*BANG, BANG, BANG!* Anthon jolted awake at the sound of loud authoritative knocking at his front door. He looked to the clock to see it was barely just after 1:33 in the afternoon. He told them he was nocturnal, so why were they-? *BANG-BANG-BANG!* “I'm up! I'm up! Stop abusing the door! It's mahogany!” Anthon was glad he'd taken to sleeping in his pants as he quickly threw on his green 0% Irish shirt, and opened the door. “It's unlocked y'know. Not like that'd stop any of you anyway.”

Anthon didn't care what his tone was like; he just got rudely awoken, and this white-coated, blue haired, admittedly buff armored unicorn stallion at his Doorway was prime meat for him to rip into. “Hands where I can see them.” He ordered with a blatantly “surfer” voice, and right there; he lost any chance at that moment of being in Anthon's good books without serious concessions.

“Oh, I'm sorry? My hands? You mean-.” He quickly reached forward with his left hand, and when he reached past the frame, a massive russet furred hand and forearm grabbed the pony by the horn, and lifted him up to eye level within a split second. “These hands? Now come in. I'm not talking to some government dude at my door.” He pulled the flailing pony through the frame, and soon a fully armored man actually a head taller than him with the horn coming out of his forehead was standing in surprise before him as Anthon released his horn and looked him over. “Damn...nice.”

As a human his features were regal and sophisticated, his golden armor with purple accents covered him fully like a true soldier of the middle ages. It was like someone out of Fire Emblem or something was standing in front of him. “Well this is...weird.” Only spoiled by his horn and his surfer accent.

“Yeah, my life's been like that the past couple of days. So, are we going to sit down and talk like adults, or am I going to have to push you out my door and we'll talk like men?” The soldier rose to Anthon's threat, and huffed before he removed his helm and held it at his side.

“I am Royal Captain Shining Armor, head of Her Royal Majesty Princess Celestia's personal squadron. I was sent in to check the claims of the Mayor stating that a potential Discordant-Class spacial disruption had occurred, and that a sentient being from another realm had made contact with several locals. I can clearly see that the claims are true.” Shining looked around the house, noting that while it was big, it was also admittedly dirty, animal tracks and fur being everywhere. “Don't you clean?”

“Once a month, or when my dad goes on one of his cleaning fits. That said, what're we going to do about it? Because if I have a say; I at least want to keep one of these Doorways open. I like your world, it's so much...grander than mine.” 'PLEASE say you can't close them! Please!'

“I'm afraid to inform you sir, that without extensive examination and testing we won't be able to close any of them.” Shining informed quirking a slight smile at seeing this “human” try to contain a little jig. “However, I need to inform Princess Celestia that you're now in regular and clearly intended prolonged contact with the locals, and she might even need to speak with you personally.”

“Fine by me. Now I can quit the job I hate, and find work someplace where people genuinely smile, rather than be forced to.” Anthon held out his hand for a shake, this guy just dug himself out of the ditch with that news. “Let's start over; I'm Anthon Robinson, second-to-last heir of the Robinson legacy.”

Shining smiled as he accepted the handshake, both men gripping tightly, and grinning in approval of the strong grip. “Again, Shining Armor. Captain of the Guard and future husband to Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”

Anthon blinked. “Her name is; My Love Cadence? Isn't that redundant? Just Cadence is enough to get the point across.” Anthon didn't know much Spanish, but he knew enough to get some meanings across. He was probably missing something, but Shining laughed as they ended the shake.

“She says that all the time! Cadence always insists on just being called Cadence. Well, sorry for how this meeting started, but I'm glad to have met you. I need to go and report to the Princess about this. Hope to see you later.” Shining's horn charged up with a pink aura, but it fizzled out to his confusion. “Huh? Why didn't my teleport work?”

“It might be because you're on this side of the Doorway. Magic doesn't exist here, at least, not normally. There's probably a barrier still between our worlds. Which is why all who pass through change form to more suit the environment. As for why I go all metal and turn into a minotaur and not a pony; no clue, but it's just a theory right now.” Anthon entered the library, bulking back up into his new minotaur form, his 0% Irish shirt grew with him, loosely clinging to him as usual, but the wording changed just slightly to 0% Shirish.

Shining noted this, and considered the implications of it. Clearly the words Irish and Shirish were interchangeable between realms as they represented the same thing. It was something else to add to his report, as Shireland was a country in his world, meaning Anthon's world had a potential counterpart. “Good point, I'll be off then. Welcome to Equestria Anthon.” Shining entered the library and teleported away in a flash of pink, getting Anthon to blink spots out of his vision.

“So...awesome.” Figuring since he was up; he'd head into town to get familiar with the layout since last night he officially resigned from his job, returned his vest and everything. Even if he didn't have the prospect of working in Equestria, he was sick of his job, and this adventure had inspired him to man up and put his foot down at being treated like a slave while only being paid pennies.

[@]

Ponyville was metal. No, seriously, it was the kind of place rock ballads were sung about. The village people, or rather, ponies, were all friendly, and inspired such a sense of welcoming that singers would compose songs of the place back in his world without doubt. Or, maybe it already did? He wasn't much into it, but he'd heard and seen My Little Pony merchandise from the latest series that looked disturbingly to fact in comparison to the residents of Ponyville. Maybe some visionary got all psychic and dreamed this place up through some sort of magical fever dream.

Anyway, it was taking SO much effort not to burst into a rock ballad here and now, more than usual. So to let the pressure out and not blast his tenor voice in screams of joy that would make Ozzy proud, he hummed instead. He still danced a bit and played air guitar, but aside from getting knowing grins from several ponies, nothing came of it.

Anthon decided to get to know the area around the library and how to get to his friend's places first, since he didn't really pay much attention the first time around due to his nerves getting to him, but now he didn't think much of it when somepony looked at him. It was now more of a “hey it's that guy” look rather than the “who is that” look, and he much, MUCH preferred the looks he was getting now.

“I've got to thank them for so much. I bet Pinkie went around telling practically everypony about me to lessen the blow.” Anthon grinned as he waved back to Derpy who had waved to him from her front door. He only heard her name in passing as Mayor left the party yesterday, but he instantly loved her adorable personality, and her wall-eyes just radiated joy similar to Pinkie's. It was impossible to dislike her.

“Hey there!” He was a little surprised, however, when she flew up to him. “You're that big alien right? The one with the magic door?” Oh, gog, she was so cute.

“Yep, that's me. The big alien with the magic door.” 'Hold in laughter, hold it, don't be rude.' “How may I help you?” 'Curse you All-Mart! Improving my manners and desire to help others!' Anthon didn't mind it so much, but he said that on impulse since he was ironically the night-shift worker with the highest customer satisfaction, and the others always directed customer queries to him. Sorry Jerri, but that falls to you now.

“Oh, I don't need anything...well...actually I need some help moving my furniture, but my hubby will be home soon anyway...but even for him it's heavy....” Derpy looked concerned as she put a hoof to her chin. “Say, if I pay you a few bits, would you help me move our safe? We're putting it in the basement.”

“I would help even if you didn't offer bits Derpy. Where is this safe?” At his insistence, Derpy led him inside her home to her husband's private workshop, filled to the brim with clocks, watches, and other timepieces. She explained her husband was Time Turner; the town timekeeper and clockmaker, and he needed the corner the safe took up for a new workstation for fixing even smaller watches. “Wow...that is big.”

Indeed, it was a big safe. It was bigger than the gun safe his dad kept his gold and silver coins in inside his office closet. He needed to remind himself to explore those other Doorways, he couldn't just trust they'd leave themselves be. “Yeah...even my hubby has trouble moving it. I considered asking Big Mac for help, but he's the town heartthrob and I don't want ponies gossiping....”

“Say no more. I've moved a similar safe up and down a couple flights of stairs with help before, but that was before I became a minotaur.” Anthon grinned at his rhyme, and figured he would try moving it himself to test his new strength. “How heavy is this thing?”

“About seven hundred stones.” Derpy informed, and he looked at her in confusion. “Um...do they have ounces where you're from.”

“Yes, so how many ounces comprise a stone?” 'Hm, I'll have to learn a new measurement system, but thankfully not everything is different here.'

“Around fifteen ounces are in a stone.” Derpy answered, and Anthon hummed.

'So a stone is basically a pound, just one ounce less. So this safe is around 10500 ounces...divide by 15 you get 700 stones, but divide by 16 you get 656.25 pounds. Much lighter than it sounded.' Anthon grumbled to himself, bemoaning that he skipped a step again, his brain always did that with math, confusing him when he tried to put it to paper or consider the answer later. “Alright then, let's see here....”

He wrapped his arms around the safe, and dragged it away from the wall with an ease that surprised him, it must've been on some sort of primitive caster. But that thought left him when he hugged it to his chest and lifted it off the floor with surprisingly average strain he'd get lifting around a hundred or so pounds. 'Holy hell! Just how much has my strength multiplied on this side?' The concept was baffling, as Derpy gaped at him lifting the heavy metal safe clear off the floor. “Okay...where do you want this?”

“Oh! Follow me.” Derpy led him through the house, him having to duck through door frames and nudge the safe through them. When it came to the stairs he carefully walked down the steps with Derpy watching his feet, telling him where it was safe to put his hoof down. He didn't know why, but he somehow felt that her skewed vision didn't hurt her when she was focused. Soon, he'd set the safe in the corner of her mostly empty basement, and she applauded with her forehooves. “Oh! Thank you! You really helped save my stud muffin from breaking his back on that thing.”

“Not a problem Derpy. This was a useful exercise for me, and I got to help you out.” Anthon felt some sweat trailing down his face, and wiped it off. That was a nice lift. He was stunned out of his moment of satisfaction when a small jingling bag was tossed to him and he caught it on impulse. “D-Derpy I helped you for free, I don't need any money.”

“Nope! No giving back what you earned.” Derpy grinned playfully from her spot in the air. “You moved something that would've made two stallions get a workout by yourself, and didn't damage anything, so you get a standard mover's fee of 50 bits.”

Anthon gaped at the mare. Here, that wasn't much at all, but he had that bit Rarity gave him appraised at an all-hours pawn shop. Back home, to various pawn shops it was worth almost fifty bucks, more to certain channels that they would be selling them to, but even with him getting the short end; he'd have at most 500 dollars here just for moving a safe.

Equestria is awesome.

“Th-thanks Derpy...you have no idea how much this means to me.” 'If I keep this up, I could afford the expensive medicine that would help dad! Mom wouldn't have to get the cheaper, more dangerous pills he's been taking.' Anthon and his father rarely saw eye-to-eye anymore, but that didn't change the fact he loved him.

“Hey, it's just fifty bits colt...uh...bull? Yeah, bull. Okay? I make that much in half a day as a postmare. Not to mention hubby's job is really important and government supported too. If we didn't have time, we'd be aimless.” Derpy stated, before leading him upstairs out of the basement. “Would you like a muffin? I just baked some.”

“Oh, no. I'm fi-.” Anthon was about to politely decline when his stomach roared like an angry tiger, and he blushed his russet cheeks even redder. 'Oh...forgot breakfast again.' “Um....” Derpy giggled a laugh bubbly enough to compare to Pinkie. Perhaps that's what her bubble cutie mark represented; her astoundingly cheerful personality.

“I'll make that two muffins then?”

[@]

After enjoying Derpy's utterly delicious banana-nut muffins, Anthon continued his journey through town. It was late afternoon now, and things were winding down. He considered visiting his friends, but didn't want to bother them so late. Since he was going to have to become diurnal however, he felt visiting AJ's farm was a good idea, he might be able to get in a quick workout to tire himself out enough to sleep tonight.

So he ran the whole way there once he set his mind to it, and tried to work up a sweat. Running was never fun before, but now that he wasn't choking on mucus in his lungs it was exhilarating. He actually jumped to slap the entrance sign of Sweet Apple Acres as he ran through, and laughed that he easily did so with a little running hop. He then slowed down as he reached the house and panted as he approached the door to knock.

He did so gently since he didn't want to abuse the rustic red door, and was soon greeted by the sight of a little yellow filly with strawberry red hair and amber orange eyes, who gaped up at him in awe. “Hello little one. I wish to speak with Applejack. Is she in?”

She was still frozen, but she soon beamed as a glimmer of wonder filled her eyes. He loved kids so much. “Wow! Ah was told there was a minnow-tour in town, but Ah thought mah sis was just pullin' mah leg!”

“Nope! Here and in the fur; ready and willing to work whenever she needs. I'm here to accept her offer of a position being hired muscle for the farm. Even if she can't pay me, I need to exercise.” 'Seriously! I am SO, PUMPED right now! I've got to get this energy out!'

“Really? But...it's up to Granny Smith if we get any hired hooves...or uh...what're those things ya got?” The filly gestured to his hands. Clearly, ponies really rarely saw other species.

“My hands. Don't have the luxury of a single hard toe, instead I have these fancy things.” He wiggled his fingers and she giggled at his silly wavy hand gestures.

“They sure are silly lookin'! Ah'll go git Granny, ya'll just wait here.” She turned to run back into the house, but paused. “Oh! Right, mah name's Applebloom! I'm Applejack's and Big Macintosh's little sis. Ah hope you git ta stay mister!” AB ran back into her house, leaving a chuckling Anthon.

'Silly filly, she forgot to ask me for my name. But that's youth.' It didn't take all too long, as several minutes later, a wrinkled and shriveled up old light green mare with silver hair came to the door. She wore more than most ponies, beings that she had a shawl on over her upper back and chest, her namesake on her flanks.

“Well howdy there young'un. Mah little Bloom tells me AJ offered ya a position?” She asked as she moved over to a nearby small rocking chair, and tried to get in, but clearly had a little trouble.

“Would you like some help ma'am?” Anthon was used to helping old folks, he was raised to respect them after all. However, he knew they had their pride, and it was important to ask first before lending aid.

“No, no Ah've got it.” She grunted as she managed to finally get herself up onto the chair, and turned around until she was comfortable and started gently rocking. “Sorry 'bout that. Old hip ain't what it used to be.”

“I understand fully ma'am.” 'Have juvenile arthritis on the other side, doesn't seem that way here thankfully.'

“Well, Ah have to inform ya we don't need no new hired hooves. We can use some help now and then, but we've got things all good and taken care of for the most part. If you're interested though, we could put ya on the short list of ponies we would call on for help when we need it, if'in yer the neighborly sort to come all the way out when we have some spare bits ta share.” Granny cackled softly, getting a smile out of the only slightly disappointed Anthon. He noticed she didn't bother trying to change her vocabulary when speaking to him, so that was refreshing.

“That's just fine. After helping somepony in town, I think being a general gopher would work out for me here.” 'Never tried being an everyman job taker. That was more Sandy's route than me, but here I might actually be able to make it work out.'

“Is that so? Well, Ah don't know 'bout none of them big cities or towns, but Ponyville uses a job board system in the town square. Ponies post jobs fer just 'bout anythin' on there. It's mostly things ponies wouldn't bother doin' themselves, but there're bits ta be made there.” Granny Smith informed helpfully, very helpfully in fact.

“Thank you, I'll make use of it. Sorry to disturb you Granny Smith.” Anthon bowed his head slightly as he stood, getting a happy laugh out of her.

“Where'd ya come from colt? It's rare ta see somepony with such good manners these days.” She commented with a compliment, and he grinned back at her.

“Just raised right ma'am. Just raised right.” Anthon turned to leave, a little sad he didn't get to see AJ before leaving, and began running back to town, trying to tire himself out.

[@]

By the time he got back to town, the sun was getting ready to set, and ponies were all going home to spend time with their families and wind down for bed. He was finally feeling the exhaustion he was familiar with, but unlike before where it would be incredibly painful, he was just sore and short of breath with a sheen of sweat on him. The few mares that he passed all blushed at the sweat-stained shirt clinging to his torso, but he paid it no mind as he arrived at the town square just outside the town hall, which was the tallest building in Ponyville.

Next to the steps up to the doors was the job board, and even in the dimming light he could read it easily. Most of them were for odd jobs like needing help moving furniture like he did with Derpy, or fixing a roof or whatnot. But his eyebrows raised at a couple of...dangerous ones. 'Timber Wolf extermination? Hydra repellant placement? A request for Manticore venom? What kinds of ponies post these things?'

Apparently, the Mayor.

The reasons for the postings were included. The wolves was because the Apples, specifically AJ, had asked for help with the wolves intruding on her farm. The hydra repellant was actually a request from Fluttershy because she noticed they were leaving Froggy Bottom Bog and wandering towards town recently, and the venom was actually a request from Ponyville General Hospital for a venom sample to use to make antivenom for their emergency department.

Since these are all things involving the safety of the community, the Mayor put forward the town's tax expenses for a capable pony to help. Or, now; a capable minotaur. He wasn't a brave man, not by a long shot, but these were serious issues, and from what he'd seen of ponies; nopony was about to step up without things getting dire. But tomorrow was the day the town was going to be busy preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration come the morning after next.

Besides...he had a specific manticore he wanted to get some revenge on for scaring a few years off his life the first night that began all of this, as well as the fact it had strayed out to Shy's cottage. He didn't want to think what it might've done to his friend had he not managed to accidentally scare it off. He took the three postings, and took them inside and walked straight up to the receptionist, a plain brown on brown earth pony mare who gawked at him, especially when he put the fliers on her desk. “Anthon Robinson, applying for these jobs.” Besides...he'd be lying if he said he didn't dream of being a Monster Hunter.

Author's Notes:

Face it; we all dream of being an adventurer at least once, it's why there are so many RPGs out there, and the oldest "gaming" of the sort are things like DnD.

If I wound up a minotaur in a fantasy land, and I wasn't considered and outright monster, I'd want to go adventuring.