Heart is where the home is.

It was a bright and sunny day in Equestria the birds chirping happily an nice steady breeze blowing through the trees and not a cloud in the sky. Oxhorn reflected on this as his small caravan of wagons traveled down the dirt road towards the next destination a small town called Trottoka .

He was an older minotaur from the lands up north but feed up with the tribes constantly fighting and vying for power he left taking the chief's bits he started his traveling gladiatorial contest.He almost laughed at the thought shaking his graying manewhat used to be games of honor in his country was now just a game every pony knows its fake but the cheer just as loud as the minotaurs in the old arena in Labyrinthia.

The ponies absolutely love his shows,cheering the hero's booing the villains they would stomp their hooves and go wild when a pony would go down holding his gut screaming in fame. Oxhorn believed that they lived vicariously thourgh the combatants.

Lighting his pipe and taking a slow drag he noticed a pink and white pegasus flying towards him clearly excited about something.This was Charm Feather her pink fur and white mane made her the perfect arm candy that would escort Razorbeak to the circle helping cheat to get one up on the hero and incite the crowd to boo them making them come back just to see the villain get his revenge

As she came closer he noticed her trademark smile was replaced with a look of concern she quickly flew to Oxhorn his blue eyes meeting her pink ones.

"Ox there's a creature lying in the middle of the road up ahead he looks wounded there a lot of blood."She was clearly upset.

Oxhorn rubbed the beard growing on his muzzle although not completely unheard of it was still rare to hear of someone being attacked in Equestria .He quickly called a halt to the caravan and hoped down walking to the gray and black earth pony pulling the wagon.Rocky Bouldershoulder was a thick and strong pony with a good head for trouble.

"Rocky keep an eye on everything till we come back make sure everyone get some water we'll be back shortly."Oxhorn said trusting the pony to pass along the word and then once everything was in order he grabbed a small medkit and a dagger just in case this thing was hostile.

"Alright Charm lead the way."He motioned for her to show him where she discovered this creature.

After a couple of minutes he came upon this creature Charm spotted and on a rare instance Oxhorn was completely speechless.It was a little over six foot with dark fur on its head and face and big and it looked like he enjoyed to eat too much and drink from the smell of him.He was clad in clothes from the neck to hooves a with tee shirt had blood on the front and blue pants on its legs and some black hoof covering. Oxhorns expert eyes told him this creature once had a decent amount of muscle on him at one point but let his body go.

walking to its head he pulled out a canteen and proceeded to clean the nasty bump on its head then proceeded to wrap the wound. Oxhorn learned a thing or two from his own gladiator days and from the traveling show even though the fights were rigged accidents still happen so you learn some emergency care.

"Looks like a concussion we should take him back to my wagon until we can come across a doctor."He said gently picking up the creature and carrying it towards the caravan with each step he can hear the creature moan then looking down the things head poped up his strange blue eyes meeting Oxhorns.

"Fuck."He muttered his eyes rolling in the back of his head and passing right out.

Oxhorn laughed at this and shook his head he had a feeling that this creature is going to make him some bits once Oxhorn makes him presentable."Ugh this buggers bloody heavy. Charm get a bucket of soapy water and a sponge we need to get him clean and out of these thing they stink I might have to burn my bed after this."

Charm Feather nodded flying towards the others to let them know whats going on and to get the water,a minute later Oxhorn made it to his wagon putting the creature in his bed."If all else this will make one great story."

He felt something wet and cool rubbing on his lower stomach that brought him out of his slumber.keeping his eyes closed he felt the throbbing in his head,he could almost picture a little bird flying circles around his skull occasionally smacking him with the hammer of Thor.

Daring to open his eyes he found he was in what looked like a small room a window to his left it was open letting in a breeze and then he looked down and there was what looked like a miniature horse scrubbing him with a sponge,that's when he did the only sensible thing he could think of he screamed like a little girl and bolted for the door.

He would have made a daring escape if not for the fact that the wagon was high off the ground and he fell flat on his face with a loud groan.Trying to get back on his feet his body not responding as fast as he wanted he only made it to his knees when he noticed he had an audience of about fifteen or twenty minotaurs,griffons and ponies.

He was about to start screaming when he heard a soothing voice coming from behind him."Shh there there it's alright we won't hurt you please calm down we're your friends I promise everything will be alright."

He turned around to see that his bather was slowly walking to him,he could have swore her large pink eyes was glowing.He then notice a small cup in her hoof she sat it down and backed away he looked at it and it seemed to be water reminding him of how parched his throat was,quickly drink the water he then noticed the minotaur approaching.

He got on his feet not sure if he could outrun the bull man when he felt something bump his side,looking down he say the pink pegasus at his side taking her hoof she gently placed it on his thigh."It will be alright we won't hurt you I promise."She said her soothing voice seeming to calm him down a little.

The minotaur making eye contact slowly spoke making sure not to make any threatening gestures."Good to see you're awake name's Oxhorn and you already met Charm Feather,we wasn't sure you was going to wake up you've been out for over a day.Now if you don't mind who and what are you?"

"K-kyle and I'm a human.He replied through clenched teeth trying to control his fear.

Oxhorn didn't reply he pulled out his pipe and lit it blowing out a thick cloud of smoke his eyes scanning the human closely."Never heard of your people before I take it your not from around here."

Kyle looked around to all the ponies,griffons and minotaurs milling around."I'm not even sure where here is but no I don't think so where i'm from your a myth and ponies don't talk."Running a shaking hand through his messy hair he gave a soft laugh feeling his sanity slipping away.

"Aww those poor ponies.No offence but your home sounds dull." Charm Feather chimed in giving Kyle a friendly poke in the thigh.

Oxhorn felt for Kyle,he understood what its like to be a stranger in a strange land placed his claw on the human's shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze."Come on lad we're here for you.Do you remember how you got that bump on your noggin there?"

Kyle gently placing a hand lump on top of his forehead,wincing a little.He closed his eyes to think about what happened."I just got off work and I went to the local bar to have a few drinks,and after the third one a strange man in a flashy suit approached me he started chatting at first the usual,weather sports my job and the whole time he was buying my drinks so I didn't mind as the night went on he kept asking me if I believed in destiny and that's when I decided to leave as I was walking out,he somehow ended up in front of me and...and he hit me with a bat."

"Explains the knot on your head,I'm surprised you woke up as soon as you did thought for sure you was in a coma."Oxhorn said admiring the humans resilience."so what are you going to do now that you're up?"

Kyle was stunned not even sure how to responded he didn't have the slightest idea where he could go.if he was even save to roam around this land."What are my options here I know nothing about your....land."Not yet wanting to admit he was an alien yet if for nothing else for his own sanity.

"Well you could always go to Princess Celestia and she if she cant find you away home and although iI don't always agree with her policies but she's a fair and just ruler and unless you pose a threat to her ponies she will treat you fairly."

For some reason every fiber in his being screamed at him not to do that.It shocked him he had no reason to distrust her but yet like some primal instinct told him to stay as far away as possible."I don't think I want to do that yet is there anything else I could do?"Kyle asked.

Oxhorn smiled hoping he would say that."Well son you could always join my misfit band of performers but let me set some ground rules before you agree."Seeing Kyle nod he began."First what I say goes you can complain and whine all you want as long as you follow orders.Two For now whenever we go into towns to do a show I want you to stay hidden.I'm going to unveil you I want to unveil you at the right time to make the most bits as possible and three I'm going to melt that fat on you like butter so here a fair warning you can hit the road anytime you want but i will make you look like you belong in my show.You'll earn a few bits but not much since all you'll be doing is some packing up and maybe some cleaning but you will be feed and kept safe on the road.so what do you say you in?"

Kyle thought about this for a minute and seeing no other options he agreed at least till something better along he agreed much to Charm Feathers delight.

"Good now lets get you starte-"Oxhorn began but was stopped by the loud rumble in Kyle's stomach much to the human embarrassment."How about we get you something to eat first'Oxhorn said laughing.

Kyle was about to agree when he felt a draft on his twig and berries and realized he was naked and when a hippogriff walked by and gave him a wink, he quickly covered his shame and asked."Where's my clothes?"

"I'll get them.'Charm Feather said rushing to the wagon to retrieve his clothing and as quick as she left she came back with most of his belongings."I'm sorry but we couldn't save your top it was just covered in blood and to be frank we didn't like the sight of it so we throw it away.'

Kyle quickly threw on his boxers,shoes,socks and pants and then remembered his cellphone wallet and keys he always carried."Did I have anything else on me?"He asked although he was sure these ponies wouldn't steal his phone and he doubted he would it even have a signal but he wanted the pictures and music on it.

"No that's everything are you missing something hon?"She asked

He just shook his head and with a sigh he replied."Nothing Important.Lets go ahead and eat."His stomach refusing to be ignored any longer.

"Right this way you're a little late for lunch but I'm sure Silver can throw something together for you."Charm Feather said motioning for Kyle to follow her.

Silver Whisk was a bulky earth pony with silver fur and mane with a black strip in both his mane and tail and a silver whisk in a mixing bowl for a cutie mark.He has been with Oxhorn since the beginning feeding his band of performers and occasionally participating in shows.

He was now looking at the large creature before him the tall bipedal thing was out of shape and its flat face was too round and it seemed to be growing an extra chin,whatever Oxhorn saw in this thing Silver couldn't tell but then again he wasn't being paid to think.

"Here you go." Silver said sliding the food tray towards Kyle."After this you eat on time or you don't eat which would probably do you some good."

Kyle looked down on the tray and all was on it was what looked like brown water."Whats this water I need real food."He spoke he stomach growling agreeing with him.

"That's all your getting for now."A Oxhorn said walking up behind him placing a hand on Kyle's shoulder."Right now your in pitiful shape lad but I see potential in you so it falls on me to bring it out remember you can always hit the road and take your chances somewhere else."

Kyle grumbling under his breath put the bowl to his lips and downed the broth in a couple gulps."So whats next big guy,push ups jumping jacks or do you want me to pick you some flower's?"Kyle said sarcastically.

Oxhorn pretended not to hear as he motioned for the ponies to hitch up and get ready to move on out."No seeing how you just got up I thought I'd take it easy on you so get ready to move we leave in five minutes."

Kyle watched the ponies and griffons hitch themselves to the wagons pulling a couple of minotaurs pulling the largest wagon.They moved efficiently and quickly in less the ten minutes they was moving along setting a brisk pace Oxhorn looked at Kyle and laughed."Do try to keep up boy we got a lot of ground to cover."With that said he start jogging along with the caravan.

The night Kyle arrived in Equsetria another visitor arrived miles away in the small town of Ponyville In the tree library of Twilight Sparkle student of the Princess of the sun Celestia.

The purple unicorn was just finishing her breakfast getting ready for the day.She used her magic to put the dish's in the sink as Her dragon assistant Spike entered the room.

"Spike we're running late we have a lot of things to do today."She said pulling out a long list.her schedule for that day and began to read it out loud."First we have to head to bookworms to pick up that novel on advance shield spell,Second we need to go to Quills and Sofas and get a year supply of quills.Third we stop at Sugarcube Corner to order some cupcakes for next weeks get together with the cutiemark crusaders.Forth we need to meet Fluttershy at her cottage to see when she can give Owlowiscious a checkup. Fifth we'll meet Rainbow dash at the Cafe for lunc-"She stoped feeling the fur on the back of her neck standing up.Then all of a sudden her kitchen table was surrounded by a red glow so bright it temporarily blinded both her and Spike.

Finally when the light died down there on her table was a small creature a laying on its back.It had no fur except on the top of its head,long red curls covered its face.Twilight walked around it carefully inspecting it,noting its pale pink skin,claws like Spike's but more rounded and five digits instead of four.Strange hoofs on its lower appendages and was definitely female.

"It looks like a diamond dog.'Spike whispered afraid to wake it up."What should we do Twilight?"

"I think it's a foal Spike and it doesn't have enough fur to be a diamond dog the closest thing I've seen like it was a chimpanzee."She said getting closer to the creature when it suddenly sat up wrapping its arms around Twilight's neck.

'Mommy?"She cried burying her face in Twilight's neck sobbing matting the fur.

"Spike you better take a letter."Twilight said wrapping a hoof around the little foal patting her back.