A FRESH START
Chapter 1
The dimly lit hallway of my old house came into view as I opened the door. It had been another long day at work and I was exhausted. I skipped taking a shower and went straight to bed. My life wasn't that interesting but it was one that kept me occupied. My dark brown hair had begun to grey a few years ago, It had started at an early age. I was only 30 at the time when it started to change color, yet it didn't bother me that much since I knew it was going to happen eventually. Doctors say that greying hair comes from stress, and that was to blame for my hair. At least in my doctor's opinion that is. But aside from greying hair I hadn't discovered any other signs of aging. My body still lean from my logging job. I hadn't begun to shrink, though I figured it would be at least several decades before that were to start. All in all I was still healthy. Yet something in my life was missing, something so strong that it would change my life, and the lives of others to fill that void.
When I awoke I didn't feel the soft comfort of my bed, or the cool breeze from my ceiling fan. I felt only the warmth of the afternoon sun on my skin, and the itch of grass at my neck. The sun was shining between the leaves of a tree. I opened my eyes as sleep began to fade from my vision, and the rustling of leaves filled my ears... and the sound of a small thud. I jumped from the sound and looked around for the source of the noise. A few feet away from me on the ground was an apple.
'Where am I?' I thought to myself. I had never seen this farm before, or the mountains that glistened in the distance. I figured the only way to find out would be to ask someone. I walked for around forty minutes and the apple trees started to become less frequent and a forest came in to view. Just before the forest however was a small cottage. There was a small trail of smoke coming from the chimney on the roof of the house and the smell of burning wood filled my nose. The cottage was nothing fancy just a simple house with a chicken coop a few bird houses here and there and a wooden bridge leading over a small stream in front of the house. I approached the door and knocked.
"Coming" said a soft voice from within the house.
I heard the sound of footsteps and heard the door being unlocked. The door opened and smiled as I started to explain myself.
"Good afternoon. I hat to barge in on you like this but-" I was cut-off mid sentence by a loud scream. I felt something soft brush past me as it took off around the corner of the cottage.
"Hello?" I called out. "I didn't mean to startle you, I just wanted to know where I am."
A small head poked around the corner of the house. Now it was my turn to be shocked. Standing there was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. Unable to comprehend that the pony had been the one to open the door I called back into the small cottage.
"Hello? Is anyone there?". My head snapped back to the yellow pegasi as she answered in a shaky voice.
"Y-yes sir. O-oh my. What in all of Equestria a-are you?" The pegasus fixed me with a curious look. Now at this point I knew I had to be dreaming. Because A pegasi don't exist, and B animals don't talk. The pegasus took a few small tentative steps towards me, looking me up and down. I'm sure the look I gave her was no different.
"What are you?" asked the pony.
"Uh, My name is Dan." I said taking a step toward her. She recoiled from me and was once again only poking her head around the corner of the small house to look at me.
"It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you." I said trying to reasure the pony. She seemed to calm down a little and re-emerged from the side of the house.
"What's you're name?" I asked.
"My name is Flut-Fluttershy" She replied stammering slightly.
"Well Fluttershy" I began. "Do you think you could tell me where I am?"
"You're almost in the Ever-free forest."
I had never heard of the forest at least anywhere around my hometown. But then again I was dreaming for all I knew.
"What is the nearest town?" I inquired trying to get as much knowledge as possible.
"Ponyville. It is over that way through Sweet Apple Acres." Answered Fluttershy only adding to my confusion.
Sweet Apple Acres. That must have been the apple orchard I woke up in. But what is Ponyville? Now I may not be an expert but I was sure there was no town anywhere named that.
"Well, thank you for the help Fluttershy I'm going to head that way." I started walking in the direction she indicated that Ponyville was in but was stopped by the pegasus grabbing my arm.
"Wait! You can't go out there it will be dark soon. You don't want to be outside at night. I have a spare bed that you can sleep on and you can go to Ponyville tomorrow."
"Oh but I don't want to be a bother-" I began but was again cut off by the pony.
"Oh, but I insist. I wouldn't forgive myself for letting you wander around in the dark, all lost and scared." She said with a smile.
I tried to object more trying not to be a burden, but long story short I wound up in the house in the spare room.
"Now, I will be back in the morning and I will show you the way to Ponyville. But until then you have a nice sleep." Said the yellow pegasus in a motherly tone, and turned and left the room. As I settled into the bed I wondered when I would wake up. If this was a dream it was certainly realistic. It felt like time was actually going at normal speed.
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Author's Note
This is just something I had done in my free time. If it gets enough views I will continue.
