Hello fellow bronies. This be my first MLP:FIM story. It is set before "Keep Calm and Flutter On". I've had the idea for a while now. Almost as long as I've been a brony. But, now, it is finaly getting typed out. It will start out slow and not sure what all will be in the middle. I really only have the beginning and ending figured out. So...ya. It is just like any other story I've ever written. Well, enjoy the story.

Celestia's sun began rising over th horizon, beginning a new day in Equestria. The day was seemingly normal in a town known as Ponyville. Everypony was going along their usual, day to day business. Ponies were out and about either working, shopping, eating, etcetra, etcetra, etcetra. In Golden Oaks Library, Twilight was sitting at her podium, reading a book on advanced magical spells as Spike cleaned. Out of nowhere, Spike burped out a letter from Princess Celestia. Twilight turned her attention to Spike and asked, "What does it say?"

Spike cleared his throat before reading. "My dearest Twilight Sparkle, I have an urgent task for you and your friends. I have been feeling a strange source of power originating in the Everfree Forest for a few hours. I would like for you to check out this phenomenom as soon as possible. Sincerely, Princess Celestia." Spike looked up and said, "I'll make sure to watch the library while you're out."

"Thank you Spike. I'll try to be back as soon as possible." She ran out and began gatheirng the other elements for what ever they may encounter. Half an hoour kater, they were heading into the Everfree forest.

Fluttershy's eyes darted around. "S-so, what are we looking for?"

"I'm not sure. Anything that may be putting out a strange power signal."

"So, what? Are we suppose to just wander around until we find something stranger than usual in here?"

"Well, that's all we really can do, right now, Rainbow." Rainbow Dash sighed in annoyance.

After an hour of walking, Pinkie pointed and asked, "Would that count as being stranger than normal?" Each of them looked at what she was pointing at, but before they could get a good look, there was an eplosion of sorts, sending all of them backwards.

They all got up and cautiously approached the bush. They spotted a chocolate brown earth pony with a blonde mane that seemed to be messed up by the explosion with a branch sticking out of it. His cutie mark was two gears touching one another and one of them had a wrench on it. He had saddlebags on his back and he was mumbling something. A roar took all of their attention to a manticore that was coming. They heard the pony say, "Well. That is unexpected. Guess I really should have listened to him." The pony reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a strange looking peice of metal. He looked at it for a little bit before saying, "Really?" He sighed and threw it aside and got ready to fight the manticore.

All the eyes of the elements widened. "Is he really planning on taking on that...beast on his own?" No pony answered Rarity's question. They watched as the two of them began circling one another.

The manticore lunged at the earth pony, who simply lept over its head, making sure to give it a good kick to said head. Both combatants turned to face their opponent. The manticore snarled, while the earth pony smirked. "Just like fighting lions. Just a much uglier lion." The manticore lunged again, the earth pony stepping out of the way, causing the manticore to crash through the log that was behind the pony. The manticore turned, slightly dazed, nly to get a pair of hooves to the face. The six wathcing ponies cringed at the cruch they heard. "Hm. Wonder if that is enough to keep it down?" He had no such luck, as the manticore seemed even angrier. "Man. Lady Luck does not like me today." He paused before saying, "I m joking much more than usual." The manticore lunged at the distracted pony, sending him into a tree. "Okay. Worry about ugly mutant thing first. Worry about joking later." He stood to his feet and stared at the manticore and they both charged. He slid under the manticore, which tried turning, but slid into the tree it had just knocked the pony into. The pony then ran and gave it a kick to the side. The mantiore fell to the ground, as all the air was knocked out of it. The pony then gave it a kick to the head, knocking it out. The pony gave a sigh. "Good. Now I can think of my next course of action."

But, he didn't have much time to think, as Rainbow Dash flew out of the bush and practically screamed, "That was awesome!" This startled the pony as the others all came out of the bush they were hiding in. "That was so coo how you were able to take on that manticore by yourself."

The stallion looked at the manticore and simply said, "So that's what it's called. Interesting." He then turned to the group and asked, "Do you mind telling me where I am?"

Twilight replied, "You are in the Everfree forest. What are you doing here?"

The stallion's face fell slightly. "I'm traveling around. I just sort of... wandered here."

"It looked more like you teleported here. But, I'm not sure how that would be possible, seeing as you're an earth pony, not a unicorn."

The stallion replied, "Well, I'd rather not talk about how it's possible. Or why I'm travelling. I'm not sure we are properly introduced."

Twilight said, "Oh! Well, I'm Twilight Sparkle and these are my closest friends, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack." she pointed to eahc of them as she spoke each of there names. Sprocket nodded to each of them.

They all looked at him, waiting for him to say his name. "Oh! Well, my name's, uh," He suddenly broke into a cough and turned his head. He looked back and said, "Sorry. My name's Sprocket." They all nodded.

Pinkie suddenly gasped, going three feet into the air, gaining a raised eyebrow from Sprocket. When she landed, she went right into his face. "You're going to be a new pony in Ponyville, aren't you!?"

Sprocket's eyes darted back and forth as he took a step back, only for Pinkie to stay right in his face, without taking a step forward. "Um, ahem, yes. Cou-"

Before he could ask for personal space, Pinkie began hopping around excitedly. "I need to start planning your welcome party! It'll be sosososomuch fun! Wecanhavecake,andcupcakes,andpunchandgoodiesandbecelebraitngbothyoucomingtotownandushavinganewauthorandit'llbethebestpartysofarthisweek! Come on! The sooner we get to Ponyville, the sooner we can have a party!" Before anypony can respond, she dashed off in a blur.

Sprocket blinked. "Um. Has she had too much sugar or something? Or does she have ADHD? Or is it some combination?"

"That is just Pinkie being Pinkie. She is always very hyper."

"Well. What is it with her and parties?"

The group started walking as Twilight explained, "She always throws a party for anypony new to Ponyville. She has a talent for that sort of thing." Sprocket nodded. "So, what exectly did you do before you started traveling?"

Sprocket shrugged as best he could. "I was an inventer and an improver of technology. I can improve anything from as simple as a cart to as complex as a computer and beyond."

"Maybe yall can help with the carts at Sweet Apple acres. The wheels keep comin' off."

Sprocket nodded. "I could do that. You know, I used to work at an apple orchard when I was a child."

"Well, we could always use an extra set of hooves 'round the farm."

"That would be nice. May take me a little bit to get back into the rhythm of the work. But, I could do it."

"A'right."

"Do you think you could also give me a place to stay?"

"O course."

"thanks. Now, what did you say the name of the town was?"

"Ponyville. It's a nice peacful town."

"Sounds n-"

"except for the occasional attack by timberwolves."

"Well, it can't be that ba-"

"And the occasional beasts from Tartarus that come out."

"i'm su-"

"And the fact it borders the Everfree, with so many strange things living in it."

"Maybe I should look to live somewhere else."

They all turned to see Sprocket's terrified expression. Twilight coughed, as she had been rambling. "W-well, it is still relatively peaceful."

"How, in the name of all that is good, is that considered 'relatively' peaceful!?"

Twilight didn't have an answer. Applejack decided to say, "'Cause we're able to handle it all?"

Sprocket gave her a blank stare. "Even if you were able to handle a being of pure chaos, that still wouldn't make it 'relatively peaceful'." They all started to chuckle at what he said. "What?"

Applejack replied, "Well, Ah'm guessin; that from yer travelin' yall didn't hear about when we defeated a bein' a pure chaos named Discord."

"Okay. That makes sense as to why you're all chuckling now." He turned ahead and noticed Ponyville through the branches of the Everfree. "Is that Ponyville?"

They all turned to where he was facing. "Yes it is." Sprocket began galloping, with the rest following. He slowed once he actually got into town, as he didn't know it. The other soon caught up and began walking around, pointing out different buildings. The last one they came to was one that resembled a gingerbread house. "And this is Sugarcube Corner. This is where Pinkie works and lives. Come on."

Sprocket followed, but noticed the lights were off. "Um, the lights aren't on."

"We know." Twilight's answer caused him to raise an eyebrow, but he went in anyways.

When he entered, he realised the others were nowhere to be seen. "SURPRISE!" He jumped at that and fell out the door.

Pinkie stuck her head out and chuckled. "It seems that really surprised you, huh?"

"you could say that." He walked back in and was greeted with a gigle Rainbow and smirking Applejack. "Of course. Ponies always laugh at somepony else's misfortuen, huh?"

Rainbow chuckled out, "Seems somepony's really jumpy, huh?"

Sprocket gave her a blank stare. "It is just my reflexes to try to keep me alive."

"Sure whatever ya say, partner." Applejakc slapped him on the back with the comment. Sprocket rolled his eyes as he began to mingle in the party.

Later that night

The party finally came to an end and everypony went home. Sprocket followed Applejack. Though, when they were away from any houses Applejack stopped and turned to Sprocket, causing him to stop. "Um, yes?"

Applejack simply stared for a little bit. "Yall were ying in the Everfree with some a what yall said. I wanted ta confront ya alone, in case it was cause a somethin personal. So, what's yer real name?"

Sprocket chuckled slightly. "Wow. You are the second one I've found that can easily see through my poker face."

"Don't try ta change the subject."

Sprocket's face fell and they faded into silence. "Well, my real name doesn't matter. It is part of a whole life I'm wanting to leave behind. And, I want to leave it behind because I'm trying to keep from being caught by somepony who wants me dead over an accident."

"Are ya sure?" Sprocket only nodded. "Do ya want ta talk 'bout it?"

"Maybe later."

"Alright. I won't push ya." The two continued on. When they got to the house, Applejack introduced him to the family, and later that evening, they headed off to bed. Applejack showed him to his room. "Well, here's where yall will be sleepin'. Try ta get up at sunrise."

Sprocket's eyes widened. "That early?"

"Well, considerin' that yall said that ya would need some time ta get use ta gettin' up that early, we decided ta let ya sleep in for a little bit." Sprocket's eyes widened even more. "Well, night sugarcube."

Applejack left and Sprocket laid in bed. "Wow. They get up real early for work. Maybe she's just pulling my leg. Ya. I'm sure that's it." He let out a yawn before falling asleep.

Well, that is the beginning. It is also the remade version. I had started to write this chapter, then threw it out, as it was just dragging on and on. Well, tell me what ya think. The review box down there is great for that.