Sam spoke up again, "So, if I'm still alive, that should mean there others that have this same chance, right?"

Doc's face lost it's enthusiasm, "I'm afraid that's a slim chance. We found other containers but they were all damaged or empty. That's why we were so excited to find yours; it was the only one relatively untouched by time, wear, and tear. There could be others still safely buried away, but we have yet to stumble upon them."

"Maybe it's for the best. I don't really remember much of anyone, anyway..." Sam's eyes dropped towards the floor a little. "So, I've given you guys what answers I can, now its your turn. Is everyone a pony in this time? And Twilight, did I really see you use magic a few minutes ago? And most importantly, what do I do now?"

Twilight, still standing at Sam's bedside, tried to comfort the confused man. Even though he had never seen such creatures before, he could see in her eyes that she meant well. "Yes, well, almost yes, most of us around here are ponies. I am capable of magic, as are certain others. As for what now..." Twilight began mumbling to herself, until finally exclaiming, "Princess! I have an idea. Obviously Sam is an intelligent creature, so surely we can't keep him locked up here as a lab rat, right? What if he were to stay with Spike and myself? I could help him get back on his feet, and learn more about him and his people in the process!"

Princess Celestia looked at Doc. He had all the books and equipment found with Sam, and, as Sam had very little memory, that meant the scientists had all the information and artifacts they needed. He nodded in approval. "Well Twilight, Doc seems fine with that, and I think it would be a great opportunity. Are you sure you're up for this?"

Twilight was beaming, "Are you kidding? I'm sure the rest of my friends will be very interested to meet him! But... I'm getting ahead of myself. Sam, is this an arrangement that you'd be ok with?"

Sam shrugged, "It's gotta be better than being crammed into a hospital cot. Thank you, Twilight."

----

"Doc sent over a few of the things found in your box. He said that he's done studying them, and that they belong to you anyway." Twilight levitated a package over to Sam's side of the room.

"Hey, I think I remember some of this stuff... iPod... My music! This is great. And... My laptop. Too bad I can't use this with your power system."

"Actually, I think Doc's engineers put together a sort of power converter for your things. That's how he managed to test and examine them. I'll have him send it down from Canterlot," the unicorn's stomach began to growl, "I guess with all of this unpacking and excitement, I forgot to eat lunch! Come with me, one of my best friends works at a great bakery, you have to try some of her baking, you'll love it I'm sure!"

Sam followed her outside into town. As they walked down the road to Sugarcube Corner, Sam could feel the silent stares of the townsponies out and about their daily tasks. Twilight sensed his anxiety, giggling, "Don't worry Sam, they've just never seen something like you before. Remember, I fainted the first time! They'll warm up to you eventually."

"The feeling's mutual, heh... No offense Twilight, but I'm still getting used to the idea that the dominant species is a race of talking ponies, some of whom can fly or use magic."

"Fair enough. Speaking of fair, here's a fair warning. My friend at the bakery, Pinkie Pie, she'll more than likely instantly decide she likes you, and descend on you like a swarm of locusts. She pretty much likes everypony, and she's not afraid to show it. Pretty much play along with any crazy antic she tries, and you'll at least get a good laugh out of it, she's very kindhearted. Hey, she might even throw you a welcoming party! That would be a great way to introduce yourself to the rest of Ponyville!

"I'll keep that in mind," Sam said, as the pair stopped in front of a cupcake-shaped building, "I'm guessing this is the place, Twilight?" His unicorn friend nodded, and they stepped inside.

"OH HEY TWILIGHT, LONG TIME NO SEE, I WAS JUST BAKING UP A BIIIIIG BATCH OF MUFFINS FOR THE SHOP, BECAUSE DERPY JUST CAME IN AND BOUGHT MY LAST ENTIRE BATCH, AND OHMYGOSHWHATISTHATWITHYOU" the pink pony bounced over the cash register and stood inches away from Sam's face. "HI! I'm Pinkie Pie!" She grabbed Sam in a tight hug. Sam, remembering Twilight's "warning", reciprocated. "OHMIGOSH I've never had someone hug me back like that! Your hooves don't look like hooves at all, they almost have little claws on them like Spike except they aren't all sharp and pointy and-"

"Pinkie! Let my friend introduce himself! And remember to breathe, haha." Twilight rolled her eyes.

Finally escaping from Pinkie's grasp, Sam replied, "I'm Sam. I'm a human, apparently from several thousands of years before ponies existed. But, Twilight tells me your pies and cakes are the best anywhere, so she brought me here for lunch"

"Oh Sam, that's the craziest thing I've ever heard, of COURSE my baking is the best!" Pinkie bounced into the kitchen.

"Wow, that was relatively tame by Pinkie standards," mused Twilight. "So, have you put any thought into what you want to do here? I'm sure being my house guest and interview subject for the rest of your life isn't something you'd like to do forever."

"Well, I vaguely remember doing some teaching back in my time. Might have been math, I'm sure it'll come back to me eventually. The I.D. card you found with me had me listed as an engineer of some sort," At the mentioning of math and engineering, Sam noticed Twilight's eyes light up, "Once the folks here get to know me, maybe I could try my hand at teaching? You said the local teacher, Cheerilee was it?, had a record-breaking class size. If all else fails, I'm sure I could learn to handle some handiwork." Sam honestly wasn't sure what he could do, his memories were still hard to grasp hold of. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until Pinkie brought the fruit pies that Twilight had bought for the both of them.

"You know, Sam, I pretty much throw welcome parties for ALLLL of my new friends, and any friend of Twilight's is a friend of Pinkie's! So consider it done, I'll invite the whole town! There will be cake, and punch, and dancing, and party games, ooooohhh and music! Can't forget the music! OHMIGOSH I have to get started planning!" With a blur of pink, Pinkie had vanished.

Sam laughed. "You weren't kidding about her at all, were you, Twilight?" The unicorn smiled and shook her head. "Once we finish up here, let's go back to the library. I'd like to see if my laptop still has any charge in it; I might be able to at least show you a few things from my time for a while even without Doc's converter. Meanwhile, I'm going to make a complete fool of myself and cram my face into this pastry," Shoving a large piece into his mouth, he managed to grumble, "After all, I haven't eaten in a couple hundred thousand years."