Belonging Again

I slumped down next to the puddle and let out a long sigh. I rested my head on my fore hooves, with a quizzical look on my face.

Trying to come to my senses and comprehend everything that happened today was a lot to take in, to say the least. Finally finishing the truck of my dreams, and then getting myself killed in order to save my best friends... Oh yeah, and being re-awoken in a world where I have no fucking clue what’s going on, and where I’m a god damned unicorn. What. The. Fuck.

I shook my head and yawned as the events of today, including the dark and calmness of the night, finally began taking its toll on me. I found myself falling asleep next to the small puddle...

I shook my head from the daze of the impact of colliding with the shop car and pushing Tom and Mark inside, off the tracks. I turned my head to the right, only to see bright lights. Following, there was a deafening smash. Then there was nothing but blackness.

“DAAAAVIIIIN!” screamed a voice...

My eyes shot open in terror as I awoke once again, this time to the brightness and the warmth of the mid-morning sun. I took a quick glance around to see countless trees and plant life in every direction.

I arose, again noticing the four navy blue legs and hooves. “Oh, right.” I said as memories of the previous day came back to me. I rubbed my eyes in attempt to wake myself up a bit more. Awaking suddenly from nightmares isn’t my first choice for wake-up calls. Plus it sucks when that happens.

“Whelp, no point in sticking around. I’m not getting anywhere here.” I sighed while taking a glimpse around.

“I hope there’s someone I can talk to around here somewhere. I could really use some answers.” I muttered to myself as I shook my head.

I decided to trek off in no general specific direction. They say the best direction you should head is north, but for obvious reasons, that was not going to work in my case. I just shrugged and took a wild guess decided headed off in that direction.

Ah well...

I still struggled walking on four legs, but I mean c’mon. Being bipedal for 22 years, then suddenly needing to have to use four legs probably would make quite a challenge for anyone. It was defiantly a challenge for me, but I was starting to get used to it as I pressed on.

The forest life was not like anything I’ve seen back where I’m from. From what I could tell, not even the Amazon rain forests seemed this thick and lively. For one thing, the plant life itself seemed a lot lusher, and was a lot thicker. I couldn’t see more than 10 feet through it. There were the chirps and calls of birds and woodland creatures rustling and moving about, and various other strange unworldly animal sounds. I tried not to pay much attention to those though; I’d rather not end up being something’s breakfast, especially after coming this far. Plus, this whole forest just had this strange, extra wild vibe about it. The sooner I find a way out--if there is a way out, the better.

“Ok, I think I might be starting to get the hang of this.” I said somewhat proudly as I trotted along. Just then, my right fore hoof slipped off the top of a protruding rock.

“Oof! Fuck.” I groaned as I tumbled to the ground in annoyance.

I let out a frustrated sigh and picked myself back up.

“My, my. Slipping off a rock is quite bad luck!” said an African accented voice.

“Bad luck?” I cocked an eyebrow towards the voice. “You don’t know the half of it.” I added as I brushed myself off with a hoof.

“Come now, my dear. May I ask what brings you out here?” the voice asked.

“To be perfectly honest with you, I don’t have the slightest fucking idea where in the hoof I am.” I called back, looking around for the source of the voice. I thought to myself for a split second, confirming if I actually just said that.

I did. Wow. I’m loosing it. Way to be so blunt to someone you don't even know, Dav.

“Why, the Everfree Forest is where you are! If a town is what you seek, the trip is not far.” Rhymed the mysterious source of the voice, finally coming into view.

I squinted to try and make out whatever it was walking towards me. I jerked my head back in realization. She was a zebra. A FREAKING ZEBRA. She was wearing gold rings on her neck, legs, and in her ears. I rubbed my eyes in denial. I blinked a few times, and eeyup, there was a god damn talking zebra standing before me. She gave me a very confused look and raised an eyebrow, probably awaiting my response.

“Oh... Umm... Yeah, town. I-If it's not much trouble, just point me in the right direction and I’ll be on my way.” I said as I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

She raised an eyebrow and gave me a blank look, and held a hoof out towards what looked like a dirt path just a few yards away from where we were standing through a clearing in the trees. I just facepalmed—facehooved? ... Anyway, I shook my head and gave the zebra an apologetic look. She just shrugged.

“Thanks. Umm...” catching myself from having to explaining my situation, “I... I-I guess I just lost my way or something.” I stammered as I started to make my way towards the path.

The zebra just nodded and watched me suspiciously as I left. Can’t say I don’t blame her for being curious of my shifty behavior.

Damnit, I hope she doesn’t think I was causing trouble or anything; I’ll just have to come back another time and try explaining later. Getting to town was more of a priority right now.

I trotted down the path for a while, noticing the forest life buzzing about their business. I have to admit I was taking liking to how fresh the air seemed here, and just the general peacefulness. Yeah, yeah, I know, this is coming from the motorsports nut; the guy obsessed with squealing tires and roaring engines. Whatever. It was comforting, and helped me deal with everything that has just happened. Peace and quiet can just be relaxing at times.

The path began to curve as it reached the edge of the forest line. I came to a halt on the path after exiting the forest into a clearing. I took a deep breath, and took in the breathtaking view before me. My jaw dropped. Seriously, I should have a poet describe this for me. A beautiful mountain range in the distance, with what looked to be an immense castle built aside the tallest peak. In the opposite direction of the mountains, I could see a town of a few buildings and houses. I looked down from where the mountain range descended to meet the forest, of which I just emerged. I considered myself lucky for heading out in the direction I set out earlier, if I hadn’t, I’d still be trying to find my way through there. That forest was freaking huge.

Now I had even more of a reason to properly explain myself and thank that zebra...

First person, I-I mean first... Animal? I don't know. First creature I met since I got here, and I didn’t even introduce myself!

“Way to go Dav. Nice. Real fuckin' nice.” I grumbled at myself regrettably and tapped the side of my head with a hoof.

“Alright, enough sight-seeing. Let’s go see what else I can fuck up today.” I scoffed sarcastically as I made my way towards the nearby town. “Plus I could use something to eat...”

“Welcome to Ponyville.” Read a sign alongside the widening path as I trotted into town.

I couldn’t help but notice a couple more sentient equine-esque beings peer my direction as I took a glance around the entrance to town; one of them was a unicorn who had a mint green coat of fur, with a mint green and white mane. She was whispering something to the pony next to her, who had cream colored fur and a two-tone mane of blue and pink. If I hadn’t have been so hungry, I would stop and introduce myself. Instead, I just gave a friendly nod of my head and trotted on. I heard the two giggle as I passed by, and I sighed.

Perhaps I won’t go back and introduce myself...

“Ugh, I wish you guys were here with me...” I said under my breath, lowering my head as I pressed on into town.

As I walked in to what I assumed was the center of Ponyville, more of these... ponies were going about their business. Some looked to be selling merchandise, others pulling carriages and walking about, socializing with each other. I heard a gasp and a bouncing sound approaching me.

“Hi there!” called an enthusiastic, excited pink pony.

I snapped around, “Hey, umm... how’s it goin'?” I asked; my usual stupid response to anyone coming up and greeting me for the first time, or if I was caught off guard.

“How’s what going? Oh no! Is somepony leaving? I didn’t even throw them a going-away party!” The pink pony seemed to start to panic, completely catching me off guard, again.

“What? Umm... no, I uhh... I meant how are you?” I corrected, raising a hoof.

“Oh! Silly me!” she giggled, “I’m great! My name is Pinkie Pie! You’re new in town aren’t you? Well of course you are, silly me! I’ve never seen you before, and I know everypony here in Ponyville, so I just had to come meet you!” She said with a big smile on her face and jumped on the spot in excitement. I just blinked a few times and tried to comprehend everything she just said.

“N-Nice to meet you, uh, Pinkie Pie, my name’s Davin.” I said, shuffling a hoof.

“That’s a neat name! Never herd of anypony having a name like that before!” she stopped bouncing and squinted at me for a second before stepping back and smiling.

“Well, uh, thanks? Can’t say I’ve heard of a name like Pinkie Pie before either.” I chuckled back.

“Well that’s just silly, but now you have a new friend that does!” she said with a smile, bouncing again. “Oh darn, I forgot to meet up with Twilight and Rainbow Dash at the library! Sorry Davin, but I gotta go! Don’t forget to stop by Sugarcube Corner later on and pick up your cupcake! I make one for all my new friends! Gotta go now, bye!” Pinkie said bouncing away, leaving me to process all that information.

I scratched the back of my head with a hoof, and shrugged.

“Alright, now to just find something to eat...” I chuckled to myself.

“Well ah’ll be! Y’all say you were hungry?” called an orange pony wearing a brown cowboy hat. She stood beside a very weathered, run down cart, displaying hundreds of delicious looking apples, and apple accessories.

“Y-Yes ma’am!” I called back, making my way over to the apple cart.

“Well what’ll it be, partner?” she pointed a hoof to various products on the cart.

“Hmm... Those apples look pretty good...” I answered while drooling over the sight of all the delectable, fresh apples.

Being the idiot I am, I completely forgot that I didn’t have any money whatsoever, I facehooved, making a hollow thud. The orange pony must’ve heard me do it, because she turned her head my way and shot me with a concerned look on her face.

Great. Now she’ll probably think I’m an idiot too.

“Somthin’ wrong?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I completely forgot that I don’t have any way to pay for those apples.” I sighed, shook my head and began to walk off into the crowd of busy ponies. “Sorry for wasting your time.”

“Hey now, y’all just wait a minute.” She called, as she trotted up next to me. She took a look at the image on my flank, then turned her gaze to my face.

“Y’all some kinda machinist or somthin’?” the orange mare asked.

“Umm, you mean technician? Yeah! Well... Oh... I mean, yeah, I used to be.” My face lit up momentarily before falling in realization to the fact that it’s pretty tough to use tools without hands.

Fuck.

“Used ta be? Oh c’mon now, that’s just stinkin’ thinkin’!” She smiled and curled out a hoof. “Ah’d be more than happy ta give ya a few apples in exchange fer fixin’ up this here rusty ol’ apple cart!” she smiled, then looked to the cart, “It's had a dang wobbly wheel fer months!”

“Well, alrighty then. I guess I could at least try.” I shrugged, trying not to consider what I was about to get myself into...