Opposites Attract: a Pinkie x Dan story Chapter 22

As Dan slowly trotted back to the treehome, his thoughts and emotions were at total conflict.  Although he was happy to find someone that genuinely cared for him and would want to skip the  'Let's just be Friends' step that he's  been put on so many times before by others, he was also not too happy about the fact that in about a month, he'd be shipped back to a world where that special someone did not even exist.

The confused colt rubbed the back of his neck as he trotted inside Twi's house. He was about to slam the door shut but then remembered Twilight's rant earlier at the Canterlot library and decided to be nice by gently closing it.  It was almost completely pitch black inside. The only illumination that could be seen was a lit candle on a desk where the violet unicorn was at. Dan yawned and went on over.

"Yo." he greeted in a hushed voice. "What are you doing?"

"Mm, just studying that dimension transportation spell we found earlier." She rubbed her tired eyes as she turned the page.

"Oh..well I don't know about you but I'm getting some shut eye." Dan said as he went over to the stairs.

"Okay...um Dan?" the unicorn called out.

Dan simply stopped and turned his head.

"So, uh...why don't you hate Equestria exactly? Just curious..."  she asked awkwardly, trying to get him to open up.

For moment, nothing was said. Finally Dan spoke. "...Reasons. That's why."

Twilight Sparkle sighed as she turned around on her chair. "Can you please tell me what those reasons are exactly? Maybe you found a new hobby you enjoy. Or perhaps there is a certain place you like to visit." The mare looked down. "Or you could've found somepony that you enjoy spending time with." The unicorn flinched, fearing for one of Dan's angry outbursts but the silence that lingered surprised her. She looked up to see the colt had moved over and was now face to face with her.

"...Don't ask questions that you already know the answer to, Sparkler." Dan backed up a few steps, his eyes locked on her's.  "I'm going to bed. 'Night." He turned around and headed upstairs.

Twilight was completely still for a moment, shocked by what had just happened. But then  regained her composure and turned around to continue studying.

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The next day was bright and sunny. Ponies hustled and bustled about in the small town of Ponyville. Dan stood by the water fountain, waiting for Pinkie's arrival. He sighed as he tossed a pebble into the bubbling water.

Man, where IS she? Did I come too early?  The impatient colt groaned and stared into water fountain, looking at his reflection. Suddenly, his reflection was joined by poofy-haired pink mare's.

"Woah!" he exclaimed. "Don't sneak up on me like that. Scared the heck outta me."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Sorry about that, Dan! So whatcha wanna do today, huh?"

"Eh, don't matter to me." he shrugged and leaned against the fountain. "You got anything in mind?"

"Well, when I was coming over here to meet you, I went to see if they were offering hot-air balloon rides today, because we were talking about it last night, and it turns out, they are!  Soo, you wana do that? Huh? Huh?" the bubbly pony asked cheerfully.

Dan saw how excited she was about it. He smiled softly. "Heh, sure."

"Yay!" Pinkie jumped up in the air. "C'mon! Let's go!" She yanked his hoof and sped through town, dragging Dan behind.

The speeding pony came to a screeching halt once they arrived at their destination. "Hey, no line! Oh boy! This'll be fun! Come on!"

"Okay,okay! Man, you nearly pulled my arm, er, hoof off back there."  Dan said as the two got into the basket.

Pinkie Pie skipped over to a corner and pulled one of the dangling ropes. The balloon slowly lifted off the ground and went up high into the air.  From above, the view was absolutely amazing. Valleys, mountains and rivers decorated the landscape perfectly. Dan looked on in awe at the breath taking sight.

"Wow...this is pretty cool."  he said. "Do you do this a lot?"

"Yep! All the time! I try to do this whenever they are offering rides!  Have you ever been in an hot-air balloon back at your world, Dan?" Pinkie Pie asked perkily while trotting over to stand by him.

"No. I'm usually too busy carrying out my  schemes of revenge." he smirked.

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion. "Schemes? Revenge? Huh?"

"Uh, er, nothing. Nevermind." Dan said, avoiding the suject.

"OK...Oh, you haven't answered my question yet!"

Now it was Dan's turn to be confused. "What question?"

"Y'know! The question I asked ya last night, silly!"

Dan gulped nervously, fearing for how she'd react to the answer. "Uhhhh..." was all that he could get out of his mouth.

"You don't remember? I asked ya why ya went to Canterlot. What'd ya guys do there?" PInkie asked, smiling

Dan sighed. He didn't want to tell her why he went because he was afraid that it'd get her down or ruin what they had. But he knew she deserved to know.

"Okay, well me, Sparkler and Football went there to look for a spell book that will show us how to get me back home." Dan's eyes quickly turned to the floor.

"Oh...did ya find one?" the mare asked in a voice that  was dripping with gloom.

"Uh, yeah..." replied Dan. He slowly lifted his head. "Look, Pinkie I-"

"Heh, that's great! W-when are you gonna be going home?" she asked with a smile.

"Um...in about a month..." Dan answered, surprised. He expected for her to break down or  tear up. But he was relieved that it wasn't so.

"Wow! That soon? Er, I mean, that's good!" Pinkie said with fake enthusiasm that she hoped would pass as genuine to Dan.

"Uh, well, thanks....Sooo, Pinkie, what do you wanna do next?" Dan asked in an attempt to change the subject.

Pinkie Pie's face suddenly brightened. Her mind was racing with ideas."Oh! Oh! Oh! I know! How about we go swimming at the pond? Oh, or we could go watch a movie! And maybe we could go get a bite to eat at Sugarcube Corner! What do ya say?"

Dan liked those ideas. He was afraid she would suggest something like have a party or go singing or whatever. But he was pretty cool with what she had in mind for the rest of their date.

"Sweet. Sounds fun to me."

Pinkie squeezed him tightly. "Of course it is, silly! We're gonna have a super duper time!" She zipped over to the corner of the basket and pulled some ropes. The balloon swayed gently downward until it landed on the ground. Pinkie Pie was instantly out of the basket and zooming through Ponyville, pulling Dan along with her, so they could continue their day of fun.

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It was late at night, and Pinkie was in her room, talking to her pet, Gummy. She went on and on about all the wonderful things that she and Dan did earlier that day. The alligator just sat and stared as Pinkie ranted on.

"Oh and the movie was soooo funny! Even Dan liked it! We had a great time at Sugarcube corner too!" the mare sighed, dreamily. "I really like being with him, Gummy....Too bad he has to go in about a month..." She looked down at the floor sullenly.  

The alligator looked up at her and blinked.

"I know Gummy. I should be happy for him 'cause soon he'll be back in his world with his friends. So I'm not gonna let this get me down! Yep, that is my plan, Gummy!"

The alligator blinked and then waddled away.  

Pinkie sighed and got into bed. "....I just hope it works."