The town was just on the horizon. Perhaps another hour's walk, give or take. This land, Equestria, had seemingly wonderful weather for traveling. On that note, so did Hammerfell's Alik'r if caught the rainy season, so Reman was still skeptical. Not that he thought a sudden storm was going to brew up, but given the previous night, he was worried.

The Ring had failed him. The one piece of control he had was ripped from his hands. He fingered the little accessory, an act he found oddly soothing. The Ring still held power, Reman could feel it, but for some reason chose not to work. Hircine must have had something to do with it. No Daedra could interfere with the artifact of another, every book he'd ever read on the subject had said as must.

“How long do you suppose this will take?” Glade had stopped whining, thankfully. The question was of a genuine desire to know.

“If you mean travel, about forty-five minutes, an hour, tops.” The Imperial felt into his pack, trying to find the little something extra Luna had slipped him. A bag of coins, perhaps forty, all gold. The little Princess had even been so kind as to recommend some entertainment while in town. “But, if you mean my plan, six days at least, that's just for preparation.”

“Why take so long?”

“This forest, Everfree, if I'm remember right, is dangerous, and lack of proper prepartion has killed stronger men than I.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

@#@#@#@#@#@

Half of Ponyville must have been crowded into the bakery. Pinkie had managed to give everypony enough room to breathe, even incorporating the second floor and basement. This was the largest party the pink pony had thrown in months, which was no small accomplishment. Well decorated, catered, and organized, with a large banner displaying 'Welcome to Ponyville' hung behind the counter, nopony would go find this inhospitable.

The party pony was in overdrive, which was normal for her. But when she noticed two figures appear in the distance, Pinkie could phased through a wall, she was shaking fast enough. A slim one, most likely a mare, Pegasus, but that bulky one next to it was weird. Pinkie didn't think poorly of anypony, but the big one gave her the creeps. It walked on four hooves, but the movement was off, it even had a tail that wagged back and forth, Diamond Dog?

Pinkie Pie was clever, a fact few outside of her circle of friends realized. She'd seen something that moved like that before, but where? She searched her brain, even as her guests hid and shut off the lights. What was that on its back? Were those... fillies? Three of them, ones she recognized, from color alone, the Cutie Mark Crusaders!

Her view was getting clearer, the little one, definitely a Pegasus mare, was saying something to the little fillies, who in turn appeared to giggle. All while riding on the big one's back. Pinkie remembered where she had seen that big one: the Festival. Specifically, she remembered it sinking its teeth into the mare it was with. The party pony waved forward.

Pinkie's fellow Elements came to her, each wondering what she wanted. Jaws hit the floor, minds skidded to a halt, and two ponies' instincts kicked in. Applejack and Rarity rushed to their respective sister's rescue, even before the others realized what was happening.

#@#@#@#@#@#

Reman's earlier feeling of dread had been correct. On there way to Ponyville, the Imperial still had trouble even thinking the name, the pair encountered an assault. Now that by itself wouldn't have made him blink, but those participating, however, did. Wolves, wooden wolves to be exact, and three small ponies. Eight wolves for three little foals, not even close to a fair fight, neither was one Imperial versus eight wolves, in the opposite direction, of course.

He'd transformed before rushing in. Against his unnatural strength, wood isn't that sturdy, even if a creature is using it as armor. But his biggest surprise came after the little confrontation ended. Something the Imperial would never expect.

They hugged him.

Well, his limbs, anyway, but the meaning was exact. Children, the members of any society who should feel the most fear of the unknown. Once more, Reman was witness to another glaring difference between Nirn and Equestria.

“Girls, get away, now, he's dangerous!” Glade still had no faith in him, but he couldn't blame her. The Pegasus had no idea how he'd react to contact with children, but he'd soon put those fears to rest. He was amazing with kids, he only hoped that transferred to foals.

But one thing was certain: they were dangerously adorable.

@#@#@#@#@#@

“Let go ah mah sister!” An orange pony charged from the door.

“Unhoof her you vile cretin!” Another followed behind, white, this time

The foals had already jumped off of his back, which gave Reman some options. The orange mare that kept trying to kick him was easy to dodge. The white one, however, kept trying to magically tie him up. The Imperial had no idea rope could be so strong. These two must have been Applejack and Rarity, Celestia did mention Twilight had friends at the Festival, that was going to make things awkward.

“Stop, he doesn't mean any harm!” Was that Glade taking up for him? He owed Luna five 'bits', whatever those were.

“Stay outta this.” The orange one replied, trying to land a buck. Glade continued to try reason, but when it came to siblings and their defense, reason and logic are abandoned. The Pegasus had to try Plan B. she launched herself at the biggest threat: the farmer.

Maybe being a lycan wasn't so bad, she'd tackled an Earth pony like it was nothing, the strength boost was incredi-

Glade didn't get to finish the thought, Applejack threw her off. The farmer immediately reengaged. Glade was quick to follow, but Reman was gone. The clock struck noon, right on schedule, Glade knew about the time restraint, thirty minutes.

Glade had a bit of a smile. That didn't last long. She heard a cough from behind.

She had six Elements of Harmony, and half of Ponyville, looking right at her. She had some explaining to do.

#@#@#@#@#@#

Reman had smelled the ambush a mile away, literally. Too many living things in one place gives off a certain scent. But, the situation had provided a useful opportunity. The entertainment Luna had recommended was on the west side of town, they'd approached from the north, it was a simple change of direction. The Imperial ducked behind a building, a minute later, he returned to the street in human form, cloth wrapped around his waist for decency.

The man stopped dead, he smelled something, sweat, adrenaline, sex and... alcohol! West of where he was, just up the road. He didn't run, too noisy, but walked quickly. There it was: Arcadia, the only tavern in Ponyville, well, 'nightclub' had been the term Luna used. Reman knew the Dunmer of Windhelm called theirs a 'cornerclub', so he wasn't concerned.

The Imperial threw the doors open. A number of ponies looked at him in surprise, even the bartender. Reman tossed his sack of coins onto the bar.

“Next round's on me!” He was met with cheers. He'd made a good first impression on this side of town, at least.

@#@#@#@#@#@

And once more, I have concerns about this one.
But I need help with how to characterize the Mane Six