The North Carolina woods was full of life in the middle of spring as the robins pecked at the ground and the squirrels came out of their nests. In the middle of it all was a small house that held one lone occupant, his name was Andrew and he was country to the core. The tall country boy of 21 years old liked the simple life and didn’t like to get involved in the grand scheme of things but rather be secluded in nature, away from the big cities.
“Man what a nice day” I said looking out the living room window at the amazing scene around me. For so long Spring seemed like a distant memory, the last several months was cold and wet. With Winter out of the way I could actually enjoy going outside again and feeling the sunshine. Sitting down in the comfy chair that sat in the living room, I slid my brown cowboy boots over my feet and adjusted my leg of my jeans. With my boots comfortably on my feet I rose up and walked out the front door, thru the screen door and out into my yard. Readjusting the black and yellow CAT hat on my hat I strode out into the yard. Living on my own was the greatest thing in the world, I followed my own rules and I did what I wanted. What made it better was that I was currently on Spring break from college which meant lots of free time on my hands.
After walked through my yard I soon found myself deep within the woods behind my house. The amount of hardwoods behind my house extended for miles until it reached a small farm owned by an older man. Making sure that I didn’t walk onto his property I walked through the woods that I owned as I simply marveled at nature. I didn’t see the portal open up behind me between two arching trees. Hearing a strange droning noise, I turned around wide eyed at the opening in space that appeared behind me. What the hell is that thing I thought as I started backing up away from it. I started to walk away but I soon found myself unable to take another step, in fact I felt myself starting to be pulled back toward the portal. “no..no..no.no” I yelled as I grabbed onto a large birch tree. Wrapping my arms around it did little good as the G-Force simply ripped me away from the tree truck and sent me flying into the portal. Once I entered the strange portal everything went black and I faded into unconsciousness.
Darkness covered everything in my vision and I feared that I may have died and I was about to be judged by the Divine, however light started to flow from across the space and soon colored filled it as well. All at once the darkness was replaced with the image of a forest as I bolted upright eyes full of fear. Looking around I noticed that I was in a forest, however it wasn’t the forest that I was used to back home. The forest back home was peaceful and actually beautiful; this forest was dark and scary. I was sure things were watching me even though I couldn’t see them. After checking myself for any wounds or injury, I stood up and tried to get my bearings. I then realized something was really off, the woods themselves was not only different in terms of species of tree but the texture and look was far different, almost 2D like. “Where the hell am I” I said looking around as I started to take steps back. Suddenly several shrieks and caws rang out in the dark forest along with hisses and growls. Without a gun or knife I was pretty vulnerable and there was only so much that I could do with my bare hands.
Looking around I tried to find a way out of the strange forest and a path to civilization. In the distance I could see a small light breaking through. With a sigh of relief I started for the light until I found a opening in the forest and stepped. Breathing in the fresh air, I looked out across the vast opening below me. In the distance was a large apple orchard that was surrounded by a white picket fence. Just below that in the valley sat a large red and white barn with smaller buildings surrounding it. “Thank God, civilization” I said happily as I jumped the fence and landed on the other side. Looking in the distance I watched as the sun slowly started to dip behind the hills and darkness start to come upon the land. Better get down there soon before it gets too dark I thought as I made my way down the hill. No sooner did the sun go down did the temperature start to dip and the short sleeved button up shirt did little to protect me from the cold. It wasn’t cold like winter but I could tell that it was about fall based on the colors of the trees on the hillside. In no time I was coming out of the Apple orchard and standing in front of the large barn. Looking around I didn’t see a farmhouse or even a cabin, I figured it was a few miles away, however the cold wind reminded me that I needed somewhere to stay warm. I figured the best place would be the barn. Most barns have some hay or at least something that I can cover myself with….at least it’ll keep me out of the wind.
Walking up to the large door I pulled it to the side and stepped inside before closing the door behind me. Taking in the dry air, I couldn’t help but sigh at the familiar smell of a barn. Most folks would cringe at the smell of hay and other products but I took it in with a deep breath. Back home I would work on my grandpa’s farm and I was used to that dry smell that never left the barn. Taking a few steps inside I looked around at the scene in front of me. There were stalls to the left and right with supplies inside them as well as all along the wall. A large steel plow sat to my right and next to it where the reigns. I raised an eyebrow at the image, it wasn’t a usual sight back home to see a horse drawn plow. Maybe somehow I got teleported to an Amish farm or something……..I don’t know, something doesn’t feel right. Walking ahead I saw exactly what I was looking for……a giant pile of straw that sat in-between several large bails of straw. “Perfect” I said softly as I plopped down in the straw pile.
Once I sat down I began to pile the straw on top of me until I was covered with just my feet and head poking out of the pile. Snuggled tightly into the pile I listened to the emptiness of the barn and how peaceful it sounded. About that time I heard the slow pitter patter of something hitting the roof, I realized instantly that it was raining on top of the metal roof. Ever since I was a small child I loved the sound of rain on a metal roof. The first time I ever heard it was when I was very young and I stayed the night with my mother at my Great grandmothers house which had a tin roof. When it rained that night I heard the pitter patter of raindrops hitting the roof. Breaking out of my nostalgic thoughts I continued to listen to the almost rhythmic sound of the rain as I started to fade into sleep. Before I knew what happened I was asleep in the pile of straw.
The sun’s ray snaked their way through the glass window of the barn and lit small sections of the barn floor as warmth started to fill the barn. Opening my eyes I wiped the crust out of my eyes and looked around at the scene before me. The night had been tougher than I thought, the cold had gotten through the straw and left me shivering. I figured the plan for today was trying to find the farmer who owned this property and attempt to find out where I currently was. Before I could move I heard a female voice ring out in a deep southern drawl. “Alright Granny, I’ll get the shovel”. I jumped out of the pile of straw and hid behind the bales of hay behind me. I didn’t want to scare whoever was coming into the barn or even be shot by accident. The barn door slid open with ease and I watched in absolute surprise and confusion to what entered in. The thing that walked through the door was no woman, girl….or even human…..it was a…….pony?
The pony was orange colored with a long blonde mane that was tied up in a ponytail with a red hairband and based on its features, she wore a light brown Stetson. From where I was at from behind the bales of hay I could tell that the pony had some muscles to her. I stared at the strange pony without blinking as a thousand thoughts came racing into my head. Oh my Lawd, I sure am trippin on something fierce……whatever that is it’s no pony I’ve seen……why is it wearing a hairband and a Stetson…..what planet am I on. I thought in shear paniac. The pony happily trotted over to the wall and found what she was looking for which was a shovel hanging on the wall. I furrowed my brow in confusion. How does a pony use of shovel…does it use it’s hoofs or what…..wait is this place inhabitated by colorful ponies……..oh God I hope not…..it sounds too much like a t.v show, I thought.
“Ah found it Granny” the orange pony said in the drawl that I heard earlier. At that moment I accidently let out a gasp which I instantly covered up with my hand. I hoped the orange mare didn’t hear it but she stopped on a dime, her right ear standing up at attention. Oh shit. I thought in fear. The orange pony turned around a determined look on her face as she slowly started trotting over to where I was hiding. Ok, if she sees you run like the devil himself was after yah. I thought as my hand gripped the hay bale tightly.
The orange mare continued to trot over to the hay bale until she stood right where I was sleeping the night before. Looking down at the pile of hay her face went from confusion to shock at the sight of the large indention in the pile. Looking over to where her attention was focused my face started to turn white as I watched her inspect the indention in the hay with her hoof. Oh no….she knowns I’m here. I thought in terror. The pony then sniffed the pile, before her head cocked back at the unknown sent. “Fresh” I heard her say softly to herself as she got another sniff. Her head then jolted up in the air as she started to take a few more curious steps into the pile. Looking behind me I started to slowly and quietly step back further until I realized that the piles of haybales blocked my escape. With nowhere to go I sat back against the bales hoping that the pony creature didn’t want to kill me. If I had to I was willing to defend myself to the death if need be.
The orange pony stepped past the pile of hay and walked toward me. By now I could see her muzzle from where I was sitting and could even see the vapor of her breath rising in the cool air. Rounding the corner I caught a full and up close look at the pony. Her emerald green eyes soon widen in absolute fear and confusion at the being in front of her. “WHAT IN CELESTIA’S NAME ARE YOU, AND WHAT ARE YAH DOIN IN MAH BARN” she yelled out in confusion and fear.
AHHHHHHH…TALKING PONIES…..NO THIS AIN”T REAL” I yelled out in fear as I stood up and climbed up the haybale wall behind me. When I reached the top I jumped off the side and landed hard on the wooden floor. I then broke out in a full sprint across the barn as I looked back to see the orange pony her mouth hanging open in surprise before she regained her composure and started to give chase. “No no no no no no no…….this can’t be…ponies can’t talk……they’re not sentient……I must be tripping…..where the hell am i……I just wanna go home” I said loudly as I ran for my dear life across the barnyard and jumped the fence.
Looking behind me I could see the orange mare hot on my trail with a determined look on her face. “Mac help me out” she yelled to a large red stallion who was walking out of the house. Looking behind me I watched in horror as the red stallion galloped in behind her and gave chase. Right then I knew that there was no way in hell that I was going to outrun them. The best that I could hope for was to get beyond the farm and hide somewhere, but that would require running and lots of it. With no other option I continued to run as fast as my legs could carry me, my cowboy boots thundering on the ground as I tore off through the fields toward the hills in the distance. I looked behind me once again to see that the ponies had made up considerable ground and were now right on my trail. I’ve got to get to the hills I thought as I grimaced at how far away they were. Pushing through the burning sensation in my ankles I continued to sprint through the grassy field. I then heard a strange noise behind me and I turned to see the orange mare swirling a lasso around with her mouth.
“Oh hell nah” I said as I turned around to see the first large hill come into view. Giving it all I had I started up the large hill, my leg muscle screaming in pain as I started the climb. I hadn’t got two foot up when I felt something grab my left ankle. Looking down momentarily I saw the lasso wrapped around my ankle before I felt myself being pulled back down the mountain with a mighty tug. The last thing I remember was tumbling back down the hillside hitting every part of my body on the way down.
The sensation of cold water against my face woke me up as I let out a yell that soon turned into a choke from the water going down my throat. After coughing several times I looked up to see where the water came from. Hopefully I tripped out and fell into a creek back home. However when I looked up I saw the same orange pony who was joined by the large red stallion and next to him stood an older green pony who I assumed was their grandmother. “You caused quite a ruckus today youngin” the older green pony said with a unhappy look.
“I’m……sorry” I said as I shivered at the water running down my chest.
“Sorry don’t cut it mister” the orange pony said crossly.
The red stallion nodded in agreement and offered a deep “eeyup”.
“Wait you….you can talk” I said my eyes going wide as I realized that I was talking to horses.
“Of course we can talk why wouldn’t we”? the older pony said once again. I soon swallowed the biggest reality pill ever, as I accepted that I wasn’t on Earth and that this was real.
“If I broke anything I apologize, and I’ll offer my labor as payment” I said looking up to them with sad eyes.
“Yah didn’t break anything but we still don’t trust yah” the orange pony stated.
I sighed heavily “I wouldn’t blame you….this is probably the first time you’ve see my kind before” I said staring at the floorboards.
“Yer darn tootin” the elderly pony said with vigor.
“You see I’m not from around here……like this planet……heck I don’t even know what planet I’m on now” I said before biting my lip and looking down only to realize that I was tied up to a post.
“What in blazes is he speakin” the green pony said looking to her grandchildren.
“What do yah mean not from this planet” the orange said her green eyes looking deep into mine.
“Where I’m from ponies don’t talk, nor do they farm or wear clothes” I said nodding to the orange ponies hat….”and their not sentient creatures…..” I said. This seemed to take the ponies back especially the last accusation.
“You sayin we ain’t sentient”? the orange pony asked crossly.
“No……I’m telling you I’m not from here……I just want to go home” I said looking down at the boards once again as a lone tear fell from my eye and stained the wooden board below.
I had no idea what they planned to do to me….all I know is that I most likely wasn’t going home anytime soon. The sudden bit of emotion surprised the ponies as they looked to each other in confusion. They had caught burglars, thieves and even the occasional creature from the everfree forest but never anything like this. I continued to speak. “I was walking through the woods near my house, next thing I knew I’m waking up in this strange forest about 3 miles north of here and I found your farm……it was so cold out and I needed a place to stay bad so I stayed in the barn in the hay pile……..I wasn’t going to steal anything…..I was gonna leave before ya’ll woke up” I said still staring at the floorboards.
“Is he telling the truth dear” the older pony asked her orange granddaughter. I looked up to see what they were talking about, before the orange pony started to trot over to me. Leaning away from her I felt the back of my head hit the support beam. The orange pony then looked me straight in the eye, her emerald green eyes sparkling in the sunlight as I soon found myself unable to look away. It seemed to me as if she was searching for something behind my eyes, almost as if she was looking into my brain.
“Granny….ah can’t believe ah saying this but…..he’s tellin tha truth” she said looking over to her grandmother.
“Are yah sure Applejack” the large red stallion asked.
She nodded “Ah can tell a lie from the truth anyday…..ah am the element of honesty Big Mac” she said proudly.
“If Applejack says your telling the truth, ah believe her” Granny said.
“Why would I lie to ya’ll…..” I simply asked.
“Beats me, we’ve had people lie to our muzzles before” Granny said.
“If we let yah loose yah promise not tah go crazy” Applejack asked. “I promise” I said looking down at her. “Mac cut him loose” Applejack said. Holding a sharp tool in his mouth Big Mac cut the ropes that was holding the creature to the support column. Once I was free I collapsed to the group before standing up weakly.
“Ugh why am I so weak” I said staggering.
“Our friend Zecora made us a weakness potion but we never had tah use it till now….don’t worry it should pass soon” Applejack said her face switching from a judging look to a small smile. In fact it seemed the whole families mood had changed from serious to a more relaxed look.
“Since we can trust you without the ropes would you tell us just what you are dearie” Granny asked.
“Well my name is Andrew….and I’m a human from the planet Earth” I said simply gesturing with my arms out before letting them fall back to my sides.
“Andrew... that’s a strange name” Granny said rubbing her chin with her hoof.
“What about ya’ll’s names” I asked eyeing each one of them.
“Oh where are our manners, ah’m Applejack, this here is Big Mac….this is Granny Smith and Applebloom’s not here right now but yah might meet her later” Applejack announced.
“Why are ya’lls names so descriptive…..does it describe your personalities or somthin’ I asked raising an eyebrow as I continued to stagger back and forth on my feet.
“Well our names just describe who we are, you can tell we’re tha Apple family from our names and our cutie marks” Applejack continued.
“Cutie Marks” I asked confused.
“There the marks we get on our flanks when we find out what our life purpose is”. “Do yah have a cutie mark by any chance Andrew”? Applejack asked me.
“No…we don’t really have that….we have tattoos but they don’t reflect our purpose” I said.
“Twilight’s sure gonna love talking to you” Applejack said with a chuckle.
“Who” I asked.
“My friend Twilight, she’s one of the Princess of Equestria, she’s kinda ah bookworm and all, but she a good friend”.
“How many Princesses are in……..Equestria” I said.
“Four actually” Applejack informed. “But enough about that, we should probably get yah inside, yah look like yah could use a meal partner” Applejack said.
“Oh no I’m fine” I said. They probably eat oats and wheat, it would be rude of me to say I can’t eat it I thought.
“There ain’t no use in fussin cause we’re cookin yah a meal anyway” Applejack said with a large smile.
I sighed “alright nothing to much” I said as they helped me walk to the farmhouse which was connected to the barn. Man this is one strange place, first I get pulled through a portal, chased by sentient ponies, and now I’m about to eat breakfast with them I thought.