Author's Note

For everyone who came back to this story, I deeply apologize for, more-or-less, abandoning it so long ago. I had started falling out of the community at the time and only recently did I regain interest in it.

As for the changes, the primary change across ALL chapters will be a change from first-person to 3rd-person. While this might deviate from the story's original feeling, I feel more confident in this perspective after writing many other stories.

Any chapter-related changes will be noted in said chapter's Author Notes. Also, just in case enough people request it, I'll be saving the original uploads of the chapters in case anyone wants them back in a separate story.

Chapter 1 - Arrival, Plans and New Faces [Rewritten]

"Arriving at the Ponyville station in fifteen minutes."

As the announcement rang out over the train intercoms, a green Pegasus stallion by the name of Zephyr Earthwing woke up slowly from a fleeting nap.

How long was I out for? I could of sworn I only fell asleep for ten minutes. I guess time flies like that when you are least expecting it, especially when you doze off in spite of your nervousness.

He stretched his legs as he re-positioned himself in the seat. The travel time between Manehatten and Ponyville was about 5 hours long, give or take an hour since I can't remember exactly. Honestly, I'm still amazed I can keep track of time otherwise...

When he looked outside, he saw plenty of trees and hills decorating the view outside of the window, homage to how rural Ponyville is compared to what the big-city Pegasus was used to. He had left Manehatten primarily because he wanted to "broaden my horizons," as he put it in front of his adoptive mother.

While Zephyr had grown up in Manehatten for most of his life, his actual birthplace was unknown to him. Back in the past, roughly when he was 3 years old, he was found unconscious on the edge of a nearby forest with a bleeding welt on the side of his head and some grip marks that most likely came from a particularly large creature.

Because of what had happened before that, presumably some scuffle that ended badly, he had lost his memory except for his first name and one obscure, yet somehow gruesome quip from his previous life. The shrouded stallions, the falling, the scream.

Especially that scream...

He had been adopted by the mare who had found and nursed him back to consciousness. The authorities attempted to find his real family, even sending some messages to other cities like Cloudsdale inquiring about missing foals. However, without any leads and Zephyr being amnesic, they ran into too many dead ends. They decided to simply let the one who found him raise him as her own colt.

Zephyr learned all of this one year ago from his adoptive mother, Harpsong Earthwing. A local celebrity singer and harp player who had apparently found him after visiting the grave of her late stallion, who had perished a few years prior due to a genetically inherited disease. Despite the chaos of a foal coming into her life as abruptly as he did, she loved the colt like he was her own flesh and blood and tried to raise him as best as she could.

Sure, I was slightly peeved at her for not telling me until "I was old enough," but thinking back at how much she cared for me during all the years I CAN remember, it was hard to stay that way for long. She had no obligation to, yet did so anyways...

Unfortunately for the two, despite Harpsong's best efforts to raise Zephyr, his foalhood had been miserable due to circumstances beyond their control. Because of how "special" Zephyr is...

The Stallion, recognizing he was slipping too far into the past, quickly shook his head. He didn't want to think too much about why he was "special". The thing that caused him so much pain due to the bullying happening at every turn. When the foals he though were on his side abandoned him when he needed them the most

The reason he now believes friendship is just a farce and nothing else.

"Now arriving at the Ponyville station."

Zephyr sighed as he abandoned all current thoughts the best he could and picked up his saddle bags. He made the decision to move from Manehatten, not just to escape all of the memories that haunted him, but to start a new life. However; Ponyville wasn't going to be his final stop either. He had concocted a plan to travel to all of the cities and towns around Equestria in an attempt to find a place where he could lead a normal life.

Yes... normal. no excitement, no drama, not even romance. Just a quiet existence. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, is there?

"You sure you got everything in order, Zephyr Earthwing?" A nearby conductor approached Zephyr with a bit of a smirk on his face.

That got an eye-roll from the Pegasus with a knowing half-smirk. "Yes I got everything Coltuctor. Sheesh, you accidentally leave an item on a train once and you're marked for life."

"Don't be like that! this may very well be the last time I see you if you don't plan on returning to Manehatten. I got to get my jabs in and bug you at least a little bit, don't I?"

Zephyr snorted in laughter at that. "What are you, an insect collector?"

Now it was Coltductor's turn to roll his eyes. "Oh, ha ha ha, you and your puns." his smile turns into a bit of a frown. "Admittedly, I'm going to miss them. As bad as some, or most, of them are, they at least brighten up my day a bit."

"Glad to know I made a difference in somepony's life. Now, I've got to go before the train tries to leave with me still on it." And with one final farewell nod, Zephyr steps onto the station, mentally preparing himself for the rest of his life.

"Alright, first things first: find a place to stay for at least one night. After that, find something to eat, as it's almost time for lunch. Not much else after that besides looking at any major landmarks around this place."

This was Zephyr's plan of attack for every new town and city he visits. Thanks to the savings he accumulated, he has more than enough bits to last through the journey, counting days spent at a hotel, food, and travel via train.

Always nice to have a bit of an action plan when doing something like this. I don't feel like walking around any place too long just searching for a place to sleep.

When Zephyr exited the station on that thought, he looked around for somepony to ask for directions. He quickly spotted a grey Pegasus mare with what looks like a mail bag. If she's the mail-mare for Ponyville, then my course of action is clear.

"Excuse me miss, could I ask a quick question?" He approached the mare carefully to try and avoid startling her. Manehatten mares were both easy to startle and very cautious of strangers, something the green Pegasus knew too well.

Looking around for who was talking to her, the grey mare quickly spotted Zephyr and smiled. "Anything I can help you with, sir?"

"Yes I was wo-- whoa."

So that's what it looks like to be wall-eyed...

When she tilted her head in confusion, Zephyr quickly caught himself from staring for too long, not wanting to be rude. "I was just wondering if there was a hotel in Ponyville. If there is, could you give me directions, please?"

She grinned and said, "there is a hotel called the Hay and Stay just down the street from the station. You can't miss it."

"Thank you kindly miss..."

"Ditzy Doo, but most ponies just call me Derpy."

That's a little mean... "Zephyr Earthwing. Pleasure to meet you, and thank you for your help."

"It's fine, but I got to get back to work, or I'll be behind again. See you around." And with that, Ditzy flew away, albeit in a rather clumsy fashion. Zephyr stared after her in worry before following her directions.

The rooms at the Hay and Stay were relatively cheap by Manehatten standards. Zephyr was surprised when he realized he could put more money into food at that rate even if he stayed one night extra.

Speaking of food, my stomach started growling after I had unpacked what little I had with me.

One saddle bag contained bits for the journey, all stacked and wrapped in a way that prevents them from clinking together while trotting. Zephyr simply shook his head at his mom when she was packing them away for him, letting her OCD with bits take over her.

All that was contained in the other bag was a water bottle, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a quill, ink, some parchment, and a wind harp. The harp acted like most other harps, except that you can outright change it's tone using some magic or by manipulating wind and air currents around it.

After picking it up and giving it a few strums before putting it back, Zephyr thought more on it. I had learned how to play harps from my mom, not because I had to, but simply because of the fact that harps are a soothing instrument. While it isn't part of my cutie mark, I was surprisingly proficient in using one.

Deciding to clean himself up before going anywhere, Zephyr went into the bathroom and stared at himself in the mirror. What stared back was an average sized green Pegasus with a dirty blond mane and tail, with the eyes being an ocean blue color. The cutie mark on the flank was a ball of wind flanked by a wing on each side. there is also a hole in the middle of the mark shaped like a mic.

This basically meant that I was skilled in wind and air-current manipulation, flying, and singing. I must be both a wind bag and an air head.

Snorting at that thought, Zephyr's eyes fell on one spot in the reflection right behind the wings, which had a similar build to Alicorn wings. Bandages covered all around that one section. The only thing between Equestria and the secret that was the source of all his foalhood miseries...

He sighed, quickly washed his face, and headed out into the street once again.

Now to find either a place to eat, or a place or stall that sells food.

On the way to what Zephyr believed is the plaza, a pink Earth Pony spotted him. After a delay and an awkward hello, she jumped into the air with a long and loud gasp, inexplicably defying the laws of gravity, before dashing off to Celestia knows where. Needless to say, the Pegasus stallion was a bit unsettled over it.

Too bad she didn't hang around longer... hah. Anyways, I wonder what her deal is?

One bad pun later, Zephyr spotted where there were stalls selling various wares. One stall seemed to... stand out more than any of the other ones, presumably because it was dead center in the middle of the road.

Wait... is that stall selling what I think it's selling?

Apples...

Lots and lots of apples.

Being a colt who grew up on the stuff, saying Zephyr was ecstatic was a bit of an understatement. Doing his best to keep a lid on his excitement, he trots up to the stand.

"Howdy pardner! haven't seen you round' these parts." The orange earth pony mare behind the stall had a thick accent that sounded homely. Zephyr chalked it up to the stetson hat she's wearing. Farmers tend to like those hats for some reason.

"I just came in from Manehatten and currently looking around town. Quite the stock of apples you got there."

She grinned. "Care to try one? we at Sweet Apple Acres grow the best apples 'round Equestria."

"Somepony's confident. Looks like I'll have to take you up on that statement. How much per apple?"

"Bag of' apples cost three bits. Still, since yer' new in town an' all, why not try one on the house?"

"You're... simply giving away a potentially hard earned apple purely because somepony is from out of town?!" This was Zephyr's first bit of culture shock, not realizing there were ponies willing to let potential customers sample their products.

What kind of community structure did they have here?

When she gave the stunned stallion a puzzled look, Zephyr shook his head and stated, "if you're offering me, I... guess I'll take you up on that."

That got a big smile from the orange Earth Pony as she grabbed one from a bag. Receiving the apple, Zephyr gave it a once-over. It had more of a shine to it that the ones sold back in Manehatten. Farm fresh, perhaps? Not wanting to scrutinize every little detail, he took a small bite.

"..."

"Uh, par'ner? You okay there?"

"This... this is..." Zephyr took a deep breath. "The skin is wonderful and provides an excellent crunch while the flesh has a very sweet red-delicious taste with a very complimentary hint of sour all in one big juicy package that is not only filling but is sure to leave the consumer both happy and satisfied. Holy star apples, I said a mouthful."

Now it was her turn to deadpan. A few other ponies started looking Zephyr's way as well, causing him to shrink a bit in embarrassment. "Sorry, I grew up on apples, so I get a bit... over the top when I find a very tasty specimen."

"Well, ah'm' glad you like it so much. Still, yer' the first one to go on that kind of a rant after taking one bite."

Now Zephyr's face was burning a bit from his outburst. "I... just can't help myself sometimes, especially when I'm hungry. A-anyways, may I have two bags of apples, please?"

"That'll be six bits. An' don't worry yer head none, ah've seen bigger outbursts." As she's putting the apples away for Zephyr, he counts out the money and places it on the stall. Feeling as though he underpaid the mare for her incredible apples, he slyly slips a couple more bits onto her stall without her noticing, before loading up his haul and quickly vacating. Both to avoid anymore attention on him and before she realized he left the extra bits there.

As he rounded the corner, he silently revels in his successful stealth when he heard her say, "now where did these extra bits come from?"