The sun shined brightly in the clear blue sky over Ponyville as the sounds of everyday life coming in through the broken window aroused Nathan from his slumber inside the cab of his locomotive. The moment his eyes opened, he instantly groaned at how bright everything was as he covered his eyes. "That Pinkie Pie sure can throw a party." He thought to himself as the memories of last night's welcoming party flowed into his mind. "Most fun I've had in a long time." He then stretched out his arms, or at least the arm that wasn't in a sling, hearing the usual cracks before getting out of his seat. As he started to reach for the handle of the cab door to step outside, he was caught off guard by the sound of a steam whistle echoing through the air before Nathan could feel his diesel begin to vibrate.

"So they have steam trains in this world." He said to himself as he watched a passenger train slowly pass by his parked diesel before coming to a stop at the station. Once it stopped, Nathan was able to get a better look as some of the passenger coaches sat next to his engine. At first glance, Nathan thought the cars looked like gingerbread houses on wheels. As he stood on the front platform of 1506, he could see that his diesel was slightly taller than the coaches. Shifting his view towards the front, Nathan spotted the steam locomotive before he climbed down to get a closer look. "Uhh... shouldn't that thing have a tender?" He thought as he just saw some kind of double-decker car coupled to the engine instead. The engine itself was painted pink with wheels that were painted in almost a cream colored yellow with a blue center. As he looked on, Nathan could see that other ponies around were watching his every move.

"Why hello there, stranger." A voice called out, making Nathan look around. "Up here." The human's head turned to where the voice was coming from until his eyes rested on a light tan colored pony wearing an engineer's hat while also sporting a red bandana around his neck leaning out of the steam engine's cab. "Can't quite say I've ever seen a creature like you before." The pony said as his gold eyes focused on Nathan. "You the one that's been causing all this fuss lately?"

"I guess." Nathan replied, making the pony jump slightly upon hearing his voice.

"What exactly are you?" He asked as he leaned further out of the cab, almost to the point where he was about to fall onto the platform.

"I'm a human. Name's Nathan Bridgeport."

"Hu...man." The pony repeated while chuckling slightly as he pulled back into the cab. "That's a funny name for a creature." The pony then exited the cab and stood in front of him. "Nice to meet you, Nathan. Name's Steamer. I've been running the Friendship Express for almost 10 years now." Nathan extended his hand out and Steamer promptly raised a hoof up to meet it in a handshake.

"The Friendship Express?" Nathan repeated as Steamer nodded his head. "That's a funny name for a train."

"Yeah. Never really asked why it's called that." He replied as he noticed Nathan taking another look at his engine. "Quite a sight though, ain't she? This old gal and I have been together for as long as I can remember."

"You're right when you say that." Nathan said as he looked at the idle locomotive. "I've never seen an engine like this before."

"I can say the same thing for whatever that is." Steamer replied as he pointed his hoof at the diesel sitting in the siding. "What kind of thing is that?"

"That is my world's version of this." Nathan replied while pointing at the pink engine. "Only instead of burning coal, it runs on diesel fuel."

"Never heard of that before." He said before looking over at the clock mounted on the station wall. "Well, it was nice meeting ya, Nathan. Even though we just met, I can already tell that you and I are gonna get along just fine." He said before climbing back into his cab. "Sorry to cut this talk short though. But this train's gotta be moving along. Take care now."

"Alright!" Nathan called as steam hissed out beside him. "Have a safe trip!" Steamer nodded before pulling down on the whistle cord and pushing a lever forward. Soon, the Friendship Express began pulling out of the station, leaving clouds of steam and smoke behind as it rushed off into the countryside. Nathan coughed a little, along with the other ponies on the platform, as he tried fanning the smoke away from his face. "Gonna have to get used to that." He said between coughs before he started walking back to his engine.

"Nathan!" A familiar voice called out. Turning around, Nathan saw Twilight standing by the ticket window.

"Hey Twilight." Nathan said as the little alicorn walked over to him. "How you doing?"

"Pretty good." Twilight replied. "Just thought I'd come by and see how you were. Fluttershy was over here earlier, but saw that you were still sleeping. So she decided not to wake you up."

"I see." He replied.

"Anyways..." She continued. "We have a busy day ahead of us." Nathan raised an eyebrow after hearing that.

"What do you mean?"

"Well..." Twilight replied as a list appeared out of nowhere in a flash of purple magic. "Rarity needs your measurements in order for her to make some new clothes for you."

"Ah yes." He said while nodding.

"Followed by a quick stop at the hospital so the nurses can check on your arm, maybe get rid of that sling for you."

"Sounds good."

"After that, a stop at the market to pick up some food. I'll help you out with the funding."

"I'm not really sure where I'd be able to put it." Nathan replied as he looked back at his engine. "Not really much room in the cab to store groceries."

"Well, that brings me to the next item on the list." Twilight said. "Today, we'll help you get your own house here in Ponyville."

"That sounds good and all." The human said. "But how will I pay for it?"

"Princess Celestia said that she would provide the funds needed." Twilight replied. "She said that it was the least she could do to help you out."

"Wow." Nathan said. "That is really nice of her."

"I know." She replied.

"But shouldn't we get the house before getting the food instead of the other way around?"

"Wha-?" Twilight said before looking at her list. She then lightly groaned before making it disappear. "I knew I stayed up too late last night." This made Nathan chuckle as they both started walking. "Anyways..." She continued to say as she walked alongside the human. "I'm glad that you had such a good time at last night's party."

"It was a really nice one." He replied. "Best party I've ever had thrown for me."

"Pinkie will be pleased to hear that." Twilight said. "She always likes it when the one she threw the party for is happy."

"I'm sure she does." He replied. "By the way. Did you ever ask these science ponies about the tests that they wanted me to do?"

"Oh! Yes." Twilight replied. "They wanted to do a physical examination, some medical readings like your heart rate and blood pressure, and something about a personal endurance test."

"A what?"

"Personal endurance." Twilight repeated. "They said that they wanted you to do it because of your umm...." Nathan noticed Twilight's cheeks beginning to turn red. It didn't take long for him to pick up on what she was trying to say.

"Well, I'm not really sure why that is needed." He replied. "But if they think it is necessary, then I suppose I could oblige." This made Twilight breathe a sigh of relief. "And they know about the condition I asked for, right?"

"Yes." She said. "I made sure that they knew not to give you any shots. I also told them that my friends and I would accompany you to the research facility."

"Good." Nathan replied. "When are they wanting me to show up?"

"They want you to be there tomorrow." Twilight replied. "So we'll have to take tonight's train to Canterlot so we can be there in the morning."

"Okay." He said as the two stopped outside the door of Carousel Boutique. Twilight then used her magic to open the door, letting it swing inward before stepping in. Nathan followed, having to slightly duck to avoid hitting his head on the doorway. However, the top of his head managed to hit the little bell that mounted above the door.

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique." Rarity said with her back turned to Nathan and Twilight. "How may I help you?" She asked before turning to see her friends. "Twilight and Nathan!" She exclaimed as she walked over. "I wasn't expecting you to be here so soon."

"Oh!" Nathan replied. "That's alright. We can come back later on."

"Nonsense." The unicorn said. "Right now is the perfect time to get your measurements."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely." She replied as a measuring tape flew around her in a light blue aura. "If you would, follow me please." Nathan and Twilight slowly followed Rarity into another room where mannequins adorned with incomplete dresses stood. "Well Nathan, in order for me to get the proper measurements, I will need you to umm...."

"Say no more." He replied. "I had a feeling you needed me to strip. Would it be alright if I kept something on though to keep my "parts" covered?"

"Of course, darling." Rarity replied. "Whatever makes you comfortable." Nathan nodded before trying to take off his orange safety vest, only for his sling to get in the way.

"Hey Twi." He said, gaining the alicorn's attention. "I know you said we'd be stopping at the hospital later on, but I'm just gonna go ahead and take this off now."

"Is your arm fully healed?"

"Think so." He replied. "I can move it without having any pain." After a few seconds, Twilight nodded in response. So he began undoing the straps around his neck. With a click from the latch being undone, the straps fell to his chest before he removed the sling, allowing his arm to straighten out for the first time in days. "Much better." He said as he bent it a few times. He then went back to taking off his safety vest. Once that was done, he took off his plain white t-shirt, exposing his chest for the two mares to see.

"Alright." Rarity said. "You can stop for now. We'll start by taking measurements for your top." She looked over towards Twilight as she made a small notebook and quill float over to her. "I'll need you to record the numbers."

"You got it." Twilight replied as she grabbed hold of the items with her magic.

"Alright Nathan." Rarity said as the measuring tape circled around the human. "Shall we begin?"

"Thank you so much, Nathan." Rarity said as she held the notebook containing all of his measurements within. "I'll be sure to get started on making you some new clothes right away."

"No problem, Rarity." The human replied as he and Twilight stepped outside. "See you later."

"Take care now, Rarity." Twilight called out. "See you at the station tonight." After saying that, she used her magic to close the door. Once done, she turned her attention to the human as they began walking away. "Alright." She said as her list appeared once again. "Seeing as how your arm seems to be healed, I think we can skip going to the hospital." Nathan promptly nodded in agreement as Twilight crossed it off her list. "So I guess we're heading to Town Hall to go speak with Mayor Mare about getting you a home."

"Sounds good." He replied. "I can't wait to get that all taken care of." As the two walked along, ponies all around smiled and waved at the two, prompting both of them to return the favor. "This place is much nicer than most towns I've been to back home." Nathan said after waving to a mint green unicorn who was walking with a cream colored earth pony. "Everyone here seems really happy."

"Yes." Twilight replied. "Ponyville is truly one of the most peaceful little towns in all of Equestria." As she said that, Nathan couldn't help but silently agree as he looked around. If this was a dream, he'd probably never want to wake up. As each pony stopped to wave, Nathan began to take note of unique little designs on their flanks. His eyes then turned to Twilight's and noticed one on hers as well. A six-pointed star with 5 little stars surrounding it.

"So what's with these little designs?" Nathan asked while pointing at the picture on the alicorn's flank.

"That is my cutie mark." She replied.

"Cutie mark?"

"A symbol of one's destiny." She said. "For example, my cutie mark represents my love of magic. Does your kind not receive cutie marks?"

"Well...." Nathan replied. "Yes and no." Twilight stopped so she could listen to the human's story. "Back on Earth, we don't really get anything to signal that we really like something unless we pay to have it permanently marked on our skin. It's called a tattoo."

"Tat...too." Twilight repeated. "And do you have any of these?"

"No." He replied. "I didn't have the money to get one. And even if I did, I wouldn't know what to get."

"I see." She said as she quickly jotted what he said into her little notebook. "Where would these tattoos normally be?"

"Most people would usually get them on their arms or back." He continued while rolling up his sleeve to demonstrate.

"Interesting." Twilight stated. "Though I thought you said you didn't have one."

"I don't." He said.

"Then why is there an image of Discord on your arm?"

"What?!" The human exclaimed as he quickly looked, only to confirm what the alicorn had seen. "Where the hell did this come from?"

"Oh. Don't mind me." The image said in the all too familiar voice that Nathan has come to resent. "Just thought I could hitch a free ride."

"Discord!" Twilight said. "What are you doing here?"

"Well...." The tattoo replied before disappearing only for the real deal to appear in front of them. "I wanted to speak with Mr. Bridgeport for a moment."

"Haven't you already done enough to him?" She asked before she felt Nathan's hand gently pat her on the head. She looked up to see the human looking down at her before giving her a smile.

"I'll take care of this, Twilight." He said. Twilight simply nodded in response before she stepped back to give Nathan and Discord some space. "What exactly do you want?" He said, turning his eyes towards the strange creature in front of him.

"I just wanted to apologize for what happened as a result of my magic." Discord replied. This statement stunned Twilight as Nathan only stood silent while keeping his eyes glued on the draconequus. "I was just so focused on proving to Celestia that I was indeed reformed that I didn't really take into account how you would feel." Twilight watched as Nathan's right hand slowly clenched itself into a fist before being brought up.

"Discord..." Nathan started to say in a calm voice before letting out a sigh. "If it wasn't for your magic, I wouldn't be standing here today." Discord's eyes darted back and forth between Twilight and Nathan. "Yes, it's because of you that I won't ever be able to actually go home. And even before that, you killed my sleep cycle with those dreams. I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've had to buy an energy drink just to stay awake while shunting cars around the railyard. But in the end, you saved my life."

"So what exactly are you saying?" Discord asked while keeping a wary eye on the human's fist.

"I'm saying..." He replied. "That as far as you and I are concerned, we're good." Nathan opened his hand and extended it out toward him. Discord glanced at the gesture before slowly reaching out with his paw hand and taking hold of the human's hand to the surprised gasps of ponies. The two looked around to see that they were surrounded by ponies who wanted to see what was going on before looking back at eachother.

"Thank you." Discord softly said before he pulled the human into a hug, prompting all of the ponies around to stomp their hooves into the dirt as they cheered. Nathan, while momentarily stunned at first as a result of what was happening, soon returned the favor by giving Discord a friendly hug. After that, the ponies started going back to what they were doing before coming over. "Now if you two will excuse me..." Discord said as he slowly stepped back. "I need to go take care of some chores back home. Thank you for this, Nathan. It truly means so much to me." With that said, he then disappeared in a bright flash.

A few minutes of silence passed as Nathan slowly let a smile appear on his face. He then looked at Twilight, who was still stunned by what she had witnessed. "You alright, Twilight?" The human asked, making her shake her head a few times.

"I just...." She said. "I wasn't expecting you to forgive Discord so easily. Because of him, you can't go back home."

"I know." Nathan replied. "But what point is there to hold a grudge if nothing can be done about it?" Twilight rubbed her chin with her hoof upon hearing that. "Besides, if he didn't do anything, I'd be six feet underground instead of being in a new world."

"I suppose that's true." She replied. "I think I could maybe learn a thing or two from you. You just seem to be full of surprises." As the two began to walk again, Nathan couldn't help but feel a little better about himself. After roughly 10 minutes of walking, the two found themselves outside of Town Hall. "Well...." Twilight said. "Are you ready to get your new home?"

Nathan opened his mouth to reply, but another voice cut him off.

"Twilight!" Spike called out as he raced toward the two.

"What is it, Spike?" Twilight asked before her eyes saw a scroll in the dragon's claws as soon as the little dragon stopped in front of them.

"A... message from... Princess Celestia!" He replied between breaths as he soon collapsed in a heap on the dirt and grass beneath him. After checking to see if her assistant was alright, Twilight took hold of the scroll and carefully unwrapped the ribbon that kept it closed.

Dear Princess Twilight,
I wish I was writing to you about a happier subject, but it has been brought to my attention that Sunset Shimmer, a former student of mine, has been apprehended in the Crystal Empire. I need you and your friends to meet me and my sister there as soon as you can. We'll discuss more details in person.
Signed,
Princess Celestia

"Uhh... Twilight?" Nathan asked as he saw the surprised reaction on the face of the little alicorn. "I know you might be getting tired of me asking this. But are you alright?"

"Looks like we'll have to change our plans." She replied as she used her magic to give the scroll to the human for him to read. "We need to go find the others and catch the next train to the Crystal Empire."

Author's Notes:

Whats up everypony?

Now before this question gets asked, I'll just go ahead and answer it. I'm not really good at writing about parties, hence the reason why I decided to skip over Nathan's welcoming party. I do apologize if that was a part that some of you were looking forward to reading about.

Anyways. Now that I've been given some free time after the recent lack of free time by my employer, I'm hoping to have this story be updated on a regular basis for now. And as always, thank you all so much for the success this story has been so far. It really means alot to me.

See ya'll in the next update,
Harms Way