panelo said. "I like dem because dey tell stories dat can't be told in just words. Most of de action in dese stories require pictures instead of words to portray it."
"Whoa, Batstallion looks cool!" Rainbow Dash flipped through a comic.
"All black outfit though, not very stylish. Now Wonder Mare's outfit looks much better." Rarity said.
"Well Batstallion 'as to dress in all black because he fights crime only at night." Panelo explained. "Camouflage, you know."
"Well practical fashion is important." Rarity smiled.
"Um, excuse me, do you have any stories less..." Fluttershy hesitated.
"Violent?" Panelo grinned. "Sure, Archer for example. 'e's a 'igh school student who 'as crazy adventures. Especially when 'e's caught between 'is two girlfriends Vanessa and Bessy. His rival Richie doesn't 'elp either, but luckily 'e 'as 'is best friend Jardome to 'elp 'im out. Den dere's Scoopy Boo of Triller Co. 'e and 'is pals Ted, Selma, Desire, and Bushy travel de world solving mysteries. Especially mysteries dat involve people who dress up as supernatural creatures."
A.N. By Triller Panelo meant Thriller.
"Hey that sounds cool!" Scootaloo said as she and the other two Cutie Mark Crusaders came over.
"Panelo, this is Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom." Twilight introduced. "Sweetie Belle is Rarity's sister and Apple Bloom is Applejack's sister. The three of them formed this group called The Cutie Mark Crusaders. It's a group of ponies who work together to earn their Cutie Marks."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Panelo." Panelo smiled.
Panelo explained where he was from and continued talking about the comics he loved. Apart from Archer and the superpony comics, this included Dotty Ditties. Dotty Ditties was about a group of wacky ponies who were able to pull stunts that not even Pinkie Pie could do. That particular comic series was how Panelo got his sense of humor.
Everyone was interested, and ended up with their favorite comics as well as favorite characters. Panelo was very happy, normally he would be reading his comics along but now he had ponies to share his comics with.