The sound of the train whistle echoed around the hot, rocky, morning plains, as the train chugged along the railroad tracks across the desert. The train was filled with pony passengers heading to different parts of Equestria, from big places like Manehattan, and the capital of Canterlot, to small places like Dodge Junction and Ponyville. Ponies sat in seats for short trips within the daytime, and some had bed cabins for longer trips that took over a night or more. But this particular train trip was different, fascination among the other ponies spread around due to one certain passenger on board. Laying on a bunk bed, waking up from a night sleep was the certain passenger. What made this passenger so fascinating amongst the other ponies was that this one was different. He was not a pony, or a gryphon, or a minotaur, or even a hippogriff. His name was Thomas Taiterson, and he was of a species recently, and newly introduced to the magical land of Equestria. A human.

Thomas Taiterson, or "Tom" for short, grew-up in the Australian town of Gatton, along with his mother, Mavis, his father, William, and his little sister, Daisy. Mavis Taiterson worked as a medical doctor in town, while William Taiterson worked on their big, family farm just outside of town. The Taitersons were well known and respected for growing some of the best vegetables, mainly potatoes in the district. Even better since the Lockyer Valley where Gatton is located was one of the greatest farming districts in all of Australia. Thomas however was different from anyone else. Since he was born, strange and mysterious events happened on a occasion. One time, when he was six years old, there was an incident of where a young driver speeding in a sports car nearly ran him over at high speed in the shopping centre parking lot, and right before the car made contact, Thomas disappeared and found himself on the roof of another parked car nearby. Another incident happened when he was four years old, and he and his family visited a theme park while on vacation. At the theme park, a guy in a big, theme park character costume snuck up behind Thomas, and tried to give him a hug, when he let out a terrified scream. And when his parents turned around, they saw that where the theme park character was standing was a man standing buck naked in front of him. The naked man claimed to be a theme park worker who was working as the theme park character, and his costume, along with his clothes had mysteriously disappeared, and were found nearby the entrance to the theme park. And those were just a couple of examples on what events happened. Because of this, Thomas always felt alone, and other kids never played nor wanted to have anything to do with him, fearing he was a jinx.

Then one day, when he was eleven, he and his family were visited by someone. She claimed that she was a special messenger from the Australian Magical Commonwealth. It was there it was revealed that Thomas was a wizard born from muggles, and that all the incidents were due to accidental magical surges from him being angry or scared. After that, Thomas was accepted into Blue Oak Collage of Sorcery, the finest school of magic in Australia. Not long after, he received his first wand, as it was described as made of aspen, twelve and a quarter inch, with a core of dragon heartstring. During his time at Blue Oak, Thomas was a good student, getting very good grades in subjects like Herbology, Charms, Muggle Studies, and Defence Against the Dark Arts, however doing fair on everything else. He was a very good duellist in the duelling club, and even served as a chaser for the school's Quidditch team for two years in a row. When he graduated in his seventh, and final year, he had the good qualifications to be an auror. But he really wanted to help his father with their family farm, but had the qualification to be an auror if he ever changed his mind.

Three years later, after Thomas's graduation, his father, William suddenly died from a stroke. After his father's death, the family were forced to sell the farm. Though they got millions of dollars off of selling it, it was sad for the whole family. As a result, the whole family moved to the city. The city was good, as they got a nice house, and Mavis got a position at a major city hospital, but Thomas really wanted to keep his father's farming legacy alive. Then one day, he looked in the world wizarding community paper, and found that there was a position for a witch or wizard to work as a deputy with a promise for farmland advertised. Only the location was not anywhere on earth, but in the land of Equestria, in a place called Appleloosa. Thomas had heard of Equestria, since it was newly discovered less than two years ago by members of the British Ministry of Magic by uncovering a dimensional portal. What was amazing about it was it was inhabited mainly by talking, magical ponies, rich with sources of magical elements beneficial to wizard kind. The only way to get to Equestria was to travel to England, and then catch three different trains. One to King's Cross Station, then to the train that got through the portal to Equestria that stops in the Equestrian capital, and finally an express one that stops at Appleloosa. Despite the very long journey, Thomas saw it as a great opportunity to start a new farm, by also working as a deputy, since aurors were wizards that enforce the law. After consulting with his family, they agreed to support his choice, since they too wanted to keep his father farming legacy alive, even though it would be in another world.

After organising the letter, things to move out, he said goodbye to his mother and sister. Thomas's flight to England was long, and after landing there, he then caught the train to King's Cross Station, then the train that goes through the portal to Canterlot in Equestria, and finally the express train that stops at Appleloosa.

Thomas got up after having a nice sleep on the train. After getting off a plane that flew all the way from Australia, and then getting on three different trains afterwards, he really needed that sleep. He had a good stretch, before making his way to the dining area to get some breakfast. He made his way into the dining area, and sat down at the nearest vacant table. As he sat there reading the breakfast menu, he could hear the muttering of other ponies in the dining cart, and even noticed they were glancing at him with interest. It felt awkward to him, but at the same time ironic, since he was equally fascinated by talking, intelligent, magical ponies. Not long after that, a unicorn waitress came over to Thomas's table.

"Breakfast, sir?" The waitress asked.

Thomas turned his attention to the waitress. "Oh...I’ll have orange juice, cereal to start, and followed up with some eggs, scrambled, with buttered toast please."

The waitress nodded. "Certainly, sir."

The waitress walked away to bring Thomas's breakfast. Thomas waited, and reached into his pocket, pulling out a letter. He began to read it quietly to himself.

Dear Thomas Taiterson,

I had received your letter from the ministry from your world of your interest in the position as deputy, with possible farmland. Personally, I am mighty intrigued by the fact that a human would be interested in the job, and a wizard at that above all else. I am interested to see what you have to offer for the town of Appleloosa, for you would be the first human and wizard taking residence here. I have organized for somepony to meet you at the station on your arrival on Friday. His name is Braeburn, and he is a very well respected pony in town, and he is the tour guide for strangers, and visitors to our town. He will meet you at the station and bring you to my office. I look forward to meeting you.

Yours truly,
Sheriff Silverstar

Thomas continued to look at the letter, even after just reading it, mainly out of interest. He then reached into his pocket once more, and pulled out a picture of his family. He glanced at his father in the picture.

Don't worry, dad. I'll make you proud. I'll make all of you proud. I promise. Thomas thought.

His thought was suddenly interrupted by the waitress unicorn placing a tray in front of him that had his breakfast. "Your breakfast, sir."

"Thank you, ma'am." Thomas said.

The waitress smiled. "You're welcome, sir. Enjoy. Oh, and the next stop, Appleloosa will be at eleven o'clock, if that's your destination."

Thomas smiled and nodded in understanding, as the waitress walked off to serve other ponies in the dining car. Thomas then put the letter and photo down, and put his napkin on him to have his breakfast.

The train began to slow down, until it began to pull up to the station of the town of Appleloosa. From what Thomas saw of the town, it reminded him of those old towns of the old American west that he had seen in movies and television. When the train made a complete stop, Thomas got up, and grabbed his suitcase from above him to make his way out of the passenger coach. He thought inside his head as he was hopping off the train onto the platform, and began to look around himself.

So this must be Appleloosa? Seems quite a nice town. Now that I'm here, where is this pony I'm suppose to meet? His name is Braeburn, but which one is he?

"Hey there." Thomas jumped as he was greeted by a sudden male voice speaking in a southern American accent. He quickly turned to see the voice came from a light golden yellow earth pony stallion, wearing a brown cowboy hat, with a matching leather vest, and wore the biggest, excited grin Thomas had ever seen. "You must be Thomas. Welcome ta AAAAAAA-pple-LOO-sa!"

Quickly getting his grip from this unexpected surprise, Thomas spoke to the stallion. "Are you Braeburn?"

"Ah sure am." Braeburn directed Thomas to follow him. "Come with me. Sheriff Silverstar's waitin' for ya."

Thomas followed his pony tour guide, Braeburn through the main street of Appleloosa to Sheriff Silverstar's office, while giving him a guided tour along the way.

"Quite a sight, ain't it? As you can see, we settler ponies put a lot of hard work into this town, an' this was built all this in just a year. An' we have all of the finest comforts." Braeburn points to numerous things, buildings, and activities in town. "Like horse-drawn carriages. Over there are horse-drawn, horse-drawn carriages. Here's where we have our wild west dances. An' here's where we have our mild west dances. An' here's our local waterin' hole, the Salt Block."

Thomas looked in fascination at the whole town. To him, it felt like he either had travelled back in time to the old west, or was walking on a movie set to a western film, except the people were replaced with talking ponies. He was also amazed on how friendly this pony he had just met was to him. But from how many ponies he had seen, they had given him a very good impression on him so far. On and on, Thomas followed Braeburn through town, until they were walking towards one building. A building that looked like an old western sheriff office, with a pony relaxing on the front porch. The pony was a brown, male Earth pony, with a black, gunslinger style mustache, a silver sheriff star cutie mark, and wearing a dark blue uniform, a red ascot bandana, and a black cowboy hat.

"An' right over there's the office of Sheriff Silverstar," Braeburn said. "Let's go."

Braeburn lead Thomas to Sheriff Silverstar's office. They were less then ten metres away when Braeburn called out to the Earth pony relaxing on the front porch.

"Howdy, Sheriff!"

Sheriff Silverstar uncovered his hat covering over his eyes, and turned to Braeburn, as he got up. "Howdy there, Braeburn."

Braeburn turned Sheriff Silverstar attention to Thomas. "Ah met up with the wizard at the station, and brought'em to ya, like you asked me." He turned to Thomas. "Thomas, this here's Sheriff Silverstar, the law in this town."

"G'day, mate." Thomas said.

Sheriff Silverstar came over to Thomas, and tipped his hat to him. "Howdy, partner. Welcome to Appleloosa, the home of wide open spaces."

Thomas smiled. "Thank you, Sheriff. I'm Thomas Taiterson, but friends call me Tom."

Sheriff Silverstar cleared his throat. "So, Tom, you wanna be a deputy in this here town, huh?"

"Yes, Sheriff." Thomas said.

Sheriff Silverstar looked Thomas over. "Well then, I checked your records, and you seem capable. But do you have what it takes, and what else do you have to offer besides being a deputy?"

"I have a great amount of experience in farming, since I used to live on a potato farm. And if I remember, there was a promise of possible farmland. So if I get the job, I can grow potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables for this town." Thomas puts his suitcase down. "So I believe I have what it takes, and I'll try not to disappoint you, Sheriff."

"I like your spirit," Sheriff Silverstar said. "I'll have to put you to the test first before I decide. So I organised with Braeburn, and a few others from outta town a couple of tests to see what you're made of."

Thomas stood with Sheriff Silverstar, and Braeburn in a yard at the back of the sheriff office. Braeburn had set-up a row of six empty cans of beans along the top of the wooden fence.

"All set, Sheriff!" Braeburn said.

Sheriff Silverstar nodded, and turned to Thomas. "Okay, Tom. Your first task is to hit all those cans off the fence as fast as possible. Can you do that?"

Thomas nodded. "Sure. No problem."

Sheriff Silverstar and Braeburn stood behind Thomas to let him do the task. Braeburn put is hoof on a button on a stop-clock, as Thomas drew his wand, and stood at the ready.

"Ready! Set! ...Go!!"

Braeburn pushed the button of the stop-clock. At the same time, Thomas began to shoot striking spells from his wand with the swift, and precise movements of his wrist. One by one, he quickly knocked down each of the six cans with one shot.

Braeburn pushed the button on the stop-clock after Thomas hit the sixth and last can. "TIME!"

Thomas lowered his wand, exhaled a breath, and turned to Braeburn and Sheriff Silverstar. "What was the time on that?"

"Let's see..." Braeburn looked at the stop-clock. "Twelve an' a half seconds."

"Woo!" Sheriff Silverstar said. "That was some great shootin' there, partner!"

"Thank you, Sheriff."

Sheriff Silverstar cleared his throat. "Well, I think we should get straight to the next and final part of the test."

Thomas, Sheriff Silverstar, and Braeburn were standing in the street outside the front of the sheriff office moments later. Outside there were three individuals from Equestria standing in front of them. A light blue unicorn mare, a grey male gryphon, and a large, brown bull.

"These three here have volunteered to be escaping outlaws as part of your final test. The task is for you to pursuit and capture them as they try to escape." Sheriff Silverstar turned to the three volunteers. "Get into positions!"

The three volunteers nodded, and turned their position towards the exit out of town. Ponies in town all watched with interest as the final test was about to take place in the main street.

"Ready... set... go!"

The three volunteers began to run at Sheriff Silverstar's word down the street towards the exit of town. Thomas drew his wand once more and started to briefly sprint, until he suddenly disappeared, and reappeared in front of the volunteers. He aimed his wand at the unicorn mare first.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

A flash of faint, white light illuminated, and shot out from Thomas's wand, hitting the unicorn pony, making all four of her hooves snap together, and causing her to fall down on the dirt road, stiff as a board. The large, brown bull charged at Thomas, its hooves stomping the ground like thunder. Thomas jumps out of the way in the nick of time, and aims his wand at the bull.

"Locomotor Mortis!"

A purple light shot out of Thomas's wand, hitting the bull, as his leg suddenly lock together with an invisible, unbreakable force, causing the bull to trip, and collapse on the ground. At that same time the final volunteer, the grey male gryphon had took to the air. Thomas got up, and waved his wand.

"Accio-Broom!"

His suitcase that was sitting close by began to shake, and then burst open with a flying broomstick shooting right out, flying towards Thomas. He grabbed his broom, mounted it, and flew-up in pursuit of the gryphon. At first, it seemed like the gryphon was going to escape, but Thomas was soon catching up to him thanks to some maneuvers he learn while he was a chaser in a Quidditch team. He then aimed his wand at the fleeing gryphon.

"Incarcerous!"

Thick ropes appeared out of thin air, flying straight towards the gryphon. Catching the gryphon off guard, the ropes wrapped around his whole body, including his wings, and bind and gagged him into submission. Unable to fly and move, the gryphon began to fall out of the sky, plummeting towards the ground, while struggling futilely to get out of the ropes, with the townsfolk watching in shock. Thomas dived down after the falling, captured gryphon, and aimed his wand at him once again.

"Arresto Momentum!"

The falling gryphon suddenly stops falling, and remained floating twenty feet in the air, until he began to float slowly down to the ground, landing softly. Thomas pulled up, hovered for a moment, before touching down to the ground, with the crowd of ponies cheering, and amazed at what they all had just seen. Thomas turned to the bound gryphon on the ground who looked mildly shaken-up.

"You alright, mate?" Thomas asked.

The gryphon looked up at Thomas, and nodded, while responding with a "Mm-hmm." through the ropes gagging his mouth.

"Yeehaw!" Thomas turned to see Sheriff Silverstar coming towards him, with Braeburn along side him, wearing an impressed look on his face. "That was sure something! Ya passed the tests." Sheriff Silverstar offered his hoof out to shake. "Welcome aboard, Deputy."

Thomas took hold of Sheriff Silverstar's hoof in his hand, and began to shake hand and hoof with him. Sheriff Silverstar turned to the crowd that was watching.

"Fillies and gentlecolts! Our new, and first ever wizard deputy, Thomas Taiterson!"

The crowd hallowed and cheered, throwing their hats in the air at the announcement of the first human wizard becoming their new deputy. Braeburn came over to Thomas, and put a friendly hoof on Thomas's shoulder.

"Congratulations, Tom," Braeburn said. "Looks like you're an Appleloosan now. Let's get a sarsaparilla at the Salt Block. It's on me."

"Thanks, mate. That'd be great." Thomas turned, and noticed that the unicorn mare was still paralysed on the ground, the bull on the ground with his legs still locked together, and the gryphon on the ground tied-up, squirming to free himself. "But I think I should probably help those three out first."

Author's Note

This is the first chapter of the story. There is no clop in the story yet. I'm working on building up on the story, and set up a bit first. But don't worry, the clopping comes later. But until then, you'll just have to be patient.