TD just stared at me with a bewildered expression. “You…thanked her?”

“Yes,” I responded.

“After her magic nearly killed you?”

“Yeah.”

“And ripping you from your home world being our planet?”

“In the words of AJ’s brother eeyup,” I responded with a chuckle.

TD was silent as I helped myself to more crystal punch. “How can you thank her!?” he asked with disbelief. “She literally just took you from your home! How did you react when you found out you couldn’t go home?! Did you just accept it with a smile and a nod like a poorly made fanfic character?!”

I kept my composure as I took a sip of the punch. After placing down my glass I looked him in the eye. “Admittedly I was but to be honest if I had the choice of choosing Earth and Equestria my answer would be here.”

TD scoffed at that.“Of course you Bronies would choose this place over your own. You pathetic nerds would just flock here like a cat to catnip. I bet you would selfishly choose this place over your parents.”

“TD that's too far and uncalled for,” Twilight cautioned.

“No he needs to hear this,” TD said. “Sure your girl cheated but what about your other friends? What about your parents? When was the last time you told them you loved them?”

My hands curled into a fist. I wanted to hit this guy so hard, his head would spin. I calmed down after taking a deep breath. “To answer your first question I had no other friends; they all ghosted me and practically fell out of contact. And what was the other one?”

“When did you last tell your mom and dad you loved them?” TD asked with his arms crossed. The mares looked a little worried.

“My dad wasn’t in the picture but as for my mom I told her…when she was on her deathbed,” I said.

And just like that the non-brony’s eyes widened. His look of near harsh judgement became a mix of shock and regret. “Jesus…sorry.”

“Yeah, are you?” I asked with bitterness. “Next time think before you make like a broken garbage truck and spit out garbage.”

“Look I-”

“No you need to know this,” I interjected as I stood up and loomed over him. “My life sucked. My dreams were too far to grab. My job barely gave me enough to enjoy life. That girl was one of the last things that kept me from going down further.” I then waved my arm to the ponies. “These girls and many others practically put my life back together. Because of them I emerged from the darkness a better man. All I had to do was let them in my life. And throughout my time here, I have become something better than I can imagine.”

TD said nothing for a bit but eventually found his voice. “So how did you react when they told you about me? Surely it must’ve been shocking.”

I sat back down. “Oh it was, but they didn’t tell me immediately. In fact I sort of found out myself,” I said grinning to Twilight who had a sheepish smile. “I think they were keeping you a secret.”

“We weren’t,” Twilight said. “We were afraid of how you would react. You were still new to the world when you found out.”

“Really?” TD asked. “So how did you find out?”

“Well it all started when I was finally out of the hospital.”

I stepped out into the midday sun. I gave my arms a good stretch. I spent all of yesterday talking to the ponies, answering any questions they had and of course discussing where I should go once I’m discharged. The doctor said the pain in my neck should subside in a few days. Rarity was waiting for me outside. “Good day Edward,” she said smiling. “Nice to see you’re out and about.”

“It's great to be out,” I said. “So you want to help me by setting up my wardrobe?”

“Yes darling you’ll also be living in my boutique for a while,” she replied. “But don’t worry I won’t force you to model or anything I just need your measurements.”

“Fair enough,” I said. I hoped she could make me a T-shirt with my favorite characters and things. I was lucky my phone wasn’t damaged and I still had my pics on it. I just hope the battery will last long enough.

As we walked through Ponyville many ponies gave me odd looks. Sure I expected that but what I didn’t expect was for ponies to whisper strange things to each other. I ignored it but that was until I heard two ponies whispering. “Is he related to the last guy?”

I stopped and turned to the two ponies who quickly dispersed. What did they mean by that? I didn’t wonder for long until the boutique came into view. I then saw the door opened to reveal a certain unicorn filly. Sweetie Belle looked and stopped dead in her tracks as she saw me. “R-R-Rarity?” she stuttered.

Rarity quickly ushered us inside. “Darling, would you please wait here? I need to discuss something with my little sister in private.”

“Uh sure?” I said as she gently pushed her sister into another room. Curiously I went over to the door and put my ear to it.

“Listen dear,” Rarity began. “I know this is shocking to you but please try not to bother him too much. He might not be like you-know-who.”

“But how long is he staying?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Will this new guy disappear like he did?”

“Sweetie I know you miss him,” Rarity soothed. “But we can’t think about that right now. For now let’s just make Edward’s stay here as comfortable as we can.”

I quickly stepped away and tried to pretend I didn’t eavesdrop on them. Rarity soon came back with a role of measuring tape. “Now good sir, please stand up and hold still.”

It took a while but she soon got my measurements and we discussed what I want in terms of day clothes, night clothes and a few other articles. All the while I could feel Sweetie Belle watching me and after what I heard I was now asking myself: Was I really not the first human? “So how long will it take for you to make them?” I asked.

“Oh don’t worry darling,” Rarity assured. “I’ll have your first pair of night clothes and a pair of day clothes ready for you by sundown.”

“Thanks, I’m gonna explore for a bit.”

“Oh okay don’t be long and don’t get lost,” she said.

I nodded and left with a head full of questions. I decided to head down to the library. I had a sneaky suspicion that maybe there are answers.

As I made my way through town the looks came back. Some just awkwardly waved at me. Maybe the main six already informed them while I was in the hospital. I had to ask a few ponies where the library was. There was some hesitation but they pointed me there. As I got close I noticed a certain dragon walking out with a bag and a scroll. He was probably gonna do some shopping for Twilight. I approached him and waved to him. “Excuse me,” I said.

Spike jumped slightly but regained his composure. “Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yeah I’m looking for Twilight. I have some questions for her. Is she here and is she busy?” Spike looked away awkwardly; it was like he was trying to find an excuse. “Please I just need to speak with her real quick and I’ll be on my way I promise.”

Spike was silent for another moment before he tilted his head and pointed to the door. “Upstairs reading,” he said as he hoisted his bag and walked off.

“Thank you,” I said as I entered the library.

As I entered I looked to the doorway that led upstairs but then I looked to the other side of the library to see another door. That one had to lead to the same lab in the episode ‘Feeling Pinkie Keen’.

I sneaked over to the door hoping Twilight was too preoccupied with her book to hear me come in. Once I entered I went down some stairs and just as I suspected it was the same lab. Many bits of equipment laid about. The lights gave everything an almost spooky vibe.

I looked around and saw a desk that had a lamp shining down on something. I walked over and my eyes had to blink twice to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. There on the desk was a partially disassembled cell phone. A few parts of the exterior were detached along with the battery. Next to it was an open notebook. I looked over to it and read it. ‘Testing on new voltage spell worked successfully but will wait for the battery to cool before attempting to activate again.’

I carefully reinserted the battery that was cool to the touch and turned the phone on. Surprisingly it was unlocked. The first thing I saw on the screen was just a basic background. I immediately went to settings and to general to see if this phone had anything to tell me about the previous owner. It was there I found the name TD Powell. “Huh, what an odd name?”

“Oh great now you’re gonna insult me about that? I know it’s not a normal everyday name but come on,” TD moaned.

“Hey, I know there are names like DJ, CJ, AJ, JT, RJ, maybe DD. But TD is an odd one.” I then let out a chuckle as a dirty thought entered. “It almost sounds like I’m saying-“

“Don’t finish that sentence,” TD warned.

After reattaching the other exterior parts which were an easy snap I slipped the phone in my pocket and went back upstairs. After carefully closing the door I went over to the front door when I heard hoofsteps. I turned to see Twilight. “Edward? What are you doing here?”

“Uh, I was exploring Ponyville and decided to visit the library,” I said, glancing around the wooden interior and bookshelves. “It's uh…very nice now I’m off to see Sugarcube Corner. Which way is that?”

“Just up the street. Tall building that looks like a candy house, can’t miss it.”

I nodded and quickly left. Once I got to Sugarcube Corner I took a seat in a corner where I hoped no one would see me. I pulled out the phone and tried to see more. I then found pictures. Some were selfies of a human guy. “This must be TD,” I said as I went through the pictures but for some reason I expected to find pony pics or something about his time here. But there weren't any.

I then heard a cough right by me. I snapped my head to see a sad Pinkie Pie. “You now know, don’t you?”

I looked back at the phone then to Pinkie. “I wouldn’t say I know enough but maybe just now wanting to know more.”

Pinkie looked down in shame like she was about to cry. I then cupped her chin. “Hey, I’m not mad. But clearly there's more to this than I can imagine. You want to be my friend right?” The pink pony nodded. “And you want to see smiles right?” Another nod from her. “Then how about you tell me more about this guy and I’ll be grateful,” I said smiling before placing one hand on my heart and the other raised. “I Pinkie Promise.”

Pinkie perked up at that. “Pinkie Promise?”

I nodded and did the old trick. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” I said, nearly poking my eye out.

Pinkie giggled and I have to say it was cuter than I thought. She then looked up to me with a warm smile. “Okay, I’ll tell you everything.”

And so she told me the story about a man who came here nearly the same way I did and how he spent a few months in Ponyville before mysteriously disappearing, leaving some stuff behind, and I would have to say it was an enlightening talk. Especially the part about fake fire.

I didn’t say much after that. Instead I ordered a cupcake and went on my way. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to explore Ponyville.

It was later that night when I exited the bathroom wearing a simple shirt and sweatpants. Rarity works fast. “Edward, can you come down here?” I heard Rarity called.

I went downstairs to see Rarity and her friends in the kitchen. They were all carrying concerned looks. I went over and sat down at the table. “I think I might know what this is about,” I said as I pulled out the cellphone and slid it over to Twilight. “Sorry I went snooping in your lab.”

“We aren’t mad at you,” Twilight began. “But we were hoping to tell you when we felt you were well adjusted to here.”

“I kinda figured as much,” I said. “Pinkie pretty much told me everything. From the punch to his departure.”

“We actually thought you would’ve reacted the same way TD did when he first got here but dude,” Rainbow said impressed. “You took it like a champ and actually thanked the princess.”

“I would never punch a lady,” I admitted. “Let alone a ruler.”

“So you consider yourself a gentleman?” Rarity asked. “Good to know.”

“Maybe, but since we’re on this topic you mind if I ask something important. Pinkie knows but do the rest of you-”

“We know about the cartoon,” Twilight finished. “And we know you might not want to spend your life here but if you want to join him in the dangerous outlands we can understand-”

“What are you talking about? You think I would just up and leave my new friends and the ponies I’m a fan of?” I asked as I dramatically placed a hand on my chest, earning a round of surprised looks from the six mares. “Twilight Sparkle, where's the fun in that?”

“Wait, you're a f-fan?” Fluttershy stammered. “You’re what TD calls a Brony?”

“I am and I’m proud of it,” I said. “In all seriousness, as much as I would like to see the world and explore, I don't want to find a way home. If anything this world to me might as well be my fresh start from the nightmare my home was.”

“What do ya mean?” Applejack asked.

It was there I told them the story of my adult life and how it ended on earth. From my idiotic toxic boss to my cheating girlfriend. I nearly broke down a few times but a pony hug makes the perfect medicine. We spent the next few hours talking and many laughs were soon shared that night and it turned into a sleepover at Rarity’s. That was how my first official day went but little did I know there would be more interesting days to come.

Author's Note

Spoiler alert: I'm trying to decide on a ship for this guy. Two candidates im strruggling between. I cant say which ones but they are both magically powerful.