A/N: I can't believe I have over 20k words...I'm on a roll! Nothing can possibly go wrong now! (If you listen closely, you can hear the universe shouting "Challenge Accepted!") Also, Dark's an asshole. After he left me on the floor, he has the audacity to not bring me any food from wherever he and Pinkie went. Do you all know how tiring it is to write multi-thousand word chapters? Very. And, before you read on, the soundtrack for 'Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance' is really fucking badass. The developers did an awesome job when choosing the music. Anyway, onto the-

Pinkie: Boo!

Me: *Jumps and gets head stuck in ceiling*

Dark: *Wince* ooh...that looked like it hurt.

Me: *Pulls head out of ceiling and falls into chair* Ow... *Turns attention to intruders* What the hell are...oh yeah. Pinkie...That explains it. Pinkie, please don't scare me from now on. You might give me a heart attack.

Pinkie: *Tilts head* Huh? Why would I make your heart attack you? But since you asked, I'll try.

Me: Thank you. And as for you, you asshole! What the hell, man?! Why didn't you bring me back some food?!

Dark: It never crossed my mind. (Sigh) If it'll make you stop you're bitching, take my Falcon-punch energy drink. You know, to help you stay awake.

Me: Oh no, I know what this'll do. (Points to label that says "It's like a Falcon-shaped punch to the face!")

Dark: *Face-palms* Dude, that's just a gimmick. Quit being a chicken and just take it.

Pinkie: Huh, did Scootaloo tag along with us?

Me: ...Why don't you open it?

Dark: Ugh! Fine! *Opens can*

Can: falcon...

Me: *eyeballing the can* Now take a sip...

Dark: For the love of...*Takes a sip* There, happy?!

Me: *Grabs Can* Very. *Goes to take a drink*

Can: PAWNCH!

(It wasn't just a gimmick...)

*I'm thrown across the room and land unconscious on my bed*

Pinkie: ooh...that must hurt

Dark: HA! Take that, ya whiny bitch!

Pinkie: Dark, you were made by that whiny bitch.

Dark: ...fuck. *Fades out of existence*

Pinkie: Huh, since their both useless right now. I guess I'll have to post this chapter. Although Nick does look like a nice, squishy pillow. I'll sleep later. Now, where's his...Ah, found it!

Disclaimer: Nick does not own My Little Pony, or anything that he makes references to in this FanFic, those belong to their respective owners. He does own BoltFire and any other OC's that appear unless otherwise mentioned. And just so you all know, 'Falcon-punch energy drink' was thought up by Nick and his friends without any outside influence. So if there was already a 'Falcon-punch energy drink' out there, they never encountered it. So you can't sue him or his friends if you own it...they called dibs anyways. And if you haven't notice by now, thoughts are in italicssurrounded by [these].

Pinkie: (Tries to sound like Zecora) Also! Beware, all who read ahead. For Princess 'M' might attack you in bed.

Chapter 6: A Home and A Job

~Luna~

(You thought I'd start with the main character, huh?)

[I can't believe it...I have a friend...and I didn't really have to do anything to get one. It was just dumb luck that he was awake during one of my night flights. Sure, he's the pegasus that me and 'Tia have been monitoring for a while now, but he still counts.]

I was coming back from Twilight's and I've never felt happier. To be honest, I haven't felt this joyful since me and 'Tia used to play together as fillies. This was my first friend, my first real friend. I was so happy to have made a friend that I didn't notice I was being followed to Canterlot. I was almost half way home when the one stalking me made their presence known, or rather her presence.

"So, I see you're enjoying yourself."

I almost jump out of my skin when I hear that. I would have bolted back to the castle, but I recognize that voice anywhere.

"H-h-hey, 'Tia."

I don't turn around, but feel her glide next to me.

"Hey, yourself. Do you mind telling me what's got you in such a good mood?"

I start to sweat, my mind racing a million miles a minute.

[Crap! How in hades am I going to explain to 'Tia that I visited HIM?! Oh jeez, wait, calm down, deep breaths. If I play it cool, maybe she won't suspect a thing.]

I turn to her and notice the blank look she's giving me. I open my mouth, but she speaks first "So...you visited him, then?"

I falter in my flight and drop about ten feet before righting myself, all the while sweating bullets "W-what makes you say that?"

She smirks raises an eyebrow at me "Well for one, you're a horrible liar when you know you've been caught doing something. And two, I can read Italics."

That last comment made me momentarily stop and stare at her confused. She rolls her eyes "That's not important right now. What is important is that you revealed yourself to the main character too early in the series, and for that, you must be..." she starts grinning and licks her lips "...punished~."

I was going to question what she ment by 'series' when I'm stopped by two things. One, she did say that his life was like a soap opera once. And two...did she say...punished?

I open my eyes wide when I realise what she ment "Oh pony feathers..."

Before I could say or do anything else, Celestia's horn glows brightly and, in a flash of light, we're transported back to the castle.

*Third person (Pony?) Point of view*

All was quiet in the castle, as it normally is at night. The guards at this point have been relieved by the Night Guard. The Night Guard look like regular pegasi except instead of bird wings, they have bat wings. Their eyes, instead of a round pupil, are slit like a cat's eye. They are the personal guard to the Princess of the Night and are fiercely devoted to their dark mistress. The night is their day and when they are the most alert. So, noticing and pin-pointing a cry in the night is foal's play to them.

"NO! IT'S TOO EMBARICING! OW! STOP, YOUR HURTING ME! NO, NOT THERE! AAAAHH!"

Recognizing that voice as Princess Luna made nearly all of those in a fifty meter radius of her rush towards the source of the distress, originating from within the Dark mistress' own chambers. One of the first outside of her door was Commander NightWing, one of Luna's best soldiers. Rounding up some troops, they break down Luna's door and take in the scene before them.

At first, they did not know what to think of the situation. Then, one by one, blood starts to drip from their noses. There, right in front of them, was Princess Luna, dressed in a brown school uniform complete with black mini-skirt, being spanked with a ruler by Princess Celestia, wearing a gray teacher's uniform with her hair done in a bun, an equally short mini-skirt, and glasses on her nose.

Two of the guards' noses spurt more blood, making them pass out, three others bolt out of the room, and five more just stand there shocked. The guards stare at the princesses, and the princesses stare at the guards. After what seems like an eternity, someone speaks up. Unfortunately, for all except herself, it was Celestia "Since your all still here, I'm going to guess you want to join in?"

Those not already unconscious soon join their fallen comrades, leaving only Commander NightWing standing with his face redder than a tomato "Um...er...what..."

Celestia addresses him directly "Is there a problem, Commander?"

He can only shake his head.

Celestia smiles "Good now unless you want to join me in my fun, I suggest you get your troops out and get a drink or three."

This must have broken something in him, for stream was coming out of his ears and what sounds like a tea kettle can be heard. He falls over, his face almost glowing red and his leg twitching. Celestia lets out a sigh as her horn lights up and all the bodies and blood disappear from the room. She turns her attention back to Luna, whose face is bright red as well "So Luna, shall we continue our fun?"

*BoltFire*

I didn't really get much sleep last night. I kept getting woken up by seemingly nothing. It was either due to nervous or excitement about the day ahead of me. Probably both.

Anyway, morning came and I got ready for the day like I normally do. You know, answering calls from nature, fixing my mane (Not as girly as it sounds.), making my bed, etc. Anyway, I was walking down stairs and about to eat breakfast when a thought struck me. Since this is my last day here, why not make it worth-while to those who helped me out? Nodding to myself, I set out to making the residents of the library breakfast. Right as I'm about to start, another thought slaps me in the face.

[...crap. Do I even know how to cook? I never really had the time to figure out if I could...meh, if I can't, I can't. Won't know till I try. Alright, let's do this!]

With that in mind, I set out to make the best damn meal I've ever made before.

I step away from the counter, wiping my hooves off with a towel. A small smile spreads across my face "There, it's all done"

I hear a door upstairs open, followed by groans and the same door shutting. Foot and hoofsteps soon emanate from the stairs.

[Ah, good. Their awake. Saves me the trouble of waking them.]

I lean out the kitchen to see a sleepy Twilight, whose mane was an absolute rat's nest, and a half asleep Spike, who decided to come down with his pillow.

"Morning." I call to them.

Twilight mumbles something and Spike looks like he's sleep walking. I shake my head as they go about as zombies.

"If either of you care, I made breakfast."

Almost immediately, their attention focuses on me. Well, my general direction at least. In all honesty, I think they didn't even see anything other than the food laid out before them. Before they demolish what I have, I might as well list off what I made.

Before the two had come down, I had set the dinning room table up with a feast fit for kings.

(Pride wave, Activated! Over-exaggerating mode, Unleashed!)

Colossal mountains of pancakes with fresh water falls of syrup gently careening down to a shallow, glistening pond forming at the base. Great forests of fruits and vegetables surrounding the mountain, filling the air with sweet scents and glistening with morning dew. Butterflies made from bananas gently flapping in the breeze.

...ok, I really only made a stack or two of pancakes and waffles accompanied by a bowl or two of fruits and veggies. The fruits only glistened from a recent washing and the syrup was in a bottle. Seriously, where the hell did that imagery come from?

Twilight snaps out of a food trance I possibly put her in. She tilts her head and looks at me "Bolt...what's all this?"

Spike's starting to drool on the floor so I go to grab a mop "Well, it looks to be breakfast."

She shakes her head "That's not what I meant. I mean, what's all this doing here?"

Spike shakes himself out of his daydream and rushes to a chair, allowing me to get to his drool pool...ha, and ew "Well, since this is my last day at the library, I decided to make you two breakfast. I hope you don't mind."

She looks at me shocked for a bit but then smiles "No, its alright. I'm just surprised is all, I mean, I didn't know you could cook."

I shrug "Me neither. I just decided to go for it, seeing as I had nothing to lose."

She nods, her smile never-fading "Well, it looks like it worked out. Let's hurry before Spike eats it all."

Spike's lying on the floor, petting his noticeably full stomach. He belches "Oh, sweet Celestia, that was the best wake up call I've ever had."

Twilight and I are in a similar state as Spike, nodding in agreement. After what seems like an hour of sitting and sighing happily, I finally get up.

"Oh, where are you off to?"

I look back to see Twilight trying to get up off the floor, emphasis on try. Chuckling to myself, I help her off the floor "Well, I was going to get my stuff ready so I could get things done."

Her ears tilt back slightly "Oh yeah...you're leaving today."

I put a hoof on her shoulder "Hey, don't worry. Like I said, I'll do my best to visit everyday. It's not like I'm going away forever, is it?"

This perks her up "No, it's not. Thanks for the wonderful meal and don't worry about the dishes, I'll have Spike help me with them later."

I nod my head with a smile and go up to my room. As I gather my things together, I stop and take one last look at the room. At first I feel sad to leave, but stop when I remember why I'm doing this. I shake my head and finish getting my stuff together, the last of which being my goggles which I simply put around my neck.

I head downstairs and make my way to the door where, somewhat surprisingly, Twilight, Spike, and Owli...Tosho are waiting for me. Spike looks on the brink of crying, Twilight has a sad smile, and, as usual, Tosho shows no expression "This is it, huh?"

I nod.

"You still have those instructions I gave you?"

A second nod "Yeah, I got them. And if I ever do get lost, I'll just head back here, if that's alright with you."

She laughs a little, a couple tears falling "Yeah that's fine. See you later, Bolt."

I surprise her by wrapping her up in a hug "Thanks for everything, Twi."

At first she just stands there, then she hugs me back "Your welcome, Bolt."

I release her and then ruffle up Spike's...fins? Head spines? I don't know what they are, I just ruffled them though "See ya around, Spike."

A single tear drips down his face as he nods.

At this point, I turn around and head through the door. Wondering what the world has in store for me next.

I've been walking for an hour now and have yet to decide where to go first. On one hoof, if I go to Sweet apple acres first, the room-mate position may be filled. On the other hoof, if I head to the house first, the job opening might be filled.

[Hmm...Stable income, or a roof over my head? Decisions, decisions.]

As if the universe heard of my dilemma, someone I know quite well walks up to me "Why howdy there, Bolt. What'cha doing jus' standin' there all by yer lonesome?"

I turn and greet the stetson-wearing, orange mare "Oh, hey Applejack. I was just trying to decide between two things until you came along. I actually have something to ask you."

"Well, what is it, Sugercube?"

I reach into my bag and take out the help-wanted poster "Do you still need help with the farm? I was hoping to do some work."

Her eyes glisten when I mentioned the job opening "Well paint me blue and call me Sherley, I didn't expect this happenin' at all. Do you know how long that things been up for, sugercube?"

I think back to how much stuff was covering it and did a rough estamate "A month or two?"

She chuckles "Yup, round that time. Dang, can't believe that things been up there all this time."

My ears tilt back a bit "So, that means the jobs already taken?"

She laughs and wraps a fore-leg around my neck "Shoot, are ya kiddin'? That jobs been up fer grabs about as long as that there posters been up. If yer intrested, I'll give ya the job and ya can start tomorrow, hows that sound?"

I smile a little bigger than I normally do and hug her "Thats perfect, thanks Applejack!"

She blushes a bit and rubs the back of her head "Ah, shucks. It was nothin', sugercube. Anything to help a friend. Besides, we could use all the help we can get at the farm."

I release her and shrink my smile a bit. Just so that it's barely noticable "So, what time should I arrive tomorrow?"

She tilts her hat up "Around eight if ya can. Ah really appreciate this, sugercube."

I allow my smile to grow a little "Alright, I'll be there. Oh, and before you leave, can you tell me how to get to a certain place from here?"

I hand(hoof? confound these different sayings) her the instructions Twilight gave me. She looks at them and nods "Yeah, ya see that building right there?"

I look to see she's pointing to a joke shop, I nod.

"Well, take a left after that and you'll be on main street. After that, jus follow Twi's instructions."

I thank her and head towards my next destination.

As I got further along I notice the sun gradually getting closer to the horizon, leaving me with only a few hours of light to get to my, hopefully, new home. I continue to walk around and finally reach my destination.

[Huh, this is it? Kinda looks abandoned from this spot...hmm? Is that a light in the dark?]

Deciding to test if I'm just hallucinating or not, I knock on the door.

...

[...]

Not hearing anything, I raise my hoof to knock again only for the door to open. I couldn't stop myself in time and ended up booping whoever opened the door on their nose. Looking at my hoof, I allow my gaze to travel up and take in the details of the other pony. Red eyes stare at me with an unamused glare, long blue and green hair brushed slightly aside to allow some vision but still somewhat messy, white fur with an equally white horn. When the pony spoke, I realised she was a mare.

"What."

[Jeez, grouchy. Well, I would be too if I've been randomly poked on the nose.]

I bring my hoof back down after realising I still had it on her nose "Uh..."

"Spit it out, I don't got all night."

"Um...I'm here about this." I take out the second notice paper.

She takes one look at it then practically drags me inside. After closing the door...well, slamming it is more like it, she turns on a couple lights and looks back at me "It's about damn time."

I tilt my head in confusion.

She sighs rather loudly "For somepony to answer the notice. I put that thing up ages ago, almost lost this place a couple times."

I nod my head in understanding.

Her shoulders sag a little "Sigh, come on. I'll show you where your room is."

I nod, finding that speaking's not necessary. As I follow her, I take in the surroundings as best I can in this rushed tour. I can hardly get details in when it's as dark as it is, but I see a decently furnished living room, some doors that I assume are closets and a bathroom or two, a spacious kitchen and a sliding glass door that leads to a back-yard.

My guide takes me up a set of stairs that I didn't realize were there until after we got to them, leading me past a couple doors until finally stopping at one "This is where you'll be sleeping. Do whatever you want to the room, I don't really care. Just don't disturb me and you'll be fine."

I nod my head and push open the door. Inside I find a pretty basic set up when it comes to rooms. A queen sized bed with a bed-side lamp, a dresser with a mirror next to, a smallish closet and a window letting in the dying sunlight.

"Perfect. Oh, and what is the rent?"

"Fifty bits a month. Don't bother trying to find me in here, I'll come to you when it's time."

"Alright, that sounds fair. Oh, and I didn't catch your name, I'm BoltFire. Most ponies call me Bolt though."

She nods "Double Pump. Just call me Double." With that said, she left me to myself.

[Huh, she's a nice enough mare...when she's not booped.]

I set my bag on the dresser and test out the bed. Surprisingly comfy for something that doesn't get enough use. After a minute or two of familiarizing myself with the room, Double Pump comes back in with something encased in a cocoon of magic "Almost forgot, here. Spare key."

I grab it (with hooves...how the hell can anything be grabbed with hooves?!) and nod. She leaves saying something about being lucky getting a quiet room-mate. As she leaves, I catch a glimpse of her cutie-mark. A lone, black quaver note.

[A music lover? Or a composer?]

I shake my head and look out the window to the now dark sky. The moon wrapping all in its soft, ivory glow. Cascading it's lunar rays on...wait...Lunar...lunar...Oh shit, Luna!

[Crap! I completely forgot! Crap, crap, crap, double crap, triple crap!]

With that chant going through my head, I grab my bag and rush out my room. I go back when I remember the key that'll be my only way back in. Making sure I have everything, I exit the house and lock the door. I put the key in my bag and take off to Twilight's house.

"Haa...haa...haa...looks like I made it."

I'm standing on what can only be described as Twi's roof with no sign of Luna anywhere.

"Hmm...guess I'm early."

I set my stuff down and look at the many stars above my head. After a minute or two, I decide to try to count the stars above me. I get to about five-hundred forty-six when I hear flapping behind me. Turning, I see Princess Luna landing gracfully behind me "Hi, Bolt."

"Hey, Luna."

"How've you been?"

I nod "Good, you?"

She smiles and nods "Same, although 'Tia can me a bit...much."

Soon, much of the night is taken up by our small talk. Our topics ranging pretty much everywhere.

I'm so engrossed in our conversation, I barely remember an important detail "Oh, that reminds me. I'm currently renting a house and got a job."

She pats my back "Good for you. Didn't want to be a burden to Twilight, hmm?"

I nod "Yeah, she didn't ask for anything in return and it just didn't sit right with me. So I made her and Spike a nice breakfast and moved out."

She nods in understanding and starts to say something but is stopped when she notices the moons position "Ah, it seems our time is just about up. It was good seeing you again, Bolt."

"You too. Same time tomorrow?"

She nods and surprises me with a hug "That would be wonderful."

I hesitate for a second but then hug her back. We release each other and fly in different directions, heading towards our own homes. I land in front of Double's door and take out my key. After unlocking and re-locking the front door, I tiptoe (tiphoof? Again, confound these weird sayings) up the stairs and to my room. I set my stuff down and crawl under the covers.

[Wow...so comfy and warm...almost feels like someone else slept in this recently...na, can't be. Even though none can hear me, Night all. Sweet dreams.]

I fall asleep, thinking of what tomorrow holds for me and my friends.

A/N: Woohoo! Ch. 6 is done! Spring-break is he-...huh?

A feeling of something pressed against my side interrupts me. I look down to see Pinkie curled up next to me, sleeping with a smile on her face. Seeing her like this puts a smile on my face as well. I let out a yawn and decide to turn in for the night. Shutting off the bed side lamp, I wrap my arms around Pinkie to keep her warm and, I don't know where this came from, kiss her forehead. At first I'm afraid she won't take too kindly to that, but instead of shuffling away she sighs happily and scoots closer to me.

Pinkie: (Muttering in her sleep) Mmm...g'night Nick...

Me: Goodnight, Pinkie...

I fall asleep feeling warm on the inside and nothing but happy dreams to look forward to.

End of Ch.6. Happy Spring-break!

P.S. I might not do a chapter next week, you know, what with it being spring-break and all. I might be lazy or I might be productive. Haven't decided which, though.

P.P.S I don't own Double Pump. She belongs to a friend of mine that doesn't have a FanFiction account