Carter awoke from what felt like a nice, peaceful slumber. He shut his eyes and stretched his arms out in front of him. They felt a little more stiff than he last remembered, but decided to just let it slide. It was the beginning of a brand new day for him; no longer would he be the shy, selfish man he once was. No, starting this day he’d become a man who is accountable and dependable.

As he continued pouring positivity into his soul, Carter noticed something was not right. He looked around at his surroundings. There were nothing but trees as far as the eye could see.

A forest?

“What the heck? Where am I?” He said to himself. He tried to get up on his feet, but felt it unusually difficult to stand up straight. He wobbled around for a bit before inevitably falling onto his stomach.

Ah! Sweet lord. What is going on? Do I have a disability now or something?

Carter got himself off of the ground with his forearms and was in a position where he was on all fours. Something did not sit right in his mind. It felt too comfortable and natural to stand in this position. He was beginning to feel really agitated. He demanded answers. He looked up at the sky.

“Alright, spirit! Haha, very funny. What did you do to me!?” He shouted, waving his fist back and forth. But something was not right about that, either. He did not feel any fingers on his hand, and his arm did not even feel like it came parallel with his chin.

Wait… am I naked!?

“Oh no.” He said to himself. “I am having one of those naked dreams everyone talks about. I just have to close my eyes and everything will go back to normal. Well, that is what I said during my last phenomenon, but this one should work.” Carter shut his eyes and rocked himself back and forth. “Come on, Carter. Any time now.” He placed his hands over his ears and began to yell really loud to himself. There was yet another disturbance. His hands did not feel like hands, but rather flat stumps, and his ears felt like what he’d imagine a furry elf would feel like. He looked down at his right arm.

Oh… my… God.

Carter noticed that at the end of his right arm was a hoof. He checked his left arm. Another hoof. He checked his legs. Hooves on the ends of them, too. He analyzed his entire being, noticing that everything about him resembled something like a horse. However, he was oddly colored a soft red with a dark black mane.

“Oh, God! No! I am a furry!!!” He shook his head. “Of all the things you could have done, you chose to put me in the body of a horse. You sick freaks!” He shouted at the spirit from before, but knew that it would probably just ignore him.

Carter wobbled around for a bit, trying to figure out how to move around in his new body. It took some time but he finally figured it out and began to look for a way out of the tree infested terran that he awoke to. He managed to find a tilled path that seemed like a way out, leading to civilization.

“I mean, if I do find someone else then I hope they are able to help me, ‘cause I am not having this.” Carter muttered to himself.

He continued down the trail, looking around at the extraordinary natural elements that surrounded him. The sky was a fine blue and the tree’s green leaves created a nice complementary color, ultimately making the seemingly dark and creepy forest much more lively and colorful (at least during the day). He was never one for nature, but there were those moments in his life where he’d feel obligated to admire the scenery.

The trail soon split into two different pathways. Luckily for Carter, there was a wooden sign that had labels for where each path led. He felt relieved to have found some sign of hope (pun not intended). Carter walked up to the sign and leaned in closer to read its small, engraved font.

Left is Canterlot… I assume that is saying that I am somewhere in Europe or something. Probably England.

Carter thought that this ‘Canterlot’ place seemed like the right way to go, but still gave the other direction a chance.

Right is… wait. What?

He rubbed his eyes with his hoof to try and see if he read it wrong. To his unfortunates that was not the case, as he saw the same thing when he looked again.

Right is Ponyville. Oh great, a plot of land designated for damned souls like myself. Well, ain’t that just great.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“I guess I will have to go left to Canterlot. Perhaps I will find someone who could actually help me. Then again, if I do look like this then maybe Ponyville is the better choice. No, what am I talking about? Canterlot is the one to go to, no more questions. Let’s go, Carter.” Carter could not stop feeling so confused and overwhelmed over the entirety of the situation.

Ah, and I am talking to myself. So unorthodox.

Carter just shrugged it off and continued down the path towards Canterlot.

Later down the road, Carter felt something itchy on his side. He tried to reach it with his hoof, but it proved to be ineffective. He looked to his side to see if there was a bug, but there was instead found to be a pair of wings on his sides. He was shocked, his jaw dropping ever so slightly; his eyes dilated a fraction larger. He tried to move them to subdue the itching feeling, but could not find the muscles that corresponded with the movement of his wings. It was beginning to drive him mad, so he just walked over to a tree and used the bark to itch himself.

Carter shook himself down, freeing himself from any bark residue. It was then when Carter noticed a figure near the top of his vision. It looked like something fleshy just ejecting itself from his forehead. He placed his right hoof in it, gently tapping the strange appendage. It was a horn. It sent waves of feelings through his head once his hoof came in contact with his 'horn,' making it feel as though any more applied force would hurt like no other pain Carter had ever felt before.

Ok, so I have wings and a horn. What is that called? Pegasus? No. Unicorn? Closer… ah, Alicorn. Right? Ah, why do I care!?

Carter continued walking up the path. The trail eventually led to a giant climb up a snowy mountain. However, from where he was currently standing, he saw a giant city that looked like what he considered a mix of russian and aztec art. He looked back at the path, not wanting to go through the snow. He tried again to use his wings to fly, but he could not even get them moving a little bit. He sighed, but decided to keep on pushing forward.

Carter was about halfway through the snowy path when he tripped over something that was sticking out of the snow. He fell face first into the snow and a sheer feeling of coldness took over his body.

Good Lord, that is some cold climate!

Carter felt his lips crack and split apart as they started to get chapped. He looked down at the ground to try and find whatever it was that he tripped over. He saw something discolored sticking out from under a mound of snow. He brushed the snow away with his hoof and found what appeared to be a little brown bag. Carter picked up the bag with his hoof, noticing that it was much heavier than it appeared to be. He opened up the bag to look at the contents. Inside the bag there was a handful of gold coins.

Yo, jackpot!

He had never taken into account that wherever he was going most likely had a different currency system, (not like he had any cash currently with him) so finding this was a blessing to him. He hung it over his neck by the cinch string and tightened it up with his teeth since he had no fingers. It took more time than he was willing to spend due to the harsh snow falling ever more upon his fur coat, but he accomplished his goal with a bit of perseverance.

Near the end of the path, Carter could see a giant bridge that led into the main part of the city. Carter ran over as quickly as he could (partly to warm himself up after being in the snowy mountains for what felt like a good chunk of time) and made his way into the town square of the so-called ‘Canterlot.’

Right off the bat, Carter noticed that all of the creatures looked a lot like him. He was so confused. Surely he was in some sort of ranch or something. But then again, why was there a city for them to walk in? Was some deranged farmer thinking that it would boost their morale?

Why are there so many horses here?

Carter thought long and hard on his current location based on the circumstances, but it didn’t take long to finally click in his mind.

Wait… oddly colored bodies, very anime-like appearance, strange tattoos on their butt.

He finally gasped in relief.

It’s the land of My Little Pony. Oh! Thank God, I thought for sure I was some crazy lab experiment!

Carter was relieved to figure out what at least seemed like the truth.

Wait… then that means I am a brony! Oh, for crying out loud!

Carter continued looking around the town, trying to figure out something that he could possibly do in order to acquire information of any kind. He knew in his mind that he did not just walk up a mountain for nothing. He looked up and saw a giant castle in front of him, blocked off by a pair of pale pegasi knights clad in golden armor. Right off the bat he knew that there was no going in that area of the city, at least from what he was aware of.

He continued around the town square, looking at all the vendors. Carter suddenly got a strange feeling in his body, but it felt familiar. He was hungry. It never occurred to him that he had not eaten for who knows how long, so it was only fitting for his stomach to respond accordingly. He looked around for somewhere to grab a quick bite, but the places around were either too expensive compared to the money he had in his pouch, or it was just unappetizing. The sight of a hay sandwich on the daily special menu was not what he was in the mood for (as if he had ever enjoyed eating hay in general as a human). It made sense pony-wise, but to an experienced omnivore he was happily gonna take a pass. Carter did eventually hear something that caught his ear.

“Apples! Nice juicy apples! Come and get yerself some nice, ripe apples!”

Now there was something that Carter was familiar with eating. He turned around to find an orange, southern looking mare with a cream colored mane and cowboy (or cowpony in this sense) hat upon her head. He walked up to the vendor.

“Well, hello there.” Carter said, doing his best to at least seem like he fits in with the rest of society.

“Well howdy do, partner.” The orange mare replied. “What can I do you’n for?”

“Yeah, I’d like to buy an apple, please.” Carter said.

“Just one?” She asked, a smile coming over her face, almost as if she had not had a sale in a while.

“You know what, let’s make that a two piece.” Carter said.

“Yeehaw! Can do, sir.” She said, whipping her hair back. “That’ll be 2 pieces.”

“Alrighty.” Carter reached into his little baggy and pulled out two gold coins. The orange mare took it from him and placed the gold under the countertop and into a little jar behind sight.

While Carter was waiting for his apples, he tried to get his wings to move. At one point he actually got them to move a bit and eventually spread out.

Hey, there we go. Now I am starting to get the hang of it.

Carter continued to mess around with his new appendages. The orange mare peaked over the counter when she saw his wings. She previously noticed his horn.

“Woah, wait. You’re an alicorn?” She asked him.

“Um… yes! Yes, that is right.” Carter replied. His posture changed to a defiant stance, as if the title was something of royalty.

“Wow. Haven’t seen many of your kind around.”

“Really?” Carter lost his stoic composure. If there weren't really many alicorns in the area, then Carter thought he'd surely be gutted for the truth in mere seconds.

“Where ya from, stranger?”

“Uh…” Carter had to figure out how to answer this question. He had no time to think of some complex backstory. “I-i live in, uh, a far away place from here.”

“What place?” She inquired.

“You probably have never heard of it.” Carter insisted.

“Try me.” The mare replied, smirking a bit.

“Ah… America. *cough* Sorry about that stammer.” Carter said, trying to act like he knew what he was talking about (which he did for the most part).

“America, huh? Nope. I cannot say I have heard of it. Ya got me there.” She said. Carter sighed in relief. “Anywho, here are yer two apples, partner.” She handed Carter the apples and he put one of them in the pouch, holding the other in his right hoof.

“I appreciate it… partner.” Carter said, smiling back at her to return the gesture. The orange mare smiled back, giggling a bit under her hoof.

Carter was about to walk away until he eyed a tip jar with about three gold pieces in it. There was some parchment across the front side with some ink writing on it saying, 'tips, please donate.' Carter wondered.

“Hey, miss. What is this for?” He asked, hoping it wasn't for anything too private.

“Oh, that?” The orange mare's entire mood dropped. “Yeah. That there is for mah Granny Smith.”

“Oh, I see.” Carter said. He pieced together her words to understand the reasoning for the tip jar. “Is she doing ok these days?”

“Yeah, I mean, she sure makes it seem like it, but I do fear her days are numbered.” She began to tear up, but quickly took off her hat and hid her face behind it. “I’m hoping that these here donations will give us somewhat of a life boost fer Granny Smith. Ya know, make it last.”

“Right.” Carter said. He felt bad for her and knew that he had to do something, especially after she told him the story behind it all so openly. He reached into his bag and placed ten gold pieces into the jar. “I know it is not much, but it’s sure to get things started.” Carter said, trying to make his tiny donation seem like the Lord himself came and loaded the jar to its maximum.

“Oh my… sir, I… I don’t know what to say.” The mare said, flustered by his gracious donation.

“Then don’t say anything. Just take it for what it is.” Carter said.

“Well, I at least have to say thank ya kindly, partner.” She came out from behind the stand and gave him a big hug. “You’re fine with hugs, right?”

“Of course.” Carter said, returning the act. The two embraced each other and let their feelings flow through. After a moment it two, they let go and walked back a bit.

“Thank ya so much, sir. If there is anything I can do fer ya just let me know.” She said.

“Thanks. I will remember that.” Carter said.

Immediately following the conversation, Carter began having a big headache. He placed his hoof on his head and groaned in pain. He began to have flashes of images in his head. A purple mare covered in fancy jewelry and a crown atop her head passed by, along with a family consisting of a pink mare, a white stallion, and a little foal. Suddenly, lightning strikes the carriage that the family is on and the floor beneath them is cracked and a giant hole appears. The filly falls down, and the purple mare tries to save it, but misses and hits the broken carriage. Carter then snapped back to reality.

“Uh… ya doing okay, mister?” The orange mare asked Carter.

“Grr. Yeah, I think so.” Carter replied. “I’ve just been having some strange headaches, recently.”

“Headaches?” She asked.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I don't know if it will help, but I have a homemade tonic that my family has made for generations. Helps deal with pain. I could give that to you in return for your donation if you want.”

Huh. Convenient tonic to help me with my headaches. How serendipitous.

“Yeah. Actually yeah, I’ll take that. Worth a shot.” Carter said.

“Alright, then. Just wait there.” She said, running over and grabbing a small vial of apple scented chemicals. “Here ya are, partner. Take this once a day whenever ya feel a headache a comin', and it should help.”

“Thanks, miss. This should be very helpful.” Carter said. He placed the vial in his baggy, tightening the string once he was done. A sudden thought appeared in his head, and he glanced up at the mare. “I never did get your name.”

“Oh, the name’s Applejack.” She said, holding out her hoof.

“Mine is Carter. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He shook her hoof in return.

Carter turned around and began walking a bit more into the city until he heard trumpets go off in the distance. The loud noise coming from the brass instruments were then soon followed with a loud booming voice.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, please clear the streets and put your hooves together for the leader of Equestria herself, Princess Twilight Sparkle!”

Carter looked to his right to find a small, purple dragon flying about town, announcing his words to the citizens with a little microphone. Right behind the dragon was a chariot that was slowly rolling down the street. Upon it sat a purple pony, covered in golden shoes around her hooves, beautiful jewellery upon her body, and a crown that rested atop her head. Carter suddenly shook a bit. It was the same one in his vision. Could it have been warning him about something? Carter watched the princess roll down the way as the ponies all bowed before her. He didn’t want to look rude, so he just copied whatever the other ponies were doing. He then heard the voice of the little dragon again.

“And now, all the way from the Crystal Empire, give a round of applause for Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, and their most beloved foal, Flurry Heart!”

Carter was then in a state of staggered breathing. All three of the ponies that followed were also from his vision. The pink mother, the white stallion, and a foal. He remembered that the sight of lightning would appear moments later, and that that was when chaos would begin. He looked around for anything that would even spark the sky. A cloud, a metal rod, even a fork. But nothing was in sight that could possess such a power. Carter just shrugged it off and continued to watch the parade, anxiety still coursing through his veins. He looked at the little foal who rested in the crook of the mother’s foreleg. She was indeed a cute little one, with eyes that looked like they came straight out of a manga. Above the entirety of the city, there was a sudden noise that sounded like fighter jets passing by. Carter looked up and saw a little group of pegasi in blue suits flying in formation with each other.

“What! What is this? Is it… oh my, it is! The Wonderbolts!” The dragon shouted out as the pegasi group flew over all the other ponies with extreme speeds. Carter was astounded by the little show that came about. His first day here and he was already treated to something he felt like he’d only find on a cruise or something.

Carter watched as the so-called 'Wonderbolts' gathered together and began spinning around each other, creating a colorful tornado-looking formation of clouds. He was intrigued with how they were able to pull off such a stunt. He didn’t want to get into the science behind it, so he just sat down and watched it all go down. That is, until he saw one of the pegasus ponies starting to create a static force into the tornado.

Carter shot up onto his legs and stared. The tornado began to create a giant electrical force around itself, shooting little streaks of lightning across the sky. He was beginning to feel anxious. If this was foreshadowing something like his vision had shown, then he should do something. He just watched, biting down on his tongue.

“Uh, I don’t think this is intentional.” The purple mare said to the dragon; the sound was heard through the microphone.

“Yeah, well maybe it is.” The dragon replied, holding his hand over the microphone, yet their discussion was still audible to every pony around them.

“That is not a good thing to hear.” Carter said, feeling as if ready to leap out at any moment. It was a good thing he did, too. The tornado suddenly lost control and began sweeping through the city’s streets. Carter was nervous out of his mind. There is no way that a stupid dream could possibly warn him of what was to come… could it?

The moment came. Lightning escaped the tornado’s windy forces and struck the ground just in front of the carriage that the Crystal Empire ponies sat upon. The mare and the stallion both rolled off and landed on the floor. The mare dropped the little foal and it began rolling down towards the giant hole in the ground. The purple mare saw this and flew over as fast as she could to save the foal, but Carter knew that she was not going to make it. He too began to run over there to try and save the foal. The princess barely missed the little pony and found herself smashing into the broken carriage, knocking herself unconscious. Carter hated to think about it, but knew that there was no other choice. He jumped down the hole. Just as his body fell into the shadows, the floor closed itself shut and trapped the two down there.

Above the ground, the citizens all began to aid the royal ponies the best they could. The orange mare from before ran over to the purple one and helped her get back into reality.

“Twilight? Twilight, are you okay?” Applejack asked, trying to get her to open her eyes. The white stallion got up and looked over his shoulder after first helping his mate. He too saw the unconscious purple mare.

“Uh oh. Twilight! Sis, you ok?” He said softly.

“Ugh. That was a doozy.” The purple mare finally said.

“Oh, thank goodness. I thought you was a goner.” Applejack said.

“Heh. Sure feels like it.” Twilight said. “You ok, Shining Armor?” The white stallion nodded.

“Hey, where is Flurry Heart?” The pink mare asked, her breathing becoming more rapid with every passing second.

“Uh, Cadence… I thought Twilight got her.” Shining Armor said.

“What! No, I missed! Didn’t you just see me crash into your chariot!?” Twilight shouted.

“What!? You mean my little foal is somewhere down there? She is probably dead!” Cadence shouted, her face was turning pale and her eyes began to shut closed at a rapid rate.

“Oh no.” Shining Armor said to himself.

“Wait, ya mean that Flurry Heart is stuck under all this here rubble!?” Applejack inquired.

“I’m so sorry, Cadence. I didn’t mean to… oh gosh.” Twilight Sparkle began to tear up, thinking that Flurry Heart was dead because of her.

“Quick, everypony try and get these here rocks out of the way so we can save her majesty’s baby!” Applejack shouted to the citizens as they all piled in to help.

“Oh, Twilight. I am so sorry.” One of the wonderbolts said, flying down to Princess Twilight's eye level.

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked. The blue mare took off her mask and nodded, revealing her multicolored mane. “It’s ok, just start helping out.” She got down and began helping them with moving the debris.

~

Underneath the rubble and chaos above, Carter grabbed the little foal and held her tightly against his chest. He knew that, unfortunately, he did not know how to use his wings to fly, so he would have to take all of the impact for the little pony on the way down. He held her tightly in his grasp and soon hit the rocky surface below. Carter’s body was loaded with an extreme ‘shock,’ which flowed through every vein in his being, resulting in an insufferable amount of pain filling his entire figure. Every bit of air was knocked out of him, along with some cracking sounds once he hit the ground. He could do nothing but stay immobile as he waited for the pain to decrease enough so that he could effortlessly get back up.

Grrr! Son of a damned… gah!

Carter rolled around a bit, still holding the little foal close to him. Eventually he got up and examined his wounds. A couple massive bruises began to swell up, but nothing too big or catastrophic appeared out of the ordinary. He let out a breath of relief and picked up Flurry Heart, placing her on his back.

Hold on tight, little one. We both need to find a way out of here.

“Mama?” The foal mumbled.

“No. Mama is not here.” Carter said. He kept his stoic face as he looked back at the little pony, knowing very well that nothing he was saying would be understood by her small mind.

“Mama?” Flurry Heart began crying.

Oh brother.

Carter rolled his eyes and began eyeing out an escape plan. He found a couple rocks that he could possibly climb that would get him and the foal up to a little crack in the top of the ground, where he saw light seep into the caves.

“Alright. I hope that you are ready, little one. We have a ways to go.” Carter rolled his shoulders back and began the climb.

He placed one of his hooves on the first rock and tried pushing himself up to the next one. Though he was ultimately successful for the first jump up, the situation did prove to be extremely difficult without fingers at his aid. He however mustered enough strength to hold himself in place (which was the easy part). He continued up the wall, looking for rocks that would support his body weight. He found one in particular that looked like a bit of a stretch, but saw no other rocks in the vicinity. He jumped to it and grabbed on, but was immediately sent downward after it snapped off of the wall. He fell down a bit, looking desperately for another rock to grab, as he was way too high to survive a fall by this point. He grabbed hold of a much bigger rock and saved himself, biting down on Flurry Heart’s tail to save her from the fall as well.

Let’s… never do that… ever again!

He was hyperventilating a bit before looking back up at his destination and continuing the climb. He was getting closer and closer to his goal, occasionally making sure that the little foal was safely beside him. At one point their eyes met and Flurry Heart gave Carter a funny look.

“Just checking in on you, kiddo.” Carter said, knowing that most of what he was saying would go off not understood. “I didn’t risk my life just to fail with trying to save yours.” Flurry Heart just made bubble noises with her mouth in response, releasing a bit of froth from her lips. “Great motivation, kiddo. Keep it going.”

If you so much as drool on me once, I’ll… do something...

Just above him was the crack in the ground above him. Carter smiled to himself, knowing that the journey was almost over. He looked over his shoulder and reached out towards the light. There was a problem, however: The crack was too small for even Flurry Heart to fit through.

“Just my luck.” Carter muttered. He started to hear some ponies above him moving the rocks away. He had an idea. “Hey! Can anyo-, anypony hear me?” He shouted. Nothing came back his way. He tried again, then waited.

“Carter? Is that you?” A familiar voice answered back.

“Applejack?” Carter inquired.

“Yeah, it’s me. What y’all doing down there?” She asked.

“Yeah, uh… kinda busy saving this little foal.”

“Foal? Wait! Guys, he has Flurry Heart. She is still alive!” Applejack yelled to the other ponies. A couple shouts of praise were heard before things continued.

“Applejack, we need a way out.” Carter stated.

“Right, on it.” She said, placing her hind hooves on the rocks near the crack. “You underneath me?”

“No, go for it!” Applejack lifted her back legs and kicked the rocks away from the crack. Soon following, the rocks fell to the ground, and Carter, with only a split second to react, pushed himself and the foal against the wall to avoid the falling debris. Soon enough the hole was bigger, but it was too far for Carter to jump through. Applejack looked down and saw the problem herself.

“Carter, give me your hoof.” Applejack shouted.

“I don’t think I can make it!” Carter said, holding Flurry Heart, who was beginning to get impatient. “Stupid baby, hold on.” He muttered under his breath.

“Yes, you can. Trust me.”

“Can I actually trust you?” Carter asked. His nervousness began to multiply. On one side of things, he could make the jump and hope to God that Applejack actually carries out her side of the work and catches them both. The other: impending death for the both of them.

“Yes, and you kinda have to trust me. The wall is about to break.” She said, which made Carter look over his shoulder to find that the rock wall was in pieces by this point, ready to collapse at any moment. Carter was hesitant, but ultimately agreed. He readied up and jumped from the rocks just as the wall crumbled to the floor below. He reached for Applejack’s hoof, letting out a loud yell. Applejack reached down and caught the alicorn by the hoof with hers. Applejack grabbed tightly onto his foreleg and slowly but surely pulled both him and Flurry Heart out of the ravine. Eventually they were safely pulled up. Carter shook himself to get the rubble out of his hairs (also to calm himself from the dangers beforehand) and set Flurry Heart down on the ground, making sure that she was nowhere near the ravine to fall back in.

“Oh my gosh, my sweet little Flurry. Are you ok?” Cadence asked, the little foal giving off nothing but frothy bubbles from her lips in return. “Oh, thank goodness, you are still alive.”

“Well I’ll be, Carter. Ya actually up and saved the princess’ baby.” Applejack said, surprised that both of them were alive and barely injured, compared to what she had expected.

“Yeah… she sure is a troublemaker, it would seem.” Carter said, rolling his shoulders to try and ease the pain that came from the bruises.

“Uh, not to be a let down or anything, but why didn’t you just fly up to the top?” Rainbow Dash asked, crossing her arms.

“Yeah, why didn’t you use your wings?” Applejack added.

“It’s hard to believe, but I have never really learned to fly.” Carter admitted.

I mean, it’s not like I’ve only had wings for an hour or so.

“What!? You can’t even fly?” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Well, I think everyone has their flaws.” Carter said, furrowing his brow in annoyance. He knew very well that if he could only fly with his new wings, then this task of his would’ve been accomplished much sooner than the time it had currently proven to take. They were right, and he was ashamed of it.

“Ha, not me. I am perfect.” Rainbow Dash said. Applejack gave her an off look. “Ok, maybe you are right.” She said, rubbing her right foreleg in embarrassment. "But seriously, you don't know how to fly?"

"Cross my heart." Carter said. Even through all of the backtalk he was receiving, he was getting quite a good laugh from her reaction.

"You didn't even get help from your friends or family?" Rainbow Dash insisted.

"Nope." Carter said.

"Alright, that's enough, Rainbow! Let the stallion get a breather. Wings or no wings, flying or no flying, he still got out of the ravine, alive and in one piece." Applejack shouted in annoyance, striking the ground with her right forehoof to stop the argument before it dragged out.

"Oh thank you so much, mister." The pink mare princess said. "I cannot express how grateful I am to you for saving my little Flurry Heart."

"Think nothing of it, your highness. These things do happen, after all." Carter said, bowing down as to not look rude in front of the princess. The purple mare came up behind her, the white stallion following closely behind.

"Hey, thanks for that, sir. But you know, using your wings would've made things easier." The purple coated mare said, staring almost dumbfounded at Carter.

Is everyone going to ask this?

"Carter already said that he can't fly, Twilight." Applejack said.

"Oh, haha. Sorry to ask." Twilight said.

"Ha! That makes two of us." The white stallion shouted jokingly.

"Forgive me, but I do not believe I have met any of you. Besides, Applejack." Carter stated.

"Yeah, Carter is not from here. So he says." Applejack added.

"Well, I do believe a proper introduction is in order, then." The purple mare began. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. Those two, the parents of Flurry Heart, are Shining Armor, my brother, and Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence for short. Over there you can see my dragon pal, Spike. Then you have Rainbow Dash: the most supreme, amazing, incredible, spectacular, and overall best Wonderbolt there is, or so she likes to call herself, in that order."

"Yes, she even remembered the order." Rainbow Dash shouted, doing a little arm pump. Twilight just rolled her eyes.

What an amazing title to be known by… yet that same pony almost killed an innocent foal. Might want to change it...

"How do you two know each other, Applejack? I've never heard of you talk about a stallion friend." Twilight said.

"Me and Carter just met today. Haven't known each other for long." Applejack answered.

"I see. Well, I happily welcome you to Equestria. It's a pleasure seeing that ponies outside of these lands have come here. Are you here just to visit?" Twilight asked.

"I'll be quite honest with you, Twilight. I do not know why I am here." Carter admitted, looking down at the ground.

"Whatever do you mean?" Cadence inquired.

"I woke up in the forest down below the city. I don't remember how I got here, nor how I'll ever get back home. It's strange to think about, but I do not believe I was put here by some means of pure coincidence or something alike."

"Wait! You were unconscious in the Everfree Forest!?" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"You say that like it's one bad place." Carter said.

"Let's just say that we are surprised that you weren't attacked or anything." Shining Armor replied.

"Ah, that's great to hear. Makes me want to go back." Carter said sarcastically , the entire group picking up on it and soon chuckling.

"Well, Carter, do you have any plans on what to do during your time in Equestria?" Twilight asked.

"Negative. I have absolutely no clue. I don't know where to stay, what to do to get home… I'm feeling kinda hopeless now that I think about it." Carter said. His eyebrows slumped down, making his face look distressed.

"That's no good." Applejack said.

"Well, I am sure that we could help. How about you come with us to the castle. You can get cleaned up and then we can talk about helping you get squared away." Twilight offered.

"You mean it?" Carter asked, his face beaming with a slight glimmer of positivity and hope after hearing her offer. "I mean, if it isn't too much to ask for, I'd be glad to accept."

"Not at all, Carter. It would be a privilege to help you. It's not everyday we get ponies like you."

"Then sure. I'd be most gracious to accept your offer, your highness." Carter said happily.

"Great. Spike, fly over to the castle and make preparations for a plus one." Twilight ordered.

"Of course, Twilight. Your faithful dragon pal Spike can handle this."

"And this time, make sure that there aren't any gems lying around the throne room."

"Aha. Right." Spike said, flying away.

"Now then, let's all head over to the castle, ourselves. I'm sure the others are already there waiting for our arrival." Twilight said.

"Besides, I'm dying for something to do." Rainbow Dash declared.

"You're just loving the attention, aren't you?" Applejack said, giving her an odd look.

"What can I say? The crowd loves me." Rainbow Dash said, flying around the area, crossing her legs and placing her forelegs behind her head. Everypony laughed and then began to go to the castle.

Author's Note

And so the human has found his way into Equestria, and with quite an entrance. There are some ponies that Carter has yet to meet; don't worry, they will be present in due time.