Chapter 1: A Strange Meeting

A lone man walked though the snowstorm,
the thick wall of snow making it almost impossible to see further than five steps ahead
and the bellowing wind drowning out any and every sound.

Grunting the man pulled out a large piece of parchment using his trenchcoat to shield it from the storm.

It was a map.

Squinting his eyes he checked the crude markings on it.

After a few seconds he folded it back into his pocket and continued his heavy walk.

If the map was still accurate there should be a hideout not too far from where he was.

It was stupid cold.
But sheer determination drove him forward, rewarding him soon as a wooden structure split the storm.

It was a two-story building gathering piles on piles of snow on its roof,
it‘s boarded up windows leaving no entry for the storm.

Gritting his teeth the man fought his way through the last few meters of snow that held him
from his save-space.

Arriving at the door, he first took a bold-action-rifle off his shoulders and examined the cartridges.
He had only fired it once, even so just the fact that he was armed should be enough to deter potential bandits.

Or so he hoped.

After cautiously testing the doorknob, he gave himself entry, closing the door behind him.

The interior of the house was incredibly sparse.

In the middle of the room before him lay a small wooden table,
witch was evidently misused as fuel for a small fire at some point.
Though the fire had not spread that far as half of the table was still intact
and the floorboards seemed to be mostly unscathed.

As for decorations, there was only one, torn, black and white photograph on the wall next to the stairs which lead up to the second floor.

His rifle at the ready the man slowly creeped up the stairs and inspected the second floor.

To his dismay, it was empty except for an old leather couch,
the inner cotton of which had already been plundered.

Still, it would probably make for a better bed than sleeping on the floor.

Sadly, there was no oven, furnace or stove and the man was not about to start a fire in an house entirely build out of wood.

Having found no sign of live he decided to make this place his own for the night.

Or for how ever long the worst of the storm would last

His first decision concerning his temporary home was to move the couch down the stairs, which turned out to be easier said than done.

After a few attempts and only one of the four legs braking off, the couch was finally placed right where he wanted it;
On the opposite side, facing the door.

Proud of himself he smirked and took off his backpack, searching it for his food supplies,
a shiver reminding him how cold it was.

For a moment his hand was tempted to grab the lighter in his chest pocket to start a small fire yet, but with firm nod he banished these thoughts away.

Of course he didn't want to freeze, but he also didn't want to burn either.

For now he satisfied his hunger with some of the old bread and quenched his thirst
with a gulp from the bulky bottle he usually carried on his person.

The alcoholic beverage inside burned his throat and gave him a little more warmth.

He usually boiled some of the snow outside in his kettle to get water, but today he would have no such luxury.

Sighing he took another sip from the bottle, when he suddenly heard a wired sound from outside the house.

Warily eyeing his bottle he took one more gulp before closing the lid again.

Surely he wasn't drunk already.
The sound outside just now sounded like a female voice
With the wind as loud as it was he surly misheard.

"...maybe..hear..."

No there was definitely someone out there!

Weighing his option, he decided to take a small peek outside.

Holding his rifle at the ready he slowly opened the door.

The snowstorm still roared as intense as ever.
But with the wind in his favour, the slipstream of the house enabled him to see just a bit further than before.

Glancing through the storm he soon made out a wired, horselike shape.

"Who goes there?" he called out, expecting the owner of the horse to answer.

"Hello?" a female voice answered.

He yelled out and waved his rifle in the air "Im over here!"

"Oh! Hello!" the voice called again, the horselike shape stepping closer and slowly fading into view.

It was a surprisingly small horse, though very soon all of its exotic features where on display.
For it was not only a surprisingly small horse with its coat coloured in an odd velvet.
It also sported two oversized puppy dog eyes, two birdlike wings on its side and a unicorn horn on its forehead.

Trying to stay unfazed the man steadied his rifle waiting for the,
surly just as extravagantly dressed ,
owner of the horse to show themself.

The horse slowly cocked its head to the side and gave him an odd look.

"Show yourself !" he called out again,
only for the horse open its mouth and answer:

"I'm right here?"

The horse just spoke?!

The man was so perplexed by this revelation, he almost accidentally pulled the trigger, barely stopping himself at the last second.

"Is everything okay?" the horse asked mirroring the man's expression of bewilderment, all be it with more concern.

Tightening the grip on his rifle he slowly took a few steps back towards the door.

"Oh, sorry i didn't mean to scare you!
What is your name?"

"First you give me yours!" he demanded stepping through the door,
one eye always observing the creature witch now slowly trotted towards him.

"Don't you dare move any closer" he yelled raising his rifle.

The creature stoped immediately giving him a slight look of annoyance.

"Gee, so much for hospitality!"

"What are you?" the man asked flatly, furrowing his brow.

"For one: rude!
But I am a pony.
What kind of creature are you if I may ask?"

"Human.
How come I've never heard of you ponys before?"

The pony surged it shoulders.
"I have also never heard of a species called Human before"

Shaking his head he tried to clarify: "No that's not what I meant.
I've seen ponies before but..."

"Really, where?!" the pony yelled excitedly interrupting his tangent.

Sighing he took a look past the small pony into the snowy storm wall searching for any sign of life.

"Are you alone?" he asked, putting the rifle over his shoulder.

The pony nodded, an exited smile brightening its face.
"But where have you..."

This time it was his turn to interrupt the pony.

"How about we continue our talk in the house?
The wind is killing me!"

Testing his reaction the pony stepped one hesitant hove in his direction.
When he didn't say anything opposing its action it slowly trotted towards him.

He held a hand out as a greeting and soon hand met hove.

Shaking it firmly he said:

"Sorry for the cold welcome.
The name is Jim.
Yours is...?"

"Twilight Sparkle" said the pony and entered the building.

Closing the door behind him Jim overheard Twilights comment on the decor:
"How can a room this empty be so messy?"

Noticing that he heard what she said, she hastily added:
"Not trying to offend you or anything, everyone has their own mess.
Though I would like to bring a little order in to yours if you don't have anything against it that is"

He waved her off taking a seat on the broken couch.

"Don't bother.
I myself just squat here for a day or two"

"No luck with the fire?" she asked pointing her hove at the table.

"Nah, was already like that when I found it.
Also, hope that it does not bother you if I sleep in the couch?"

"No that's not a problem" Twilight said, levitated a book out of her saddlebacks and flipped through its pages.

Having found the right page she cast a spell witch ignited a small flame on the remnants of the table.

Putting the book back into her saddlebacks she turned towards Jim again.

Jim cautiously glared at Twilight.

"I would guess with the look you're giving me that you have never seen magic before?"

Slowly nodding Jim grasped for his bottle, taking a small sip.

"No worry it is completely harmless" she said rolling out a blanket before adding a not so reassuring
"for the most part"

Seeing that Jim didn't seem to be that comforted by what she said she continued

"You can imagine magic as a tool that a few pony's have access too.
But just like with every good tool, you need to know how to use it and how to use it in the correct way.
This flame for example is completely harmless"

To demonstrate her point she stretched one of her hove into the flames.

"See?"

"Yes.
I.
See." he said slowly.

"Really though, it isn't that big of a deal okay?" she said now in a more serious tone.

"Okay" Jim said giving out one big sigh.

"How about we eat something?" Twilight suggested pulling out a carrot from her saddlebags
and levitating it over to him.

"Thank you" he said grabbing the carrot with his right hand and taking out a small bite.

"You think water would boil on that flame?"

"I don't see why it wouldn't work"

"Then, i'll be back soon"

Grabbing his kettle Jim walked through the door into the outside.

Barely five seconds passed before he was back, the kettle filled with snow.

Searching his backpack he took out three long iron rods witch he used to build an amateur tripod witch he placed over the flames.

Twilight watched in amusement as he used two slim chains to suspend the kettle over the fire.

"You know, you could have just asked me to melt the snow" she chuckled.

He stared from Twilight to the kettle and back to Twilight.

"I like it my way"

"You do you" she said and took a large map out of her saddlebags,
levitating it in a way, that Jim also head a good view.

"Now, tell me Jim, where did you see these ponys you were talking about?"

"N-no you got it all wrong Twilight.
I was not talking about pony's like you that can talk and use magic.
Just regular animals"

"Oh" Twilight said a little disappointed.

"Whats up with your map anyway?"

"Why?
Is something wrong with it?" Twilight asked wandering her gaze over the colourful parchment.

"Yes!
Very much so!
What place is this map even supposed to represent?"

"Why, Trotterfield of course!"

Exchanging confused glances Jim said "Never heard of it"

"How??" Twilight began, question-marks all over her face.

"Maybe you show me where exactly on the map we are?"

"Thats just the problem!" Twilight blurted,
"My location spell failed hours ago!
I have not the slightest idea where I am!
And if you don't know where you are!
That would mean we are-
WE ARE-!"

"Calm yourself Twilight!" Jim interrupted pulling out his own map.

"See this?" he asked pointing at one of the markings on it and held it towards Twilight,
"That is where we're currently at"

Slowly breathing in and out Twilight calmed down a little.

"Could you please let borrow me the map for a moment?"

"Shure"

Handing over the map Jim asked "Tell me, what exactly are you looking for?"

"Some pony" she said studying the map and it's markings intensely.

"Some pony?" Jim repeated.

"Yes, my friends"

"Oh."

After a brief moment of silence Twilight casually asked:

"What are you looking for Jim?
You said you would only stay for a day or two?"

Sighing he took two wooden cups out of his backpack and muttered a silent;

"Im looking for my sister"

The hot steam emitted by the kettle told Jim that the water was done.

After taking it off the fire he began to pour the two cups with boiling water.

"Want some Twilight?"

"hmmm oh sure thank you" she said still focused on the map.

"Just watch out, its a litte hot"

"ehe"
Levitating the cup she took a small sip.

Jim clears his throat.

"Äm.
Twilight.
I know this might be a bit of an odd question, but where exactly do you come from?"

"It's called Ponyville, though I think you never heard of that either?"

Shaking his head Jim took a small sip from his cup.

"Are you sure your map is accurate?" Twilight asked comparing her map with his.

"I think so why?"

Twilight pointed at his map.

"There are no towns in our vicinity anywhere!
And I am certain that I passed a town just a few hours ago"

"But that's impossible...
Though, I guess I am talking to a magic unicorn horse right now so..."

"Excuse me?!" Twilight shot him a sharp look.

"Oh sorry!
I meant pony, not gonna happen again!
Just saying that there might be things out there that I haven't seen yet"

Twilight flared her nostrils, diverting her glare back to the map.

Speaking in a softer tone she said:

"It is wired though, my location spell dose not seem to be working on your map either"

"My compass should still function" Jim said waving a small metal object in his hand,
before tossing it towards Twilight.

She caught it with her magic and gave the two maps another look over.

After a short moment she sighed and folded the maps, putting hers back into her saddlebacks.

"I don't understand how I could have gotten this lost in a stupid snowstorm!"

Jim shrugged and grabbed his map and compass.

"Maybe your magic broke somehow or something?
You wouldn't be the first to get lost in the storm"

"Magic does not just break somehow!"

"Than I have no idea" he said putting compass and map back into his backpack.

Twilight pulled out a huge scroll, quill and ink.

"Even so, would you be willing to answer a few questions for me Jim"

"What questions would that be?" Jim asked curious.

"First,
if Human is a scientific term in your community
or just what you call yourself in general?"

"I.
I don't know?
I guess it might be scientific, i can't say it for sure though"

Twilight began to write something on to the scroll.

"Do you usually live alone or in groups?" came her next question.

"Groups.
What exactly is the purpose of these questions?"

"I'm trying to document your species Jim.
Your kind is unheard of in Equestria!
Now, would you consider your species to be intelligent?
You obviously are capable of metal refining"

"Now holed up!" Jim said slightly offended by his objectification.
"There is really no need to be so rude!"

"How else am I supposed to ask these question's?" Twilight asked irritated,

"This is for science, and future generations!
Surely you understand"

Slowly breathing in and out Jim sat onto the couch.

"I guess you're right.
But how about you just read a book on human history?
Would make things easier for both of us"

"You got a book on human history?" she asked excitedly eyeing his backpack.

"No, but the librarys in the citys usually do"

Twilight emptied her cup slightly disappointed.

"On another note Twilight:
Do you have any idea where you could find these friends you're looking for?
I mean.
Do you already know of a concrete location they're at?"

"Well yes!
Of course I do!
Its just with the map not working how I want it to, that finding them in this storm is all but impossible!
And if your map has any credibility I might have wandered way off the beaten path!"

"For how long have you been traveling anyway?" Jim asked giving her a queer look.

"Five hours maybe?"

"Than you shouldn't have that hard a time to get back home from here"

Pointing at Twilights saddlebacks he added:
"How about you let me have a look at that map of yours, maybe I find something you are overlooking"

Twilight took her map out of her saddlebacks and levitated it over to Jim, who in turn took out his own map.

"Please tell me when you find something"

"I will" Jim said and let his eyes wander over Twilights map.

It was in pristine condition, barely showing any signs of ever being used.

Soon he noticed something odd though.

"You said you're from Ponyville right?
I don't see a Ponyville on this map"

Twilight perked her head.

"True, I arrived here via Ponyville express.
The place I would want to go would probably either be Trotterville or the Trotterfield-trainstation"

Jim searched for Trotterville and found it placed in the approximate middle of the map.

The Trotterfield-train-station on the other hand was placed almost at the edge,
a slim line indicating a road or path that connected train-station and town.

"Im guessing that your friends are in Trotterville?" he asked scanning his own map for similar looking landmarks.

"Yes" she confirmed
"that is where they should be"

Twilight sight.
"I really hope they are doing fine"

"Just general concern?
Or is Trottervill not save?"

"Both!
Though I am especially worried about this extreme snowstorm outside"

"You seemed to be doing fine tough" Jim remarked.

"True, but I also know more spells than most ponys I know.
You see, not all ponys can cast magic spells.
To be exact; only unicorns and alicorns can cast magic spells on their own"

"And you are?"

"I am an alicorn, though I was a unicorn for most of my life"

Jim gave her a puzzled look.

"Yes, it is a bit complicated"

"Right.
Since you're at it, how about you tell me more?"

"More?"

"Yes!
For example this Ponyville place.
What is it like?"

Jim asked with genuine curiosity;
he really wanted to know how pony society worked and what it was like.

Twilight shot a look towards the door.

"I guess we are stuck for now, so might as well share a few stories"

Jim gave Twilight an anticipating smile and made himself comfortable.

After taking a moment to think Twilight said:
"How about I tell you how I got into this situation in the first place?
It could potentially benefit both of us later"

Jim shrugged."I guess"

Twilight clears her throat.

"Before I start though, promise that you won't interrupt!"

Jim held an open hand in the air: "I promise"

Satisfied Twilight began:

Author's Note

My first story on this website.
And my first story in english in general.
Hope you enjoy :)