"This works," Alex said, looking around the barn he'd converted into a video arcade with Twilight and her friend's help.

"It'll certainly bring in the bits," Pinkie said, wrapped around him like a backpack.

"You are really clingy today," he noted.

"Yes, yes I am," she agreed.

"And is there a reason?" he asked as he checked the soda fountain and made himself a large Colt Cola.

"I have a large number of parties this week and you aren't a party person or rather are too busy to attend them all," Pinkie replied. "It's nice to be with someone who understands."

"Yeah, it is," he agreed. "Just don't get too attached to my magnificent self, because I can't stay."

"I know," Pinkie assured him, leaning forward to take a drink of his soda. "There are many benefits to being my friend, but that ain't one of them."

Alex choked on his own sip of soda, making her laugh. "Sneaky mare, I didn't even see that one coming."

"I'm a mare of many talents," Pinkie said smugly, right before he jumped to the side and Rainbow Dash, dressed in a black ninja outfit, crashed to the floor where he'd just been standing.

"I can sense danger," Alex reminded the pegasus currently pancaked on the barn floor, "you will never catch me by surprise."

"Yeah..." Rainbow Dash groaned out, "that is so unfair." She sighed and held up a hoof. "Little help?"

Alex helped the mare to her hooves and she quickly wrapped herself around him. "Hugs aren't dangerous," she said smugly. "Gotcha!"

Alex paused and turned his head to Pinkie's. "That's some fast thinking. Does it count?"

Pinkie nodded. "It counts, you are definitely caught!"

He nodded. "It's official then, Rainbow Dash has finally caught me, by using her speed and a dazzling flash of insight."

"Are we interrupting something?" Rarity asked hopefully as she eyed the three with a smirk.

"I'm a mare magnet," Alex said dryly, "get too close and the urge to hug me is just uncontrollable."

"Rainbow finally caught you?" Twilight asked, surprised. "I was sure she would take another three days before realizing she'd need assistance to hem you in before she could capture you."

"She realized my danger sense only detects danger and moved before I could even realize I should dodge," he said.

"And how long is she planning on hanging on you like that?" Applejack teased.

"After all the trouble I went through?" Rainbow demanded.

"I'm guessing at least an hour," Alex said.

"And you don't mind?" Twilight asked.

"I get too few hugs in my life to ever turn them down," Alex replied honestly. A butter yellow pegasus quickly attached herself to his side.

"When'd Fluttershy get here?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No idea, but there's still hugging room on his left hand side," Pinkie offered cheerfully and recognizing her cue Twilight quickly hugged him as well.

"I should have come here years ago," Alex decided.

"Not going to be all stubborn and claim you don't need affection?" Rarity asked curiously.

"Was I supposed to?" Alex asked, confused.

"No, but some insecure males, and females for that matter, like to pretend they don't need affection," Rarity explained. "Especially when they clearly do."

"Do they often say things like 'it's not like I like you or anything'?" he asked with a grin.

Rarity nodded thoughtfully. "You know, I believe they do."

"I have no problem being hugged by female friends," he assured her, pretending not to notice the blushing blue pegasus.

"What about male ones?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Before I came here I had exactly one friend... and hadn't really realized it," he admitted. "With guys we punch each other in the shoulder and trade over-the-top insults."

"It's much the same here," Applejack offered.

"So needlessly macho," Rarity said with a disdainful sniff.

Applejack grinned slyly. "Who was it that was cheering on Big Mac when he was wrestling against the buffalo who claimed to be the world's greatest wrestler in the mud pit out behind the shed?"

"That would be Rainbow Dash," Rarity replied.

"I'm not the one who was yelling about Mongolian Piledrivers," Rainbow defended herself, dropping off of Alex's chest.

"Wrestling requires proper stage direction," Rarity said. "It also helps to have proper outfits and pageantry, but at the very least both wrestlers have to know what the next move is to perform it safely."

"I never took you for the wrestling type," Applejack said, surprised.

"It's the stallion version of soap opera, of course I love it," Rarity said.

Twilight let loose of Alex and telekinetically started taking notes. "That... That makes so much sense."

"I thought you just liked to see muscular colts get sweaty with each other," Rainbow Dash admitted.

"That is part of it," Rarity admitted, blushing slightly, "but you have to give them credit for all the work that goes into their craft, they are really talented performers."

Alex reached down and scooped Fluttershy up to free his legs. She squeaked and cuddled into his chest. "And now it's time to open."

"Can you really find your way home by getting colts and fillies interested in video games?" Rainbow Dash asked with a confused frown.

"I can find my way to where the stories overlap with ones from home," Alex simplified. "I won't be able to go directly home, since my remotes held all the coordinates, but I can find the general area pretty easily. Probably take no more than a week or two once there is enough imagination and inspiration to open the way."

"Like stepping from Red Riding Hoof to Daring Do and the Quest For the Ruby Regalia!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly.

"Exactly," Twilight agreed. "I didn't even know that fable was based on a true story until she wrote about tracking down the origins of it."

"She could probably have asked Celestia," Alex suggested. "Pretty sure she knows far more about history than anyone, having lived through it."

"Yeah, but then she wouldn't get to go on adventures filled with ancient traps, priceless treasures, and incalculable dangers!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly. "It would make being an archeologist boring."

"Which would suck," Alex agreed. "I think I'd send her my books to look over before publishing, just to make sure they were correct though."

"She does," Twilight said, "and after they've written back and forth to correct any minor mistranslations, I edit it for clarity."

Rainbow Dash turned to her friend. "That's why you get a copy weeks before the new one is released!"

"Yep," Twilight agreed. "It's simply fascinating how many old mare's tales turn out to be based on fact. If I had more time, or there were more of me, I would probably go on adventures like Daring Do just to discover the truth for myself."

"Huh," Pinkie said thoughtfully. "My granny had tons of tales, though a lot were just about when my dad was a foolish colt."

"I think all our parents do," Rarity said dryly. "Fortunately Daring Do isn't investigating them to write books about it."

"Daring Do and the Quest to Discover Who Set the Curtains on Fire While Trying to Light a Candle For The Talent Show," Rainbow Dash said with a grin.

"Or Daring Do and the Why In Tarnation Is There a Pack of Timber Wolves Trapped in the Barn," Applejack added with a grin.

"Daring Do and the Parents Temporarily Turned Into House Plants," Twilight offered with a giggle.

"Daring Do and Why is There a Manticore With a Bandaged Wing in the Garden," Fluttershy said softly.

"Daring Do and the Sister's Polished Rock Collection," Pinkie said.

"Why would that be a bad thing?" Alex asked.

"Because they needed their sharp edges to defend themselves against predators according to my sister Maud," Pinkie replied.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," Twilight decided, "I already have far too many things for any one pony to research as is."

Alex opened the barn doors and a dozen young ponies entered excitedly, heading straight for the games.

Pinkie gave him a squeeze and dropped off his back. "Well, I'm going to go see if I can clean some things off my to-do list so I have more time. See you shortly!" She quickly bounced off.

Alex absently stroked Fluttershy like she was a cat. "And I need to study those electronics books you lent me," he told Twilight. "Really wish I'd taken the time to study the subject at home, because there is a big difference from using something and making it from scratch." He absently scratched Fluttershy behind the ears.

"Ahem!" a voice said from behind him.

Alex turned and found himself face to face with a draconequus.

"Mine," Discord said and retrieved the sleeping pegasus from his arms before vanishing in a puff of cotton candy that hovered in the air for a moment before morphing into a bundle of pink eraser that fell to the floor of the barn and bounced about.

"Discord could probably get you home," Twilight suggested. "I hadn't brought it up before because he's..."

"Discord," Applejack said dryly.

"Another week here isn't going to kill me," Alex said. "And I try and avoid interacting with beings above the third dimension anyway, they're too chaotic."

"You got that right," Applejack said with clear approval.

"You know of beings like Discord?" Twilight said curiously.

"One fifth dimensional and his girlfriend who is eighth," Alex replied. "Technically there is a second fifth dimensional one, but I've only heard rumors about him. At any rate I avoid beings like that, they're way outside my wheelhouse."

"Eighth?" Twilight asked, wide eyed.

"Eighth," he agreed.

"Discord is at least fifth, possibly sixth, though it's tough to say because he's..." Twilight trailed off.

"Discord," the others chorused.

"Exactly," Twilight agreed.

"Sounds like he's doing an excellent job of being himself," Alex said, "you have to admire that."

The ponies exchanged looks with each other.

"I hadn't thought of it that way, but yes he does exemplify his own style," Rarity said thoughtfully.

"Can't argue with that," Rainbow Dash agreed.

"Oh, before I forget," Twilight said brightly, "tonight when you go to sleep Luna is going to visit your dreams and help you connect with your totem."

"That's great," Alex said with a smile, "everything I read on the subject required some pretty involved or risky rituals, but Luna has a leg up on things."

"Dreamwalking has its dangers," Twilight said, "but Luna has centuries of experience. We've been corresponding about the topic and the amount she knows is impressive!"

"It's part of her domain, so yeah it's safe to say she has it covered," Alex replied.

"The artwork on the consoles are a lot better than I usually see, how come?" a small brown colt wearing a beanie with a propeller asked.

"Because that's what they are really supposed to look like," Alex replied. "The screens aren't good enough to show it yet, but once they make them advanced enough, those are going to be the graphics."

"Awesome!" the colt enthused. "And the little blurbs written about the characters?"

"Well, we know what the character's names are and what they're doing, but why and what their ultimate purpose is... that's a mystery," he said with a grin.

"Really?" he asked, wide eyed.

"Definitely," Alex assured him. "In Buck Mare we have a mare dodging a pack of timberwolves, but why is she so determined to do it all herself and not ask her friends for help?"

"Multiplayer would be awesome," the colt said thoughtfully.

"And have you noticed that each timberwolf is subtly different?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, and they move different too," the colt agreed excitedly.

"Timberwolves are said to be the restless spirits of ponies who have been caught by them in the forest and yet this pack knows the farm like the back of their hoof," Alex said. "There has to be a reason for that, don't you think?"

"Yeah!" the little brown colt exclaimed before running straight to the Buck Mare machine and shoving bits in the slot.

"That... ain't true, but it is?" Applejack asked, confused.

"I didn't think the game was that complex," Rainbow Dash said with a frown.

"It's not... yet," Alex explained. "The players will come up with their own stories and theories, making the game come alive for them, then they'll share those stories and the legend about what the game really means will grow and probably influence the makers of the game when they make a sequel with better graphics and a more complex backstory."

"It's her family!" Rainbow Dash said suddenly. "In Buck Mare the reason she's working alone and the timberwolves know the farm so well is because her entire family was wiped out by timberwolves and she swore she would complete the harvest. So she's working all alone, against the clock, while the spirits of her family try and capture her, to make her one of them."

"You got all that from what little he said?" Twilight asked in disbelief.

"What about the fruits that appear and the zap apples?" Applejack asked.

"Discord," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Discord?" Applejack asked.

"If something strange happens and you don't know what it is, it's probably Discord," Rainbow Dash said confidently. "Discord's trying to be a better person, so he gives her a little help when no one's watching."

"That... makes a lot of sense," Rarity said thoughtfully.

A number of nearby colts and fillies that were eavesdropping quickly lined up to play the game next.

"Is all that true?" Twilight asked with a frown.

"It is now," Alex replied. "Before it was just a game of moving sprites that vaguely looked like things, but look at the kids... colts and fillies, to them it is now a mare trying to save her farm in honor of her fallen family so they can rest in peace."

"Rest in peace? I thought the game never ends," Twilight said.

"If you learn the patterns and have fast enough reflexes you can play a perfect game and the screen starts glitching out, but I prefer happy endings, so I'm going to see if I can get them to fix that," Alex said.

"You really know how to stimulate the imagination," Twilight said.

"Imagination is my domain," Alex said confidently, "I'd be a very poor adjuster if I couldn't figure out how to encourage people."

"Evan after discussing the topic with Celestia I'm still not quite certain what that is," the purple unicorn complained.

Alex shrugged. "It's a lot of things but basically it's universal maintenance and people are the universe, it's just rocks floating in the void otherwise."

"I don't get it, but I'm not sure I want to," Rainbow decided. "Anyway I gotta fly, catch you later," she said smugly before leaping into the air and zooming off.

"It is a bit philosophically deep, even for me," Rarity agreed.

"I kind of get it," Applejack said with a frown. "Ain't real comforting, though it kinda is. Makes my head hurt."

"There's just some knowledge I'm not going to get, isn't there?" Twilight asked, pouting a little.

"Of course," he agreed, "but it's the pursuit of knowledge you enjoy, not having it, not really. Here, close your eyes and imagine you knew everything."

Twilight closed her eyes and slowly began to smile. "I like that thought."

"But now... what are you going to learn?" he asked.

Twilight's smile faded. "Okay, that would be awful."

Alex nodded. "But right here and now you don't know everything and now you know you never will, so you'll always have more to learn."

Twilight smiled brightly. "That is such a wonderful thought. I've gotta go write to Celestia about it!" She vanished in a burst of light.

"Did you just 'adjust' Twilight?" Applejack demanded.

"A minor adjustment," he replied. "It probably wasn't even needed, but now she knows that not knowing everything is a blessing and not something to be frustrated over."

"You aren't planning to adjust us... are you?" Applejack asked nervously.

"No need," Alex replied with a shrug, "you both are perfect the way you are." A pink pony suddenly leapt upon his back.

"I'm back! Get it?" she asked with a grin.

"And you," he agreed.

"So what did I miss?" she asked cheerfully.

"Well apparently he thinks Applejack and myself are perfect," Rarity teased, still sure there was something going on between the two, despite what they both claimed.

"Sounds about right," Pinkie Pie agreed.

"Really?" Rarity asked, surprised.

"No one could be a better Rarity than you can," Pinkie assured her, "you have the role down pat!"

"Adjusting has something to do with being the best pony you can be," Applejack realized.

"Except for the whole 'best' bit," Pinkie agreed.

"And I'm confused again," Applejack said with a sigh.

"Best is really subjective," Alex explained, "you fit your place in the world and everything is better for you being here."

"Aw she's blushing," Pinkie teased with a giggle while the earth pony hid her face under her hat.

"I think I get it," Rarity said, eyes lighting up. "Best pony for our part, not any one thing, but also for those around us. Like the entire world is an intricate mechanism that requires everything to function!"

"That's the most accurate description I've ever heard," Alex said with a nod.

"That's true, but also a lie?" Applejack asked, coming out from under her hat.

"There are things we can't put into words because there aren't words to describe them," Pinkie said. "That, using actual spoken words everyone can understand, is the most on the spot, nail on the head, tail pinned in place, description of what we mean."

"Works for me and speaking of work, I gotta skedaddle," Applejack said, "there ain't any timberwolves in my orchard, but there are apples to buck. See you all later!"

"Bye," Pinkie said, waving from her perch on Alex's back.

"And speaking of work once more, weren't you going to help me decorate for Sweetie Belle's surprise party?" Rarity asked, not wanting to separate the two but not wanting to disappoint her sister with a substandard party either.

"I'm already there setting up decorations," Pinkie assured her.

Rarity looked at Pinkie for a moment and then shrugged. "I'm not even going to ask," she said. "I'll meet you there. Bye."

"Bye," the two waved.

"Alone at last," Pinkie teased. "What are we working on now?"

"Nothing really," he replied. "The arcade is running smoothly, I'm not in the mood to study, and Luna will visit tonight to connect me with my totem."

"So... wanna soak in the hot tub?"

"Do I have a hot tub?" he asked.

"Had one built," Pinkie said cheerfully. "A bathtub is nice and all, but you can't fit a lot of ponies in it all at once and expect them to relax. I know, I've tried it."

"Hot tub it is," he agreed and followed Pinkie's directions to behind the barn where another Pinkie was just sinking into the bubbling water.

"Shouldn't you be helping Rarity?" Pinkie asked the soaking pony.

"I am," Pinkie assured her. "Hop in, the water's fine."

"Okay," Pinkie agreed and dropped off his back. "Hurry and strip so you can get in," she told him.

Alex considered asking how there were two Pinkies, but shrugged it off as unimportant, things were either fine or they weren't and the water did look inviting.

Typing By: Abyssal Angel

Beta By: Abyssal Angel and Mist of Shadows

TN: "It's a stallion's version of soap opera, of course I love it," Rarity said.

"Huh. Put that way, I suddenly understand even more why I don't like wrestling," the typist mused.