I'll Meet You Back Home

Chapters

Chapter 1 - A Night at the Tavern
Chapter 2 - A Whole New World
Chapter 3 - The River, The Town and The Pink Pony
Chapter 4 - A Day at the Farm
Chapter 5 - Morning Blues

Chapter 1 - A Night at the Tavern

This story began like many others, but unlike others this one holds a special place in my heart. Because this is the story of my latest adventure and the story of how I found my home.

And like many others stories, it began with the following lines. In the kingdom of Petrynia, beyond the hills of Altrim lies the city of Malpetrim. Or as it was commonly known, the city of heroes, birthplace of adventures.

In this harbor town I walked, through the lamps-lit streets towards the chosen meeting place of my old adventuring group. It’s been three years since our last adventure together, since then my friends and I have split, some to attend to other duties, others to return to their homes, and me to search for mine. These little reunions of ours being the only chance to get everyone together again.

It was a cold autumn evening, and as I walked down the streets I allowed myself to take in the salty air of the city, and what little movement the market still had. Some vendors even manage to recognize me giving me polite nods or waves as I passed their shops. One of those was Iron Hammer, the proprietor of the best blacksmith in town, in my humble opinion.

“Swordhunter! You little twerp, almost didn’t realize it was you with that clothing. How have you been?” the blacksmith called me over opening his arms greeting me.

“Iron Hammer, long time no see.” I gave the old dwarf a firm handshake and said “I am well, still traveling around. And you? How’s the forge?”

“Hot as ever! Business has been great this last few months. A lot of new adventurers looking for good swords and armor, have even received commissions from the city guard. Of course, I’ve been missing my greatest customers. Your little group was always coming here looking for supplies, but I guess everyone has to settle down one day.”

“I’m still adventuring, just not here in Arton.” I say trying to avoid his gaze in embarrassment.

“Don’t surprise me. You were always the one to search for new things to do. But no one would blame you if you did settle down. Gods knows how much you all did for Arton, for all of us.”

“I know, but I can’t just yet. There is still much I want to do, and many people that needs my help out there. Besides, I don’t really know where I would settle. Nothing wrong with Arton, I just would like a place that isn’t constantly trying to kill me.” I said shrugging off his comment.

“Come on! It’s not that bad.” he said crossing his arms.

“Maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but really now, Arton just don’t feel like home. Much like most dwarfs don’t feel at home away from Doherimm.” I said with a sigh. Shaking my head, I checked the time on the device on my arm. “Listen it’s getting late, I got to go and meet everyone at the tavern. So, see you later!”

As I left he waved me a farewell and said. “Say hello to the old crew for me, boy!”

As the evening turned to night and the street lamps became brighter I reached my destination, the One Eyed Monkey Tavern. This was our usual place when we were in town, and to be honest despite its humble appearance the tavern itself is quite famous in the circle of adventurers.

In this same place the two most powerful archmages in this world first met and their rivalry began, it was here that many epic quests have started like the one with the Disc of the Three and the search for the Rubies of Virtue, and it’s here that I would meet my friends.

I opened the door to the tavern, and peered inside. The establishment was well lit, the candelabrum in the center and the torches in the walls providing enough light to see every corner of the hall. Tables full of adventures of all kinds, races and flavors were spread across the room, a bar counter occupied the far side of the room and a doorway that I knew that led to the kitchen was right behind it.

Many faces turned to see me when I entered. Many with confusion or disdain written on them, probably eyeing my clothing. In truth I wasn’t wearing anything uncommon, a black overcoat with a hood, a red shirt, black pants and shoes, gloves that didn’t reach my fingertips and a mask covering the lower half of my face, leaving only my eyes exposed.

But these were clothes of a human, postindustrial ‘modern’ world, and Arton was not it.

Having finally located the one I searched, I made way to the table on the far corner and closest to the counter. Sitting alone was a man wearing a long jacket and leather pants, his top hat was placed on the table in front of him. He was drinking from a mug, that I was certain that contained some kind of alcoholic beverage, he didn’t notice my approach.

“Doctor Zebadiah Nash! You haven’t changed a bit.” I said drawing attention from my friend at the table.

“Mister Swordhunter! You have changed! What kind of clothes are these? And the fabric looks so exotic! You must present me your tailor!” He stood up and gave me a handshake.

“These? It just the type of clothing that one would wear in the places I’ve been.” I said chuckling and looking around “Are we the firsts ones to arrive?”

“Yes, but I think the others will be arriving soon. Care to join me and tell about your other worldly adventures?”

I took a seat at the table, Doctor Nash did the same returning to take another gulp of his mug. I lowered my hood and at that moment a waitress came to our table.

“Can I get you sirs anything else?” she asked.

“Another round for me, miss.” Nash said with what could be considered a charming smile to the waitress.

“Only water for me, but I take a meat pie, please.” I said.

She smiled at us, and went to get our order done. I turned to face Doctor Nash but he was still looking at where the waitress was a moment ago. I cleared my throat to get his attention and started.

“So my good doctor, how have you been these past months?”

“I’ve been well, thank you. Things in Salinstick are a bit busy, we are developing a new type of antibiotics that may elevate the status of our medicine to new heights. I had the pleasure to work with some of the most respected professionals in the Royal College on this project.”

“Sounds like you have been kept busy. So much that I’m surprised that you manage to come at all!” I said poking fun at him.

“Please, I wouldn’t miss this little reunion for anything.” He said smiling back.

We laughed together as the waitress returned with our order. It was good to be with friends once more. It’s been difficult to keep in contact with everyone since we went separate ways three years ago, most because we all had something we needed to do, like Doctor Nash and his project in Salinstick.

We waited for a few minutes more, the good doctor drowning his second mug of ale and me eating my meat pie when we heard the tavern door open. Taking a look at the entrance I could see a large man get in, his dark hair and robust complexion were a contrast to the full plate armor that shone in the torch light, encrusted in said armor was the sword and scales, symbol of the god of justice.

He looked around the tavern his stern expression softening when he saw us. He walked to our table and said “Good to see that we are not too late!”.

“Ivan, it’s nice to see you!” I said standing up to greet him “And, ‘we’?”

Coming from behind him was the small form of Michaela. The little half-elf was smiling at us beaming with pure joy. She was wearing her white and green robes, the crescent moon symbol of her goddess was adorning a medallion around her neck.

“Nero, it’s so good to see you!” she said embracing me in a tight hug. As I returned the hug she gave me a kiss on my cheek, giggling she went to do the same to Doctor Nash.

“I’m glad that you both came. Was the journey here difficult?” I said pulling up two chairs for them at our table.

“Not so much, with Ivan to help me it was very peaceful.” Michaela said smiling to Ivan, I have to give him credit since he only blushed a little.

“If one thing is certain is that the Tauron Empire does manage to patrol its main roads very often. It made our lives easier. At least one good thing came through all the trouble we had with these minotaurs”.

There was a tinge of venom on his voice. A few months before our last adventure, the Tauron Empire started a war against the Kingdom, it came unannounced and unprovoked, the minotaur legions drove into the Kingdom taking country after country. One of those countries was Petrynia, one of the closest to the Empire previous borders.

Thing is the legions never really took Malpetrim, we along to several other groups of adventures fought to protect this city while under siege. Me, Nash, Ivan and our other friends were in the front line against the minotaurs. We eventually won, and Malpetrim was declared a free city, but I guess many of us still feel resentment for what they have done.

I cleared my throat and tried very hard to change the subject to something more pleasant “Anyways. Any word from the others?”

Doctor Nash looked pensive for a moment, toying with his top hat before answering “Last I heard about Aran he was starting as a teacher at the Arcane Academy, he must be very busy since is test season this time of the year.”

I had to agree. Me, Nash and Aran had graduated at the Academy and test season was very difficult, not only for the students but also for the teachers.

“Elarah must still be at the resistance camp on Lamnor, so I don’t think she will be coming.” Michaela said sadly.

“And my good for nothing brother is in Valkaria, he said something about a job he needed to do there. Khalmyr help me if that trouble make get arrested again.”

“Then it means it will be only the four of us today.” I said with a sigh, this reunions between my friend and I are very difficult to arrange, and pains me to not have all of them together as we all hoped even if due of mere circumstance.

“We will just have to make do, then! Miss another round!” And with that Doctor Nash managed to lift our spirits and our night officially began.

~~*~~

“A tyromancer? As in cheese?” Doctor Nash asked me in completely disbelief.

It was late at night, several hours had come and gone thanks to the companionship of my friends. This hours were spent telling tales of our lives, duties and adventures that we had undergone in between our reunions.

Time were also spent drinking and eating more for ones than the others. Ivan as a paladin don’t drink at all, Michaela would drink from her mug in small sips, I had only water and ate my pie, that I shared with Michaela, and Nash was drinking from his fifth mug of ale, already feeling the effects of alcohol. Thankfully I knew it was only because of the occasion.

I was on the middle of the tale of one of my most weird adventures when Doctor Nash had question me and I couldn't help but laugh at his face when I started telling them about the powerful mage who's had dedicated all his life to the study of dairy products.

“Yes, the trial of cheeses I believe it was called. In which I had to traverse a path without inhaling the noxious gases produced by the mage’s grand and aged collection.” I said in moked theatrics.

Doctor Nash looked exasperated, Michaela giggled and Ivan just raised an eyebrow just as confused.

“But what exactly that mage hoped to accomplish by studying cheese?” Ivan asked me leaning in a bit more from his seat.

“Well, according to his notes he would use the concentrated smell from various cheeses to help him learn the secrets of some other world deity.”

That was too much for the good doctor. Doctor Nash facepalmed so hard that the slap sound had awaken a drunken customer at the bar.

“I give up! I will never understand these people.” He said in resignation, earning laughter from the rest of us.

The moment was cut short when the tavern door was open abruptly. We all tuned to see what was to come. From the cold of the night three minotaurs entered the hall, all of them wearing legionary armor, their leader was armed with a sword on his belt and a shield on his back, the other two were carrying axes.

They had stopped by the entrance, the waitress went to receive them asking if they needed a table. Their leader shoved past the waitress with a strength that made her fall to the floor, his hoofsteps sounding loud on the hardwood floor. He came to a stop at the center of the hall and looked around.

When his sight reached me he once stoic face contorted in anger and he yelled. “YOU!”

I narrowed my eyes at him but made no movements otherwise. The patrons of the tavern had fallen silent.

The three of them walked to our table, Ivan had pulled his shield and his hand was on his sword, Doctor Nash had his hand at his sides in arcane preparation, Michaela raised her hands in a small prayer and I readjusted my mask.

They stopped short of our table, their leader then started “Two days ago, an entire unit of legionaries was attacked and their cargo was stolen, witness report that it was the work of a man wearing all black and red, and we receive information that man was here.”

“That was you wasn’t there you little shit, you attacked our soldiers and stole their cargo!” he yelled once again pulling his weapon, the other two following suit.

“Yes, I attacked your men. But only because their cargo was nothing more than a group of elven slaves, captured from a village that your men burned to the ground!” I said raising from my seat and staring at their leader in the eye.

“Please, no fighting in my tavern!” the bartender called from behind the bar, but the minotaurs ignored him.

“Attacking soldiers of the Empire is a serious crime, you are to come with us to Tapista where you will receive your punishment.” he said this time with a sniger. “Of course, if you were to resist we would be forced to more extreme measures.”

I moved to stay in between the legionaries and my friends, I glanced at the bartender who was looking to us with worry. I gave him a silent nod and turned to legionary leader.

“Malpetrim is a free city, you have no authority here. But if you really want to talk about crimes, how about we talk how that unit of yours razed that village, how they killed almost all men and took all women and children to slavery? Who are you to call me a criminal when your soldiers commit such atrocities?”

Upon hearing my words his face once again contorted in anger, unleashing a primal roar he was flanked by the other two minotaurs and raised his sword to strike.

*VOOOP*

With a smooth movement I had released my sword from my back and has struck his descending weapon. The stunned legionary leader was now looking at his broken weapon, cut perfectly in half. The other minotaurs, the tavern’s patrons even the bartender were now staring slack-jawed to the golden blade I was now holding that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

With their leader still stunned, one of the axe wielding legionaries took a swing at me. I stepped back avoiding the attack and letting Ivan move forward in my place, shield raised. Ivan bashed the assailant with his shield, sending him tumbling to the ground unconscious and with a bloody snout.

The second legionary made mention to strike Ivan from his left flank, but froze in place. Doctor Nash had cast a paralyzing spell on him, turning him harmless. Their leader finally snapped out to reality, anger flooded his vision, he threw away his broken sword and shield using only his fist to attack.

It was Ivan's turn to step out of the way dodging the leader’s clumsy attack and giving me a chance to strike the leader with my sword. The legionary went down, wounded but alive. He coughed struggling to get up to no avail.

“Stay down. You’re finished!” I said to the fallen minotaur strapping my sword on my back.

“You -cough- should have killed me…”

“No, I didn’t. You are just a low ranking officer with visions of grandeur, that thought that taking down a rogue adventurer would be both easy and a great way to be promoted. Now go take a swim!”

Before he could react I snapped my fingers. A blue portal opened under their feet, letting them fall through it. They barely had a chance to scream before a loud splash was heard and the portal closed.

The tavern was silent for a moment, but this moment was short. Soon after the portal closed the tavern patrons that were watching our little drama cheered and applauded, raising their mugs to us in ovation. I gave a small nod to the bartender, who looked relieved that no blood was spilled, before we returned to our seats.

“ ‘Go take a swim’, really?” Nash asked once we had taken our places at the table and the chatter in the hall had died down.

“What? I dropped them at the harbor. It sounded appropriated.” I said chuckling a little.

Doctor Nash shook his head and was about to say something, but Ivan spoke first. “That sword, from where it came? I am sure that it wasn't with you before, also it’s different from your previous one, where did you get it?”

“I got it very recently.” I said tapping the sword on my back. “As for where it came from, it was with me the entire time. I had it concealed with magic. A very useful spell when carrying a claymore sized sword through the middle of town.”

Michaela until this point was very quiet. She was looking at me with concern, and finally asked

“Nero. What you said about the village. It was true?”

I stared at the table for a moment. There is no easy way around this, it's better to say the truth now.

“Unfortunately, yes. On my way here I came across a small unit of legionaries, they were transporting cages full of refugees being taken to slavery. I ambushed the unit and after I defeated them I freed the to be slaves. That’s when they told me about their village. I checked the location they gave me and indeed it was the scene of a massacre.”

Michaela stretched across the table placing her hands on mine. She gave me a look I knew all too well, one that was caring and worried at the same time.

“You should be more careful, attacking the minotaurs like this by yourself.”

“It was just a dozen or so legionaries. Nothing I can’t handle.” I said smiling down to her.

“Still you shouldn't be that reckless. I worry that one day you get hurt because you did something dangerous.”

“If that happens it's to protect others, that I assure you.”

This seemed to calm her. Michaela gave me a sad smile and a nod before sitting back at her chair. We stayed in silence for a while, the tavern's sounds of laughter and loud conversation being the only things that kept us from total stillness.

Clearing his throat Doctor Nash brought us back to reality. “Well, how about we go sleep for the night. It is getting pretty late.”

“Agreed, me and Michaela didn't get a chance to truly rest since we arive on Malpetrim.” Ivan said with a nod.

“Shall I talk to the innkeeper then?” I said getting up.

Doctor Nash waved off my question and said “I already took care of that. Our rooms are paid for the night, and we can stay 'till tomorrow.”

~~*~~

The morning started with a brisk breeze from the sea. The salty winds rolled over the streets of Malpetrim during dawn. As ever I had awaken at the first rays of the sun, and now I was admiring the sunrise from the outside of the tavern. It was calm, a moment of peace in this bustling mercantile city.

I was lost in thought, thinking about where to go next and what to do when I get there. I thought about this world, Arton, with all its troubles, all its kingdoms and magic. I thought about my friends here, where all of them have found their place in this world I had not.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by a hand on my back. Tuning I saw Michaela at my side.

“I knew you would be here, you were always the first to wake up from everyone. Sometimes just so you could see the sunrise.” she said getting closer and leaning on the rail at the side of the street.

“Mornings are my favorite time of the day. Everything always looks so peaceful at the early hours.” I said turning back to the sunrise. The sun was already above the horizon, starting its slow ascent to the sky.

We stood together like this for some time, resting our weights on the railing. Every now and again I would glance at Michaela at my side, she looked sad, worried and although I knew what was wrong I had to ask.

“Michaela, is something wrong?”

“You are going to leave again, don’t you?” she said without looking, more an affirmation than a question.

“Yes...”I said with a sigh.

“Oh…” She said looking down, suddenly finding the cracks on the stone very interesting. “Can't you stay a little longer?”

“Maybe a little but not long. I need to go back traveling soon, I still have to find my home.” I said placing my hand on her shoulder.

Michaela didn't respond right away. She stood there staring at the sunrise for a moment, letting the winds from the sea roll over us as the city started to wake up.

“You know…” she started “They say that home is where the heart is. And I never felt more at home than traveling with everyone.”

I looked at her but said nothing. This was something new and important, something that I felt I needed to listen.

“We were always on the road.” she continued “We never stayed in the same town for very long, but I never felt happier than amongst our friends. We would stop in a small village for the night, Nash would search for people to cure with his medicine, Elarah would search shelter and food, Aran would run to the nearest library.” she giggled at what I’m lead to believe a memory of our friend’s enthusiasm when looking for new spell books at a library.

“I would help Nash taking care of his patients, Ven would get in trouble only for Ivan to help him out. And you would search for people to help, no matter how poor they were, or from what race you'd always listen to them and try to help. And all of this made me happy.” She gave a sad smile, still not looking at me.

Michaela gave a heavy sigh before speaking again. “But as days passed I realized that no matter where we were, either on the road or in a village you never was comfortable. You were always trying to adjust, to fit in for our sake, but I now see that you couldn't.”

Michaela then turned to face me. Staring into my eyes I could see that small tears forming on hers.

“Your heart was never in this world, was it?” she asked me very calmly, but the height of the question still hung in the air around us.

“No, It is not.” I said in a low voice. To this day I still feared what could be her reaction, but instead of the hundreds horrible scenarios going to my head she just smiled.

“I knew it.” she said giggling and to my complete surprise embraced me into a hug “And yet you still make a great effort to keep in touch with us. You never change, always thinking about others!”

I was still dumbfounded by her actions but returned the hug nonetheless. We parted soon and we returned our attention to the horizon. The city around us started to wake even more as merchants prepared for another busy day.

“It's not that I don’t like Arton.” I said “I just feel that my place is elsewhere. Does it make sense?”

“You mean your world?” she asked turning to me again.

“I honestly don’t even know if I will ever find my world anymore. And even if do find it, who knows how long I was gone, and if my family is still alive.”

Michaela looked thoughtful for a second, she then took my hands on hers.

“Promise me something. Promise me that no matter what you will find someplace that can make you happy, a place where you can call home.”

I once again, for what may be the hundredth time that mourning, stared down into her eyes. That jade orbs stared me back full of love, compassion and most of all determination.

I smiled at her, for it was my turn to embrace her into a hug. “I promise Michaela. I will find my home, be it my world or another, I will find it and when I do I will show it to you and say ‘This is my home, come visit me anytime!’”

Michaela laughed as she allowed me to pick her up in my grip. She then went mysteriously quiet. I looked at her to see what was wrong and saw she was blushing slightly.

“Umm.. Nero could you give me one of those hugs?” she asked her face became even hotter than before.

I mere chuckled at that and said. “Fine.”

From my back muscle and bone shifted and expanded. In seconds two leathery wings sprouted from my back, passing through special cuts in the fabric of my clothes and growing to a spawn of twice my size. Giving my wings a small flap, I carefully folded them around Michaela’s body, covering her entirely and pressing her even tighter against me.

She closed her eyes and smiled in my grasp.

Author's Note

And so the story begins.
Of course many maybe asking: "Dude, where are the ponies?". And to this I say: "They are comming!"

This chapter was more of a background chapter, stabilishing characters and concepts that I will use futher on the story. Besides a bit of development. Development is always good. Right?

Anyways... The adventures on Equestria start for real at the next chapter. This is my first story ever, so any criticism is apreciated. Hope you guys like it. Bye!

Chapter 2 - A Whole New World

It was the afternoon of the day after our meeting at the tavern. Me and my friends, having spend the day together were crossing the open air market towards the west gate, where Doctor Nash, Ivan and Michaela would depart to their homes and I would began my travels in order to find mine.

The salty winds of the sea mixed with the smells coming from several stores and stands, the variety of food it can be found on Malpetrim’s market are only overshadowed by the number of goods available to sell. Malpetrim may be a city of adventurers but, it is also a mercantile city, where merchants from all over Arton come to sell their wares.

We left the city chatting amicably. Doctor Nash and Ivan discussed the best route to travel, I would provide my input following what I saw on my way to the city. Michaela kept telling me to to write more often and invited us to her daughter's birthday in a few months.

Not far from the city, on a crossroads it was time to say our goodbyes. Each of my friend made me promise to come and see them as soon as I could, and with a final hug from Michaela, it was time.

I took a few steps back and with a gesture a circle of light appeared under my feet. Shining with a myriad of colours, several runes rose up from the circle beams of light and magic trailing behind them in an almost rainbow pattern.

The runes swirled around me, leaving behind their trails of light, tracing patterns in the air. When they finally stopped, I was in the center of a dome made of arcane scriptures drawn by the runes. They spined slightly aligning themselves, then they stopped and shone brightly, in a flash the world disappeared to me.

~~*~~

Arton was gone, or at least that was my point of view. Because I know that in reality, I was gone for Arton.

I stared at an endless blackness, dotted by millions of tiny lights like stars in the night sky. except that here, there is no ground. No earth, or sky, no air nor gravity. No points of reference, only the empty blackness.

This was the Void, the Great Chasm, the Place in Between, and a number of others monikers, a list as big as my arm. This was the space inbetween worlds, the only connection of all creations. Each of those tiny light represent a dimension, one of many possibilities created through sheer luck, or the design of something bigger.

And I have visited many of them, a number very small in comparison with all the infinity there is. For I am a Planeswalker, a dimensional traveler, He who walks through alien winds, and another list of monikers as big as my arm.

Traveling between worlds is not an easy feat. It's required a lot of knowledge and power just to travel to the closest of planes, and a lot more to do what I do. And it’s not like I could just pick one of those lights and say “There is where I want to go!”. There is no directions on the Void, no way of telling which world to go next.

It took me a long time to figure out how to travel to worlds I already visited, by assigning them addresses using Arton as a reference point. But to move forward, it’s always a mystery.

The space around me shifted, a tunnel formed around me. It was composed mainly by energy, several golden scriptures written on its ‘walls’ spined gently. The tunel was my guidance to the other dimension, I floated down its length spotting a bright light on its end.

It was so gradual that at first I didn’t notice the vibrations, until I was close to the light. Suddenly there was a surge of energy, the runes on the tunnel gyrated madly, trying to compensate for the large amount of energy flowing into the tunnel.

Before I could react, from the light came another surge impacting me head on. I struggled under the pressure of this foreign force, but another surge washed over the tunnel. My senses were overwhelmed, and my body spasmed, being trashed by the energy within the tunnel.

When I felt a third surge coming from the light, I was surprised to find that it did not brought any pain, but instead a sensation of warmth and comfort. I was dazed by the experience and my consciousness faded. The light became brighter meaning that I was almost reaching my destination but, I was not awake to see it. Before passing out, another wave of energy washed through me, and this time I could almost see it had a pink hue to it.

~~*~~

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping, it was difficult to remain aware however, and I was surprised to find that I wanted more to go back to sleep than to get up. I was feeling comfortable and relaxed. Odd considering what happened back in the Void, but it is better than pain, so I’m not one to complain.

I was laying on my belly on the ground, I could feel the blades of grass tickling my stomach. Meaning that I was either unclothed or my shirt have been ripped on my landing. Feeling more awake I opened my eyes. I was in a grove on some kind of forest, it was dark but not much so, meaning it was either very early in the morning or late evening.

I blinked trying to remove the remains of sleep of my eyes, raising my head I started looking around the grove and despite the low light I could see perfectly well. I was surrounded by oak trees in a almost perfect circle, the ground was covered in health looking grass, growing larger in some patches. A few bushes and shrubbery grew under the trees, and wildflowers grew freely, giving the land a variety of colours.

I looked up beyond the canopy of trees, the deep blue sky was covered in stars, forming constellations that I didn’t recognise. Puffy clouds floated above, a golden hue tinged their form adding contrast to the already beautiful sky. It was morning then, all the better, it would be easier to explore this world by day.

I closed my eyes, stretching my arms outwards. I noticed that moment that I couldn't feel my hands. I opened my eyes in order to inspect my arms, but I found myself staring at two completely strange limbs. The appendages in front of me, where my arms supposed to be, were covered in light gray fur and ended in some kind of bony stub.

I turned one of them around, marveling in its mobility similar to my arms and yet their different appearances, looking closer at the stub that made the end of this new appendage I realised it looked much like a hoof.

I sat there a bit dumbstruck by what I was seeing, it was weird to think of that hoof as my own. I moved it around and it responded to my commands, and at some extend it mirrored the movement of my normal arm.

A small breeze rolled through the grove, it brought with it a muffled sensation to my body. I tried to look at myself, craning my neck back as much as I could, which surprisingly was much more that I ever could before. I noticed that I was indeed unclothed, but that was only an afterthought.

My body was gone, at least gone as it used to be. I found myself looking at a small furred body, the same dark gray fur covering it entirely, with proportions similar to a small horse or a pony, my still leathery wings were neatly folded at my sides, though their spaw seemed to be smaller, more fitting to my smaller frame. Briefly, I tried to move them, and they obeyed just the same as the ones my human self would had.

My wings spread wide, I gave them a small flap to make sure they were okay. Both of them responded flawlessly giving me a sense of relief and satisfaction, and making something flicker at the corner of my eye. I focused on something just behind my rear, it flickered again revealing itself to be a tail. Even in the low light I could discern its colour, a dark blue tail, with stripes of a lighter blue coursing through it.

I watched in fascination this new appendage, I managed to move it with a little effort, making it sway from one side to the other and flicking it so it was draped across my back. I realized then I was still laid down on the ground. Using my fore hooves I pushed myself to a sitting position, my new forelegs were a bit unstable, but they managed to hold my weight.

The sun's light grew brighter in that few moments and the world around me began to awake. The grove was filled with the sound of birds singing, and I could hear a few bushes rustling as small creatures passed by them. I took one more moment to inspect myself, this time bringing a hoof to my face, feeling around my new muzzle and tuffy ears, but what surprised me was what I assumed to be a pair of fangs poking out of my mouth.

Using the morning light I searched for my equipment. I was not wearing my clothes, they could be either lost or destroyed, I was not sure, but I was more concerned with my sword and my STATS.

Looking around, it was fairly easy to find the STATS, it was sitting beneath a tree not very far away from where I was. I tried to get up, pushing my hind legs so I was standing in all fours, but I was unsteady and wobbly. I extended my wings in order to help me keep balance, with this new pony body, comes a new center of gravity, one that I was not used with and unconsciously tried to correct.

I took a deep breath, and tried to relax. Letting my body re-assert itself, I was able to stand properly. I looked again at my STATS, it couldn’t be more than three or four meters away and yet, the distance appeared to be far greater in my circumstances.

Slowly I placed my right foreleg ahead, followed by left hind one. One step, it was progress. I placed my left foreleg forward, then my right hind one. Careful as I could I alternated this two movements, learning the pattern and committing them to memory. It wasn’t long that I could fold my wings, not needing them to keep balance anymore, and I was trotting through the grove.

It was a bit clumsy, but I couldn’t complain. I was practicing for only ten minutes.

I made my way to the STATS. It was a small device, made to fit around my arm, but was extremely useful. It served me as a personal computer able to interact to several kinds of technologies, it displayed the conditions of my body and health, and had the capabilities to digitalize other equipment or objects that I needed.

I picked the STATS up in between my hooves. Normally it should have responded to touch, but it remain silent. I frowned at it, this wasn’t expected. It was a very resilient machine, it was very difficult to damage it and yet despite my best attempts to activate it, it remained unresponsive.

Had I been a human I could dismantle the STATS to see what was the problem and fix it. I brought a hoof to my face, inspecting it. There is no way I could safely fix the STATS with hooves, at least not without the proper tools.

I sighed placing the device back down. I could see much clearer now. The sun was shining higher in the sky, its rays slipping through the canopy of the trees. A cool breeze rolled through the grove, bringing with it the smell of morning dew. It was setting for a perfect day, and despite all that was happened I could help to relish in its peace.

Yet, one thing was missing from the picturesque morning, one that would not be there had I not come to this world, but one that the simple fact that it was missing from my view was worrisome. My sword was nowhere to be found.

I gingerly picked my STATS in my mouth, holding it between my teeth, and started to search around the grove for my missing sword. I searched in the bushes and looked up to the tree branches. I searched, giving the entire grove a once over, but in spite my efforts my sword was nowhere in the immediate area.

It was very difficult to have missed a 140 centimeters¹ golden sword while looking through a mildly dense woods. The only explanation I could come up with, was that I must have been separated from my sword while still on the Void, but chances are that I’m not too far from where it fell. That being the case there was only one way to find its location.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I concentrated on my inner magic, trying to bring it to the surface like I have done many times before. However, my magic seemed strange, not really different, but I felt a sort of dissonance between it and something around me. Ignoring it for the moment I focussed on my task, expanding my senses, letting me feel this world magic flow.

To say that I was shocked might be an understatement.

The world around me seemed to have acquired a strange gleam, similar as to how light refracts on a crystal, displaying a myriad of colours. This world magic permeates the land, flowing freely and unobstructed through the air, coursing through the trees and its leaves. It shone through the soil, and was embedded in every living thing I could see.

I was shocked. I was amazed. Mesmerized by the softly glow that the world had attained. Never before had I found a world with such amount of raw magic. I extended a bit of my own magic in order to feel this world’s better, but I found the dissonance that I had felt before, coming from between the two energies, so I retracted my own.

In my experience, magic works differently from each world. Sometimes the reason is found in the source of magic, or the frequency that it operates. The amount of magic also changes in each world. Although I admit, that was the first time I saw a world that seemed to be flooded with it.

Observing the magic flowing around me, I started to notice a certain familiarity to it. Something about its gentle and almost soothing glow it gave the grove, reminded me of the energy I encountered while approaching this dimension. Except that the magic around me is much more raw than the energy on the Void, less focused and more disperse.

If it was this world magic that I came across in the Void, perhaps is that the cause of my transformation? That is a question that I cannot answer right now, but one thing is clear, due to the dissonance between my magic and this world’s, I won’t be able to sense my sword magic aura.

At that thought a frown settled on my face. The dissonance itself shouldn't be a problem, with time as I stay in this world and slowly absorb more its magic into myself both magical energies should harmonise naturally. The real worry was just letting my sword laying around, although its safeguards will prevent any how come across it to even lift it, if someone would be more forceful the sword would repel the person, quite aggressively at times.

I sat there, the same frown on my face, in deep contemplation. I must have stayed very still and quiet for some time, for I was stirred from my thoughts by a bird that decided to land on top of my head. I dumbly tried moving my head to look at it, only for the little thing to fly away chirping. One of its feathers fell away, floating down in small loops until it landed on top of my nose. I crossed my eyes to look at it, then with an itch on my nose, I sneezed it away.

I couldn't help but laugh. In the middle of all this weirdness it's good to have something, however small, to bring the spirits up. In a strange way it made me feel better.

The situation was not as dire as it looked. Yes, my lack of functioning equipment may be a problem in the long run, but it not a unsolvable problem. The transformation although a nuisance, already feel more natural and I feel it won’t be a disability for long. Not only that but this world, or at least the surrounding area is not hostile, which is more that I can say to other worlds that I have visited.

With newfound determination, I decided to brave this world, at least to the point I recover my sword. Looking at the sun I noticed that it was rising higher in the sky. Using its position on my right as east, it would help me navigate through the land. But before I set out in a journey that could take days, maybe I could try one more thing.

One of my most immediate problems is the lack of carrying space for supplies due to the transformation and my broken STATS. I have learned many thing on my travels between worlds, and one of them is no matter where you are you should always keep a steady supply of essentials with you. Things like rations and water are priorities in any situations.

Another thing I've learned is that is always useful to have someplace to store anything that you might need later. And maybe I can do something that might solve both of these needs.

I concentrated on my magic again, I could still feel the ever present dissonance, and hoped it wouldn’t be a issue for what I was about to do. I focussed my magic on my mind, running through the several runes and words that made the spell, the preparations were complete in seconds. “Chest!” I said, directing my magic outwards, casting the spell.

At my word a dark wood ark appeared from what seemed thin air. Its silver trim shone in the sun light, and engraved in gold were arcane runes running alongside its bottom just above its trim. Runes of translocation, preservation and holding all meticulously draw onto the wood in order to it to be summoned with a spell.

For a moment the sight of the well crafted ark made me smile, but it was just a moment for I felt an immense force pressing down on me from all sides.

The pressure made me fell on the ground, holding my head on my hooves. The sensation was very similar to dive into deep ocean and having the enormous sea pressure all around you, accompanied by the drowning that came with the lack of required diving equipment. It didn’t last long, but the experience left me gasping for air on the ground struggling to breathe, and a mild migraine.

Getting up was a bit of a chore, as I gasped for air with burning lungs and a throbbing headache. I never thought that a disharmony between two magical energies would result in such severe backlash. I was half expecting the spell to fail altogether, but not… this.

Slowly, I made my way to my summoned ark. Despite the functionality of the STATS in digital storage, it have two great defects. One: it can’t digitize items bigger than what I could carry on my hands in its limited storage space, so weapons, some specialized equipment and normal supplies like food and water are okay.

And two: it can’t store magical items. Magic and digital storage technology simply don’t mix. Hence the reason I have a, normally, easy summoned chest with some things I couldn’t keep on my person all the time. But because of how this disharmony between magics can affect me, I will need to keep spell use on the down low for some time.

Opening the ark, I examined its contents. There wasn’t much left inside, but I did kept there my old backpack which I could use. At least that was the plan. But looking at it now, I don’t know if it will do. My forelegs seems to possess the same range of motion as my arms, so the problem wasn’t that it wouldn’t fit, but it would be very difficult to keep its contents from spilling all over.

From the corner of my eye, behind the backpack I spotted something familiar. Getting some stuff out of the way I found an old saddlebag that I must have stored here ages ago. This was a saddlebag given to me as a gift from a horse breeder after I helped protect his animals from a predator.

I stared at it for a minute, it was made of a very sturdy material of deep purple color, three silver arrows heads joined by a blue gem made its clasps. I must have placed it there about a year ago, forgotten mostly because there was never need of it, I rarely ride horses because I can always fly or use others means of transportation. And it just sat there, waiting.

I tried to hold it on my fore hooves, but it escaped my almost non existent grasp. I pondered on how to pick it up, then I reached down and picked it by its strap with my mouth. Craning my neck back I dropped the saddlebag between my flanks. It sat snugly on my body giving me a sense of satisfaction that made me smile.

Satisfied and with nothing else useful to pick up from the chest, I promptly closed it. No soon the ark was closed it faded to the ether from whence it came. With the ark gone, and a suitable means for carrying supplies, I gently slipped the STATS into my saddlebags. Maybe, once I find some shelter and once I can use my magic again I could fix it.

I took another look at the woods around me. It was still a bit early in the morning, so I still had the whole day to explore. But as for right now I decided to head south, if there is any kind of civilization in this world I would have better chances on finding any villages going south than any other direction. I could fly, but I have no idea if a flying pony like me was going to be a welcome sight in this world, besides I need to practice walking more.

A small breeze blew through the trees, and the morning sun shone brightly on my back. I finally set out to explore this brand new world. A world that seems so similar to any other but that possess more magic than any. And here I was, stranded with no magic or equipment, in a body very different from my own. In all I was very excited.

It was high time to see what awaited me beyond the horizon.

Author's Note

¹140cm = 55,11in

And here it is, chapter 2.
To be honest it was a bit of a headache to write this one. I felt that I needed to explain a lot of things and the character was stuck on the fase of "access your situation" the entire time.

I will try to make the next chapter more enjoyable.

Updates will not be very consistent, I'm a very slow writer, but I will try my best.

Chapter 3 - The River, The Town and The Pink Pony

Author's Note

Well, it's finaly here. Sorry for the delays, I supposed to have this done much earlier in the month, but between my computer breaking and the internet crashing, I had a lot to deal with first. at least I had fun writing it.

Beware of typos, and enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 3 - The River, The Town and The Pink Pony

The sounds of the woods accompanied me through my walk, from the creaks of wood and rustling of leaves to the chirping of birds and the sound of small paws running on the ground. It must have been only a couple of hours since I first arrived in this new world, the sun rose taking his place on the blue sky as I travelled south, and as the morning progressed the temperature increased slightly but it remained comfortable.

For the duration of my walk, there was no certain path or road to guide my, admittedly, still bumbling hooves. The woods although not very dense, didn't provided much in terms of landmarks in order to orient myself, but I was happy that it also didn't impeded me with a number of obstacles for me to work around, and so I was able to cover a decent amount of ground.

I walked at a steady pace, paying as much attention at my surroundings as possible, a fact made easier for what seemed to be a more accurate sense of hearing given to me by my new form, although as the day became brighter I found myself squinting when under some of the less protected patches of land by the canopy of trees. I didn't feel threatened, since I got here I had a constant feeling of calm around me, my attention was instead focused on finding food and appreciating the scenery.

It wasn’t long before my sensitive ears picked a very low sound, unconsciously flickering in its direction. I was able to discern it as the low hum of moving water. Realizing now of how thirsty I really was, I moved toward the sound. Picking up my pace to an almost gallop, the oak trees and shrubbery of the woods parted to give way to the welcoming sight of a stream.

I stumbled to a halt as I approached the stream. The clear water flowed at a gentle pace, allowing me a view to the river bank below. The water appeared to be safe to drink, but I still lowered my head and gave it a sniff. Making sure I couldn't smell anything on the water, I dipped my muzzle into the river taking big gulps to satiate my thirst.

The first mouthful came with a bit of sediment stirred from my enthusiasm, but the others came clean. The water was fresh and I was a bit disappointed that I didn't have my canteen in order to take some with me. The canteen was, of course, inside of the STATS, and it was unavailable for use.

With a last drink of water, I raised my head again, using the back of a foreleg to wipe its remains from my lips. My thirst sated and happy that I was able to find a good source of water, I decided to look around the river that run through the forest, until something caught my eye. Drawing my attention to its waters was my reflection, for the first time since I arrived in this world I could see how I really looked like.

The creature that looked me back could be a pony, but it was very different from any that I have seen before. The dark gray fur that covered my body spread to my head, which although recognizable as a pony's was rounder with a larger forehead than a normal pony. My eyes now big and expressive changed from light blue to a dark, almost jade, green and its pupils were slitted like a cat's.

From the top of my head sprouted two fluffy ears. My muzzle was smaller than one would think, square in its proportions with a pair of fangs peeking out of my mouth. My curiosity perked I opened my mouth and slid my tongue through my teeth, they were mostly flat with the exception of the canines, the fang like teeth were surprisingly sharp.

Looking at my reflection it was bizarre to think of myself as the creature that stared at me back from the water. I looked, dare say, cute.

Shaking my head, I moved away from the water before more intrusive thoughts could take hold. Next to the stream on the tree line there was a few berry bushes, deciding that it was a good time as any for a break I made my way towards them. Pulling the branches of the bushes with my hoof, I ate directly from them, carefully to pick only the berries that looked ripe.

I pondered my situation. Following the river seemed a good idea, it would keep me close to a source of water and these berries seemed to grow alongside it. A meager source of food, but food nonetheless. The only question is which way to go. The river cut the woods east to west and either direction seemed equally promising.

In my experience, civilization can be build basically anywhere, but are more common to the south and east cardinals, being next to a river only increases my chances. Finishing my snack, I decided to follow the river east.

Trotting alongside the stream was easier than making a path straight through the woods, the river side was clean of littering, only with fallen leaves and bushes to block my way. The walk was pleasant having the sun on my back to warm my wings, and a light breeze so not make it too overbearing. If I had to make a guess I would say it was mid-spring. The sky was mostly free of clouds, the weather was not too hot and a bit humid. Yes definitely spring.

Distracted as I was I suddenly tripped on a fallen branch, almost sending me straight into the river water. Collecting myself from my stumble, I was reminded that I was yet to familiarize myself to this body completely. Which required that I focus on where I’m going instead of thinking about the weather.

I groaned due to my own carelessness, and promptly returned to my path east alongside the river.

~~*~~

It was a couple of hours after I had my little break, and the mid-morning sun was a third of its way from its zenith. My decision of following the river proved to be a wise choice, although not father from where I rested the river made a slight bend becoming wider and its waters faster. Travelling on its shore indeed allowed me to make much more progress than weaving through the middle of the woods, my only oversight was thinking that the berry bushes I had found before were plentiful.

There was indeed berry bushes growing alongside the river, but they were few and far between, not enough to satiate my hunger, only providing a little relief. If I wish, I assume I could hunt one of the small animals that roamed the woods, I'm not entirely against bunny meat. But I'm not sure that would be agreeable with my new body, unfamiliar with my new anatomy as I am.

I know for certain that in some circumstances horses are capable of eating meat, but is this applied to alien ponies from another dimension? I rather not risk it yet.

Placing my concern of the alimentary habits of my new form aside, I was astounded how similar this world is to others I have visited. Walking through the forest, I observed both plant and animal life, trees and bushes, flowers and grass, birds and squirrels, so many similar species to other worlds. This should not be a surprise, I found worlds that were almost carbon copies from one another, similarities are to be expected, but what confuse me in this one is with all the raw magic that freely flows, one would expect a more arcane-centric number of species. Be it animal or vegetal, I am still to found one that evolved in order to adapt to the excessive amount of magic.

I was still following the river when the trees began to become more scarce, soon the woods gave way to grassland, grassy hills as far I could see encompassed by a mountain range to the north. The river followed along through the new terrain, coursing through where I could see the silhouette of a town in the distance.

The sight filled me with excitement, making my wings flex eager to take to the skies and fly straight towards the buildings. I resisted the impulse, deciding it was better to approach the village, slash possible town, cautiously than to land right in the middle of it. And yet I found myself yearning to take to the skies, to feel the winds blowing under my wings and the total sense of freedom.

Since I first got my wings years ago, flying is one of my most pleasurable hobbies, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. My wings flexed again and I finally surrendered to its wishes and with might flap I took flight. Flying as a pony was a bit different than as a human, and once again I found myself trying to compensate for a center of gravity that wasn’t there.

Once I stopped fighting my instincts and let my body right itself on the air, I flew towards the town. I could see the pastel colored buildings spreading across the valley between the mountain range of north and hills on the south. The river actually passing through town before making its way south where I could see lots of farmland, including an extensive orchard.

I couldn't help but to be nervous. Here I was, about to make contact to whatever beings live on this world. I've had such encounters before, but I can't say that all of them went well. Sometimes small cultural differences or even a slip of tongue was all it takes for any interaction to go sour. Add the fact that I'm not even in my original body and it's enough to make my nerves fray.

I landed heavily on the very outskirts of town, trying to avoid anyone to see me just yet. I stumbled out of my landing, never had been good at it to begin with, and started to look around. Thankfully there was no one in the immediate area, only having a few houses around. The houses were more akin to cottages, made of timber framed wood and thatched roofs, most of them had little gardens adjacent to them growing flower and vegetables alike.

The town looked quaint, very reminiscent of an old style farming village and yet retained some sense of modern organization to it, having even a few lamp posts here and there. I looked around as I walked through its streets towards the town center, trying to absorb more of the scenery, when I heard an intake of breath from my side.

“Oh my gosh! I found you!”

I wiped my head around to the source of the voice, only to have two big blue eyes immediately overcome my vision. Startled I took a step back, to see next to me a bright pink pony.

“Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie! You must be new in town, because I know everypony in town and I don't know you. And just this morning I was baking a fresh new batch of cupcakes for Mrs. Cake, when my knee got twitchy and my nose got itchy, which made me go like ‘Gasp! New Pony!’. I went all around town searching for the new pony, but I couldn't find him, or her, anywhere and was starting to get sad thinking that the new pond had already left, until I saw you landing over there and thought ‘Hey, I don't know this pony. He must be new!’ and now that you are here, I can finally give you your welcome to Ponyville!”

The pony spoke in an high pitched voice, which made me assume it was female, before giving an excited squeal and plastering a huge grin on her face.

I was aware that my mouth was hanging open. The pony in front of me looked much like what I think I’ve been transformed. She was a bit smaller than I was, having a light pink coat with bouncy darker pink mane. Her eyes were a vivid baby blue both having a gleam of happiness behind them that spoke of intense desire to spread it. She bounced in place with an almost endless energy share only by her ability to talk without stop to take a breath.

Was that per chance how the inhabitants of this world look like? Have I've been transformed in one of them? By whom, or what? Was it because of magic? These questions raptly crossed my mind, but I didn't had time nor the means to answer them for the pony, Pinkie Pie, resumed talking.

“So, what's your name?” she asked, and briefly stopped bouncing.

“Uh… Nero. My name is Nero Swordhunter.” I answered still a bit wary of the pink pony.

“Ooh, Never had heard a name like that before.” she said with surprising interest. “Where you from? Going to stay on Ponyville for long?”

At first I would be nervous to have someone come at me out of nowhere and started making these kind of questions, especially after I just arrived in town. But the way that she looked and talked betrayed nothing but genuine interest, curiosity and excitement. Relaxing a bit I said:

“Well, I'm traveler, but I'm kind of looking for someplace to settle down. So, I may be staying for awhile.” I said trying dodge the first question and sticking to my usual story.

“Oh! You should definitely move in and come live on Ponyville. This is just THE most friendly place in all of Equestria!” she said excitedly and then struck a proud pose “We ponies of Ponyville, proud ourselves of being the most friendly and welcoming ponies around. Never anypony visiting our dear town was left without a warm welcome, a big smile and a party!” she ended in a serious tone and then bursting into giggles.

I couldn't help but to chuckle along. She sounded so serious and yet with a lightheartedness that was both heartwarming and funny. She seemed pleased at my laughter and beamed even more at it, returning to bounce in place. When our laughing fit died down I decided to ask her some questions.

“So Pinkie, this is the first time that I'm visiting Ponyville. Do you know anyplace that I could spend the night?”

“Oh yeah! You could spend the night on Ponyville Inn. They got a bunch of rooms for rent very cheap! And they aren't usually crowded, so it must be fine.” she said nodding her head.

That sounded great actually, a warm bed and a good meal were exactly the things I needed. But I had no way for paying for any of it. I suppose I could find some work in town, but I don't know if I would be receiving any payment early enough for me to spend the firsts nights on the Inn. Maybe I could sell some items, but with almost all that I have digitized on the STATS that would be impossible.

My worries must have been showing, for Pinkie stopped bouncing, concern filled her features, especially her eyes which looked at me meeting mine directly. “Is something wrong?” she asked me, her mane slightly deflated. Alarmed by her sudden change of behavior, I was quick in trying to assure her.

“Um… yes Pinkie, everything is fine. It's just, recently there was an accident, I'm fine I assure you, but most of my gear got lost. So I don't have any money on me right now, and that got me a bit worried.” I said rubbing the back of my head.

I wasn’t expecting what happened next, for Pinkie crossed the distance between us engulfing me in a tight hug, pinning my forelegs and wings under the embrace. I actually caught me blushing at the sudden proximity, she was soft and her coat warm to the touch. The fact that she smelled of powdered sugar and baked goods also didn't helped anything.

“Oh, your poor thing.”she said hugging me even tighter, to the point it made me worried that one of my ribs would break. She then suddenly let go, and without any support I fell to the ground free of her grasp, but struggling to stand. With a foreleg still around my whiters she spoke again, smiling once more. “Trust me, everything is going to be fine. Here have a cupcake, it always makes me feel better when I'm sad.” Pinkie then promptly pulled a green frosting cupcake out of her puffy mane.

“Uh, Thanks?” I said as I holded the offered treat on the flat of my hoof. I was confused of why would she keep a cupcake on her mane, and a bit skeptical on eating it. It did look good though, without any signs of strands of pink hair on it.

“Uhm. If you can’t stay on the Inn, maybe you could stay with me or one of my friends!” Pinkie said as she lightly rubbed a hoof under her chin. “I would have to ask Mr. and Mrs. Cake if you could stay there for the night. Or maybe Rarity or Applejack could, they have very spacious houses. Oh, maybe Twilight could help!”

“Listen Pinkie.” I interrupted her after finishing the delicious lime frosting creme filled cupcake. “I'm grateful for the offer, but I really don't want to impose on er- anypony. Besides, I was thinking on taking a job in town, maybe I could find somepony, willing to pay me enough for a day's work so I could rent a room at the Inn.” She seemed a bit disappointed at that, but kept smiling and nodded.

“Okay. That could work too, many ponies in town need help. But if you need, my offer still stands, allright? she said in a reassuring tone.

It was my time to smile at her “Agreed. So, Uh, if is not too much to ask. Do you mind showing me around?”

She perked up almost instantly at my request. She jumped a pony's height in the air giving a thrilling affirmative, then bounced around me for a moment before turning to town and motioning for me to follow. There was something about Pinkie that made me like her. She was a person, well pony, that wore her heart on her proverbial sleeve. In this brief moment which we talked, she surprised me with a very sweet personality and exuberant attitude. If all ponies are like this maybe my stay on this world won't be so bad. I adjusted my saddlebags on my back and followed her into Ponyville.

I followed close to Pinkie Pie as we made our way to the town proper, keeping up with her wasn’t difficult despite her energetic behavior. I eyed my companion and guide with interest, due to our proximity I was able to notice an image of three balloons on her flanks. I found it odd, and considered asking for its meaning but thought better of it.

We chatted amicably as we walked, she seemed really interested in getting to know me better, although I avoided any questions that could indicate I'm not from this world. Instead I would redirect the conversation towards others subjects, like where she worked, or what she liked to do around town. If she notice anything she didn't say, and was happy to indulge me.

The further we got into town, more my view would be filled with ponies. Although the streets of Ponyville was not a bustling chaos like many cities, there was plenty of ponies walking around, doing various activities. For my surprise, there wasn’t just a type of pony, both unicorn and pegasi shared the space with normal ponies like Pinkie. For a moment I was worried for I didn’t see anypony with leathery wings and fangs like me, but it didn’t bother Pinkie and other than a few curious looks no one had said anything.

It was interesting to watch this community, the very sense of familiarity mixed with the novelty of it all. Ponies would walk about taking care of their business, the pegasi would normally fly around, unless when accompanied by an earth bound companion like I was. Most fascinating were the unicorns, where pegasi and normal ponies would carry things on their backs, wing, or hooves, unicorns would wrap items in a magical aura using their horns and lifted them around. I momentarily observed as a mint green unicorn accompanied by a cream colored mare lifted two bags, of what I assumed to be groceries, and walked away chatting.

Curiously, all the ponies I could see had some kind of tattoo on its flanks. They ranged from the mundane to the completely strange. From plants and flowers to stars, clouds and music notes. The pegasi appeared to have tattoos more related to the weather while the normal ponies had more down to earth types and unicorns ranged more esoteric symbols. There was clearly some interchanging between them and the types of ponies, so I could assume the type of symbol was not exclusive to any kind of pony. It made me wonder if these tattoos hold any purpose or meaning, and what is the relation between the tattoo and the pony.

I wonder if it will be a problem since I don't have one.

Sometimes during our conversation, Pinkie Pie would break into a tangent, speaking in the same breathless and excited tone of when we first met. I found a bit difficult to follow some of her line of thought or jumps of logic, but it was a endearing sight and all I had to do to stop her was ask a question or a change of subject. Another thing I noted was that while we walked she would smile and wave to passing ponies, which in turn they would greet her with a smile of their own.

As a guide Pinkie did a good job, she may not have the expertise of the fabled Urban Rangers I've met, but she clearly knew Ponyville's layout like the back of her hand. Well, hoof. More than once she would stop to point out certain locations or buildings, like a park which, according to Pinkie, was the best place to relax and have a picnic with friends. A cafe which had the best daisy sandwich in town for a fairly cheap price, or Sugarcube Corner, a building with a gingerbread house appearance, able to make my teeth hurt just by looking at it, where she both lived and worked as a baker. Which I thought to be appropriate for the pink mare.

She also pointed out the big building in the center of town, the big circular structure served as Ponyville's town hall and where most big events such as conventions, reunions and weddings took place. Close to the town hall was Ponyville Inn, it was a two story building, a bit bigger than most but still following the timber framed, thatched roof theme that was common throughout town. It had a rustic feeling to it, and just by looking through the outside I could already tell that it was nicer and tidier than most Inns I've been.

Soon our tour of Ponyville ended in a open air market, very reminiscent of the market back on Malpetrim. Several stalls lined up along the area designed with a big open space right in the middle where shoppers could walk and mingle. In contrast to Malpetrim, where goods from all over were sold in the mercantile city, most of the items on Ponyville's market were fresh produce that I assume came from the farms just outside town with the odd pony selling some nicknacks or other miscellaneous here and there. The familiarity the market provided me was comforting, and this was the perfect opportunity to seek for work.

We came to a stop more or less in the middle of the market, I was still taking a look on all the goods the merchants had to sale, much of which were fruits and vegetables, when Pinkie Pie turned to speak to me, a grin on her face.

“And this is Ponyville's market, you can buy almost anything here! It is also the best place for you to find a job, so I decided to make it the last stop we should make while showing you around.” she said excitedly, her grin never leaving her lips. She then looked at me with almost pleading eyes and asked.

“So, what'd you think about Ponyville? Will you be staying?”

I could almost laugh at the way she was basically begging me to stay in town, but instead I simply shook my head and smiled. “Yes, Pinkie.” I said with maybe a bit more amusement than I wanted. “I will be staying for a while. Ponyville seems very nice, I think I will like it here.”

At that the pink pony seemed to brighten even further, her smile stretching across her face almost splitting it in half. Pinkie once again jumped a pony length in the air, giving a high pitched squee, before settling to bounce in place once again, much for the confusion of a few bystanders.

“This is great! You'll see, there's no better place in Equestria to live than Ponyville. I will make sure to prove it to you, and then maybe you can move in for real. And now that I know you will stay, I can start planning for your welcome to Ponyville party! There will be cake and streamers and games, and you get to meet everypony in town!” she started talking in that same breathless and excited voice that I came to know in the last couple of hours as we toured through Ponyville.

As she beamed down at me, I started to feel nervous at the prospect of a party trow for me, especially one that, according to Pinkie, would involve all ponies in town. It sounded like a perfect opportunity to let some information of my origins slip, a prospect that I was not yet ready to face.

Before I could voice any of my objections, Pinkie Pie seemed to see something behind me. Her excited smile became brighter and her eyes lit up at the sight, she then started waving and calling to someone behind me. “Hi, Applejack!”

I turned to see a orange pony mare with a long braided blond mane trotting through the market wearing a cowboy hat and saddlebags full of what appeared tools, nails and some groceries. She turned to face us, when her eyes met Pinkie's she immediately broke into a smile and waved back. She calmly made her way to us, and only seemed to notice me much later than Pinkie, shooting glances between us. When she got close enough she spoke.

“Howdy, Pinkie Pie! Who's your friend?” she asked Pinkie Pie with a distinct southern twang in her voice, as she eyed me with interest to which I only gave a polite nod.

“Applejack, this is Nero Swordhunter. He just got to Ponyville and was thinking to move in, so I was showing him around town. But he needs a job, so we came to the market to try to find some kind of job that can pay him today so he can pay to stay on the Inn because right now he can't afford it.” Pinkie Pie said, being able to summarize almost my entire history in this world in a single phrase.

Applejack blinked in surprise, her brain trying to process the information the pink pony had given her. Surprise gave way to understanding, and Applejack turned to face me with a smile and soft eyes.

“Well then, Nice to meet you Swordhunter! Any friend to Pinkie Pie, is a friend of mine.” she said offering a hoof towards me, in what I assumed was meant as a greeting.

“Nice to meet you too, Applejack.” I said extending my own hoof to hers, only for it to be grasped in her forelegs. She shook my hoof vigorously making my whole body quake, with a strength that I, at first, didn't think she possessed. It was only after my head stopped spinning that I could notice how muscular the orange pony appeared to be.

“If you really looking for a place to move in, Ponyville is a nice place as any. We may not have much fancy stuff like big cities the likes of Canterlot or Manehattan, but folks here in Ponyville are as friendly as it can be.” Applejack said, a hint of pride slipping into her voice.

“Well, like I said to Pinkie, I still don't know yet. Ponyville does seems nice, but right now I need to find a job. I got no money at the moment, and I'm all out of supplies to even afford to keep traveling.” I said rubbing one of my forelegs.

Applejack hummed to herself, raising a hoof to her chin seemingly to ponder something for a minute. “If is work you're looking, Ah reckon there's plenty of ponies in town that need help, but if you don't mind a good day of hard work, we could use some extra hooves back in the farm. Especially now.”

“Oh? How come?” I asked, my curiosity perked.

“For beginners, cider season it's just around the corner. We need to gather as many apples we can before we start squeezing them into cider. Not to mention all the other chores around the farm, including fixing the barn after last week's storm.” she said calmly, before grimacing and said. “Also, there is a lot of weeds growing in the orchard lately, strange stuff too. Granny Smith said it looks like plants right from the Everfree, but that's just impossible. Anyways we spend almost half day just plucking out these weeds, we surely could use some help.”

“Sounds like you have your ha- hooves full.” I said returning her smile with a smirk of my own. But my next word came a bit more bashfully, making rub the back of my head with my hoof. “I don't mind some hard work, I would be glad to help out, but I do need to ask for the payment of at least a day's work today. Like I said, I'm all out of money.”

Asking for payment is not something that I'm proud of. Normally I expect to get something done before asking for anything from people that employ me. Sometimes I don't ask for anything at all, but circumstances force me to uphold this decision. What I didn't expect was Applejack simply chuckling at my request.

“Don't worry sugarcube. Ah know you need it, and Ah be happy to pay you today. We will probably need your help 'till next Wednesday when cider season starts, so Ah will be paying at the end of each day of work. How about that?” the proposition was very enticing. Applejack then extended her hoof again.

“You have a deal.” I said smiling genuinely and raising my hoof to meet hers sealing the agreement.

Suddenly two pink hooves shoot around our necks, pulling us into a fuzzy pink body. Both Applejack and I stared bemused at each other before our attention was draw to a very happy looking pink pony, who was holding us tightly in a three-way hug. Pinkie Pie giggled happily before speaking. “Yes! I knew we could count on you Applejack!”.

“Urgh.. No problem Pinkie. Always.. ack, happy to help.” Applejack struggled to say in Pinkie's bone crushing grasp, letting out a strained chuckle as she kept squeezing us. I was still trying to get a proper breath in, when as quick as we were seized , we were freed from Pinkie's death grasp dropping us to the ground. I got to my hooves as I gasped for air, happy to be free of the death hug, to see Pinkie excitedly bouncing.

“Good, now that you have a job you'll be able to stay in Ponyville! And now I can start to prepare everything to your ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party! It will be so much fun. Take good care of him Applejack, I let you guys know when to come. See ya guys soon!” and faster than we could react, Pinkie Pie zipped into town disappearing, leaving a pink cloud of smoke behind.

“Is she always like this?” I asked Applejack, while watching the last evidence of Pinkie even being here dissipating into thin air.

“That's Pinkie Pie for you. Don't worry about it, folks here in Ponyville are used to it, and Ah bet that you also will be pretty soon.” she briefly looked up, measuring the sun's position. “Land snakes, gotta get back to the farm. There's a lot of chores to do 'till the end of the day.” she then turned around and started walking before turning to look at me “You coming, sugarcube?”

I nodded at her, following her through the streets of Ponyville, our destination being what I assumed was her farm and the place where I would be working for the next few days. At least it will give me time to work things out. I still had my sword to find, and my equipment to fix. Maybe Applejack could even lend me some tools that I could use for that.

Speaking of Applejack, meeting with both her and Pinkie Pie were a stroke of good luck. Both were incredible nice ponies, even with their wildly different personalities. For while Pinkie may be enthusiastic and hyper in her actions, Applejack seemed more calm and down to earth. I'm actually a bit surprised that they are such good friends, but then again I could see Pinkie Pie being friends with everyone, or should I say everypony.

It truly has been a crazy day, but I'm guessing that it is just the beginning.

Chapter 4 - A Day at the Farm

It was a little past ten in the morning when we finally arrived at Applejack's farm, that is, if I read the time on the town's clock tower correctly. Turns out that we didn't come straight here after Pinkie Pie left us, as Applejack still had business to take care in town. It was just as well for me, since it gave me the opportunity of familiarize myself with Ponyville even more, and observe ponies and their day to day lives.

Interesting enough was when we stopped by a carrot stall on the market, while Applejack and the light yellow and orange maned mare chatted amicably I could sense a bit of rivality when the subject shifted to their respective crops. I was surprised when both suddenly snapped their gazes to face me demanding that I break the argument by deciding which was the superior crop, apples or carrots. I managed to smoothly defuse the situation, and probably save my job, by saying that I couldn't decide, because the reason I eat an apple is not the same reason that I eat a carrot.

Both of them just stared at me blinking, before falling into a fit of giggles. I was utterly confused until Applejack explained that they didn't expected an answer like that and just catch them off guard. Buying three carrots from the mare that I soon learned was called Carrot Top, we departed giving our farewells to the carrot mare.

On our way to the farm, Applejack also bought more supplies in order to fix her barn, which I offered to carry them for her, since her saddlebags looked about to burst its contents. And that’s how I found myself, standing in front of the entrance of the farm, along a white fence with a arch spotting an apple for a sign, several pieces of wood and nails stored in my saddlebags and side by side with the orange pony who will be employing me for the foreseeable future.

I was pulled from my reverie by said mare's voice. “Here we are, Sweet Apple Acres!” Applejack said somewhat enthusiastically as she waved toward with a hoof toward the farm. Right in front of us there was a big barn, painted red with white outlines. To its right was chicken coop and a few animal pens. Weird considering I am in a world of talking ponies.

But what really drew my attention was the several rows of apple trees, that sprawled as far my eyes can see, to the hills south the farm and beyond. An orchard this big must take years to harvest, and its production could easily supply Ponyville with enough food for weeks should all trees bear fruit at the same time. It was indeed a sight to behold and I made Applejack know my opinion.

“Shucks sugarcube, it's nothing that much.”she said rubbing the back of her head “Come on, let's unload all these things and then Ah can show you what you'll be working today.”

We made our way around the barn towards what I assumed to be Applejack's household. She pushed the front door open, allowing us into a quaint living room, sparsely furnished the room, like the rest of the house, was made of wood, with a sofa and arm chair to one side, a coffee table just in front of them. Across the room was a fireplace several framed photos displayed above it and a rocking chair not far from it.

Applejack lead me to a door to the right, arriving in the kitchen just in time for us to see an older pony pulling a pie out of the oven using her mouth, with nothing but a thin paddle between her and the hot pan, placing it on a nearby counter. “Hey Granny, I'm back from the market.” said Applejack, I probably also would had said something, but my mind was still cringing at the thought of the older mare severely burning herself on the pan. And to think she must do this everyday.

“Ah, Applejack.”said the elder mare as she turned to face my companion and employer. “Did ya brought everything y'all need from the market?”

“Eeyup!” chimed Applejack “Got everything to fix the barn, and Carrot Top made me a great deal on some fresh produce.” Applejack then proceeded to remove her saddlebags and placed them on the dining table. As she began to unload her saddlebags of several groceries, I moved to join her and she helped me unload my own cargo.

“That's good to hear, dear.” the green mare said. Eyeing me she took a few steps in my direction and asked “And who's this?”

“Granny, this here is Nero Swordhunter. Ah met him while back in town, and Pinkie Pie was showing him around. He just arrived in Ponyville and was looking for work, and since we got a lot more chores to do 'till cider season starts, Ah thought we could hire him for now and lower the load of work on everypony.” Applejack said stepping aside and motioning me to say something.

Trying to be polite I extended my hoof to the mare Applejack called Granny and said. “Hello, it's nice to meet you.”

She ignored my hoof, instead opting to look me up and down and then pacing around me, inspecting me with a clinical eye much like I would when appraising a new weapon or piece of armor. She hummed quietly and said “An earth pony would have made the job easier. But he seems sturdy enough.” she finished poking me at my side.

Stopping in front of me, Granny took my hoof on hers giving me a firm shake. “Welcome aboard, yongin. Hope y'all ready for a good day of hard work in the farm!”

“I will do my best ma'am.”

“Please, call me Granny Smith.”

I turned back to Applejack, who was smiling approvingly. “C'mon, you can keep your saddlebags back in the living room, while we work.” she said guiding me the way we came. I followed the orange mare through the living room of her household and, as she stoped to one side, I craned my neck backwards and bit down on my saddlebags by its strap. Then lifted it off my back and placed it by the door.

I was about to turn towards my employer when I heard a small gasp to the side. I looked at Applejack to see her with wide eyes, a hoof covering her mouth as she stared at my flank. I knew what was coming, and could only hope it wouldn't be too big of an issue. “Is something wrong?” I asked her, although I knew definitively there was.

“N-no sugarcube! there's nothing wrong. Ah was just, well, surprised that you don't have a cutie mark.” she spoke in a meek tone, as to not try to offend me, and although it made me wince to the possibility to be target of her pity, my mind was abuzz trying to process the information I received in the last few seconds. Cutie Marks? Was that what those tattoos are called? Do they really possess such significance that Applejack's reaction to me not having one is justified?

I took a deep breath to calm myself before I could say anything. “I hope it's not a problem.” I was nervous for her response, but I never expected to see a brief tinge of panic paint Applejack's features before she quickly tried to reassure me.

“No, no Swordhunter, this isn't a problem at all.” she then trotted to my side placing one of her forelegs over my neck and ito a side hug. “And Ah'm sorry if Ah made you feel it was, Ah shouldn't be prying into something you are uncomfortable with.

Once again I found myself a bit at lost on what to do, so I settled to a reassuring response and a quick change of subject. “It's ok Applejack, it doesn't bother me too much. So how about we get going, and you can show me what I will be doing today?”

As she let go of the hug, I could see that the orange pony was once again smiling. She straightened her hat, and with a nod she motioned me to follow her outside. Once she was out of earshot I let out a sigh of relief, that could have gone worse, much, much worse. But although these cutie marks do possess some significance, if Applejack's reaction is anything to go by these ponies were at least tolerant to their absence. One thing I knew for certain though, I couldn't keep ignorant to their customs forever. Sooner rather than later I would have to dive in research to learn more about this world.

I followed my employer outside ready to work. Whatever research I had to do, it still needed to wait until I could secure food and shelter.

Work on a farm was everything I could expect. After our little meeting with Granny Smith, Applejack briefly explained to me what we would be doing today, my job for the morning was to feed the farm animals and clean the chicken coop, while she would focus in repairing the barn. The job itself was easy, though I admit having to get a little creative when using certain tools, due to my new form, while I was cleaning the coop, but I accomplished it mostly without blunders.

I also had to feed the pigs, for whatever reason ponies would raise pigs in a farm I still don't understand, and I found it easier to deliver their food by hovering over their pen and using my front hooves to tilt the sack of food. As I said before, creative.

The major problem I faced was how much more sensitive my eyes were to the light, as time passed and the day progressed, it became very difficult for me to see due to the brightness. Maybe it's because the type of pony I've become is nocturnal, but my eyes were straining under the sunlight forcing me to shield them. Not that I couldn't see, but the clarity made my job more difficult that it should. Applejack must have noticed it, for she offered me a spare hat for me to use, which reluctantly I accepted. It helped a lot, but I will have to place ‘acquire sunglasses’ in my list of things to do, right after ‘rent a room at the inn’.

It was about midday, I had just finished my last chore picking up some crops from the fields a bit farther from the orchard, mostly corn and lettuce, the Apples didn't seem to grow much more than their name sake, but they have their bases covered, when I heard a loud clanging coming from the farm house, accompanied by Granny Smith's voice calling us for lunch. I picked the last of the crops, placing them in the basket given to me now strapped to my sides, and took flight toward the barn, where I could see Applejack just leaving it. I landed in front of her where she cheerfully greeted me.

“Glad to see you're still going, partner. The way you're working hard we'll be caught up on the day's chore right in no time!” she said, taking off her hat for a moment in order to wipe away the accumulated sweat.

“It's no problem, I think I can keep this up the whole day. Where do you want me to drop these by the way?” I asked pointing to the basket on my side.

“You can keep this here in the barn for now. But now, I think it's about time we treat you to genuine Apple family lunch.” at that moment my stomach decided that it was it best interest in agreeing with Applejack as loudly as possible. I awkwardly looked away as she snickered. “Seems that somepony is looking forwards to it. Isn't that right, sugarcube?”

I chuckled feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment, but nodded in agreement nonetheless. After dropping the basket at the barn, we made our way towards the homestead. Applejack had offered me lunch, which I very much appreciated, but it keep me wondering what kinds of food do ponies eat. If the cupcake Pinkie Pie offered me earlier was anything to go by, ponies seems to possess cuisine similar to humans.

I was taken away from my musings by the appearance of a pony stallion, he trotted merrily in our direction from the orchard, his deep red coat glistened with sweat as he seemed to be working all day. He had an half green apple for a cutie mark, and was wearing a yoke around his neck. Applejack didn't take long to take notice of the stallion, and quickly brightened at his sight.

“Hey, Big Mac! Finished with the eastern orchard?” Applejack said, waving the stallion over.

He merely looked up to Applejack, giving her a nod and a reverberating “Eeyup.” Applejack snickered at this, and turning to me she said “Swordhunter, this here is my brother Big Macintosh. You can just call him Big Mac, though. Big Mac, this is Nero Swordhunter. He was looking for work in town so I thought it was a good idea to hire him to help out around the farm, at least until cider season.”

I faced the pony stallion, who observed me curiously. I smiled, giving him a polite nod and said “Nice to meet you, Big Mac.”

He merely nodded back, giving me another sonorous “Eeyup.”

The three of us proceeded to enter the household, where I took a moment to take out Applejack's spare hat off and hang it by the side of the door before following the siblings to the kitchen, there Granny Smith was already seated at the table, an array of foods in front of her, ranging from the basic salads and fruits, to a variety of pies and pastries and finally some sort of pasta glazed in a flowery sauce. It all looked pretty good, even the pasta smelled delicious, despite the flower sauce, and it was with great effort that my stomach didn't voiced its agreement.

“Hey sis, big brother. Who's that with you?” distracted as I was by the sight of food, I failed to notice the soft yellow filly seated at the table, until she had spoken. She was wearing a big pink bow in her red mane, and as she was sitting besides Granny Smith, her head slightly tilted to the side as she looked at me with big curious eyes, she looked positively adorable.

“Hey little sis. This here is Nero Swordhunter, a new helper Ah hired today. Swordhunter this is my little sister Apple Bloom.” Applejack said, once again introducing me to a member of her family, which by this point, I was thinking it was becoming routine.

“Hi, Mister Swordhunter. You know, Ah think it's the first time Ah've met a bat pony in person, can you, like, see in the dark or drink blood or anything like that?” the filly asked in chipper tone, her eyes sparking with childlike curiosity. Unfortunately that line of questioning left me in a delicate position, I didn't know enough about the type of pony I've been turned into, or ponies in general for that matter, for me to be able to answer properly. Thankfully I was saved for what could have been a disaster by Applejack as she chided her sister.

“Now Apple Bloom, he just arrived in town today. So don't come pestering him with questions like that.”

“Alright.” Apple Bloom said with a forlorn look, staring at her hooves.

“That's okay Apple Bloom. Right now I'm a bit busy trying to get settled in Ponyville, so maybe I can answer you questions another day?” I said to her. I couldn't help it after looking at her sad face.

That seemed to do the trick, for the little filly brightened up almost instantly. We moved to take a seat at the table where I took my place in front of Applejack and at Apple Bloom's side. Right after I sat down however, I heard a gasp coming from the filly. I turned my head to look at her, only to realize she was staring,wide eyed at my flank, right where my supposed cutie mark should be.

I sighed, placing a hoof over my muzzle, rubbing gently the space between my eyes. Even as Applejack glared at her sister, once again warning her to not be rude to a guest, I realized that this cutie mark issue could very easily become a major problem. The Apple family was understanding enough, never pressing the subject, but I could see how others could become wary of my presence because of it.

Despite the initial awkwardness, lunch was very nice. The food was delicious, between the freshness of the salads, the light but sweet flavor of the pies it was one the best lunches I have eaten in awhile. I even tried a bit of the flowery sauce of the pasta and found it to be surprisingly good, although I found the fruits dishes more filling.

In between bites, the ponies made small talk. Applejack telling them how she came across me at the market and her day fixing the barn, while Apple Bloom talked about school where her teacher named Cheerilee had assigned her class an essay on the history of Ponyville, the yellow filly requesting help from Granny Smith's apparent encyclopedic knowledge about the subject. There were also questions thrown my way, but I deflected them, having done that many of times, where I did not wish to reveal my true nature right away.

Questions like, ‘Where are you from?’ could be answered by saying that I've been traveling a lot and thus searching for a place to settle down. Others like ‘What do you do?’ or ‘What do you work with?’ are a bit more complicated, having need of a better understand of the world to make a proper answer, but it could be summarized in saying that I been doing odd jobs in the towns I've been. It was Apple Bloom's question of ‘Why don't you have a cutie mark?’ that really stumped me, causing everypony at the table to stop for a moment, and Applejack to once again come to my rescue.

The act of eating, wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I had observed the ponies around me for a moment before trying myself, and copied them. It was a bit concerning how easy it was to pick up on their ways, I didn't bat an eye at using my mouth to grab a knife to cut me another piece of apple pie, or how I could sunddely hold a leaf of lettuce on my hoof without dropping it. I will not concern myself with it right now, but it is something to think about when I have the time.

In all, we were able to keep an amicable chatter throughout the lunch, and I was able to enjoy every single bite of it. After everypony was done I helped Applejack with the dishes, Big Mac gave a polite ‘Eeyup’ and returned to the fields, Granny went upstairs to rest and Apple Bloom said something about crusaders and then left. I was a bit curious about Apple Bloom crusaders, but I let it go, it's not likely it was the same thing like in other worlds, so I doubted it would affect me. Soon the dishes were done and both of us returned to our chores.

It was just before sunset, that I found myself back on the streets of Ponyville. Having completed all tasks of the day, Applejack thanked my help a payed me a small sack of bits (this world, or at least Equestria's monney). Twenty five bits to be precise, with the promise of a similar amount after every day of work. I don't know how inflation works here, but I'm hoping that is enough for me to pay for a room at the Inn.

There are fewer ponies around at this hour, the few that I found on my way to Ponyville's Inn greeted me with a smile and a wave, giving me a sense that this community was very friendly towards outsiders, quite the contrast between some of my earlier experiences. Or maybe Pinkie was right and this is this most friendly place in Equestria. Either way it was refreshing, and brought a smile to my lips.

Ponyville Inn was a quaint thing, a two storey timber framed building much like its neighbours, but inside the floor was of a dark hardwood, a nearby fireplace was lit bringing warmth to what appeared to be a decent sized living room decorated with comforters, a coffee table and a couch above a carpet, a set of stair to the side led to the upper floor. Just in front of the entrance there was a counter table, a little bell was placed atop of it. It's funtion obvious, I reached out and rung the bell and waited.

Soon a normal pony mare descended the stairs. She was a light pink colour, with a short green mane done in curls. She used a checkered handkerchief around her neck, and for what I could see her cutie mark was some sort of book with a quill on top of its open pages. She walked down, and smiled when spotted me.

“Hello! Welcome to Ponyville Inn, my name is Open Ledger, can I help you with anything?” she said.

“Yes actually. I'm new to Ponyville and I'd like to rent a room for a few days if possible.” I answered, giving her a polite, if tired, smiled. The effect was instant, as the mare seemed to brighten up and beamed to my words.

“Oh, certainly! It will be a pleasure to have you.” she said trotting behind the counter her smile becoming a bit sheepish. “You know, it's kinda hard to maintain this place, not many ponies visit Ponyville for fun or vacation, it's really luck when someponies from the bigger cities like Canterlot, come here for a festival or another.”

I definitely could sympathise. For all its perks Ponyville just didn't seems much of a touristic attraction. “Well, glad I could help.”

Open Ledger's smile became more genuine, and from behind the counter she fished her namesake, opening it in a blank page and grabbing a quill on her mouth.

“Name please.” she said, not even bothered by the quill she was holding as she spoke.

“Nero Swordhunter.” I said, and she wrote it down, managing an impressive calligraphy despite holding the quill in her mouth. Pausing for a moment examining my written name, she put down the quill and looked at me.

“Okay Swordhunter, here how it is. Here in Ponyville Inn we charge a price of two bits a day or ten for a week, you can pay up front if you want or after each day of yours stay. You have the right to a breakfast per day, but don't expect anything fancy. Also, it's just me here for now so I expect you to clean after yourself and after you leave your room needs to be in order. Is that agreeable?”

“It is Miss Ledge. With any hope I can get something more permanent after a while.” I said pulling out my bag of bits and promptly placing ten of the golden coins on the counter in front of her.

She once again smiled, placing the payment away before picking up the quill again and writing something else on the ledger. “A week worth of pay. Now let me show you to your room.”

I followed the mare up the stairs towards the room I would be staying for a while. It was quite simple, only a bed, a wardrobe and a bedside table with a candle on it but it would suffice. It was in an actual better state than most of hotel rooms in human worlds, so I definitely had nothing to complain.

Open Ledge turned to me after a moment and spoke. “The common bathroom it's just down the hallway. There are no other guests at the moment, but I still recommend you don't dally when using it. We don't have an endless amount of hot water you know.”

“I'll keep that in mind. Thank you Miss Ledge, for your hospitality.”

She giggled at this. “It's no problem Swordhunter, it's nice to have a guest here once in awhile. Also call me Ledge, Miss makes me sound old.”

I watched her go back down the stairs before entering the room and closing the door behind me. I let out a tired sigh, as the happenings of the day hit me like a runaway train, in one moment I was with my friends in Arton, drinking and having fun, in another I'm in a world of talking technicolour ponies, with more magic than most realms even dream to possess. I let my saddlebags fall at the foot of the bed while I crawled under its covers. I was tired, not only from working on Applejack's farm, but also from all the weirdness of the day.

“At least all these ponies seem nice.” I muttered before dropping my head on the pillow. I was asleep within seconds.

Chapter 5 - Morning Blues

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