One word to describe me right now. Soaked. Several hours passed before I woke up and in that time it had started raining. The sun had also set in that time. So here I was left alone, in the dark, and soaking wet.

I’d been on the move for several hours now, and to be honest my new body was doing pretty well, I wasn’t even tired. But the rain was starting to get on my nerves and the chance to get some rest, even though I didn’t need it, was appealing.

I was beginning to think I’d have to sleep in some dank cave. But as I was about to give up hope lady mercy had apparently decided her brother Murphy had ravaged my ass enough. Far in the distance I saw a faint light of civilization. Redoubling my efforts I covered the mountain side in record time, summoning my inner basketball player I jump over any obstacles in my way.

I was only a hundred feet away, and now I could make out what it was through the thick downpour. It was a small wooden cabin surrounded with dirt paths, simple farming tools, and three wagons. The light I’d seen in the distance was coming from a window in the front, curtain pulled to the side.

Ah, thank fuck! I think at the thought of a bed, where I won’t have to fear being woken up by my ribs being cut open. Concentrating I assumed the form of Stark White. Instead of charging in right away I stood there for a few moments to let my body be soaked by the rain.

After I felt I looked sufficiently like I’d been out here long I walked up to the door, and knocked. I heard the clattering of ceramic and someone curse. Someone walked to the door casting a large shadow over the opaque window of the door. What if they’re hostile? I suddenly thought. This was stupid what if this was a lookout post for the lab. As my own paranoia took control a small tendril snaked its way down hidden behind my forehoof.

With a quiet click the door opened to reveal a small middle aged Earth Pony mare, who had her mane tied in a bun. “Oh! You poor thing what’re you doing out in this rain!?” The small tendril I sent out quickly retracted back into my body.

“I’m so sorry to bother you ma’am,” I said closing my eyes and putting on the friendliest smile I could muster. “but my wagon was destroyed and then it started raining.” With a fake chuckle I asked. “Can I come in ma’am? At least till it stops raining.”

“Of course! Of course!” She said quickly. “Let’s get you out of the rain.” She ushered me into her home and handed me a towel. Which I used to give myself a quick once over, at least well enough to stop dripping.

“Honey who’s there?” A voice called from a lit room blocked by a wall.

“A Pony was travelling out in this weather!” She called back. “Please follow me to the kitchen.” She said turning away from me. I followed behind her to the room the other voice had come from.

When we entered the smell of cooked vegetables reached my nose. Looking around in the kitchen I saw large pot bubbling with something. To the left, near a window, was a dining table where three stallions currently sat.

The eldest one at the table, who had brown coat and a golden mane, looked up at me and waved me over. “Come on over lad I don’t bite.” He called in a hoarse weathered voice, strained from years of use. As I got closer I could make out more of his features. His golden mane seemed dull. Probably bleached from years of working under the sun. And despite what I expected his build was powerful, though I should've expected it from an Earth Pony.

I took a seat at the table where there was no plate and quickly cast a glance at the others. There was a well built Earth Pony mare on his right who looked at me briefly before dismissing me and turning back to, who I assume is, her father. To his left was a young stallion who I’d guess to be around my age. He waved at me before his father spoke up again.

“So, I’m going to cut out the nonsense, if you don’t mind me asking. What exactly were you doing out there in this weather.” He inspected me with a careful eye as if not sure what to make. “I don’t mean to get off on the wrong foot, but it’s not exactly like we see many Unicorns out here. Especially during a storm like this.”

I sat silent for a second trying to think up a story. I my story would need to be able to explain why I was out here, and give me a reason to head for Canterlot since that would put me closer to the Genesis Foundation’s goal.

“You alright there son?” I heard the Stallion ask as he saw me space out for a minute.

“Umm, fine just thinking was all.” I said. “My family lives further up north, and about a year ago I came back from school to help with some problems that popped up. But the troubles just cleared up a bit ago.”

“Glad to hear it," He says. "but still don’t explain why you’re out here.”

“Well before I had to leave to go help my family I was going to attempt to make it into the royal guard. Now that the trouble’s out of the way though there was nothing stopping me from going back.” I paused for a second to see if the Stallion had any questions, he just gave a firm nod.

After a moment a grin split his lips and a laugh escaped him. “Well I don’t rightly know what made you think it was a good idea to be traveling so long without a tent.” He said seeming to find amusement in how unprepared I was.

“Well didn’t start off that way.” I replied quickly. “Earlier today I was walking on this path through the mountains, everything was going fine. When suddenly I heard a loud explosion and the ground quaked for a bit. Wouldn’t have been much of a problem normally, but part of the path gave way under one of the wheels on my wagon with all my supplies. You can figure the rest out yourself.” I finished with a glum tone.

The old Stallion closed his eyes and gave an understanding nod. “Sorry to hear about that, heard that strange explosion down here ourselves shook the whole mountain!” He looked back up at me. “Look on the bright side though. At least it wasn’t you that took a tumble. Things can be replaced, Ponies can’t.” He looked at his son and contemplated something for a moment. I’d noticed out of the corner of my eye that the son peeked up when I mentioned the guard.

“Our son here is actually wantin’ to join up with the guard himself.”

“Really now?” I asked in a curious tone. Lady fate could this perhaps be byway of an apology? See I didn’t exactly know how to get to Canterlot from here on foot.. hoof. Stark White was always flown out here to help prevent leaking the location.

“Yep, he’s leaving tomorrow to join up with a caravan that’s going to be stopping at Manehatten before heading to Canterlot.”

I heard the clatter of ceramic behind me and a bowl of veggie stew on a plate appeared in front of me. “Sorry that took so long dear, had to clean another bowl.”

“It’s fine ma’am, thank you for the food.” I responded with a polite nod as she took a seat between her husband and their daughter. The father suddenly brought his hoof up to his head with wack startling me.

“Ya know I feel like a fool. We never traded names. Though I guess it’s good we waited for the miss. I’m Scruffed Heart, this beautiful creature is my wife Tender Warmth!” He said with pride leaning over to plant a kiss on his wife’s cheek causing her to blush and shyly bat him away. He leaned back into his chair before continuing. “That there‘s my eldest daughter Harsh Touch, and finally my youngest over there is Bulwark Heart.” A casual grin at the sight of everyone overtook the face of the kind old stallion, it had been a long time since his family had nice visitors. “So what’s your name pal?”

“Me? Well…” It was as if a part of stopped my words. Some part whispering their was no turning back. Like by assuming this new identity to the real world I was shutting away a part of myself for both our safety. With a deep breath I moved on. “My name is Stark White, but you can just call me Stark.”

The stallion… Scruffed closed his eye in an old way of approval nodded at me. “Stark, Stark White. It’s a nice name, I’m sure you’re proud of it. Now I’m not to sure about you but I’m starved!” We all enjoyed the stew occasionally stopping to talk to each other but other for the occasional joke and chuckle the dinner was mostly quiet.

Finally we finished up and Harsh gathered up the plates. After giving his stomach a slight rub Scruffed made a following motion and left down the hallway. Following him we entered a cozy living room with several nice armchairs and a couch in front of a fireplace that had mostly died out till he threw a log on it.

We all relaxed in the den for a while before I heard Scruffed mutter. “Storm sounds pretty bad. Hope none of the rams get out.”

“What was that?” I wasn’t actually sure what he meant by rams since I thought they’d be sapient.

“Hmm? Oh! Sorry didn’t realize you could hear me!” He exclaimed with a little shock. Not that it wasn’t expected, if it was anybody else they probably wouldn’t have heard. “Me and mah family are ranchers we raise and sell Herculean Rams.”

My face scrunched into what probably looked like a very comical confused expression. “Herculean what?”

“Ah! Sorry I forgot you probably don’t know what they are. Let’s get the fact we ain’t psycho murderers out of the way. Herculean Rams are a type of megafauna from the Griffon Kingdoms. Big, strong, and dumb as a bag of rocks. Couple wild herds that broke out from failed ranches roam the mountains now.” His hoof come up to rub his chin as he thinks of more to tell me. “They don’t take that much to raise and produce a lot of good meat when they’re butchered so some folks like me raise them and sell them to those who need meat in Equestria and export the rest.”

A slightly pained looked replaced his jovial smile. “Bout a week ago some big wild one tore right through the fence. None of the herd has left last we checked, just hope the storm ain’t given them a reason.”

“So why not just fix the broken part.”

“Yah daft boy?” He asked raising an eyebrow. “We can’t fix the fence till we get the feral one to leave. Big ol ornery son of a bitch. Me and Bulwark tried to fix the hole up and he busted it up more when he saw us.” He fell silent for a while clearly troubled by his problem. He was just an old Earth Pony with the help of his son and daughter, who wouldn’t even have his son by the end of tomorrow. I admit some vestigial part of me felt moved for Scruffed’s plight. I’m a complete stranger and he’d given me a warm meal and place to rest.

“Umm… Say Scruffed, I could try and get rid of it for you.”

“You? No offense Stark but… I’m not exactly sure ya can handle it.” He looked over me with another appraising look taking in my figure. “You’re pretty well built for a Unicorn, tartarus a lot like a Earth Pony actually. But if me and ma kids can’t get him out I’m not quite sure how you can do it yourself.”

“You said it yourself I’m a Unicorn.” I pointed to my horn and gave it a light tap. “I can use my magic to lure him out with and illusion or something.” I could see the emotions war on Scruffed’s face. His Earth Pony heritage was scolding him for thinking of using magic, but his responsibility towards his family told him he had to take the offer. I’ll admit I wasn’t doing it completely out of the kindness of my heart I wanted to see one of these up close myself.

With a deep sigh Scruffed resigned himself to my help. “Alright the path’s to the left of the house and leads up to the area we keep ‘em in. You can head up there in the morning if you want to give it a shot. For now ya should probably rest, my son sleeps up in the attic, we got a spare mattress up there.” He turned to his son Bulwark to find him sleeping on the couch. “BULWARK UP!” His son shot awake flailing his arms wildly.

The drowsiness quickly returned though. “Huh? What do ya need dad?”

“Take our guest up to the attic. He’s going to be using the spare mattress for tonight.” We marched together up the stairs and emerged in a fairly large attic. It was pretty empty just a bed, a mattress laying on the floor in the corner, and a couple of packed up boxes.

“So, place is pretty empty.” I said slightly nudging a box as I tried to make conversion.

“Hmm? Oh right! Like my dad said earlier I’m leaving for canterlot to join the guard tomorrow.” He laid down on his bed and threw the covers on and looked to the ceiling while I did the same thing with the spare mat. “What you’re looking at is all my stuff! Most of it’s going to get left behind, but at least it’ll still be here... I hope.” He turned over to look at me. “So you’re joining the guard too huh.” We spent an hour or two talking about the guard. I learned Bulwark had apparently been wanting to join the guard since he got his cutie mark. Though after his other sister left he’d started planning to stay on the farm, but the return of Luna sparked his desire again.

“So…” He tapped his hooves as if not quite sure how to speak. “I guess you’ll be joining me when I leave tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Well we’re both joining the guard. It just kinda makes sense we’d go together I guess.”

Ah he’s trying to make a friend. I guess it did kinda make sense though, despite his awkward way of going about it. “Sure man, friends.”

“Cool, cool. To be honest I’ve not had many friends so thanks I guess.” An awkward silence began to drag itself out till finally he said. “Night dude. See you tomorrow.”

I turned to look towards the window above his bed. Through the wet glass came a few fractured beams of moonlight and a small piece of the moon broke through the cloud cover. It all suddenly came to crash on me that that was an alien moon, and my own was gone for good. This was my life from now on. “Night.”

Author's Note

A part of me is a little unhappy with the final product of this chapter, but I've been keeping you waiting long enough. I mainly wanted to give our MC a chance to relax and interact with the ponies of Equestria but I promise there will be some more excitement in the next chapter.