"Did you really need to bring all of that?" Zecora asked me for what must have been the hundredth time as we walked through the forest towards Ponyville.

I sighed. "Zecora, I keep on telling you, yes. You told me you sometimes dig in the town, right? Hence, my small spade. Also, more innocent world aside, I wouldn't feel safe without my dad's trusty hunting knife with me. And the clothes? To hide my identity as much as possible." I hid the second reason of it making me look like some badass ninja.

Zecora sighed. "You're going a bit overboard."

"I'm a stranger in a strange land. Honestly, I don't think I'm prepared enough. I should have taken one of those swords from the castle armory."

"I don't think that would work, either."

Thinking a bit more on it, I nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"Are all humans this paranoid?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice as we entered a spot of mist.

"I'd prefer to call it a healthy dose of cynicism," I replied. "You told me that the town is empty whenever you arrive. While the day of the week could very well be the reason, it's also possible that they're not entirely eager to see something strange to them. And if that's the case, wait till they get a load of me."

She snorted, but it sounded more amused now. "Alright, I suppose that makes sense. Look out, though. We're nearing the edge of the forest."

I threw my hood over my head and put the black mask over my face, leaving only my eyes. I knew it made me look more threatening than it should, but I was still nervous. And even more terrified at the thought of having to more than likely meet with the two princesses. But it was too late now. Going to Ponyville was more of a necessity now. Besides, it won't be long before someone notices the miraculous recreation of a thousand-year-old ruin. I'm surprised someone hasn't taken notice already. I'd already made the mistake of creating a bridge that would make the sisters think I was sus, but it was too late for that faux pas. Besides, if I'm gonna introduce myself as the only human in Equestria, I want it to be on my terms.

I groaned as I stretched my back. The stiffness in my back was still there despite taking medicine and Zecora's remedies. She'd offered to try and massage my back or even acupuncture, but both ideas were still a bit terrifying for me. I had promised, though, that if nothing changed in the next week, we'd try them.

As we walked out into the sunlight, I smiled. The sky was completely free of clouds and I heard the sounds of happy birds in nearby trees. The pathway was somewhat well traveled. "I've got to admit, despite the…non-natural way the weather was made, it's a gorgeous day today."

"It's become natural here, my savior."

"And honestly, that kind of worries me," I said, looking up at the sky. I could have sworn I saw a stray cloud briefly before a streak of rainbow dashed into it, disintegrating it instantly.

"Can you explain why?" Zecora asked.

"Back home, we have no means of controlling the weather quite like Pegasi do. Sure, we have airplanes that are made to seed a cloud in the hopes that it'll create some rain, but that's pretty much it. Changing the weather patterns might bring harmony in the short run, but in the long run? Weather patterns all over the world might be disrupted beyond repair."

"I don't think it's ever been this way here," Zecora said.

"And what about in early history?" I asked. "or does the Theory of Evolution exist here?"

"Even before Ponies evolved into what they were today, the Neighanderthal Pegasi still moved the clouds around," Zecora explained. "Proto-Unicorns were still able to use magic, and, well, you get the idea."

"All these pony puns are gonna be the death of me," I groaned. "But what about before they even emerged?"

"Nopony knows for sure," Zecora replied. "I suspect that there may be more answers in either the Ponyville or the Canterlot libraries. By the way, it looks like we're coming up to the outskirts of the town."

She pointed. The somewhat traveled path was leading us towards a mid-sized medieval looking village just over a small rise. To my left, I saw a massive orchard in the distance, trees spread out as far as I could see. A large red barn contrasted with the green all around us. It was eerie for me. Almost too perfect. I gave an involuntary shudder and stopped in my tracks.

Zecora saw this and turned. "Is something the matter?"

"I don't know…maybe it's the landscape. It's kinda freaking me out."

Zecora walked up towards me, then pushed off the ground, putting both her front hooves on my shoulder. "Look at me." I obliged. She smiled. "Don't worry. I know you've come from a strange world, but there's nothing to fear about it."

She held me in her gaze. I smiled after a while, and she got off of my shoulders. "I know…thanks. I needed that."

"It is no issue. Now, let's go get what we came here for."

The two of us approached the town. I saw movement of various colored figures in town. However, as we continued to approach, I saw those figures start vanishing into the thatched roofed buildings around town. Despite her hood being put up, I saw her ears move a bit down. I was a bit confused at first, until I mentally smacked myself. Of course she'd feel upset. Reaching over, I put a reassuring hand on her withers. "Don't worry about it. I'm with you now."

She chuckled. "Thank you for that. Let's go."

And with that, I set my very first step into Ponyville. The town being empty bothered me a little, but what freaked me out was the complete silence. Not even a breath of wind. I was almost afraid to breathe, but steeled myself, narrowing my eyes as the two of us walked around.

For about an hour, we walked to certain stores, but all of them were locked. Finally, we were approaching a large colorful building that could easily have been the house from Hansel and Gretel. As the two of us turned the corner, I saw a purple blur rush into a door and close loudly, nearly startling me.

Zecora stopped near the store and began digging in the dirt road. In a soft voice, she said, "Here. I think it's here."

"Alright. Stand back." I reached down and brought out the small spade from my belt. Motioning for Zecora to move away for a bit, I begun to dig up the road. After a little bit, I heard something from the confection shop. As one, Zecora and I turned to face the window. And saw the Elements of Harmony staring back at us.

My first real glance of the Ponies in the window was brief, but I saw the looks on most of their faces were ones of sheer terror. All save for Twilight Sparkle. She was frowning as she looked at me and Zecora with a highly suspicious look. I wasn't surprised, of course. I doubted very much that humans were even known about in this world, but making assumptions wouldn't get me very far here. The two of us stared at each other, my face partially hidden behind my black hood. Turning away, I went back to digging. "How deep is whatever we're looking for?" I asked.

"Not this deep," she replied, tapping the ground with her hoof. "Try here instead."

For the next couple of minutes, I dug at the ground before the mini-spade hit something. Brushing it aside, I pulled out some damp looking root, which I handed immediately to Zecora. She removed her hood and got a better look at it. She nodded in approval before she placed it in the saddlebag she was carrying on her back and put her hood back on.

"Okay, that takes care of that," she said softly. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to buy the ingredients from the store, so it looks like we'll need to find them in the forest."

"Well, we tried, and that's all that matters," I said reassuringly as I stood. Patting one of my pockets, I smiled when I felt the leather money pouches I had brought along with me for emergencies. Zecora had told me I couldn't really spend it without breaking the bank, but I didn't want to take any chances. Looking back at the store, I saw a young filly with yellow fur, pink mane and tail, and a large pink bow in her mane looking out. Our eyes met.

Her eyes widened and she froze. I stopped, reached into my pocket, grabbed one of the money pouches and tossed it towards her. She looked at it in confusion, then looked at me. In a quiet voice and with a wink, I said, "For the damage I caused," while at the same time pointing to the holes. Turning without another word, I walked down the street, making my way up beside Zecora. I was grateful her dark brown cloak covered her modesty. If there was one thing I knew I'd take some getting used to (if I would at all), it was the fact that nudity for these beings wasn't as taboo as it was for humans.

"Was that wise?" Zecora asked quietly as we headed back to the Everfree Forest through the fields. "Even one of those coins you found could fix the damage to the road ten times over."

"Exactly," I replied. "Never underestimate the power of money. It's a good tool."

"I'd be careful using money like that."

"Trust me, it's a good way to assuage their fears."

The two of us headed towards the edge of town again. As we did, the silence was accentuated by the sounds of hoofsteps on the ground. I didn't make any unusual moves, but whispered, "We're being followed."

Zecora nodded. "I can hear them."

"Just one, I believe. I'm guessing not an adult. A filly, probably, judging by the quicker hoofsteps."

"I agree, my savior. But they shouldn't follow too close. Poison Joke is still in season."

"I remember seeing some on the way here," I replied.

The two of us fell into silence after that, continuing onward towards the edge of the forest. The two of us were just passing through the Poison Joke when I heard a voice calling out "Apple Bloom!" Zecora and I turned as one to find the Elements of Harmony standing in the Poison Joke plants. "You git back here right now!" Applejack finished, turning to the smaller filly, presumably Apple Bloom, to face us.

The other Ponies were looking at the filly with concern. However, I noticed that Twilight Sparkle was looking at me instead, her own face full of some suspicion. Not that I could blame her. From what Zecora told me about other hominid-like beings, I could very well be a Diamond Dog underneath my clothes.

Zecora's worried voice called out, "Beware, beware you Pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!" She began backing into the mists we'd passed through only a half hour or so ago. However, I remained behind.

Applejack bravely came up despite that and lifted her sister onto her head, glaring after the Zebra. "You keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?"

Five of the six began talking all at once. Frustrated, I turned and shouted, "Be silent!"

The Ponies' eyes went wide with alarm, all except Applejack's. She glared even harder at me. "And just what in tarnation are you, telling me what tah do!?"

I quickly advanced on them, looming over despite the fact that the Ponies there could probably wipe the floor with me. Even Applejack looked scared now as she retreated back into the Poison Joke. I pointed at the plants. "She was warning you about those blue plants you're all standing in. They're called Poison Joke, and they're all a dangerous plant to be getting into contact with!" Frustrated, I turned and slipped back into the mist.

A few steps into the mist, I found Zecora waiting patiently for me to return. As I removed my hood and mask, she spoke up. "Thank you, my savior, for further illuminating the danger they were in," she said with a small smile as we resumed our walk.

"Well, your message could very well be cryptic to them, especially when they are in poem forms. I think you'd better prepare that Poison Joke cure, though."

"How come?"

"I have a feeling they're gonna come barging to your house tomorrow morning," I replied.

She sighed, but nodded in understanding. "I have a lot of the ingredients for the bath at my home, but one I can't get here in the forest."

"You mean it's in Ponyville somewhere?" When she nodded, I reached over and stroked her mane. "Don't worry. If we get visitors tomorrow, we can talk to them and convince them to help."

"We?" She tilted her head, then a wry grin crossed over her face. "Did you just invite yourself over to sleep, Jethro?"

"Ah…I suppose I did. Sorry, if you don't want me to-"

"On the contrary, I'd be honored if a strong, brave stallion such as yourself were to stay with me," she said, giving me a teasing grin.

I grinned. "I do have to meet them at some point," I said, "That illusion spell won't hold forever, and no one will just ignore the fact that a ruin is in complete working order again."

"I know, my savior. I can still see the tension in your face behind that smile."

My smile slowly faded and I looked up at the branches hanging over the path. "Can you blame me? If meeting those six weren't enough, I'll definitely have to meet the two princesses. That has me petrified. They all have enough magic to really do some damage."

"I understand that, but from what I hear, they are a kind and fair pair."

"I know that in my head, but my baser human instincts are telling me to be scared still."

She chuckled. "Would it help if I went with you when the princess summons you?"

I gave her a fake glare. "I might be scared, but I'm no child. Yes, it would help if you went with me for, shall we say, emotional support, but I'd need to do it alone, if only to prove to myself I can do it."

She nodded. "A wise precaution. If you do change your mind, though, I won't think any less of you and will gladly accompany you."

"I appreciate that."

The two of us spent the remainder of the day gathering the ingredients for Poison Joke cure from the areas around the swamp where Zecora lived. By the time, we were finished, it was too late to create the brew. As the sun set, the two of us relaxed against one of her walls with a warm cup of tea.

Out of nowhere, Zecora asked, "Does that magic stone of yours contain books?" she indicated the phone I was using. There was no native word for cell phone in her language, so she resorted to calling it a magic stone.

"Books? I think so. Let me check." I scrolled through the apps on my phone and, to my relief, found the Kindle app. "Here we are. What kind of story would you like to hear?"

"Share one of your favorites, please," she said.

I nodded, scrolling through the few books I had on the app. I much preferred paperbound books, but there had been times when I'd traveled where I found space lacking so I had purchased a Kindle. I found one of my favorite stories. "Here's one."

Zecora sat closer to me, looking over my shoulder at the words on the screen. I cleared my throat, and began. "'In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit…'"

When I woke, I found myself still sitting against the wall. Looking down, I saw that I still had the blanket around me that Zecora had brought for us after the fire began dying down. The last thing I remembered was reading the portion of the story where Thorin's company had reached Rivendell. I didn't remember falling asleep, but the stiffness in my neck and back as well as the sun shining in through the window told me what I needed to know.

And that wasn't all. I felt a large ball of warmth on my lap. Frowning, I looked down. The blanket looked bigger than I remembered it. A very familiar snout was poking out from the blanket. Lifting it up, I found Zecora curled up in my lap, sleeping peacefully with a contented look in her eyes.

This, of course, did nothing for my legs, which were completely asleep. I slowly removed the blanket, causing Zecora to curl up tighter. I hated to disturb her sleep, but my legs were somehow becoming number. "Zecora, it's time to wake up."

She groaned, burying her face deeper into her leg to avoid the light shining on her face. Her sound almost blocked out some sounds from the window. The sounds of singing.

"What the hell?" I tried to move, but Zecora was now latched onto my legs for warmth. Sighing, I quietly made my way to the nearest window as best as I could. It took me a while, but I managed to peer out. And what I saw blew my breath away.

I saw, in the distance, a long procession of deer. Much like on Earth, they were elegant, majestic creatures. And they were dressed in what I could only describe as silken robes. Their song echoed through the forest, a peaceful, and yet somehow melancholy tune. Thanks to Athena, I understood the music. It went a little something like this.

"In Elden times, the fair ones lay,
Beneath the silvery light of day.
Unto the seas, their gazes strayed,
And they, our kin, did sail away.

"To distant lands, they traveled thus,
On fairy wings and moonlit dust.
Their ships would sail from morn till dusk,
The seas of gold their only trust.

"To lands far younger than the old,
In Everfree, they made abode.
Their songs were gay, their hearts were gold,
Their home was lovely to behold.

"The ages passed, Everfree grew.
Their magic kept the forest new.
In days long past, they drank the brew
Of untouched streams and fruits of blue

"Then threats appeared, a looming squall
Of beings from their mountain halls.
For from beyond the mountain's walls,
Barbarity their only call.

"The lines were drawn, the banners flown,
The weapons sharp, the magic sewn.
The battle raged, until standing alone
The Alicorns blew on their horn.

"Harmonious their words, their gazes kind,
The sun and moon were on their minds.
The battle ceased, lines redefined.
And peace between us we did find.

"A peace that's forced is never one,
Despite all that the two have done.
Our memories are still quite long.
Until we return to where we belong."

Their melody continued as they walked along the path. Their faces, while serene, did seem to be shadowed by sorrow and resentment. I'd been so focused on their song that I hadn't noticed a sleepy Zecora had slid in beside me, watching the deer with me. "Wood Deerfolk," she said, and I could have sworn I heard a hint of awe in her voice. "One of the more ancient races in the world."

I wanted to ask more about them, but I also was too entranced by their graceful strides and their clothes, which I noticed for the first time seemed to shimmer with hidden moonlight. They'd just gone out of sight when I heard a timid knocking at the door. The two of us turned. I had a feeling I could guess who it was, but I once more didn't want to assume. I quickly pulled my mask and hood back on, much to Zecora's disapproving glance.

Zecora walked over to the door and peered out. "Oh, dearie me, a filly? Here? Please, come on in and sit, my dear."

In stepped the filly Apple Bloom from the day before. She had on a small white saddlebag with an apple sewn onto the side. She looked nervously around, and her eyes landed eventually on me. She squeaked and hid behind Zecora. "Wh…What is that?" she asked, pointing at me with a trembling hoof. "Is it goin' to eat me?"

"Now now, young one. That is quite rude. He will not use you for your food." She turned to me and smiled.

My legs having recovered, I walked up slowly, and knelt before Apple Bloom, who hid further behind Zecora's hind legs. "Hello, little filly. My name is Jethro. I'm a human. It's nice to meet you."

Apple Bloom peered out at me, a mixture of curiosity and terror on her face. I smiled as disarmingly as possible, which was hard to do with my mouth being hidden. I didn't know just how an herbivoric prey species would react to seeing me as an omnivore. I held out my hand, palm outstretched. She looked at it, then back at me. "So…you ain't gonna eat me?"

"I don't eat anything that talks," I replied. "So no, I'm not going to eat you."

She came out further, approaching my still outstretched hand and tapping it experimentally. Her hoof was actually quite soft. I slowly turned my hand over, showing my nails. "See? No claws. No scales. Just skin."

She tapped my hand again, and to my relief I saw her trembling start to disappear. After her trembling completely vanished, she looked up at me. "I…I brought back the money you dropped." She reached back and opened one of the sides of the saddleback with her teeth. Inside I saw the money pouch I'd left back in Ponyville.

"Oh? Why? I did make a mess of your roads," I said, taking all the blame on myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zecora looking at me with a small glare. "It's only natural that I pay for damages."

"But…Twilight told me you could buy all of Ponyville with all that gold," she said with wide eyes.

"I did warn you," Zecora said.

"I'm trying to establish myself as friendly, and not an apex predator," I replied softly before turning back to Apple Bloom. "You looked worried. Is something wrong?"

She rubbed one front hoof with the other, looking upset. "It's just…mah sister and her friends had somethin' happen to 'em."

"Zecora did try to warn them about the Poison Joke," I replied. "Those plants are much like Poison Oak, but the results are like a joke." Zecora rolled her eyes and snorted softly, but I ignored her as I sat in front of the sad little filly. "See, if you let those plants touch you, they rub some kind of oil on you that changes you in some way. I should know, I've experienced it firsthand. I'm guessing those changes that happened are funny in a sense?" When she nodded, I smiled. "See? Poison Joke just likes to pull little practical jokes on peo-well, Ponies I suppose. But don't worry. Zecora here knows how to cure them, but I think we're gonna need your help."

"Mah help? What can I do?" Apple Bloom asked.

"An herb I need, but in the forest I cannot find. Could you get it, if you would be so kind?" Zecora asked.

"It's in Ponyville," I further explained. "But she can't get the chance to buy it because no one will give her the time of day."

"Oh…well, I can try and help," she said, "but I don't think I have enough bits-"

"The money is no issue, dear. I have enough for you right here," Zecora said, holding out a small sack in her mouth that jingled with coins. "If you can find the herb I seek, I'll cure your sister and her friends in a wink."

"Well…alright. What am I looking for?" she asked as Zecora lowered her coins into the saddlebag.

"A leaf of green is what I need. Perhaps you've heard of Summerseed?"

"Oh yeah…I've heard of that," Apple Bloom said. "I can get some for you!" She had a determined look in her eyes now.

"Thank you," I said, standing now and looking down kindly on the filly. "But you be careful on your way there, alright?"

She looked up at me, then to my surprise, gave a salute. "I'll be just fine, thank you Mister Jethro and Miss Zecora!" She galloped out.

"'Mister Jethro'? My my, someone has a fan already," Zecora said in amusement.

"She warmed up to me a bit too fast, if you ask me," I replied as I closed the door after the retreating filly.

"Remember, this isn't your world," Zecora said as she turned back to her cauldron. "It's more at peace than your world sounds like."

"Yeah…we were on the brink of a third world war when I appeared here," I sighed. "I guess I dodged a bullet there."

"Indeed, if I take your meaning correctly," Zecora said.

"Right, shit, stupid me," I said in English. "It means I arrived in Equestria before things escalated back on my world."

"I figured as much. Could you help me with some of those other ingredients?" she asked, going to her shelves.

"Just tell me where to jump, and how high," I replied in English again, since that kind of response didn't seem to translate into Farasi.

Zecora laughed, and began telling me which to grab. Soon, we had a green boiling brew going. Zecora put her hoof in the brew, then nodded. "Alright, I think the temperature is perfect for Ponies. I wonder if Apple Bloom's okay?"

"I think she'll be here shortly," I replied. "Filly or not, she's Applejack's sister. They work in that orchard out-whoa!" Turning again, I saw four of the six main Ponies staring in. They quickly moved away from the window.

"My savior, are you alright?" Zecora asked.

"I'm fine. I just saw some Ponies outside, four of the same ones we saw yesterday," I replied as I went to the door and opened it. Peering out at them, I called out, "You Elements of Harmony can come in, if you want. Zecora and I won't bite."

The moment those words escaped my mouth, I heard what sounded like a jet engine approaching extremely fast. Everyone else, along with me, looked up. I saw a blue Pegasus flying upside down towards us, a makeshift bit in her mouth as a tiny orange Pony sat astride her stomach. "Ah'm comin' for ya, Apple Bloom!" a tiny voice shouted as the Pegasus approached me.

I tried to move aside, but it was too late. Receiving a headbutt to the stomach nearly knocked the wind out of me as myself, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack tumbled, all three of us, into the house. Acting fast, I reached around and grabbed at Rainbow Dash's still flapping wings. With all the strength I could muster, I forced them back into a neutral position. I was sitting against the wall, a broken piece of wood from a nearby now broken shelf jammed painfully into my back. My hands were still against the struggling blue wings.

I watched as a miniature Applejack twirled a makeshift lasso in her mouth, then threw it around my neck. Tightening it, she glared at me angrily. "Where's Apple Bloom, you monster!?" she demanded of me.

Not wanting to release Rainbow Dash for fear of her accidentally spilling the cure, I didn't move my hands. Her grip on my neck, however, was tight enough that I found it harder and harder to breathe. "Help…me…" I gasped out in terror.

Thankfully, Zecora rushed over and pushed Applejack off of Rainbow Dash's stomach. With a bite, she tore into the impromptu noose around my neck, causing me to cough and gag uncontrollably in between taking in deep gulps of air. "Are you alright, my savior? I hope they didn't steal too much air," she said, worry obvious in her eyes.

"God…that was terrifying," I said, giving Zecora a grateful look. "Thanks for saving my life."

"What in Ponyville is going-Mister Jethro?! Are you alright?!" a familiar filly's voice called out. A galloping sound rushed up to me, and a pair of worried looking red/orange eyes looking down at me.

"Yeah, I'm-OOOF!" Once again, I lost air as Rainbow Dash headbutted my stomach. Grabbing Apple Bloom by the scruff, she galloped back over to where the others were standing right in front of the open door. "Ow…"

"Little Ponies, I know you're under duress, but there is no need to hurt my guest!" Zecora shouted angrily at them.

"You led us into that Poison Joke!" Twilight Sparkle shouted in an accusing tone. "You and…that creature!" she said, pointing over to me with one of her hooves. "And now you're gonna fix it!"

"How dare you? You destroy my home and destroy our work! And then you accuse us of being jerks?!"

"You purposely led us down to that Poison Joke, and now you're gonna fix it!" Rainbow Dash demanded.

Zecora was about to reply, but I stumbled over and put a hand on her withers again. She looked up at me, and I could see the protective anger in her eyes slowly vanish. "Relax, I've got this." Whirling on the Ponies, I glared at them. They gasped when I slowly advanced on them. In a low, but threatening tone, I began to speak. "So, to recap: The two of us come into town for a little shopping trip, you paranoid Ponies freak the fu-flip out about something that's even the most slightly different than yourselves, and when you stalk us and end up in the Poison Joke, your paranoia boils over until you can't even think straight. Zecora's words were pretty exact, you know. And I warned you about those plants being dangerous, but apparently that wasn't enough for you! If this is the reaction all Ponies have to something even the most remotely unlike them, you're all racists!"

I winced as I stumbled. Zecora steadied me, gently leading me to the bed. "You should relax and take a breath. Don't worry, I'll deal with the rest."

I coughed a bit as she brought the covers over me. "Thank you…and I'm sorry…"

"Apologize not, my caring friend. There is no need for you to make amends." She handed me a small vial. Switching to Farasi, she continued, "Drink this. It'll put you into a healing sleep."

Friend…did she just call me…? My eyes widened a bit. Zecora thinks we're friends? Oh God… "Well…thank you…" I said, my eyes fluttering shut. The last thing I saw was Twilight Sparkle looking at me with a curious expression.

I found myself standing in the throne room of the fully restored Palace of the Two Sisters once again. My mind was in turmoil. Zecora had just called me her friend. I began walking through the massive empty halls, thoughts racing. As I was wont to do whenever I was like this, I thought aloud.

"She called me a friend. A friend?! But we're not friends! She's my neighbor! Nothing more!" I heard my frustrated voice echoing through the darkened hallways. With a snap, the empty torch sconces were empty no longer and lit with a warmth these old halls had probably not seen in centuries. "I don't…why did she say we were friends? Was it just an expression? Or did she really mean it?"

Time passed, and I continued walking up and down the halls, trying to think this through. On one hand, I was scared of the idea of making new friends. Not that I'd been betrayed by any, it was just that I was scared of losing them. But on the other hand, I had spent a good deal of time with Zecora over the course of the month. I was glad she was the first person I'd run into in this world.

I was so lost in thought, I didn't hear the voices until they echoed down.

"…it reconstructed so meticulously, dear sister?" a female voice said from down the hallway.

"I wish I knew," another voice replied, also female. "The magic required to reconstruct it this fast would have to be tremendous."

I froze. Turning myself invisible, I floated towards the source of the sound, which incidentally led me back to the throne room. When I reached it, I found that the throne room was no longer empty, but instead had some unexpected visitors. Princesses Celestia and Luna were wandering the massive room, looking at everything around. They weren't alone, though. I saw what looked like a couple of platoons of heavily armored stallion Ponies standing guard a few feet away from both princesses.

Remembering suddenly the lit torches, I waved my hand, willing them to go out without a peep. I continued watching the two princesses looking around. Luna gazed up at the ceiling towards the meticulously recreated skies of Earth. "Dear sister, look at this. This wasn't here before."

Celestia looked up at the recreation of the stars. She frowned. "Why would someone recreate the heavens here?"

"I don't know, but look at that image," she said, pointing to the moon. "That looks like the moon, but we have never seen it look like that before."

"Much like that," Celestia said, pointing to the image of the sun. "It looks like the sun. But that I don't recognize at all."

The two flew up to look at the globe hanging from the ceiling. Luna tapped it with her hoof, causing it to spin slowly. "We don't recognize any of these landmasses," she said. "It's almost as if somepony took Equestria and mixed up the landmasses."

At those words, the two mares froze. Turning to each other, they gasped. "Discord!"

Discord? Who the hell is that? I wondered curiously.

"Captain," Celestia ordered a nearby Pegasus soldier, "Take two of your men and return to Canterlot. Find the statue of Discord and report her status."

"Yes, your highness," the Pegasus replied. Turning to his soldiers, he barked out orders to them, leaving his subordinate in charge.

"Could she have escaped?" Luna asked. "Thou and I dost not hold the Elements any longer."

"It's possible," Celestia replied, "but it's only been a month since the Elements were bestowed on those six. If she is still encased, we should work to enforce the enchantment."

I listened in. I had no idea who this "Discord" chick was, but the way they freaked out, I was pretty sure I didn't want to meet the girl.

"That aside, the magic here doesn't really feel chaotic," Celestia said, taking a deep breath. Then stopped. "Luna, I smell smoke."

"As do we," Luna replied. "Almost like an extinguished torch."

I nearly facepalmed. Good going, you idiot!

"Guards, fan out and search the premises," Celestia ordered. "Somepony is here with us!"

The second in command spread out some of his platoons to search the palace, leaving a platoon in the throne room, himself included. I floated above, watching this go down.

"The unusual sun. moon and inaccurate globe aside, why would Discord recreate our old home so meticulously," Celestia said, walking over and sitting in one of the thrones, presumably her old one. "And the bridge, too. It's extremely solid. It doesn't quite sound like her. Her domain is chaos, not reconstruction."

"Dost thou have anycreature else in mind who could use such magic?" Luna asked, sitting in the other throne.

"I wish I did," Celestia sighed. "Perhaps I'll ask my faithful student to do a little digging."

"Thou rely on her too much sometimes," Luna said.

"Luna, you and I both know the schedule we are both under," Celestia replied. I immediately saw a look in her eyes that expressed a timeless weariness.

"Yes, we do understand, dear Cellie," Luna said in a softer, sisterly tone. "But the more stress you put on thy student, there may be more of a chance she slips up."

"This is a simple history assignment," Celestia said, waving her sandal-clad hoof. "But I see your point. I'll have the historians look as well. For all we know, this could be the work of somepony we don't know about."

I felt myself being dragged up out of the building suddenly, then the world faded away…

"Nnng…"

Bright light shone directly in my face as I opened my eyes once again. It was midafternoon once more, and the house was silent. The ache in my upper back remained, but the part where I'd injured myself while trying to stop Rainbow Dash felt completely cured.

Sitting up, I quietly looked around for Zecora, but she wasn't around. Looking outside, I couldn't see her anywhere. Turning away from the window, I saw a parchment on the upside-down cauldron. Picking it up, I saw Zecora's neat handwriting.

My Savior,

I have traveled to Ponyville on the request of the Elements of Harmony to become better acquainted. If you wake before I return, I've set aside a cucumber sandwich for you.

Your friend,

Zecora

There it was again, plain as day. I tried to swallow the lump that threatened to rise in my throat as I stared at that word again. I can't…I can't be friends with anyone here, I thought as I looked around for a quill and ink. Finding some on a nearby shelf, I turn the letter over and, in Farasi, write out a reply.

To Zecora,

Thank you for all of your hospitality over the past day. I'm sorry I missed you, but I've got to get home. It seems the two princesses have already discovered my not so little secret. When you return, I'll be gone. For the time being, I'd like to ask you to promise and keep my location a secret from anypony who asks. However, if circumstances lead you to show my home to others, please know I will not think any less of you. You're always free to visit me at any time.

Jethro

P.S.: If the princesses order you to bring them to my house, use your best judgement but please don't get yourself in trouble.

Placing the letter in plain sight, I gathered up my things, what little I'd brought, as well as the sandwich, and slipped out into the afternoon sun.

The trip back to my house was eerily quiet, almost as if the forest was holding its breath. I hardly heard any animals scurrying around in the branches above, and there was hardly any wind. I kept off the roads as often as I could, and as I approached my house, the zoom on my camera confirmed my fears. In the road, directly in front of the bridge, I saw five stallion soldiers, pacing up and down and side to side near the bridge.

Quickly ducking into the brush, I slowly but carefully approach the edge of my house's protective barrier. I did my best to make as little noise as possible. I was only a few meters away from the barrier when one of the soldiers who was patrolling the road looked over. Our eyes met, and his eyes widened. "Halt, in the name of Celestia!" he shouted in order.

Panicking, I burst into a run. Despite the fact that I had created the barrier, even I couldn't see the borders of it yet, at least not well enough. I heard the soldier shouting after me to stop as well as calling out for support. I drew out my knife as I ran, continuing to burst forward with every ounce of speed I had.

It wasn't enough. Something hit me in the back and I went sprawling. Fortunately, I had a good enough grip on my knife to keep a hold of it. I was quickly turned over only to find myself staring into the teal green eyes of a Pegasus Pony who was glaring down at me. "Do not resist and come with us!" he ordered.

If I had to describe the guard who had me pinned, it would be Roman Legionnaire. I had no idea how that was even possible, but there it was. But my mind wasn't too focused on that at the time. I was focused on escape. Fortunately, he'd forgotten about my legs. With as hard of a kick as I could muster, I kicked at where I hoped his family jewels were. His eyes went cross-eyed and he fell over, gasping in pain. "Assist! Assist!" he shouted as I scrambled to my feet and ran, now limping with what felt like a twisted ankle.

Two other guards sprang out from the trees on either side of me, rushing at me. Ignoring the pain in my ankle, I gave one last burst of speed towards what I hoped was the barrier.

The next thing I knew I was lying on the grass of my property, gasping heavily and drinking in the air around me. I was sorely out of shape, and my only saving grace had been the fact that I'd been spotted so close to the house. Turning, I saw the guards kicking and hitting at the invisible barrier with all their strength. I ran inside my house and shut and locked the door, collapsing into bed as soon as I got there.

I lay in bed for what seemed like hours, trying to calm myself down. I wasn't really tired enough to sleep, but neither did I want to get out of the warmth and comfort of my familiar bed. It helped ground me to reality, whatever reality was in this strange magical world. I began to hyperventilate Pure, unadulterated terror flowed through me. Fuck…I just assaulted one of Celestia's guards. I'm dead. I'm so dead! She'll have me arrested and rotting in jail before I can think!

I was so lost in panicked thought that I didn't hear the knocking the first few times. It was only when the doorbell was used that I sat up. Looking over at the clock, I saw it was almost seven thirty in the evening. I'd been in bed for at least two hours.

I struggled to get up and headed to the door. I looked out the peephole and saw a worried looking Zecora standing there. I saw a few other points behind her just outside my property line. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I gently opened the door…

Author's Note: I'm well aware that Discord is male in the show. There's a reason why I made the sex change which will be touched on in a future chapter.