Falling. Falling is easy to do. All that is required of you is to relax yourself and surrender to gravity. There is another type of falling. A fall from grace, this is equally easy to accomplish. All you must do is surrender your will to your base instinct and desire.

I opened my eyes and saw the ground approaching, I was so high up the trees below me appear as small shrubs, I heard no sound other than the wind whipping past my face. I felt nothing other than a sense of peace, something I have not felt for so long. Looking at myself I see...flames. I was on fire and I was falling from a great height. Slowly my brain processed this. I still strangely felt no fear, only the peace that I felt before.

I closed my eyes content that I had made my peace with myself and my creator. There is regret but the past is past and cannot be  undone. I knew only that if this was to be my last moment then I am repentant. I will see you soon my beloved.

I embraced the peace and my last thoughts before blackness overtook me is, "Thy will be done."

Pain, my world began and ended with pain. I slowly awakened keeping my eyes closed against the bright light attempting to penetrate my lids. I am no stranger to pain. First calm breaths then compartmentalize the pain and assess the damage.

A sharp pain in my side. Likely a broken rib, breathing is painful but possible. I feel no distress in my breathing, lungs likely not punctured. Left shoulder is unresponsive, feels broken or dislocated. Either way dexterity is now reduced. Legs, legs feel intact. Left knee sharp pain, will require further assessment. Ankles and feet, feeling bruised but no worse for wear. Spinal cord seems intact as I can feel all extremities. Head, I hear sounds of nature, birds calling and animals moving about. Smell, earth and loam and…blood. Nose is bleeding; I feel it trickling down my face in to my mustache and beard. Mouth, coppery taste, all teeth intact, throat and lips feel parched. Thirsty. Eyes, slowly I open them and see a blue sky above me. A moment later I smell smoke, I attempt to sit up, pain flashing through me.

Shoulder is definitely damaged, back hurts as well. I manage myself in to a sitting position and realize that the smoke I smell is coming from me, I look down, the edges of my jeans are singed and my shirt sleeves as well. Looking closer I see my denim vest is still intact. I give a bit of a chuckle and wince as my side protests, that vest and I have been through a lot.

I look around taking stock of my surroundings; I seem to be in an old-growth forest, more specifically a small clearing of tall grass showing the same signs of scorching that I do. Looking ahead I see a burned trail of leading up to where I lay and running back in to the trees...trees with a me-sized hole that seems to be smashed and burned through the canopy.

My mind ground to a halt at this. I was falling. I was burning. I should be dead. Why am I not dead? Why am I not back with her... My silent ruminations are interrupted by the universal sound that you are not alone in the wilderness, a twig snapping behind me.

I try to scramble to my feet despite the protests of my injuries only for my left knee to give a sharp pain eliciting a harsh grunt and me landing on my face. Rolling over in the grass I see what has come upon me. I then wonder if I have eaten some mushrooms of questionable origin.

Before me stands a small horse. A pony would likely be more accurate but looking as no pony I have ever seen. It is butter yellow in color and has a vibrant pink mane. The face is almost human aside from a small round muzzle protruding forth. It's looking at me with the bluest eyes I have ever seen. It is then I realize this ‘pony’ has both eyes facing forward like a human rather than the side facing eyes of most herd animals. This 'pony' also has a pair of feathery wings currently puffing out from its sides.

I sit there mutely trying to process the fact that a four foot tall, bright yellow pegasus is looking at me. At that point I receive the shock of my life when it says in a feminine voice, "Uh excuse me Mister critter..."

Ok it talks. That is new.

"Um Mister...ape...critter? You um...look hurt...what with that big bit of wood in your side...would you like some help...if you don't mind."

It takes me a moment to register the small thing's words. Looking down I finally register the pain in my ribs seems to be from a two foot chunk of tree branch impaling my side just beneath the hem of my vest. At that point I did the only rational thing I could do.

"Oh bother..." I said and then promptly blacked out.

The last thing I was aware of as blackness overtook me was the little pegasus saying it a startled voice, "Oh my!"

I awoke to darkness. Had it all been a dream? I remember packing my bag with a few camping supplies and heading out. My plan was simple. I had closed out all my accounts, sold the house, left my cat in the care of the in-laws, left notes and timed-e-mails for the few friends who still spoke to me and had driven north; heading for the Appalachians. I thought over my intent, I had found a secluded public camping trail. I was going to wander it for a time then off in to the wild areas of the parkland. There I would partake in the "sacrament" I had acquired. Should a vision come to me showing me where I should take my life I would follow it. Should it not…I had a piece of mercy in my bag to ease the passage from this life to the next.

I spent the better part of the day walking the Appalachian Trail starting near Cherokee. On my second day I wandered from the trail around noon and began hiking in to the wooded forest. Though the terrain was dangerous for someone not accustomed to the mountains, being outdoors in the woods was nothing new to me. I knew not respecting nature and her majesty could lead the unwary traveler to ruin but I cared not. My intent, one way or another, was for my life to end. I would either go off the grid, living as a hermit, or I would grant myself a death with dignity. Either was acceptable penance to me at this point.

Near the end of the day I had come to a small clearing in the woods. A small stream wandered past the edge of the clearing and an outcropping of rock providing me with a natural place to start a fire safely. This was a good place, welcoming to the man that knew how to live with the land and looking to be untouched by the modern world. I setup my meager camp which was nothing more than an all-weather sleeping bag and a small solar panel attached to a USB hub to charge my tablet.

I set about gathering some firewood and started a modest fire near dark. I leaned back and began reading one of the thousands of books I had stuffed in to the tablet’s memory. I chuckled at my random pick, the Holy Bible, Catholic edition. I immediately closed it and looked for something else. I had not found my answers in that book thirty years ago and I doubted I would find them now. I instead began reading the collected poems of Edgar Allen Poe.

I had dozed off at some point as the alarm I had set sounded. Looking up I could see the full moon shining down on my little camp and I smiled. Even in the small towns of the South the light pollution was enough to make the night sky less beautiful than Creation intended it. Here, in the mountains with an unobstructed view, I could see nature in all her majesty. A feeling of peace came upon me. “This is truly a good place for a man to change his life.” I thought.

Reaching in to my bag I pulled out a small strip of what looked like cartoonish stamps, high-grade LSD. Stilling my mind I meditated staring for I know not how long in to the fire thinking of…nothing. After a time I took a hit. Then another. As the world began to lose focus I took my last hit. This was all or nothing, live or die. Whatever this sacrament and the universe chose to show me would decided my fate.

I saw colors at first, the fire sparking up higher and higher. Then an terrible wailing upon a wind sprang from nowhere. This was it. This is where the choice is made. The fire died down and an unnatural darkness shrouded my campsite. I felt no fear; darkness is only the absence of light. Then before me stood a creature out of some twisted imagination not my own. It was nearly six feet tall with a serpentine body. Its limbs and the wings on its back were a mishmash of various creatures. It held a paw up in a very human gesture then spoke in a somewhat cultured sounding voice, “You are not what I expected, not at all. But all things considered I suppose you will do.”

I blinked. This vision had spoken to me so I did what felt natural, I spoke back. “What do you mean I will do…chimera?”

“Chimera? Now that is indeed a name I have not heard in a long time! Now come on chop chop! We have a world that needs saving and it looks like the magic or some such has picked you! Mind you I would have picked a wombat because seriously when was the last time you was a wombat in shining armor? Or a booby! Yes I like boobies!”

Unable to help myself I chuckled, “You and me both brother. But seriously aren't visions supposed to be more…helpful and less whimsical?”

The chimera looked at me with an expression I could only describe as perturbed, “Now sonny I make the jokes here not you. You are supposed be all “‘Eek! What are you!’ not all ‘I make double entendres with the spirit of chaos!’” he paused and drew another breath, “Situationally inappropriate humor is my thing!” He almost seemed to whine the last part.

Unable to suppress a grin, “Brother, for a hallucination I like you. So tell me, what should I do with my life. That’s what I came out here to find out. I would hate to hear that after my brain decided to conjure such an amusing avatar for my subconscious that the answer is still ‘kill yourself.’”

The chimera looked at me quizzically then finally said, “What in the name of milkshakes are you talking about?”

I was perplexed, “You are a hallucination, a vision, I just took enough psychedelics to trip a rhino in the hopes of getting a spiritual vision to tell me how to live my life, I seem to have gotten you instead.”

He laughed, the chimera has literally laughed its head off, which was now rolling on the ground near my feet.  Well you don’t see that every day.

“No but seriously, I kinda have a mission here.” Said the head as it’s body set it back on its neck. “The princesses cast this silly powerful magical spell leading to as they put it, “’A realm of violence and chaos where you will find a champion the likes of which the world has never seen.’”, it paused, “So got any champions around here I can borrow?”

I blinked, “No?”

The chimera went back scratching its chin then after a moment a light bulb appeared over its head which it proceeded to grab from the air and munch on thoughtfully. “I have it!” it exclaimed.

“You! You are the champion I am looking for. Sure you look a bit scruffy for a monkey and this talk of killing yourself just has to go but you! You my boy have the makings of a champion in you!”

Suddenly the chimera was beside me wearing a sweatshirt and headband while shadowboxing, “I bet you can knock the block off of any threat to the princesses and Equestria!”

Tilting my head to the side I looked at this strange creature more closely, then I did what any good scientifically minded person would do, I poked it. It poked me back, in the stomach. It didn't feel nice.

“You aren't a bad trip are you?”

With a smile to rival a Cheshire cat it shook its head no. I fell heavily and landed on my sleeping bag. “So…can we take this from the top.”

“I’m afraid not, places to go worlds to save and all that. The magic keeping me here only works for a limited time and I am afraid that time is almost up, now get up and hop through the portal!”

I look up and notice there is now a flaming oval above my campfire with what looks like blue sky beyond it. I sat there for a moment, lost in thought, the chimera tapping its foot impatiently while my mind went a mile a minute. I came here for answers. I came looking for salvation or damnation. Either this is an acid trip and I wake up or it is the real deal and I go to another world and become some kind of champion. What the hell I am tripping balls. Let’s do this!

I stood up and grabbed my backpack then looked at the chimera then to the portal in front of me. “So, I just walk on through?”

“That’s right bucko! Just step on through and enter a magical land of candy and chocolate where we need a naked ape to be our wonderful savior!”

I detected a hint of sarcasm and perhaps a joke I wasn't quite in on. However, I was so high at this point I did not care. I was being offered what amounted to a second chance. I was no hero, never had been. My sins are too heavy and too grave to be called a hero. The word itself had a foul taste to me.

“Well what are you waiting for? Go!” Suddenly a large boot materialized behind me and kicked my rear with enough force to catapult me through the portal. So much for second thoughts.

First there was blinding white light then there was heat as the fires of Hell itself. Then just…falling. Falling is easy to do.

My reverie in the dark is interrupted by the sound of a door opening. I turn my head realizing for the first time that I am lying flat on my back in a large and soft bed. Standing in front of me is the same little pegasus as before carrying a candle with its wing, using it as sort of a large feathery hand.

“Oh my Mister Ape! You're awake!” it spoke in that soft female voice.

“Sister, I am not so sure of that.” I croaked back through my parched throat.

“Goodness me! You can talk!” It took a step back as if it was a bit frightened.

“Shouldn't that be my line?” I winced as I said it, slowly becoming aware of the various pains in my body.

My distress must have been obvious as she stepped forward setting the candle down on a small nightstand by the bed and began feeling my chest with her wing tips. Feeling too weak I did not fight the touch. First she laid a hoof on my breast over my heart, I surmised it was somehow checking my pulse. Next it moved to my side checking a series of bandages that had been placed over the wound from the tree branch.

“You are very lucky Mister Ape, that branch missed your organs and major arteries, it will take a bit of time but you should heal up nicely!”

“Bear.”

“Excuse me? I’m sorry I thought you were an ape!” It shied back a little hiding behind it’s mane.

If cute could kill this would have done me in.

“Bear is my name little one. Not Mister Ape. Though you are partly right, my people are descended from plains apes that arrogantly decided that making tools and fire gave them dominion of the world.” I tried to force a smile but the pain was too much and I came out with a grimace instead.

“Oh dear, does it hurt Mister Bear?”

I shook my head weakly.

“Don’t worry I’ll take care of you until you are all better.” It said in a matter of fact tone that sounded as if any argument was to be forgotten and locked away in that place where you put thoughts you never speak and visions of Al Gore in a tutu.

“What…who…are you?” I manage.

“Oh goodness I’m so sorry; I’m Fluttershy, a pegasus pony. You are in my cottage. I carried you here after you fell screaming out of the sky in to the Everfree Forest. My housemate, Discord, saw you land there and said you would probably need my help.”

“Are you male or female?”

It blushed a so hard that I could see the discoloration through its short fur, “Um…I’m female.”

“Thank you, I am male. Forgive me, your form is alien to me so I wanted to be sure rather than think of you as ‘it’.”

A small lie since it, no, she looked similar if very different to ponies I had seen before. Before, pain, this wasn't a dream or a bad trip, I am in a strange land and there is a small talking pegasus tending to me.

I am and always shall be an avid lover of science fiction and fantasy literature, let alone movies and TV. Now here I am a stranger in a strange land. I know not what has happened and perhaps this is all a dream and my brain is consoling me as I lay somewhere bleeding to death from a self-inflicted wound. But maybe that chimera was real and maybe I really am in a strange new world. I always imagined what first contact would be like. I suppose I should be on my best behavior just in case.

“This is a lot to take in Miss Fluttershy. Please forgive me if I am without manners or break any of your customs but I am a pilgrim in your land.” I cough loudly after saying this as my throat seems to not want to work as fast as my thoughts.

“Oh dear let me get you some water.” With that Fluttershy stepped out the room leaving me alone to my thoughts for the moment.

She seems to be friendly, this is a good start. I don’t know how I got here. I don’t know how much of what I recall is the fiction of a drugged mind or reality. What I do know is here in a new world the first thing I find is a piece of kindness that so far has asked nothing in return. Earth could learn something from that. As I mull these thoughts over Fluttershy returns with a wooden mug filled with water.

“Here you go Mister Bear, it’s a little cold so drink it slowly so you don’t get a tummy ache.” I smile and painfully sit up taking the offered mug. I drink it slowly over the course of a few minutes with Fluttershy sitting in silence beside the bed. As I finish the mug I hand it back to her with a thank you. She takes the mug in her wing as if it were a hand, a neat trick that, she smiles, a decidedly human gesture.

“You are very welcome Mister Bear. Now lay back and get some sleep. You need to rest after getting hurt like that.”

Hurt like that, remembering the tree branch impaling my side I look to her, “Who tended this wound, I should be in a hospital.”

She looks at me shyly, “Um I did…I hope you don’t mind. I take care of hurt and sick animals around here.”

“You are a vet?”

She nodded meekly.

I chuckle then wince but force a smile.

“Well if you are representative of your people then a vet makes more sense than a doctor.”

Continuing to look down she said, “You aren't mad are you?”

I shook my head, “No little lady, a wound like that, you probably saved my life. I am grateful to you, I truly am.”

A genuine smile crossed her face and she stared at me with a non-nonsense look in her eye, “Then you lay back and rest Mister and don’t argue.” I gave a small mock salute,  “Yes ma’am!”

Laying down I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. The last thing I was aware of was a blanket being thrown over me and the sound of a candle being blown out. Next Chapter: 02 - Awakenings Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 38 Minutes