Many ponies walked about the market, enjoying their day. Some laughed with their friends, some simply went about their shopping. Most stared at the strange new pony that walked into town. He wore an oversized grey coat that reached past his flank with a hood that was pulled over his head, his muzzle barely poking out. A set of black shorts that covered his flank and part of his hind legs also was seen. From the color of his hooves, they at least knew he was the color of beige.

A large saddle bag was resting on his back and stayed put by the two straps that wrapped around the armpits of his forelegs. The jingle of random trinkets and such sounded out as he walked into the market. Many ponies took a step or two back as he passed them, his pace was a steady and quick one as he walked through, looking at the various stalls and kiosks of food.

He walked up to a single vendor whom was happily selling his vegetables and fruit before a hoof was gently tapped against the stand. The stallion whipped around and let his eyes widened as he looked at his new customer. There was a silence throughout the market before the stallion simply smiled, remembering the Zecora Incident, and took in a small breath.

“Hello! How may I help you today?” The stallion asked in a calm and collected tone. The hooded pony’s muzzle showed the briefest sign of a smile before he began to speak.

“Can I get a bundle of carrots and several potatoes, please?” The slightly raspy voice of the hooded stallion said as he his hoof reached back and pulled the saddlebag off. The stallion at the stand only nodded and quickly gathered the items. As the stallion set the ingredients out on the stand before the hooded stallion pulled out a small bag and dropped twelve bits onto the counter. Swiping the food into the saddlebag, he put the money back into the bag as well before beginning to walk to his next destination.

Ponies had long since gone back to their daily business as they simply shrugged off the odd stallion as some tired traveler. Unfortunately for that tired Traveler, Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense told her somepony new was in town. He didn’t walk another twenty steps before the pink pony was standing in front of him with a massive smile on her face.

“HIYA!” She shouted as she bounced in place. The hooded stallion’s head perked up in surprise, exposing all of his muzzle, just beneath his eyes, showing a noticeable tone of shock on his lips.

“H-hi?” He said unsure as the pink pony bounced around him. “What are you doing?”

“I am just bouncing in excitement that there is a new pony in town! And that pony is you!” She stated as she stopped her bouncing and pushed her hoof against the stallion’s snout. There was a brief pause before the stallion lifted a hoof and took the pink appendage from his nose.

“Yes, I am new in town, but I am not staying long.” He informed Pinkie, making her slightly deflate.

“Aaaaawwww, whyyyy?” She whined out, sitting on her haunches and giving him a pouty expression. The stallion just shook his head and let out a small amused chuckle.

“I am staying long enough to gather supplies and do a few odd jobs for money. Then I am walking to Canterlot to go get an audience with the Princesses.” The stallion said as he walked by Pinkie. Now even more interested, Pinkie bounced up and began to follow after the strange stallion.

“Oooooh! What are you doing that for?” She asked curiously. The stallion only gave a small smile and looked at the pink pony, his eyes still unable to be seen.

“I have a problem I need solved or at least helped.” He said as he continued to walk until he was at the town hall, looking at the ‘Help Wanted’ board that was posted outside. Pinke just nodded in understanding before smiling even wider.

“Wait! I need to give you a party! Be here tonight-” She began before the pony turned back and for the first time a pony saw his eyes. Pinkie stopped talking, mostly because he was glaring at her, and his eyes were different colors. One was a light brown while the other was a almost ice blue.

“No.” He said in a almost angered, and strangely fearing, tone. Anypony that was near stopped to look at Pinkie and the strange pony.

“Wh-what...?” Pinkie asked as her hair deflated.

“I... Don’t... Do well at night...” The stallion said awkwardly before he grabbed a flyer and tore it off with his teeth. “Now iph, you don’ min’, I neeph to go. It’ph gettin’ late.”

Before anypony could say a word, the pony practically galloped out of the place. Ponies could only watch as he bolted out of the town and towards the fields.

#~#

“He WHAT!?” Rainbow bellowed out in a rage as she shot up from her seat. A purple glow pulled her back down by her tail while Twilight was sighing. The group had gotten together shortly after the stallion left, mostly because Rainbow had seen Pinkie sad and gathered everyone as fast as possible. They were currently sitting in Twilight’s library discussing the crazy situation.

“Calm down Rainbow.” Twilight said before looking to Pinkie. “Pinkie, you said he just grabbed the flyer and ran out of town?”

Pinkie let out a loud sniffle before nodding her head. Applejack was sitting next to the party pony with a hoof around her shoulder. The farmer adjusted her hat before letting out a small sigh. “Well, ah have to say, this stallion does sound off, but he doesn’t sound very mean. Just a tad rude.” Applejack stated as she comforted the party pony.

“Well ‘off’ or no, he shouldn’t be rude to a lady!” Rarity chimed in. “Getting angry for no reason then running off into the night. If I ever see him, I will give him a stern talking to!”

“Forget talking! I’ll kick his flank for making Pinkie cry!” Rainbow almost growled and puffing her chest out in anger. Twilight rubbed her temples in annoyance at her friends aggressive behavior. Fluttershy had squeaked out several suggestions on how to deal with the situations, all of which involved being very polite and asking nicely, but her voice was drowned out by Rainbow’s anger and Twilight’s questions.

“Rainbow, we can’t go and beat up ponies without reason.” Twilight said. Rainbow began to speak up Twilight added in. “And I mean a good reason. Not just because he made one of our friends cry.”

Rainbow snorted before crossing her forelegs and giving a small scowl. “Yeah well!... Tomorrow I am finding him and getting answers!” She stated boldly.

“Ah agree.” Applejack piped in. “Usually, I would let ponies be, like that Cranky Doodle fella, but this time, I have to put my hoof down.”

Twilight let out a defeated sigh before shaking her head. “I guess you are right. He is a bit strange, and he did hurt one of our friends. But can we agree to not make a scene?” Twilight asked to the group. They all gave her a sincere nod of agreement, allowing Twilight to breath easy for a moment.

Author's Notes:

... Next chapter, THE INTERROGATION!
MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *Cough cough*...... Sorry about that.