So, it's been about a week since I arrived in Equestria, and I had set up a small camp on the edge of the Everfree. It was nothing special, just a small tent I, ahem, "borrowed" from a yard sale, and nothing else. Hey, I need the basics if I'm going to live here. Anyway, I had done some hunting over the week for bow training, as well as practicing my swordsman ship. Of course, I also went into town from time to time, making sure not to draw attention to myself with my actions, and, far as I can tell, no show events have occurred yet. Keyword being "yet".

I had just entered the town today to see it was empty. Okay, then. A few possibilities. One of which comes to mind quickly, and it was confirmed when I saw the town square. Okay, with this universe, chronology is Premiere, then Bridle Gossip. I know this as I saw Zecora, cloaked, in the town square, kicking at the dirt. And cue the hypocrisy, which, warning, may or may not come back later as a rant. Just letting you guys know. Anyways, I used my wall jump to get on top of a building overlooking the area just as I saw an anthro Applebloom, wearing her EQG outfit, exit Sugarcube Corner as Zecora left, with her sister and the other bearers following shortly after. Thank you, this will buy me some time to prevent epic stupidity.

I jumped off the building, and made my way to Golden Oaks, an easy task, as none were on the streets. When I arrived, I saw this world's version of Golden oaks was a little more. . . angular, for lack of a better term. Don't get me wrong, it had elements of a tree, but it looked like a normal house with tree inspiration. I checked the door, like you wouldn't in this trusting town, to find it, unsurprisingly, unlocked. With that, I went inside, and to the books. "S. . .S. . . where's S?" I muttered to myself as I looked around the bookshelves. "There we go," I said as I found the S area, and began looking for my target book.

"There you are," I said as I saw the book I wanted, a green book, which I pulled out. "Hello, Supernaturals," I said. "Wow, you have to be dense to not see this thing's a plant book," I said in a deadpan. "There's a fucking plant on the cover." I rolled my eyes, and flipped to the index. I looked for a particular plant, which I found. "Okay, Poison joke: page twenty-seven." I flipped there. "Huh, did not know that. Actually explains that little plot hole." Now, you're wondering what I saw. Basically, it said that the plant activated, for lack of a better term, after a pony did something, and after a day, as the pollen is somewhat sentient, don't ask me how, it actually made the 'joke' happen. It would explain how it knew just what to do to effect the mane six. Now to find some paper.

I went upstairs, where Twilight's room was, and went foraging around for paper, ink, and a quill, the latter two easily found on one of her desks. For paper, it was a little harder, but I found it in one of the drawers, and went back downstairs. I went to where I left the book, on the central podium, and began to write. Go to page twenty-seven. And stop being hypocrites and try to get to know Zecora as an individual and not by fears. Well, now that that's done, one last note. I tore off half of the paper, and wrote Lock your fucking doors next time, and took out an arrow from the quiver on my back, and went out front, paper in my left hand, arrow in my right.

Once outside, I put the paper on the door, and then drove the arrow through the top of it to essentially nail the paper to the door. With that, I made my way back to my camp on the edge of the forest, this time having to avoid ponies, as they had finally come out of their homes and businesses. Again, it was easy, as there were a few back alleys for me to use in that regard.

Now, I had hidden my camp from sight of the town and away from any paths I knew of, so imagine my surprise when I saw Zecora sitting there. In case it was some kind of animal that could impersonate her, or a changeling, I drew my bow and put an arrow on the string, the tip and tail glowing a faint blue. As I walked closer, I stepped through a bush, which made Zecora, who was sitting on a nearby log, jump her head towards me. "If you are the owner of this camp," she said, "you may show, for I am no foe."

Now, I didn't know if she was telling the truth, but I figured that my shields would allow me to survive an attempted backstab. Harmony, can you make it to where I'm visible when I want to be?

That would result in it needing cooldown, she replied.

Good enough for me, I replied.

Then it will be done, she said. A few seconds later, I thought of myself as visible, and saw Zecora jump, indicating that the effect was changed.

"Now, what do you want?" I asked as I pointed the bow and arrow at her.

"You need not bark," she said, temporarily confusing me until she said, "I simply wish to talk."

"Why?

"I am simply curious why you would make a camp this far out. Did you get into a bout?"

"In a way," I replied, keeping my bow pointed at her. To be fair, it was more me escaping, but still. "How'd you find my camp?"

"I simply listened to the animals," Zecora said. "It was not a challenge."

Harmony?

I'll work on it.

"If that's the case," I said to the zebra as I unstrung the arrow, putting it back in the quiver and placing the bow around my back, the string running across my chest, "then do you need anything?"

"Simply one to speak," Zecora said. "I have tried with the residents of Ponyville, but they are quite bleak."

I chuckled. "Yeah, they can be, can't they?" With that, I got into a kneeling position where I stood. "So, what should I call you?"

"Where names are selected, there is a plethora," she said. "I am called Zecora."

"A pleasure to meet you, Zecora," I said. "You can call me Excalibur."

"To meet you is a pleasure, Excalibur," Zecora said as she removed the hood on her cloak, revealing that she had a small mohawk, and small earrings hanging from her ear lobes.

"Thank you," I said. "So, what brought you to Equestria, if I may ask?"

"A war in my homeland," Zecora said. "Between tribes and roving bands. My father was a warrior, and he wished for me to leave, so as to survive." She sighed. "A good thing he did, as my tribe is no longer alive."

"Ah," I said, flinching. "My sympathies, Zecora. I came here because, well, I was needed."

"If you do not mind the intrusion, may I ask a question?"

"Of course," I replied. "What?"

"Why are you present," Zecora said. "I doubt highly it is to present." Clever rhyme. Well, in my opinion.

"No, I am not here for show," I said. "For now, let's just say somepony requested me to watch over Equestria, and I accepted. I won't say who, though. I need some secrets, after all."

"Of course," Zecora said. "After all, sometimes, secrets must be kept to keep something on course."

"Too true," I said. "So, I guess you live in the Everfree, seeing as how the ponies are afraid of you?"

She nodded. "It is close by a bit. Would you like to see it?"

"No, thank you," I said, shaking my head. "I'm good right now. Besides, don't want to risk the ponies thinking anything." There were a few seconds of silence. "You know, you could try whatever you usually do in Ponyville in a few more days. Maybe they just need cooler heads."

"Perhaps," Zecora said. "After all, they are too friendly for traps."

"That's. . . one way of putting it," I said as Zecora got up. "I guess I'll see you later, then."

She nodded, and I saw her walk into the Everfree. Once she was gone, I got u myself, and went to the back of the camp, where I had a campfire going. With the fire going, I had a piece of manticore meat roasting, as i had killed a small one yesterday. Now, you may be wondering how I can eat with this suit on when, by all appearances, it's seamless. That's the thing: it's made using a special material, I know not what it's called, and it reacts to one's mind. In this case, I can think of the helmet retracting enough to reveal my face, which it did, revealing my face, which, if it's the same as from before I left, had a few freckles, was pale, and with green eyes. Anyway, once I was at the flame, I sat down, my legs crossed, and stoked the fire with a stick.

After a minute. I figured it was ready, the piece had been since this morning with the fire at a relatively low temperature, and I liked it medium well, so I took the spit that had it attached out from over the fire, and brought it to my mouth. It was a little bitter, but tender. Maybe I should try to get spices next time I can. Still, not bad for a first time.

You know, I'll never understand why some creatures eat both plants and animals, Harmony said.

It's just how we evolved, I replied. So, anything coming up I need to take care of?

Not any time soon, Harmony replied. Why? Plan on doing what you did earlier. That's to say, interfere as stealthily as possible?

Just until stealth is no longer viable, I replied. Hello, Discord, Sombra, and Changeling invasion. Besides, I need something to keep my attention, or I'd go bat crap crazy. Shame the only one willing to physically speak with me is Zecora. As introverted as I am, I still need more than two individuals to talk to. And I highly doubt the ponies would be willing to speak with me so long as Celestia thinks I'm one of Nightmare's creations. That is, unless they're part of a cult or something, which would mean I'd have to eventually kill them, assuming they get violent enough. I sighed. Be nice if there were other Tenno here to help me in that regard.

Who knows, Harmony said. Maybe those you call Merchants will send more here.

Doubtful, I replied. Unless it's a group displacement, than only one person gets displaced to a new world, and none arrive after. No idea why, though? I didn't get a reply from Harmony, so I just shrugged, and took another bite out of the manticore meant, not noticing the green eyes in the brush to my left.

Author's Notes:

I have great respect for those who write for Zecora, now. Especially as my rhymes, I think, aren't that clever or good.